《Come On, Son! You Got to Breakthrough Now!》 Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The Birth of an Heir Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The Birth of an Heir ? Snow was flying heavily, covering the land in frost, presenting a world draped in silver. In Lin County, pedestrians hurried along, most of them clad in thick cotton-padded jackets, though occasionally one could see someone lightly dressed, shivering like chaff in the wind and snow. In a certain courtyard, a young man was practicing his fist skills lightly dressed in the snowy wind. Each of his punches was forceful and robust, seemingly emitting a steaming white vapor from the top of his head-an extremely mysterious sight. After a long while, He completed a set of fist skills, and the young man''s mind stirred slightly, his eyes seemingly capturing lines of text invisible to others. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 22/80 Stage: Initial Stage of Refining Skin Martial Arts: Mountain Shattering Fist (Beginner) "Looks like reaching a Small Success in Mountain Shattering Fist isn''t going to happen quickly!" Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. His name was Gu Qingfeng. Until the age of sixteen, he was indistinguishable from an ordinary person, but after his sixteenth birthday, he suddenly awakened the wisdom of a past life, possessing memories of an additional lifetime compared to ordinary people. Upon realizing that he was in a world rife with chaos and moral decay, Gu Qingfeng acknowledged that strength was the fundamental basis for establishing oneself in this world. Thus, He spent all of his modest family fortune to successfully join a martial arts hall as an apprentice and learned a fist technique called Mountain Shattering Fist. Although it was just beginner-level martial arts, it was temporarily sufficient for Gu Qingfeng. Regrettably, Gu Qingfeng''s talents were average. After staying in the martial arts hall for several years, he never managed to succeed in mastering Mountain Shattering Fist. Unable to afford the continuing fees, he eventually had to leave and, after much wandering, settled down in Lin County. It was not until a year ago that Gu Qingfeng finally managed to reach the Beginner stage in Mountain Shattering Fist. At that very moment, he discovered the "Golden Finger" that had come with him through the transmigration ¨C it appeared alongside. A simple attribute panel. There was nothing else. Gu Qingfeng had studied it many times but never discovered any additional functions of the attribute panel; it seemed to be just a simple, utterly ornamental panel. Over time, Gu Qingfeng had abandoned this idea. Just then, he saw that the long-unchanging attribute panel now had an additional line of small text. "Your first offspring is born (triggered only once)!" "Reward points *1!" "Reward Qi Blood Pill *10!" The sudden changes left Gu Qingfeng slightly stunned, as if witnessing something inconceivable. The attribute panel now, was split into two interfaces. One interface was the recently appeared prompt, and the other was his original attribute panel. What was different, Gu Qingfeng mused. Finding his son was not difficult, considering he had only ever been with a woman once in this world, even though she was not from Lin County, but that was not a problem. After briefly packing up, Gu Qingfeng shouldered his bag and left the courtyard he had rented for a long time. ... Ten days later. Gu Qingfeng returned to Lin County. But this time, he had an infant in his arms. During those ten days. Gu Qingfeng had traveled thousands of miles and, when he finally found his offspring, discovered the child''s mother had died in childbirth, leaving only an elderly couple who were incapable of caring for the baby and were planning to abandon it. About the woman''s death. Gu Qingfeng also felt some sorrow. Although the two did not have much affection and their relationship had occurred due to some accidents, he still could not remain composed upon hearing of her death. After giving most of his remaining Silver to the elderly couple, Gu Qingfeng took the child and left. It was a boy. Gu Qingfeng named him Gu Yang. After bringing him back to Lin County, Gu Qingfeng began to worry about how to raise the infant. After all, he had never experienced raising a child before, and this was his first time having his own offspring in both lives. There was also another problem. That was that he was almost out of Silver. If he did not solve the money issue, not to mention raising a child, he himself might starve to death. With this thought. Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath as if he had made a decision, and set out again with the child in his arms. But this time was different. He arrived in front of a martial arts school. "My name is Gu Qingfeng, and I would like to inquire if your martial arts school is hiring instructors?" "Instructors?" The martial arts school staff appraised the young man in front of him with a scrutinizing look, especially when seeing him holding a child, his expression even more peculiar. "To become an instructor is naturally not an issue, but there is one requirement: one''s cultivation must at least be at Mid-level Refining Skin!" With these words. A confident look appeared on Gu Qingfeng''s face. Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Seven Years Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Seven Years ? The Martial Arts Hall was named Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall. In its own little corner of Lin County, it was a force to be reckoned with. The Hall Master was named Xu Jun-a Martial Artist who had reached Refining Skin Perfection¡ªand he was backed by a group of instructors at the mid and advanced levels of Refining Skin.@@@@ Although Gu Qingfeng''s strength wasn''t particularly high, he had stepped into the mid-level of Refining Skin, which met the requirements to join the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall. Therefore, after he demonstrated his own strength, it was only natural for him to become an instructor. "A regular instructor earns five taels of silver per month. Instructor Gu shouldn''t have any problems with that, right?" Xu Jun chuckled. Gu Qingfeng nodded, "No problem at all!" Five taels of silver were not a small amount. In Lin County, for an ordinary family of three to spend frugally, five taels of silver was more than sufficient for a year''s expenses. This was the difference between Martial Artists and ordinary people. Even just at the mid-level of Refining Skin, the compensation they received was beyond what ordinary people could match. Very soon, both parties signed the contract. Gu Qingfeng became a regular instructor at the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall, earning a salary of five taels of silver every month, but he needed to conduct at least four hours of cultivation guidance for the disciples for a fixed twenty days every month. If he failed to meet this requirement, the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall had the right to deduct from his monthly salary. To this, Gu Qingfeng naturally had no objections. Five taels of silver were more than enough to raise a child, and even hiring a wet nurse wouldn''t be a problem. Yet considering his current financial distress, Gu Qingfeng decided to request his salary for one month in advance, which Xu Jun did not refuse. With the silver in hand, Gu Qingfeng immediately found a wet nurse who had recently given birth and had ample milk to feed a child, at a price of one tael of silver per month. She was a woman in her thirties, still with some charm, though her complexion was slightly pallid, which suggested a diet deficient in nutrients; however, upon hearing the offer of one tael of silver, a healthy color flushed her cheeks. Once everything was arranged, Gu Qingfeng''s life got back on track. He practiced Martial Arts every day, and then he would wait for Gu Yang to grow up to see if there would be opportunities to trigger more rewards. Originally, Gu Qingfeng had thoughts of remarrying and having more children, but for the time being, the cost of taking a wife was not low, and if he wanted to provide for several more children, he would want but not have the means. Furthermore, in terms of taking a wife, Gu Qingfeng also hoped to find someone he was fated to be with. Having taught apprentices in the martial arts hall for several years and himself having cultivated the Mountain Shattering Fist to great success, guiding a seven-year-old child was an easy task. He had expected Gu Yang, due to his young age, to find fist practicing exhausting and unable to persist for very long. Gu Qingfeng was even prepared to enforce discipline with a stick if necessary. Unexpectedly, Though young, the child was not lacking in perseverance. Even if fist training was arduous, Gu Yang always managed to endure it with sheer determination. Moreover, In terms of talent for martial arts, Gu Qingfeng discovered that Gu Yang was much better than himself. He had struggled for years to attain just a beginner level in Mountain Shattering Fist, but it took Gu Yang less than three months to reach the beginner stage and achieve a breakthrough to the Initial Stage of the Refining Skin Realm. And at the moment of Gu Yang''s breakthrough, Gu Qingfeng''s attribute panel, which had been quiet for a long time, finally had new messages appear. "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has achieved a breakthrough to the Initial Stage of the Refining Skin Realm!" "Reward Upgrade Points*1!" "Reward Qi Blood Pills*20!" "Reward low-grade martial arts ''Iron Body Skills''!" This time the rewards were much more generous than the last. Setting aside the upgrade points for now, the Qi Blood Pills were double the amount of last time, and this time there was an additional reward of low-grade martial arts Iron Body Skills. So-called low-grade martial arts are beginner martial arts. Like the Mountain Shattering Fist that Gu Qingfeng was currently practicing, it is one kind of low-grade martial arts. But even low-grade martial arts are extremely precious to many people and are not easily obtained. Only by joining the martial arts hall and giving a large amount of silver could one have the opportunity to be taught low-grade martial arts. Now, Receiving a low-grade martial arts as a reward was indeed satisfying for Gu Qingfeng. Moreover, through this occasion, Gu Qingfeng had completely figured out how to trigger his attribute panel. When his offspring made a breakthrough in cultivation, he would benefit accordingly. Now that Gu Yang had broken through to the Initial Stage of the Refining Skin Realm, he''d received such rich rewards. If he made a breakthrough to even higher realms later, the rewards would be even better. Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Refining Skin Late Stage Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Refining Skin Late Stage ? Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 29/80 Realm: Late Stage Refining Skin Martial Arts: Mountain Shattering Fist (Great Success), Iron Body Skills (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 1 In his bedroom, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel and noticed that the Martial Arts section already had the words "Iron Body Skills" added. At the same time. In the Item Bar, a thin Secret Manual had been added, which was the Iron Body Skills. This was another function of the Item Bar. As long as it was an awarded item, it could be retrieved from the Item Bar and also put back into it, but non-awarded items could not enter the Item Bar. Even so. It saved a lot of convenience. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng, looking at the newly added Upgrade Point, already had an idea in mind. "Forget about the Iron Body Skills for now, I''ll upgrade Mountain Shattering Fist to Perfection first!" Mountain Shattering Fist Perfection! His own cultivation would be able to break through to Refining Skin Perfection. In today''s Lin County, Refining Skin Perfection was already quite extraordinary. To say it''s top-notch. Wasn''t too far off. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng thought moved, and he applied that extra Upgrade Point directly to Mountain Shattering Fist. In an instant. A vast amount of knowledge about Mountain Shattering Fist surged into Gu Qingfeng''s mind, as if he had been practicing it hard for decades, making the skin on his hands become rougher and much thicker. The skin was tough. Ordinary swords would have difficulty causing harm. "Refining Skin Perfection, achieved!" Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with sharp light. With his talent, under normal cultivation, stepping into Refining Skin Perfection would take at least several decades to have a chance. But now. He had broken through to Refining Skin Perfection in just about a dozen years. Now. Having stepped into Refining Skin Perfection, Gu Qingfeng felt his current strength, compared to before his breakthrough, was an entirely different concept. Refining Skin Martial Artists mainly tempered their bodies to become tough enough that ordinary swords would have difficulty causing harm. However. Most of these conversations were mundane chit-chat, but some particular words made Gu Qingfeng listen involuntarily. Unclean! Eerie! ... Gu Qingfeng looked at the person speaking; it was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth, he remembered the boy''s name. Li Niu! An ordinary name, and his talents were equally ordinary. He had joined the martial arts hall for over a year but had never succeeded in entering Martial Arts, had never joined the ranks of the Refining Skin Martial Artists. "Li Niu, come here a moment." The voice of Gu Qingfeng caused the group that was chatting to pause, then the youth called Li Niu walked over, bowing respectfully. "Instructor Gu, do you need anything?" Li Niu asked cautiously. As he spoke, he was also faintly excited in his heart, wondering if he had caught the eye of the instructor. After all, in novels and storybooks, it was common for a poor boy to be noticed by a hidden expert, and then be taught martial skills that would take them straight to the heavens. In the eyes of an ordinary apprentice like Li Niu, Instructor Gu Qingfeng of the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall was no different from a hidden expert. "Just now I heard you talk about something unclean and eerie, so I wanted to ask if you know something about it?" Hearing Gu Qingfeng''s question, a visible disappointment crossed Li Niu''s face, but he quickly recovered and enthusiastically replied. "Instructor Gu might not know, but these past few days in the county there have been several households who have died mysteriously, and their deaths have been particularly grim, all having their abdomens split and their organs hollowed out. We suspect that these things are not done by humans, but by some unclean entities." "So many people have died, hasn''t the government found anything?" "Heh, where can there be anything to find? My dad says this isn''t something a human can do, even if the government investigates, it''s just a waste!" Hearing Li Niu''s words, Gu Qingfeng''s expression slightly changed. His keen perception as a martial artist made him instinctively sense that there was something unusual about the situation. After all, although Lin County wasn''t large, it did have government officials stationed there. If there had truly been a madman harming lives, it would be impossible for the government to be unable to find any traces. With this in mind. The situation seemed to have become even more serious. Chapter 4: Chapter 4 The Dead Person Chapter 4: Chapter 4 The Dead Person ? From Li Niu and other disciples of the martial arts halls, Gu Qingfeng understood that deaths in Lin County had not just started to happen recently. A month earlier, Lin County had already been experiencing an unsettling succession of gruesome and bizarre deaths. It was merely because Lin County was, after all, a county town, neither large nor small, and since Gu Qingfeng had always traveled only between the martial arts hall and home, he never paid much attention to external affairs, which is why he hadn''t heard of these events yet. In the days that followed, Gu Qingfeng increasingly deepened his understanding of the situation in Lin County. He discovered that the frequency of deaths in Lin County was growing higher and more concentrated. At the start, a family would die every three to five days, but now it was almost a daily occurrence, and sometimes two or three families would die in a single day. As the number of deaths rose, the rumors of something unclean in Lin County grew more prevalent, causing many citizens to panic, with quite a few considering the idea of moving away from the county. Because of this, the local authorities issued a notice, stating that a murderer had made his way to Lin County and was responsible for these killings, but the authorities had already traced the suspect and would soon capture them, assuring all citizens that they could rest easy. This news, naturally brought the public''s unrest to a minimum. However, When Gu Qingfeng heard this news, it caused his brow to furrow slightly. "A fugitive murderer... I fear it''s not so simple!" Of course, Gu Qingfeng merely thought this to himself. As to what exactly was happening, he was unable to clarify at the moment. Back in the courtyard, Gu Qingfeng saw Gu Yang practicing the Mountain Shattering Fist, he frowned slightly and asked, "Don''t you have to go to the private school today?" "The teacher said that the town has been uneasy recently, so we''ve been given a few days off. Classes will resume once we''re notified," Gu Yang honestly replied. Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly and glanced at his attribute panel, suddenly feeling his worries dissipating quite a bit. Why overthink it? Whether there''s something sinister or some murderer on the loose, as long as he was strong enough, then none of these problems were indeed problems. Right now, to quickly enhance strength, the priority was to have Gu Yang make a breakthrough. Once his son made a breakthrough, only then could he, as a father, achieve his own breakthrough. With that thought, Gu Qingfeng covertly took out a Qi Blood Pill and handed it to Gu Yang. When he had reached Refining Skin Perfection previously, although he could withstand sword injuries to a certain extent, he definitely couldn''t achieve what he just had. It was apparent. This was the mystery that came with the breakthrough of Iron Body Skills. At that moment. The long silent notification bar refreshed with new messages. "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has broken through to the Mid-level of the Refining Skin Realm!" "Reward Upgrade Points *2!" "Reward Qi Blood Pills *30!" "Reward Blood Refining Pills *10!" ... While there were no Martial Arts in this reward, there were two Upgrade Points, and a brand new elixir was added. Blood Refining Pill! When Gu Qingfeng''s thoughts rested on the elixir, the corresponding information appeared as well. It was an elixir for Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm, capable of refining a warrior''s Qi and strength, accelerating the breakthrough in the Blood Refining Realm, and Martial Artists at Refining Skin Perfection could also take it to step into the Blood Refining Realm. "Can two Upgrade Points take Mountain Shattering Fist to a higher level?" Gu Qingfeng looked toward the name Mountain Shattering Fist, his thoughts stirring slightly, and immediately information emerged from his mind. To break the limit of Mountain Shattering Fist! Five Upgrade Points needed! It really could- Gu Qingfeng''s heart leapt with joy. Mountain Shattering Fist at Perfection had already allowed him to break through Refining Skin Perfection. If it could break through to an even higher level, then he might be able to become a Blood Refining Martial Artist directly through Mountain Shattering Fist. However. Seeing the requirement of five Upgrade Points, Gu Qingfeng''s brow furrowed slightly. The points needed to break the limit were indeed many. Until now, all the Upgrade Points he had accumulated were merely four in total. To truly save up five points, who knew how long that would take. With this in mind. Gu Qingfeng turned his gaze toward Iron Body Skills. "If Mountain Shattering Fist can''t be improved, then let''s raise Iron Body Skills first. Future matters can be discussed in the future. The main thing now is to improve my own strength as much as possible!" Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Evil Spirit Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Evil Spirit ? Two Upgrade Points were invested into the Iron Body Skills, which instantly entered the state of Perfection. At the moment when the Iron Body Skills reached Perfection, a vast amount of memories from training the skill surfaced in Gu Qingfeng''s mind, and he felt an itch in his skin as a layer of dead skin peeled off to reveal a bronze-toned dermis. When Gu Qingfeng brought over a blade and slashed at his skin with all his might, he felt only a slight touch, with no break in defense. After that. Gu Qingfeng channeled the Iron Body Skills again and delivered another full-strength chop. As the blade touched his skin, a sound like the clash of metal rang out, and in the next breath, the long blade snapped in response. "Good!" Having truly tested the power of the Iron Body Skills Perfection, Gu Qingfeng''s face lit up with joy. Now, relying solely on his physical defense, he could completely ignore the attacks of Refining Skin Perfection Martial Artists. Whether he could withstand the attack of a Blood Refining Martial Artist if he used the Iron Body Skills with full force was yet to be seen. But at least. Completing two martial arts provided Gu Qingfeng with the capital to dominate the Refining Skin Realm. Then. Gu Qingfeng took out a Blood Refining Pill. The Blood Refining Pill was entirely crimson, as if forged from fresh blood, exuding an extraordinary aura. Gu Qingfeng only sniffed it briefly and felt his vital energy and blood nearly boil. At once. Gu Qingfeng swallowed a Blood Refining Pill. The elixir entered his stomach. The power of the pill, ten times stronger than that of the Qi Blood Pill, exploded from his belly. His vital energy surged like the currents of great rivers, incessantly scouring his flesh and skin. Under the immense power of the pill, Gu Qingfeng''s skin turned bright red, resembling a boiled shrimp, and it took a long while before the effects of the pill subsided and his skin returned to normal. "Hu!" Gu Qingfeng exhaled deeply.@@@@ The effect of taking the Blood Refining Pill proved more beneficial than a year of arduous training. Now, he could faintly sense the boundary of the Refining Skin Realm. Normally. To break through to the Blood Refining Realm, one must possess corresponding martial arts. But nothing is absolute. The Blood Refining Pill is a shortcut for Refining Skin Martial Artists to break through to Blood Refining. However. With his current cultivation level, Gu Qingfeng could only take one such elixir a day, as taking too much would only harm his foundation. ... The next day. "Congratulations to Instructor Gu!" "Our Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall has produced another Refining Skin Perfection expert. This is truly a joyous occasion!" Everyone offered their congratulations, and Gu Qingfeng responded to each with a smile. "You are too kind." ... After a while. The remaining instructors had all arrived. The previously noisy hall suddenly became much quieter. With a solemn expression, Xu Jun faced the crowd and said in a grave voice, "I won''t beat around the bush today. We received news that a mysterious blood mist has appeared outside Lin County. All who entered the mist have died a strange death. The people who died were all gutted, their five internal organs completely removed, identical to the various tragic incidents of a few months ago. If I''m not mistaken, it''s likely that Lin County has been targeted by an evil spirit!" Evil spirit! As these words were uttered, everyone''s face drastically changed, as though they had heard something inconceivable. Gu Qingfeng also looked startled and immediately asked, "What exactly is this evil spirit you mentioned, Hall Master? Why have I never heard of such a thing?" Hearing this. Xu Jun gave a wry smile and said, "It is normal for Instructor Gu not to have heard of the existence of evil spirits, for places affected by evil spirits often leave no survivors. In my youth, I was lucky enough to learn of evil spirits from someone''s account. In a few words, it is not sufficient to explain what an evil spirit is. You all simply need to understand that it''s an extremely terrifying entity. Where an evil spirit emerges, the lighter outcome is the destruction of a city, and at worst, it could turn an entire county into dead land." "Take for instance the past incidents in Qingjiang Prefecture and Xuanshui City. External rumors suggested that an epidemic broke out, leading to the death of all inhabitants. In truth, it was because an evil spirit catastrophe occurred in Qingjiang Prefecture and Xuanshui City, with all the citizens perishing at the hands of the evil spirit. It was just the court fabricating an epidemic rumor to cover up the actual truth. Now that such a situation has arisen in Lin County, there is a high probability that an evil spirit has set its sights on this place!" Saying this, Xu Jun''s face was filled with regret. If he had known about the evil spirit earlier, he certainly would not have continued to stay in Lin County, but now it seemed to be too late to say anything. Chapter 6: Chapter 6 Xu Juns Purpose Chapter 6: Chapter 6 Xu Jun''s Purpose ? As Xu Jun began talking about the evil spirit, the entire hall was filled with people whose faces were stricken with horror, and some were at a loss. Only a few older instructors and Gu Qingfeng managed to maintain some composure. Gu Qingfeng asked, "According to the Hall Master, how strong is the evil spirit?" "The true strength of the evil spirit is unclear to me, but thirty years ago, Qingjiang Prefecture was destroyed, and fifteen years ago, Xuanyuan City was destroyed, both places had many strong forces stationed there. What specific level these powerful forces were at, I don''t know, but there must have been Martial Artists from the Blood Refining Realm. Even so, both places were destroyed by the evil spirit!" Xu Jun''s words made Gu Qingfeng''s heart sink slightly. According to him, even Martial Artists from the Blood Refining Realm might not be a match for the evil spirit. Then, Gu Qingfeng further inquired, "What does the Hall Master plan to do now?" "We can no longer stay in Lin County; although Lin County is currently besieged, it does not mean we have no chance to leave. All of us have stepped into the Refining Skin Realm, and Instructor Gu and I are at Refining Skin Perfection. If we unite and break out of the city, perhaps we could break through the Blood Fog''s bindings and then leave Lin County!" Xu Jun finally revealed his purpose for gathering everyone. His words caused the expressions of many instructors to become uncertain, not knowing what to think. Everyone was no fool. According to Xu Jun, the evil spirit was particularly terrifying, and even Martial Artists from the Blood Refining Realm were no match for it; did they, a group of Refining Skin Realm Martial Artists, really have a chance to break through the evil spirit''s blockade? Watching the changing expressions of the crowd, Xu Jun could also discern their thoughts. "Everyone, there are strong and weak evil spirits, not all are as formidable as the one that destroyed Qingjiang Prefecture; with our strength, it''s not like we don''t have a slim chance of survival. Moreover, the longer we stay in Lin County, the more dangerous it becomes. Currently, the evil spirit is only besieging Lin County and has not truly acted yet; once it does, it will be impossible for us to leave!"@@@@ This statement. Became the last straw that broke the mental defenses of everyone. To leave was to face a high probability of death. To stay was certain death! The choice seemed clear without further words. At that moment, Xu Jun looked to the silent Gu Qingfeng and asked, "What is Instructor Gu''s opinion?" "According to the Hall Master, the evil spirit is beyond normal comprehension, but the government must have some measures to deal with the evil spirit; I wonder what the situation with the government is now?" Gu Qingfeng''s words made everyone else startled. Indeed. They had forgotten about the existence of the government. After all, Lin County was under the jurisdiction of the Taixuan Dynasty. If an evil spirit truly appeared, it would be impossible for the government to not act. "Evil Spirit..." Gu Qingfeng took a deep look at the blood mist, then turned and left. He had no intention to venture into the blood mist alone. After all, the so-called Evil Spirit might be lurking within the blood mist, and stepping into it alone could potentially lead him to confront the Evil Spirit. At the same time, the words spoken by Xu Jun also re-emerged in Gu Qingfeng''s mind. The Evil Spirit craves the life force and blood of beings. The action of the Golden Bull Master in gathering people to leave Lin County together might not necessarily be for their benefit. From Xu Jun''s words today, Gu Qingfeng had realized that the man was cold-hearted and not a good person. "However, Xu Jun''s scheming is not important. What''s crucial is that my own strength is sufficient. Xu Jun probably thinks I''m just a typical martial artist at Refining Skin Perfection, but he doesn''t know that I have already reached Perfection in two Martial Arts. After all, for ordinary people, leveling up a single Martial Arts to Perfection is challenging, not to mention two." Confident in his own strength, Gu Qingfeng did not consider Xu Jun, the master of the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall, to be necessarily stronger than himself. Moreover, he had Blood Refining Pills in his possession. If he could break through to the Blood Refining Realm within three days using the Blood Refining Pill, then leaving Lin County would be much more assured. But - whether a breakthrough could be achieved in three days was another question. ... Back at his residence, Gu Yang was still practicing martial arts. Gu Yang had a special fondness for martial arts, which was something Gu Qingfeng was pleased to see. "Yang''er, a great trouble is about to befall Lin County. Leave this place with your father in three days!" Gu Qingfeng spoke. Gu Yang, upon hearing this, had a puzzled expression on his face, "What trouble is father talking about?" "Don''t ask too much. Just focus on your cultivation these next few days." Gu Qingfeng did not elaborate, instead instructing Gu Yang to concentrate on his cultivation while handing him a bottle of Qi Blood Pills to assist his training. Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Evil Suppression Bureau Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Evil Suppression Bureau ? For the following three days, Gu Qingfeng had not gone to the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall but had been silently refining the Blood Refining Pill, hoping to break through to the Blood Refining Realm as soon as possible. However, although the Blood Refining Pill was powerful, the breakthrough from the Refining Skin Realm to the Blood Refining Realm could not be crossed in a short time. In the case of refining three Blood Refining Pills within three days, Gu Qingfeng could clearly feel that his cultivation had reached the limit of the Refining Skin Realm, just lacking an opportunity to complete the significant transformation. But this transformation was not so easy to achieve. If he could give himself a few more days, Gu Qingfeng was fairly confident he could break through to the Blood Refining Realm. But now, he did not have that much time. Because today was the day he had arranged to meet Xu Jun. With other instructors of the martial arts school serving as bait and being buried with them, the probability of leaving Lin County was much higher. Without Xu Jun and the others, even if he were to break through to the Blood Refining Realm, Gu Qingfeng was not confident he could leave Lin County safely. Indeed. After understanding Xu Jun''s intentions, Gu Qingfeng had the same plan. Xu Jun regarded him and the other instructors as bait, and he had the same idea. In these troubled times, death was a common occurrence. Over the past thirty years, Gu Qingfeng had seen plenty of dead bodies and was not much moved by it. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng simply packed up his belongings, which weren''t many to begin with. The only thing he had to take with him was some Silver Taels. Then, The left the house with Gu Yang. Compared to three days ago, the sky above Lin County was now filled with a faint blood mist. Pedestrians and citizens all had distressed and panicked expressions, but it had not yet descended into chaos. Gu Qingfeng did not want to concern himself with too much right now; he only wanted to leave Lin County as quickly as possible. After all, the blood mist had already appeared in the sky, and no one could guarantee when new anomalies might occur. However, Gu Yang showed a look of curiosity in his bright eyes when he saw the blood mist. "Dad, what is that?" "You don''t need to worry about these things. Just remember to stay close to me," Gu Qingfeng earnestly cautioned, and Gu Yang nodded his head, half-understanding. Before long, the two arrived at the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall. It wasn''t that Gu Qingfeng distrusted the Evil Suppression Bureau, but everything was just too coincidental. As Xu Jun had previously mentioned, Lin County wasn''t a significant place-its remote location meant that a small town like this, especially with the blood mist sealing it off, could hardly send any messages out. Yet the Evil Suppression Bureau arrived almost immediately after the blood mist appeared, which was a bit too convenient. Too convenient, often implies that it''s not a coincidence at all! There was another point. That was the order from the Evil Suppression Bureau for all the residents not to leave Lin County, which also made Gu Qingfeng feel something was amiss. Had it been just this order alone, there would have been no issue. But combined with the previous events and the current order, Gu Qingfeng understood that things were definitely not as simple as Xu Jun had described. The purpose of the Evil Suppression Bureau became something worth pondering. Nevertheless, these thoughts were kept to himself by Gu Qingfeng, who chose not to voice them aloud. Engaging in deep discussions where the bond was shallow was a taboo matter. Although Gu Qingfeng had been an instructor at the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall for several years and knew Xu Jun and the other instructors only superficially, he certainly couldn''t share these thoughts with them. If the Evil Suppression Bureau had ulterior motives and someone passed these thoughts on to them, it would just be causing trouble for himself. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng kept quiet to everyone. At the same time, he solidified one thing in his mind: he couldn''t stay in Lin County any longer. "The people of the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall can''t be relied upon. To leave Lin County, I must rely on myself. In the end, it all comes down to strength. If I were in the Blood Refining Realm or even above that level as a martial artist, many issues wouldn''t be issues at all. The most critical thing right now is to achieve a breakthrough to the Blood Refining Realm first. Although I''m not certain of the strength of the members from the Evil Suppression Bureau, given that the Refining Skin Perfection level Xu Jun is so wary of them, the strength of those coming must also be extraordinary." With this thought, Gu Qingfeng set aside all distractions and swallowed a Blood Refining Pill, beginning to refine the power of the elixir and forcibly pushing for a breakthrough to a higher realm. Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Martial Arts Breakthrough Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Martial Arts Breakthrough ? Night had descended. The government office was brightly lit. Several people were seated inside, discussing matters. If others were here, they would notice that one of the individuals appeared to be middle-aged with a gentle and refined demeanor, yet bore a trace of the dignity befitting those in high positions; this person was none other than the county magistrate, Zhao Jiang. The other two. One was tall and thin, named Shangguan Jiang. The other was burly, named Ye Yuan. In the presence of these two, Zhao Jiang was humble and ingratiating. "Gentlemen, now that Lin County is entirely sealed off, what should we do next?" "The Blood Spirit Array is nearly complete, and the personnel of the government must guard every entry and exit point, ensuring there is no repeat of the previous incident. Otherwise, should we delay important matters, your tenure as the county magistrate will come to an end!" Ye Yuan''s gaze was icy, his voice chilling. His words. Made Zhao Jiang quickly nod in agreement. Looking at Zhao Jiang, Shangguan Jiang spoke with a mild expression, "Mr. Zhao need not worry. If this matter is handled well, we will certainly recommend you for a position elsewhere. A small place like Lin County ultimately offers little in terms of prospects. With Mr. Zhao''s talents, you can certainly achieve great things in a better place, and if you can obtain some merits, who knows, you may even one day step into the halls of the temple of power." "Thank you, sir!" Zhao Jiang''s face lit up with joy. Just then. Suddenly, Shangguan Jiang''s eyes took on a strange look, and a cold, eerie power seemed to emanate from him, making his shadow under the candlelight subtly shift. "I am somewhat hungry..." Seeing him like this, Zhao Jiang felt his heart race, hurriedly saying, "Please wait a moment, sir. I will make arrangements immediately!" With that. Zhao Jiang hastened away, fearing that any delay might lead to something dreadful. In the courtyard. Gu Qingfeng was practising his Mountain Shattering Fist, move after move. He had perfected this Fist Skills, his motions smooth and natural as though they were an extension of nature itself. Perfection. That is to say, he had entered into the realm of the creator of these Fist Skills. By using Upgrade Points to enhance his martial arts, he had effectively immersed himself in the Mountain Shattering Fist for decades, relying on his own painstaking practice to master and perfect the technique. As the Fist Skills were executed, he seemed to gain some new insights. These insights were subtle, and though Gu Qingfeng sometimes wanted to grasp at them desperately, he found no way to do so. He knew. If he could grasp this sliver of insight, he might be able to break through the limits of Mountain Shattering Fist and take the technique to an even higher level. At that time. Even without external aids, he might be able to break through the Blood Refining Realm on his own. But. Grasping such a subtle insight was by no means easy.@@@@ ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 29/100 Realm: Initial Stage Blood Refining Martial Arts: Mountain Shattering Fist (Unbreakable Level One), Iron Body Skills (Perfection) Upgrade Points: 0 ... "Blood Refining Realm accomplished-" Gu Qingfeng''s expression showed some delight, as if he had anticipated all this all along. However, the changes in the Mountain Shattering Fist took Gu Qingfeng by surprise, but soon he seemed to have understood. "Unbreakable, it seems that this is the change that comes with the Martial Arts breaking through their limits!" This realm. Gu Qingfeng named it Breakthrough. Breaking through the ultimate limits is called Breakthrough. Furthermore, After breaking through, the Mountain Shattering Fist had transcended the realm of low- grade Martial Arts and advanced to the mid-grade Martial Arts. So-called Unbreakable, the moment the Mountain Shattering Fist broke through, Gu Qingfeng felt his fists become much harder, each finger joint imbued with immense power. If when his Iron Body Skills reached perfection, Gu Qingfeng''s flesh was as hard as iron, now with the breakthrough of the Mountain Shattering Fist, his fists had gone even further on this foundation. Distressedly shatter mountains and split rocks. Absolutely feasible. Indeed, The greatest transformation, of course, was the change brought about after the cultivation breakthrough. Before breaking through the Blood Refining Realm, Gu Qingfeng could never truly grasp the difference between this realm and the Refining Skin Realm. But now, after the breakthrough, He fully realized the power of the Blood Refining Realm. If it were the past him before the breakthrough, Gu Qingfeng was now confident he could kill with three punches directly. This. Is the gap between the Initial Stage Blood Refining and Refining Skin Perfection. One step through the breakthrough. Truly a world of difference. In the current Martial World of Lin County, Gu Qingfeng, having broken through to the Blood Refining Realm, could be considered the foremost master of the entire county. Even facing Xu Jun, he was confident he could suppress with ease. Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Murder Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Murder ? "Now, it''s time to leave Lin County!" After breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm, Gu Qingfeng''s senses had become much sharper, and he felt a strong sense of discomfort throughout Lin County. The blood mist that hovered above was filled with eeriness and ominousness. In his eyes, Lin County was a place of death. To stay here. It was undoubtedly a dead end. However. Before leaving Lin County, Gu Qingfeng consolidated his cultivation realm and consumed all three remaining Blood Refining Pills. With his breakthrough in cultivation, the restrictions on consuming Blood Refining Pills had lessened. Three Blood Refining Pills. It took Gu Qingfeng just one day to fully absorb them. However. The Blood Refining Pills, being elixirs for martial artists in the Blood Refining Realm, did not disappoint; as he absorbed the three pills, he felt his vitality robustly increase, which he believed would no doubt aid in breaking through to the mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm if he had a large number of such pills. Cultivation for martial artists. One relies on Martial Arts, and the other relies on elixirs and other resources. The former goes without saying. Practices like Mountain Shattering Fist and Iron Body Skills involve specific methods for martial artists to refine their bodies and achieve higher levels. Without the corresponding martial arts, one would have to figure it out bit by bit. Then. There were the elixirs. Even without corresponding Martial Arts to refine the body, having plenty of elixirs would suffice. With enough elixirs, breakthroughs could be achieved effortlessly. The day after his breakthrough to the Blood Refining Realm. Gu Qingfeng finally decided to leave Lin County. Promptly. He took Gu Yang with him and headed towards the city gate. Before long. They reached where the city gate was located. At the gate, constables and yamen runners were already stationed, which made Gu Qingfeng frown. However, he didn''t stop his steps. At the same time. The constable stationed there spotted him. "By the magistrate''s order, no one is allowed to leave Lin County!" The leading middle-aged constable said coldly. Beside Gu Yang stood frozen, staring at the scene of bloodied corpses in front of him, his little face blank, unsure whether it was from fear or something else. When Gu Qingfeng approached him, the smell of blood hit him full in the face, bringing Gu Yang back to his senses. "Dad..." "Right now, with the blood mist permeating and the city gates deliberately sealed, they intend for us to die here. The world is such that if you don''t kill, others will kill you. In chaotic times, being merciful will only harm oneself. Today, dad is giving you your first lesson. If you don''t strike, that''s the end of it; but once you do, you must eliminate the roots to prevent future troubles." Gu Qingfeng spoke solemnly, the murderous aura from having killed still clinging to him, somehow growing even stronger. Gu Yang was startled for a moment, then looked again at the corpses on the ground and nodded forcefully, "Son understands!" "That''s best." Gu Qingfeng observed Gu Yang''s reaction, pleased to see that the sight of the dead didn''t overly frighten him. What he worried most about was Gu Yang being afraid of killing and naturally merciful, which would be fine in peaceful times. But in the current chaos, such traits could only harm him. With over twenty years in this world, Gu Qingfeng had witnessed much slaughter. Though he had never actually killed anyone before, he had long come to understand the world of turmoil. Now, actually doing the killing, his heart was undisturbed, even somewhat excited, inexplicably. Yes. Excited. Gu Qingfeng felt no aversion to this change in himself. He glanced at the corpses of the constables on the ground. The commotion had been considerable, and it wouldn''t be long before the government officials arrived. Thinking this, he did not plan to delay any further, taking Gu Yang''s hand and heading towards the city outskirts enveloped in the blood mist. As Gu Qingfeng and his son left, other hidden citizens slowly started to emerge. "Who was that ruthless person? He even dared to kill the government''s men!" "That man looked familiar, wasn''t he an instructor at the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall?" "He''s asking for death, not just for killing but for daring to leave the city?" Many citizens were shocked by the scene they had just witnessed, as Gu Qingfeng had resided in Lin County for many years, and some recognized him. Hearing the words ''Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall,'' some people looked relieved. Then, as they looked at the mutilated corpses and severed limbs on the ground, fear was evident in their eyes. But as they looked out toward the blood mist outside the city gates, their eyes flickered, uncertain of what they were thinking.@@@@ Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Blood Mist Crisis Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Blood Mist Crisis ?@@@@ Stepping into the blood fog. Gu Qingfeng found his vision had become much blurrier. At the same time. An eerie and cold aura permeated the air, giving off a chilling sensation. "Dad!" Gu Yang''s expression was slightly panicked as he followed closely behind Gu Qingfeng, fearing that something strange might emerge from the blood fog. "With dad here, there''s no need to be afraid." Gu Qingfeng''s expression was stern. The blood fog in front could obstruct one''s vision; a common person entering it would easily lose their way, but after breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm, his senses had grown much stronger, and the blood fog could not truly block his vision. Just as Gu Qingfeng was leading Gu Yang forward, suddenly shapes began to waver in the blood fog, and upon closer inspection, they found what they thought were shadows to be bodies hanging from the trees. Each body had its belly slit open and was hung by the neck with rope from the trees; their ferocious faces already decayed considerably, with empty eyes as if the lost souls of the abyss were looking up to the living. Such a turn of events. Caused Gu Qingfeng''s heart to startle, while the young Gu Yang by his side was so scared that his face turned deathly pale. Blood-colored mist. Withered trees and dead bodies. Anyone who stumbled upon this scene would be surprised. However. After the shock, as Gu Qingfeng looked at the bodies in the trees, he recognized a familiar sense in the decayed faces. "Liu Hong!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression changed slightly. Liu Hong. A senior instructor at the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall. He had joined the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall for many years and was considered a veteran Late Stage Refining Skin expert. Gu Qingfeng did not expect to find him dead here. Clearly. This man must have sensed that something was amiss and thus snuck away, only to die here. Although the body was now somewhat decayed, Gu Qingfeng could still make out many details. There were no signs of struggle. The person had been killed with a single blow. "Kill!" Gu Qingfeng understood; he had no room for retreat. In this battle, either he would slay the man before him, or he and his father would both perish here. At this moment, He no longer cared for restraint. Either live! Or die! Qi Blood Smoke billowed mightily. Gu Qingfeng''s fists shook the mountains, engaging Shangguan Jiang in utter combat. Boom! The rumbling sound of battle resounded endlessly within the blood mist. The two figures tirelessly fought, the defense of the Iron Body Skills unable to block the ghost hand''s attacks, but Shangguan Jiang was not invulnerable either. As he took Gu Qingfeng''s assaults, his body also accumulated many wounds. Yet both fighters seemed utterly devoid of pain, each intent on sending the other to their grave. "Boom-" Shangguan Jiang''s ghost hand grasped Gu Qingfeng''s shoulder with ease, tearing through skin and sinking deep into flesh. The intense pain contorted Gu Qingfeng''s face, but instead of retreating, he surged forward, delivering a sudden punch to his opponent''s chest. The heavy and powerful attack immediately caved in Shangguan Jiang''s chest, sending his body flying like a broken weed. Under normal circumstances, Such a wound would be fatal on the spot. However, Shangguan Jiang still did not die. Before his opponent could struggle up from the ground, Gu Qingfeng rapidly closed the distance, his fists raining down like relentless droplets on the fallen fighter. At that moment, A look of fear finally appeared on Shangguan Jiang''s face. "You can''t kill me... I... I am from the Evil Suppression Bureau-" Shangguan Jiang wanted to speak, hoping to deter Gu Qingfeng with the status of the Evil Suppression Bureau, but Gu Qingfeng paid him no heed. There was only one thought in his mind: to beat his adversary to death right there. When Gu Qingfeng''s final punch was thrown, Shangguan Jiang''s head burst open violently, and the headless corpse twitched briefly before falling still, lifeless. Chapter 11: Chapter 11 Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills Chapter 11: Chapter 11 Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills ? He had slain Shangguan Jiang. Gu Qingfeng searched the corpse and finally found an identity token and a thin secret manual on the body. Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills-Heart-devouring Demon! The bloody aura seemed to rush at him as he read the few characters on the cover, causing Gu Qingfeng to frown and immediately pocket the Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills. When he looked at the token again, it bore the name of the deceased on the front and the three large characters of the Evil Suppression Bureau on the back. "Truly a man from the Evil Suppression Bureau!" Gu Qingfeng had already surmised Shangguan Jiang''s identity when the latter divulged it before his death, but now he had complete confirmation with the token in hand. According to Xu Jun, the Evil Suppression Bureau was a secretive organization within the Taixuan Dynasty, dedicated to dealing with evil spirits. Now it seemed, the people of the Evil Suppression Bureau were not so simple. At that moment, Shangguan Jiang''s corpse, long dead, quivered slightly as if something was about to awaken from within. Gu Qingfeng''s expression changed subtly, and without hesitation, he took Gu Yang and swiftly left the area. With Shangguan Jiang no longer hindering them, Gu Qingfeng found it easy to break through the blood fog. As he emerged from the blood fog, the eerie and chilling aura that had lingered in his mind dissipated without a trace. Looking back, the blood fog remained, enveloping the vast Lin County, leaving no sign of life visible. His tense mind relaxed slightly, and suddenly a sharp pain overwhelmed him. Gu Qingfeng looked down to find his many wounds were severely rotted and emitting a foul stench. A normal person would have died from such injuries long ago. But Gu Qingfeng had broken through to the Blood Refining Realm, and his vitality was much stronger than an ordinary person''s. Despite his grave injuries, they were not enough to take his life. However, if the situation continued to drag on, it would only become more troublesome. "Let''s go, we''ll leave this place first!" Gu Qingfeng took Gu Yang and left. ... Not long after his departure, inside the blood fog, Shangguan Jiang''s body suddenly shuddered violently as if a sinister black shadow was detaching from the corpse. The shadow had a dark green face twisted in a ghastly expression, its arms unusually long and fingers tipped with sharp claws that seemed capable of easily tearing skin and excavating flesh and organs. As soon as this sinister presence revived, it eyed Shangguan Jiang''s corpse with a greedy look and then pounced on the ground to devour it. In moments, the corpse was stripped of flesh, leaving only scattered bones behind. The sinister black shadow let out a blood-curdling scream, its chilling and horrifying aura@@@@ bursting forth from the blood fog, alarming everyone in Lin County. Ye Yuan, who was in the magistrate''s office, felt this aura and his expression changed dramatically. "The aura of an evil spirit!" "No... this is the Heart-devouring Demon!" In an instant, Ye Yuan dashed out of the magistrate''s office. When he plunged into the blood fog, he recognized the identity of the scattered bones and tattered clothing at a glance. Each county divided into twelve prefectures. Guangyang Prefecture was one of the prefectures under Taishan County. Qingjiang Prefecture, which was reportedly wiped out by an epidemic, also belonged to Taishan County, while Lin County came under Guangyang Prefecture. When he first entered White Stone Dao, Gu Qingfeng had acted discreetly, gradually ascertaining the true strength and foundation of White Stone Dao. The investigation revealed. The martial arts foundation of White Stone Dao was much stronger than that of Lin County. For instance, in Lin County, the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall was considered a renowned martial force within the county town, with its strongest member only reaching the Refining Skin Perfection Realm. But within White Stone Dao, martial artists with Refining Skin Perfection were not very numerous, yet certainly not rare. Above Refining Skin. Blood Refining Realm martial artists also existed. One such power called the Qin Family, which had five Blood Refining Realm martial artists to its name, and another called the Iron Bone Gang, with four Blood Refining Realm martial artists. These were the two most powerful forces in White Stone Dao. Beneath the two great forces were also many other large and small intertwined forces, but no matter what, anyone who stepped into the Blood Refining Realm could be called a powerful warrior in White Stone Dao. After understanding the situation in White Stone Dao, Gu Qingfeng decided to settle down there. A power known as the Gu Family appeared quietly. For the established powers of White Stone Dao, the emergence of a new prominent family naturally attracted the attention of many. Even. Some set their sights on the Gu Family. However, when Gu Qingfeng revealed his Blood Refining Realm strength, many voices fell silent. After all. The Martial World still revered strength above all. Although the Gu Family''s foundation was weak, having a Blood Refining Realm martial artist was enough to resolve most troubles. Like other powers with Blood Refining Realm martial artists in residence, they did not wish to clash with a peer without good reason, and those without a Blood Refining Realm presence dared not provoke the Gu Family. In this manner. Over the course of half a year, the Gu Family established by Gu Qingfeng had also managed to firmly plant its roots in White Stone Dao. Chapter 12: Chapter 12 Magician Chapter 12: Chapter 12 Magician ? Establishing the Gu Family. Recruiting guards. To expand a clan, it''s certainly not possible to rely on just two people. After Gu Qingfeng demonstrated the strength of a Martial Artist in the Blood Refining Realm, many Martial World Wanderers willingly joined the Gu Family as guards. After all, having the backing of the Gu Family, equivalent to having the support of a Blood Refining Realm Martial Artist, was certainly a desirable situation. More importantly, having a Blood Refining Realm Martial Artist at the Gu Family indicated that there must be martial arts inheritance involved. If one could be favored by the Gu Family Master, it was possible to receive such an inheritance. For Martial World Wanderers, the higher the martial arts inheritance, the harder it was to obtain. The flourishing martial arts of White Stone Dao had many martial artists like carps crossing the river, but there was always a shortage of Blood Refining Realm Martial Artists, due to the lack of inheritance. Even the major powers that controlled Blood Refining Realm martial arts inheritance would not disseminate it lightly, so for ordinary Martial World Wanderers, the Blood Refining Realm martial arts were highly coveted. All the major families and sects with Blood Refining Realm figures were the target of these wanderers. Not for any other reason, they only sought the opportunity to break through to a higher level. Despite the shallow foundation of the Gu Family established by Gu Qingfeng, there were still fifty to sixty martial artists willing to join. Among these fifty to sixty people, the weakest in cultivation were at the mid-level of Refining Skin, and the strongest were around Refining Skin Perfection. As for Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm, there were none. After all, such high-level experts could carve out their own power, so why would they subjugate themselves to others? Since founding the Gu Family, Gu Qingfeng had also been developing quietly and independently in various industries, but he had not made any drastic moves. The same old saying, the waters of White Stone Dao run deep. Gu Qingfeng considered his strength to be considerable, but he had no plans to actively oppose the various powers of White Stone Dao. At least, not until his power was sufficient to suppress the entire White Stone Dao, so he kept a low profile. However, there was a condition. That is, unless someone provoked him. If that were the case, Gu Qingfeng would not be polite. Since establishing the Gu Family, Gu Qingfeng had also secretly had someone investigate Lin County. However, disappointingly, Lin County seemed to have vanished into thin air, and no matter how he investigated, there was no information. From this, it was apparent that something different must have happened in Lin County.@@@@ But Gu Qingfeng did not plan to return to Lin County to investigate personally. After all, given Lin County''s strange circumstances and its involvement with the Evil Suppression Bureau, Gu Qingfeng preferred not to invite trouble. These things. Were all recorded in the Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills. "Magician... Evil Spirit, if one simply considers the methods in the Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills, then what difference is there between these so-called Magicians and Evil Spirits? If I am not mistaken, those tragedies in Lin County must have been the work of Shangguan Jiang!" Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. From Shangguan Jiang''s actions, it was obvious that a Magician was far more powerful than a Martial Artist. According to the records in the Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills, he was considered the weakest among Magicians. Yet even so, he possessed strength comparable to the Blood Refining Realm. If a more powerful Magician was present, those in the Blood Refining Realm would likely seem no different from ants before him. By comparison. Martial Artists within the Martial World who could cultivate to the Blood Refining Realm were considered strong. On the turf of White Stone Dao, they could truly be regarded as powerful. From this, one could see the gap between Martial Artists and Magicians. But similarly. It was extremely difficult to become a Magician. Gu Qingfeng knew that if he were to release this copy of Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills, it would probably cause a huge uproar, as countless individuals would not be able to resist trying to seize it. After all, the desire for stronger power is a common human sentiment. However. This thought was merely a consideration for Gu Qingfeng. The Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills were related to the Evil Suppression Bureau, and he wouldn''t naively believe that he could contend with this institution established by the Taixuan Dynasty, merely being a small practitioner in the Blood Refining Realm. "If it were the me from the past, I might have indeed risked practicing the Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills, as in this chaotic world, human lives are regarded as insignificant. Only by possessing strong powers can one truly survive, and only the living have the right to discuss other matters. However, for me now, the Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills are of no use as long as I acquire enough upgrade points; advancing to higher realms later on is as easy as turning over one''s hand!" Gu Qingfeng knew where his advantage lay-that was in training Gu Yang, enabling him to break through to higher levels. Additionally. Regarding the Golden Finger, there were still many aspects that Gu Qingfeng did not understand. Now that he had established a foundation in White Stone Dao, he indeed had ample time to slowly study the other functions of the Golden Finger. Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Body as Hard as Iron Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Body as Hard as Iron ? With a snap of his fingers. Two years had passed. In those two years, Gu Qingfeng had been diligently managing the Gu Family, while also mobilizing their resources to collect other Martial Arts. After all, the breakthroughs of Mountain Shattering Fist and Iron Body Skills had made Gu Qingfeng realize that even without advancing his Cultivation, as long as the Martial Arts he practiced were numerous, his strength could passively increase. Each Martial Art served to temper different parts of the body. Take Mountain Shattering Fist, for example. This Martial Art truly strengthened the fists, with skin and flesh fortification being just a secondary benefit. As for Iron Body Skills, it was an overall defensive Martial Art that could temper one''s outer skin and make it as hard as iron. Thus, the more Martial Arts he collected, the greater the benefits. If it were an ordinary person whose talents and Cultivation were limited, then practicing multiple Martial Arts would be impossible.@@@@ However, Gu Qingfeng was different. He had upgrade points. As long as he had enough upgrade points, it was not a problem to bring all Martial Arts to Perfection. Nonetheless, even among the lower-grade Martial Arts, there were differences in strength. For example, Gu Qingfeng would naturally not consider weak lower-grade Martial Arts. Therefore, in the span of two years, Gu Qingfeng had gathered three relatively powerful lower-grade Martial Arts. Big Stone Breaking Hand! Iron Leg Skill! Iron Refining Finger! ... Although Gu Qingfeng''s talent for practicing Martial Arts was not incredibly high, his pace of practicing lower-grade Martial Arts was much faster than ordinary people because he was a Blood Refining Realm Martial Artist. In two years, Gu Qingfeng had brought all three Martial Arts to the Small Success stage. From outward appearances, nothing seemed extraordinary, but only Gu Qingfeng himself knew that his strength had significantly improved compared to two years ago. It was at this moment, the long-inactive attribute panel suddenly refreshed with new messages. "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has achieved Breakthrough to the Late Stage of the Refining Skin Realm!" "Reward upgrade points*5!" "Reward Blood Refining Pills*30!" Seeing the information refresh on the panel, Gu Qingfeng''s face instantly lit up with joy. "Good, I didn''t expect Yang''er to achieve Breakthrough to the Late Stage of the Refining Skin Realm so quickly!" Gu Yang had begun practicing Martial Arts at the age of seven, and now, after only three years, he had stepped into the Late Stage of the Refining Skin Realm-an incredibly astonishing talent. At least within the circle of White Stone Dao, Gu Qingfeng had never heard of someone reaching the Late Stage of the Refining Skin Realm at such a young age. Of course, After a long time, the boiling qi and blood calmed down, and Gu Qingfeng took another look at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 32/100 Realm: Initial Stage of Blood Refining Martial Arts: Mountain Shattering Fist (Unbreakable Level 1), Iron Body Skills (Body as hard as iron Level 1), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Small Success), Iron Leg Skill (Small Success), Iron Refining Finger (Small Success) Upgrade Points: 0 ... "Body as hard as iron!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the characteristics of Iron Body Skills, clenched his right hand, and reached for his left arm with strength that could easily crush stones and cleave metal, yet it couldn''t breach the skin''s defense, leaving only a few white marks. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng''s face showed delight. After the Breakthrough of Iron Body Skills, his defensive capabilities had transformed to an astonishing level. Since the Breakthrough of Mountain Shattering Fist and the subsequent practice of Big Stone Breaking Hand coupled with Iron Refining Finger, Gu Qingfeng''s fingers could rival an ordinary divine weapon, yet even so, they could not break his own defense. From this, it could be seen that the strength of his physical defenses now was such that an ordinary martial artist at the initial stage of blood refining probably couldn''t break through. Only a mid-level martial artist in the stage of blood refining could pose a threat to him. As for the overall level into which his combat power had entered, Gu Qingfeng did not know for the time being. After all, such things as combat strength still needed real combat to determine. At this time, Gu Yang had already walked in from outside. "Child pays respect to Father!" Compared to two years ago, the now more strapping Gu Yang was no different from a teenager and, due to years of martial training, he also possessed a masculine and vibrant air about him. Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly: "Yang''er has come." "Father, I''ve just made a Breakthrough to the late stage of the Refining Skin Realm!" Gu Yang''s face was filled with joy; after his Breakthrough, he had been eager to come and share the good news. Gu Qingfeng nodded in approval: "Good, to achieve a Breakthrough to the late stage of the Refining Skin Realm at such a young age, you will surely surpass me one day. The Gu Family will need you to stand as its pillar in the future!" Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Gu Family Boxing Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Gu Family Boxing ? Received praise. Gu Yang''s face showed increasing joy. And then, Gu Qingfeng looked at him and said, "Now that you''ve entered the Late Stage of Refining Skin, today your father will pass on the complete Mountain Shattering Fist to you!" "The complete Mountain Shattering Fist?" Gu Yang was startled. He had been practicing Mountain Shattering Fist for several years and was well aware that this martial art wasn''t considered highly profound; it was merely of inferior quality. Such a level of martial art could at most reach Refining Skin Perfection, which was its limit. As a martial artist, Gu Yang naturally knew that the Mountain Shattering Fist he practiced wasn''t incomplete. Thus, hearing Gu Qingfeng''s words left him somewhat dumbfounded. Gu Qingfeng said, "The Mountain Shattering Fist is not as simple as you think. Your father reached the Blood Refining Realm with this art, and with your talent, breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm someday is inevitable. Since you''ve made a breakthrough today, I might as well teach you the complete Mountain Shattering Fist and hope you practice it diligently!" Having said this, Gu Qingfeng didn''t waste any more words and began to demonstrate the new version of Mountain Shattering Fist right in front of Gu Yang. After its breakthrough, the Mountain Shattering Fist had changed, and the methods of breathing regulation and mobilizing blood and qi had been accordingly adjusted. Often, just a slight change would be like the finishing touch on a painting, making Gu Yang''s eyes shine increasingly brightly. And when the final punch was thrown, Gu Qingfeng''s blood and qi turned into a billowing battle flag, his powerful fist as if it could shatter mountains and crumble peaks. "Boom-" A punch thrown, Thunder suddenly erupted. Violent winds rampaged forth. Several zhang away, a rockery was instantaneously shattered, turning into countless fragments that scattered flying. This scene Left Gu Yang completely dumbstruck on the spot. Before this punch, he felt his own insignificance; the joy and pride from just having advanced in the Refining Skin Realm dissipated without a trace. Without seeing a Blood Refining Realm martial artist''s move, one could never comprehend the strength of this level. After displaying the sequence of fist skills, Gu Qingfeng calmed his turbulent blood and qi, looking towards Gu Yang, who was still standing dumbfounded, with a light smile on his face. "This is the complete Mountain Shattering Fist. This fist skill was originally inferior grade martial arts. Later, your father had an insight that allowed it to break through its limit, hence making it comparable to mid-level martial arts. Once you perfect your practice of it, you will be able to step directly into the Blood Refining Realm." At this time, Gu Yang came out of his stunned state and couldn''t help saying, "In that case, Mountain Shattering Fist could be considered a creation of Dad''s own." "Not a creation, per se, just some innovation and breakthrough based on the foundations laid by predecessors," Gu Qingfeng replied modestly, but Gu Yang was very aware of how difficult it was to break the limits of a martial art. Therefore, When he looked at Gu Qingfeng again, his eyes were filled with admiration. "Since this martial art is a result of Dad''s own breakthrough and innovation, I think it might So, after taking them once, Gu Qingfeng no longer continued to use those elixirs. It was only after Gu Yang''s recent Breakthrough and the reward of Blood Refining Pills, that Gu Qingfeng started using pills to aid his Cultivation. ... In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. Gu Qingfeng had taken all the Blood Refining Pills, and his Cultivation had naturally broken through to the mid-level of Blood Refining. With his realm Breakthrough, his strength had risen to the next level. The only pity was that breaking through to the mid-level of Blood Refining didn''t add anything to his lifespan. From this, one could see that only when breaking through major realms would a Martial Artist''s corresponding lifespan increase. On this day, a guard from the Gu Family arrived. "Subordinate pays respects to the Family Head!" "Have you come because something has happened?" Gu Qingfeng looked at the person in front of him and asked indifferently. The visitor was a guard captain of the Gu Family named Meng Peng, a Martial Artist at Refining Skin Perfection, and before joining the Gu Family, he was a fairly well-known wanderer on the White Stone Dao of the Martial World. Later, when the Gu Family was established, he had joined them. And because Meng Peng was quite strong, Gu Qingfeng had promoted him to guard captain, overseeing the other guards. Meng Peng respectfully said, "Subordinate has received news that Cloud Pavilion will hold an auction in three days'' time, and it''s said that a mid-grade Martial Arts might appear there!" "Mid-grade Martial Arts!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression flickered slightly. He had always had the Gu Family guards inquire about the whereabouts of mid-grade Martial Arts, and he didn''t expect there to really be a lead. "Is there any clear information about the origins of this Martial Arts?" "The Cloud Pavilion is very secretive about these matters. The information about the mid- grade Martial Arts has been deliberately spread by them, and there is no additional information available presently." Meng Peng answered truthfully. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng fell into deep thought. Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Cloud Pavilion Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Cloud Pavilion ? Cloud Pavilion! This is a mysterious power of White Stone Dao. The other party never gets involved in Martial World conflicts; they only conduct business. On the surface, Cloud Pavilion doesn''t seem to have much strength, but in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes, Cloud Pavilion''s strength must not be taken lightly. Otherwise, how could they have the qualification to stand firm on White Stone Dao? As Gu Qingfeng understood, Cloud Pavilion didn''t just have a foundation in White Stone Dao, but their presence could also be found in other parts of the Taixuan Dynasty. However, these matters didn''t really concern Gu Qingfeng. At least for now. They had little to do with each other. "Mid-level martial arts have appeared, and it''s estimated that all major forces will be determined to get them, so we should prepare more Silver Taels to see if we can secure these martial arts!" Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and had made a decision. Upon receiving the order, Meng Peng immediately bowed and withdrew. The location of Cloud Pavilion was in White Stone City, and White Stone Dao referred to the area within five hundred li centered around White Stone City in the Martial World. However, it was not easy to gain a foothold in White Stone City. Like the Gu Family, it was because Gu Qingfeng showed sufficient strength that they were able to establish a foundation in White Stone City. And Cloud Pavilion, was located in the most bustling area of White Stone City, and its decorations were also wealthy and magnificent. When Gu Qingfeng arrived with Gu Yang, Meng Peng, and others, the servants of Cloud Pavilion hurriedly bowed and greeted them. "Gu Family Master has arrived!" "Mm, I heard about the Cloud Pavilion auction, so I''ve come to take a look." Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly with an expression neither sad nor happy. Upon hearing this,@@@@ the servant became even more respectful: "It is an honor for Cloud Pavilion that Gu Family Master could come. Please follow me inside to be seated!" "Thank you." Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly, then followed the servant into Cloud Pavilion. The others who were queuing up at the entrance of Cloud Pavilion looked towards the group being led inside with envy and awe in their eyes. However, there were also those who looked dissatisfied. "Why don''t they have to queue?" "Exactly, can Cloud Pavilion''s rules be so easily broken?" Hearing these people''s comments, the others looked at them as if they were fools, and another Cloud Pavilion servant spoke calmly and firmly. private rooms. "Mr. Gu, this is the list of items for this auction. Please have a look!" At this moment, a voluptuous maidservant approached him, holding a booklet with a gold- embossed cover, her voice soft and sweet. Gu Qingfeng looked at her and asked with a slight smile, "What is your name?" "Reporting to Mr. Gu, my name is Qiushui!" The woman''s smile grew more bewitching, and as she handed over the gold-embossed booklet to Gu Qingfeng, her slender fingertips subtly brushed against his palm. Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, "Qiushui, that''s a nice name. How long have you been working at the Cloud Pavilion?" "I have been at the Cloud Pavilion for about a year." "Hmm..." Gu Qingfeng hummed lightly and did not continue the conversation. Qiushui, seeing this, did not say anything more, instead, she just stood beside Gu Qingfeng, pouring tea and water for him. The other two maidservants, meanwhile, were serving Gu Yang and Meng Peng on either side. The former was but a lad, blushing as the maidservant attended to him enthusiastically. The latter, however, an old hand in the Martial World, held back, knowing that with Gu Qingfeng sitting there, it was not his place to be presumptuous. At this time, Gu Qingfeng flipped through the booklet, whereupon the list of auction items entered his vision. On the last page, he saw a mid-grade Martial Arts technique listed for auction. Fiery Sun Divine Palm! Mid-grade Martial Arts! Created by Master Lieyang in the past, a pinnacle Martial Arts technique that integrates cultivation and moves. If one could reach its peak, one might step into the Blood Refining Perfection realm! "Fiery Sun Divine Palm-" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes lit up. There are three categories of Martial Arts in the world. The first is primarily for cultivation, the second is for techniques, and the third combines both. Mountain Shattering Fist, for instance, belongs to the third category, containing both techniques and methods to strengthen the physique, which allows martial artists to enhance their overall strength. The Iron Body Skills, on the other hand, lean towards the first category. The Fiery Sun Divine Palm before him, like the Mountain Shattering Fist, belonged to the third category. The first two each have their flaws; the former supports techniques, but even with successful cultivation, one lacks sufficient means to counter enemies. The latter has sufficient means to counter enemies, but with possibly insufficient cultivation. Therefore, out of the three categories of Martial Arts, only the third is the most valuable. Cultivation and techniques combined, complementing each other, acquiring a single technique can lead to a complete legacy. Chapter 16: Chapter 16 Two Hundred Thousand Taels Chapter 16: Chapter 16 Two Hundred Thousand Taels ? Quickly. Other people also arrived one after another. Gu Qingfeng quietly watched the auction stage, waiting for the auction to begin. Before long. A middle-aged man dressed in lavish clothes appeared in Gu Qingfeng''s line of sight, he recognized him as one of Cloud Pavilion''s stewards, named Ji Ping. At the same time. This man was also a master who had taken half a step into the Blood Refining Realm. The so-called half-step Blood Refining. This was a realm that Gu Qingfeng had only learned about after coming to White Stone Dao. Strictly speaking, this realm was part of Refining Skin Perfection, but it was just half a step forward on the basis of Refining Skin Perfection without truly entering the Blood Refining Realm, thus it was called half-step Blood Refining. The biggest difference between Blood Refining Realm and Refining Skin Realm was whether the qi and blood had undergone transformation. For martial artists in the Refining Skin Realm, their qi and blood were not much different from ordinary people, but upon stepping into the Blood Refining Realm, their qi and blood would transform, turning into the force of extreme rigidity and yang, greatly increasing the martial artist''s strength. Even in White Stone Dao, martial artists who had reached half-step Blood Refining Realm held a not-low status. Now, a steward of Cloud Pavilion in White Stone Dao had the cultivation of half-step Blood Refining Realm, making the entire strength of Cloud Pavilion evident. At this time. The auction was underway. A maid brought up a brocade box, and Ji Ping opened it, revealing a long sword with a dragon- patterned hilt and a blade that exuded a bright, cold white light, truly extraordinary. "Top-notch inferior grade Divine Weapon, the Cold Moon Sword, made of fine iron and blood copper, is extremely sharp. The starting bid is one thousand taels of silver, with each increment not less than fifty taels!" As Ji Ping''s voice fell, bids were quickly placed. A top-notch inferior divine weapon was somewhat useful to an average Blood Refining Realm martial artist. Thus, in a short time, the Cold Moon Sword''s price soared to one thousand five hundred taels of silver. However. Gu Qingfeng merely watched and had no intention of competing in the bidding. Not to mention that he didn''t practice swordsmanship, even if he got his hands on the Cold Moon Sword, it wouldn''t be of much use. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng''s physical defense was now comparable to a martial artist in the Blood Refining Realm, and with the Unbreakable feature of Gu Family Boxing, his hands were akin to divine weapons. The so-called Cold Moon Sword, to put it unpleasantly, was less useful than his hands. Such a treasure. Gu Qingfeng naturally looked down upon it. At this time. Qiushui said softly next to him, "I heard that the Cold Moon Sword is from Famous Sword Manor, does Mr. Gu not have any thoughts on such a treasure?" "If it were a mid-grade Divine Weapon, it would be nice, but unfortunately, an inferior grade Divine Weapon is ultimately lacking." Gu Qingfeng shook his head. Hearing this. The maid''s eyes clearly dimmed a bit. "Thirty thousand silver!" "Forty thousand silver..." The moment Ji Ping''s voice fell, the price of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm shot up dramatically, breaking through to fifty thousand silver in no time. Everyone understood just how significant a top mid-tier Martial Arts could be. Like the current top forces in White Stone Dao, they possessed exactly such Martial Arts. If one could obtain it, then the family clan they belonged to might also have the potential to dominate the White Stone Dao. Even if not, it would undoubtedly further one''s own cultivation progress. Frankly speaking, ninety percent of the Martial Artists who came to Cloud Pavilion were after the mid-tier Martial Arts. As the price continued to soar, soon breaking through to one hundred thousand silver, Gu Qingfeng''s brow furrowed slightly as he turned to Meng Peng and asked, "How much silver did we bring with us this time?" "We only brought a total of one hundred and twenty thousand. The Family Head has already spent ten thousand in the auction, leaving us with about one hundred and eleven thousand left." Meng Peng replied without hesitation. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng looked back towards the auction stage. With one hundred and eleven thousand silver, it seemed there was little chance he would win the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. It was an unavoidable situation. The Gu Family''s foundations were somewhat shallow after all. To muster up over a hundred thousand silver after two to three years of development was already their limit. However, even so, Gu Qingfeng still called out a bid. But the bid of one hundred and eleven thousand silver was quickly surpassed by others. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng gave up on competing for the Fiery Sun Divine Palm and then gave Meng Peng a glance, signaling him to come forward. He whispered a couple of instructions, and Meng Peng quickly left the private room, understanding his intentions. Then, Gu Qingfeng watched the auction comfortably, until at last, the price of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm was fixed at two hundred thousand silver. Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Contest for Supremacy Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Contest for Supremacy ? "Two hundred thousand Silver." Gu Qingfeng let out a sigh. The price for the mid-level Martial Arts was much more expensive than he had expected. At this time, The staff at the auction had also delivered all the items Gu Qingfeng won, and he immediately paid the corresponding Silver. "Let''s go back!" After walking out of the Cloud Pavilion, Gu Qingfeng looked at the other martial artists from the Martial World hastening about and a mysterious smile emerged on his face. Then he spoke to Gu Yang. Back at the Gu Family. Gu Qingfeng handed over all the resources obtained from the auction to Gu Yang. "With these resources, your breakthrough to Refining Skin Perfection should be much easier." "I will certainly not disappoint father''s high hopes!" Gu Yang spoke earnestly. If he couldn''t break through to Refining Skin Perfection with resources worth ten thousand Silver, it would be a disgrace. Half an hour later. Meng Peng returned. "How did the investigation go?" "Reporting to the Family Head, the news has been thoroughly investigated, the one who acquired the Fiery Sun Divine Palm is the Heavenly Cloud Sect Master Yun Tianxing!" Meng Peng spoke in a low voice. Heavenly Cloud Sect. Upon hearing this sect''s name, Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained unchanged. The Heavenly Cloud Sect was publicly known to have several Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm strongholds. Rumors had it that their strength was only second to the Qin Family and the Iron Bone Gang. In fact, Any power able to win the Fiery Sun Divine Palm auction was bound to be deeply founded, otherwise who could come up with two hundred thousand Silver in one go? Therefore, Upon hearing Meng Peng''s words, Gu Qingfeng was actually not surprised. "Where are the Heavenly Cloud Sect''s people now?" "As soon as the auction ended, the Heavenly Cloud Sect''s people left immediately. By now, they must have already left White Stone City. However, as observed by my subordinate, many are watching the Heavenly Cloud Sect in secret. Their journey is unlikely to go smoothly!" Meng Peng said solemnly. Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently, "A top-tier mid-level Martial Arts that can directly point to the Blood Refining Realm Perfection is naturally coveted by all major forces. Not to mention, neither the Qin Family nor the Iron Bone Gang would want to see another powerful contender reaching Blood Refining Realm Perfection rise from White Stone Dao-" "Does the Family Head also have plans for the Fiery Sun Divine Palm?" "Who wouldn''t have thoughts about a top-tier mid-level Martial Arts? If the Heavenly Cloud Sect could acquire the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, why couldn''t the Gu Family? Let''s go, they may already be clashing outside the city by now. If we are too late, others might seize the opportunity!" shifts in the situation. Before long, another martial artist from the Blood Refining Realm fell, and others were severely wounded and forced to withdraw. Only the powerful fighters from the remaining two factions were still vying for the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. "It''s about time!" Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes. The remaining two factions had a total of six Blood Refining Realm martial artists, but they were all heavily exhausted. The longer the time dragged on, the more variables would arise. Thus, Gu Qingfeng decided to make his move. He casually tore a strip of cloth to mask his face, leaving only a pair of eyes showing, and instructed Meng Peng beside him to stay hidden and not to expose himself, then he made his move directly. "Boom-" Gu Qingfeng burst out from the shadows like a great bird, his palm reaching for the brocade box on the ground. Seeing someone competing for it, the two fighting factions tacitly joined forces and went straight for him. "Hmph, if you want to profit as the fisherman, ask us first!" A martial artist from the Qin Family, seemingly in the Blood Refining Realm, sneered as his long sword tore through the air, almost as if he had seen Gu Qingfeng being pierced through. However, before the long sword could reach him, Gu Qingfeng threw a fierce punch that collided with the sword tip. The latter couldn''t withstand such great pressure and shattered instantly. Immediately after, Gu Qingfeng''s arms shook the heavens, blocking all oncoming attacks with his immense strength. The attacks from the six Blood Refining Realm martial artists were powerful enough to shatter mountains and split rocks, and even with Gu Qingfeng pushing his Iron Body Skills to the limit, his blood and qi still boiled without cease. Regardless, compared to Gu Qingfeng, the other six were even more shocked. None had expected that in a combined effort, they would not only fail to kill their opponent on the spot but could not even inflict heavy damage. The terrifying strength of the newcomer posed an enormous threat to them all of a sudden. However, before they could recover from their shock, Gu Qingfeng''s robust qi and blood burst forth, like billowing smoke reaching for the skies, his fists hammering down with an earth-shaking force. To everyone''s astonishment, he sent one of the Blood Refining Realm martial artists flying with a direct hit. Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Suppressing and Blood Refining Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Suppressing and Blood Refining ? The chest cavity of the Martial Artist in the Blood Refining Realm caved in as if he had been hit by an unimaginable force. Before his body could even land, he was already dead. "Qi Blood Smoke!" "When did White Stone Dao produce such a powerful being like you!" The remaining five Martial Artists in the Blood Refining realm were all greatly shocked. Qi Blood Smoke! This was an ability that Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm could manifest after reaching a certain level of cultivation. The appearance of Qi Blood Smoke was not related to the cultivation realm of the Martial Artist, but only emerged when the qi and blood were refined to a higher level. Therefore, Qi Blood Smoke represented potential, as well as unmatched combat power within the same realm. If an initial-stage Martial Artist managed to cultivate Qi Blood Smoke, even mid-level Martial Artists might not be able to defeat him. However, Qi Blood Smoke was difficult to cultivate. Throughout the entire White Stone Dao, no one had been able to reach such a realm. The emergence of a strong practitioner with Qi Blood Smoke naturally shocked them tremendously. However, Gu Qingfeng did not give them a chance to catch their breath. After taking the lead in killing one Martial Artist, he quickly attacked another. The man hurriedly reacted, pushing his own strength in an attempt to block Gu Qingfeng''s strike with his arm. Unfortunately, The gap in their power was too vast. With just one punch, Gu Qingfeng shattered the man''s arm into several pieces, with broken bones piercing through the flesh and exposed in the air, causing intense pain that made the man scream out in agony. "Ah-" However, The scream was abruptly cut off, as Gu Qingfeng had already punched his head to pieces. The headless body twitched a few times before falling silent forever. Only then, Did the remaining Martial Artists truly react. "This fiend is ferocious; let''s join forces and subdue him!" one of the Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm said coldly. The rest did not object but gathered their full strength to collectively attack. Having instantly killed two Martial Artists with the swiftness of thunder, Gu Qingfeng''s displayed power terrified them deeply. Seeing the four Martial Artists charging at him, Gu Qingfeng''s eyes were filled with battle intent and his qi and blood began to boil, especially with the pervasive scent of blood in the air which seemed to excite him somewhat. Kill! Without any extra words, Gu Qingfeng used all his resources, transforming rolling qi and blood into a mist of wolf smoke, each punch mighty and powerful, his hands were akin to divine weapons, causing immense fear in the hearts of the four Martial Artists. how could he achieve this? Then, someone else removed the face covers from the few remaining corpses, which caused another great stir. Elders from the Qin Family! Iron Bone Gang Hall Master! Among the six blood-refining realm martial artists, the weakest was in the mid-level, and two had reached the late stage-Qin Wei, the senior elder of the Qin Family, and Si Yuanhao, the hall master of the Divine Skill Hall of the Iron Bone Gang. Such achievements surely determined that the person was a peak blood-refining powerhouse. Moreover, to have killed so many blood-refining realm experts in such a short time, he must belong to the powerful echelon within the pinnacle of the blood-refining realm. "The skies of White Stone Dao are likely to change!" Someone muttered while looking at the bodies on the ground. Any martial artist in the blood-refining realm held a high status in White Stone Dao, and to have at least ten such martial artists perish here- among them, both the Qin Family and the Iron Bone Gang had each lost three blood-refining realm fighters. Even with the deep resources of these two major forces, this was surely a devastating blow. Anyone could foresee the upheaval that would follow in White Stone Dao. Soon, the battle outside White Stone City spread like a hurricane throughout the entire martial world of White Stone Dao. Many martial artists secretly speculated which force the mysteriously striking blood-refining realm powerhouse could be from. However, some guessed that he might not be a person from White Stone Dao. After all, reaching such a realm, a powerhouse would usually be well-known with a distinct identity and no one''s power could match his. Regardless, the moment the news spread, both the Qin Family and the Iron Bone Gang were furious and started offering large rewards for information about this mysterious strongman, causing a great stir across White Stone Dao once again. Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Rewards Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Rewards ? "Family Head!" Inside the Gu Family''s inner courtyard, Meng Peng''s demeanor was incredibly respectful, and his eyes were filled with reverence for the strong when he looked at Gu Qingfeng. He had personally witnessed the battle outside White Stone City. Qin Wei, the Great Elder of the Qin Family, and Si Yuanhao, the Hall Master of the Iron Bone Gang''s Divine Skill Hall, both renowned figures on the White Stone Dao, were directly suppressed and killed on the spot by the opponent. With his own power, he had killed six Martial Artists of the Blood Refining Realm, and the weakest among them was at the mid-level. Such strength was considered top-notch across the entire White Stone Dao. Meng Peng had always thought that Gu Qingfeng was just an ordinary Blood Refining Realm Martial Artist. His purpose in joining the Gu Family was to see if he had a chance to learn the Gu Family''s mid-grade Martial Arts, nothing more. But now. Meng Peng had put aside all his small schemes, and any slight disloyalty had entirely disappeared at this moment. In his view. With Gu Qingfeng''s terrifying strength, it wasn''t impossible for the Gu Family to vie for the position of overlord of the White Stone Dao in the future. In today''s chaotic times. The court''s control over various local powers was weak. Martial Artists who established clans and sects could be completely free from court control. Now that the Gu Family was just starting, if Meng Peng followed Gu Qingfeng closely, dedicating his life to serve him, he would definitely benefit when the Gu Family rose. Similarly. If he were to betray the Gu Family, in Meng Peng''s view, he probably wouldn''t find a place to stay anywhere in White Stone Dao. This was evident from how Gu Qingfeng, without even blinking, suppressed and killed six Blood Refining Realm Martial Artists using thunderous methods. "How are things going?" Gu Qingfeng asked indifferently, noticing the reverence in the other''s eyes, which was the effect he wanted to see. The Gu Family really didn''t have many capable people on the White Stone Dao; Meng Peng had performed well in all aspects over the years, which was why he had taken Meng Peng with him to seize the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. The purpose of doing this was to show enough strength to instill awe in others. Loyalty. Often required strength as a deterrent. Meng Peng respectfully said, "Currently, the Qin Family and Iron Bone Gang are both furious, actively searching for that mysterious strong figure, but so far, no one suspects that the mysterious figure is the Family Head. Also, things about the attempt on Yun Tianxing by the two powers have been exposed at Heavenly Cloud Sect, and I expect that Heavenly Cloud Sect will not let this go easily!" Gu Qingfeng nodded upon hearing this. Heavenly Cloud Sect was indeed a major force in the White Stone Dao, not as strong as the Qin Family or Iron Bone Gang, but not to be underestimated. If neither family had truly exposed their identities, some matters could be overlooked, and Heavenly Cloud Sect might have to swallow the bitter pill. But now. With the identities of people from the Qin Family and Iron Bone Gang exposed, Heavenly Cloud Sect would certainly not rest. As long as you serve the Gu Family faithfully, I will provide you with the opportunity to break through the Blood Refining Realm!" At this point. Gu Qingfeng took out a secret manual from his bosom and handed it to Meng Peng. "This is the first half of the Gu Family Boxing. If you can cultivate it to Perfection, I will pass on the other half to you; then you can make your breakthrough. However, Gu Family Boxing is of great significance, and without permission, it absolutely must not be taught to outsiders; otherwise, you should be aware of the consequences!" "I shall serve the Family Head loyally unto death!" Meng Peng held the Gu Family Boxing with both hands, his expression filled with excitement. Even though what was before him was just the first half of Gu Family Boxing, and it did not involve any Blood Refining aspect, Meng Peng still saw it as a great opportunity. Just like Martial Arts in the Refining Skin Realm. Ordinary low-grade Martial Arts, compared to the first half of a mid-grade Martial Arts, are undoubtedly much less profound. Although Meng Peng himself was a Martial Artist at Refining Skin Perfection, the Martial Arts he cultivated were merely ordinary, certainly no match for the refined subtlety of the Gu Family Boxing. "Alright, you may leave now." "I take my leave!" Meng Peng departed. Gu Qingfeng watched his departing figure, his eyes slightly narrowed. Afterwards. He took out a gilded brocade box from his bosom, then opened it to reveal a thin secret scroll, the cover boldly inscribed with several large characters. Fiery Sun Divine Palm! Upon acquiring top-tier mid-grade Martial Arts for the first time, Gu Qingfeng himself was somewhat excited. He immediately opened the Fiery Sun Divine Palm and began to study it carefully. When he delved deeply into observing the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, Gu Qingfeng could comprehend the profundity of this Martial Arts; compared to the original Gu Family Boxing and Iron Body Skills and the like, it was utterly incomparable. Half an hour later. Gu Qingfeng put down the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, his eyes full of reflection. "The Fiery Sun Divine Palm is indeed a top-tier mid-grade Martial Arts. This peerless art''s level of profundity, even after Breakthrough, the Gu Family Boxing and Iron Body Skills cannot compare." General Martial Arts are only divided into four stages: Beginner, Small Success, Great Success, and Perfection. But Fiery Sun Divine Palm is different. The Fiery Sun Divine Palm is divided into nine layers, each layered into four stages: Beginner, Small Success, Great Success, and Perfection. The first four layers correspond to the Initial, Mid, Late, and Perfection stages of Refining Skin, while the second set of four layers correspond to the four stages of Blood Refining. As for the ninth layer, it has already reached the standards of a half-step Bone Refining. Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Yun Changkong Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Yun Changkong ? Half-step Bone Refining! This was somewhat beyond the expectations of Gu Qingfeng. He had thought that cultivating the Fiery Sun Divine Palm to Blood Refining Perfection was the limit, but he didn''t expect to be able to advance further and reach the level of half-step Bone Refining. However, upon further thought. What Cloud Pavilion had said wasn''t wrong. Half-step Bone Refining was actually just the pinnacle of Blood Refining Perfection. But no matter what. The mysteriousness of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm had left Gu Qingfeng feeling pleasantly surprised. Powerful martial arts. If one could cultivate it to Perfection, its power would naturally be much greater. However. The complexity and depth of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm meant that the difficulty of cultivating this martial art would also greatly increase. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 32/100 Realm: Mid-level Blood Refining Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable Level 1), Iron Body Skills (Body as hard as iron Level 1), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Small Success), Iron Leg Skill (Small Success), Iron Refining Finger (Small Success), Fiery Sun Divine Palm (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 0 As expected. The Fiery Sun Divine Palm was still at the early stage of Not entered. Gu Qingfeng realized another advantage of his Golden Finger: with all the martial arts in the world, he only needed to watch them earnestly once to record them all, and later with the Upgrade Points, he could instantly improve them. In the following time. Gu Qingfeng silently cultivated the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. In the face of such martial arts, he temporarily put aside all other forms. After all. Having top-tier intermediate martial arts on hand, it would be wasting time to cultivate lower-level arts, which would be ignoring the essentials for the trivial. Previously, Gu Qingfeng had to cultivate many inferior martial arts simply because he didn''t have intermediate martial arts, hoping that quantity would spark a qualitative change. While Gu Qingfeng was secluded in deep cultivation, White Stone Dao was also experiencing turbulence. Mysterious experts appeared. Combined with the numerous losses of Blood Refining Realm martial artists among the major forces, the originally tranquil Martial World was stirred up significantly. Especially some forces that were previously suppressed by the two major forces were now entertaining restless ambitions. Upon hearing this, Yun Changkong''s brow slightly furrowed, "Mountain Shattering Fist is just a low-grade Martial Art, even if it''s at Breakthrough, its strength is hardly beyond an ordinary Blood Refining Realm. According to what you said, this person has already cultivated Qi Blood Smoke, and with Breakthrough Mountain Shattering Fist, slaughtering numerous Blood Refining Realm warriors shows his foundation is not simple!" A formidable enemy! That was Yun Changkong''s thought. If it were him, he might not be able to achieve what the opponent did. However, the number of strong experts in White Stone Dao was limited. If someone truly possessed such strength, it wouldn''t be possible for them to remain low-key and inconspicuous. Thus, in Yun Changkong''s view, it was very likely that the person was not a martial artist from White Stone Dao and had appeared possibly targeting the middle-rank Martial Arts. Now that the mysterious expert had succeeded, he might have already left White Stone Dao. Therefore, Yun Changkong temporarily stopped thinking about this matter. Moreover, the mysterious expert killing six Blood Refining Realm warriors from both powers, in Yun Changkong''s view, seemed more like an ally of the Heavenly Cloud Sect. After all, the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Both families lost three Blood Refining Realm members each, including two Mid-level and one Late Stage, when compared, the Heavenly Cloud Sect, although also suffering heavy losses, still gave Yun Changkong some peace of mind. Immediately, Yun Changkong left the Heavenly Cloud Sect and headed toward White Stone City. This matter, both families must give an explanation. ... That day, in front of the Qin Family residence, a brocade-clothed elder approached, and as the Qin Family guard was about to speak, he was blasted away by a mighty force, smashing the Qin Family''s main gate. The massive disturbance instantly changed the expressions of those around and also alarmed the people inside the Qin Family. "Who dares to act so presumptuously at the Qin Family!" A cold voice came forth, and soon a Qin Family martial artist appeared. At that moment, Yun Changkong''s blood and energy erupted, terrifying blood qi transforming into rolling smoke that rose up, a fearsome aura spreading out, causing the newly appeared Qin Family martial artist''s face to turn pale, and even his breathing became difficult. "I, Yun Changkong of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, have come today asking for an explanation from your Qin Family!" Yun Changkong''s voice, full of anger, spread throughout the area. Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Martial World Changes Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Martial World Changes ? Gu Family''s back courtyard. Meng Peng came in from the outside, respectfully performed a bow, and then said, "Reporting to the Family Head, an hour ago, Supreme Elder Yun Changkong from the Heavenly Cloud Sect arrived in White Stone City and personally went to the Qin Family to hold them accountable." Upon hearing this news, Gu Qingfeng appeared slightly surprised, "Yun Changkong... if I recall correctly, hasn''t he always been in seclusion?" Supreme Elder Yun Changkong of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, a late-stage expert in the Blood Refining Realm. He was considered a stabilizing force of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, usually in seclusion trying to reach Blood Refining Perfection. This information was no secret, so Gu Qingfeng was naturally familiar with him. Even though he had never met Yun Changkong, he had heard of his reputation and deeds. "This person coming out of seclusion to White Stone City, could it be that he has successfully made a breakthrough?" Gu Qingfeng seemed to have thought of something. Meng Peng nodded solemnly, "What the Sect Master said is true, Yun Changkong indeed has broken through to Blood Refining Perfection. This time, his arrival was formidable, even disturbing that old ancestor of the Qin Family. The details of their negotiation at the Qin Family are unknown to me. But shortly after Yun Changkong entered the Qin Family, a fierce battle erupted, and then Yun Changkong was seen leaving angrily, which shows that their conversation did not end on good terms." Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng nodded. Yun Changkong''s purpose in visiting the Qin Family was obvious without saying, undoubtedly related to the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. The Qin Family ambushed members of the Heavenly Cloud Sect outside White Stone City. Had Yun Changkong not made a breakthrough, given the Qin Family''s powerful influence, they would have had to accept the situation begrudgingly. But now that Yun Changkong had successfully made the breakthrough, the situation was different. Both being in the Blood Refining Perfection, it was hard to say who was stronger. Yun Changkong came with great momentum, but clearly, the Qin Family did not provide a satisfactory response and now, with the departure of this Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, it''s likely that there would be a feud between them. "Yun Changkong didn''t go straight back to the Heavenly Cloud Sect after leaving the Qin Family, did he?" Gu Qingfeng asked again. Meng Peng nodded, "What the Family Head said is correct. After leaving the Qin Family, Yun Changkong went directly to the Iron Bone Gang, but this time there was no conflict; instead, the Iron Bone Gang courteously welcomed Yun Changkong inside." "Interesting..." Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly and then said to Meng Peng. "Continue to keep an eye on the moves of the Iron Bone Gang and the Qin Family, and ignore the rest; the turmoil of White Stone Dao is White Stone Dao''s affair. With me here, the Gu Family will not be in chaos." "The Family Head''s cultivation has reached the transformation stage, with you presiding here, there indeed won''t be any problems for the Gu Family!" Meng Peng said with a face full of admiration and awe. Gu Qingfeng''s strength and his astonishing feats were clear in his mind. In Meng Peng''s view, Gu Qingfeng''s strength could at least rank among the top three in White Stone Dao. Even compared to the old ancestor of the Qin Family and the Iron Bone Gang Leader, he would not necessarily be weaker. His talent for martial arts could only be described as mediocre. The more profound the martial arts, the greater the difficulty in cultivating them. Not to mention, cultivating the Fiery Sun Divine Palm required specific medicine baths, each costing a hundred pieces of silver, only feasible because Gu Qingfeng''s household was now well-off to bear such expenses. For the average person, even if they acquired the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, it would likely be very difficult to cultivate it successfully. Nevertheless, after reaching the Beginner stage of the first level of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, Gu Qingfeng felt as if his body''s qi and blood subtly underwent some shifts, tinged with a slight heat. Although this heat was very faint, faint to the point of being nearly imperceptible, that change was indeed real. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng was also shocked by the profoundness of the top mid-grade martial arts. Just reaching the Beginner stage of the first level brought effects comparable to the Small Success, and even the Great Success, of other low-grade martial arts. Having realized the benefits of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation became even more fervent. Three months'' time. Gu Qingfeng brought the first level of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm to Perfection. Afterward, he began cultivating the second level of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. While Gu Qingfeng''s strength steadily increased, White Stone Dao also underwent significant changes within these months. First of all, the Iron Bone Gang took the initiative to disrupt the long-standing peace of White Stone Dao, targeting the other dominant power, the Qin Family. Over several months, no fewer than dozens of conflicts erupted, each resulting in significant consequences, with both the Iron Bone Gang and the Qin Family suffering casualties. As the two major powers tore at each other, other forces reliant on them were also inevitably dragged into this war. Consequently, the entire White Stone Dao plunged into chaos. The only ones who could remain neutral were a handful of forces like the Gu Family, with Blood Refining Realm martial artists in command. Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Three Years Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Three Years ? Time slips away. Seasons change. In the blink of an eye, another three years had passed. Over the past three years, the situation in White Stone Dao had become increasingly chaotic and treacherous, even affecting the many industries of the Gu Family, where Gu Qingfeng belonged. Even forces within the Blood Refining Realm had taken advantage of the situation, attempting to swallow up the Gu Family. But one and a half years ago, Gu Qingfeng personally took action, defeating a well-known Martial Artist of the Blood Refining Realm with overwhelming force in front of an audience, which sent shockwaves through White Stone Dao. Even now, it finally dawned on others that the Gu Family Master, who had always kept a low profile, was actually a formidable force in the Blood Refining Realm. Judging by his ability to kill a fellow practitioner, he was at least at the Mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm, and possibly had even stepped into the Late Stage. With that, the Gu Family had instantly become a renowned and powerful clan in White Stone Dao. Because of this, many forces came to visit, hoping to establish relations with the Gu Family. After all, with White Stone Dao currently in chaos and the surrounding areas in turmoil, maintaining ties with a strong clan could prove beneficial. However, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of getting involved in Martial World affairs and politely declined all attempts at connections by various forces. But even so, the Gu Family''s reputation in White Stone Dao had become very prominent. "Boom-" In the backyard of the Gu Family, Gu Qingfeng was practicing the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. With each movement and technique, his bountiful Blood Qi Power surged like fierce flames, and the terrifying heat erupted with tremendous force at every turn. When he was halfway through the set of hand skills, Gu Qingfeng''s body trembled, and the originally intense Blood Qi Power suddenly soared, raising the temperature of the backyard considerably. "Boom!" He struck down with a palm, reducing the rocks to dust. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng retracted his move and stood still, calming his boiling blood energy, then glanced at his attribute panel. -- Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 35/100 Realm: Blood Refining Mid-level Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable level one), Iron Body Skills (Body as hard as iron level one), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Small Success), Iron Leg Skill (Small Success), Iron Refining Finger (Small Success), Fiery Sun Divine Palm (Beginner of the fourth layer) Upgrade Points: 0 -- "I''ve finally reached the Beginner stage of the fourth layer!" To ensure that the child Xu Yulan was carrying would have a talent like Gu Yang, Gu Qingfeng specially found an excellent prescription and spared no expense to purchase many valuable medicinal herbs to administer to Xu Yulan daily. In one year''s time, not to mention how the child was, even Xu Yulan herself benefited greatly. Had it not been for the inconvenience of practicing Martial Arts due to her pregnancy, she might''ve been able to break through to the Mid-level of the Refining Skin Realm. You see, Xu Yulan''s talent wasn''t strong. When she married Gu Qingfeng, she was already twenty years old, barely stepping into the Initial Stage of the Refining Skin Realm. Now, in less than a year, she was almost qualified to aim for the Mid-level of the Refining Skin Realm, which shows just how much effort Gu Qingfeng had put into this. At this moment, Xu Yulan''s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her face showed a bit of pain. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng''s expression changed abruptly, and he hurriedly supported Xu Yulan, "My lady?" "My lord needn''t worry; the child just kicked me, it''s nothing." Xu Yulan smiled like a blossoming flower, and only then did Gu Qingfeng relax. Afterwards, he accompanied Xu Yulan back to the bedroom to rest properly, then went to find a doctor to take her pulse. Half a day passed, and Gu Qingfeng came out of the bedroom with the doctor. "Doctor Liu, how is my wife''s condition?" "Mr. Gu, rest assured, your wife is in good health, and the fetus is very healthy as well. It''s estimated that the delivery will happen in another two months." Doctor Liu chuckled. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng was overjoyed, then he called someone over, "Escort Doctor Liu on his way!" After speaking, Gu Qingfeng took out a silver note from his chest and handed it to Doctor Liu as a token of his gratitude for the hard work. The latter''s face split into a wide grin as he saw the amount on the silver note. Once Doctor Liu had left, Gu Qingfeng looked back in the direction of the bedroom and then called for two maids. "Take good care of my lady, and let nothing go wrong, or I will hold you responsible!" "Yes, Master-" Chapter 23: Chapter 23 The Trees Desire Stillness, but the Wind Will Not Cease Chapter 23: Chapter 23 The Trees Desire Stillness, but the Wind Will Not Cease ? Gu Family''s main hall. Gu Qingfeng sat at the head seat, with Gu Yang and Meng Peng right in front of him. Although Gu Yang was only thirteen years old now, his stature had become increasingly upright, and his face, though slightly immature, was handsome, bearing a striking resemblance to Gu Qingfeng in his youth. But more importantly. He lacked the youthful inexperience that a boy his age should have, replaced instead by a steeliness not typical for his years. This was because, over the past few years, Gu Qingfeng had rarely interfered with the affairs of the Gu Family; virtually all matters had been handled by Gu Yang. At first. Gu Qingfeng would offer guidance from the sidelines. But as time went on, he began to relinquish control almost entirely for the past year. The vast Gu Family. Every affair, great and small. Was essentially managed by Gu Yang, who took the lead in dealing with them. Only when issues arose that Gu Yang could not resolve did Gu Qingfeng personally step in. The purpose of this approach was to cultivate Gu Yang as swiftly as possible, to enable him to stand on his own. The facts had proven. Gu Qingfeng''s method was not wrong. Under Gu Yang''s management, every industry of the Gu Family was well-organized, and with the support of Meng Peng, the reputation of this Young Master of the Gu Family had also made a significant mark within the Martial World. "Speak, what has happened?" Gu Qingfeng took a sip of tea and looked at the two in front of him, asking calmly. As he finished speaking. Gu Yang was the first to say, "Reporting to Father, several days ago, some of our family''s businesses were vandalized by unknown martial artists, resulting in the deaths of over a dozen people. After my investigation, I found that these unknown martial artists were backed by the Chu Family." "The Chu Family?" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you talking about the Chu Family of ''Thunderbolt Sword'' Chu Tianxiong?" Thunderbolt Sword Chu Tianxiong! The man was the Family Head of the Chu Family, a powerful mid-level Blood Refining martial artist. Gu Yang nodded: "Father is correct; it''s Chu Tianxiong''s Chu Family." "Our Gu Family has always kept a low profile in our dealings; surely the Chu Family wouldn''t have the audacity to act against us?" Gu Qingfeng asked curiously. Although the Gu Family had been discreet over the years, and Gu Qingfeng had rarely shown his hand, each time he did, his formidable power was evident. Normally speaking, the Chu Family, despite some resources, would not dare to openly confront the Gu Family without cause. Moreover. There was no known grudge between the Gu Family and the Chu Family. But as it turned out, Gu Qingfeng realized he had been too naive. Where there are people, there''s the Martial World. Even if the Gu Family wished to stay low-key, it was destined that some did not want to let the Gu Family remain so. Given this, there was no longer any need for the Gu Family to continue keeping a low profile. After laying low for three years, Gu Qingfeng was confident in his own strength, especially since the Fiery Sun Divine Palm had broken through to the fourth level, which had further enhanced his power. However, with the Iron Bone Gang Leader known as Invincible Divine Fist, who had reached Blood Refining Perfection many years ago, Gu Qingfeng felt he had a fifty percent chance to suppress him, but it was not completely secure. So, he had to wait. Wait until Gu Yang''s true breakthrough. As long as Gu Yang broke through, Gu Qingfeng was confident that with the Upgrade Points acquired, he could take his strength a step further. Only then would be the best time to settle scores with the Chu Family and Iron Bone Gang. In a certain tavern''s private room, the sound of joyful chatter was incessant. Several people were here, seeking pleasure, led by a man with a square face and a burly physique, whose temples bulged prominently, and whose bronze skin seemed to contain terrifying power. His thick-fingered hands were also covered with heavy calluses. This man was none other than Luo Yu, the Iron Bone Gang Leader. Next to Luo Yu sat an old man dressed in luxurious brocade robes, the Family Head of the Chu Family, known by the moniker Thunderbolt Sword, Chu Tianxiong. Chu Tianxiong was frequently raising his cup to Luo Yu, his old face full of respect and flattery. "The Iron Bone Gang is now like the sun at high noon. I believe it won''t be long before the Qin Family is utterly obliterated. I''ll take the opportunity to congratulate Gang Leader Luo in advance!" "Family Head Chu is too polite. If the Iron Bone Gang can unite the White Stone Dao this time, Luo won''t forget the Chu Family''s contributions." Luo Yu smiled slightly. His words made Chu Tianxiong''s smile even more radiant. Chapter 24: Chapter 24 Fiery Sun Divine Palm Perfection Chapter 24: Chapter 24 Fiery Sun Divine Palm Perfection ? At this time. Luo Yu suddenly dismissed everyone around him, all the singing girls who served by his side stood up and left, followed by all other irrelevant individuals. Seeing this, Chu Tianxiong''s expression also became serious. "According to the messages that have arrived, Divine Martial King''s army has already occupied most of Dan Yang County, and at most, in one more year''s time, the army will have taken the entire Dan Yang County. By then, Divine Martial King''s forces will surely set foot in Taishan County. Now, as the Taixuan Dynasty''s fate has ended, Divine Martial King, having raised an army for several years, already possesses three counties'' lands, and in the future, it is very likely he will contend for the world and ascend to that supreme throne. As long as we take down White Stone Dao first, once Divine Martial King''s forces arrive, we will cooperate both from within and without, assisting the army to capture Guangyang Prefecture. When Divine Martial King rises to glory and ascends the throne, both you and I will have been instrumental in his ascent!" Luo Yu''s look was stern, and his words caused Chu Tianxiong''s face to change slightly before he soon smiled. "Being able to serve Divine Martial King is an honor for the Chu Family, just say the word on what you wish to do next, and I will have no second thoughts!" "The following matter is simple: while dealing with the Qin Family, we will gradually nibble away at the other forces within White Stone Dao. By the time Divine Martial King''s forces arrive one day, I, Luo, will need White Stone Dao to have only the voice of the Iron Bone Gang." "Then what about Heavenly Cloud Sect-" "You need not worry about Heavenly Cloud Sect; Yun Changkong has already, like myself, pledged service to Divine Martial King." Luo Yu smiled faintly. Hearing this, Chu Tianxiong also felt relieved. Subsequently, Chu Tianxiong spoke again, "During this period, my Chu Family has also been gradually targeting the Gu Family, but the Gu Family seems unresponsive. Faced with the Chu Family''s relentless pressure, Gu Family has yet to show any sign of resistance. Could there be some issues with this?" Mentioning the Gu Family, a hint of apprehension flickered in Chu Tianxiong''s eyes. He wasn''t afraid of the Gu Family resisting, but rather feared the current silence from them, with no reaction whatsoever. As they say, A barking dog seldom bites. The more silent the Gu Family remained, the more unsettled Chu Tianxiong felt. Particularly since the strength of the Gu Family Master was unfathomable-in Chu Tianxiong''s estimation, the opponent could very likely be a Mid-level Blood Refining, or even a Late Stage Blood Refining expert. Luo Yu looked indifferent, "You needn''t worry about the Gu Family; you just need to gradually devour the Gu Family. If Gu Qingfeng doesn''t make a move, so be it. If he dares to take action, this gang leader will deal with him personally. Anyone who delusionally thinks to confront Divine Martial King will not end well!" Regarding the Gu Family. Luo Yu never took them seriously. He had initially sent someone to recruit the Gu Family, but they declined gracefully. In Luo Yu''s opinion, the fate of the Gu Family had been sealed long ago. Letting the Chu Family secretly nibble away at the Gu Family was due to the Iron Bone Gang currently being fully engaged in dealing with the Qin Family and temporarily unable to attend to other matters. And another reason was The Iron Bone Gang couldn''t openly make a move against the Gu Family now. After all, there were still quite a few forces in White Stone Dao that remained neutral, and if the Iron Bone Gang openly acted against the Gu Family, it might alarm other neutral forces and cause them to fall to the Qin Family''s side. That sort of situation he remained at the Beginner stage of the fourth layer. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also fully mobilized the Gu Family''s resources to aid Gu Yang''s breakthrough. On this day, Gu Qingfeng was practicing when the previously quiet information panel updated with new messages. "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has broken through to Refining Skin Realm Perfection!" "Reward Upgrade Points*10!" "Reward Blood Refining Pill*100!" "Reward mid-level Martial Arts ''Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills!!" ... "Finally!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the text on the information panel, a rare smile appearing on his face. After many years of waiting, Gu Yang had finally broken through to Refining Skin Perfection. The rewards for this breakthrough of Gu Yang''s were unprecedentedly generous. Ten Upgrade Points. One hundred Blood Refining Pills. And a set of mid-level Martial Arts named Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills. Without hesitation, Gu Qingfeng immediately used the Upgrade Points to enhance the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. ... "Spent 1 Upgrade Point!" "Fiery Sun Divine Palm breaks through to Fifth Layer Perfection!" ... "Spent 2 Upgrade Points!" "Fiery Sun Divine Palm breaks through to Sixth Layer Perfection!" ... "Breaking through..." ... "Spent 2 Upgrade Points!" "Fiery Sun Divine Palm breaks through to Ninth Layer Perfection!" ... In just a short time, Gu Qingfeng took the Fiery Sun Divine Palm from the Beginner stage of the fourth layer and directly upgraded it to the Ninth Layer Perfection. Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Half-step Bone Refining Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Half-step Bone Refining ? When the Fiery Sun Divine Palm broke through to Perfection at that moment, Gu Qingfeng felt as if he had dedicated a hundred years to this martial art, and his body instantly underwent a tremendous change. His rousing qi and blood surged like torrents while an extremely hot breath flowed within his meridians. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng had leaped forward to become a powerhouse of Blood Refining Perfection. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 35/100 Realm: Blood Refining Perfection Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable level one), Iron Body Skills (Body as hard as iron level one), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Small Success), Iron Leg Skill (Small Success), Iron Refining Finger (Small Success), Fiery Sun Divine Palm (Ninth Layer Perfection, Fierce Sun Palm Force level four) Upgrade Points: 1 ... Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel, and just as he thought, the breakthrough of Fiery Sun Divine Palm directly elevated his realm from Mid-level Blood Refining to Blood Refining Perfection. No- To be precise, It should be considered half-step Bone Refining. It''s just that since half-step Bone Refining isn''t a separate realm, the attribute panel displays it as Blood Refining Perfection. But Gu Qingfeng knew very well that the moment his Fiery Sun Divine Palm reached Perfection, his entire cultivation had transcended ordinary Blood Refining Perfection and stepped into the half-step Bone Refining Realm documented within Fiery Sun Divine Palm. And when Fiery Sun Divine Palm entered the Fifth Layer, this mid-grade martial art gained a feature called Fierce Sun Palm Force. With each subsequent layer, the Fierce Sun Palm Force increased by one level. Now at Ninth Layer Perfection, The Fierce Sun Palm Force also stepped into the fourth level. The level four Fierce Sun Palm Force transformed into a scorching torrent within the body, flowing through the meridians and slowly infiltrating into his bones to temper them at an incredibly slow pace. Blood Refining and above! That is Bone Refining! Bone Refining. As its name implies, it means to temper the bones. Now, the power of the Fierce Sun Palm Force was slowly tempering his bones, and Gu Qingfeng had a premonition that even if he no longer practiced in the future and allowed the Fierce Sun Palm Force to temper on its own, he would be able to break the Blood Refining barrier and advance into the Bone Refining Realm. This discovery, Also gave Gu Qingfeng a shock in his heart. "It seems I have still underestimated the power of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm!" All along, Gu Qingfeng had only thought that Fiery Sun Divine Palm was merely a powerful mid-grade martial art, but now it seemed that a perfected Fiery Sun Divine Palm might very well qualify to rival high-grade martial arts. At least, This passive ability to advance martial artists to the Bone Refining Realm was something other mid-grade martial arts did not possess. This point, Probably even the people from Cloud Pavilion were unaware. ... Cultivation breakthrough. Gu Qingfeng didn''t alert anyone. In the following days, he was consolidating his realm and, with the aid of Blood Refining Pills to supplement his cultivation, Gu Qingfeng managed to fully stabilize the half-step Bone Refining Realm. A breakthrough in strength. A cold light emerged in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. "The time for settling all accounts has come!" Half-step Bone Refining! And with two Martial Arts at Breakthrough, plus one top-notch mid-grade Martial Arts at Perfection, Gu Qingfeng was confident that his current strength placed him among the top within the half-step Bone Refining Realm. Even the self-proclaimed Invincible Divine Fist, the Iron Bone Gang Leader, would certainly not be his match. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng went to the main hall and summoned Gu Yang and Meng Peng, among others. "Father (Family Head)!" Both paid their respects to Gu Qingfeng. After the formalities. They both clearly sensed that today''s Gu Qingfeng was different from before. With this thought. Gu Yang and Meng Peng exchanged glances, then Gu Yang tentatively asked, "Could it be that Father has also made a breakthrough?" "Mmm, I''ve had some luck with insights in the past few days and suppose that counts as a breakthrough." Gu Qingfeng nodded. Hearing this, Gu Yang appeared slightly startled. It was only at this moment that he suddenly realized that Gu Qingfeng''s intention to wait a month was not for his own breakthrough, but to find a suitable time for it. On the other hand. Meng Peng also felt a jolt in his heart upon hearing of Gu Qingfeng''s breakthrough. Gu Yang was unaware of Gu Qingfeng''s true strength, but Meng Peng was well aware. This man, who years ago was already on par with Ninth Layer Perfection in Blood Refining, what level of terrifying strength must he have reached with a new breakthrough? Half-step Bone Refining? Or perhaps the Bone Refining Realm? Meng Peng didn''t dare to imagine. But one thing he understood, with this move, the Gu Family was secure. ?? ?? Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Accusing the Chu Family Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Accusing the Chu Family ? "How many guards does the Gu Family have right now?" Gu Qingfeng asked. Gu Yang answered without a second thought, "Currently, there are one hundred and thirty-six guards in the family. Among them are sixty at the Initial Stage of Refining Skin, sixty at the Mid-level Stage of Refining Skin, nine at the Late Stage of Refining Skin, and seven at the Refining Skin Perfection!" One hundred and thirty-six. The number was considered substantial. Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and then said, "Yang''er, you lead a group of guards to stay behind and protect the Gu Family. Yulan is due to give birth soon, you need to take extra care and ensure that nothing untoward happens." "I understand, Father!" Gu Yang replied solemnly, nodding his head. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng turned to Meng Peng, "You will come with me to the Chu Family." "The Family Head wishes to go directly to the Chu Family?" Meng Peng''s expression revealed his surprise. Gu Qingfeng''s eyebrows knit slightly, "Is there a problem?" "At present, those targeting our Gu Family are mostly Martial World Wanderers, and although they are backed by the Chu Family''s shadow, the Chu Family has not yet made any direct moves. If we go straight to the Chu Family, it will inevitably give rise to criticism¡ª" Meng Peng voiced his concerns, for all actions must have a justified reason. If the Chu Family truly took action against the Gu Family, then their retaliation would have no issue. But currently, the Chu Family was hiding in the shadows, without any direct evidence; acting rashly could potentially put the Gu Family in a disadvantageous position. Meng Peng''s words. Made Gu Qingfeng shake his head with a smile, but that smile was chilling. "Meng Peng, you''ve been in the Martial World for long, how can you speak such naive words?" "The so-called justified cause, the rightfulness of words, that''s only needed by the weak. The Martial World respects the strong, caring only about who has the mightier fist. The weak need to reason, the strong only need to assert their fists. If today the Gu Family takes action against the Chu Family, what of it? As long as the Gu Family''s fist is strong enough, who would dare say more!" By the end of Gu Qingfeng''s speech, a powerful aura was emanating from him. Under this aura''s envelopment, both Gu Yang and Meng Peng felt as if two great mountains were pressing down on their shoulders, their hearts shaken to the core. "Father has grown even stronger!" Unlike the complete astonishment in Meng Peng''s heart, Gu Yang felt more reverence in addition to his shock. He had broken through to Refining Skin Perfection, thinking that he could close the gap between himself and Gu Qingfeng, yet the latter''s strength was still beyond his grasp. All along. Gu Yang had always regarded Gu Qingfeng as his pillar. The stronger his father''s power, the happier he was. On the streets. In less than a moment. Chu Tianxiong came forward with his people. Seeing the headless body on the ground, Chu Tianxiong''s pupils suddenly constricted, and his look toward Gu Qingfeng was filled with fury. "Gu Qingfeng, it''s one thing for you to bring people to my Chu Family for no reason, but now you go so far as to openly kill my Chu Family guard, how do you explain this?" "Explain?" Gu Qingfeng sneered with disdain. "When your Chu Family sent people to covertly destroy and occupy the Gu Family''s property, you should have anticipated this consequence." With these words spoken. Chu Tianxiong coldly responded, "Everything must be based on evidence. You claim my Chu Family sent people to destroy and occupy the Gu Family''s property, do you have proof?" "Evidence-my words are the evidence!" Gu Qingfeng took a step forward and launched a punch at Chu Tianxiong with explosive brute force, creating a thundering blast in the air and sending a tidal wave of energy sweeping towards him, causing the latter''s complexion to change. "How dare you strike!" Chu Tianxiong was furious, his sword swiftly unsheathed behind him, its thunderous, lightning-fast brilliance cutting through the air, instantly creating hundreds of afterimages, dazzling to the onlookers. This scene. Stirred excitement among the surrounding people. "Chu Tianxiong truly deserves the title of the wielder of the Thunderbolt Sword; such swordsmanship is indeed divine-" However. Before the other onlookers had finished speaking, they saw Gu Qingfeng''s fist approaching, the sharp blade edge only leaving white marks on his knuckles, but failing to break through his bodily defense. The next breath. The afterimages of the swordplay dissipated like soap bubbles. Chu Tianxiong''s complexion drastically changed, he hurriedly parried with his sword, but Gu Qingfeng''s punch landed, the sword emitted a mournful cry, snapping cleanly in the middle, with the unstoppable force of the blow landing on Chu Tianxiong''s chest, sending him flying horizontally. Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Massacre Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Massacre ? A fist fell. The sword shadows vanished at once. Only when Chu Tianxiong''s body crashed to the ground did the others snap to their senses. They could see that Chu Tianxiong''s chest was caved in, as he coughed up mouthfuls of fresh blood. He tried to struggle up from the ground but was utterly incapable. In less than a moment, Chu Tianxiong became motionless. Until death, his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief, as if he couldn''t accept that he would die so abruptly. "Hiss... Chu Tianxiong is dead!" "The Thunderbolt Sword, Chu Tianxiong, who stepped into the mid-level Blood Refining Realm years ago and could almost match the strength of those in the late stage- I never imagined he couldn''t withstand a single punch from Gu Qingfeng!" "Killing Chu Tianxiong with one punch, this person''s cultivation must have reached Blood Refining Perfection, right?" In an instant, everyone looked at Gu Qingfeng with eyes full of terror. A fist that killed a mid-level Blood Refining martial artist. No wonder these people were shocked. Looking across the entire White Stone Dao, the martial artists who could step into the Blood Refining Realm were few, and those who could reach the mid-level were the cream of the crop. Such a strong person, yet unable to withstand the opponent''s single punch. The power of the Gu Family Master made them feel helpless. However, even more desperate were the people of the Chu Family. Now that their only Blood Refining Realm expert had fallen, the remaining members had no chance to withstand the Gu Family. At this moment, there was a disturbance from the outside. The crowd that initially surrounded the Chu Family to watch the show was uncontrollably stepping back, and then Iron Bone Gang Leader Luo Yu arrived with a group of experts. Upon seeing the collapsed Chu Tianxiong with his chest caved in, lying dead on the ground, Luo Yu''s pupils constricted sharply. At this time, a disciple of the Iron Bone Gang stepped out from the crowd and whispered a few words into Luo Yu''s ear, causing his expression to change unpredictably. Afterwards, Luo Yu walked up to Gu Qingfeng, clasped his hands, and said, "I am Luo Yu of the Iron Bone Gang. It''s a pleasure to meet the Gu Family Master!" Before Gu Qingfeng could speak, members of the Chu Family scurried forward, scrambling and pleading. "Gang Leader Luo, Gu Qingfeng came here without cause, publicly committing violence. Our Family Head of the Chu Family died tragically at his hands. We implore Gang Leader Luo to uphold justice for us!" "We hope Gang Leader Luo will uphold justice-" Other members of the Chu Family also shouted in unison, their eyes filled with hatred and murderous intent towards Gu Qingfeng. Hearing these words, Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained indifferent, just casting a cold glance at the Chu Family members before looking back at Luo Yu. In a single exchange, Iron Bone Gang Leader Luo Yu was injured and fell. The impact of this scene on the crowd was even more shocking than when Gu Qingfeng had killed Chu Tianxiong with a punch just moments before. Who was Luo Yu? A top expert of White Stone Dao. He founded the Iron Bone Gang with his own strength, his Divine Fist unmatched across the White Stone Dao. Such a high-level expert had been defeated by Gu Qingfeng in a single exchange, and the latter''s strength was even more astonishing. "This is your strength? I''m somewhat disappointed." Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, his face full of regret. He had thought that Luo Yu, who had been famous for many years, would be powerful, but it turned out to be just so-so. The opponent''s strength was at best comparable to his own a month ago. Now that Gu Qingfeng had cultivated the Fiery Sun Divine Palm to the Ninth Layer Perfection and stepped into the half-step Bone Refining Realm with his cultivation, a martial artist like Luo Yu no longer caught his eye. "Do you have any last words?" *cough cough*... "Iron Bone Gang will no longer interfere with the affairs of the Chu Family, I hope the Gu Family Master can spare my life!" Luo Yu''s face was as pale as death, and now he, the Gang Leader, disregarded his dignity, enduring the burning agony in his organs, and directly started begging for mercy. Hearing his words, Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. "Is that your last words?" Meanwhile, Gu Qingfeng slowly walked towards Luo Yu. Seeing this, The latter''s complexion was filled with panic, "You can''t kill me, behind me stands the Divine Martial King, if you kill me, the Divine Martial King will not let you off..." Ignoring the threat, Gu Qingfeng struck out with a palm, directly smashing Luo Yu''s head, and thus, the Iron Bone Gang Leader met his end. After killing Luo Yu, Gu Qingfeng looked towards the members of the Iron Bone Gang and the Chu Family, a smile appearing on his face, though it seemed extremely cruel and cold. "Kill, leave none from Iron Bone Gang and Chu Family alive today!" As soon as his words ended, Gu Qingfeng had already started a ruthless massacre. Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Reactions from All Sides Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Reactions from All Sides ? In less than half a day, a piece of news shook the entirety of White Stone Dao. Chu Family Head, Chu Tianxiong of the Thunderbolt Sword, had been blasted to death with one punch! Iron Bone Gang Leader, Invincible Divine Fist Luo Yu, was subdued and killed on the spot with two palm strikes. As soon as this news spread, it caused a titanic uproar across White Stone Dao. Chu Tianxiong was somewhat dismissible; although he had long been famous, he was not considered a peak expert of White Stone Dao. But Luo Yu was different. He established the Iron Bone Gang by his own strength and in just a few decades, he made the Iron Bone Gang one of the top forces in White Stone Dao, with only a couple of top families like the Qin Family able to compete with it. Especially in recent years, the Iron Bone Gang''s influence continued to grow, to the point where even the Qin Family was oppressed by them, hardly catching a breather. Such a powerhouse being directly slain could only send shockwaves throughout the Martial World. At the same time, the name of Gu Family Head Gu Qingfeng also echoed through White Stone Dao. Although Gu Qingfeng already had a resounding reputation in White Stone Dao, it was not as intimidating as it was now. After slaying Luo Yu, the three characters Gu Qingfeng pretty much became synonymous with the number one powerhouse of White Stone Dao. Although the Qin Family elder and Yun Changkong of Heavenly Cloud Sect were powerhouses at the Perfection of the Blood Refining Realm, in the eyes of others, both of their strengths were at best on the same level as Luo Yu. When it came to strength, they were fundamentally no match for Gu Qingfeng. At this moment, at the rear mountain of the Qin Family. The present Qin Family Master, Qin Hongtang, was respectfully speaking in front of a humble thatched cottage, "Reporting to the elder ancestor, Luo Yu is dead!" A simple sentence fell, and an elderly figure emerged from the cottage. His hair was grey and his face full of wrinkles, but his eyes were not the turbid kind seen in ordinary old people; instead, they were sharp like those of a hawk. This man was the Qin Family elder ancestor. "Luo Yu is dead, who killed him?" The Qin Family elder ancestor asked in a grave tone. He knew Luo Yu''s strength well; if it had been during his prime, it would not be a problem to suppress the other, but now he was old and his body was frail, his Qi Blood waning, and in a life-or-death fight, he wouldn''t necessarily be the match of the former. Qin Hongtang said, "The one who killed Luo Yu is the Gu Family Head, Gu Qingfeng. This man, leading the Gu Family guards, went to the Chu Family and, in front of the Chu Family''s gate, subdued Chu Tianxiong with one punch. Not long after, Luo Yu came leading his men and entered into a conflict with him. According to the information received, it only took Gu Qingfeng two moves to slay Luo Yu!" At this point in his account, a hint of fear could be seen flickering in Qin Hongtang''s eyes. The fact that it took two moves to kill Luo Yu inevitably shocked him. Elder, what do you make of this?" At the end, Qin Hongtang brought up another matter. "Divine Martial King!" The Qin Family elder''s expression changed, then it became grave. "The Divine Martial King rose up in arms from Nanyang County, and in a mere decade, he swept through Nanyang, Chi River, and Dan Yang counties. If the Iron Bone Gang is indeed related to him, it means the Divine Martial King has set his sights on Guangyang Prefecture, and possibly even the whole of Taishan County. This situation could be trivial or serious. Once war breaks out, we, as noble martial families, would hardly be able to keep ourselves safe!" The thought of rebel forces possibly entering Guangyang Prefecture and war affecting the entire White Stone Dao made the Qin Family elder restless. With the Qin Family''s current foundation, if touched by war, they could vanish in an instant. But to leave White Stone Dao would be to abandon years of accumulated foundation. In that case, even if the Qin Family left White Stone Dao for other places, they would likely find no peace. After all- the world is in chaos. And it''s not just Qingyun State that''s in turmoil. Across the Nine States and thirty-six counties, the flames of war have been gradually spreading. Qin Hongtang said, "The Divine Martial King has gained such momentum in just a few years; The may well one day have the qualifications to ascend to the throne. In my opinion, why doesn''t our Qin Family directly pledge allegiance to the Divine Martial King. If the Divine Martial King succeeds one day, our Qin Family could claim the merit of following a dragon, and perhaps seize the chance to rise to the heavens!" Towards the end, Qin Hongtang''s face showed some excitement. The Qin Family elder snorted coldly, dousing the other''s enthusiasm with a dose of reality, "In this chaotic battle for supremacy, countless people perish at a moment''s notice. If the Qin Family gets involved in such warfare, we will be instantly torn asunder by the surging turmoil of the era. And do you really think that the Taixuan Dynasty, having ruled over the land for centuries, would not have any power left? The world may seem chaotic, but the Taixuan Dynasty is not so simple. Although the Divine Martial King seems promising, the power he wields is not necessarily superior when compared to the Taixuan Dynasty or the other rebel forces. To prematurely take sides before the situation is clear is to welcome destruction. This matter is crucial for the Qin Family''s future, and one must not act carelessly!" This sharply brought Qin Hongtang back to his senses, his back already soaked with sweat. "Elder, your reprimand is well taken!" Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Pei Jing Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Pei Jing ? Gu Family''s main hall. Gu Qingfeng sat in the primary seat, with Gu Yang and Meng Peng beside him. "Father, in the elimination of the Chu Family, we obtained a total of two hundred thousand silver taels. The remaining medicinal herbs, antiques, and calligraphy paintings, if estimated by market value, are worth approximately between one hundred and fifty to two hundred thousand silver taels. Six lower-grade Martial Arts, one mid-grade Martial Arts!" "In addition, the Chu Family has quite a few businesses under their control, including three taverns, five apothecaries, two brothels, and two gambling houses!" Gu Yang, holding the account book, reported all of the Chu Family''s assets accurately. As an old power within White Stone Dao, the Chu Family''s assets were quite substantial. Listening to Gu Yang''s report, Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, "All these businesses must be taken over by our people. The Chu Family wished to monopolize the Gu Family''s assets, now it''s time for a change." "Additionally-" "Have the assets of the Iron Bone Gang been tallied?" Upon hearing this, Gu Yang nodded. "The assets of the Iron Bone Gang have been tallied as well. Currently, the Iron Bone Gang has about five hundred and thirty thousand silver taels, and in addition, three thousand taels of gold. Replacing all antiques, calligraphy paintings, and such with silver, the total value is approximately three hundred thousand silver taels." "In terms of businesses, there are sixteen taverns and inns, eight brothels, six gambling houses, and other miscellaneous businesses tally up to twenty-three-" "Additionally, in the martial arts domain, we''ve retrieved from the Iron Bone Gang sixteen lower-grade Martial Arts and two mid-grade Martial Arts." Compared to the Chu Family, the Iron Bone Gang''s assets were undoubtedly much more plentiful. This was to be expected. After all, the Iron Bone Gang was a dominant force within White Stone Dao. Yet even with Gu Qingfeng having anticipated this, he couldn''t help but inwardly draw a sharp breath when he heard the actual figures of the Iron Bone Gang''s wealth. If everything were converted to silver, the Iron Bone Gang''s assets would be worth at least one million silver taels. However. What concerned Gu Qingfeng more was the gold. Yes- It was gold. In this world, gold was genuinely scarce, unmatched by common items. Though the Taixuan Dynasty officially set the gold to silver ratio as one to one hundred, meaning one tael of gold was equivalent to one hundred taels of silver. But the issue was, Gold prices were off the market. The court had almost complete control over all the gold, with very little of it ever circulating among the populace, leading to the scarcity of gold. the Emperor of the Taixuan Dynasty fell seriously ill. Together with continuous natural disasters, rebels rose up everywhere - Gu Qingfeng was also aware of these events. However, he did not have much understanding of the specific situations of the various rebel forces. Now, listening to Meng Peng, Gu Qingfeng realized that this Divine Martial King was no simple character. In just over a decade, the opponent had nearly gained control of the lands of three counties and commanded an army of millions; indeed, his strength was very formidable. Gu Qingfeng said calmly, "We need not worry about the Divine Martial King for now. This is Taishan County, not Nanyang County. Besides, even if the Divine Martial King were to conquer and advance to Taishan County, whether he can reach White Stone Dao is another matter. Moreover, the Iron Bone Gang might not even be noteworthy to Pei Jing. Rather than worrying about these issues, it is better to first integrate the forces of White Stone Dao!" The matter of the Iron Bone Gang. Made Gu Qingfeng realize one thing. To survive in this chaotic world, one must possess sufficient strength. If he also had an army of millions at his command, what would there be to fear from the mere Divine Martial King Pei Jing? Therefore, Gu Qingfeng''s current task was to consolidate the Martial World forces of White Stone Dao and enhance the foundation of the Gu Family as much as possible. As long as their strength was sufficient, even if the Divine Martial King one day conquered Taishan County, the Gu Family would have adequate capital to negotiate with him. If the Gu Family were weak, they would not even have the standing to face the Divine Martial King. And then, there were the Evil Spirits and Magicians. Although these Evil Spirits and Magicians seemed to have completely disappeared in recent years, things were not so simple in front of Gu Qingfeng. Whether it was to oppose the Divine Martial King or to establish oneself securely in these chaotic times, strength was an indispensable thing. Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Meng Peng Breaks Through (Seeking Follow-Up Readings) Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Meng Peng Breaks Through (Seeking Follow-Up Readings) ? With Gu Qingfeng''s declaration, many in the Martial World scoffed, thinking that the Gu Family, with its shallow roots, was delusional to think that even with Gu Qingfeng, who was hailed as the strongest in White Stone Dao, they could truly rule over the entire White Stone Dao. So, many martial artists were waiting for the three days to pass to witness the spectacle at the Gu Family. If no factions appeared, and they lost face, it would be interesting to see how they would handle the situation. Meanwhile, Qin Hongtang''s face darkened when he received this news. "What is the Gu Family trying to imply, that they think just because of Gu Qingfeng, all the powers of White Stone Dao would bow down in submission?" Originally, according to the old ancestor of the Qin Family, there was no need to offend the Gu Family especially after the destruction of Iron Bone Gang; the Qin Family had planned to bring a generous gift to the Gu Family, which would allow both parties to save face and then live without further trouble. But before Qin Hongtang could act, the Gu Family made their move. At this time, if the Qin Family really bowed down, the prestige they had accumulated over many years would be completely lost. At that moment, other Qin Family elders also looked displeased. "Gu Qingfeng really thinks he is the top expert of White Stone Dao and that the Gu Family can dominate the whole White Stone Dao? I don''t believe he would really dare to make a move!" "Exactly, the Qin Family is not made of clay. We gave face to the Gu Family by acknowledging their status in White Stone Dao. If we hadn''t, what would Gu Qingfeng count for-" The Qin Family were filled with righteous indignation and held much disdain for the Gu Family. It was still the same line. They believed Gu Qingfeng was really getting ahead of himself. At the same time, no one believed that the Gu Family really had the guts to make a move. White Stone Dao was neither too large nor too small, but even if Gu Qingfeng was strong, in the minds of the Qin Family, it was impossible to contend with the entire Martial World. Qin Hongtang''s expression was icy: "We need not pay attention to the Gu Family''s affairs, but I want to see how Gu Qingfeng will end up handling this!" ... "Gu Qingfeng-" Within Heavenly Cloud Sect, Yun Changkong looked at the news from the Gu Family, his old face full of disdain. In front of him, stood Yun Tianxing. "Supreme Elder, now that the Gu Family has eliminated the Chu Family and Iron Bone Gang and is currently influential, if we don''t take action, could it bring us some trouble?" "The mad get caught in the rain, and the arrogant court disaster. The Gu Family has destroyed Iron Bone Gang, and they are doomed not to last long. Luo Yu is a man of Divine Martial King and although the grand army of Divine Martial King has not yet entered Taishan County, for a mere Gu Family to attempt to compete with Divine Martial King is a suicide mission. Once the news of Iron Bone Gang''s destruction spreads, I believe without our intervention, Divine Martial King will directly annihilate the Gu Family." Yun Changkong sneered dismissively. Offending Divine Martial King in Qingyun State was tantamount to a death sentence. If one were to mention the greatest power in Qingyun State, aside from the court, it would have to be Divine Martial King. Under his command, a million-strong army, and the owner of three counties, many powerful people; not to mention one Gu Family, even ten or a hundred Gu Families wouldn''t be a match for Divine Martial King. Additionally- During this period, Gu Qingfeng also taught the complete Gu Family Boxing to Meng Peng. Not only that. Gu Qingfeng had taught Gu Family Boxing to some guards who had joined the Gu Family for a long time and were quite loyal. With many mid-tier Martial Arts in hand, Gu Qingfeng felt no need to cling solely to Gu Family Boxing. Most importantly, the Gu Family now needed a sufficient number of strong individuals. Otherwise, it would be unreasonable for the vast Gu Family to have only Gu Qingfeng a half step into the Bone Refining Realm, and not even one in the Blood Refining Realm. Because of this, Gu Qingfeng gifted Meng Peng ten Blood Refining Pills to help him attempt a breakthrough into the Blood Refining Realm. The majority of the remaining Blood Refining Pills were given to Gu Yang to hasten his advancement into the Blood Refining Realm. As for himself, The seldom used the Blood Refining Pills for cultivation anymore. Having stepped into half step of the Bone Refining Realm, the effectiveness of the Blood Refining Pills had become limited. Moreover, with the characteristics of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, Gu Qingfeng could advance to the Bone Refining Realm naturally without needing any elixirs. Therefore, rather than wasting the Blood Refining Pills on himself, it was better to use them to develop strong fighters within the Gu Family. Among them, Gu Yang was the main focus of Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation efforts. Whether he could break through to a higher level depended largely on Gu Yang. In the blink of an eye, three days passed. Meng Peng came from outside. "Subordinate pays respect to the Family Head." Gu Qingfeng looked at the aura surrounding Meng Peng, which was clearly different from before, and his eyes immediately sparkled. "Have you broken through to the Blood Refining Realm?" Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Qin Family Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Qin Family ? "Thank you for bestowing the elixir, Family Head. Without it, breaking through the Blood Refining Realm would not have been so easy for me!" Meng Peng revealed a smile on his face. He had been stuck at Refining Skin Perfection for many years and had never managed to break through, both due to the lack of corresponding cultivation techniques and the difficulties of advancing in the Blood Refining Realm. After all, in terms of talent, Meng Peng was not considered powerful. If he only had the complete Gu Family Boxing without the aid of the Blood Refining Pill, it might have taken him a year and a half to break through the Blood Refining Realm. This was also because Meng Peng had already accumulated many years of experience. Thus, the Blood Refining Pill played a crucial role in breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm. Gu Qingfeng nodded. "It''s good that you could break through to the Blood Refining Realm. How have the various powers reacted?" Upon hearing this, the smile disappeared from Meng Peng''s face, and his expression turned slightly unpleasant. "So far, only a few small forces have sent people. Major powers like the Qin Family and the Heavenly Cloud Sect haven''t shown any movement." "And because the Qin Family and the Heavenly Cloud Sect remain silent, other forces are also just watching from the sidelines." "In my view, this situation is unlikely to end well..." The word was out, but there were very few responses. In Meng Peng''s view, the Gu Family was somewhat in a dilemma. Could it be, is the Gu Family truly able to settle accounts with all the powers? Thinking of this, Meng Peng himself shook his head secretly. It was not that he doubted Gu Qingfeng''s strength, but facing the entire White Stone Dao alone was indeed too difficult. Upon hearing this, a fierce light flashed in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. "If it''s not going to end well... then let it not end. I''ve already given them a chance. Since they don''t cherish it, there''s nothing more to say." Hearing this, Meng Peng was startled. "Is the Family Head truly planning to take action against them?" "Why not take action?" Gu Qingfeng glanced at Meng Peng, his face full of murderous intent. "I gave them face, but they are unwilling to give face to the Gu Family; there''s nothing more to be said. The Martial World speaks with fists. If they dare not to heed my words, it means they think my fists are not strong enough. Next, I will make them see whether the fists of the Gu Family are strong enough or not!" ... In the main hall of the Gu Family, several people were sitting solemnly. When they saw Gu Qingfeng and Meng Peng arriving, they hurriedly got up to pay their respects. "Greetings to the Gu Family Master!" Gu Qingfeng took the main seat and smiled faintly. "You may dispense with the formalities, please sit down." "Thank you, Gu Family Master!" myself!" A cold smile hooked the corner of Gu Qingfeng''s lips. His words made everyone go pale. Murong Xiu asked cautiously, "Does the Gu Family Master really intend to take action against other forces?" "I never speak falsely!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes were fierce. Hearing this, everyone shuddered. At that moment, Gu Qingfeng ordered Meng Peng to mobilize the Gu Family''s guards and headed mightily toward the Qin Family. Seeing this, Murong Xiu and the people from other forces had no choice but to follow, gritting their teeth. They had just lowered their heads to the Gu Family, and if they didn''t follow now, they would surely face the Gu Family''s retribution. At this point, they could only follow this path to the end. When the Gu Family made their move, the Qin Family was the first to get the news. Upon learning that Gu Qingfeng was leading others straight to the Qin Family, Qin Hongtang''s expression was both shocked and angry. He couldn''t believe it. The Gu Family really dared to take action against the Qin Family for no reason. Deep down, Qin Hongtang already had some regrets. However, Concerning the face of the Qin Family, with things having come to this point, Qin Hongtang could only maintain a tough attitude and mobilize all Qin Family martial artists. Then, he personally went to the back mountain to invite the Qin Family''s elder ancestor. When Gu Qingfeng and his men arrived at the Qin Family, they were already well-prepared. Both the Qin Family Master, Qin Hongtang, and the Qin Family elder ancestor were prominently present. "What brings the Gu Family Master and so many others to the Qin Family?" asked the Qin Family''s elder ancestor. Gu Qingfeng glanced at him. "Are you the Qin Family elder ancestor?" The man before him was old, but his vitality was still robust. To possess such vitality, one must be at least at the Blood Refining Perfection; hence, the identity of the other party was clear. Before the Qin Family elder ancestor could respond, Gu Qingfeng''s icy eyes turned toward the other members of the Qin Family, his face full of murderous intent. "I give the Qin Family one chance to submit to the Gu Family; otherwise, there is no need for the Qin Family to exist!" Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Annihilation of a Clan Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Annihilation of a Clan ? As these words were spoken, the Qin Family members were immediately enraged. The Qin Family patriarch''s face also darkened, his voice filled with malice. "Gu Family Master, you are indeed young, don''t be too impulsive. The waters of the Martial World are not as simple as you see. The Qin Family has stood in the Martial World for many years and does not lack a solid foundation. We should still value a harmonious approach, which benefits both our interests. If we truly come to blows, neither of us is likely to gain any advantage!" "It''s not that I am young, but that you are old. In the Martial World, there is no such thing as ''harmony brings wealth'', only who has the bigger fist!" Gu Qingfeng laughed loudly, then took a step forward, his qi and blood surging like billowing smog piercing the sky. "The fist is power!" "Now that Gu Qingfeng''s fist is big enough, it''s time for me to set the rules of the Martial World!" "I have already given the Qin Family a chance, but since you do not cherish it, the Qin Family no longer needs to exist-" With those words, his fist flew. The domineering force shattered the air, and a terrifying pressure erupted with a thunderous roar, causing the Qin Family patriarch''s face to change dramatically. "You insolent child, how dare you!!" The Qin senior, roaring in anger, had great strength and vitality emerging from his seemingly frail body, with his previously withered and sunken skin now full and supple once again. He brought his fingers together as if a meteor, swift as thunder and lightning, and the blinding flurry of finger strikes, each embodying the tremendous force capable of splitting mountains and rocks. This was the Qin Family''s secret technique. Meteor Piercing Cloud Finger! However, as Gu Qingfeng''s fist thundered out, a cracking sound was heard, and the flurry of finger strikes dissipated. The Qin Family patriarch''s face twisted in pain, his right hand''s fingers grotesquely deformed. Clearly, the bones in his fingers had shattered under that single punch. By contrast, only a few white marks were left on Gu Qingfeng''s fist, showing no signs of defense being breached. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng stepped forward again, his palms delivering a mixed yuan strike, his mighty palm force containing a vast and fiery energy that made the Qin Family patriarch feel a scorching wave rushing over him. Under such an attack, a long-lost sense of dread surged within the Qin Family patriarch''s heart. He wanted to beg for mercy, but it was already too late. Therefore, facing Gu Qingfeng''s fierce palm force, the Qin Family patriarch could only muster all his foundation, trying desperately to withstand it. "Boom-" The palms came crashing down. The Qin Family patriarch''s body was instantly sent flying, hitting several Qin Family disciples along the way, their bodies crushed by the mighty force, not even screaming before they perished on the spot. Qin Family Martial Artists all died on the spot. In less than a quarter-hour, every Qin Family Martial Artist in the Blood Refining Realm had been slain. Those remaining in the Refining Skin Realm were also butchered by Meng Peng and people from the Four Seas Gang and other forces. After all, although such forces were not as powerful as the Qin Family, their own foundation was strong. At the very least, at the Refining Skin level, they still had quite a few experts presiding. Furthermore, with Meng Peng, a newly risen expert in Blood Refining leading them, dealing with the Qin Family''s Martial Artists was naturally not an issue. When the last warrior fell, Meng Peng came before Gu Qingfeng and said with a fist salute, "Reporting to the Family Head, all the Qin Family Martial Artists have been slain!" Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng glanced at him, his voice indifferent and emotionally unfluctuating. "I swore to erase the entire Qin Family. You stopping now, do you wish to make me break my word?" With these words uttered, a chill enveloped Meng Peng''s heart. Although Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently, Meng Peng could sense the cold killing intent. It was obvious that he was already dissatisfied with Meng Peng''s hesitation. Immediately, Meng Peng did not dare to hesitate any longer, lifting the butcher''s knife towards the remaining people of the Qin Family, his expression vicious. "The Family Head orders, not one of the Qin Family is to be left alive, kill them all¡ª" With the command given, the massacre resumed. Members of the Qin Family let out miserable, wretched screams, some even cursing before they died. "Gu Qingfeng, may you meet a horrible death!" "You are cruel and ruthless; even as ghosts, we will not let you go-" Listening to the curses of the Qin Family members before their deaths, Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained indifferent, his face showing no change. Root out the weeds, eliminate them completely! This was something that must be done when walking in the Martial World. Had there been no falling out, it would have been another matter, but since they turned against the Qin Family, things had to be taken to the bitter end. Gu Qingfeng certainly did not want his mercy now to bring about unnecessary trouble in the future due to his soft-heartedness. As for the so-called curses, Gu Qingfeng cared not at all. In this Martial World, it was still might that made right! Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Dividing the Qin Family Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Dividing the Qin Family ? The Qin Family was massacred. Many people''s faces turned deathly pale, and the stench of blood that hit them made them feel nauseated. When they looked at Gu Qingfeng again, a mix of terror and fear had already filled their eyes. Before this, the Iron Bone Gang and the Chu Family were annihilated. Now, the Qin Family had been exterminated as well. The Gu Family Master did not make a move lightly, but once he did, he wiped out entire families. Such ruthless methods sent chills down their spines. After all. Strife and slaughter were common in the Martial World. But annihilating entire families was not often done. Mainly because such acts could lead to criticism and gossip. Who in the Martial World didn''t value their reputation? If they engaged in indiscriminate slaughter, it would only bring trouble upon themselves. However. None of these concerns seemed to exist for Gu Qingfeng. The Gu Family used to act with discretion, and they did not have a clear understanding of them, but the scene that unfolded before them completely overturned their perceptions. At the same time. Gu Qingfeng was also labeled as someone not to be trifled with. Who could withstand someone who destroyed families at every turn? ... Less than half a day later. Not a single living person remained in the Qin Family. Gu Qingfeng ordered Meng Peng to loot the Qin Family''s possessions, taking everything back to the Gu Family and then left. After a long time had passed. Someone finally dared step over the many corpses in front of the Qin Family''s gate and entered the Qin residence. Inside, the vast Qin Family had turned into a silent desolation, with the intense smell of blood permeating the air. Seeing this. Many people''s faces turned pale again. It wasn''t long. The news of the Qin Family''s annihilation spread. Once this message got out. The entire Martial World was shaken. The Qin Family, being an old and established family of the White Stone Dao, now that they were wiped out, the impact was enormous. Especially when it became clear that Gu Qingfeng was behind the destruction of the Qin Family, many powers were secretly frightened and regretful. Nobody thought. That the Gu Family would really dare to act in such a manner. After all, Until a critical moment, the factions of White Stone Dao in the Martial World would still be disjointed. But now with the Qin Family gone, many powers felt threatened, and at this time, it would be very easy for the Heavenly Cloud Sect to lead and integrate this force. As long as the Gu Family was taken down, The Heavenly Cloud Sect was bound to rise. The words of Yun Changkong also made Yun Tianxing''s eyes light up. Indeed. This was truly an opportunity for the Heavenly Cloud Sect to rise. He had been shocked by the news of the Qin Family''s demise, that he hadn''t thought of this aspect. "The Sect Master should immediately contact the various forces, and then deal with the Gu Family together!" "Very well-" ... In the Gu Family''s main hall. Gu Qingfeng sat in the principal seat, and the remaining were Meng Peng, Gu Yang, and the heads of several other forces, such as Purple Bamboo Manor. Unlike before, now Murong Xiu and the others all sat upright, a color of reverence filling their faces when looking towards the person in the principal seat. Subduing the Qin Family''s old patriarch. Killing the Qin Family Master, Qin Hongtang. With his astonishing military exploits, Gu Qingfeng had displayed ample powerful strength. Such terrifying power was beyond their ability to contend with. Gu Qingfeng spoke, "The Qin Family has dominated White Stone Dao for many years, with numerous industries under their flag. The Gu Family now has limited manpower, so the task of taking over the Qin Family''s industries shall be arranged by you four houses. But I have a requirement: fifty percent of all future profits from the Qin Family''s industries must be handed over to the Gu Family. The remaining fifty percent will belong to each of your houses. Additionally, thirty percent of the profits from your original industries must also be regularly turned over each year." "No problem!" "Everything shall be done as the Gu Family Master instructs-" Murong Xiu and the others were visibly delighted, hurriedly clasping their fists and speaking. The Qin Family had many industries in their hands; even just a portion of those industries was beyond what their own forces could compare to. If they could swallow up these industries, it would be enough to greatly increase their own strength. Even if they could only take half of these industries, and had to hand over thirty percent from their previously held industries to the Gu Family, if one seriously calculated, it would still be a lucrative deal. Therefore, There was no reason for them to refuse. Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Today, I will be right here Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Today, I will be right here ? The Qin Family was annihilated. The outside world was tumultuous. Only the Gu Family remained calm. Some forces, out of fear of Gu Qingfeng''s ruthless methods, hurried to pay their respects shortly after the Qin Family''s demise. As for this, Gu Qingfeng did not truly drive them to their deaths. After all, slaughtering all the forces of the Martial World in White Stone Dao would not be very beneficial to him. ... As night fell, Meng Peng rushed over. "Family Head, news has spread from outside that the Heavenly Cloud Sect wants to unite with other major forces to confront the Gu Family." "Heavenly Cloud Sect-" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes grew slightly colder. "I haven''t even gone to trouble them yet, but here they are, rushing to their deaths. Since the Heavenly Cloud Sect seeks death, then I shall grant it to them." "What does the Family Head plan to do?" "The Qin Family has already been annihilated, so annihilating another, the Heavenly Cloud Sect, is trivial. Suppress all the voices of resistance, and what remains will naturally submit." Gu Qingfeng''s expression was impassive; in his heart, he had already sentenced the Heavenly Cloud Sect to death. Originally, Gu Qingfeng had intended to move against the Heavenly Cloud Sect. It''s just that since the Qin Family had just been destroyed, some matters required attention, and he hadn''t been able to free his hands. Furthermore, Gu Qingfeng also wanted to give the Heavenly Cloud Sect a chance. If the Heavenly Cloud Sect could submit to the Gu Family, nothing could be better. After all, the strength of the Heavenly Cloud Sect was not weak, with a master of Blood Refining Realm Perfection at the helm; if they could be brought under control, it would further enhance the strength of the Gu Family. But now, Gu Qingfeng was no longer willing to waste time. The Heavenly Cloud Sect was courting death. Thus, he would oblige them. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng looked at the person before him and asked indifferently, "What exactly is the situation with the Heavenly Cloud Sect?" "Yun Tianxing is currently uniting various parties, planning to hold a Demon Slaying Conference at the Heavenly Cloud Sect in three days, aiming to target our Gu Family." "In three days-" Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly and then dismissed Meng Peng. Not long after Meng Peng left, a fragrant breeze wafted in, and Gu Qingfeng looked up to see Xu Yulan slowly walking in. Seeing this, The stood up to support her. "The night is deep, my lady, why not rest well instead of coming here?" During the conversation, any of you present here. Thus, these demonic actions of the Gu Family must be completely eradicated. Today, I have gathered everyone here to discuss dealing with Gu Qingfeng-" "Gu Qingfeng''s actions are ruthless and inhumane, he deserves to die!" "That''s right, with such ruthless tactics, he is undoubtedly from the Demon Path." "Before the Gu Family arrived, White Stone Dao was peaceful, but since their arrival, they have caused many disturbances. Today they eradicated the Qin Family, and tomorrow they could target any of us, so the Gu Family must not be spared!" "Eradicate the Gu Family!" "Eradicate the Gu Family-" At that moment, The crowd became fervently excited. Yun Tianxing, seeing the scene before him, immediately showed a satisfied expression in the depths of his eyes. Once the emotions of the crowd were stirred up, dealing with the Gu Family would be much easier. Just then, Outside the entrance of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, a commotion was heard, and then a shadow was seen breaking through the air, instantly crashing onto a table, the severe sound causing many people''s expressions to change. "Who dares to cause trouble in my Heavenly Cloud Sect!" Yun Tianxing burst into rage, but his expression changed abruptly when he saw the man in green robes, "Gu Qingfeng-" Although he had never met Gu Qingfeng face to face, he had seen plenty of his portraits, so naturally he was not unfamiliar. Others, upon hearing the name Gu Qingfeng, also showed a change of expression. No one expected that while they were discussing how to deal with the Gu Family, the Gu Family Head himself would come alone. Gu Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his indifferent eyes sweeping over the people present, finally resting on Yun Tianxing. "If you want to deal with me, why go through so much trouble? I, Gu Qingfeng, am right here. Whoever wants to take action can simply come forward, I will take on all challengers!" These words caused everyone''s expressions to change again. Instantly, someone could no longer hold back their anger and shouted, "Gu Qingfeng, don''t be arrogant, I will take you on!" As these words fell, an elder emerged from the crowd, moving as nimble as a monkey, swiftly closing in, and a fierce gust of wind attacked Gu Qingfeng''s face. Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained unchanged, and he suddenly threw a punch, preemptive in its execution, striking the opponent''s palm with such force that it broke bones, the white bone piercing through the flesh of the elbow, and the intense pain made his opponent emit a tragic scream. In the next instant, Gu Qingfeng flicked his fingers and a gust of wind broke through the air, the elder''s head instantly exploded, and the screams stopped abruptly. Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Yun Changkong, Dead! Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Yun Changkong, Dead! ? "That''s the Eight-Armed Ape Shen Tonghai, Mr. Shen!" "Hiss-" Many people''s faces were filled with shock upon seeing Gu Qingfeng cut down Shen Tonghai with the force of thunder. Eight-Armed Ape Shen Tonghai! He too was a renowned martial artist in the Martial World. Although he was not a top expert, he had stepped into the Mid-level Blood Refining Realm for many years, and now he couldn''t withstand a single breath from Gu Qingfeng. Such strength. It naturally left people utterly shocked. Yun Tianxing''s pupils shrank, and his face then turned furious. "Gu Qingfeng, you dare to kill here!" Gu Qingfeng sneered with contempt. "Aren''t you all gathered here to kill me? What''s the problem with me killing you now? Do you really think that when you try to kill me, I should just meekly submit to execution?" As these words fell, Yun Tianxing''s eyes darkened, "You first wiped out the Qin Family, and now you kill Mr. Shen in public - how can Yun let you leave the Heavenly Cloud Sect alive!" With that, Yun Tianxing looked to the others. "Today, I ask everyone to join me in suppressing this demon-" "Yun Tianxing, if you want to make a move, why call others to join you? Let me see the strength of you, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Cloud Sect!" Before Yun Tianxing''s words fully ended, Gu Qingfeng directly interrupted him. His robust vitality erupted, and he thrust his palm towards Yun Tianxing, bringing a terrifying, scalding wave sweeping towards him, causing his face to change drastically. Immediately, Yun Tianxing stimulated his own vitality, his body seeming to become as pure and lustrous as a jade, then a sword by his side was drawn, and a white belt of Sword Qi cut through the air. The sword shadows were so dazzling that they were nearly impossible to discern as real or false. Heavenly Cloud Body Refining Technique! Heavenly Cloud Sword Skills! These were the Heavenly Cloud Sect''s two supreme techniques. As the Sect Master, Yun Tianxing naturally mastered these two supreme techniques. The others, witnessing this scene, were all tremendously shocked, especially by the sharp Sword Qi; even from several meters away, they could feel their skin tingling with pain. However, As Gu Qingfeng''s palm thrust forward, all the sword shadows suddenly dissipated, and a sword was grabbed in his hand. The mid-grade Divine Weapon, capable of slicing iron like mud, could not break the defense of his palm. Following this, Gu Qingfeng squeezed his five fingers, and the sword let out a mournful noise before shattering directly. The powerful force from the sword caused Yun Tianxing''s palms to split open, changing his complexion once more. "Go!" Gu Qingfeng casually flung his hand, and iron shards cut through the air, instantly breaking through Yun Tianxing''s bodily defenses, bursting into several blooms of blood flowers on his body. Then, He took another step forward, his large hand pressing down on his opponent. In three years'' time, he had cultivated this supreme technique to such an advanced realm. Such talent left them all in utter amazement. At this time, the battle in the center had undergone a change. They saw the rolling blood energy surge violently, seemingly converging and transforming into towering flames that burst forth. Then, a long sword buzzed as a figure was sent flying. Was the victor decided? Seeing this scene, everyone looked towards the figure that had been thrown out, wanting to see who had been defeated. When they clearly saw the identity of the defeated, their faces turned even paler. "Yun Changkong!" They saw the current Heavenly Cloud Sect Supreme Elder with a charred palm imprint on his chest, bleeding from the nose and mouth. "Cough, cough!" Yun Changkong struggled to rise from the ground, looking at Gu Qingfeng with eyes filled with fear. "Fierce Sun Palm Force... I, I never imagined you could cultivate the Fiery Sun Divine Palm to such a realm... Pu!" Yun Changkong couldn''t finish his sentence before he spat out another mouthful of blood and collapsed heavily to the ground, lifeless. With that single palm strike, his five internal organs had been completely shattered. It was only the powerful vitality of Blood Refining Realm Perfection that kept him from dying on the spot. Following Yun Changkong''s fall, Gu Qingfeng remained in his green robe, unscathed. He indifferently swept a glance over the corpse on the ground, then looked at the others. "Is there anyone else who wishes to make a move?" As his words fell, the entire place fell silent. No one dared to speak. With the Heavenly Cloud Sect, both the Sect Master and the Supreme Elder already fallen, if they were to take action, they were likely to share the same fate. The remaining Heavenly Cloud Sect elders were also seething, yet they dared not express their anger. Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Devotion Proclamation Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Devotion Proclamation ? "I''ll give you one more chance!" "Now swear your allegiance to my Gu Family, or else, everyone present today will die-" Gu Qingfeng''s tiger eyes brimmed with authority, and the powerful aura of someone on the verge of Bone Refining Realm spread out from his body, causing everyone''s faces to change again and again. Immediately, someone took the lead and knelt down, speaking with a face full of flattery, "I have long admired the Gu Family Master''s fame, and it is my honor to serve the Gu Family now!" One person knelt down. Quickly, a second person, then a third person bowed their heads in submission. With Yun Changkong dead, what could they use to contend with Gu Qingfeng? To take a step back, even if all the people present rushed forward and managed to slay the opponent, how great a price would their side have to pay? No one could ensure they would not be one of the many sacrifices. Once they fell here, they would only be paving the way for others. Moreover, Gu Qingfeng''s current strength was unfathomable, and it was impossible to see where his limit lay. They feared that even if everyone attacked together, it wouldn''t be enough to stop him. If Gu Qingfeng showed even a trace of fatigue, perhaps some might take action. But now, Gu Qingfeng had quelled Yun Tianxing and Yun Changkong with thunderous measures, completely shattering these people''s last vestiges of will. Submission! It was the only way. Not submitting meant death. Nobody doubted whether Gu Qingfeng would truly kill; the Iron Bone Gang before and the Qin Family after had already demonstrated his ruthless methods. Watching everyone submit, as well as the disciples and elders of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, who were too angry to speak, Gu Qingfeng smirked slightly. "Since you submit to me, then show your sincerity. Annihilate the Heavenly Cloud Sect as a sign of your allegiance!" As these words were spoken, many people wore expressions of disbelief. The people of the Heavenly Cloud Sect also changed color dramatically. An elder shouted angrily, "Gu Qingfeng, do you really intend to exterminate us to the last-" Before the elder could finish, they felt a sharp pain in their chest and, looking down, saw the gleaming tip of a blood-colored sword in their field of vision. Pfft! The long sword was withdrawn from behind. This Heavenly Cloud Sect elder fell down with a face full of unwillingness. The one who made the move was none other than Shangguan Rong, the Sect Leader of the Red Sword Sect, who was the first to kneel and submit. Being a mid-level Blood Refining Martial Artist, and with a sudden and treacherous attack, that elder of the Heavenly Cloud Sect had no possibility of resisting. After slaying the elder with one sword stroke, Shangguan Rong''s expression was cold as he turned his murderous gaze to the remaining Heavenly Cloud Sect martial artists. Following such a potent figure held only benefits and no drawbacks for the Red Sword Sect. Those who understand the times are the true heroes. Shangguan Rong regarded this as nothing short of gospel truth. Gu Qingfeng left. He didn''t stay long at the Heavenly Cloud Sect. But not long after his departure, news of the Heavenly Cloud Sect''s annihilation quickly spread. In an instant, the Martial World was in an uproar. First, the Iron Bone Gang and Qin Family had been annihilated, and now the Heavenly Cloud Sect had followed suit; the White Stone Dao''s only three powers with Blood Refining Perfection experts had been completely wiped out by the Gu Family. Additionally, with the allegiance of powers like the Red Sword Sect, the Gu Family was now subtly acquiring the status of a dominant force in the White Stone Dao. The very next day, Shangguan Rong promptly delivered all the resources of the Heavenly Cloud Sect to the Gu Family, without any tampering. And then, Gu Qingfeng began to recruit martial artists extensively, forming the Gu Family''s guard, with a continuous stream of responders. In just under half a month, over three hundred martial artists had joined the Gu Family, and even the weakest among them were at the mid-level of the Refining Skin stage. As for those at the initial stage of Refining Skin, they didn''t even qualify to join the Gu Family. Furthermore, even a number of martial artists in the Blood Refining Realm joined the Gu Family. In the past, martial artists in the Blood Refining Realm held high status in the Martial World, either establishing their own forces or living as free and unfettered individuals, with few joining other factions. But now things were different. With the Gu Family''s dominion over the White Stone Dao and its rise to pre-eminence within a few short years, it had become the power to reckon with in the White Stone Dao. Gu Qingfeng, the Gu Family Master, possessed a cultivation that was profoundly inscrutable. In the current troubled times, aligning with a major power was a means to secure one''s life and establishment, so the Gu Family had become a highly sought-after haven for many martial artists. Furthermore, the treatment given by the Gu Family was particularly generous. This was also because, after annihilating top-tier powers like the Qin Family, coupled with the submission of other factions, the Gu Family''s foundation had seen a rapid and immense increase. Over the following period, Gu Family martial artists swept across the entire White Stone Dao. All voices of dissent, in the face of absolute power, were completely silenced. Chapter 37: Chapter 37 Concealing Malicious Intentions Chapter 37: Chapter 37 Concealing Malicious Intentions ? "Reporting to the Family Head, all one hundred and thirty-six forces of White Stone Dao have now submitted!" In the main hall of the Gu Family, Meng Peng spoke with a grave voice. At the same time, his gaze towards Gu Qingfeng was filled with admiration. Meng Peng had joined the Gu Family from the very beginning and had personally witnessed their rise to power step by step. He had never imagined that Gu Qingfeng could grow the Gu Family into such a colossal force in just a few short years. "Hmm, have everyone keep an eye on the news from Guangyang Prefecture and Taishan County, and pay close attention to Dan Yang County as well," Gu Qingfeng said indifferently. The Martial World is vast yet can also be small; broadly speaking, the Martial World encompasses the whole world, but on a smaller scale, even a single gang or sect constitutes the Martial World. Although the Gu Family had unified the entire White Stone Dao, it was just White Stone Dao after all. White Stone Dao is but a part of Guangyang Prefecture, above which is Taishan County, and above Taishan County is the vast Qingyun State. In light of this, Gu Qingfeng was certainly not arrogant or complacent. Had the Iron Bone Gang not intended to make a move against the Gu Family, Gu Qingfeng would not have taken such a high-profile approach. But things had come to this point, and it was no longer possible for the Gu Family to back down. Uniting White Stone Dao. It was bound to attract the attention of other powers. All they could do now was to meet force with force, and respond to trouble like soil to water. Meng Peng nodded, and then asked, "Should we send a greeting to the court?" "There''s no need to bother with them; the Taixuan Dynasty is too busy with its own affairs, and even when powers like the Qin Family were around, the court had nothing to do with the Martial World," Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, disinterested in meeting with the court. White Stone Dao is different from Lin County; the Martial World forces in Lin County are weak, so they naturally need to be mindful of the court officials. But the Martial World forces of White Stone Dao are much stronger, and without necessity, the court also does not wish to entangle with the forces of the Martial World. Especially now, with rebel armies rising everywhere, the Taixuan Dynasty is even less inclined to provoke anyone. After all, as long as the Martial World forces do not threaten the foundation of the court or directly revolt, the court tends to turn a blind eye. In view of this, Gu Qingfeng certainly had no plans to seek trouble for himself. Afterward, he took out a piece of paper and passed it in front of Meng Peng. "Gather all the medicinal materials listed here with full effort; I have great use for them¡ª" "Yes!" Meng Peng glanced at the list of medicinal materials, some names he hadn''t even heard of before, but that wasn''t a big problem. If he were to mobilize the full power of White Stone Dao, locating these herbs would likely be easy. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng had Meng Peng dismissed. Liu Yuan looked towards the inner courtyard, his eyes flickering slightly. "The young master is not truly born of the lady, and looking at the Family Head''s attitude, it seems he is rather fond of her. Should the lady give birth to a young master, it might threaten your position one day. From my perspective, it might be better if we-" Liu Yuan gestured with his hand, his expression turning vicious. Gu Yang''s expression remained unchanged, staring straight at him. "Who told you to say these things?" "These words are my own genuine thoughts from the heart, young master. In these years you have managed family affairs to everyone''s satisfaction. My actions are considered with your interests in mind-" Before Liu Yuan could finish speaking, Gu Yang suddenly struck, twisting his neck and snapping it. Until his death. Liu Yuan''s eyes were wide open, clearly caught off guard. After killing Liu Yuan. Gu Yang immediately called others over. "Come, drag the body away, then thoroughly investigate this man''s identity to see if there is someone behind him wishing ill upon our Gu Family!" "Understood-" Several guards who heard the call and saw Liu Yuan''s body initially froze, then hurriedly accepted the order and dragged the body away. Having dealt with Liu Yuan. Gu Yang felt little turbulence in his heart. Although he was young, having managed the Gu Family for these years, his hands were already stained with blood; killing a man was nothing much to him. Having dealt with Liu Yuan. Gu Yang looked towards the inner courtyard, his expression calm. Liu Yuan''s words did not make Gu Yang worried in the slightest. The position of the Gu Family''s Young Master was his, and his alone, and on this, Gu Yang had absolute confidence. Not to mention anything else. Having been in the martial arts for merely six or seven years, he had already reached the Refining Skin Perfection and was certain to break through to the Blood Refining Realm after a period of further refinement. With such talent, Gu Yang was not afraid that anyone could shake his position. Liu Yuan''s gestures might seem well-intentioned, but in reality, they harbored malice, which was why Gu Yang didn''t hesitate to kill him. Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Changes in the Information Panel Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Changes in the Information Panel ? The cries of the baby. And the refreshing of the information panel. Let Gu Qingfeng''s hanging heart finally come to rest. "Your second offspring is born!" "Your third offspring is born!" Two messages. Explained many things. Just then. The tightly closed room door opened, and the midwife said, "Congratulations to the Gu Family Master, Madam has given birth to twins, and both mother and children are safe!" "Good. Everyone responsible for the birth will be rewarded with a hundred silver, and you may follow Meng Peng to receive it." With a wave of Gu Qingfeng''s hand, the midwife, Weng Po, and everyone else in the room, their faces lit up with joy. "Thank you, Gu Family Master!" A hundred silver. It was more than they could earn in ten years without eating or drinking. Such a generous reward from Gu Qingfeng naturally made everyone overjoyed. Regarding this. Gu Qingfeng didn''t care. With the Gu family''s current assets, gifting a few thousand silver was only a minor issue. While everyone was going to receive their rewards, Gu Qingfeng also entered the room, only to see Xu Yulan lying weakly on the bed, with the newly born twins beside her. "Madam, you have worked hard!" Gu Qingfeng quickly approached in three strides, looked at the fragile beauty, and his face showed a look of distress. Upon hearing this. A faint smile appeared on Xu Yulan''s bloodless face. "All these are my duties, and now that the children are born, have you thought of names for them?" "Of course, I have." Gu Qingfeng looked at the two children in front of him, pondered for a moment, then said. "The elder shall be named Gu Xuan!" "The younger shall be named Gu Xiu!" As Gu Qingfeng''s words fell, the information panel once again displayed text. "Your second offspring has been named ''Gu Xuan''!" "Your third offspring has been named ''Gu Xiu''!" Afterward. Gu Qingfeng looked at the weak Xu Yulan and immediately had someone prepare nourishing ingredients to help Xu Yulan regain her strength. The news of the Gu Family Master having added two more offspring spread quickly. For a while. People visiting to congratulate were endless. The Gu family was now the sky of White Stone Dao, and many powers naturally rushed to ingratiate themselves. Gu Qingfeng was also in a good mood, personally meeting all the visitors. In the blink of an eye. improved!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has a revelation while practicing Gu Family Boxing, his strength has slightly improved!" Over the months, the information panel occasionally refreshed with text, which Gu Qingfeng found unsurprising. But this time, the changes in Gu Yang also appeared on the information panel, causing Gu Qingfeng''s expression to shift slightly. "Indeed-" "Since Xuan''er and Xiu''er were born, the information panel has indeed shown changes different from before, these changes are much more flexible than before!" Previously, the information panel simply recorded rewards, not serving much purpose. But now, the information panel could update him in real time about the changes in his descendants like Gu Yang, which pleased Gu Qingfeng greatly. Just then, Meng Peng walked in from outside. "Subordinate pays respect to the Family Head." "What is it?" "The Red Sword Sect has sent news; the Sect Leader Shangguan Rong is waiting outside with the millennium ginseng king that the Family Head has been searching for!" Meng Peng''s words made Gu Qingfeng''s eyes light up. "Let him in." "Yes-" ... It was not long after Meng Peng left that he returned, leading someone here. Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, Shangguan Rong immediately bowed deeply. "Shangguan Rong pays respect to the Gu Family Master!" "Sect Leader Shangguan, there''s no need for such formality. I heard that the Red Sword Sect found the millennium ginseng king, is it true?" "Indeed, some days ago, a disciple of my Red Sword Sect accidentally discovered the millennium ginseng king. After hearing the news, I immediately brought the ginseng king here to present to the Gu Family Master!" As Shangguan Rong spoke, he unfastened the bundle on his back, revealing a sandalwood brocade box in front of the three. Gu Qingfeng took the sandalwood brocade box and opened it; inside, a ginseng that was significantly larger than ordinary ginsengs lay quietly, its refreshing fragrance filling the air, allowing one to feel mentally refreshed with just a simple sniff. "Good, it is indeed the millennium ginseng king!" Gu Qingfeng was overjoyed. The millennium ginseng king was exactly as described in the Bone Forging Soup recipe; it was clearly what he had been looking for. And now that the millennium ginseng king was in hand, the final precious herb needed for the Bone Forging Soup was also fully gathered. Thus, Gu Qingfeng could now proceed to concoct the Bone Forging Soup, officially advancing toward the Bone Refining Realm. Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Black Xuan Guard Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Black Xuan Guard ? Hongjiang Prefecture. The army was stationed. Inside the prefectural city, an aura of sternness permeated-it was somewhat peaceful. Outside the city, corpses and severed limbs were scattered everywhere, and copious amounts of fresh blood dyed the land red. Within the government office of the prefectural city, a middle-aged man with a square face was handling affairs, wearing a black-and-gold robe, his expression stern and naturally imposing, as behooved someone of high status. At that moment, someone came inside and bowed to the middle-aged man. "Black Xuan Guard Baihu Sitian greets Your Majesty!" "What is the matter?" Pei Jing looked up and glanced at the man, his expression indifferent. Sitian said, "There is a secret letter from Taishan County, Guangyang Prefecture for Your Majesty to review!" As he spoke, Sitian handed over a secret letter. Pei Jing opened the letter, quickly scanning the entire content. "Why has this secret letter taken so long to reach me?" His expression turned slightly grim. The contents of the secret letter were several months old by now; although there was some distance between Taishan County and Dan Yang County, it shouldn''t have taken this long. The moment he finished speaking, a terrifying aura emanated from Pei Jing, causing Sitian to kneel down with a thump, his face filled with fear. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The situation in Taishan County is tightly sealed off by its Prefectural Governor. Many of my Black Xuan Guards died in Taishan County, hence the delay in this message. I beg for Your Majesty''s forgiveness!" Upon hearing this, the terrifying aura around Pei Jing suddenly retracted, but his eyes remained cold. "Taishan County... Once I deal with the matters in Dan Yang County, they will have their time of suffering. Moreover, Luo Yu is dead; I thought he would impress my eyes given he was at Blood Refining Realm, but in the end, he couldn''t even stand firm. The person mentioned in the secret letter, Gu Qingfeng, seems quite capable and is still young. His potential for the future is also considerable. You will represent me and make a trip to Guangyang Prefecture and have him join my Divine Martial Army!" "What if Gu Qingfeng is unwilling?" "If he is unwilling... then find someone who is willing to take over the White Stone Dao!" With a simple sentence, Pei Jing seemed to have already decided the fate of the White Stone Dao. Regarding this, Sitian felt no surprise. After all, the man before him was the Divine Martial King, commanding a million-strong army and controlling several counties-a minor White Stone Dao was naturally within his grasping reach. At the same time. The power of the Fierce Sun Palm Force was also activated, accelerating the tempering of the bones under the guidance of the medicinal power. Bone Refining Realm! It involved the tempering of bones throughout the body! In Gu Qingfeng''s previous life, humans had 206 bones, but in this world, humans have 365 bones, coinciding with the Circulation. To step into the Bone Refining Realm, one must temper all 365 bones in the body; only then can one truly break through. However, Tempering bones was not an easy task. For those who had reached Perfection in the Blood Refining Realm, tempering even one bone was difficult, let alone all 365 bones, making it even more challenging. Moreover, Bone tempering must be done cautiously. Any small mistake could lead to severe consequences. If it involved superior Martial Arts, it would record the real method of tempering bones and stepping into the Bone Refining Realm to avoid these problems. But without superior Martial Arts, relying solely on one''s exploration to break through, the risks are multiplied tenfold, a hundredfold. So-called Cultivation Techniques. They are actually the results of predecessors paying numerous heavy prices, gradually exploring step by step. Those who follow seek to explore the road ahead, either relying on the legacies of predecessors or emulating them to forge their own path through thorns, but the latter bears too much risk, and without dire necessity, nobody would undertake it. Now, Gu Qingfeng did not possess any superior Martial Arts. But the Fiery Sun Divine Palm he was cultivating involved the intricacies of Bone Refining when it reached Perfection, with the Fierce Sun Palm Force circulating through Circulation, its power covering all 365 bones. What Gu Qingfeng needed to do now was rely on the path of the Fierce Sun Palm Force to temper his own bones and quickly step into the Bone Refining Realm. Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Cultivating Iron Bone Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Cultivating Iron Bone ? Tempering! Full-force tempering! Gu Qingfeng mobilized his blood and energy, frantically absorbing the medicinal power from the medicine bath and the medicine soup, then he channeled the Fierce Sun Palm Force to gradually temper his bones. Under the self-tempering of the Fierce Sun Palm Force, parts of Gu Qingfeng''s bones had already been successfully tempered; now what he needed to do was to complete the tempering of the remaining bones. However- Midway through the bone tempering process, Gu Qingfeng stopped. It wasn''t that he wanted to stop. It was because his body had reached its limit, and at the same time, the power of the medicine soup was completely depleted. Breakthrough to the Bone Refining Realm. It wasn''t achieved in one breath. Any martial artist entering the Bone Refining Realm needed a lengthy period to grind away, slowly completing the tempering of the bones. After emerging from the tub, Gu Qingfeng glanced at the medicine bath which had turned somewhat dark brown. He donned his robe and went outside to continue practicing his swordsmanship. The long sword unsheathed. The sword light was piercingly cold. During the swordplay, traces of sword qi rampaged through the air, leaving behind lingering white streaks. "Boom-" The sword qi rolled like thunder, gathering into one sword in the sky and exploding with a captivating blast. Thus. Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills beginner! "This middle-grade martial arts, I''ve finally made it to the beginner level!" A faint smile appeared on Gu Qingfeng''s face. He had acquired the Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills for several months now, but he had always been one step short, never truly entering the beginner stage. This time, the breakthrough in one go was quite satisfactory. Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills beginner. He had begun to truly grasp the mysteries of this middle-grade martial arts. At the same time. The Iron Leg Skill also stepped into the Great Achievement Realm. In response. Gu Qingfeng used some Upgrade Points to directly raise the Iron Leg Skill to Perfection. The moment Iron Leg Skill reached Perfection, he felt the muscles and skin of his legs tighten, transforming into something akin to refined iron; his blood and energy also slightly strengthened, though the change wasn''t too significant. "It seems that general low-grade martial arts are no longer very useful to me. Only when low-grade martial arts reach Perfection can they bring some enhancement. But even so, the enhancement is limited!" Gu Qingfeng understood that his current realm was too high. The changes brought by low- grade martial arts were considerably limited. Of course. If a martial art reached Perfection, it still had some effect. If it were just one martial art, perhaps one wouldn''t see much, but if it were ten or a hundred martial arts accumulated, Gu Qingfeng believed that his strength could definitely reach a terrifying level. By that time. Even without a breakthrough in the Bone Refining Realm, he estimated he could still hold a Bone Refining Realm martial artist to the ground and rub him rough. Of course. To truly reach that degree was not the work of a day. "Initial Stage of Bone Refining!" "One hundred fifty years of lifespan!" Light flashed in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. The lifespan of a Martial Artist in the Blood Refining Realm was only about a hundred years, but after breaking through to the Bone Refining Realm, it skyrocketed directly to one hundred fifty years. Fifty years of lifespan. That was no minor matter. And as one''s cultivation grew deeper and deeper, the lifespan might even increase further. Given that. If one day he really were to reach higher levels, perhaps it was indeed possible to achieve eternal life in Martial Arts. "Martial Arts eternal life!" "With my advantages, it''s not unlikely that I could achieve eternal life in Martial Arts one day!" The words eternal life stirred waves in Gu Qingfeng''s usually calm heart. No one could resist the temptation of eternal life. But for ordinary people to attain eternal life through Martial Arts was no easy feat, yet Gu Qingfeng had his own advantages and perhaps really possessed the potential to reach that realm one day. Afterwards. Gu Qingfeng quickly calmed down. Eternal life in Martial Arts, that was too far away from him. Right now, he had only just broken through to the Bone Refining Realm. The Martial World was vast. Being strong in the Bone Refining Realm didn''t necessarily mean much. Of course. If it were on the White Stone Dao, then the Bone Refining Realm would be considered among the strongest. The next day. Gu Qingfeng arrived at the Cloud Pavilion. Given the Gu Family''s reputation, the steward of the Cloud Pavilion naturally came out to greet him immediately. In the chamber. A maid served tea. The steward from the Cloud Pavilion who came out this time wasn''t Ji Ping but another woman, who was graceful and dignified, with every smile and frown brimming with charm. "My name is Chai Hong, steward of the Cloud Pavilion. May I know if there is anything specific the Gu Family Head needs today!" "I heard that the Cloud Pavilion''s business is thriving, so I came here to inquire if you have any superior Martial Arts available. If so, I would be interested in purchasing!" Gu Qingfeng wasn''t swayed by the beauty of Chai Hong before him; her appearance barely stirred him as he got straight to the point, stating his purpose for the visit. Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Martial Arts Manual Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Martial Arts Manual ? "Top-tier Martial Arts!" Chai Hong''s expression shifted slightly, then she pursed her lips in a smile. "Such high-level Martial Arts hold significant implications, not commonly sold in the market. Only occasionally do some declining aristocratic families and sects, out of desperation, throw such Martial Arts into the public domain. If Gu Family Master is truly interested, then this concubine can keep an eye out for you." "That would be good!" Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. Then, he looked at Chai Hong and paused before saying, "White Stone Dao is weak in Martial Arts, and I wish to understand some information about Martial Arts. Can Cloud Pavilion accommodate this?" "These are but trifles. Our Cloud Pavilion possesses Martial Arts manuals compiled by past powerhouses, covering all stages of Martial Arts for only ten Silver." "Then I''ll take one." "Please wait a moment, Gu Family Master-" Chai Hong immediately had someone fetch a copy of the Martial Arts manual, handed it to Gu Qingfeng, and after the exchange of money and goods, the transaction was complete. Then, Gu Qingfeng did not linger long in Cloud Pavilion and stood up to leave. Watching his departing figure, Chai Hong''s beautiful eyes twinkled slightly. "Such concentrated aura, I''m afraid he''s already stepped into the Bone Refining Realm-" "Unexpectedly White Stone Dao, after so many years, has produced another Bone Refining Realm expert, and this one isn''t too old. Entering the Bone Refining Realm at such a young age, if he has a complete heritage, perhaps he could go even further one day. It''s just a pity that the profound Martial Arts won''t be easily disclosed by those sects and noble families. Without the corresponding Martial Arts as his heritage, I''m afraid he could reach the limit in the Bone Refining Realm for the rest of his life!" ... Holding the Martial Arts manual, Gu Qingfeng drifted back to the Gu Family. Then, he opened the Martial Arts manual and reviewed the recorded information. Martial Arts begin with Refining Skin, followed by Blood Refining, then Bone Refining, above Bone Refining is Marrow Cleansing, and Marrow Cleansing is followed by Refining Organ. When one reaches the peak of Refining Organ, a Martial Artist''s physique is perfected, unable to make further progress. At this time, the body is full of True Qi, known as an Innate Grandmaster. If there are those with exceptional gifts, they may also transform their blood and physique once more, breaking limits and stepping into sainthood, known as a Grandmaster of blood and energy. Among them, an Innate Grandmaster has a lifespan of three hundred years. If Gu Qingfeng wanted to acquire top-grade martial arts, he still had to start with Upgrade Points. "Now I just need to wait for Xuan''er and Xiu''er to grow up and see if they can provide me with the same benefits as Yang''er when they breakthrough. If that''s the case, then this matter is settled!" Gu Qingfeng had been conditioning the bodies of Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu from a young age with the aim of polishing their genetic constitution. Furthermore, the higher a martial artist''s cultivation, the lower the chances of conceiving offspring. Now that Gu Qingfeng had stepped into the Bone Refining Realm, his essence concentrated to the extreme, genuinely fathering children would be much more challenging than for ordinary people. At the time Xu Yulan became pregnant, Gu Qingfeng''s own cultivation wasn''t too high and only through daily diligence was he lucky enough to conceive. If it were now, it wouldn''t be so certain. Normally, Once a cultivator steps into the Blood Refining Realm, the chances of bearing offspring greatly diminish. The most suitable time had been back then in Lin County. However, At that time, Gu Qingfeng''s own life was hanging by a thread daily, and having a family would not have necessarily meant they could leave Lin County alive. It wasn''t until he settled down in White Stone Dao that Gu Qingfeng had the leisure to plan his next steps. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng cast aside the miscellaneous thoughts in his mind and continued to hone his tendons and bones, practicing other martial arts. In the current situation, where he couldn''t make the Fiery Sun Divine Palm breakthrough its limits, Gu Qingfeng naturally sought to indirectly enhance his strength by starting with other martial arts techniques. However, when Gu Qingfeng stepped into the Bone Refining Realm, he found that common low-grade martial arts were useless to him. If he wanted to temper his vitality and boost his strength, at the very least he needed mid- quality martial arts to do so. A few years ago, obtaining mid-quality martial arts wouldn''t have been easy for Gu Qingfeng, but after wiping out the forces of the Qin Family, Iron Bone Gang, Heavenly Cloud Sect, and others, he now had quite a few mid-quality martial arts at his disposal. Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Who Gave You the Courage? Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Who Gave You the Courage? ? Within the ancient city. An ordinary-looking middle-aged man strolled leisurely, the city bustling before him, markedly different from other places. "White Stone City''s stability won''t last much longer. Once the Divine Martial King''s army arrives, the peace here will be completely shattered. I just hope the Gu Family will be sensible enough, so White Stone City can be spared the ravages of war. Otherwise-" At this thought, the middle-aged man''s eyes grew cold. Indeed! He was Sitian. Under the orders of the Divine Martial King, Sitian rushed to White Stone City nonstop. However, since White Stone City fell under the jurisdiction of Guangyang Prefecture in Taishan County, and the Prefectural Governor of Taishan monitored the Black Xuan Guard closely, for safe entrance into White Stone City, Sitian had also paid a hefty price. Now. Entering White Stone City. The stability of the scene here contrasted starkly with that of Dan Yang County. In Dan Yang County, where war spread, everyone was panicky, hardly able to witness such grandeur. However- These were only temporary. In this chaotic world. There was no real stability. Once the Divine Martial King''s army arrived, White Stone City, and even the entire Taishan County, would be devoured by war. Sitian did not see any problem with this. The old saying still applied. The Taixuan Dynasty had decayed. This world needed a new ruler. As evening fell. Nighttime. Gu Qingfeng was refining his muscles and bones, practicing the Gang-protecting Ultimate Skill of the Iron Bone Gang-Mixed Yuan Iron Cloth! This Martial Art was also considered top-tier intermediate, mainly refining the martial artist''s skin and the powerful energy of muscles and bones. If perfected to the peak state of Perfection, one could step into the Ninth Layer Perfection of Blood Refining. Simultaneously. If Mixed Yuan Iron Cloth reached Perfection, it could considerably enhance a martial artist''s defense, nearly to the point of being invulnerable to water and fire. Among them. Mixed Yuan Iron Cloth, like the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, was divided into nine layers. Ninth Layer Perfection. That was the Blood Refining Perfection. Because Gu Qingfeng himself was a Martial Artist from the Bone Refining Realm, cultivating intermediate Martial Arts felt divinely aided. Within just a few days, he had mastered the First Level to Perfection, and it seemed he was about to begin the Second Level. However. Because Gu Qingfeng was from the Bone Refining Realm, mastering ordinary intermediate Martial Arts did not change him much. In his view. At least until he stepped into the Fifth Layer of Mixed Yuan Iron Cloth would it bring some changes to himself. had to hurriedly defend himself. Their fists and palms collided. A formidable force overwhelmed him, accompanied by an unbearable scorching energy, making Sitian''s expression change drastically again. "Bang-" Sitian staggered back several steps. "With such power, you dare to act recklessly in my Gu Family''s domain, who gave you the courage!" Gu Qingfeng scoffed disdainfully. Although the opponent was also in the Bone Refining Realm, his strength was merely so-so and not worth mentioning. Seeing Gu Qingfeng about to strike again, Sitian said in a panic, "I am a centurion of the Black Xuan Guard under Divine Martial King, I am here today by the || Before Sitian could finish speaking, Gu Qingfeng''s attack had already arrived, its fierceness like a tempest, leaving him struggling to defend and unable to say anything further. The more they fought, the more terrified Sitian became. He had been in the Bone Refining Realm for many years, having cultivated an entire body of Circulation Copper Bones, and even refined a few Silver Bones, ranking him strong amongst his peers. However, faced with Gu Qingfeng, he was completely overwhelmed. The blood and energy on his opponent were incredibly dense, not resembling someone who had just entered the Bone Refining Realm, and Gu Qingfeng''s punches and palms contained an extremely domineering, scorching powerful energy. This energy invaded Sitian''s body continually throughout the fight, causing immense discomfort. And when the energy accumulated to a certain level, it then exploded inside him. "Boom!" Fierce Sun Palm Force erupted. Sitian spat out a mouthful of blood, and his formerly coordinated moves became flawed. Gu Qingfeng seized the opportunity, landing a heavy palm on his chest, sending his body flying through the air. Upon landing, Sitian spat out another mouthful of blood, severely wounded. Such a commotion naturally drew more people from the Gu family. Gu Qingfeng''s expression turned stern as he ordered, "Disperse, all of you! There''s no need for you to intervene in this matter!" Hearing these words, many guards complied and withdrew. Then Gu Qingfeng approached Sitian, bent down, and like eagle talons, he struck out, dislocating all the joints in his limbs. The intense pain turned Sitian''s face deathly pale, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Hundred Refinement Golden Body Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Hundred Refinement Golden Body ? After finishing these tasks, Gu Qingfeng looked down at the other with an indifferent expression. "Speak, what''s your purpose for coming here?" "Gu Qingfeng, I am a man under the Divine Martial King. By laying a hand on me, you''re offending the Divine Martial King... Ahhh!!!" Sitian had just coldly issued a warning when he saw Gu Qingfeng''s right foot stepping on one of his palms, grinding the sole of his shoe fiercely, instantly turning the palm into a bloody pulp, even crushing the bones beneath the force. The severe pain elicited a piercing, tragic scream. Gu Qingfeng''s gaze was icy cold. "It seems you haven''t grasped the situation; I ask, you answer. Any needless talk and I''ll make you wish you were dead!" "Speak." "What''s your purpose for coming here?" This time, Sitian dared not speak carelessly or make threats, his expression fraught with panic as he said, "The king has heard of your deed in wiping out the Iron Bone Gang, unifying the entire White Stone Dao, and wishes to have you serve him!" "The Iron Bone Gang was backed by the Divine Martial King. I killed Luo Yu and destroyed the Iron Bone Gang; does Pei Jing not wish to seek revenge for them?" "The insignificant Iron Bone Gang isn''t worth the king''s effort for revenge. Gu Family''s ability to eliminate the Iron Bone Gang and unify White Stone Dao shows that Gu Family has more potential. As long as the Gu Family is willing to serve the king, he will surely not stint on rewards. With the Gu Family Master''s talent, if he receives the king''s resources, maybe he could even break through to Marrow Cleansing and maybe even step into the Refining Organ Realm!" Sitian didn''t hold anything back, spilling all the details. In the end, he still wanted to win over Gu Qingfeng. After all, given the current circumstances, if he couldn''t win him over, he might not be able to leave Gu Family alive. Sitian''s answer didn''t surprise Gu Qingfeng. From this, it was apparent that the Divine Martial King was somewhat callous and mercenary, only valuing capability without much regard for relationships. But on second thought, it seemed normal. Those destined for great things do not get caught up in trifles. There was a reason why the man could command several counties. Gu Qingfeng asked, "If I refuse, what then is Pei Jing''s plan?" "This..." Sitian hesitated momentarily, but under more force from Gu Qingfeng''s shoe, his face turned much paler and he dared not delay any further. "The king''s intention is, if the Gu Family is unwilling to submit, then there''s no need for its existence!" "How much force does Pei Jing have in Guangyang Prefecture?" "I am not clear on that..." Sitian started with that, but then, fearing Gu Qingfeng would not believe him, quickly added, "I really don''t know. The movements of the Black Xuan Guard are known only to the commander. We hundred householders can only comprehend a very small portion of the rest of the Black Xuan Guard''s affairs. However, the Prefectural Governor of Taishan County has always been wiping out the Black Xuan Guard, and it''s not so easy for us to act within Taishan County." "How many experts are under Pei Jing''s command?" Both martial arts were of high quality, belonging to the top tier, aiming directly for Bone Refining Perfection. The Hundred Refinement Golden Body focused on breakthrough by tempering, while the Seven Killings Blade Skills were combat-oriented. The intricacy of the latter was far superior to the Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills, purely a military martial art designed for slaughter. Normally speaking. Such superior martial arts would not be accessible to the average person. Now having obtained two superior martial arts from the Black Xuan Guard was an unexpected gain. "The martial arts are fine, you may leave." "Thank you, Gu Family Master!" Sitian''s anxious heart finally settled, and he leaped up, ready to leave the Gu Family''s place. Yet, a sword light tore through the night and pierced straight through his chest. Thud! Sitian''s body, having just jumped up, plummeted to the ground. Then, with a palm strike, Gu Qingfeng blew up his head under his disbelieving gaze, and the headless corpse struggled briefly before growing still. "I only agreed to consider sparing your life, but upon reflection, you''re better off dead here!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression was frigid. Since the moment the Iron Bone Gang was destroyed, he and the Divine Martial King had torn their masks off. Even if he followed Sitian''s words and served the Divine Martial King, it would not necessarily result in any benefit. Very simply. Because this is Guangyang Prefecture. To this day, Taishan County is still under the control of the court. If news of the Gu Family siding with the Divine Martial King were to leak, it could only lead to a grim end. Furthermore. Given the Divine Martial King''s unfeeling and unloyal nature, serving him would not guarantee any significant advantages for the Gu Family. Another point. Gu Qingfeng did not have the habit of being anyone''s lapdog. Therefore, from the moment Sitian appeared, his demise was sealed. Gu Qingfeng did not torture him due to Sitian''s forthrightness, granting him a swift end instead. This time, with Sitian''s death, Gu Qingfeng openly stood against the Divine Martial King. But none of these matters concerned Gu Qingfeng. If the Divine Martial King wished to deal with him, he would have to conquer Guangyang Prefecture first. Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Generous Rewards Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Generous Rewards ? The next day. The sun had just risen. Gu Qingfeng stepped out of his bedroom. The bloodstains in the backyard from the day before had been washed clean, and Sitian''s corpse had been properly dealt with, but if one looked closely, there were still some faint red traces visible. Since he had now offended the Divine Martial King, Gu Qingfeng paid little attention to anything else, focusing solely on improving his own strength. After all, the same saying still applied, "With sufficient strength, all problems cease to exist." "Sitian not only possessed Copper Bone throughout his body but had also cultivated parts of his Silver Bones, indicating that his Cultivation had long since stepped into the mid-level of the Bone Refining Realm. However, in a life-and-death struggle, he was no match for me. This shows that with my current strength, I believe I have some confidence against ordinary martial artists in the late stages of the Bone Refining Realm!" The battle from last night was Gu Qingfeng''s first since breaking through to the Bone Refining Realm. He had achieved Perfection in a top-tier, medium-grade Martial Arts, Broken through with two low-grade Martial Arts, And completed one low-grade Martial Art. Entering the Bone Refining Realm with such skills meant his strength was significantly stronger than that of an ordinary martial artist in the same realm. "The Fiery Sun Divine Palm may only be known as a medium-grade martial art, but reaching the Bone Refining Realm with such a technique perfected made one a bit stronger than another martial artist who cultivated a high-grade martial art to break through to the Bone Refining Realm. This showed just how formidable Master Lieyang, the creator of this martial art, truly was." The Fierce Sun Palm Force had refined his Iron Bone, tempering his whole body''s bones with the palm''s energy, making them much tougher than the average Iron Bone. Then there was the fact that Gu Qingfeng had consumed a large amount of Blood Refining Pills in the past. Such elixirs not only enhanced a martial artist''s Cultivation but also improved their vitality and longevity. That was why Gu Qingfeng''s strength was unmatched among his peers. The elixirs of the outside world simply couldn''t compare to the Blood Refining Pills. The solid foundation built with such pills had no side effects; instead, it made one''s foundation even more robust. At that moment, Gu Yang came to pay his respects. "Father, I greet you." "You''ve arrived." Gu Qingfeng looked at the Gu Yang before him, full of vitality and with a solid foundation. Clearly, he was at the peak of Refining Skin Perfection. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say he was half a step into the Blood Refining Realm. Just half a step away from breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm. "As your father, I see that your vitality is stable. It shouldn''t be long before you break through to the Blood Refining Realm. Today, I shall pass on two medium-grade martial arts to you, and I hope you will cultivate them diligently." "Yes, father!" Upon hearing the words ''medium-grade martial arts,'' Gu Yang''s eyes lit up as well. Then, Without any more words, Gu Qingfeng directly transmitted the Fiery Sun Divine Palm and the Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills to him. The Fiery Sun Divine Palm needed no introduction; such a powerful martial art was even more precious than the average high-grade martial art. An ordinary person, Gu Qingfeng would not reveal such a peerless skill. But as Gu Yang was being groomed to be the successor of the Gu Family, Gu Qingfeng naturally would not be stingy. The Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills were also a top-tier medium-grade martial art. As for why he did not pass on the Hundred Refinement Golden Body and the Seven Killings Blade Skills¡ªthat was because the former was not necessarily stronger than the Fiery Sun Divine Palm in terms of refining one''s foundation. As for the latter, Sitian''s defeat at the Gu Family did not cause any turmoil, as if the news had not spread at all. But Gu Qingfeng did not care, even if the news did spread, what could it do? Could the Divine Martial King really come straight to Guangyang Prefecture himself? On this point, Gu Qingfeng was not worried. He constantly had people keep an eye on the situation in Taishan County; if the Divine Martial King truly led During this time, army to invade, he would know the news first. Gu Qingfeng spent all his time cultivating the Hundred Refinement Golden Body. Over half a month, He upgraded the Hundred Refinement Golden Body from the First Level Beginner stage directly to the Small Success realm. Within a year, Gu Qingfeng was confident that he could fully cultivate the first layer of this technique to Perfection. On this day, The long-silent information panel refreshed with new information. "Your offspring, ''Gu Yang,'' has broken through to the Initial Stage of the Blood Refining Realm!" "Reward Upgrade Points*50!" "Reward Blood Refining Pills*100!" "Reward Bone Refining Pills*10!" "Reward a Perfect Level mid-level martial arts technique ''Heavenly Gang Dominator Body''!" Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng''s face immediately lit up with joy. "Yang''er has broken through!" The opponent had made a breakthrough from Refining Skin Perfection to the Initial Stage of Blood Refining much faster than before. On this, Gu Qingfeng found it normal. After all, he had given almost all the Blood Refining Pills acquired last time to Gu Yang; it was natural for the latter to achieve a faster breakthrough. What''s different is, Last time Gu Yang''s breakthrough only awarded ten upgrade points, but this time the breakthrough directly resulted in fifty upgrade points¡ªan increase of several times compared to the initial reward. From this, it can be seen, The rewards for breaking through a major realm are not comparable to those for minor realms. Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Consecutive Breakthroughs Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Consecutive Breakthroughs ? Fifty upgrade points. This was a substantial reward that Gu Qingfeng had never possessed before. Immediately, he didn''t hesitate and allocated all these upgrade points to the Hundred Refinement Golden Body. Consuming one upgrade point. Hundred Refinement Golden Body first level achieved Great Success! Consuming one upgrade point. Hundred Refinement Golden Body first level achieved Perfection! Consuming two upgrade points. Hundred Refinement Golden Body second level entered Beginner! ... Consuming five upgrade points. Hundred Refinement Golden Body third level entered Beginner! ... When the Hundred Refinement Golden Body advanced to the Beginner third level, Gu Qingfeng''s body trembled, a powerful surge of vital blood energy emerged spontaneously, and the already perfected Iron Bone''s color became even deeper. Although it hadn''t reached the Copper Bone rank, it seemed even more powerful than Copper Bone. Next, Gu Qingfeng continued to enhance. Copper Bone Perfection! Silver Bone Perfection! Golden Bone Perfection! ... In just a short moment, Gu Qingfeng had cultivated the Hundred Refinement Golden Body to Perfection. If Sitian were here, he would undoubtedly be immensely shocked. After all, the Hundred Refinement Golden Body is an army Martial Arts, where many people spend decades of hard training and still might not achieve Perfection; now, Gu Qingfeng had achieved Golden Body Perfection in just a moment, how could it not be shocking? "All-around Golden Bone Perfection!" "So this is the power of Bone Refining Realm Perfection¡ª" Gu Qingfeng clenched his fist, this strength compared to before his breakthrough was at least twice as powerful. If his Initial Stage Bone Refining self were here, he was confident he could annihilate with a single punch. This. This is the power of Bone Refining Realm Perfection. Moreover, during the breakthrough of the second layer of the Hundred Refinement Golden Body, there was an additional reminder: Golden Body Unbreakable. Now that the Hundred Refinement Golden Body had broken through to the third layer Perfection, Gu Qingfeng had directly cultivated the Golden Body Unbreakable trait to an extremely high level. Now him. Even ordinary Bone Refining Martial Artists didn''t stand a chance to break his defense. "According to the Martial Arts scriptures, when a common man achieves Golden Bone Perfection, even if he dies for a hundred years, his bones won''t rot and still maintain their brilliant shine!" "If one goes further, it is the Marrow Cleansing Realm¡ª" To break through to the Marrow Cleansing Realm, one must have exceptional Martial Arts skills. being able to step into the Marrow Cleansing Realm was already quite strong. Having reached this step in cultivation, Gu Qingfeng now had the true ability to establish a foothold in this world. "However, if one wants to advance further, superior martial arts are still needed, otherwise, the upgrade points required for a breakthrough of high-grade martial arts are indeed too high!" The first breakthrough required twenty upgrade points, the second one required forty. You see, it took Gu Qingfeng only thirty points to cultivate the Hundred Refinement Golden Body to completion. This shows, how high the requirements for a martial arts breakthrough are. Therefore, until the last moment, it is best not to use upgrade points for a breakthrough and instead gather martial arts of the corresponding level, thereby saving a lot of loss. Of course, high-ranking martial arts are not just something one can gather at will. All the major sects and noble families hold top-level martial arts tightly, and it is not so simple for others to obtain them. "Sigh!" Gu Qingfeng cleared the miscellaneous thoughts in his heart and took a deep breath. His body, which had been boiling with energy from the breakthrough, was now gradually settling down. At that moment, Gu Yang also arrived. The latter was radiant and could hardly hide the smile on his face. "Father, I''ve made a breakthrough in the Blood Refining Realm!" "Well done, being able to make a breakthrough in the Blood Refining Realm at such an age, you indeed have the potential to go further, but do not be arrogant or complacent. You need to understand that there are always others beyond you." Gu Qingfeng first nodded in approval, then solemnly cautioned. Upon hearing this. Gu Yang''s expression showed a bit of dissatisfaction. "I understand there are always others beyond me, but on this White Stone Dao, those who enter the Blood Refining Realm are few. With the Blood Refining Pill father gave me to build my foundation, my current strength is comparable to many mid-level Blood Refining martial artists. Give me some more time, reaching the late stage of Blood Refining shouldn''t be a problem. On the whole White Stone Dao, apart from father, I believe no one else can match me!" Observing his attitude, Gu Qingfeng''s gaze sharpened. "You think you are very strong now?" "Although not compared to father, I am more than enough for anyone else." "Very well, since this is the case, let your father test your strength. Use all your methods; if you can even harm me slightly, you win. Whatever you ask, your father can agree to it." Gu Qingfeng''s voice was calm, showing no emotional fluctuation. Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Green Sun Sect Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Green Sun Sect ? "Is this really true?" "Your father never speaks falsely," Gu Qingfeng said as he slowly stepped into the center of the courtyard, looking at Gu Yang with a faint voice. "Go ahead, you have only three chances to strike!" "Alright, then I''ll have to offend you, Father-" Gu Yang also wanted to test how much his strength had progressed after breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm, especially compared to Gu Qingfeng. Seeing Gu Qingfeng standing still, Gu Yang took a deep breath, marshaled all his Qi Blood strength, which seemed to create a mist of blood, already showing the embryonic form of Qi Blood Smoke. "Father, be careful!" As soon as these words fell, Gu Yang stepped out, his muscles and bones twisting together, he threw a punch that crashed out like a landslide, its fierce power eliciting a slight nod from Gu Qingfeng. It had to be said- Although Gu Yang hadn''t practiced Gu Family Boxing for very long, he had grasped the essence of the martial art. This punch. It indeed showed a deep comprehension of the martial art itself. Gang Qi appeared and transformed from the Qi Blood around Gu Qingfeng''s body. Gu Yang''s punch landed on the Qi Blood Gang Wind, like striking an extremely solid steel plate. The powerful rebound force made him stagger back several steps, his Qi Blood churning uncontrollably. This scene. Shocked Gu Yang''s complexion. He knew the gap between himself and Gu Qingfeng was large, but he didn''t expect their gap to be this vast. Even though he had not used his full strength with that punch, it should have at least broken through the other''s Qi Blood Gang Wind. "The first move!" Gu Qingfeng remained standing with his hands behind him, his expression indifferent. Gu Yang took another deep breath, then made his move again. This time. He held nothing back. An even stronger punch came crashing down but still failed to break through the Qi Blood Gang Wind''s defense and instead injured himself with this power. Immediately. Gu Yang suppressed the surging Qi Blood and struck out again with his palm, a potent force making the air explode with a loud bang, as if a scorching breath accompanied, a fierce and tyrannical palm slamming down hard on the Qi Blood Gang Wind. In the next instant. Gu Qingfeng''s body shook, and the Qi Blood Gang Wind erupted explosively. The terrifying impact instantly sent Gu Yang flying through the air. Gu Yang barely stabilized his figure in midair and, after landing, he still couldn''t stop his body, retreating several steps before he finally came to a halt. "How about it?" A faint smile appeared on Gu Qingfeng''s face. Sect Master Ye Nanqiu of the Green Sun Sect was calm, as if he was used to all this. A moment later, the chewing ceased. A robust voice from within the cave sounded. "Come in!" Upon hearing this, Ye Nanqiu entered the cave, which appeared much brighter now compared to the dark impression from outside. The stone walls of the cave were splattered with lots of fresh blood, and even more, there were over a dozen fresh skeletons stained with blood on the floor. Upon a closer look, one would realize that these skeletons were very small. In the deepest part of the cave, a man in green Daoist robes sat there, his face aged, with fresh blood remaining at the corners of his mouth. Suddenly, he stuck out his crimson tongue to lick the blood at the corner of his mouth, revealing a sinister smile. "Disciple pays respects to the Ancestor!" "Ancestor, my breakthrough is imminent, I now need three thousand boys and girls; arrange for the Qin Family to take care of this matter immediately!" The Green Sun Ancestor spoke in a deep tone. As he mentioned three thousand boys and girls, an eerie green glint seemed to surface in his eyes, adding to the cave''s unsettling atmosphere. Ye Nanqiu reported, "To inform the Ancestor, we received news that a mysterious expert named Gu Qingfeng appeared in the White Stone Dao. He founded the Gu Family and single- handedly eradicated the Qin Family, Iron Bone Gang, and Heavenly Cloud Sect, among others, rising to be the chief of the Martial World of White Stone Dao. Now that the Qin Family has been destroyed, we await the Ancestor''s next directive!" "The Qin Family has been wiped out?" Green Sun Ancestor''s eyes turned slightly cold. "What sort of strength does the Gu Family possess, do you know?" "It is said that Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation has already stepped half into the Bone Refining Realm." "Half-step Bone Refining-" The Green Sun Ancestor nodded slightly; such cultivation indeed had the potential to unite the entirety of White Stone Dao. Afterward, the Green Sun Ancestor sneered. "The Qin Family was trash; it had the support of our Green Sun Sect for so many years yet failed to unite the entire White Stone Dao-such a worthless clan deserves destruction. But no matter who rules White Stone Dao now, they must obey our Green Sun Sect. Since the Gu Family now holds sway over White Stone Dao, send someone to them, have the Gu Family prepare three thousand boys and girls within a month. If there is the slightest error, use the members of the Gu Family to make up for it. I believe the taste of a half-step Bone Refining Realm martial artist will be much better than that of ordinary boys and girls!" PS: New updates daily at noon, I hope everyone will follow along; thank you very much! Chapter 47: Chapter 47 The Visitor Means No Good Chapter 47: Chapter 47 The Visitor Means No Good ? "Heavenly Gang Dominator Body!" Gu Qingfeng took out this martial art from his Item Bar, and in an instant, he saw the martial art transform into a stream of light that entered his mind. Then a myriad of memories surged forth. In the blink of an eye. Gu Qingfeng felt as though he had cultivated the Heavenly Gang Dominator Body for many years, and in a mere moment, he had already brought this martial art to Perfection. Heavenly Gang Dominator Body Perfection! Gu Qingfeng just felt his vital energy become even more robust. Such a transformation. It also brought a look of shock to his eyes. "Mid-grade Martial Arts Perfection!" "It seems that the martial arts rewarded this time are extraordinary!" At this time. Gu Qingfeng truly realized that what was stated in the information bar was a Perfect Level mid-grade Martial Arts. From this, it can be seen. A breakthrough of an offspring did not merely reward Upgrade Points and ordinary martial arts; it could also possibly award Perfect Level martial arts. With this. Martial Arts Perfection. Gu Qingfeng himself would be able to save a lot of trouble. Just like now. Heavenly Gang Dominator Body Perfection. If it were Gu Qingfeng himself training, to cultivate a mid-grade martial art to the level of Perfection would also require more than ten years. And this was based on him already being a Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artist. Otherwise. The time required for the Heavenly Gang Dominator Body to reach Perfection would only be longer. But now. Gu Qingfeng directly brought the Heavenly Gang Dominator Body to Perfection in one go, which was not comparable at all. Like the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, the Heavenly Gang Dominator Body was also divided into Nine Layers. Starting from the Fifth Layer, one began to cultivate Protective Gang Qi. The so-called Protective Gang Qi is the manifestation of a Martial Artist''s vital energy transforming into Gang Qi. Normally speaking. As long as a Martial Artist''s vital energy is robust enough, they can form Protective Gang Qi, but the difference lies in the Protective Gang Qi cultivated after reaching Perfection with the Heavenly Gang Dominator Body, which is much more overbearing. "Hu!" "While a top-notch mid-grade martial art may not drastically increase my strength, it does enhance my foundation a bit. As long as I accumulate enough martial arts knowledge, even if I stay at the Initial Stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, I will be able to suppress all contenders of the same realm!" This reward made Gu Qingfeng very satisfied. Where there''s a first, there''s a second. Since Gu Yang''s breakthrough could reward Perfect Level martial arts, this meant that he, too, could have the opportunity to receive Perfect Level martial arts again in the future. your words!" Although it was clear that the young man''s identity was not simple, this place was White Stone City, the Gu Family''s territory. If one could curry favor with the Gu Family, perhaps they could use this opportunity to cling to the Gu Family''s coattails. This was why that person directly stood up. "Are you a member of the Gu Family?" Ye Shi''s eyes turned slightly cold. The man shook his head: "Although I am not from the Gu Family, the reputation of the Gu Family should not be slandered by the likes of you-" Before he could finish, Ye Shi struck out like lightning with a palm, landing instantaneously on the man''s chest. The tremendous force sent him flying, and before he hit the ground, he was already dead. "Not a member of the Gu Family, a piece of trash who hasn''t even entered the Blood Refining Realm, and yet dares to speak in front of me. Truly seeking death!" Ye Shi sneered, looking at the corpse with utter disdain. Everyone else changed their expressions upon this scene. Many recognized the identity of the dead martial artist. Although he hadn''t entered the Blood Refining Realm, he was a martial artist who had reached Refining Skin Perfection, and now he had been killed by a single palm strike from Ye Shi. From this, it was evident that the person in front of them was at least a master in the Blood Refining Realm. Instantly, the crowd scattered like birds and beasts. A master in the Blood Refining Realm was considered a strong entity here, not to mention the brocade-clothed elder who had not acted from beginning to end. From the look on the brocade-clothed elder''s face, it was clear that he was the senior of the young man. A junior already in the Blood Refining Realm, their senior''s strength could only be stronger. Immediately, someone passed this news to the hands of the Gu Family. ... "Trouble comes!" Gu Yang listened to the report of his subordinates with a cold glint in his eyes. The other party openly disrespected the Gu Family and even killed someone on the street; this was sufficient to show that their intentions were not simple. However, Gu Yang wasn''t too worried. Not only had he personally broken through to the Blood Refining Realm, but he also had Gu Qingfeng, such a powerful figure, supporting him. Even if a formidable enemy were to attack, the Gu Family wouldn''t necessarily be unable to deal with them. Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Are You Pretending to Be Your Mother? Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Are You Pretending to Be Your Mother? ? "This is the Gu Family estate!" Ye Shi looked at the grandeur of the Gu Family estate before him, a hint of scorn flickering in his eyes. Then, he planned to barge right in. Just at that moment, a Gu Family guard reached out to intercept. "Halt! This is the Gu Family property-you must not trespass-" Before the words finished, the guard was already sent flying out, crashing heavily through the main gate, blood almost spurting from his mouth as he gasped for more air than he could breathe. The sudden turn of events sent shockwaves through the entire Gu Family estate. Meng Peng, leading numerous guards, arrived, and upon seeing the body on the ground and the ruined entrance, his eyes chilled. He glanced at Ye Shi and finally settled his gaze on the robed elder. "You broke into the Gu Family without reason, and even killed a Gu Family guard. You must give an explanation!" Meng Peng said coldly. He didn''t act rashly. After all, the Gu Family''s reputation was soaring high. If someone still dared to cause trouble under such circumstances, then their identity must certainly be no small matter. Moreover, to Meng Peng''s eyes, the robed elder seemed like just an ordinary person. This led him to two possibilities. The first was that the person was genuinely ordinary, and the second was that the other party''s cultivation was profound and unfathomable, far beyond his own understanding. Between the two, Meng Peng naturally leaned toward the latter. After all, the two young men and women with him were experts of the Blood Refining Realm. How could the leader, the robed elder, be simple in strength? However, as Meng Peng''s words fell, the robed elder did not speak. Ye Shi was the first to open his mouth, speaking arrogantly. "This is Elder Xue Wang of the Green Sun Sect, and I am a True Disciple of the Green Sun Sect. Not to mention killing a guard of the Gu Family, even if we were to exterminate your entire Gu Family, who would dare to utter a word of disapproval? Now call out Gu Qingfeng to meet me. If we are in a good mood, perhaps we could spare the Gu Family this one time!" Upon these words, the expressions of the many Gu Family guards, as well as Meng Peng''s, changed. Green Sun Sect! These three words resounded in Guangyang Prefecture like a clap of thunder. It was not that White Stone Dao didn''t seem to have many experts in the past, but in front of the Green Sun Sect, they were nothing. Before Meng Peng could speak, a proud and cold voice pierced the silence. "What grandiose words; this Young Master would like to see who dares to be so audacious in the Gu Family estate!" Elsewhere, Both Ye Shi and Song Lan''s expressions changed as they looked at Gu Qingfeng with shock. Elder Xue Wang, an Elder of the Green Sun Sect, possessed strength beyond the Blood Refining Realm, but the man before them was able to repel Elder Xue, indicating extraordinary prowess. "Bone Refining Realm- I never expected the Gu Family Master to be a master of the Bone Refining Realm. No wonder he managed to unify the entire White Stone Dao, and no wonder he dares to disregard our Green Sun Sect!" Xue Wang''s expression darkened slightly, his eyes brimming with coldness. "However, if the Gu Family Master thinks that merely relying on the strength of the Bone Refining Realm is enough to overlook the Green Sun Sect, then he is greatly underestimating us!" Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng replied with a gentle smile and a courteous bow of his hand. "I would never dare to underestimate the Green Sun Sect. My actions were merely out of urgency. I have yet to ask for your name and your position within the Green Sun Sect. Is there a particular reason for your visit here today?" Seeing Gu Qingfeng''s polite words, Xue Wang''s expression slightly softened, then he snorted coldly. "Hmph, I am Xue Wang, a current Elder of the Green Sun Sect. I am here today because the sect has a matter that requires the Gu Family''s assistance. Should you handle it well, the sect will surely reward you. If not, the consequences may be something the Gu Family cannot bear." Standing with his hands behind his back, Xue Wang looked down on Gu Qingfeng with superiority. Hearing his words, Gu Yang''s face showed anger, but Gu Qingfeng remained composed, his smile warm and inviting. "It would be an honor for the Gu Family to serve the Green Sun Sect. I am long aware of the Green Sun Sect''s prestigious reputation. I merely wonder if the sect currently has a master of the Marrow Cleansing Realm?" "Hmph, do you know what being of the Marrow Cleansing Realm entails? Across the entire Taishan County, there are few who have reached such a level." Xue Wang snorted with scorn, then his expression turned proud again. "While the Green Sun Sect may not have a Marrow Cleansing Realm expert, our Sect Master reached Golden Bone Perfection years ago, and is simply a matter of time away from breaking through to the Marrow Cleansing Realm." "I see!" Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, but his smile suddenly vanished. In the next moment, he appeared before Xue Wang. His five fingers gripped the latter''s face and he slammed Xue Wang fiercely to the ground. "Without a Marrow Cleansing Realm expert, what the hell are you boasting about?" Chapter 49: Chapter 49 Drag it out and bury it Chapter 49: Chapter 49 Drag it out and bury it ? "Boom-" The blue stone pavement shattered. Xue Wang only felt an excruciating headache, followed by a warm liquid streaming down from the top of his head. His mind was hazy, and he still hadn''t reacted to what had happened. Then, Gu Qingfeng grabbed Xue Wang''s head again and fiercely smashed it against the ground several times until the man''s face was a bloody blur, and he was nearly gasping for his last breath. Only then did Gu Qingfeng let go of his grip on the opponent''s face. Standing up. Gu Qingfeng looked at the unconscious Xue Wang lying on the ground, spat disdainfully, and then turned his indifferent gaze towards the shocked Ye Shi and Song Lan. "The little Green Sun Sect thinks so highly of themselves as to dare come and kill someone from the Gu Family!" Upon hearing this, Ye Shi barely managed to regain his composure, his eyes filled with terror as he looked at Gu Qingfeng, and his voice trembled when he spoke. "My, my father is the Sect Master of the Green Sun Sect, you can''t kill me-" Ye Shi threw away all concerns about face, directly invoking Ye Nanqiu''s title in a vain attempt to intimidate Gu Qingfeng. Unfortunately, Before Ye Shi could finish speaking, Gu Qingfeng''s kick had already sent him flying. His chest caved in, and before he could even hit the ground, he was breathless. The remaining Song Lan was so frightened that her complexion turned pale, a warm fluid leaking between her legs soaking her skirt without her noticing. Before she could plead for mercy, Gu Qingfeng''s palm struck down, pressing her head into her chest cavity. A large spray of blood burst forth, and her body instantly collapsed lifelessly on the ground. "Drag them away and bury them!" Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently, and the many guards behind him woke up from their trance, not daring to hesitate for a moment, and directly dragged away the two corpses from the ground. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng then spoke to Meng Peng. "Throw this man into the dungeon, I will interrogate him personally!" "Yes-" Meng Peng immediately led his men to drag the half-dead Xue Wang straight to the dungeon. The so-called dungeon was a place that Gu Qingfeng had built not long ago. From the incident with Sitian, Gu Qingfeng realized that if he captured an enemy, he needed a place for interrogation, which was why he built the dungeon. Unexpectedly, the newly built dungeon had a guest arriving in just a few days. What surprised Xue Wang even more was that Gu Qingfeng''s strength was so terrifying that he had been completely suppressed without being able to react. Such power instilled a deep sense of powerlessness in Xue Wang. Clearly. This person in front of him was undoubtedly no simple character, his strength was at least that of Golden Bone Perfection. Gu Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze toward Xue Wang was indifferent. "I am Gu Qingfeng, the current Master of the Gu Family." "With your strength, you couldn''t have been unknown before, regardless of your purpose in coming to White Stone Dao, you shouldn''t have conflicted with my Green Sun Sect. The Green Sun Sect has stood in Guangyang Prefecture for hundreds of years; its depths are not something you can imagine. As long as you release me, all matters can be as if they never happened, and the Green Sun Sect can coexist peacefully with the Gu Family!" Xue Wang said solemnly. Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. "You''re saying this now, I''m afraid it''s a bit late, the one who just claimed to be the son of the Sect Master of the Green Sun Sect has already been killed by me, our two powers are destined to come into conflict." Upon hearing this. A shock went through Xue Wang''s heart; he seemed to sense the murderous intent in Gu Qingfeng''s words and hastily said again. "You can rest assured, Sir, a dead genius is no longer a genius. I believe the Sect Master won''t tear into an open conflict with a powerful person like you over a deceased offspring-" Before Xue Wang could finish, Gu Qingfeng interrupted him directly. "It''s not a matter of whether your Green Sun Sect cares to reckon with my Gu Family, but whether my Gu Family is willing to let your Green Sun Sect off the hook. Spill everything you know about the Green Sun Sect, as well as the specifics of your mission here, and perhaps I might make your death a bit less painful." This statement caused Xue Wang''s complexion to change. "Do you really want to be an enemy of my Green Sun Sect- Ah!!!" Amidst speaking, Xue Wang suddenly felt excruciating pain in his palm as Gu Qingfeng grabbed it and squeezed forcefully. Immediately, his palm''s flesh burst open, and his half- copper, half-silver bones were crushed bit by bit. Such intense pain was unbearable for ordinary people. The agonizing pain of the crushed bones made Xue Wang scream wretchedly, as Gu Qingfeng, with an expression devoid of sadness and joy, gradually crushed the bones until the entire hand crumbled into debris. Only then did he stop. "I''ll give you one more chance. I don''t want to hear any nonsense. Otherwise, you should be clear on the consequences!" Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Xue Wangs Resentment Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Xue Wang''s Resentment ? "Speak, what is the purpose of your visit to the Gu Family this time?" Gu Qingfeng relaxed his palm and asked again with a cold voice. This time. Xue Wang dared not waste words or threaten the other party because he realized that the man before him truly feared not the Green Sun Sect. If he continued to persist, the only one who would suffer was himself. "The Qin Family was annihilated, and the Sect Master found out that White Stone Dao was in charge of the Gu Family, so he sent me to the Gu Family to demand that they prepare three thousand boys and girls to be sent to the Green Sun Sect!" "Three thousand boys and girls!?" Gu Qingfeng''s expression changed slightly. "What do you want three thousand boys and girls for?" "I don''t know-ah!!! I''ll tell! I''ll tell!" Just as Xue Wang started to shake his head, he felt his arm once again seized by an intense, penetrating pain, twisting his face into a sudden and ghastly scream. Gu Qingfeng''s expression was cold and sinister as he slowly crushed the other''s bones bit by bit. "It seems you are still not being honest, treating my words like the idle wind. Next, I hope there will be no further concealment." With that said, Gu Qingfeng finally stopped. Xue Wang''s face was ashen, his body already soaked through with sweat and blood. His weak voice now was filled with a fear of Gu Qingfeng. Without waiting for Gu Qingfeng to inquire further, Xue Wang hurriedly spoke. "The Ancestor, the Ancestor needs three thousand boys and girls for his cultivation!" "The Ancestor, who is the Ancestor of your Green Sun Sect?" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes narrowed. Xue Wang replied, "The Ancestor is the powerful man who established the Green Sun Sect in the past. He refers to himself as the Green Sun Ancestor in front of others, and the rest I really do not know." Green Sun Ancestor! Hearing this name. Gu Qingfeng''s expression shifted subtly, his gaze filling with chilliness as he looked at Xue Wang. "Your Green Sun Sect has been established for hundreds of years, and the lifespan of a typical Bone Refining martial artist is barely over a hundred years, and even a Refining Organ martial artist lasts only around two hundred years. Could it be that the Ancestor of your Green Sun Sect is an Innate Grandmaster?" Gu Qingfeng was somewhat aware of the Green Sun Sect''s origins. They had a foundation in Guangyang Prefecture for hundreds of years, ranking as a formidable power in the region. But. To say that the Green Sun Sect had an Innate Grandmaster at its helm, Gu Qingfeng absolutely did not believe it. If the Green Sun Sect really had such a powerful figure, why would they remain confined to Guangyang Prefecture? The entire Taishan County and even Qingyun State would almost certainly see the Green Sun Sect rise to the top, rather than just bullying their way through Guangyang Prefecture. "I''m not lying, although the Green Sun Ancestor is not an Innate Grandmaster, he long ago abandoned the martial path, Refining Evil into his body and became a Magician. Xue Wang still did not forget to try and rope Gu Qingfeng into the ranks of the Green Sun Sect. There was no other way. If he could not draw Gu Qingfeng into the Green Sun Sect, it was doubtful he would leave the dungeon alive. Gu Qingfeng did not respond, but instead continued to inquire, "What is the Green Sun Ancestor''s strength like?" Xue Wang replied, "The Ancestor''s strength is unfathomable; he reached Golden Bone Perfection hundreds of years ago." "A decade ago, a powerful individual who had just entered the Marrow Cleansing Realm tried to assault the Green Sun Sect. In the end, the Ancestor personally took action, fought fiercely, and suppressed that Marrow Cleansing Realm powerhouse alive." Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng already had a plan in mind. Although the Green Sun Ancestor had reached Golden Bone Perfection hundreds of years ago, after Refining Evil into his body and becoming a Magician, there was no longer any possibility of advancement in Martial Arts. According to Xue Wang, The Green Sun Ancestor engaged in a bloody battle with a novice Marrow Cleansing Realm powerhouse ten years ago and then suppressed them. This could only mean, The Green Sun Ancestor''s strength should be around the Marrow Cleansing Realm, but not much stronger than that of a common person in the Marrow Cleansing Realm. With his current foundation, if he truly fought to the death, the probability of killing the opposition was not small. With this thought, Gu Qingfeng already had a plan in mind. Afterward, He proceeded to inquire about other matters regarding the Green Sun Sect, to which Xue Wang provided answers one by one. At this point, Xue Wang had come to understand a few things. He looked at Gu Qingfeng, his face filled with reluctance. "Why must the Gu Family Head insist on making an enemy of the Green Sun Sect?" Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Chop and Feed to the Dogs Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Chop and Feed to the Dogs ? Gu Qingfeng looked at him, his expression neither sad nor joyful. "It''s simple, ordinary people are like livestock in your eyes, and you are no different from livestock in my eyes." "I, Gu Qingfeng, would never collaborate with livestock." "But you can rest assured, after you die, I will soon have the rest of the Green Sun Sect join you!" As Gu Qingfeng''s words fell, his right hand twisted the opponent''s neck. Until death. Xue Wang''s face was filled with unwillingness. "Come!" Gu Qingfeng spoke expressionlessly. Moments later. Two guards walked in from outside. "What does the Family Head command!" "Drag the body out, chop it up, and feed it to the dogs." Gu Qingfeng gestured with his hand, directly ordering the guards to drag Xue Wang''s body away. The guards, upon hearing the order, did not dare ask more and simply complied. Soon. Only Gu Qingfeng remained in the dungeon. After a long while. Gu Qingfeng suddenly smiled, though his smile was rather ferocious. "The common people are like livestock, this world is even more twisted than I imagined. Without corresponding strength, one could at any time become feed for various sects, noble families, and even the court!" The world was in great chaos. Natural disasters occurred frequently. Bandits roamed extensively. The rebel army was rampant. Gu Qingfeng had thought he had estimated the world''s chaos as high as possible, but now it seemed he had seriously underestimated it. The Taixuan Dynasty! No- It should be said the order of this world, had completely decayed. The major sects and noble families had stood for hundreds, even thousands, of years, poisoning the common people below. This world''s decay seemed to have no hope of salvation. Overthrowing everything and establishing a new order seemed to be the only solution. However. These matters were temporarily unrelated to Gu Qingfeng. Not to mention whether he had the idea to overthrow this decayed world, even if he did, he was powerless. Because. He was too weak. currently unknown." With these words, Gu Yang paused, his expression suddenly becoming solemn. "It is said that back then, the Nanyang Blade Master had powerful strength, possibly having stepped into the Marrow Cleansing Realm, defeating many strong opponents and possessing a tremendous reputation throughout Guangyang Prefecture. Sadly, after Guan Nanhai''s disappearance, it caused quite a stir, but as time passed, it faded into obscurity. Unfortunately, I am temporarily unable to find out about Guan Nanhai''s true strength." "No need to search any further, Guan Nanhai indeed had entered the Marrow Cleansing Realm and indeed met his end within the Green Sun Sect!" Gu Qingfeng cracked a slight smile and shattered the stack of papers in his hand with a gust. The recorded information was not much different from what Xue Wang had said, or perhaps, the content here was not as detailed as the information Xue Wang provided. Like the existence of the Green Sun Ancestor, the papers only scarce mentioned that the Green Sun Ancestor founded the Green Sun Sect, glossing over it with a simple sentence. "Guan Nanhai really was in the Marrow Cleansing Realm!" Gu Yang looked shocked, then his expression turned ugly. "If what father says is true, then the Green Sun Sect''s foundation may not be as simple as it appears. Now that we have fallen out with the Green Sun Sect, do you have a plan, father?" "The foundation of the Green Sun Sect is not simple, but I don''t see it as a big problem. The one who killed Guan Nanhai is none other than the Green Sun Ancestor who founded the sect hundreds of years ago." "That''s impossible, the Green Sun Ancestor lived hundreds of years ago. How could an ordinary martial artist live so long?" Gu Yang looked incredulous. It was not that he didn''t believe Gu Qingfeng''s words, but what he said broke his own understanding. Indeed, martial artists could extend their lifespan, but not for several hundred years. Gu Qingfeng explained, "Ordinary martial artists indeed cannot live for hundreds of years, but for a master martial artist, living for a few hundred years is not a problem." "However the person from the Green Sun Sect is not a master, but rather an Evil Refining being, neither human nor ghost, just an evil creature. Even if his strength is stronger than Guan Nanhai''s, it is probably only by a limited margin." Gu Qingfeng''s words altered Gu Yang''s expression repeatedly. Master! Evil Refining! Suddenly, he realized that he was like a frog in a well, largely ignorant about many things. Gu Qingfeng glanced at him. "Some things I will tell you in the future. You just need to understand one thing, Evil Refining beings are not righteous, and the Gu Family will never allow anyone to engage in such practices. Anyone who dares to engage in Evil Refining, I will be the first to kill him!" "I understand, father!" Gu Yang''s heart shuddered, feeling the murderous intent from Gu Qingfeng, and quickly bowed in response. Chapter 52: Chapter 52: I Want to Leave No One Alive in Gu Family Chapter 52: Chapter 52: I Want to Leave No One Alive in Gu Family ? "Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills! Refining Evil into the Body! This was something Gu Qingfeng could not tolerate. The mighty sorcerer from the Evil Suppression Bureau was the first Gu Qingfeng had encountered. He still vividly remembered the other''s methods. Once one Refining Evil into the Body, in a certain sense, one was no longer human but akin to an Evil Spirit. "Now that we''ve clarified the strength of the Green Sun Sect, this matter can no longer be delayed!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes grew colder. To strike first is to gain the upper hand; delay but ensures your doom. Since the Green Sun Sect had already been offended, it must be completely eradicated. Otherwise, things would only become more troublesome. However- Before dealing with the Green Sun Sect, there was another preparation Gu Qingfeng needed to make. "Someone come!" "What does the Family Head command?" A servant walked in. Gu Qingfeng said, "Summon Meng Peng to see me immediately." "This servant understands!" Upon hearing the words, the servant quickly departed. In less than a quarter of an hour, Meng Peng hurried over. "Family Head has summoned me, is there something you wish to command?" "I have a task for you-" Gu Qingfeng''s voice suddenly lowered a great deal, and after a long pause, Meng Peng nodded slightly and then turned to leave. The next day. In the Gu Family''s Martial Arts training field. Three hundred guards were assembled here. These three hundred guards were all experts among the guards, their Cultivation at least in the late stages of the Refining Skin Realm, led by five strong individuals from the Blood Refining Realm. The many Gu Family guards stood in utter silence, a solemn aura permeating the air, their gazes all fixed on the figure ahead, their eyes filled with reverence. Gu Qingfeng spoke. "I won''t mince words. You all know why you''ve been summoned." "The purpose of your joining the Gu Family is also clear to me." "Should this battle succeed in annihilating the Green Sun Sect, Martial Artists of the Refining Skin Realm will receive a mid-level Martial Arts technique, those of the Blood Refining Realm will receive a superior Martial Arts technique, and in addition, appropriate Cultivation resources-Gu Family will not shortchange you in the slightest!" With these words, everyone''s faces instantly turned fervent. Mid-level Martial Arts! Superior Martial Arts! Their purpose in joining the Gu Family was precisely to have the opportunity to learn advanced Martial Arts to further their own capabilities. Now, Gu Qingfeng directly threw out such an enticing offer, naturally stirring their hearts. All the guards mounted their horses and rode off mightily toward the Green Sun Sect. At the same time. Within the Green Sun Sect. The news of the deaths of Elder Xue Wang and the others had also just been relayed. Upon learning of this, Sect Master Ye Nanqiu''s face turned furious. "Such audacity from the Gu Family, daring to kill people from my Green Sun Sect!!" The death of Xue Wang was one thing. But. The loss of Ye Shi was what truly pained Ye Nanqiu''s heart. From the outside, although Ye Nanqiu''s temples were slightly gray, he appeared to be middle-aged and didn''t seem too old, but he was in fact over ninety. Ye Nanqiu had his son late in life. It wasn''t until he was in his sixties that he was fortunate to have Ye Shi. Since then. Ye Nanqiu doted on his only offspring in every possible way, and with Ye Shi''s talent being quite remarkable, he had broken through to the mid-level of Blood Refining at a young age, and entering the Bone Refining Realm was surely a foregone conclusion. In Ye Nanqiu''s eyes, Ye Shi was the next Sect Master of the Green Sun Sect. As a result. Now, the news of Ye Shi''s death arrived, and how could it not enrage Ye Nanqiu. At once. Ye Nanqiu intended to summon all the strong members of the Green Sun Sect to march to White Stone City and utterly uproot the Gu Family, to serve as Ye Shi''s funeral escort. "What matter incurs such wrath?" a chilling voice inquired. Ye Nanqiu looked up to see the Green Sun Ancestor appearing in the hall, seemingly out of nowhere. His expression immediately changed as he hurriedly stood up. "Greetings, Ancestor!" "Tell me, how are you faring with the task I entrusted to you?" the Green Sun Ancestor asked as he walked slowly to the main seat and sat down, looking at Ye Nanqiu with somewhat frosty eyes. Feeling immense pressure, Ye Nanqiu replied, "As soon as the Ancestor commanded, I had Elder Xue Wang lead two true inheritors to White Stone Dao, preparing three thousand boys and girls. To my surprise, the Gu Family showed no respect for our Green Sun Sect, and all three, including Elder Xue Wang and my son Ye Shi, perished at the hands of the Gu Family!" By the end, Ye Nanqiu was grinding his teeth in anger. "The Gu Family!" a glint of green flashed in the eyes of the Green Sun Ancestor, his figure issuing a sinister aura, his shadow stretching and twisting on the ground, giving off an indescribably eerie feeling. "Elder Xue Wang, I remember, had also been in the Bone Refining Realm for many years. If the Gu Family could kill him, their strength must also be substantial. But this is good too; it indicates that at least one martial artist with Silver Bones must be presiding in the Gu Family. If there are no boys and girls, refining at least one Silver Bone martial artist would be quite satisfactory!" Having said that. The Green Sun Ancestor paused for a moment before speaking again. "This time, I will personally take action. You arrange for some people to follow me to the Gu Family; I want to leave no chicken or dog alive in their household!" Chapter 53: Chapter 53 The Ambition of Green Sun Ancestor Chapter 53: Chapter 53 The Ambition of Green Sun Ancestor ? "The Ancestor''s willingness to make a move is, of course, no problem!" Hearing these words, Ye Nanqiu''s face also lit up with joy. If the Green Sun Ancestor agreed to take action, then the Gu Family would definitely have no way out. In this way, Ye Shi''s vengeance would also be avenged. The Green Sun Ancestor cackled coldly, "No one can offend the Green Sun Sect and still live to tell the tale. Even Guan Nanhai couldn''t manage it back in the day, let alone a mere Gu Qingfeng. If it weren''t for the Taixuan Dynasty still being powerful, and White Stone City being under the jurisdiction of the court, I would have wanted to blood sacrifice the entire White Stone City." "If I could blood sacrifice the entire White Stone City, I would certainly be able to advance further... It''s just a pity!" The Green Sun Ancestor licked his lips, suppressing the impulse in his heart. Blood sacrificing White Stone City was easy, but the consequences that would follow were not so simple to handle. Upon hearing this, Ye Nanqiu said, "Pei Jing has also sent people to contact our Green Sun Sect, attempting to draw us in to collaborate with him. If we cooperate with him, and one day Pei Jing takes Guangyang Prefecture, giving White Stone City to our Green Sun Sect, that shouldn''t be a big problem." "Things are not as simple as you think." The Green Sun Ancestor shook his head slightly. "Behind Pei Jing stands the Tianyang Sword Sect, with Tianyang Sword Sect there, how could they allow our Green Sun Sect to have a share of the spoils?" "Moreover, the forces involved are not just as simple as the Tianyang Sword Sect. Right now, as neither side has decided the victory, our Green Sun Sect need not rush to take sides. After all, if we choose the wrong side, perhaps centuries of foundation could be lost overnight." "We wait until the situation becomes clear, then we can make our next move." "Moreover-if I can make further progress, in the future chaos, our Green Sun Sect will also have more say!" This world. Ultimately speaks with strength. This point, The Green Sun Ancestor, having lived for hundreds of years, would surely understand. "In recent years, the court has been in great movement as well, with many from the Evil Suppression Bureau coming to Guangyang Prefecture, seemingly preparing to suppress a powerful Evil Spirit. But it is said that in that battle, the Evil Suppression Bureau was mutually wounded with that Evil Spirit, and the area around Lin County has become a place devoid of life." "It''s rumored that this Evil Spirit is comparable to a Disaster-Level entity; such a level of Evil Spirit is certainly not common. If there is a chance to suppress and devour it, our Green Sun Sect may be qualified to compare with those ancient sects and noble families in the future." "Moreover, you can also use this opportunity to Refining Evil into your body, become a Magician, and glimpse at the gate to immortality!" Upon hearing this, Ye Nanqiu''s expression also became slightly excited, though he was still somewhat worried. "The Evil Suppression Bureau can''t deal with the Evil Spirit, so our Green Sun Sect trying to deal with it is probably not so simple!" To this, The Green Sun Ancestor sneered coldly, "You can rest assured, if it were a fully manifested Disaster-Level Evil Spirit, naturally it would be difficult to handle, but since the Evil Suppression Bureau and that Evil Spirit both suffered, as long as I breakthrough again, suppressing that Evil Spirit will definitely not be an issue. This is a key opportunity for the rise of our Green Sun Sect. We absolutely can''t miss it. Furthermore, I have also gleaned some clues to the location of that Evil Spirit in the past two "This is fine!" The expression of the Green Sun Ancestor grew ever more grim. "The Gu Family dares to come knocking on our door. I want to see what gives them such confidence-" At that moment, the disciple, hearing Ye Nanqiu''s words, was also startled. Ancestor? He had no idea that the Green Sun Sect still had an ancestor around. Thinking this, he couldn''t help but look up at the Green Sun Ancestor, just as his eyes met the other''s ghostly green pupils, and a sense of foreboding instantly rose in his heart. Right after. The shadow of the Green Sun Ancestor, unknown since when, had stretched out countless black tendrils. Before the disciple could react, they pierced through his body like swords. The sudden excruciating pain caused the man to let out a wretched scream. But within the next breath. The disciple''s skin visibly shriveled up at a visible rate as if all flesh had vanished. Moments later. The disciple turned into a dried-up corpse and collapsed to the ground. All the shadows withdrew as if the tide was receding. Seeing this scene. Ye Nanqiu''s expression remained unchanged as if he was accustomed to this. "Let''s go. Let''s meet that Gu Family Master!" Having consumed a person''s flesh and blood, the Green Sun Ancestor seemed to regain some color, hands clasped behind his back, he slowly walked towards the outside of the great hall, with Ye Nanqiu closely following. Outside the Green Sun Sect. Three hundred light cavalry broke through the ancient path. As they arrived before the mountain gate of the Green Sun Sect, all the cavalry stopped. Meng Peng approached the carriage, and said in a low voice, "To report to the Family Master, we have arrived at the Green Sun Sect!" After speaking. Gu Qingfeng lifted the curtain and alighted from the carriage, only to see before the mountain gate of the Green Sun Sect many disciples were already arrayed in battle formation waiting for them. "Is this the Green Sun Sect?" Gu Qingfeng looked towards the disciples in front of him, a glance revealing that most of them were in the Refining Skin Realm, with a few in the Blood Refining Realm. Among them, some with particularly strong auras had even reached the stage of Blood Refining Perfection. From this, one could discern the profound foundations of a great sect. Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Are You the Green Sun Ancestor? Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Are You the Green Sun Ancestor? ? "Elder Xue Wang had perished, and the Green Sun Sect has yet to settle scores with the Gu Family. Now you, Gu Qingfeng, bring people here-could it be that you are in a hurry to meet your death?" Qu Zhan looked towards the group of Gu Family martial artists, his gaze finally resting on Gu Qingfeng, his face filled with indifference. The news of Xue Wang''s death. Qu Zhan was well aware. However. Even so, Qu Zhan did not regard Gu Qingfeng highly. Both were elders of a sect. Xue Wang was merely a martial artist in the mid-level of Bone Refining Realm with some Silver Bones cultivated and achieved only Copper Bone Perfection. But. Qu Zhan was different. Ten years ago, he had already reached Silver Bones Perfection. Now, he had even cultivated some Golden Bones and was just one step away from breaking through the late stage of Bone Refining, advancing to the Perfection stage of the Bone Refining Realm. Such strength. In the entire Green Sun Sect, he was among the top three powerhouses. Killing Xue Wang. Qu Zhan could do it himself. Furthermore. This place was the Green Sun Sect, his own turf, so there was even less reason for Qu Zhan to be afraid. "When Xue Wang perished, I had promised him to deliver the people of the Green Sun Sect to accompany him, so he wouldn''t be too lonely on the road to the underworld." Gu Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his expression neither sad nor joyful. As soon as he finished speaking. Qu Zhan laughed in extreme anger. "Arrogant!" Immediately. Qu Zhan waved his hand grandly and ordered a group of Green Sun Sect disciples. "Kill, spare no one from the Gu Family today!" After speaking. Qu Zhan had already made the first move. His figure swooped like a large bird, his hands emitting a deterrent green light, and his nails scratched through the air toward Gu Qingfeng''s face, leaving white streaks as they tore through the air. Gu Qingfeng stood still, his Protective Gang Qi emerged, and Qu Zhan''s full-force strike landed on it, only causing a slight tremor in the Gang Qi without breaking it. Not only that. The powerful rebound force caused Qu Zhan''s hands to burst open, and blood flowed profusely from the wounds. "Impossible-" Qu Zhan''s face was filled with horror, his fingers throbbing with excruciating pain, filling him with disbelief. Given that his strength was only a step away from Golden Bone Perfection and considered powerful across the entire Guangyang Prefecture, how could he not be shocked when his angry strike couldn''t even break through Gu Qingfeng''s Protective Gang Qi? However. Before Qu Zhan could linger in shock for long, Gu Qingfeng raised his hand, and with a punch that seemed slow but was as fast as thunder, by the time Qu Zhan reacted, the fist was upon him. his movements were quick, but Gu Qingfeng''s were quicker. As Gu Qingfeng''s strike was about to land, Ye Nanqiu, no longer caring about his dignity, cried out in terror for help. "Ancestor save me!" As he spoke, the Green Sun Ancestor also made a sudden move. But just as the Green Sun Ancestor acted, Gu Qingfeng''s palm strike had already solidly hit Ye Nanqiu''s chest, the tremendous force breaking through the protective Gang Qi and shattering his five internal organs. At that moment, the attack of the Green Sun Ancestor arrived. Gu Qingfeng was too late to defend and could only activate his protective Gang Qi to withstand. But the protective Gang Qi that even those in the late phases of Bone Refining couldn''t break was nothing in front of the Green Sun Ancestor. In less than a breath, the Gang Qi shattered. The unstoppable force hit Gu Qingfeng''s body, causing his clothes to burst open at the back and his body to stagger involuntarily several steps forward, his blood and Qi roiling uncontrollably. However, Gu Qingfeng quickly suppressed the turmoil within, turned around, and launched a palm strike, clashing directly with the hand of the Green Sun Ancestor. The palms met, and a terrifying force erupted explosively. The next instant, both bodies shook, each retreating several steps. "Are you the Green Sun Ancestor?" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes coldly fixed on the old man before him as he covertly mobilized the power of his blood and Qi to expel the chilling energy that had invaded his body. At the same time, the Green Sun Ancestor''s expression was dark. "So you are Gu Qingfeng. I didn''t realize you had already entered the Marrow Cleansing Realm. It seems everyone has underestimated you!" From their brief exchange, the Green Sun Ancestor had determined that Gu Qingfeng was not a Bone Refining Realm martial artist but had long since entered the Marrow Cleansing Realm. What the Green Sun Ancestor hadn''t expected was that Ye Nanqiu, as a Sect Master, couldn''t withstand even one strike from the opponent and was killed outright. At this time, the Green Sun Ancestor spoke again. "However, you should never have set foot in the Green Sun Sect. Even in the Marrow Cleansing Realm, dying by my hands is not unusual-I''ve killed more than one or two in this realm." "With your talents and age, if you had not died today, there might have been a chance for you to step into the Grandmaster Realm." "But unfortunately, today you are destined to die here-" Chapter 55: Chapter 55 You Cant Kill Me (First Update, Please Subscribe) Chapter 55: Chapter 55 You Can''t Kill Me (First Update, Please Subscribe) ? "Swallow you!" "Old man will surely advance further!" The Green Sun Ancestor''s face was fierce, with green light flickering in his eyes, as if he were an evil spirit crawling out of hell. His shadow on the ground twisted wildly, creating an eerie sight. The next moment. The Green Sun Ancestor''s figure disappeared from where he stood. Almost simultaneously, Gu Qingfeng only felt a strong gust of wind rushing at him; the Green Sun Ancestor had transformed into a lingering shadow, his speed so fast it was almost unfathomable. However. Facing such an assault, Gu Qingfeng remained undaunted. His body vibrated. Surging blood and energy flowed like a raging river, resembling the rising sun, as his palms condensed a terrifying heat, unleashing the Fiery Sun Divine Palm Force towards the Green Sun Ancestor. In less than a breath''s time. Both parties had exchanged over a dozen strikes. With every collision, Gu Qingfeng felt a strange and cold energy creeping into his body through the palms of his hands, as though it was freezing and devouring his flesh and blood, but it was quickly dissipated by the scorching power of his blood and energy. On the other side. The Green Sun Ancestor was also not faring well. He discovered that Gu Qingfeng''s blood and energy were terrifyingly strong, much more so than the average Marrow Cleansing Realm martial artist, and moreover, contained within that blood and energy was an extremely hot presence that clashed completely with the magician''s power he had cultivated. As the magician''s power invaded the opponent''s body, the scorching power penetrated his own body as well. For a time. The Green Sun Ancestor''s face looked terrible. With a thought, shadows erupted from the ground, countless dark silhouettes striking like swords, aiming for Gu Qingfeng''s vital points. As if expecting it, Gu Qingfeng''s Protective Gang Qi burst forth again, all shadow attacks were blocked by the Protective Gang Qi, but these shadow attacks were particularly sinister and strong. Even with the strength of the Protective Gang Qi, it couldn''t hold for a few breaths before declaring shatter. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng''s eyes were cold, his palms furiously pounding out, the terrifying power of his blood and energy fully unleashed, causing the colliding shadows to dissipate and vanish like snow melting under the spring sun. However, there were still shadows that broke through the defense, piercing directly through Gu Qingfeng''s arm, his skin, which could withstand attacks from someone in the Bone Refining Perfection stage, was now utterly insufficient as a defense. His skin broken open. Gu Qingfeng could feel his flesh being devoured bit by bit. He grabbed a shadow with his right hand, activating the Fierce Sun Palm Force. The shadow that had been devouring his flesh suddenly burst apart, and Gu Qingfeng seemed to hear a faint, ghastly shriek. "Kill!" still cling to life. At this moment, Green Sun Ancestor''s gaze towards Gu Qingfeng finally turned to one of fear, as the sight of his bloodied adversary growing more ferocious in battle breathed the scent of death upon him. Immediately, Green Sun Ancestor turned and fled. Seeing this, a cold, grim smile appeared on the ferocious face of Gu Qingfeng. "Now you think of running, but I''m afraid it''s too late!" As Green Sun Ancestor turned to flee, Gu Qingfeng already closed in and delivered another palm strike to his back. The Fierce Sun Palm Force penetrated from behind, triggering all the previously embedded Fierce Sun Palm Force within Green Sun Ancestor''s body to detonate. "Boom!" The Fierce Sun Palm Force exploded. "§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯!!!" Scorching energy tore through meridians and shattered bones, eliciting a harrowing scream from Green Sun Ancestor''s mouth. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng grasped his adversary''s head and slammed it forcefully towards the ground. Boom- The ground caved in, and rocks shattered. Green Sun Ancestor''s skull seemed to crack under that immense force, fresh blood streaming down his face, which when combined with a withered body and sunken eye sockets, made him look even more hideous. "No... you can''t kill me. If I die, the Evil Spirit inside me will surely resurrect, and then you will all die!!" Fear of death caused Green Sun Ancestor to become desperate, hurriedly and frantically begging for mercy. To this, Gu Qingfeng actually stopped his assault. Seeing this, a glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in Green Sun Ancestor''s eyes. Chapter 56: Chapter 56 Achievements Attained (Second Update) Chapter 56: Chapter 56 Achievements Attained (Second Update) ? "Refining Evil into the body to become a Magician, inside me is sealed a powerful Evil Spirit. If I die, the Evil Spirit will inevitably revive." "The Evil Spirit is immortal and indestructible, and once it revives, not only will the people from the Green Sun Sect die, but you too will hardly escape unscathed." "Moreover, if the Evil Spirit wreaks havoc unchecked, if the court investigates, your Gu Family will also inevitably be implicated." "Release me, and I can assure you that I will no longer be an enemy to your Gu Family in the future-" The Green Sun Ancestor hastily spoke, his words carrying an implied threat, but also a hint of capitulation. Circumstances dictate. Gu Qingfeng''s power had taken the Green Sun Ancestor by surprise. Under the current situation, submission was the only option available. To tell the truth. The Green Sun Ancestor wasn''t afraid that Gu Qingfeng would disagree. After all, letting an Evil Spirit run amok was no trivial matter. If the court really investigated, a small Gu Family would be wiped out in an instant. "Rest assured, once you''re dead, the Evil Spirit inside you won''t be able to run wild!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression was indifferent. "Meng Peng!" "Subordinate is here!" "Immediately take out the items I had you prepare¨D" Gu Qingfeng called out loudly. At this moment, due to the Green Sun Ancestor''s defeat, the battle in the field suddenly stopped. Upon hearing Gu Qingfeng''s words, Meng Peng immediately dashed toward the direction of the carriage. He plunged into the carriage and moments later, the curtains shook, and a Golden Coffin made of gold flew out into the sky. With a raise of his hand, Gu Qingfeng caught the Golden Coffin and then smashed it heavily onto the ground. "Golden Coffin!!" When the Green Sun Ancestor saw the Golden Coffin before him, his complexion changed drastically. This moment. The Green Sun Ancestor was truly frightened. He had never imagined that Gu Qingfeng would have gold, and that he would have crafted a coffin with it. "The Evil Spirit may be immortal and indestructible, but that doesn''t mean it can''t be suppressed." Gu Qingfeng''s expression was cold. As the Golden Coffin opened, the terror on the Green Sun Ancestor''s face became more apparent. "No-" "Spare my life, and I can give you the method of Refining Evil into the body!" "Martial artists have a limited lifespan. Even if one reaches the Grandmaster Realm, it is merely a mere few hundred years, but only by Refining Evil into the body to become a Magician can one step into the rumored realm of immortality." "However, the method of Refining Evil into the body is extremely valued by each major family and sect, and it''s impossible for non-core members to learn it." "If you release me, I will tell you my method of Refining Evil into the body. Once you Refine Evil into your body to become a Magician, one day you may also reach the heights of immortality!" "Reward Blood Refining Pill*100!" "Reward Bone Refining Pill*100!" "Reward Breakthrough Pill (Blood Refining)*10!" "Reward Perfect Level top-grade martial arts ''Heavenly Gang Divine Body''!" ... Explosion! A huge explosion! Gu Qingfeng had never expected that subduing Green Sun Ancestor would bring such benefits. Such a generous reward even made Gu Qingfeng draw in a breath of cold air. One hundred upgrade points! All kinds of elixirs were also a hundred. And the Breakthrough Pill made its first appearance. Clearly, these items were all extremely precious. However, what truly caught Gu Qingfeng''s attention was the last rewarded top-grade martial arts. Perfect Level top-grade martial arts! Heavenly Gang Divine Body! Having previously obtained the Perfect Level ''Heavenly Gang Dominator Body'', Gu Qingfeng understood just how powerful such Perfect Level martial arts could be. Taking a deep breath, Gu Qingfeng did not immediately collect these items but instead had Meng Peng carry the Golden Coffin back to the carriage. Only then did he turn to the multitude of Green Sun Sect disciples in front of him. Moments later, Gu Qingfeng uttered a few words. "Kill, leave none alive!" ... A massacre broke out in the Green Sun Sect. Without Green Sun Ancestor to preside over them, the remaining disciples of the Green Sun Sect were no match for the Gu Family. Gu Qingfeng took the lead in eliminating the stronger disciples in the Blood Refining Realm. The rest of the Green Sun Sect disciples were left to Gu Yang and the others to handle. In less than half a day, the vast Green Sun Sect had been slaughtered to emptiness. When it came to exterminating the Green Sun Sect, Gu Qingfeng''s heart also did not undergo any fluctuations. Green Sun Ancestor had performed Evil Refining into his body, feeding on the flesh and blood of ordinary people; thus, these disciples of the Green Sun Sect were accomplices, with hands stained with countless innocent lives. Killing them was just that, killing them. Even if we take a step back, so what if there were innocent people among the Green Sun Sect? The Gu Family had already turned against the Green Sun Sect. There was no possibility of holding back. As for the problem of killing the wrong person, Gu Qingfeng did not care at all. After all, he wasn''t a good person either. ?? ?? Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Cultivation Skyrockets (Third Update) Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Cultivation Skyrockets (Third Update) ? Inside the grand hall of the Green Sun Sect, Gu Qingfeng sat on the throne designated for the Sect Master, while his mind was focused on the Item Bar. With a mere thought, a secret manual appeared in his hand. Supreme Martial Arts! Heavenly Gang Divine Body! Without hesitation, Gu Qingfeng immediately opened this secret manual. In an instant. The secret manual turned into flowing light and disappeared into his mind. Following that. Many memories emerged in Gu Qingfeng''s mind as if he had painstakingly cultivated the Heavenly Gang Divine Body for many years, presenting each of the twelve levels of the Heavenly Gang Divine Body one by one. Strictly speaking. The Heavenly Gang Divine Body was considered an advanced secret technique of the Heavenly Gang Dominator Body. However, they were not like the Mixed Yuan Iron Cloth and the Hundred Refinement Golden Body, where the former is a part of the latter. Thus. The moment Gu Qingfeng practiced the Heavenly Gang Divine Body, the Heavenly Gang Dominator Body did not disappear. At the same time. Gu Qingfeng''s blood qi trembled. The aura on his body was visibly climbing at a rapid pace. Marrow Cleansing Mid-level! Marrow Cleansing Late Stage! Perfect Marrow Cleansing! In less than a few breaths. Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation soared, stepping directly into the realm of Perfect Marrow Cleansing. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng looked at his attribute panel. In the Martial Arts section, there was now an addition named Heavenly Gang Divine Body. ... Heavenly Gang Divine Body (Twelve Layers of Perfection, Protective Gang Qi, Level Nine) ... Afterwards. Gu Qingfeng tried to activate the Protective Gang Qi, only to see that the Gang Qi emerging from his body had practically solidified, much more powerful than the initial Heavenly Gang Dominator Body''s Protective Gang Qi by several times. Gu Qingfeng felt the strength of the Protective Gang Qi, his eyes lighting up with joy. "With such a level of Protective Gang Qi, if I were to face the Green Sun Ancestor, I might just stand still, and he would hardly be able to break through my defense!" It must be said. The Protective Gang Qi derived from the perfection of the Heavenly Gang Divine Body was indeed extremely powerful. Then. Gu Qingfeng calmed his heart and looked again at the Heavenly Gang Divine Body in his attribute panel. "Heavenly Gang Divine Body at twelve layers of perfection can reach the peak of Marrow Cleansing; if I Breakthrough, it should allow me to directly advance into the Refining Organ Realm!" Refining Organ! This is the most powerful realm below Innate. This extermination of the Green Sun Sect also made Gu Qingfeng truly realize that in today''s chaotic world, there are many strong individuals, and although the strength of the Marrow Cleansing Realm is not weak, it''s not particularly strong either. Just facing a Green Sun Ancestor alone required his full effort. If an opponent stronger than the Green Sun Ancestor were to emerge, Gu Qingfeng was not confident he could contend. It should be noted. The Green Sun Sect was just one sect in Guangyang Prefecture. Not to mention others. Within Guangyang Prefecture, it''s uncertain if there are existences stronger than the Green Sun Ancestor. "Lifespan two hundred!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes sparkled. The realms of Refining Organ differ from other realms as they don''t have Initial, Mid, or Late stages, only distinctions from First to Fifth Realm. There are five realms within Refining Organ; each successfully refined organ leads one into a new realm. If the Five Internal Organs are all perfectly refined, then the martial artist can reach the Perfect Refining Organ Fifth Realm and thereafter challenge the Grandmaster Realm. Currently, Gu Qingfeng had successfully refined his heart, marking his entry into the Refining Organ First Realm. However, Even the Refining Organ First Realm is incomparable to Marrow Cleansing Realm. If before, during his breakthrough to Perfect Marrow Cleansing, Gu Qingfeng''s strength was several times higher than at the Initial Marrow Cleansing, now with the breakthrough to Refining Organ First Realm, his strength completely crushes the prior Perfect Marrow Cleansing. With his current strength, If the Green Sun Ancestor were reborn, Gu Qingfeng was absolutely certain he could suppress the opponent in a single encounter. This, Is the power of the Refining Organ Realm. Furthermore, The Heavenly Gang Divine Body broke through its limits, advancing from level nine Protective Gang Qi to Undying Divine Body. In this phase, Gu Qingfeng need not deliberately stimulate his Qi Blood Gang Wind to protect his body, as his fleshly defense is constantly maintained at a truly peak state. Undying Divine Body. What was tempered was the physical body. "With my current defensive power, below the Refining Organ Realm, even standing still, I doubt anyone could harm me!" Gu Qingfeng pondered. Entering this realm, Gu Qingfeng''s sense of security greatly increased. Although he was not sure how many Refining Organ martial artists there were in Guangyang Prefecture or even in the entire Qingyun State, Gu Qingfeng could affirm, their numbers were certainly not many. And as for the masters stronger than Refining Organ, their numbers would only be fewer. After all, with the power of the Green Sun Sect, they could be considered a major sect in Guangyang Prefecture. You see, The strength of Green Sun Ancestor was probably only at the Initial Marrow Cleansing stage. Therefore, After stepping into the Refining Organ First Realm himself, Gu Qingfeng believed that even if there were truly those targeting the Gu Family, they should carefully weigh their qualifications. At that moment, Gu Yang walked into the great hall from outside, his body reeking of blood, obviously having just gone through a fierce battle. "Father, I''ve found an extraordinary place!" Chapter 58: Chapter 58 Longevity Dao Scripture (4th update, asking for monthly tickets, finished) Chapter 58: Chapter 58 Longevity Dao Scripture (4th update, asking for monthly tickets, finished) ? Green Sun Sect. Back mountain cave. Gu Qingfeng and Gu Yang had arrived at this place where several guards were stationed, each with a grim expression on their faces. Upon seeing the two arrive, the guards paid their respects. "We greet the Family Head and the Young Master!" "Hmm, what''s the situation here?" Gu Qingfeng looked towards the cave entrance, feeling an ominous aura emanating from it. A guard reported, "There are many corpses inside the cave, some of which have already turned to skeletons, while the rest are like mummified remains." Hearing this. Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, then gave some instructions to the guards. "Stay here, I''ll go inside and take a look." Upon finishing. Gu Qingfeng walked into the cave, followed closely by Gu Yang. As soon as they entered, they noticed the sudden darkness, but even Gu Yang, the weaker cultivator of the two, having broken through to the Blood Refining Realm, easily saw in the dark. Despite the gloom, they could still make out the scenery inside. As they ventured deeper into the cave, they saw the surrounding walls embedded with Luminous Pearls, which completely illuminated the dark cavern. At that moment. The scene inside the cave finally came into view. The sight of corpses scattered all over the floor, some reduced to skeletons, others like dried- up mummies, brought a putrid, blood-curdling stench that was nauseating. Such a sight. Made Gu Yang''s face turn pale. Though his hands were stained with blood, and he had slain many martial artists in the recent battle of the Green Sun Sect, the sight still instinctively disturbed him. Only Gu Qingfeng remained indifferent, not startled by the sight before them. After all, they were merely dead people, hardly worth noting. "This must be the place where the Green Sun Ancestor practiced Refining Evil into the body using living people, indeed losing their nature, no different from livestock!" Gu Qingfeng''s voice was cold; with a slight stomp of his foot, the cave floor trembled, and countless cracks spread out from the center of his shoe. Seeing this. Gu Yang was once again shaken. Such power from a light step was beyond the imagination of anyone in the Blood Refining Realm. At that moment. As the ground cracked. Both of them saw the stark white bones revealed underneath. Clearly. There were far more skeletons buried underneath than what was visible on the surface of the cave, making them difficult to count. Gu Qingfeng had reached the place where the Green Sun Ancestor practiced and carefully searched, eventually fixing his gaze on a meditation cushion. In the battle before, Although the power of the Green Sun Ancestor was strong, it only felt so-so to Gu Qingfeng. Therefore, The Green Sun Ancestor must have only been at the peak of Yun Ling, or perhaps had half a step into the Spirit-controlling realm. "The so-called Magicians are indeed not weak, and although I have slain a Green Sun Ancestor, I definitely can''t be careless. In some ancient sects and family clans, there might well exist Magicians of the Spirit-controlling level-" Spirit-controlling Magicians as strong as Refining Organ Martial Artists. If among them are top-tier Spirit-controlling Magicians, they could even contend with an Innate Grandmaster. Such a level of powerhouse, although Gu Qingfeng had now stepped into the first realm of Refining Organ, he still had no real certainty in facing them. However, Reaching such a realm is not easy. Just look at the Green Sun Ancestor who spent hundreds of years and was still only hovering in the Yun Ling realm, never stepping into the Spirit-controlling realm. It''s evident that Magicians also face great difficulties in advancements. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng pocketed the Longevity Dao Scripture. Such a secret technique for Refining Evil, naturally, he had no intention of leaving it out there; rather, he wanted to keep it to study thoroughly to see if he could find a way to deal with Magicians. On the other side, Gu Yang watched as Gu Qingfeng took away the Longevity Dao Scripture and said nothing more. Gu Qingfeng glanced at him. "Refining Evil involves suppressing the Evil Spirit and using one''s physical body to seal and control its immense power." "However, once one Refines Evil, they would be influenced by the Evil Spirit''s power, feeding on living flesh and blood, and gradually losing their human nature." "Like this skeleton here, it is the result of what the Green Sun Ancestor had done; I hope you do not follow this path, nor do I wish for any of the Gu Family to do so." Gu Qingfeng''s words made Gu Yang also look thoughtful, then he solemnly said, "Father, rest assured, I will definitely not refine evil nor will I allow future members of the Gu Family to do so." "That would be best!" Gu Qingfeng nodded, surveyed the cave for a moment, then left with Gu Yang. Apart from the Longevity Dao Scripture, there was nothing of value left here; staying further was unnecessary. PS: Four chapters delivered, asking for a monthly ticket! Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Breakthrough Pill (First Update) Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Breakthrough Pill (First Update) ? Very soon, Another mass grave was discovered in the back mountains of the Green Sun Sect. If the number of skeletons in the caves was considerable, then the bodies in the mass grave were truly packed densely together; in comparison, the former seemed like child''s play next to the latter. Meng Peng looked at the many bodies in the mass grave, his expression filled with emotion. "The Green Sun Sect has a considerable reputation in the Martial World. I did not expect their methods to be so cruel; the number of people who have fallen in this pit must be no less than tens of thousands!" Tens of thousands? Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. I fear that this number might need to be multiplied several times over. After all, the Green Sun Ancestor had lived for several hundred years, and the number of people he had killed must be astronomically high. From this, one could see what the various sects and noble clans under heaven were like. One Green Sun Sect. It was a microcosm of the entire world. And one mere Green Sun Ancestor, already so stained with blood, meant that some even older existences, and the Evil Suppression Bureau within the court, were likely stained with even more staggering amounts of blood. All these thoughts swept through Gu Qingfeng''s mind before his expression returned to indifference. "Let''s go!" The Green Sun Sect had already been annihilated. There was no longer any need to stay. Half a day later. Gu Qingfeng led the Gu Family guards away from the Green Sun Sect. This time. Three hundred guards had set out, and in the battle with the Green Sun Sect, almost thirty or forty had been lost, which was considered a very low casualty rate. After all, the Green Sun Sect had been rampant in Guangyang Prefecture for many years, and there were no small number of powerful martial artists within the sect. In the end, the Gu Family guards were mostly made up of Martial World Wanderers who had not been organized for long. To have achieved this much was no easy feat. Of course. The reason behind it. Was because all of the top warriors of the Green Sun Sect had been slain by Gu Qingfeng alone. Otherwise. Not to mention three hundred guards. Even three thousand would not have been enough for the Green Sun Sect to kill. When Gu Qingfeng led the Gu Family guards back to White Stone City, the news shook the entire White Stone Dao. There had been rumors that the Gu Family''s target this time was the Green Sun Sect. Now that the Gu Family warriors had returned, with not a small number missing, and with some of them injured, it was clear they had been through a vicious battle. Now. The people of the Gu Family had come back alive. Did that mean the Green Sun Sect had been destroyed? Considering this possibility. Others felt a shock in their hearts again. The Green Sun Sect was not like the Qin Family or Iron Bone Gang, which were among the powerhouses; the sect was a major force throughout Guangyang Prefecture, with Bone Refining-level strongmen at the helm, and not just one at that. to the Blood Refining Realm. Even forcibly promoted to the Blood Refining Realm, her future potential would be limited to that. However. Breakthrough Pills were different. Although named Breakthrough, these elixirs wouldn''t make a martial artist''s foundation shaky. It was as if one had cultivated to their level on their own. Upon learning the effects of the Breakthrough Pills, Xu Yulan''s expression changed slightly, and she soon shook her head in refusal. "I am of meager talent, and using such treasures would be a waste. It would be better to give them to Yang''er. His intelligence and martial arts talent are extraordinary. With such pills, I believe he could save a lot of time breaking through to the Bone Refining Realm, and then he can also help share your burdens." "Yang''er has his own path to follow, and your talent may be slightly inferior. If you don''t break through with pills, your future accomplishments will be limited. Martial artists can extend their lives, but martial artists at the Refining Skin Realm are not much different from ordinary people." Gu Qingfeng shook his head and then handed the Blood Refining Pills to Xu Yulan, immediately followed by teaching her the Fiery Sun Divine Palm and Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills. The former is a top-tier, medium-grade martial arts technique for building a foundation. As long as Xu Yulan could cultivate it to Perfection, even with her lesser talent, the unique properties of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm would allow her to slowly break through to the Bone Refining Realm. That is why Gu Qingfeng valued the Fiery Sun Divine Palm so much. In his eyes. Many superior martial arts could not compare with the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. Not to mention. Just the ability to independently progress to Bone Refining set it apart from common martial arts. For this. Xu Yulan obviously didn''t say anything more. Having the opportunity to become stronger was an excellent thing. Although Xu Yulan had been a homemaker, teaching children for years, this world was still governed by martial arts. And considering that martial arts could extend one''s lifespan, it was impossible for her not to be moved at all. ... The next day. Gu Qingfeng attended to the Qin Family''s affairs. This time, after exterminating the Green Sun Sect, the Qin Family seized a considerable amount of martial arts techniques and resources, including even five thousand taels of gold. Indeed. Gold. Last time, with three thousand taels of gold, Gu Qingfeng made a Golden Coffin and sealed the Shadow Demon inside. Now, with another five thousand taels of gold, it meant the Qin Family would have the ability to seal other evil spirits if encountered again. "Gold serves as a sealing container. Perhaps next time there''s a need to seal an evil spirit, we won''t have to be as extravagant and can directly make a Golden Coffin. As long as we can trap the evil spirit, that should be enough!" Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. With this. The five thousand taels of gold could indeed be put to good use. Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Seven Killings Blade Skills Breakthrough (Second Update) Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Seven Killings Blade Skills Breakthrough (Second Update) ? At nightfall. The study was brightly lit. Gu Yang came here to talk with Gu Qingfeng. "Father, during this battle with the Green Sun Sect, I realized that our Gu Family also faces a problem-that is, our family lacks sufficient powerful individuals and truly trustworthy people. Even though the Martial World Wanderers serve as guards, they still have their own agendas. If their interests align, they will obey our commands, but if not, I fear they might stab the Gu Family in the back!" Gu Yang spoke gravely. His words made Gu Qingfeng nod. "What you are saying is something I''ve also considered. What are your plans?" "I believe that since the Gu Family is currently short on manpower, we should follow the example of other sects and noble families by recruiting a group of orphans to raise from a young age, who could one day serve the family." "If the family population can increase later on, it could greatly alleviate these issues!" Having said that, Gu Yang then waited for a response. Gu Qingfeng said, "Indeed, the Gu Family''s lack of manpower is a problem, but if we want to recruit people and expand, the Gu Family itself must also expand." "Additionally, Yang''er, in a few days, you will turn fifteen, and in a few more years, it will be time for you to marry and have children." "It''s something we cannot delay, after all, the stronger a martial artist is, the lower the probability of having offspring." With that said, Gu Qingfeng observed the changes in Gu Yang''s expression and then asked, "Do you currently have someone in mind? If so, I could arrange things for you in a few years." "I''ll leave these matters entirely to you, father." Gu Yang bowed his head. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng did not say anything further. In this world, marriage was arranged by parents and matchmakers; with the current status and position of the Gu Family, it wouldn''t be a problem for Gu Yang to find a wife. To speak frankly, if news were released today that the Young Master of the Gu Family wanted to marry, the threshold of the Gu Family would be worn out by various powers by tomorrow. "In the next few days, you should find a new residence for the Gu Family; this place is somewhat too small." "I understand!" Gu Yang nodded. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng gave some guidance on cultivation, then let Gu Yang leave. In the quiet study, Gu Qingfeng again looked at his attribute panel. Now that the Heavenly Gang Divine Body had broken through the limits, he needed eighty upgrade points to continue breaking through. Unfortunately, from the last breakthrough, Gu Qingfeng had only sixty upgrade points left. To break through the limits, he still fell somewhat short. His aura transformed once again. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng was like a slaughter demon stepping out from hell, his eyes occasionally revealing a blood-red hue, the killing intent soaring in his mind, giving him the urge to slaughter the world. But it quickly, this urge was forcefully suppressed by Gu Qingfeng. Looking at the attribute panel again, his Slaughter True Intent had been elevated to level two. "Phew!" Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath, closed his eyes to digest everything about the Seven Killings Blade Skills, and after a long while, upon reopening his eyes, that hint of blood-red had finally dissipated. After the Breakthrough of the Seven Killings Blade Skills, it was equivalent to breaking out of the category of superior martial arts, and was now on par with the finest martial arts. In terms of technique intricacy, there was no difference between before and after the Breakthrough. What truly changed was the mastery of Slaughter True Intent. If the power of True Intent is strong enough, one can even kill with a glance. For now, although Gu Qingfeng seemed not to have made any breakthrough in his cultivation, the Breakthrough of the Seven Killings Blade Skills elevated his comprehensive strength. This is the power of slaughter-oriented martial arts. Unlike breakthroughs in traditional martial arts that enhance one''s cultivation realm, improvement in slaughter-oriented martial arts cannot make a martial artist break through realms but can enhance their strength on another level. Regarding ingenious use, if slaughter-oriented martial artists truly practice to a profound level, their power is also unfathomable. "Seven Killings Blade Skills Breakthrough!" "Next, I should also forge a suitable weapon; otherwise, having only the blade skills without a suitable weapon for support, the true power of the Seven Killings Blade Skills cannot be fully unleashed!" The next day. Gu Qingfeng had Meng Peng help him find several highly skilled weapon casting masters to forge his suitable weapon. White Stone Dao''s Martial World, though not vast, was also sizeable, and there existed a sect famous for weapon casting. This power was known as the Sword Casting Sect. Upon hearing that the Gu Family Master needed a Divine Weapon forged, the Sword Casting Sect dared not refuse, and they hurried over to meet Gu Qingfeng to discuss the matter of forging the Divine Weapon. Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Forging Soldiers (Third update, 900 subscriptions bonus update) Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Forging Soldiers (Third update, 900 subscriptions bonus update) ? "I am Shi Kai, I have the honor of meeting the Gu Family Master!" Inside the grand hall of Gu Family, a burly strong man with a goatee politely greeted Gu Qingfeng with a cupped fist. His arms were muscular and twisted as if containing explosive power, but now his expression was full of awe. It was simple. The man before him was Gu Qingfeng, the Master of the Gu Family. The news about the Green Sun Sect had already spread. The Gu Family had annihilated the Green Sun Sect, but instead of completely killing all the disciples, a very few had managed to survive and escape. At the same time. The fact that the Green Sun Sect was destroyed by the Gu Family couldn''t be concealed. Moreover. It was rumored that during the battle with the Green Sun Sect, both the Sect Master and the Green Sun Ancestor appeared, only to be killed on the spot by the opponents. Nowadays, the word outside was that the Gu Family Master''s cultivation realm was at least at Golden Bone Perfection, and he might even have stepped into the Marrow Cleansing Realm. Facing such a powerful being, Shi Kai dared not show any disrespect. Even though he was backed by the entire Sword Casting Sect, the result would be the same. The Sword Casting Sect might be powerful. But it''s only slightly famous within the confines of White Stone Dao. Outside White Stone Dao, the name Sword Casting Sect wasn''t worth much. In front of a force like the Green Sun Sect, they could easily annihilate the Sword Casting Sect with a flick of the wrist. With the Green Sun Sect being such. The Gu Family was capable of destroying the Green Sun Sect, how could shi Kai be careless? Facing Shi Kai''s restraint, Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly. "Sect Leader Shi, please, there''s no need for formalities. Today, I invited Sect Leader Shi here to ask for your help in crafting a weapon. Here are the design drawings for the weapon; please have a look." With that. Gu Qingfeng took out a prepared drawing and handed it to Shi Kai. The latter received the drawing, and a long saber design entered his vision. This saber wasn''t much different from the ordinary ones; Shi Kai merely glanced at it briefly before shifting his gaze. "What are the requirements you have for this saber, Master Gu?" "I have only two requirements, the first is that it''s sufficiently sharp, and the second is that it''s sufficiently durable. Additionally, when casting the saber, I hope to incorporate some gold into it." "Mixing in gold-" Shi Kai was momentarily stunned. After all, he had been crafting weapons for many years and hadn''t seen many people mix gold into their weapons. The main reason. This Martial Art originated from the Green Sun Sect and was considered a rather good high- grade Martial Art that could lead one to achieve Copper Bone Perfection. Besides, the Green Sun Sect possessed an ultimate skill called Green Sun Skills, which, when cultivated to its limit, could allow one to reach Golden Bone Perfection, giving the Martial Artist strength comparable to those one step into the Marrow Cleansing Realm. However, Gu Qingfeng naturally wouldn''t rashly pass on such a Martial Art. Again, the same phrase, Although these guards had been with the Gu Family for some time, they weren''t completely trusted yet. For a top-tier high-grade Martial Art like Green Sun Skills, Gu Qingfeng needed to choose the right person to instruct. Offering Thirteen Grand Protectors Golden Bell Shield, which allowed one to achieve Copper Bone Perfection when cultivated to its limits, was already a rare opportunity for many Martial Artists. Then there was, During this time, Thanks to the Breakthrough Pill, Xu Yulan had successfully advanced from the initial stage of the Blood Refining Realm to Blood Refining Perfection, becoming the second strongest in the Gu Family. Even though Gu Qingfeng was already aware of the potency of the Breakthrough Pills, he was still shocked to see a Martial Artist from the initial stage of the Refining Skin Realm break through to Blood Refining Perfection in less than half a month. For ordinary people, transitioning from the initial stage of Refining Skin Realm to Blood Refining Perfection might be unachievable in their lifetime. Even true geniuses would need a considerable amount of time to take this step. But, the Breakthrough Pill was just that unreasonably effective. While everything at the Gu Family was as usual, the news of the destruction of the Green Sun Sect had already swept through Guangyang Prefecture. Even beyond, many had heard of the Gu Family''s existence. After all, the Green Sun Sect had been established for hundreds of years and was deeply rooted, so the destruction of such a sect naturally shocked many. Especially those powers aware of the true foundations of the Green Sun Sect were even more shocked to learn that the Green Sun Sect had been destroyed and the Green Sun Ancestor had been slain on the spot. In the prefecture city of Guangyang, a branch of the Evil Suppression Bureau stood tall. The matter of the Green Sun Sect''s destruction was now compiled into a record, and quietly, it appeared in the hands of the Commander of the Evil Suppression Bureau branch, Lu Wenxuan. Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Green Sun Skills Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Green Sun Skills ? Backyard. Gu Qingfeng stood immovable like a boulder. Suddenly, the morning sun rose in the east. Light of dawn sliced through the dim sky. Gu Qingfeng immediately adjusted his breathing, visualized the Great Sun True Intent, and as he breathed, it seemed a scorching hot power surged into his body. Then it flowed along his meridians and flesh, a faint burning sensation emerged, but it quickly dissipated. A moment later, Gu Qingfeng moved his body and then exhaled sharply. "Whoosh!" Breathing like thunder, as if a white light shot through the air. Following that, Gu Qingfeng then looked toward his attribute panel. There, the Green Sun Skills were marked as having reached Beginner. ... Green Sun Skills (First Level Beginner) ... "The Green Sun Skills are truly worthy of being the Sect''s Ultimate Skill of the Green Sun Sect, such a unique method of cultivation is indeed profound and extraordinary!" Gu Qingfeng withdrew his gaze from the attribute panel and, feeling the changes in himself, could not help but express his astonishment. The Green Sun Skills differed from other Martial Arts; this method emphasized visualizing the Great Sun True Intent and refining the first strand of sun essence from the morning sun, then using it to temper the Qi-blood and physique. This method of cultivation could cause one''s Qi-blood to contain a pure and robust essence of the Great Sun, adding a certain strength to the Martial Artist from thin air. This is the reason why once the Green Sun Skills reached Great Success, they could rival the strength of someone half a step into Marrow Cleansing Realm. It must be said, this Martial Art is indeed very powerful. However, the difficulty in cultivating the Green Sun Skills is also extremely high. Firstly, the visualization of the Great Sun True Intent needed to start and draw in the ethereal sun essence into the body, alone is enough to stop ninety-nine percent of Martial Artists. This point, is all about enlightenment. If it were in the past, it would not have been easy for Gu Qingfeng to reach Beginner level. But after all, he is an expert in the Refining Organ Realm; regardless of how mystical the Green Sun Skills are, it could not change the fact that they are merely a superior Martial Art. Thus, Gu Qingfeng was able to reach Beginner level in such a short time. The Green Sun Skills are divided into Nine Layers. Thus, to some extent, it also enhanced Gu Qingfeng''s strength. Originally, Gu Qingfeng had merely wanted the Sword Casting Sect to forge a suitable weapon to maximize the power of the Seven Killings Blade Skills. Unexpectedly, the Sword Casting Sect gave him a great surprise. Now, as that fearsome blood force once again settled down, sweat appeared on Shi Kai''s forehead, and pride involuntarily surfaced on his face upon hearing Gu Qingfeng''s words. "The Sword Casting Sect has always prioritized weapon forging throughout generations. Many so-called divine weapons in the Martial World are actually false and do not count as true divine weapons," he said proudly. "However, the weapon in Gu Family Master''s hands is different; it is a true divine weapon!" "A true divine weapon adapts to the strength of its wielder. The more powerful the martial artist holding it, the more formidable the power the divine weapon displays!" "Regrettably, true divine weapons are difficult to forge successfully. In the history of the Sword Casting Sect, the number of real divine weapons forged can be counted on one hand. That we have succeeded this time is largely thanks to the materials provided by the Gu Family Master, otherwise, the creation of a divine weapon would have been unlikely." Toward the end, Shi Kai looked at the long blade, his eyes filled with envy. A true divine weapon. Who wouldn''t covet it? The moment the divine weapon was completed, Shi Kai felt an urge to claim it for himself, but thinking of the existence of the Gu Family, he forcefully suppressed this thought. A divine weapon is indeed precious, but one must be alive to wield it. To offend the Gu Family over a mere divine weapon-should the matter be exposed, the entire Sword Casting Sect would be uprooted. Shi Kai had no doubts about this. After all, the current Gu Family Master was never known for his mercy, and the blood on his hands was enough to horrify anyone. Even if Shi Kai were given ten times the courage, he wouldn''t dare keep the divine weapon for himself. Conversely, the successful forging of the divine weapon would surely satisfy the Gu Family, benefiting the Sword Casting Sect without causing any harm. At this time, Gu Qingfeng sheathed the blade again and placed it inside its case before turning his gaze towards Shi Kai. "Master Shi, I am very satisfied with the divine weapon you have forged this time. The original reward of ten thousand taels of silver now seems somewhat insufficient. If you have any needs, feel free to speak, and as long as they are not excessive, I can accommodate them," Gu Qingfeng offered. With those words, Shi Kai immediately understood he had made the right bet. Therefore, after some thought, he voiced his own request. Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Mingri Manor Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Mingri Manor ? "I heard that not long ago, the Gu Family Master single-handedly annihilated the Green Sun Sect. Though the Sword Casting Sect has a long history, alas, our heritage is lacking, and all generations of our martial artists have been halted at the Blood Refining Realm. Therefore, I would like to request the Gu Family Master to allow us of the Sword Casting Sect to glimpse the profound mysteries of superior martial arts." At this point. Shi Kai, fearing that Gu Qingfeng might misunderstand, hastily explained. "The Gu Family Master can rest assured, my Sword Casting Sect is willing to pay any price. The Gu Family Master need only name it, and if it is within our means, I shall not hesitate!" Superior martial arts are too precious. It''s not that the Sword Casting Sect hasn''t had so-called martial geniuses appear over the years. But what of it? The limits of martial arts are what bind the limits of a martial artist. If there is still a slight chance to obtain mid-grade martial arts, then superior martial arts are extremely rare. With the foundations of the Sword Casting Sect, we have not been able to acquire any superior martial arts for hundreds of years. After all, with such rarity, even if the Sword Casting Sect expended all our resources, it would be difficult to obtain. To put it more bluntly, even if the Sword Casting Sect did acquire superior martial arts, there is no certainty that we could keep it. This. Is the sorrow of an ordinary power. After Shi Kai finished speaking, Gu Qingfeng slowly began to speak. "The importance of superior martial arts, I believe, is clearer to Master Shi than to myself. Such martial arts can become the Sect''s Ultimate Skill among many powers. The Sword Casting Sect has forged a Divine Weapon for my Gu Family, and I should indeed be grateful, but as for superior martial arts, please forgive me, as I have no means to comply." "I have been presumptuous!" Shi Kai''s face betrayed his disappointment, but he quickly regained his composure. Gu Qingfeng''s refusal was not unexpected to him. After all, superior martial arts are precious, and it''s understandable that the other party does not wish to part with them. Then, Gu Qingfeng called someone to bring Gu Yang. "I pay my respects to Father!" "You accompany Master Shi to the storeroom and also pay the Sword Casting Sect ten thousand taels of silver as a token of our appreciation." "In that case, I am most grateful to the Gu Family Master!" Hearing the reward of ten thousand taels of silver, Shi Kai managed to squeeze out a smile and then followed Gu Yang to leave. Unable to obtain superior martial arts but gaining an extra ten thousand taels of silver was not bad. Watching Shi Kai''s departure, Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained indifferent. "Superior martial arts... The Sword Casting Sect certainly dares to dream!" Forging the Divine Weapon was already a negotiated exchange, and now giving an additional ten thousand taels of silver to the Sword Casting Sect as a token of appreciation was also fulfilling the Gu Family''s utmost duty. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng''s gaze returned to the blade in front of him. The Divine Weapon was forged. that his back was drenched with sweat. "Father!" Gu Yang took in a deep breath, barely suppressing the tremble in his heart, and then couldn''t help but ask, "May I dare to ask what martial arts Father was practicing just now? I have never seen it before!" "This is the Seven Killings Blade Skills, considered an exclusive military skill. If you wish to cultivate it, I can teach you, but this art of the blade seeks enlightenment through killing and is not something just anyone can learn." Gu Qingfeng did not shy away from revealing the origin of this blade technique. Seven Killings Blade Skills! Gu Yang nodded slightly. Although the matter of the Black Xuan Guard being captured by the Gu family was a secret, he was well aware of it. Obviously, this Seven Killings Blade Skills was acquired from them. Composing himself, Gu Yang did not dwell on the matter and continued, "Father, the new residence for the Gu Family has been found, here is the deed from the government office. The land originally belonged to a faction known as Mingri Manor. Unfortunately, several decades ago, Mingri Manor offended a major power, and as a result, over three hundred and sixty people within were slaughtered to death. Since then, Mingri Manor had been completely abandoned. Later-comers, knowing that many had died there, were unwilling to take over, believing the place to be inauspicious!" "So when our Gu Family desired this land, the government didn''t ask for much, just symbolically took a hundred silver pieces and then sold the plot to us!" A hundred silver pieces! That was indeed a cheap price. As for the inauspiciousness Gu Yang mentioned, Gu Qingfeng did not care. "The so-called inauspiciousness is nothing but superstition. With enough strength, there is no need to fear any inauspiciousness. If you think that place is suitable, then let''s move there directly!" "My son, I have already prepared the workers, and construction will start soon. I believe it won''t take more than half a month to complete." "Hmm, leave these matters for you to handle," Gu Qingfeng nodded. Currently, there were many affairs within the Gu Family he was too lazy to meddle in, preferring to let Gu Yang handle them. For Gu Qingfeng, nothing was more important than cultivating his own strength. However, Gu Qingfeng still gave some earnest reminders. "All other possessions are trivial compared to one''s own strength, which is the foundation of everything. Do not neglect your cultivation. Here are a hundred Blood Refining Pills, I hope you will cultivate diligently and strive to enter the Bone Refining Realm soon!" "Yes!" Gu Yang said, bowing his head. Afterwards, the other party took leave to attend to his duties. Gu Qingfeng also handed over the prepared Blood Refining Pills for him to take with him. Nowadays, many of the elixirs meant as rewards were useless to him; if they could help the other party improve, then he would give them away, otherwise, it would be a waste to keep them. *** Chapter 65: Chapter 65 Holding the Knife Chapter 65: Chapter 65 Holding the Knife ? Time passed. Gu Qingfeng spent these days within the Gu Family, cultivating the Green Sun Skills. Every day he refined the Great Sun Yang Qi to temper his body, and the breakthrough in the Green Sun Skills could truly be described as divine speed. It took him less than ten days. Gu Qingfeng achieved perfection in the First Level of the Green Sun Skills. With the First Level perfected, within Gu Qingfeng''s qi and blood had emerged a faint hint of scorching hot aura. This sort of scorching aura was different from the Fierce Sun Palm Force carried by the Fiery Sun Divine Palm. Such an aura came from the Great Sun Yang Qi, signifying a truly utmost staunch and yang energy. However, this hint of aura was too faint. Far from being as robust as Gu Qingfeng''s current qi and blood. But Gu Qingfeng wasn''t in a hurry, knowing that as the cultivation of the Green Sun Skills reached deeper levels, the benefits would naturally become apparent. At the same time, during this period, Gu Qingfeng also explored the mysteries of Refining Organ. Tempering the Five Internal Organs was a symbol of stepping into the limits of the human body. To carry extraordinary power, one must possess a sufficiently strong physique. Therefore, it''s only after reaching the Refining Organ Realm that one enters what is termed the Grandmaster Realm. Regardless of whether it is an Innate Grandmaster or a Qi and Blood Grandmaster, they are considered to have broken through the limits of the human body. Although Gu Qingfeng had never truly witnessed the abilities of Grandmaster-level powerhouses, after stepping into the Refining Organ Realm, it seemed that he had gained some insight into a Grandmaster''s might. Just then, Meng Peng hurried over. "Bowing before the Family Head!" "What has happened?" Gu Qingfeng saw the urgent expression on the other''s face, his forehead slightly furrowed. Meng Peng said, "A message has come that there''s a problem at Mingri Manor. Workers have been disappearing frequently these days, and today a body was found, revealing those workers had all been brutally murdered. And from the looks of it, I''m afraid it wasn''t the work of an ordinary character from the Martial World." "Not the work of someone from the Martial World?" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes narrowed, then his expression grew colder. "Why just now are you saying there''s an issue over at Mingri Manor?" "Please calm your anger, Family Head. At the beginning, we thought it was just some small problem that we could solve on our own. We dared not trouble the Family Head to intervene lightly. But given the current situation, obviously, it''s not something an ordinary martial artist could handle, so I specifically came to report to the Family Head!" Hearing the rebuke, Meng Peng spoke hastily. Gu Qingfeng wasn''t truly angry but simply took the Evil Slayer Blade at his side. According to the records in the Longevity Dao Scripture, evil spirits were divided into several ranks. Among them. The most initial level of evil spirits was known as the Disaster Level. Such weak evil spirits were approximately equivalent in strength to a Martial Artist in the Blood Refining Realm, and the stronger ones could compare to a Magician in the Spirit- controlling Realm or stand side by side with a Martial Artist in the Refining Organ Realm. Above that, were the Disaster-Level evil spirits. These types of evil spirits. Were not something ordinary Martial Artists could handle. However. Once a Disaster-Level evil spirit appeared, it could upheave a prefecture and affect an entire county; it certainly wouldn''t appear easily. And if such an evil spirit did appear, not to mention that there would be no living person left in Mingri Manor, even the whole of White Stone Dao might become akin to hell. So. Not to mention that the existence of an evil spirit in Mingri Manor is debatable, even if it were true, the strength of the evil spirit was likely limited. In a short while. Gu Qingfeng and Meng Peng stopped in front of a manor. The manor appeared newly built, with large characters written on the plaque above the gate. Gu Family Manor! Clearly. This was the future residence of the Gu Family. But upon closer inspection, one could see that Gu Family Manor was only roughly constructed, and many of the finer details inside had not been fully perfected. At this moment. The guard outside Gu Family Manor became visibly delighted upon seeing the visitors, and then he bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Family Head!" "Take me to see the deceased," Gu Qingfeng said indifferently, and the guard dared not hesitate, leading the two men towards the interior of Gu Family Manor. In the main hall of Gu Family Manor lay more than a dozen bodies covered with white cloths. Gu Qingfeng lifted the white cloth, and before his eyes was a mummified corpse; the deceased was not old, but his pupils were wide with terror, his face frozen in a state of fear as if he had seen something horrifying before death. Looking further, one could see that the deceased''s chest had been torn open, and the five internal organs were missing without a trace. More importantly. Within those wounds, Gu Qingfeng could feel a cold presence lingering. This aura seemed somewhat similar to that of the evil spirits. But Gu Qingfeng, having clashed with magicians no less than once, was very clear about the power of the evil spirits they harnessed, and by comparison, there seemed to be some difference between the cold presence here and the magicians'' evil spirit power. Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Not an Evil Spirit Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Not an Evil Spirit ? At this moment, inside the hall, it was not only Gu Qingfeng and Meng Peng present, but Gu Yang and several other Blood Refining Realm guards had also arrived. "Discuss the specifics!" Gu Qingfeng glanced again at the other mummified corpses before his gaze landed on everyone present. His words fell. Immediately, a Blood Refining Realm guard spoke up, "Reporting to the Family Head, people began to disappear one after another starting five days ago. We searched with all our might but found no results. It wasn''t until today that we found these missing people in a dried-up well. However, when we found them, all their vitality had vanished into thin air, and their Five Internal Organs were hollowed out. We suspect, is this related to an Evil Spirit!" Evil Spirit! For the Gu Family guards, this was no longer a significant secret. When Gu Qingfeng led the Gu Family''s strong members to the Green Sun Sect earlier, the existence of the Green Sun Ancestor had already exposed the people to what Magicians and Evil Spirits were. Now. Such eerie incidents here left them no choice but to think in the direction of Evil Spirits. "There indeed is a trace of an aura similar to that of an Evil Spirit, but to say it''s an Evil Spirit, we cannot yet confirm." Upon Gu Qingfeng''s announcement, it altered everyone''s expression. Although they had speculated earlier, hearing it from Gu Qingfeng''s mouth still shook them inside. After that. Gu Qingfeng looked at the group and spoke calmly, "Tell me where the well with the corpses is, and take me to see it." "Yes-" ... The group walked toward the well. This location was only included in the backyard area of the Gu Family Manor, and the moment Gu Qingfeng stepped into the yard, he felt a relatively strong chilling aura. When he arrived in front of the dry well, the chilly aura suddenly intensified significantly. Promptly. Gu Qingfeng leapt directly into the well, only to see the well was already dried up, and there were not many traces left on the walls surrounding the well. However, the strong chilling aura here made him realize that things were not so simple. Not long after. Gu Qingfeng came out from the well. "Father, did you find anything?" Gu Yang asked first. Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head, "I have some clues, but still can''t confirm them. I will stay here to oversee this area for the next couple of days. Proceed with other matters as usual." "I want to see what kind of thing dares to cause trouble under my watch!" At last, Gu Qingfeng''s expression became cold. Whether it was an Evil Spirit or something else, anything that intended to block his path must die. Upon hearing this. Everyone''s expressions relaxed. Realm could not resist, yet it was not strong in itself; Gu Qingfeng had managed to resolve it with a single slash. Even Gu Qingfeng doubted whether this entity could breach his defenses without any resistance from him. However, no matter what, this warning from the Evil Slayer Blade had resolved many troubles. Gu Qingfeng felt increasingly satisfied with this divine weapon. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng crouched down, pinched up some of the black powder, which immediately exuded a terrifying chill, as though it could freeze a martial artist''s blood. But in front of Gu Qingfeng''s level of vitality, this chilly aura seemed much weaker. "Indeed not an evil spirit, it seems this world is not as simple as it seems. Besides evil spirits, there are such bizarre entities." Gu Qingfeng mused. Evil spirits do not die. It couldn''t have been so easily slain. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng could ascertain that this was definitely not an evil spirit. But its exact origin, he would need to investigate further to be sure. Right away, Gu Qingfeng collected the black ashes from the ground, to be revisited later. At this time, Gu Qingfeng looked around; the eerie darkness had completely disappeared, and the silent night sky was bustling with voices, with lights visible everywhere within the Gu Family Manor. But just to be safe, Gu Qingfeng stepped into the dry well to inspect again, confirmed that the chilling aura had fully dissipated, and was certain that the bizarre entity had been thoroughly slain. The next day, as the sun cracked dawn. Gu Qingfeng summoned Gu Yang and other warriors responsible for the area and got straight to the point. "The entity within the Gu Family Manor was dealt with by me last night, going forward there''s no need to worry about further problems, also provide a hundred silver for each dead craftsman as compensation." "Yes!" Gu Yang''s expression relaxed, then he asked, "May I ask father, what exactly was that entity, could it truly have been an evil spirit?" "Evil spirits do not die, and since it was slain by me, it''s evident that it was not an evil spirit, but the specifics of its origin are currently unknown." Chapter 67: Chapter 67 Bestowing the Gu Surname Chapter 67: Chapter 67 Bestowing the Gu Surname ? The matter of Gu Family Manor was just a small interlude. The issues there were resolved, and the subsequent progress was extremely fast. In less than ten days'' time. Gu Family Manor had been completely constructed. The next day. Gu Qingfeng packed up the family and moved out of White Stone City to settle in the newly built Gu Family Manor. For this occasion. Gu Qingfeng also specially held a grand banquet, inviting various forces to come. After all, the Gu Family was now recognized by White Stone Dao as the number one power, even in the whole Guangyang Prefecture, they were famously so. Any forces that received the news-who would dare not to give the Gu Family some respect? After three days of festivities. Gu Family Manor regained its tranquility. And then. Gu Qingfeng began to reform the Gu Family Manor with great vigor. First. Gu Qingfeng established both an Inner Hall and an Outer Hall. The Inner Hall was for the future direct lineage of the Gu Family and those disciples who were granted the Gu surname they alone could enter the Inner Hall. As for the Outer Hall, it was for all the original guards and subsequent other non-direct descendants and disciples not given the Gu surname. After that. Gu Yang became the Master of the Inner Hall. Meng Peng, in turn, became the Master of the Outer Hall. And then. Gu Qingfeng also established a Law Enforcement Hall to oversee the entire Gu Family Manor. Therefore. The role of Master of the Law Enforcement Hall was also held by Gu Yang. After all- The Gu Family was short on people. Plus, with such an important position as the Law Enforcement Hall, Gu Qingfeng naturally could not entrust it to an outsider. Thus. The Gu Family was renamed to Gu Family Manor, and Gu Qingfeng changed his own title from Family Head to manor master. It wasn''t until this moment. That the Gu Family truly became a power in the Martial World. "The Gu Family, for now, will have the Inner, Outer, and Law Enforcement Halls, with the current focus on developing the Outer Hall. Among those in the Outer Hall, if there are those with decent talent and sufficient loyalty, they may be offered the Gu surname and admitted into the Inner Hall." Inside the main hall of Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng said this as his gaze fell on Meng Peng. "Meng Peng, you have followed me for almost ten years, and I have seen your loyalty throughout these years." "Therefore, today I have decided to grant you the Gu surname. Are you willing?" Naturally, Gu Qingfeng would not be careless. Stepping into the Demon Suppression Prison, One could see that it was lined with Luminous Pearls on both sides for illumination. Inside the prison were three Golden Coffins. One of the Golden Coffins was slightly larger, while the other two were one size smaller. Inside the larger coffin, shockingly, was the sealed Shadow Demon; the two smaller coffins were temporarily forged by Gu Qingfeng for unforeseen needs in the future. After all, gold was necessary for suppressing Evil Spirits. If an Evil Spirit were to appear, it would be too late to forge something to suppress it on short notice. Therefore, It was best to forge them in advance, as they might be needed any day. Gu Qingfeng walked up to the Golden Coffin that sealed the Shadow Demon. At that moment, the coffin trembled slightly, as if something within was fiercely trying to break out, but due to the chains holding it fixed, it wasn''t truly shaken. "What exactly is an Evil Spirit, and can it truly not be killed?" Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself. The immortality of Evil Spirits. That was a legend that had existed since ancient times. Both the Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills and the Longevity Dao Scripture recorded that Evil Spirits could not be killed, only sealed using special methods. But at the same time, The Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills held another record. Evil Spirits were not immortal; only an Evil Spirit could kill another Evil Spirit. Therefore, Some later tried to perform Evil Refining into the body, attempting to gain the power of Evil Spirits in order to achieve the purpose of killing them. But unfortunately, Becoming a Magician through Evil Refining did indeed give people great power, but sadly, this power still could not kill an Evil Spirit. It seemed that after Refining Evil into the body, the power of the Evil Spirit was not pure enough. Only a truly liberated Evil Spirit that had recovered from suppression could kill another of its kind. So, This was somewhat contradictory. "Evil Spirits are not immortal... Strictly speaking, it''s not that they are truly immortal; it''s just that Evil Spirits can only be killed by other Evil Spirits. Nothing else has the potential to kill an Evil Spirit!" "But in this world, how can there truly be something that cannot be killed? Since an Evil Spirit can kill another Evil Spirit, there must be a reason for it." "If the key to this can be found, perhaps the legend of the invincibility of Evil Spirits will be completely debunked-" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes flickered, and as all the information about Evil Spirits passed through his mind, he already had some ideas. Chapter 68: Chapter 68 Pure Yang Qi Blood Chapter 68: Chapter 68 Pure Yang Qi Blood ? Evil Spirits are not dead. But not absolutely. Thus, Gu Qingfeng could not help but suspect that the reason Evil Spirits couldn''t be killed might be because the strength of Martial Artists and Magicians was still not strong enough to truly slay the Evil Spirits. If their power were strong enough, the so-called legend of immortality would be completely shattered. "So-" "What level of power is needed to truly kill an Evil Spirit!?" Gu Qingfeng pondered. He couldn''t help but undo the iron chains in the Golden Coffin. With the constraint of the chains removed, the vibrations of the Golden Coffin grew more intense, the lid buzzing loudly, and slight cracks appeared on the originally seamless coffin, from which a sinister, chilly breath began to permeate. In Gu Qingfeng''s view, dim shadows like the tide began to flow from the Golden Coffin. "Buzz-" The Evil Slayer Blade behind him trembled. Gu Qingfeng''s eyes were cold and stern as he suddenly unsheathed the long blade behind him and slashed it at the shadow, enveloped with the power of Blood Qi. The shadow was instantly cut into a small segment, and the remaining shadow, as if in pain, instinctively retreated back into the Golden Coffin. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng leaped onto the coffin lid, forcefully pressing down on the coffin to prevent the Shadow Demon from breaking free of its confines. At the same time, He looked at the remnant body of the Shadow Demon on the ground, about the size of a thumb, emitting a sinister and chilly aura, and seemingly growing gradually without any signs of disappearance. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng used the tip of his blade to lift the remnant body of the Shadow Demon, and the moment it fell into his palm, a horrifyingly cold power swept over him, as if wanting to completely freeze his blood. Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained unchanged, and the tremendous Blood Qi Power within his body was fully activated at this moment, pooling like the proud sun in the palm of his hand. "Chi¡ª" The two forces collided, creating a shrill noise like water hitting hot oil. The chilling power was terrifyingly strong, and no matter how robust Gu Qingfeng''s Blood Qi was, he found it difficult to completely erode it. As time passed, Gu Qingfeng''s Blood Qi Power was nearly depleted, and his complexion also turned somewhat pale. Observing the remaining body of the Shadow Demon in his palm, there seemed to be no change. But Gu Qingfeng had been carefully observing the changes in the Shadow Demon''s remains throughout. On the surface, the Shadow Demon''s remains seemed unchanged, but a careful observer would discover that its aura was about one percent weaker than before. "Almost there!" Gu Qingfeng came down from the coffin lid, opened a slight gap, directly threw the remnant body of the Shadow Demon inside, then quickly sealed the lid again, and resecured it with the iron chains. After completing all these, Gu Qingfeng finally let out a sigh of relief. At this time, his complexion was slightly pale, a result of excessive depletion of Blood Qi. Now having recovered slightly, his complexion appeared a bit more flush with color. Immediately, If Refining Organ couldn''t do it, then aiming for Master, and if Master wasn''t enough, then breaking beyond Master. One day. He would be able to grow strong enough to eradicate the Evil Spirits. Leaving the Demon Suppression Prison. Gu Qingfeng''s life seemed to return to normal. To restore the depleted Blood Qi Power from battling the Shadow Demon, he spent several days consuming numerous tonic herbs to fully recover. After this ordeal, Gu Qingfeng temporarily had no thoughts of continuing to wear down the Shadow Demon. With the might of the Evil Spirits, even if he gave himself a thousand years, his First Realm Martial Arts Cultivation couldn''t possibly wear down an Evil Spirit completely. Moreover. The power of the Shadow Demon was not strong among the Evil Spirits. Even if he really spent his whole life eradicating one Shadow Demon, it would be meaningless. Therefore. In Gu Qingfeng''s view, nothing was more useful than breaking through his own strength. "Ho!" Great Sun Yang Qi entered his body. Gu Qingfeng only felt his Blood Qi boiling, and the Extreme Yang Qi within his flesh surged significantly, unknowingly breaking the Green Sun Skills to the second layer Beginner Realm. ... Green Sun Skills (Second Layer Beginner, Pure Yang Qi Blood Level One) - "Pure Yang Qi Blood!" Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. When the Green Sun Skills broke through to the second layer, his Blood Qi underwent subtle changes. Such changes made his Blood Qi become more rigid and purely yang. Gu Qingfeng understood. This was probably what they called Pure Yang Qi Blood. Just then. Gu Qingfeng sensed something and looked towards the outside of Gu Family Manor, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Someone is coming!" Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Forbidden Area Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Forbidden Area ? "Gu Family Manor!" Jiang Qin''s expression remained unchanged as he looked towards the Gu Family Manor, where he could see a surge of Blood Qi that was nearly invisible to the naked eye. It was an interaction that only strong martial artists could perceive. "This person is indeed extraordinary!" "I''m afraid that even an ordinary martial artist in the Marrow Cleansing Realm might not possess such Blood Qi!" Jiang Qin felt a slight heaviness in his heart. Before he arrived, he didn''t take Gu Qingfeng seriously, even though the other had slain the Green Sun Ancestor. After all, the Green Sun Ancestor wasn''t considered very strong, at least in the eyes of the Evil Suppression Bureau. But now. Jiang Qin understood. The strength of Gu Qingfeng was indeed not to be underestimated. Such robust Blood Qi was not something an ordinary martial artist could have. And. Jiang Qin believed. His arrival must also have been perceived by the other party. Sure enough. Not long after Jiang Qin had this thought, he saw the main gate of the Gu Family Manor open, and Gu Peng walked out to greet him politely. "I am Gu Peng, the current Outer Hall Master of Gu Family Manor, ordered by our manor master to invite our distinguished guest inside for a visit!" "Um." Jiang Qin gave Gu Peng a casual glance, then nodded slightly and followed him inside. To him, a martial artist at the Initial Stage of Blood Refining. Was like an ant in his eyes. In the entire Gu Family Manor, only the manor master himself warranted some respect from him. Entering the main hall. Jiang Qin then saw a middle-aged man sitting at the head of the room. As their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze for a moment. "Manor master, your guest has been brought in!" Gu Peng''s words broke the silence in the hall. Gu Qingfeng waved his hand: "You may step back now!" "Yes!" Gu Peng withdrew. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng looked at Jiang Qin again and smiled slightly: "I do not know where you hail from, sir. May I ask what brings you to the Gu Family Manor today?" "I am Jiang Qin, Deputy Commander of the Evil Suppression Bureau in Guangyang Prefecture. I have heard that Lord Gu has slain the Green Sun Ancestor and eradicated the Green Sun Sect. Thus, I have specifically come to invite Lord Gu to join our Evil Suppression Bureau," To take refuge with the Evil Suppression Bureau. To obtain the method of Evil Refining. Only then would one find the true path. Yet. Gu Qingfeng was currently digesting Jiang Qin''s words. Great Grandmaster! Forbidden zones! He had learned many things he had never heard of before from the other''s words. "May I ask what is meant by ''forbidden zones''?" Gu Qingfeng asked once again. Jiang Qin grew somewhat impatient, but still gave an answer. "Forbidden zones are places formed by Disaster Level Evil Spirits. Within these zones, Evil Spirits are virtually invincible. And once a forbidden zone is established, it''s difficult for any living creature to enter or leave. Therefore, whenever a forbidden zone appears, it signifies the extinction of all life in that area, and for this reason, such existences are given the name ''forbidden zones."" I see! Gu Qingfeng''s expression showed his understanding. This was what a forbidden zone was. Disaster Level Evil Spirits. Suddenly. A thought struck Gu Qingfeng, and he took out the black powder he had obtained earlier, manipulating it with the power of his vitality and blood, allowing the jade box containing the powder to land in front of Jiang Qin. "May I ask Commander Jiang, do you recognize this substance?" Upon hearing this, Jiang Qin''s gaze fell on the black powder, and the chilly aura it exuded caused a slight change in his expression. "It seems I have underestimated you indeed; I didn''t expect you to be able to slay such a strange creature!" "Strange creature?" Gu Qingfeng looked puzzled. Jiang Qin explained, "In this world, Evil Spirits are almost undying and indestructible, beyond the reach of common folk to slay, only Evil Spirits have the ability to cut down and devour one another." "During the era when Evil Spirits ran rampant, the living suffered torment, and the collected resentment of all beings eventually gave birth to something else." "This thing is known as ''strange creature!"" "Strange creatures are not as hard to deal with as Evil Spirits, but they can affect the minds of martial artists, causing them to unknowingly sink into darkness. Many powerful beings have fallen into such traps without realizing it. By the time they come to their senses, their vitality and blood have been sucked dry by the strange creature, leaving them to die in regret." Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Is the Martial Artist Really Inferior to the Magician? Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Is the Martial Artist Really Inferior to the Magician? ? "Unlike Evil Spirits, which are almost unkillable by Martial Artists, strange entities can be killed, but finding and truly eliminating such beings is absolutely not easy. Whenever a natural disaster or catastrophe strikes, strange entities are spawned." "Decades ago, a strange entity appeared and wiped out a city''s population, causing shockwaves throughout the world. It was only after the intervention of a powerful figure from the Evil Suppression Bureau that the entity was slain." "And upon the collapse of a strange entity, it leaves behind this black powder." Jiang Qin''s words made Gu Qingfeng''s expression clear. So, the thing he had slain was a strange entity. It was apparent that the strange entity might be related to Mingri Manor. After all, Mingri Manor was destroyed overnight, and the formation of a strange entity was not impossible. Afterward, Jiang Qin glanced at Gu Qingfeng. "You''ve asked all that you wanted to ask, so now, are you willing to join the Evil Suppression Bureau?" "What would be required of me if I joined the Evil Suppression Bureau?" "What one offers to join the Evil Suppression Bureau is hard to define, but to put it simply, just obey orders. Similarly, once you join the Evil Suppression Bureau, besides the benefits I''ve already mentioned, your Gu Family Manor need not worry about invasions from other sects or noble families. Otherwise, your destruction of the Green Sun Sect has already roused dissatisfaction among many, and without our bureau''s protection, I fear there will be endless troubles ahead!" Jiang Qin said in a grave voice. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng''s eyebrows immediately furrowed. "What business is it of other forces that my Gu Family Manor destroyed the Green Sun Sect!" "If you were a Magician, it would not matter, but you are a Martial Artist, which is different. This world is ultimately a world of Magicians, with Martial Artists being inferior!" Jiang Qin said with a look of disdain. "Even the strongest Martial Artist is but a Master, and it is rare to encounter a Great Grandmaster once in a hundred years." "Guangyang Prefecture may not be huge, but it''s not small either. Although in name, the court is the overlord of the world, the various Martial World forces are like feudal lords, each with their own territory. Now that you have destroyed the Green Sun Sect, you are eligible to take over the territories that belonged to the Green Sun Sect. And yet, your Gu Family Manor is after all a power founded by a Martial Artist, other sects will not tolerate this, for it is different from the domain of White Stone Dao!" At these words, Gu Qingfeng fell silent for a moment. After learning about Magicians, he had thought that Martial Artists had a low status, but he hadn''t realized it would be this low. In the face of Magicians, mere Martial Artists had no right to rule over anything. Even though Gu Family Manor had already annihilated the Green Sun Sect and displayed impressive power, the result was the same. After a while, Gu Qingfeng suddenly smiled. "I thank Commander Jiang for his kindness, but I have always enjoyed being carefree and have no immediate plans to join the Evil Suppression Bureau. I''m afraid I must decline this time!" "Have you thought this through? Right now, Gu Family Manor may seem calm, but in truth, it has already become the target of many sects and noble families. If you join the Evil Suppression Bureau, other families and sects will not take action. But if you insist on this path, the consequences will not be so simple!" Jiang Qin''s brow furrowed, and his expression grew cold. He believed he had stated all the advantages and disadvantages clearly, and if Gu Qingfeng was not foolish, he would have no reason to refuse. But unexpectedly, the other party indeed refused. "I understand the stakes very well, but I also want to see whether Martial Artists truly are no match for Magicians," Gu Qingfeng declared, a tremor in his breath as his robust vitality burst forth. Boom! The energy of his blood shook, like the surging of rivers. At that moment, Jiang Qin''s complexion changed. "Refining Organ!" "It seems everyone has underestimated you!" He had already estimated Gu Qingfeng''s strength as high as possible but realized he had still underestimated him. Refining Organ! Moreover, such vitality and strength were far from what an ordinary Refining Organ Martial Artist could compare with. No wonder. Gu Qingfeng was so confident. Gu Qingfeng would let those people understand that even a martial artist could not be trifled with at their whim. He had reached this point not by groveling or kowtowing. The purpose of Jiang Qin''s visit was to convince him to join the Evil Suppression Bureau, but in reality, it was to turn him into a lapdog for the bureau. The so-called obedience was naturally to put the Evil Suppression Bureau first. To really join the Evil Suppression Bureau, his life might not be his own to control. Therefore, from the beginning, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of joining the Evil Suppression Bureau. Thinking back on the recent conversation, a glint of coldness flashed in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. "Put plainly!" "It''s all a question of strength!" "If I were a Master, or even a Great Grandmaster, or had stepped into a level even higher than that of a Great Grandmaster, even as a mere martial artist, who would dare to look down on me..." After that, Gu Qingfeng calmed his inner thoughts. He didn''t need to think too much at the moment. Face the soldiers with a general, and stem the flood with earth. Right now, he still needed to focus on increasing his own strength. However, to be cautious, Gu Qingfeng called over Gu Peng and instructed him to lead the disciples of the Outer Hall to guard the vicinity of Gu Family Manor closely, staying vigilant for any sudden occurrences. Furthermore, he needed to keep close watch on the movements of the Martial World. By doing so, even if there were any problems, Gu Qingfeng would be able to respond at the first opportunity. Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Thousand-Year-Old Family Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Thousand-Year-Old Family ? Guangyang Prefecture. Evil Suppression Bureau. Jiang Qin returned. Lu Wenxuan asked, "How did it go?" "He disagreed." Jiang Qin slightly shook his head, his eyes then flashing with a cold glint. "However, the rumors in the Martial World are false; this man is not in the Marrow Cleansing Realm, but has already stepped into the Master level of the Refining Organ Realm." "That''s why I didn''t make a move on him. A Master of the Refining Organ Realm, and a pure Martial Artist at that, might just serve as a nail to be hammered into Taishan Road. No clan or sect would tolerate Gu Family Manor dominating Taishan Road, but if the manor master of Gu Family Manor is a Master, then it''s a different story. Such a powerful individual isn''t necessarily an opponent even for those in the Spirit- controlling Realm. Considering the entirety of Guangyang Prefecture, how many magicians in the Spirit-controlling Realm could there be!" Jiang Qin concluded with a cold laugh. Lu Wenxuan''s eyes narrowed slightly: "A Master of the Refining Organ!" He hadn''t expected this. From a minor place like White Stone Dao, a Master of the Refining Organ had emerged. Not to mention White Stone Dao, Even in Taishan Road where Martial Arts thrived and the Martial World''s various clan forces were numerous, none had produced a Master-level powerhouse. As it turned out, A mere White Stone Dao produced a Master, which was certainly unexpected. Among the seventy-two roads of Guangyang Prefecture, the strength of Taishan Road was capable of ranking in the top ten. Previously, Taishan Road was controlled by Green Sun Sect; now that Green Sun Sect had been destroyed, Taishan Road nominally fell into the hands of Gu Family Manor. That being the case. Surely the various sects of the Martial World would not stand idly by. As Jiang Qin had said. The people of Guangyang Prefecture had underestimated him. If it had been just the Marrow Cleansing Realm, it might have been fine, but a powerhouse who had stepped into the Refining Organ Realm and could be crowned a Master was not so simple. "You did the right thing." "A Master is already strong, at least in Guangyang Prefecture, he can be counted as one of the top powerhouses." Gu Qingfeng lifted his tea cup, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke undisturbed. Hearing this. Zhuo Feng straightforwardly said, "Since that is the case, I won''t beat around the bush. I''m here to ask if Lord Gu has any intentions of taking control of Taishan Road?" "What difference does it make if I do or don''t?" "If Lord Gu truly intends to take control of Taishan Road, the Zhuo Family would certainly offer our blessings, but Taishan Road is profound, watched by many powers. Although with Lord Gu''s strength, he indeed has the capability to control Taishan Road. However, there remains an issue. That is, Lord Gu is a Martial Artist, not a Magician!" Zhuo Feng said this, he glanced at Gu Qingfeng to see any change in expression, but seeing none, he continued to speak. "I''ve heard that recently people from the Evil Suppression Bureau visited Gu Family Manor, so I believe Lord Gu understands the difference between Magicians and Martial Artists. My Zhuo Family is originally a Martial Arts family; we surely do not belittle Martial Artists." "However, the current situation in the world is such, Magicians are revered, and Martial Artists are somewhat lacking. Taishan Road and White Stone Dao are different, among the seventy-two paths of Guangyang Prefecture, the former is among the top ten. If Lord Gu wishes to preside over Taishan Road and replace the former Green Sun Sect, he must be prepared to face various clans and sects. Unlike the Green Sun Sect, some deep-rooted clans and sects in Guangyang Prefecture have foundations far beyond the Green Sun Sect. After all, the Green Sun Sect was established only a few hundred years ago, whereas Guangyang Prefecture has sects that have existed for thousands of years." "These clans and sects, and not just one, have powerful Spirit-controlling Realm masters anchoring them. Lord Gu''s strength, when facing these thousand-year-old clans and sects, might not necessarily secure an advantage!" Zhuo Feng stated the advantages and disadvantages, Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained unchanged. Some of these words had already been spoken by Jiang Qin, and the other party was merely repeating them. Thus. As Zhuo Feng finished speaking, Gu Qingfeng directly responded. "No need for pleasantries, the Zhuo Family is also a thousand-year-old clan, and must surely have designs on Taishan Road." "Further, Elder Zhuo''s visit here probably isn''t just a casual chat, what are you truly after? Let''s lay it out openly." Upon these words. Zhuo Feng was momentarily startled, then smiled again: "Indeed, my Zhuo Family does have intentions for Taishan Road, considering it''s among the top ten rankings in Guangyang Prefecture, and the resources contained are extraordinary." "As for my purpose here, it is also to see what Lord Gu''s views are on Taishan Road." "If Lord Gu has no interest in contesting for the sovereignty of Taishan Road, then the Zhuo Family will send powerful forces to strive for control of this territory. However, since the Green Sun Sect was ultimately annihilated by Lord Gu, the Zhuo Family is willing to offer some compensation." Chapter 72: Chapter 72 Master True Intent Map Chapter 72: Chapter 72 Master True Intent Map This. was Zhuo Feng''s true purpose for coming here. Gu Qingfeng looked at him meaningfully. "From what I understand, families like yours that have existed for a thousand years have always looked down on martial artists. If the Zhuo Family wants to take over Taishan Road, why should you care about my opinion?" "Indeed, within the Zhuo Family, there are voices suggesting taking over Taishan Road directly, even proposing the eradication of Gu Family Manor. However, these proposals were all rejected by me." Zhuo Feng didn''t hide anything. "If Gu Family Manor were merely an ordinary force, it would probably have fallen by now. But the fact that a deputy commander of the Evil Suppression Bureau came to Gu Family Manor personally, and then left without taking any action, shows that Lord Gu''s strength must be far more complex than the rumors suggest." "For a martial artist whose strength is unknown, the Zhuo Family does not wish to break ties either. Taishan Road is desirable, but for a family like ours, having one more or one less Taishan Road does not make a big difference." "Therefore, if Lord Gu wishes to take over Taishan Road, the Zhuo Family will naturally withdraw. But I must say, there are many forces eyeing Taishan Road. Even if my Zhuo Family doesn''t act, other clans and sects might not sit idly by." "So, I think, rather than Lord Gu taking over Taishan Road, it would be better to let my Zhuo Family have it. Even if we have to pay a price, it is not a problem." The discussion had reached this point. Zhuo Feng was now waiting for a response. Inside the hall. It was silent. Gu Qingfeng pondered for a long while before speaking. "What price is the Zhuo Family willing to pay?" "Whether it''s heavenly materials and earthly treasures or the ultimate martial arts techniques, as long as Lord Gu asks, as long as the Zhuo Family has it, there''s no problem. Even the Refining Evil Secret Technique, the Zhuo Family can provide one to Lord Gu!" Zhuo Feng''s face immediately revealed a smile. Because he understood. His words had taken effect. Otherwise. This man would not have spoken so easily. "Do you have the Refining Organ ultimate technique?" "Of course, we do." "Do you have the Grandmaster ultimate technique?" "Grandmaster ultimate techniques are rare, but in the past, the Zhuo Family obtained a True Intent Map left by a Grandmaster on the brink of breaking through to Great Grandmaster status. This True Intent Map contains a part of Martial Arts True Intent, but exactly what, I too do not know. After all, no one in the Zhuo Family has yet been able to comprehend the so-called Martial Arts True Intent!" Zhuo Feng shook his head. Zhuo Feng scoffed disdainfully. All he wanted was a pretext to take over Taishan Road, which at least would allow the Zhuo Family to seize the narrative of righteousness. When true power hasn''t yet dominated everything, holding the narrative of righteousness is also particularly crucial. Furthermore. Zhuo Feng had another aim, which was to win over Gu Qingfeng. A powerhouse who, at such a young age, is suspected to be a Little Master entering the Grandmaster Realm soon, wouldn''t be an issue. Although the status of martial artists is lower, a grandmaster-level presence is not to be underestimated across the entire Martial World. After all. Such a powerhouse could suppress many Spirit-controlling magicians. If the Zhuo Family could recruit a grandmaster, it would greatly benefit them, especially if this powerhouse could undertake the Refining Evil in the future and become a formidable magician. The Zhuo Family had survived a millennium as a prestigious family, enduring great catastrophes partly by maintaining good relationships with various strong forces. Therefore. Taking over Taishan Road was one goal, winning over Gu Qingfeng was another. Of course. If Gu Qingfeng were just an ordinary Marrow Cleansing Realm martial artist, that would be a different matter altogether. Ultimately. The Martial World still respects strength above all. ¡ª It was supposed to be five days. In reality, on the fourth day, the Zhuo Family had already delivered everything. Two Refining Organ ultimate techniques. One True Intent Map of a Grandmaster. For this efficiency, Gu Qingfeng was quite satisfied. For him. Taishan Road wasn''t important. On the contrary. Higher-grade Martial Arts were crucial. As long as he was strong enough, even if he gave up Taishan Road now, Gu Qingfeng was confident he could secure the second or even third one. If the strength was insufficient, everything else was just empty talk. "Two Refining Organ ultimate techniques, at least before breaking through to Grandmaster, I won''t lack in the martial aspect!" Gu Qingfeng mused to himself. Chapter 73: Chapter 73 Domineering Blade Slash Chapter 73: Chapter 73 Domineering Blade Slash Five Internal Organs Scripture (Not entered)! Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual (Not entered)! ... Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel and was surprised to see two new Martial Arts listed. These two Martial Arts were the extraordinary Martial Arts sent by the Zhuo Family. The so-called extraordinary was because when ordinary people reached the step of refining the Five Internal Organs, they were already stepping into the limits of the human body and moving toward the extraordinary. Therefore, Martial Arts related to the Refining Organ level were also crowned as extraordinary Martial Arts. Moreover, among the two Martial Arts, Gu Qingfeng also understood that Martial Artists in the Refining Organ Realm had another name: Little Masters. Two Martial Arts. The Five Internal Organs Scripture was an absolute technique directly targeting the five realms of Refining Organ. The Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual, however, was a notch below, targeting only the fourth realm of Refining Organ. However, this so-called difference was all relative. With the situation today where high-grade Martial Arts were controlled by the ancient familial sects, it was not just extraordinary Martial Arts that were rare, but even high-quality ordinary Martial Arts were scarce. At least, many forces in the Martial World like the White Stone Dao have only had mid-grade Martial Arts that target Blood Refining to this date. High-quality Martial Arts. How difficult it was to obtain them. If it wasn''t for Gu Qingfeng''s own advantages, the Gu Family Manor would probably still struggle to get started like other small forces. From this, one could see that the ancient family sects were also quietly suppressing the growth of Martial Artists. However, all this was temporarily irrelevant to Gu Qingfeng. The two extraordinary Martial Arts related to Refining Organ could at least serve as the Gu Family Manor''s inheritance, with no worries about lacking cultivation techniques before reaching Master level. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng spent several days observing the mysteries of the extraordinary supreme techniques. Until this moment, he truly understood how extraordinary complete extraordinary Martial Arts were and how difficult it was to refine the Five Internal Organs. "No wonder the number of Martial Artists who can step into the realm of Little Masters in the Martial World is limited. Refining the Five Internal Organs is a step-by-step ascent to heaven, and any slight misstep could lead to death and the disappearance of one''s Dao. The path to the extraordinary is indeed not so easy to break through!" Using Upgrade Points to Breakthrough the Heavenly Gang Divine Body and successfully stepping into the first realm of Refining Organ, Gu Qingfeng hadn''t yet felt the perils of the Refining Organ Realm. But now, having obtained the Refining Organ Martial Arts and observed their cultivation methods, Gu Qingfeng clearly realized that without the guidance of former Martial Arts, the cost for successors to create from scratch was immeasurable. From this, it was apparent. After all, he had the Master''s True Intent Map for a while and had always failed to enter the Beginner level. If Gu Yang wanted to try to comprehend it, then let him try. In Gu Qingfeng''s view. He couldn''t figure it out, so Gu Yang most likely wouldn''t get any results either. Unexpectedly. Gu Yang had some progress so quickly. For this. Gu Qingfeng was delighted. Although he had not comprehended the mysteries of the Master''s True Intent Map himself, it would be good if Gu Yang could. In the following days. Gu Qingfeng did not disturb Gu Yang''s comprehension, nor did he ask him about anything concerning the Master''s True Intent Map. True Intent is a matter of personal epiphany, something understood implicitly rather than through explicit words. ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has had a slight insight into the Master''s True Intent Map!" ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang''s'' comprehension of the Master''s True Intent Map has deepened!" ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang''s'' comprehension of the Master''s True Intent Map has deepened!" ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has comprehended the Master''s True Intent Map, mastering the exceptional skill ''Domineering Blade Slash''!" ¡ª¡ª "Domineering Blade Slash!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes sharpened. From the time Gu Yang began to comprehend the Master''s True Intent Map until now, it had been about a month. The attribute panel refreshed every so often, indicating his progress. Now. Gu Yang had finally comprehended an exceptional skill from the Master''s True Intent Map. At that moment. A powerful Blade Intent burst forth from the study, and a domineering aura swept across all directions, causing Gu Qingfeng''s expression to involuntarily turn much more serious. Under the cover of this Blade Intent, everyone in Gu Family Manor felt an inexplicable chill, as if they were being targeted by some terrifying existence. But the Blade Intent came quickly and vanished just as fast. When the sensation faded, everyone was somewhat puzzled. ¡ª¡ª Hall. Gu Qingfeng sat in the main seat. Gu Yang came in from the outside. Compared to before, there seemed to be a different aura about him, one of domineering sharpness in his brows. Even though Gu Yang was trying to conceal it well, it wasn''t enough to escape Gu Qingfeng''s observation. Looking at his son in front of him, Gu Qingfeng said, "You''ve comprehended that Master''s True Intent Map?" Chapter 74: Chapter 74: The Profound Mysteries of the Masters Ultimate Art Chapter 74: Chapter 74: The Profound Mysteries of the Master''s Ultimate Art Despite knowing the details from the information panel, Gu Qingfeng still needed to inquire about it. The words had barely left his mouth. A smile appeared on Gu Yang''s face as he nodded. "By a stroke of luck, I grasped a martial art from the Master''s True Intent Map, which is called ''Domineering Blade Strike''!" "Good!" Gu Qingfeng''s face was filled with satisfaction. "The Zhuo Family had possession of this Master''s True Intent Map for countless years without being able to comprehend anything from it; it''s unexpected that you managed to grasp a master technique from it in just one month. Well done, indeed!" Master technique! Such techniques were undoubtedly rare in the entire Martial World. Having grasped the Domineering Blade Strike, even if Gu Yang''s cultivation was only at the Blood Refining Realm, his strength must have progressed by leaps and bounds. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng took Gu Yang to the backyard to exchange pointers and also to witness what a master technique entailed. "Please enlighten me, Father!" Gu Yang didn''t hesitate and, right after speaking, the moment he gripped the handle of the blade, his aura changed drastically. In the next breath, The long blade was drawn. The resplendent blade qi was like containing heavenly majesty, horribly fierce. Before the strike even arrived, the overpowering blade intent was already assaulting people''s spirits, almost freezing their blood. It was like thunder in its momentum. Unrivaled domineering! Facing this strike, Gu Qingfeng''s eyes flashed with awe, and then he simply pointed two fingers, easily shattering the blade qi, and finally clamped the tip of the blade, stabilizing it precisely three inches from his forehead. Following that, Gu Qingfeng twisted his two fingers and flicked, Gu Yang felt a great force transmitted through the blade, almost causing the handle to fly out of his grip, and involuntarily, he staggered several steps backward. "Not bad!" "This blade is indeed worthy of being a master technique; the blade intent just now would probably be unbearable for an average martial artist at the Bone Refining Realm." Gu Qingfeng gave a fair assessment. The techniques of Domineering Blade Strike might not be exquisite, but with that bit of domineering blade intent, the former had completely risen several levels in strength, utterly incomparable to before. After experiencing so-called master martial arts, Gu Qingfeng''s heart had already gained some enlightenment. Master martial arts! This level of supreme techniques was no longer confined to simple variations of moves but focused more on the so-called artistic conception. "A thousand-year-old master family might not truly be invincible¡ª" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes emitted a cold light, and a chilling murderous aura exuded from him, startling Gu Yang, who immediately bowed his head. "The child understands and will definitely not allow White Stone Dao to fall into chaos!" "Hmm, if there are any problems you can''t solve, come to me at any time. Besides, your current cultivation is far too weak. Strive to break through as soon as possible. In these chaotic times, strength is the fundamental root of everything!" After giving these instructions, Gu Yang then withdrew. Watching the retreating figure, Gu Qingfeng withdrew his gaze after a moment. The chaos on Taishan Road. Was within Gu Qingfeng''s expectations. The resources available were significant or minimal, and being in the top ten of Guangyang Prefecture, these forces would naturally not miss the opportunity. Originally, with the Green Sun Sect holding sway there, other forces might covet but would not act rashly. Simply put, exterminating the Green Sun Sect was easy, but the troublesome part was the potential chain reaction. Whoever took the initiative might likely become the target of the collective. But now, the Green Sun Sect had been wiped out. Taishan Road became a leaderless asset. Under such circumstances, everyone relied on their own capabilities. As for these disputes between the noble families and sects, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of intervening. Presently, owning all of White Stone Dao and its continual resources was already enough for the Gu Family Manor to develop. In a short period of time, even taking over Taishan Road would not significantly enhance the capacity of Gu Family Manor. On the contrary, such an action would make the Gu Family Manor the target of all forces. Whether it was Jiang Qin or Zhuo Feng''s statements, both made Gu Qingfeng realize that the essence of strength for martial artists and magicians was fundamentally different. Therefore, when Zhuo Feng came and was willing to pay a certain price, Gu Qingfeng decisively gave up Taishan Road. This course of action, was all advantageous and not the slightest bit harmful to Gu Family Manor. Of course, should these forces be not satisfied with just Taishan Road and also meddle with White Stone Dao, Gu Qingfeng naturally would not back down. "If you meddle with White Stone Dao, I will make it clear to you whether the blade in my hand is sharp!" Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself, exuding an intense aura of solemnity. Chapter 75: Chapter 75: The True Little Master Chapter 75: Chapter 75: The True Little Master He observed the Master''s True Intent Map again. Gu Qingfeng this time tried to activate the Slaughter True Intent he had comprehended, and in the obscure, an invisible force of True Intent fell toward the Master''s True Intent Map. "Buzz¡ª¡ª" In an instant. Gu Qingfeng found that the Master''s True Intent Map in front of him seemed to come to life in a flash. Immediately afterward. A domineering and unparalleled Blade Intent emerged from the Master''s True Intent Map, and Gu Qingfeng felt as if he saw a terrifyingly extreme Divine Blade slashing down from the sky. Mountains collapsed. The earth cracked. The huge mountain was split into two halves by that single strike. One blade to split mountains! The terror was such! Upon witnessing this blade, Gu Qingfeng stood there stunned, his comprehended Slaughter True Intent in front of such domineering and unmatchable Blade Intent was as tiny as a candle in the wind, seemingly at any moment about to be extinguished. It may have been a mere moment. Or it might have been a hundred years. When Gu Qingfeng came back to his senses, he suddenly felt a surge of exhaustion in his mind, as if his energy had been severely depleted. However. That domineering and unparalleled Blade Intent was already imprinted in his mind, lingering and unforgettable. "Domineering Blade Strike!" "So, this is the so-called Domineering Blade Strike¡ª¡ª" Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself. Before witnessing the Master''s True Intent, he could not truly comprehend the terror of such Master''s True Intent. His own Slaughter True Intent was pitifully small in front of the Master''s True Intent. Both were True Intents. Yet the former was mercilessly crushed by the latter. After all. The Slaughter True Intent was too weak. At the same time. The Domineering Blade Strike comprehended by Gu Yang, compared to the one in the Master''s True Intent Map, was far more than just an entire level simpler. If Gu Yang had mastered such a level of Domineering Blade Strike, Gu Qingfeng doubted that even a Bone Refining Perfection expert would necessarily have the ability to fight. "Refining Organ martial artists are called Little Masters!" "In my opinion, only Refining Organ martial artists who have mastered True Intent can truly be called Little Masters¡ª¡ª" Gu Qingfeng, looking at the Master''s True Intent Map before him, felt he now had a certain understanding of True Intent. Whether one has mastered True Intent or not. Speaking of this, Gu Peng''s expression was filled with emotion. Previously, when he was a Loose Cultivator, he only mixed in the lower ranks, completely unaware of just how deep the waters of the Martial World truly were. Until now, following Gu Qingfeng''s side, Gu Peng had finally come to truly understand the real face of the Martial World. Compared to the rivalry of the major clans and sects, past conflicts could only be considered minor skirmishes. According to Gu Peng''s understanding, this time, there were no fewer than a dozen Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artists that had appeared. One must know, originally, White Stone Dao didn''t even have a single Martial Artist from the Bone Refining Realm. Only by truly understanding how deep the waters of the Martial World are, could one comprehend their own insignificance. "Whether the Zhuo Family can win or not is a minor matter, as long as it doesn''t affect my Gu Family Manor." Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently. Gu Peng''s expression grew solemn, "These past few days, White Stone Dao has also seen many unfamiliar Martial Artists emerge, stirring up much trouble. Some of these Martial Artists come from Taishan Road, while others are affiliated with other clans and sects. What are your plans concerning this matter, manor master?" "Meet force with force, stem the tide with earth!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes turned slightly cold as he looked at Gu Peng in front of him, and then continued. "With your current Initial Stage of Blood Refining Cultivation, it indeed appears somewhat weak. This is a Breakthrough Pill I accidentally came across. It is effective for Martial Artists below the Bone Refining Realm. If you take it later on, breaking through to Blood Refining Perfection should not be a problem." Having said that, Gu Qingfeng handed over the remaining three Breakthrough Pills to Gu Peng. The Breakthrough Pill was only useful for Martial Artists below the Bone Refining Realm; Xu Yulan was at Blood Refining Perfection and wouldn''t benefit from it, and as for Gu Yang, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of letting him take shortcuts. As such, the most suitable candidate left for using the Breakthrough Pills was Gu Peng. Having followed by his side for many years, Gu Qingfeng naturally trusted him greatly. Moreover, given the tense situation in White Stone Dao, the Gu Family Manor definitely needed some strong figures to oversee the scene. If Gu Peng could break through to Blood Refining Perfection, even if it didn''t bring significant benefits, at the very least, it would have a certain deterrent effect. "Your subordinate thanks the manor master!" Gu Peng clasped the vial containing the Breakthrough Pills, unable to suppress the excited look on his face. Blood Refining Perfection. That was something he had never dared to think about before. After all, Gu Peng was well aware of his own talents; breaking through the Blood Refining Realm was almost the limit. Without any other opportunity, advancing further was impossible. Now that Gu Qingfeng had bestowed such an opportunity, how could he not be thrilled? Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Understanding the True Heart Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Understanding the True Heart True Yang Sect. Now, it was a scene of utter despair. One could only see bodies lying all over, each face frozen in a rigid expression of terror, as if they had witnessed something horrifying just before their deaths. And from the main hall of the True Yang Sect, there came the wailing of a woman and the crazed and brutal laughter of a man. The Sect Master, True Yang Elder, now had all his limbs twisted, lying on the ground like a puddle of mud, his eyes nearly bursting as he watched the scene unfold before him. A young woman had her limbs twisted and was being violated by a young man without restraint. After a long while. The young man''s face broke into a satisfied smile, then casually snapped the woman''s neck and tossed her body in front of the True Yang Elder. "Good, I didn''t expect such a fine creature from a minor place like White Stone Dao. Impressive, indeed!" Ning Fu licked his lips as he looked at the woman''s body, seemingly longing for more. True Yang Elder''s eyes filled with blood, and he bellowed, "This is White Stone Dao, and you dare destroy my True Yang Sect¡ªGu Family Manor will not let this go!" "Hmph, Gu Family Manor? They are merely martial artists, what could they possibly amount to." Ning Fu scoffed disdainfully, his gaze at True Yang Elder filled with cruelty. "I''ve kept you alive until now because you are the only martial artist in the late stage of Blood Refining Realm of True Yang Sect. It is only fitting to savor you slowly. After all, the flesh of a martial artist in the late stage of Blood Refining Realm is not something ordinary people can compare with. Swallowing you might even advance my cultivation further!" Though not a magician, he had practiced the Divine Skills of the Red Flame Sect, nurturing his own body with the vital essence of martial artists to attain a half-spirit body. That being so. Once he truly starts Refining Evil, it would become much easier. During the conversation. Ning Fu slowly walked up to True Yang Elder, then bent down. Amidst the explosive anger in the elder''s eyes, he directly pierced his chest and extracted his heart. "I am from the Red Flame Sect, and never mind that those from Gu Family Manor aren''t here, even if they were, they wouldn''t dare touch a hair of mine¡ª" "Who is this madman spouting nonsense, he should be executed!" Just as Ning Fu''s words fell, a furious shout came from outside the hall, followed by a terrifying Blade Intent erupting and extremely cold Blade Qi bursting into the hall, causing his complexion to drastically change. "Boom¡ª" Ning Fu had just made his move when he was blasted out by a force. A splatter! An arm flew through the air. The intense pain twisted Ning Fu''s face instantly. At this moment. He finally saw clearly; a young man holding a blade slowly entered the hall. "Mr. Gu Qingfeng, please, avenge our True Yang Sect¡ª" The True Yang Sect was nearly annihilated. At this time, other disciples from the Outer Hall of the Gu Family Manor arrived at the site. Seeing the scene inside the great hall, their expressions also turned stunned. Gu Yang said, "Is there a survivor in the True Yang Sect now?" "Reporting to the Young Master, out of the three hundred and sixty-nine members of the True Yang Sect, except for the informant, all have perished," a disciple from the Outer Hall solemnly said. "Clean this up!" Gu Yang took one last look at the scene in the great hall, dropped a remark, and then turned to leave. The incident with the True Yang Sect made him understand more than ever that only by possessing enough power could one survive in these chaotic times. "The strong ruthlessly slaughter the weak!" "In this chaotic era, the moral order has collapsed, just as my father said, the world''s order has indeed decayed!" "Perhaps only by overthrowing this rotten world can a complete order be re-established¡ª" Gu Yang''s eyes gradually became a lot more resolute. ¡ª "Your son ''Gu Yang'' has slain a martial artist of Blood Refining Perfection!" "Your son ''Gu Yang'' has come to a clear understanding of his true heart!" "Your son ''Gu Yang'' has deepened his comprehension of the Domineering Blade strike, his strength ever more refined!" Gu Qingfeng had just finished observing the True Intent Map, and the depletion of his mental power made him take a short rest. Therefore, he instinctively opened the information panel, wanting to see if there were any new updates. After all, the information panel would update every now and then, so it wouldn''t hurt to check it more frequently. However, this time, when he opened the information panel, Gu Qingfeng was taken aback by the refreshed information. Blood Refining Perfection? Had his son really become so audacious? Even Gu Qingfeng had not expected that Gu Yang could truly slay a martial artist at the Blood Refining Perfection level. However, compared to this matter, Gu Qingfeng was more curious about the identity of the Blood Refining Perfection martial artist that Gu Yang had slain, and what conflict had arisen between them. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng was not about to just sit idly by; he directly ordered his subordinates to trace Gu Yang''s movements and, in passing, to bring the other party to him. Before long, Gu Qingfeng held an intelligence report in his hand that explicitly contained news regarding the True Yang Sect. Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Gone Crazy Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Gone Crazy "Child pays respect to Father, please punish me!" In the hall, Gu Yang knelt on one knee, bowing his head and clasping his fists. Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained unchanged, "Why would your father blame you?" "Son has slain a True Inheritor of the Red Sun Sect, which may bring trouble for Gu Family Manor, so I specifically ask for Father''s punishment!" "As I understand, the annihilation of the True Yang Sect was due to the acts of the True Inheritor of the Red Flame Sect. By killing him, you have defended the dignity of our Gu Family Manor. Your actions are meritorious without fault!" Looking at Gu Yang kneeling on the ground, Gu Qingfeng gave a faint smile. "Alright, you may rise." "Thank you, Father!" Only then did Gu Yang stand up. Gu Qingfeng spoke, "Father has told you, anyone who dares to interfere in White Stone Dao, you may deal with them freely." "Though the Red Flame Sect has decent strength, they are not allowed to run amok in White Stone Dao." "Just a True Inheritor, having killed him means just that, but your strength still needs to improve a bit more. Though you have the help of Domineering Blade in the Initial Stage of Blood Refining, if you come across a true powerhouse, you may still struggle to be a real match!" Gu Qingfeng admonished a few words. Gu Yang, of course, bowed his head and obeyed. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng waved his hand to dismiss him, then called for Gu Peng to lead the Outer Hall disciples to pay more attention to the movements of the Red Flame Sect. In front of Gu Yang, Gu Qingfeng might have shown that he did not care about the Red Flame Sect. However, the Red Flame Sect was a sect stronger than the Green Sun Sect. Comparable even to a thousand-year family like the Zhuo Family, the Red Flame Sect was no lesser. Such a sect. Naturally, Gu Qingfeng would not truly ignore it. With the heritage of the Red Flame Sect, there must certainly be Spirit-controlling Realm magicians within; whether there were Refining Organ martial artists was yet unknown. "The top of the Spirit-controlling Realm can contend with true masters, but it is uncertain if the Red Flame Sect even has such a level of Spirit-controlling Realm magicians." "In the entire Taishan County, those truly capable of reaching the master level are very few. And with my current strength, as long as no master emerges, I am capable of fighting!" Gu Qingfeng''s gaze grew cold, a strong Blade Intent emerging from his being, both domineering and filled with immense slaughter. Now he. Had preliminarily understood the existence of True Intent. Within the same Refining Organ Realm, whether or not one has grasped Blade Intent is a different concept altogether. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng continued to delve into the True Intent Map and cultivate his own martial arts. Now he. Wanted to bolster his strength as much as possible. While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, he also frequently checked the information panel for changes. ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has slain a Mid-level Blood Refining martial artist!" wherever placed, was extremely precious. Should Evil Refining enter the body, one would definitely become a powerful Magician. However¡ª what truly enraged Wen Jiao wasn''t Ning Fu''s demise or the fact that the Red Flame Peak would lack a top-notch fighter one day. Rather, it was that Ning Fu''s death rendered all of his years of nurturing a complete waste, even affecting his own subsequent cultivation. So, at this moment, Wen Jiao could no longer sit still. He decided to take action. To blood cleanse the Gu Family Manor. Since Ning Fu was gone, Wen Jiao decided to make the people of the Gu Family Manor pay with their lives. Immediately, Wen Jiao left the Red Flame Peak, heading towards the direction of White Stone Dao. As he left the sect, the corresponding news also reached the ears of other powerhouses in the Red Flame Sect. Regarding this, these people slightly shook their heads, their faces showing a trace of pity. "This time, Gu Family Manor is probably going to be finished!" "With Peak Master Wen''s temper, it''s not just Gu Family Manor that will suffer, other forces in White Stone Dao will probably face big trouble too." "Humph, just a few ants; dead will be dead." "Even though that''s true, I fear it might cause some trouble from the court¡ª" "The court itself is barely managing; our sect hasn''t interfered alongside the rebel army, which has already been giving plenty of face to the Taixuan Dynasty. Now, with just a few ants dying, I reckon the court wouldn''t dare say half a word against it. Otherwise, if our sects ally with the rebel army, Guangyang Prefecture would fall in an instant." In the eyes of the other strong members of the Red Flame Sect, with Wen Jiao taking action personally, White Stone Dao was destined to witness rivers of blood. The Gu Family Manor was to be exterminated. Other forces would also be implicated. But as for the life and death of mere ants, why would they care? At this moment, the focus of the Red Flame Sect was more on Taishan Road. A mere White Stone Dao was insignificant compared to Taishan Road. If they could secure Taishan Road, that would be the real grand opportunity. However, the many forces currently crowded in Taishan Road made it not so easy for the Red Flame Sect to suppress other forces and seize the sovereignty of Taishan Road. Hence, regarding Wen Jiao''s actions, the Red Flame Sect did not pay much attention. ¡ª PS: There''s something urgent today, I''ll post one chapter now, and another later! Chapter 78: Chapter 78: The Lungs are Cultivated, Breathing like Thunder! Chapter 78: Chapter 78: The Lungs are Cultivated, Breathing like Thunder! "Your progeny ''Gu Yang'' has had an epiphany during combat and has broken through to the mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm!" "Reward Upgrade Points *30!" "Reward Bone Refining Pill *40!" "Reward Marrow Cleansing Pill *10!" "Reward the secret technique ''Blade Nourishing Skills''!" ... Gu Qingfeng was originally contemplating the True Intent Map of a Master, when suddenly the notifications on his attribute panel grabbed his attention, and his expression shifted slightly. "Yang''er has broken through!" Gu Qingfeng felt somewhat surprised by Gu Yang''s breakthrough, yet it seemed to him within the bounds of reason. During this period, Gu Yang had been fighting like a madman on the White Stone Dao. He had slain all invading enemies with his blade, and amid such life-or-death trials, it was natural for one''s Martial Arts to advance greatly. Therefore, It was only normal that Gu Yang had achieved a breakthrough. Shortly after, Gu Qingfeng cast a glance over his own attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 36/200 Realm: Refining Organ First Level Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable Level 1), Iron Body Skills (Body as hard as iron Level 1), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Perfection), Iron Leg Skill (Perfection), Iron Refining Finger (Perfection), Fiery Sun Divine Palm (Fierce Sun Palm Force Level 4), Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Hundred Refinement Golden Body (Golden Body Unbreakable Level 9), Seven Killings Blade Skills (Slaughter True Intent Level 2), Heavenly Gang Dominator Body (Protective Gang Qi Level 4), Heavenly Gang Divine Body (Undying Divine Body Level 1), Green Sun Skills (second layer Small Success, Pure Yang Qi Blood Level 1), Five Internal Organs Scripture (First Level, Five Organs Like God Level 1), Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 30 ... In recent days, Gu Qingfeng had continually been cultivating the Green Sun Skills and the Five Internal Organs Scripture. The former needs no further mention. As for the latter, this kind of Refining Organ Martial Arts is also different from ordinary Martial Arts. The Five Internal Organs Scripture is divided into five layers, and to begin its cultivation, one must have achieved Perfect Marrow Cleansing. It''s quite straightforward. Simply because, the methods of cultivation before Refining Organ are not even recorded in the Five Internal Organs Scripture. And next, The Five Internal Organs Scripture is also distinct from other Martial Arts. Although it''s divided into five layers, there is no distinction of Small Success or Great Success ¨C each refinement of an organ allows one to step into a new layer. When the five organs are refined, The Five Internal Organs Scripture can reach Perfection. Since Gu Qingfeng had long ago refined his heart, the cultivation of the Five Internal Organs Scripture was easy for him, and he easily stepped into the first level. And when the first level of the Five Internal Organs Scripture was cultivated, Gu Qingfeng could feel that his heart seemed to have undergone some subtle changes, becoming stronger than before. Unfortunately, While the first level of the Five Internal Organs Scripture is easy to cultivate, Gu Qingfeng had, up to this point, not even touched the threshold of the second level. It can''t be helped. One level corresponds to one organ. The strength of a martial artist fundamentally relies on bit by bit accumulation. Even if a single martial art could only increase strength by one percent, then a thousand martial arts combined could lead to an altogether astonishing level of enhancement. Quantitative change. Would ultimately lead to a qualitative change. "Sigh!" "What a pity, just short on upgrade points, otherwise I could even raise Green Sun Skills to the sixth layer!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the remaining four upgrade points and slightly shook his head. To improve in the Blood Refining Realm required two points. To move up in the Bone Refining Realm already needed five points. Further on. Marrow Cleansing required ten upgrade points, while Refining Organ needed twenty points. However, compared to the upgrade points needed for Breakthrough, the consumption of normally advancing the ranks of martial arts was obviously much less. After all, originally breaking through the Heavenly Gang Divine Body to the Refining Organ First Level required forty upgrade points, and breaking through to the Refining Organ Second Level would even need eighty upgrade points. By comparison. If one had complete Refining Organ martial arts to support them, then progressing from Perfect Marrow Cleansing to Perfect Refining Organ would, at most, just need a hundred upgrade points. But. Gu Qingfeng did not regret having wasted upgrade points for his Breakthrough. Had he not broken through to the Refining Organ Realm, he might not have been able to intimidate the people from the Evil Suppression Bureau. Therefore. Rather than holding onto something, it was more useful to immediately transform it into strength. Following that. When Gu Qingfeng looked at the True Intent Map of the Master again, various flashes of inspiration appeared in his mind, and the image of the Mountain Splitting Slash was once again vividly presented before his eyes. Many insights surged forth at this moment. Past accumulations, at this moment, truly completed the final step of transformation. After a long while. Gu Qingfeng withdrew his gaze from the True Intent Map of the Master, a smile appearing on his face. "Domineering Blade Slash!" "So this is the Domineering Blade Slash!" "This is indeed a double blessing!!" This time not only did his cultivation break through, but he also fortuitously seized an epiphany in the subtleties, directly comprehending a complete Domineering Blade Slash. It was only at this moment. That Gu Qingfeng truly understood the power of a Master''s ultimate skill. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng looked at his attribute panel. On it was now clearly the information related to the Domineering Blade Slash. ... Domineering Blade Slash (Beginner, Domineering Blade True Intent level six)! ... Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Blade Nourishing Skills Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Blade Nourishing Skills "Domineering Blade True Intent Level Six!" A cold light suddenly flashed in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. Instantly, he began to urge the Domineering Blade True Intent, directly assaulting the Master True Intent, stirring the hidden Master True Intent within. "Boom¡ª" The two collided. Gu Qingfeng''s Level Six Domineering Blade True Intent shattered with a loud crash. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng already understood in his heart. "Level Six of the Domineering Blade True Intent is merely the threshold of the Master True Intent, but compared to the Master True Intent in the portrait before me, it is still far inferior!" According to the Zhuo Family, The Master True Intent here was left by a warrior close to that of a Great Grandmaster. Such True Intent from a powerful being is naturally incomparable to his own current level. However, Gu Qingfeng could distinctly feel that the True Intent contained in the True Intent Map now was much weaker than before. It was evident, The True Intent here was not an eternal and undying existence. As time passed, and whenever someone reflected upon it, the True Intent power contained within was passively consumed. "True Intent Level Six is required to step into the threshold of a Master!" "Only by mastering Level Six or above True Intent can one truly be called a Little Master!" "Level Two Slaughter True Intent is powerful, but in front of Level Six True Intent, it is much more than just a single tier of difference¡ª" Gu Qingfeng clenched his fists tightly, and the information about the Domineering Blade strike clearly displayed in his mind, one by one. It could be said, By comprehending the Domineering Blade strike, Gu Qingfeng could truly claim the title of Little Master. Once his own cultivation level also stepped into the Master tier, only then could he be regarded as a true Master warrior. This time, Although Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation level had not broken through, with the true Domineering Blade strike in his mastery, his strength had directly doubled. Such an effect was far more profound than breaking through to the second realm of Refining Organ. After all, with the Domineering Blade strike, Gu Qingfeng had the confidence to instantly kill his past self. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng turned his attention to other matters. Blood Refining Pills and Bone Refining Pills went without saying, these were old friends. And then, it was the Marrow Cleansing Pill. ... After half a day''s effort, Gu Qingfeng had committed all the knowledge of the Blade Nourishing Skills to memory and then proceeded to retrieve the Evil Slayer Blade. Unsheathing the long blade, its slightly yellow steel shimmered with a cold light. Gu Qingfeng focused and held his breath, recalling the elements of Blade Nourishing Skills, and then used the long blade to cut his finger, allowing fresh blood to flow from the wound. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng concentrated entirely, with blood as his ink, he intricately etched mysterious patterns onto the blade. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also needed to constantly evoke the True Intent to awaken the blade''s spirit, thereby accelerating the nourishment of the blade. Only by doing so, could it be regarded as true Blade Nourishing Skills. Otherwise, mere blood nourishment did not constitute true Blade Nourishing and would not be largely effective. When Gu Qingfeng finished the final stroke, a faint luminescence enveloped the blade, and all the blood eerily seeped into the sword slowly, disappearing in moments. Observing the Evil Slayer Blade again, the blade which was formerly yellowish now bore an imperceptible tinge of blood, adding a somewhat sinister aura to it. "This time, I have completed the first blade nourishment!" Gu Qingfeng''s gaze landed on the Evil Slayer Blade, and upon completing the first nourishment, he felt like he was already sensing a faint connection with the Evil Slayer Blade. But this connection was very feeble and not so readily noticeable. Which was normal. The Blade Nourishing Skills were not to be achieved overnight. As time went on and nourishment continued, the results would naturally become evident. ... The next day, Gu Qingfeng met Gu Yang. After advancing to the mid-level of Blood Refining, Gu Yang''s aura had become increasingly formidable, but more importantly, there was a subtle murderous aura about him. This was a change brought about by excessive killing. "Have you killed many people these past days?" Gu Qingfeng took a sip from his teacup, then set his gaze upon Gu Yang. Gu Yang nodded and said, "These people have caused chaos in the White Stone Dao and disregarded the reputation of the Gu Family Manor, wantonly slaughtering many. As their son, I must suppress them with iron-blooded measures. Otherwise, if these people are allowed to continue their vicious acts, the White Stone Dao will inevitably fall into extreme disorder!" When these words were spoken, the murderous intent on Gu Yang''s body became even more apparent. Gu Qingfeng watched him for a few breaths and then slightly nodded. "Mhm, these people deserved to be slain. Just be careful not to let the slaughter cloud your true nature, as it would be of no benefit to your cultivation." "I understand that well enough!" Gu Yang''s expression turned solemn, his face set with determination. "Just as Father said, the order of this world is rotten to the core. Although the Gu Family Manor cannot govern the entire world, we can govern the White Stone Dao. To re-establish order in the White Stone Dao, we must stop slaughter with slaughter!" Chapter 80: Chapter 80: The Flawless Body Chapter 80: Chapter 80: The Flawless Body When he spoke of stopping killing with killing, Gu Qingfeng could sense that the murderous intent emanating from Gu Yang had intensified substantially. "Stopping killing with killing!" "What you say is not without merit." Gu Qingfeng nodded. Gu Yang had a strong penchant for killing, yet he was not addicted to bloodshed; in the current chaotic world, excessive compassion proved to be the most fatal. If one harbored murderous intentions, it was not necessarily a bad thing. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng did not continue to advise anything further, instead letting Gu Yang go down to cultivate diligently and to keep an eye on the activities in the Martial World. If there was any problem he could not solve, he could report to him immediately. To this, Gu Yang naturally nodded in agreement and then bowed and withdrew. Not long after Gu Yang left, Xu Yulan came walking slowly, her already beautiful face now seemed to have gained additional charm with the progress in her cultivation. "Yang''er seems to have a bit too much murderous intent!" Xu Yulan approached Gu Qingfeng and spoke softly. Gu Qingfeng glanced at her and then shook his head with a faint smile, "A heavy murderous intent isn''t an issue, the chaotic world isn''t a peaceful era; just as Yang''er said, in this world, we can only stop killing with killing!" Upon hearing this, Xu Yulan also slightly nodded her head. "My lord speaks truly, but Yang''er''s cultivation is still weak; if he encounters some stronger foes, I''m afraid it could be troublesome. My lord''s status is important and he cannot easily make a move, perhaps I should intervene?" Currently, she was self-training in the realm of Iron Bone. Although she had not truly reached the Iron Bone Perfection to enter into the Bone Refining Realm, she was seemingly half-step into the Bone Refining Realm. Gu Qingfeng said, "You have stepped into the half-step Bone Refining Realm, but you might not necessarily be a match for Yang''er. He has recently slain a true Bone Refining Realm martial artist. Yang''er''s current cultivation, once he makes another breakthrough, ordinary Bone Refining Realm fighters could hardly pose a threat to him." "Slain a Bone Refining Realm!" Xu Yulan was shocked. She had not anticipated that Gu Yang''s strength had reached such a formidable degree. During these days, Xu Yulan just knew that there was some disorder in White Stone Dao, and Gu Yang was leading the disciples of Gu Family Manor to suppress the disturbances, which is why she came forward, wanting to also contribute. Having received the help of the Breakthrough Pill, Xu Yulan considered her strength to be formidable. But now that Gu Yang could already slay Bone Refining Realm martial artists, her half-step Bone Refining Realm seemed somewhat insufficient. Gu Qingfeng had only heard of it so far, never having truly encountered one. Following the breakthrough into the Second Realm of Refining Organ, Gu Qingfeng found that his cultivation of Green Sun Skills seemed to have sped up significantly. The Green Sun Skills, which had already stepped into Small Success of the Fifth Layer, broke through to Great Success in just a few days. With this pace, stepping into the Sixth Layer wouldn''t take much time either. Unfortunately, in terms of the cultivation of the Five Internal Organs Scripture, Gu Qingfeng still didn''t achieve much. The breakthrough into the Third Realm of Refining Organ remained elusive. Thus, Gu Qingfeng even tried to comprehend the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual, hoping to find a way to break through to the Third Realm of Refining Organ. Since Gu Qingfeng was already at the Second Realm of Refining Organ, cultivating the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual proved much easier. In just a few days, he had successfully cultivated the First Level of the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual. From this, Gu Qingfeng also spotted another issue. That is, although the supreme teachings of Refining Organ are difficult to start, once one gets past the beginner stage, cultivating martial arts of the same level and covering the previously trodden path much reduces the difficulty, bringing it down to almost zero. Whether it was the original Five Internal Organs Scripture or the current Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual, it was all the same. Unfortunately, in some ways, the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual closely resembled the Five Internal Organs Scripture, and even successfully cultivating the first two levels didn''t bring much change to his own strength. "It seems the Five Internal Organs Scripture indeed ranks among the top Refining Organ supreme teachings. The organs tempered by this martial art have almost reached a state of Perfection." "Because the organs are perfect, that''s why cultivating the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual brought little enhancement." "The previous cultivation of other martial arts could enhance vigor and cause physical changes because these martial arts weren''t truly flawless, and the human body hadn''t been fully developed to its utmost." "If a Martial Artist''s body were truly developed to the utmost and every step were tempered to Perfection, then lower-ranked martial arts, no matter how much accumulated, would be useless!" From his experience with the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual, Gu Qingfeng gained some new insights into the past martial arts. Now, him, His body hadn''t yet reached the truly perfect state. Only by melting together various martial arts and continuously solidifying his foundation could he reach true flawlessness. At that time, Gu Qingfeng believed his strength could trigger what is called a qualitative change. "Soon!" "With my current pace, I believe it won''t be long until my body is flawlessly whole!" Chapter 81: Chapter 81 Divine Evil Sect Chapter 81: Chapter 81 Divine Evil Sect "Or perhaps," "I should meld the Martial Arts of a hundred families and create a truly perfect Martial Art of my own!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes suddenly sparkled. Throughout history, no Martial Art was conjured from thin air; they were all created by predecessors. Since predecessors could create, why couldn''t he? "In this world, Martial Arts are weak, and Magicians are revered, so the Martial Arts of this realm all have their flaws and cannot achieve true perfection. Even something as powerful as the Five Internal Organs Scripture is not truly perfect. If the Five Internal Organs Scripture were flawless, then the cultivation of the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual wouldn''t bring about any change at all!" Of course, more importantly, it was because the Martial Arts of this realm were incomplete. For ordinary people, reaching the level of a Master was the limit, and a Great Grandmaster would emerge only once in a century. If one day he himself aspired to become a Master or Great Grandmaster, he would always have to forge his own path ahead. If he relied solely on Upgrade Points for Breakthrough, the consumption would be too great; if he could create his own Martial Arts, it would naturally save a lot of loss. However¡ª there was another reason. It was the thought that Gu Qingfeng also harbored of revitalizing the Martial Arts of this realm. "They all say that Martial Artists are inferior to Magicians!" "But I, Gu Qingfeng, simply don''t believe it..." Gu Qingfeng''s expression became resolute. But to truly create such Martial Arts, one must really meld a hundred scriptures. Only if oneself is flawless, can one create truly flawless Martial Arts. But now, Gu Qingfeng had not yet reached that truly flawless step. ¡ª Night fell. The ancient city lost some of its daytime bustle. But just then, suddenly fire surged into the sky, a fierce light split the night, and with loud battle cries, it completely shattered the calm that the ancient city should have. "Skyhawk Gang, Vermilion Bird Gang, you dare to attack my Divine Evil Sect, seeking death!" Within the Divine Evil Sect, the Sect Leader Luo Yi, his face filled with anger, spoke as his huge hand, like a fan, struck out, instantly crushing a Blood Refining Realm Martial Artist from the Skyhawk Gang to death right there on the spot. Just then, two powerful currents of air attacked, making Luo Yi''s expression stern; he struck out with both hands as quick as lightning, colliding fiercely with the attackers. Three forces clashed. neither Yan Xiong nor Dugu Jin would be confident in defeating Luo Yi. Among those of the same mid-level Bone Refining, there were also strengths and weaknesses. But now that the two of them teamed up, the situation was different. "Kill!" "Kill Luo Yi first, then annihilate the Divine Evil Sect!" The two exchanged a glance and then split to the left and right to encircle Luo Yi. ¡ª Three days later. Gu Peng arrived. "Reporting to the manor master, there''s news from Taishan Road!" "Bring it here." Gu Qingfeng ingested a strand of Great Sun Yang Qi before turning to look at Gu Peng, who respectfully handed over a letter sealed with the stamp of Gu Family Manor. Originally, all guards of the Gu Family were integrated into the Outer Hall and became disciples of Gu Family Manor. Then, Gu Qingfeng let Gu Peng select some particularly loyal individuals to focus on nurturing and implant them in various places in Guangyang Prefecture to gather intelligence. Breaking the seal, Gu Qingfeng pulled out the letter from inside. On the yellowed paper recorded the news from Taishan Road. "Sect Leader of the Divine Evil Sect¡ª" "This man is truly extraordinary!" The letter mentioned that the Skyhawk Gang and the Vermilion Bird Gang had joined forces to attack the Divine Evil Sect three days ago. However, the Sect Leader of the Divine Evil Sect, despite getting heavily injured, killed the leaders of both gangs and completely suppressed the situation. The Sect Leader of the Divine Evil Sect, Luo Yi, with mid-level Bone Refining cultivation. Both of the other gang leaders had the same level of cultivation. Even so, they were no match for Luo Yi. It clearly showed that the foundation and reserves of the Divine Evil Sect''s Sect Leader were indeed profound. "Now that the Skyhawk Gang and the Vermilion Bird Gang have been annihilated, according to the rules, both the Shangguan Family and the Red Flame Sect should also be stepping down, right?" As Gu Qingfeng spoke, his palm''s blood qi erupted, instantly shattering the paper. Since recently, various ancient, noble clans and sects had directly clashed, each suffering losses of strong fighters, then mutually established rules to mainly support a local force against each other. The victor could then control Taishan Road. This was also to minimize their losses. After all, if they really broke their heads over Taishan Road, and both ended up injured, no one would benefit. Gu Peng said, "At the moment, it looks like the Zhuo Family supported Divine Evil Sect has a not-so-small chance of winning, but if the other forces team up, the Zhuo Family might not be able to hold." "Hold or not, we shall watch and see," Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly with his hands behind his back. "Besides, other defeated sects and noble clans might not necessarily abide by the rules. If someone flips the table, that would be interesting..." Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Slash! Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Slash! Sword Casting Sect. The bustle of yesteryears had now turned deathly silent. Most disciples were not only drained of their vitality but also had their heads bore with ghastly holes, as if their brains had been devoured completely. On their rigid faces, one could see an indescribable terror. Inside the Sword Casting Sect''s main hall, Sect Leader Shi Kai knelt before someone, his face all obsequious and ingratiating. Beside him, the bodies of numerous Sword Casting Sect experts lay on the ground. "Speak, tell me all the information you have about Gu Family Manor!" Wen Jiao glanced at the man below and spoke indifferently. Upon hearing this, Shi Kai trembled slightly, then hurriedly relayed all the information about Gu Family Manor. At last, Shi Kai frantically kowtowed, "Please, senior, give me a chance. Even if I have to be your ox or horse, I am willing!" "To be an ox or a horse?" Wen Jiao scoffed with disdain, "A mere Blood Refining Realm martial artist is not even qualified to serve as a dog for this old man." With those words, Wen Jiao flicked his fingertips, releasing a sharp gust of wind that instantly pierced through Shi Kai''s head, white brain matter oozing out. The latter''s body fell to the ground, twitching slightly, going silent in a matter of moments. Following that, Wen Jiao opened his mouth and inhaled, all the vitality and brain matter from Shi Kai''s body were wholly absorbed into his belly. "The taste of a Blood Refining Realm''s brain matter is, after all, lacking!" Wen Jiao murmured. "According to this man, the manor master of Gu Family Manor should be a Marrow Cleansing Realm expert!" "However ¡ª a Marrow Cleansing Realm master is unlikely to make the Evil Suppression Bureau and the Zhuo Family concede!" Wen Jiao''s eyes were cold as a sinister and eerie smile spread across his face. It''s highly likely that the one who could compel the Evil Suppression Bureau and the Zhuo Family to step aside has already stepped into the Refining Organ Realm. Only Refining Organ martial artists can truly gain some significance. The millennia-old family sects all have powerful Spirit-controlling Realm magicians in residence, and it is only the Refining Organ martial artists who are regarded somewhat highly. However, Wen Jiao was not concerned. So what if it was Refining Organ. Even without Refining Evil within him, he was already a Refining Organ martial artist. Now, having incorporated Refining Evil, he had already broken through the Spirit-controlling Realm for many years. Over these years, Wen Jiao had done more than just kill one or two Refining Organ martial artists. Starting with Sword Casting Sect this time was to understand the strength of Gu Family Manor from the sidelines to ensure that nothing would go awry. After all, caution is the parent of safety. Outside Gu Family Manor. Wen Jiao stood with his hands behind his back, surrounded by numerous corpses lying around, all of them drained of their qi, blood, and brains. The Outer Hall stewards looked towards him with eyes filled with terror, and their bodies trembled violently. Draining qi, blood and brains! Such methods were certainly not something a normal person could possess. Especially the scorching heat and the eerie, cold aura emanating from Wen Jiao, as well as the fresh blood on the corner of his mouth, made him look like an evil spirit descending into the world, utterly ferocious and terrifying. Suddenly, An explosive torrent of terrifying qi and blood burst forth. A figure shot forward like a cannonball, unleashing a palm strike filled with overwhelming force that detonated the air around it. Wen Jiao''s eyebrows raised as he struck out with a palm of his own. The two palms collided, An enormous force surged, sending the latter involuntarily retreating several steps back. At this time, He finally saw clearly that in front of Gu Family Manor, a figure in green clothes had silently appeared. "So you are Gu Qingfeng!" Wen Jiao licked the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, the formidable qi and blood strength of his opponent both shocking him and arousing an unprecedented fierce craving. "Rich and mighty qi and blood, you''ve indeed stepped into the Refining Organ Realm, no wonder you have the confidence to kill disciples of my Red Flame Sect!" On the other side, Gu Qingfeng coldly eyed the corpses on the ground, then turned his gaze back to the person in front of him. "You''re from the Red Flame Sect?" "Leave your name so that even in death, I will know who I have slain!" As soon as these words were uttered, Wen Jiao immediately burst into an angry laugh. "Youngster, listen well, I am the Peak Master of Red Flame Peak, Wen Jiao. When you go down to Netherworld after death, don''t forget who killed you¡ª" Before he finished speaking, Wen Jiao had already appeared abruptly, moving with ghost-like swiftness, the intertwining cold and scorching aura twisting the air around him, as if unable to withstand such forces. "Blade!" Gu Qingfeng stretched out his hand, and Gu Peng behind him hurled the Evil Slayer Blade to him; the former grasped the hilt, and the long blade was unsheathed in an instant. With the blade in hand, Gu Qingfeng''s aura transformed. His qi and blood flowed into the blade, emanating a domineering and chillingly austere blade intent that soared into the sky. "Slash!" Gu Qingfeng uttered a single word as the Evil Slayer Blade came sweeping down, enveloped in a sky-cleaving force. ¡ª PS: Brothers, I''m asking for a monthly vote!!! Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Half-Step Master Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Half-Step Master Master''s ultimate skill! Domineering Blade strikes¡ª Faced with such an intensely terrifying Blade Intent, Wen Jiao felt as if his very blood, spirit, and soul had been frozen solid, followed immediately by the harsh gleam of a blade entering his field of vision. Before this stroke of the blade, all forms of strength were rendered utterly meaningless. The Domineering Blade cleaved through waves like it was splitting the heavens and Earth, and ferociously fell upon Wen Jiao''s body. The light of the blade flashed and was gone in an instant. Wen Jiao''s body abruptly became still where he stood. Shock and disbelief filled his eyes as he looked on. "Master''s True Intent¡ªyou''ve actually comprehended the Master''s True Intent, you''re a half-step Master!!" As Wen Jiao''s words fell, blood stains appeared on the eyebrows of the other person, and in the blink of an eye, they had spread across his entire body. And with the next breath, his body split in two, with copious amounts of blood and organs spilling onto the ground. The Peak Master of Red Flame Peak had met his end right then and there. Immediately afterward, a terrifyingly sinister and cold breath burst forth from Wen Jiao''s corpse as an evil spirit, dark green and black like a baby, crawled out from the remains, akin to a true demon emerging from the depths of hell. However, before the evil spirit could make a move, Gu Qingfeng swung his blade and pinned the creature to the ground. Burning with intensely hot vitality, blood force was integrated into the Evil Slayer Blade. It collided with the frigid force of the evil spirit, like water poured into hot oil, and exploded with a violent thrashing sound. "Screeeeech!!" The evil spirit struggled and twisted violently, emitting screams unlike any human sound, causing the complexions of all the disciples of the Gu Family Manor to drastically change. With one blade, Gu Qingfeng suppressed the evil spirit and said to Gu Yang, who had come behind him, in a deep voice, "Yang''er, go to the Demon Suppression Prison this instant and bring back a Golden Coffin!" "Yes!" Upon hearing the command, Gu Yang immediately turned and entered the Gu Family Manor. It wasn''t long before, he returned, carrying a Golden Coffin. With one palm, Gu Qingfeng forced open the lid of the coffin, then using his long blade to hoist the evil spirit, he threw it into the coffin with the speed of lightning. Only after that did he seal the lid once again, completely sealing it inside. As iron chains were wrapped around it, the shaking of the Golden Coffin died down significantly. "Carry it into the Demon Suppression Prison!" Gu Qingfeng said flatly, then turned his gaze back onto the corpse of Wen Jiao. After that, Gu Qingfeng found two thin Secret Manuals on him. One was a Cultivation Technique for Magicians called Evil Refining Entering the Body, and the other was the Martial Arts of Red Flame Peak. Having done this, Gu Qingfeng said to Gu Peng behind him, "Stitch this man''s body back together, then hang it at the east gate of White Stone City as a warning to the whole world!" "Understood, manor master!" With Gu Qingfeng slaying him with a single blade, the news once spread would be enough to shock all quarters. Thus. Other forces would think twice before meddling with the Gu Family Manor or laying their hands on White Stone Dao. After all¡ª Before they make a move. They must at least consider whether they could withstand that single blade. "Wen Jiao, originally a Martial Artist of the Refining Organ Realm with years of Evil Refining within his body, had also long since broken through to the Spirit-controlling Realm, such foundation of strength was not only formidable within the Red Flame Sect but also recognized throughout the entire Guangyang Prefecture as an illustrious and powerful figure. This means, my current strength, even facing the top figures of the Spirit-controlling Realm head-on, is not without the capital to fight!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes were profound. A half-step Master! He thought of Wen Jiao''s words before his death. Initially. Gu Qingfeng believed that only a Refining Organ Martial Artist who understood True Intent could truly be called a Little Master. But now it seemed, the world did not share this view. Refining Organ itself qualified one as a Little Master. If one comprehended True Intent, they could be regarded as a half-step Master. Above a half-step Master. Lies the realm of true Master powerhouses. With this thought settled. Gu Qingfeng then turned his gaze back to the two secret manuals before him. Refining God True Skills! Red Flame Divine Skill! ¡ª¡ª Among them. Refining God True Skills was a secret technique for infusing Evil Refining into one''s body, and from this, Gu Qingfeng also understood the true nature of the Evil Spirit that Wen Jiao harbored. Brain Gu! A predator of living spirits and brain marrow! This Refining God True Skills focused on the physical body bearing the Brain Gu. Among the three Evil Refining techniques, Refining God True Skills was the most powerful. Simply because, whether it was the Spirit Summoning Treasure Skills or the Longevity Dao Scripture recorded before, the techniques written for refining Evil Refining were only methods for bearing Bone Refining and similar spirits. For instance, while the Longevity Dao Scripture could host a Shadow Demon, facing a Shadow Demon on par with Marrow Cleansing, relying on the methods of the Longevity Dao Scripture would most likely end in failure. But Refining God True Skills was different. This technique for Magicians was a top-ranking secret manual capable of bearing Refining Organ Realm Evil Spirits. With this alone, it surpassed the previous two manuals. Chapter 84: Chapter 84 Domineering Blade Chapter 84: Chapter 84 Domineering Blade Refining Organ Evil Spirit. It was almost at the top of Disaster-Level Evil Spirits. The most powerful of Disaster-Level Evil Spirits is capable of challenging a Master. But an evil spirit capable of matching Refining Organs is also considered extremely powerful. As for further above, Disaster-Level Evil Spirits. These are the ones that can manifest prohibited areas. Just as Jiang Qin had said, only the legendary Great Grandmasters can confront Disaster-Level Evil Spirits. However, throughout history, it has been rare for a Great Grandmaster to appear even once in a hundred years. From this, one can see once again that the upper limit of martial arts in this world is indeed not high. Now, the top powerhouse publicly known, capable of dealing with powerful Disaster-Level Evil Spirits, is almost at their limit. It''s nearly impossible to contend against Disaster-Level. Only Magicians can truly master such a level of powerful forces. However, Gu Qingfeng''s martial heart remained steadfast. Following that, it was the Red Flame Divine Skill. When Gu Qingfeng meticulously pondered this martial art for a long time, his eyes showed a hint of emotion. "Red Flame Divine Skill!" "The creator of this technique must be extraordinary-" Without a doubt. This was a technique that directly pointed to the ultimate state of Refining Organ Realm. Unlike the Five Internal Organs Scripture, the Red Flame Divine Skill was not just a technique for the Refining Organ stage, but started from Refining Skin, and then went on to Blood Refining, Bone Refining, Marrow Cleansing, and Refining Organs, forming a complete system. This ultimate technique was divided into nine layers. The first four layers correspond to Refining Skin and Marrow Cleansing. The last five layers correspond to the Refining Organ Realms. At Nine Layer Perfection, one could achieve great success in Divine Skill. In the final records of the Red Flame Divine Skill, theoretically, there exists a tenth layer, where Divine Skill forms True Qi naturally. At that time, a martial artist could directly become an Innate Grandmaster. Unfortunately, the creator of the Red Flame Divine Skill had a realization only as they neared the end of their life. Despite achieving Nine Layer Perfection, they did not reach the step where True Qi forms naturally. Thus, strictly speaking, Being treated as nonentities is one thing. Acting against us is another. A dying camel is still bigger than a horse. Should it really come to tearing each other apart, it would be easy for the court to suppress the Red Flame Sect. So. Mu Qing was not at all afraid of the Red Flame Sect blaming him. "And furthermore¡ª" "The Gu Family Manor has been suppressing unrest in various places, bringing rare stability to White Stone City. If we were to take down Wen Jiao''s body, that might just offend the Gu Family Manor. So, let the matters of the Martial World be settled by its own people. As for us, there''s no need to interfere too much." Mu Qing picked up his teacup and took a sip, speaking leisurely. Now, he had completely laid back, as long as no major chaos broke out. Other magician sects and noble families are brutal, often slaughtering the common people, causing widespread indignation and anger across the lands, but powers purely made of martial artists like Gu Family Manor don''t have so many issues. Moreover, Mu Qing had been observing the actions of the Gu Family Manor during this period. Suppressing unrest! That''s the difference between having a powerful Martial World power keeping watch and not having one. Mu Qing originally noticed Gu Qingfeng''s potential and had provided many conveniences to the original Gu Family''s actions, and now he was also courteous in many aspects of the Gu Family Manor. Ultimately. The reason lies here. Hearing Mu Qing''s words, the others also nodded in deep agreement. ¡ª While the authorities observed with indifference, the news of Wen Jiao''s death spread throughout Guangyang Prefecture in just a few days. Even beyond Guangyang Prefecture, many forces heard about it. Everyone who heard this news was utterly shocked. To kill Wen Jiao! To kill Wen Jiao in one strike! Those are two completely different concepts. So. For a time. The name of Gu Family Manor, along with the three words "Gu Qingfeng," spread far and wide, especially the latter, reaching a near legendary status in the Martial World. For this. Someone even gave Gu Qingfeng a nickname. That is¡ªDomineering Blade! Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng! And as Gu Qingfeng''s reputation spread. Inside the Red Flame Sect. The atmosphere was extremely oppressive. The expressions on the faces of many sect powerhouses varied unpredictably, showing both shock and unmistakable anger. Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Heart Refining Worm Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Heart Refining Worm "How audacious of the Gu Family to kill a powerhouse of our Red Flame Sect!" "This time, we must completely destroy the Gu Family, slaughtering them all without sparing even the chickens and dogs!" "Kill! The Gu Family must not be left standing¡ª" Inside the sect''s grand hall, the elders of the Red Flame Sect were filled with righteous indignation, their voices heavy with fury. The death of Wen Jiao. It was an absolute slap in the face of the entire Red Flame Sect. Therefore, under such circumstances, many wished they could annihilate the Gu Family to cleanse the disgrace of the Red Flame Sect. At that moment, Peak Master Leiyun spoke somberly, "Sect Master, when Wen Jiao first used the Refining Organ technique in the First Realm to Refining Evil within himself, his strength, which has been consolidated over hundreds of years, had been formidable. Even an ordinary Little Master might not necessarily be his match. Now, there are rumors that Wen Jiao was killed by a single slash; if these rumors are true, then Gu Qingfeng''s strength should not be underestimated." "So¡ª" "In my opinion, why not retrieve Wen Jiao''s corpse first, then reconsider our next moves?" Upon these words. The hall suddenly fell silent. However, It was not long before someone objected. "Peak Master Gai, your words would differ, would they not, if the one deceased had been one of Leiyun Peak? Could you remain as calm as you are now?" Yan Ren''s face was livid, the fire in his eyes unmasked. "Now that it is our Red Flame Peak''s master who has died, not only did Gu Qingfeng kill Peak Master Wen, but he also hung Peak Master Wen''s corpse over White Stone City, completely trampling on the dignity of our Red Flame Sect. Morally and logically, the Gu Family Manor cannot be spared. A mere martial family with shallow foundations, even if Gu Qingfeng''s strength is formidable, how could he ever match our Red Flame Sect!" At this point, Yan Ren bowed deeply to the seated Sect Master of the Red Flame Sect, Ouyang Lie, his voice filled with sorrow. "Please, Sect Master, avenge Peak Master Wen!" "Please, Sect Master, avenge Peak Master Wen¡ª" The rest of the elders from the Red Flame Peak also chimed in unison. Ouyang Lie raised his hand, and the hall instantly quieted, then the Sect Master of the Red Flame Sect slowly began, "Peak Master Wen''s revenge must certainly be sought, but the pressing matter now is to retrieve Peak Master Wen''s corpse." "Why should we pressure the authorities to return Peak Master Wen''s corpse?" An elder suggested. If Gu Qingfeng could kill Wen Jiao, he had the strength to kill him as well. "It seems that Elder Feng''s initial decision was not wrong; Gu Qingfeng is indeed impressive. To be able to slay Wen Jiao with a single strike, his strength must at least have entered the Third Realm of Refining Organ, and possibly even stepped into the Fourth Realm. With such cultivation at his age, the probability of him breaking through to become a Master is very high." Zhuo Xuankong, the Zhuo Family Master, nodded slightly, his expression also becoming somewhat solemn. "Although Martial Artists are not as powerful as Magicians, for Magicians wanting to break through the Spirit-controlling Realm and enter a higher level is anything but easy. A martial artist who potentially could become a future Sect Master is not someone we should offend." "Besides, with Wen Jiao''s demise, the Red Flame Sect is likely to be enraged, which perfectly allows them to wear each other out, benefiting the Zhuo Family''s hold on Taishan Road!" At this point. There was already a faint smile on Zhuo Xuankong''s face. Originally. The Zhuo Family wanting to take over Taishan Road already faced considerable pressure, but now with Gu Qingfeng showing such might, he could attract fire to some extent for the Zhuo Family. In Zhuo Xuankong''s view, it couldn''t be better. Furthermore. The Zhuo Family and the Gu Family Manor had no grievances; on the contrary, there was some goodwill between them. In this way. Even if the Gu Family Manor was powerful, there wasn''t an immediate threat to the Zhuo Family. Another elder nodded in agreement: "Indeed, if this person becomes a Sect Master, having him join our Zhuo Family would certainly add a top-tier powerhouse in the future." "The only fear is that even if he submits to our Zhuo Family in the future, it''s uncertain whether he''ll be truly loyal." Another elder responded indifferently. To this. Zhuo Xuankong reacted indifferently: "That''s not a big issue; our Zhuo Family''s Heart Refining Worm is no trivial matter. Once implanted with the Heart Refining Worm, even if he breaks through above the Spirit-controlling Realm in the future, there''s no way he can escape our Zhuo Family''s control." Upon hearing the words ''Heart Refining Worm'', everyone else looked relieved. Indeed. They had the Heart Refining Worm. And it was because of the Heart Refining Worm that the Zhuo Family could attract many strong fighters from outside to serve the family. With the Heart Refining Worm. Nothing was a problem. Furthermore. The Zhuo Family was also absolutely confident that they could make Gu Qingfeng willingly accept the Heart Refining Worm. "Alright, let''s put aside matters regarding the Gu Family Manor for now, let them clash with the Red Flame Sect. Next, we will fully support the Divine Evil Sect and completely drive the other sects and noble families out." "From now on, there can be only one voice in Taishan Road, and that is the voice of our Zhuo Family!" Zhuo Xuankong''s gaze was domineering, and his voice became much colder. Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Three Hundred Orphans Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Three Hundred Orphans White Stone City. Zhu Ming immediately spotted the body of Wen Jiao hanging from the city gate. Despite being a Martial Artist of the First Realm of Refining Organ and having been exposed to the scorching sun for several days after his death, Wen Jiao''s corpse remained as it initially was. Seeing this, Zhu Ming''s eyes turned slightly cold. Then, under the watchful eyes of the public, he snapped the rope suspending the body with a flick of his fingers, grabbed the falling corpse, and left. This scene caused many people''s expressions to change. At the same time, the news of Wen Jiao''s body being taken away quickly reached the ears of Gu Qingfeng. "Manor master, not long ago, the Peak Master of Green Wood Peak from the Red Flame Sect, Zhu Ming, appeared and took away Wen Jiao''s corpse," reported Gu Peng truthfully in the study. Gu Qingfeng said, "Wen Jiao''s body is no longer of any use. If the Red Flame Sect wants to take it, let them take it. We don''t need to worry too much about it." "This time with a Peak Master from the Red Flame Sect fallen, the sect probably will not just let it go. If the Red Flame Sect attacks, should we be prepared?" Gu Peng looked somewhat solemn. He was very confident in Gu Qingfeng''s strength, but the Red Flame Sect was not an ordinary force. Now that Wen Jiao''s body had been hung at the gate of White Stone City, it was indeed a slap in the face to the Red Flame Sect. "If the Red Flame Sect wanted to attack, they would have done so already. Why wait until now without making a move, just sending someone to take Wen Jiao''s body away." "So there''s no need to worry about the Red Flame Sect for now. The current situation does not necessarily mean they will take action." "Besides... even if the Red Flame Sect really attacks, Gu Family Manor is not without the ability to fight." Gu Qingfeng smiled confidently. The strength of a millennium sect is formidable, but he was not necessarily without the ability to confront a millennium sect. Moreover, any sect that can last a thousand years must have its own way of survival. When Gu Qingfeng initially killed Wen Jiao, he had only used the force of a single blade to do so. Unless the Red Flame Sect was foolish, it would not engage in a fight to the death with Gu Family Manor under these circumstances. That blade, was meant to deter all parties. Since Wen Jiao''s death, the White Stone Dao has also become much more peaceful. As Gu Qingfeng spoke, a cold murderous intent emerged from him, causing many young faces to instinctively pale. Since joining the Gu Family Manor these past few days, they had finally experienced a full meal, and they didn''t have to be constantly on edge anymore. If they were to be expelled from the Gu Family Manor, they would have to return to a life of wandering. Thinking of that prospect, many trembled. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng then turned to Gu Peng beside him and instructed. "Ensure sufficient food and meat for everyone; they must not lack nutrition for martial arts training." "Understood, master!" Gu Peng nodded earnestly. After giving his instructions, Gu Qingfeng then turned and left. This time, there were about three hundred children in the Martial Arts Arena, but how many could stay after two years was unknown. However, Gu Qingfeng had given them a chance. After all, in these chaotic times, taking in many orphans was a significant burden for many forces. It was only possible for the Gu Family Manor, as the current leader of the White Stone Dao with many subordinate forces, to provide such support. It should be noted, the consumption for practicing martial arts was much higher than normal. After all, tempering the physical body and blood¡ªif the nutrition and diet could not keep up, it was very easy to suffer from blood deficiency and harm oneself. This is why there was always the saying of "impoverished scholars and wealthy warriors." Without the necessary conditions, one simply did not qualify to step into the world of martial arts. ¡ª Elsewhere. Inside the Red Flame Sect, Zhu Ming had brought back the body of Wen Jiao. When they saw the wound from the eyebrow downward, everyone couldn''t help but flinch; split in half by a blade with no other external injuries, it was clear as per the rumors in the Martial World that Wen Jiao was instantly killed by a single strike from the master of Gu Family Manor. Ouyang Lie approached Wen Jiao''s body, bent down, and when his palm touched the scar on the body, a slight pain suddenly passed through, instantly blood appeared in his palm, with droplets of blood vaguely visible. This scene shocked the other Red Flame Sect elders. It was known that before Refining Evil into his body, Ouyang Lie had stepped into the Third Realm of Refining Organ, a strong warrior whose physical body strength was outstanding, usually even those in Marrow Cleansing Realm could not break his defense. The residual power on Wen Jiao''s body that could still harm him demonstrated just how terrifying that power was. Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Three Thousand Years of Time Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Three Thousand Years of Time "Blade Intent is eternal!" "This is the True Intent of a Master!" "It appears this person is not a mere Little Master, but someone comparable to a half-step Master!" Ouyang Lie''s face was also unusually solemn. A Little Master and a half-step Master might both involve the word ''Master,'' but the former is nowhere near comparable to the latter. Half-step Master! Only those who have comprehended the True Intent of a true Master qualify to be called a half-step Master. Such level of power is sky-high, and even if compared to an ordinary Master, the difference wouldn''t be much. Upon hearing Ouyang Lie''s words, the expressions of the others also changed. "Does the Sect Master mean to say that the person has already grasped the true True Intent of a Master?" "Half-step Master... It''s been many years since Guangyang Prefecture had such a level of power!" "If such a being breaks through to Master, they might achieve True Intent Master in one go¡ª" Even masters like Gu Xin and Zhu Ming were shocked by this revelation. Master! There is a distinction. A Master who hasn''t comprehended the True Intent of a Master can only be considered an ordinary Master. But even such ordinary Masters can only be matched by top Inmates in the Spirit-controlling Realm?. A Master who has comprehended the Master''s True Intent can then be called a True Intent Master. True Intent Master. That is superior to an ordinary Master. Such beings. Cannot be handled by anyone below the Spirit-controlling Realm?. However, Comprehending True Intent is difficult, and elevating it to the Master level is even more arduous. But now that Gu Qingfeng has comprehended the Master''s True Intent, if he truly advances to Master, he could directly become a True Intent Master. Not to mention Guangyang Prefecture, even in the entire Taishan County, those who can step into the level of Master are few and far between, and True Intent Masters are even rarer. "We must not let this person live, or if he ascends to True Intent Master, my Red Flame Sect will face great trouble!" Gu Xin''s face bore a stern intention to kill. Initially, he hadn''t cared much about Wen Jiao''s death, but now that he realized Gu Qingfeng''s strength, fear also arose in Gu Xin''s heart. Three thousand years. That''s enough time for many magicians to return to dust. Even magicians in the Spirit-controlling Realm only have a mere eight hundred years of life. Only by breaking through the Spirit-controlling Realm and reaching the next level can one have a lifespan of over a thousand years. And without the end of a dynasty, when the world transitions, it''s not easy for various sects and clans to progress further. Therefore, As Zhu Ming finished speaking, many already had thoughts in their minds. The remaining elders of Red Flame Peak, although reluctant, were also helpless at this point. ¡ª¡ª Outside the ancient city, with an army stationed, and between the army and the ancient city, there were corpses everywhere and un-dried mottled bloodstains on the city walls, indicating a fierce battle had recently occurred. In the central camp of the Divine Martial Army. Pei Jing looked at the secret letter in his hand, his expression slightly solemn. "Half-step Master!" "This person has hidden himself deep enough!" The secret letter he held was indeed about Gu Qingfeng. Originally, Pei Jing had almost forgotten about the existence of Gu Qingfeng, after all, the Gu Family was originally just a family founded by a Blood Refining martial artist, hardly worth mentioning. Previously when he sent the Black Xuan Guard to recruit him and failed, a captain fell there. Although Pei Jing was angry, he didn''t care too much. He just planned to wait until he took over Guangyang Prefecture and then annihilate the Gu Family. But unexpectedly, In just a short amount of time, The Blood Refining Ant he could have crushed at will has now become a Half-step Master. Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng! Even Pei Jing was somewhat shocked when he received this news. The concept of a Half-step Master was crystal clear to him, as he himself was an Innate Grandmaster but had yet to comprehend the Master''s True Intent. Because comprehending the True Intent of a Master is difficult, even with Pei Jing''s talent, stepping into this realm is not easy. As a result, Now someone has cultivated the True Intent of a Master without being a Master. Such a person was hard to ignore. "If this person could be of use to me, he would be a tremendous help!" Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Those who achieve great things do not dwell on trifles Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Those who achieve great things do not dwell on trifles "Zuo Li!" "Here at your command!" A middle-aged martial artist knelt on one knee, fist clasped, and said. Pei Jing spoke, "You shall go to Gu Family Manor on behalf of me and tell Gu Qingfeng that as long as he is willing to assist me, all past grudges can be written off. Additionally, if he has any demands, he can feel free to voice them. Whether it''s a Grandmaster''s Secret Manual or the Secret Technique of Evil Refining, I can satisfy them." Had Gu Qingfeng been just an ordinary Little Master in the Refining Organ phase, Pei Jing would never have cared so much. However. A half-step to Master is different. Such a figure, who comprehends the True Intent of a Master, would become one of the most formidable Grandmasters upon breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm. In the absence of a Great Grandmaster, a True Intent Master could be king. Though martial artists are inferior to magicians, a strong individual at the True Intent Master level could not be compared to the mere magicians of the Spirit-controlling Realm. The benefits of winning over such a strong practitioner were obvious. Therefore. Pei Jing was willing to set aside past grievances and pay a greater price to recruit Gu Qingfeng. Those who aspire to great endeavors do not quibble over trifles. In Pei Jing''s view, such petty grudges were hardly worth mentioning. "At your command!" Zuo Li promptly accepted the order and withdrew. Watching his receding figure, Pei Jing stepped out of the command tent, his gaze falling upon the ancient city in front of him, with numerous generals gathered behind him. "Danshan City!" "I want you to take this Danshan City within three days and completely breach the gateway to Liuyun Prefecture!" Pei Jing said with a grave voice. Danshan City was the gateway to Liuyun Prefecture, and Liuyun Prefecture was an important area bordering Taishan County and Dan Yang County. Taking Danshan City would mean that one could truly mobilize against Liuyun Prefecture as a whole. Once Liuyun Prefecture was occupied, Taishan County would also be laid wide open. Hence. The strategic location of Danshan City was important, and it was also heavily guarded. To breach Danshan City, Pei Jing did not hesitate to personally lead an army of three hundred thousand, but even so, after two days of fierce attack, the city had not been taken. From this, one could see. How staunch the resistance at Danshan City was. Nevertheless. No matter how staunch the resistance of Danshan City, Pei Jing had to conquer it in the shortest possible time; otherwise, if time dragged on too long and the reinforcements from Taishan County arrived, taking this place would not be so easy. Such a critical moment in the war naturally would not be missed by Pei Jing. One must remember. The Divine Martial Army valued swift and decisive action. If they were to fail in Danshan City and possibly lose the Qi Fortune that should be theirs, Facing a figure suspected to be a True Intent Master or even a Great Grandmaster, Lu Wenxuan had to take him seriously. Therefore. That''s why he had Jiang Qin go to the Gu Family Manor once more, to invite Gu Qingfeng to join the Evil Suppression Bureau. Even if the latter was unwilling to join, it could be considered a friendly gesture from the Evil Suppression Bureau, to avoid any future conflicts and troubles. It''s the same principle. If not necessary, it''s better not to offend a half-step into the Master realm. Even if one cannot recruit such a person to the Evil Suppression Bureau, it''s still best to maintain good relations. --- Within the Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng was still mostly cultivating. The cultivation he focused on was primarily the Five Internal Organs Scripture, followed by the Green Sun Skills and the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual. As for the Red Flame Divine Skill he had originally obtained, Gu Qingfeng had not yet delved into it. The reason was simple. A person''s energy is limited. Gu Qingfeng was already practicing several martial arts simultaneously, which was about his limit; if he tried to cultivate more, he would struggle to cope with so much. During this time. Gu Qingfeng would occasionally give some martial arts instruction to Gu Yang. Although the latter had already broken through to the mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm, Gu Qingfeng was now a powerful practitioner at the second stage of the Refining Organ realm; guiding someone in the Blood Refining Realm was an easy task for him. Simultaneously. Gu Qingfeng was also collecting various Medicine Bath Elixir Recipes required for martial arts cultivation, along with some precious medicinal materials needed to aid cultivation. However. Higher-level Medicine Bath Elixir Recipes were rare, held under the control of various major sects and noble families; Gu Qingfeng had only collected some for the Refining Skin Realm and Blood Refining Realm. Even so, it was temporarily sufficient. Gu Qingfeng handed over all the collected recipes to Gu Yang, who was left to manage them. After all. Gu Qingfeng didn''t want to be too distracted or become involved in the affairs of the Gu Family Manor. He delegated all matters that did not require his personal attention to Gu Yang. Regarding this. Gu Yang naturally would not refuse. --- "This is the Gu Family Manor!" Zuo Li looked at the manor before him, his eyes slightly grave. Immediately. He approached a guard, handed over his visiting card, and then waited quietly. ``` Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Heavenly Destiny Man Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Heavenly Destiny Man "Commander Zuo!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the invitation in his hand, his eyebrows slightly raised. The Commander of the Black Xuan Guard! Naturally, Gu Qingfeng was not unfamiliar with the existence of the Black Xuan Guard. After all, he had once captured a member of the Black Xuan Guard, and from him, he had obtained the Hundred Refinement Golden Body and the Seven Killings Blade Skills. What had taken Gu Qingfeng somewhat by surprise was that he had, in a manner of speaking, torn his face with the Divine Martial King, and now here he was with the Commander of the Black Xuan Guard at his door. In this, there was probably another meaning. "Whether the visitor harbors ill will, let''s meet and then see!" Gu Qingfeng suddenly smiled, realizing he was perhaps overthinking it. With his current strength, indeed there was no need for him to ponder too much. This place was Guangyang Prefecture, not Dan Yang County; even if Pei Jing had ulterior motives, it was not necessarily true that he could threaten him. Thus, Gu Qingfeng had his men bring in Commander Zuo. In a short while, a middle-aged man walked in from outside and courteously cupped his fists towards Gu Qingfeng. "Commander Zuo pays his respects to Manor Master Gu!" "Please, have a seat." Gu Qingfeng said indifferently, and the latter did as told and sat down. Only then did he slowly begin to speak. "I believe I have little to do with the Divine Martial King, what guidance does Commander Zuo bring by gracing me with his presence today?" "It''s not guidance that I dare to offer, but I am here on the king''s orders to specially invite Manor Master Gu to join our Divine Martial Army!" Commander Zuo did not beat around the bush; he stated his purpose directly. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng''s eyes narrowed slightly, "Previously, there was another member of the Black Xuan Guard who came to compel Manor Master Gu to serve under the Divine Martial King, with the implication that if I did not comply, the Gu Family would be exterminated!" "Now that Commander Zuo visits in person, if I refuse, surely the fate that awaits Gu Family Manor won''t be complete annihilation, will it?" As soon as he said this, the expression on Commander Zuo''s face changed slightly. He could clearly feel an extremely terrifying murderous intent filling the great hall, and he believed that if he said even a single word displeasing to the other party, he would likely not be able to leave the Gu Family Manor alive. Even Gu Qingfeng, upon hearing such terms, was momentarily startled at Pei Jing''s generosity. However, after pondering for some time, he still resolutely shook his head. "I''ve said it before; I have no interest in getting involved in the conflicts of the world, much to the Divine Martial King''s disappointment!" This statement caused the smile on Zuo Li''s face to fade a bit. "Why refuse, Manor Master Gu? The world has seen cycles of three thousand years, the previous dynasty controlled the world for three thousand six hundred years, until its Qi Fortune was exhausted. Heroes from all corners rose, resulting in the Taixuan Grand Ancestor fighting his way out of chaos, ascending to the throne to establish the Taixuan Dynasty." "Since the Taixuan Dynasty was established, it has also been three thousand years." "Now as the Qi Fortune of the Taixuan Dynasty nears its end, heroes across the world rise once again, heralding a tide of chaos that is sure to engulf all." "And in such a situation, where can true peace be found?" "My lord is the Heavenly Destiny Man, who has conquered the territory of three counties in mere decades¡ªa strength unparalleled among the heroes and lords. Most importantly, my lord is backed by the Tianyang Sword Sect, a truly ancient sect that has endured for eternity. If Manor Master Gu serves my lord, once he secures his rule over all, he will certainly not forget Manor Master Gu''s contributions. With such advantages, rising to become a millennium-old noble family or sect would be a breeze. Further still, the possibility to become an eternal sect or family is within reach!" Zuo Li persuasively and earnestly detailed the rewards and consequences, all to sway Gu Qingfeng to join the Divine Martial Army. After all, Gu Qingfeng''s abilities warranted such devoted efforts. Alas, Gu Qingfeng, firm in his resolve, still adamantly refused. Upon this, Zuo Li inwardly sighed with a wry smile, "Well then, if Manor Master Gu can''t decide now, I also won''t press any further. When the tranquility of Taishan County is disrupted, when the thirty-six counties of the Nine States are fully engulfed in war, Manor Master Gu will surely understand how difficult it is to remain uninvolved in such chaotic times. This is the token of the Divine Martial Army. Should Manor Master Gu change his mind, he may send someone to the Divine Martial Army with this token, and we will surely not disappoint." "That''s all I have to say!" "I shall take my leave now." Zuo Li rose to his feet, leaving behind a token of the Divine Martial Army. He turned and left without any hesitation. ¡ª PS: Something came up suddenly, so I''m posting one chapter now; I''ll post another one later tonight! Chapter 90: Chapter 90 Top Genius Chapter 90: Chapter 90 Top Genius "Divine Martial Army!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the token left by Zuo Li. His expression remained unchanged, and with his right hand, he effortlessly seized the token from thin air, grasping it in his palm. The token clearly bore the insignia of the Divine Martial Army. Then, Gu Qingfeng squeezed with his fingers. The token, made of fine iron, gradually turned into a shower of dust and fell to the ground. At this moment, Gu Yang also emerged from behind the great hall. Seeing the Divine Martial Army''s token disintegrate into dust, he looked puzzled. "Father, why did you refuse to join the Divine Martial Army?" Gu Yang was discussing other matters with Gu Qingfeng when Zuo Li arrived; he only retreated to the Inner Hall when the visitor came. However, Martial Artists have keen ears and sharp eyes. Listening in on the conversation in the great hall was an easy feat for them. Gu Qingfeng''s vitality pulsed, blowing away the last specks of dust in his palm, before he asked indifferently, "What do you think of the Divine Martial Army?" "The Divine Martial Army is indeed strong, having annexed three counties in just over a decade, commanding a million-strong army, and furthermore supported by the eternal sect of the Tianyang Sword Sect behind them." At these words, Gu Yang promptly listed the military advantages of the Divine Martial Army. After all, such information was clear to anyone who inquired. To this, Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. "It''s undeniable that Pei Jing''s power is not weak, but compared to the true dragon of the Taixuan Dynasty that has presided over the world for three thousand years, Pei Jing is far too weak. Among the Nine States and thirty-six counties, Pei Jing only commands three. Moreover, these three counties are among the lowest tiers in the thirty-six counties." "Every faction vying for power in the world today is backed by a major force, each wishing to carve up the true dragon and thereby establish dominance over the realm." "Pei Jing may have the potential to sit in that seat, but that''s just a slight possibility at the moment, and his chances of success are not particularly high." Having said that, Gu Qingfeng paused briefly before continuing. "In these chaotic times, hastily choosing a side is not wise. If the Gu Family Manor were weak and unable to assert itself amid the overwhelming tide of fortune, then it would be another matter. But as it stands, the power of the Gu Family Manor is substantial. At least in this era of chaos, we have the capital to make our own choices." "With that being the case, why rush to take a stand so quickly?" "What''s more, this place is Taishan County, Guangyang Prefecture, still under the control of the court. If the Gu Family Manor were to side with the Divine Martial Army and if word were to leak out, the consequences should not be underestimated!" A camel, thin to the point of death, is still larger than a horse. Gu Qingfeng was not nai?ve enough to believe that the Taixuan Dynasty had grown so weak that it could be easily manipulated by others. After all, the court had been established for three thousand years. The depth of its heritage could not be compared to that of ordinary forces. Right now, although warlords were rising and natural disasters were successive, it was not yet the end of the line. Gu Qingfeng had also indirectly come to understand another matter. That being a half-step Master was not a necessary path for all Martial Artists on the Refining Organ stage. Many such Martial Artists could only be called Little Masters and would then break through the constraints of Refining Organ to become true Masters. However, above the rank of Master were True Intent Masters. Only after becoming a True Intent Master could one have the qualifications to challenge for the title of Great Grandmaster. To become a True Intent Master, one must grasp the corresponding level of True Intent. A half-step Master, is akin to a seedling of a True Intent Master. Once a half-step Master breaks through to become a Master, they could instantly overpower ordinary Masters, becoming a top contender among Masters. At that point, Gu Qingfeng truly understood why these forces were so eager to recruit him. A strong Little Master would naturally not receive such treatment, but a prospective True Intent Master was a different story altogether. Universal Martial Arts. Great Grandmasters were a rarity in the world. True Intent Masters were considered amongst the strongest in the world of Universal Martial Arts. ... On this day, Gu Qingfeng consumed Great Sun Yang Qi, and his blood suddenly boiled, the Pure Yang Qi within his blood significantly increased out of thin air. "The fifth layer of Green Sun Skills has reached Perfection!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained calm. Minor breakthroughs like this were no longer enough to shake his composure. At this moment, Gu Peng arrived. "Subordinate pays respects to the manor master." "What''s the matter?" Gu Qingfeng''s face was devoid of joy or sorrow, unaffected by external affairs. Gu Peng bowed and said, "To report to the manor master, among the Registered Disciples of the Outer Hall, there is already one who has successfully stepped into the threshold of Martial Arts!" Hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. If he was not mistaken, even the earliest batch of Registered Disciples had only been with them for a mere month. In just one month, someone had stepped into the gateway of Martial Arts. If this was true, it indicated that among this batch of Registered Disciples, a top-tier talent had emerged. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng immediately said, "Bring this person to see me!" Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Expanding the Inner Hall Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Expanding the Inner Hall Inside the main hall of Gu Family Manor. A child of about seven or eight years old stood there timidly, his eyes filled with awe as he looked at Gu Qingfeng. On the other side. Gu Qingfeng was also looking at the child before him. Different from his past emaciated appearance, a month''s worth of nutritious meals, along with practicing martial arts, had considerably improved the child''s vitality and health. "Vitality like a robust ox!" "Indeed, it''s a symbol of stepping into the Martial Arts path!" Gu Qingfeng nodded in satisfaction. Just by observing the child''s vitality, one could understand whether he had truly entered the ranks of martial artists. After all. Martial artists possess profound vitality. Even a beginner in the Refining Skin Realm would have a strength of vitality unmatched by ordinary people. "What is your name?" "Reporting... Reporting to the manor master, my... my name is Gouwa¡ª" The child was so nervous that he was stammering. Gu Qingfeng asked, "Where is your ancestral home, and do you have any other family?" "My ancestral home... I''ve forgotten, and there''s only my parents in my family. However, they died of famine in earlier years, now I am all alone." This time, Gouwa''s answer was much more fluent. To this. Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. "Since that is the case, from today onwards you will be known as Gu Quan, becoming a formal disciple of the Inner Hall. This is Gu Yang, the Inner Hall Master, and from now on, he will guide you in your cultivation." At this point, Gu Qingfeng gestured towards Gu Yang who stood beside him. Gouwa, now Gu Quan, was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed, bowing his thanks. "Thank you, manor master!" "Nice to meet you, Hall Master!" During his time joining Gu Family Manor, Gu Quan had heard of the existence of the Inner Hall, a level higher than the Outer Hall disciples, a place only for direct descendants of the Gu Family or those given the Gu surname. As for the Inner Hall, Gu Quan had no particular aspirations. In his mind, his real goal was to enter the Refining Skin Realm within a year, to become a true Outer Hall disciple, and to no longer live a life of starvation as before. What Gu Quan didn''t expect was, not only did he become an official disciple of Gu Family Manor, but he was also directly initiated into the Inner Hall and granted the Gu surname, how could his heart not be thrilled? ... Gu Quan withdrew. This martial art is sufficient to lay your foundation, enabling you to advance to Blood Refining. Nevertheless, this martial art can only be practiced by you alone. If it is transmitted without authorization and discovered by the manor, it will be an unforgivable capital offense!" "Your subordinate understands!" Gu Quan''s face turned pale as he hurriedly bowed his head. Gu Yang nodded, "Good, practice well. With your talent, you should have a place in the Inner Hall in the future. Do not disappoint the manor master''s expectations of you." "Yes!" Gu Quan nodded solemnly, his youthful hands receiving the manual of Gu Family Boxing. Then Gu Yang added a few more words of caution, telling Gu Quan that he could come to seek guidance on anything he didn''t understand, before turning and leaving. There were people in the Inner Hall. Gu Yang was also somewhat pleased. After all, this meant that his position as the Inner Hall Master was not just an empty title. And in the Inner Hall disciples'' residence, Gu Quan surveyed his surroundings. Different from the Outer Hall, where registered disciples shared a room with four or five others, each formal disciple of the Inner Hall had a private room that was clean, tidy, and noticeably more spacious. Such changes made Gu Quan all the more grateful. --- Over the following several months. Gu Qingfeng dedicated himself to quiet cultivation; regrettably, among the many registered disciples of the Outer Hall, there emerged no other top-notch talent like Gu Quan. Regarding this. He was resigned. After all, top-notch talents are scarce; having one emerge from a thousand people is already extremely astonishing. The likelihood of another appearing was near impossible. However. While there was no other top-notch talent who reached Martial Arts in one month, there were four who broke through the Martial Arts realm in three months, all with above-average talent. These individuals had backgrounds not too different from Gu Quan''s. Thus. Gu Qingfeng granted them the Gu surname and brought them all into the Inner Hall. For such a place as the Inner Hall, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of filling it just for the sake of numbers; at minimum, one needed the potential to break through to the Little Master of Refining Organ to be considered for entry. From the beginning. Gu Qingfeng had set his sights high for Gu Family Manor, benchmarking it against top forces. At present, the Gu Family Manor might seem frail, but this was merely because it was newly established, with some foundational differences compared to larger forces. Given several decades or even a hundred years for the Gu Family Manor to grow, it would likely not be inferior to anyone. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng naturally would not lower the Inner Hall''s standards. Later, those disciples who only managed to break through to the Refining Skin Realm after half a year or a year were all made official disciples of the Outer Hall by Gu Qingfeng. As for whether they could enter the Inner Hall, they would have to be carefully assessed later on before a final determination could be made. Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Nine Curves Road Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Nine Curves Road "Your progeny, ''Gu Yang,'' has slain a mid-level Blood Refining martial artist!" "Your progeny, ''Gu Yang,'' has gained some insight into the Fiery Sun Divine Palm!" "Your progeny, ''Gu Yang,'' has made progress in his cultivation!" "Your progeny, ''Gu Yang,'' has slain a fierce soul-level Evil Spirit!" "Your progeny, ''Gu Yang,'' has slain..." ... The information on the information panel occasionally refreshed. However, ever since the reputation of Gu Qingfeng with the Domineering Blade spread, the White Stone Dao had also returned to its past tranquility, with only the occasional ignorant person causing trouble, unable to stir up much of a commotion. Gu Qingfeng''s current habit was to look at the information panel daily to understand the other''s movements. However, This time, Gu Qingfeng''s expression became slightly concentrated, his gaze resting on one piece of information. "Fierce soul-level Evil Spirit!" The existence of Evil Spirits. He had only encountered once. ... Half a day later, Gu Yang came. Gu Qingfeng''s eyebrows slightly furrowed, "You''ve encountered an Evil Spirit?" "How did you learn of it, Father?" Gu Yang''s expression showed surprise, clearly taken aback, then he nodded in affirmation. "Indeed, these past few days a number of commoners have been disappearing frequently, including some disciples from the Martial World. They have sought help from our Gu Family Manor, so Gu Peng sent people to investigate the situation and finally discovered that an old temple was the source of the problem. Therefore, I personally went there to take a look, and unexpectedly encountered an Evil Spirit. Fortunately, that Evil Spirit was not too strong, so there were not too many unexpected incidences!" Old temple! Evil Spirits! Upon hearing Gu Yang''s words, Gu Qingfeng''s expression turned serious, "Although Evil Spirits are not as immortal as evil spirits, they are capable of manipulating the minds of martial artists. Your ability to slay that Evil Spirit is related to your understanding of the Master''s True Intent. If it were not for the protection of True Intent, let alone slaying an Evil Spirit, escaping would have been an issue." Gu Qingfeng had fought with Evil Spirits before and naturally understood these matters. The manipulation of the mind by Evil Spirits, to put it plainly, is a kind of power on the level of mental intent. Martial artists who comprehend True Intent are essentially tempering their mental intent, thereby greatly reducing the influence of Evil Spirits. However, Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the ominous feeling in his heart. He had always paid close attention to matters of evil spirits, and now that he learned of their emergence on Nine Curves Road, Gu Qingfeng had no desire to go and see for himself. After all. Having witnessed the true difficulty of dealing with evil spirits, Gu Qingfeng understood that these entities were not only hard to suppress but even harder to exterminate. And if one were to encounter a powerful evil spirit, it was not just a matter of suppression¡ªescaping with one''s own life would be the real challenge. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng naturally did not wish to risk his life. Afterwards. Gu Qingfeng continued to ponder the True Intent Map. With constant contemplation, Gu Qingfeng''s understanding of the Domineering Blade Chop and Domineering Blade True Intent was becoming increasingly profound. Among them. Domineering Blade Chop was already at the peak of the Beginner stage, on the verge of breaking through to the Small Success stage. As for the Domineering Blade True Intent, it was still at the sixth level. However¡ª Gu Qingfeng felt that he was already touching the threshold of the seventh level True Intent. He had a premonition. If he could step into the seventh level True Intent, then his strength would surely advance further. Sixth level True Intent and seventh level True Intent were completely different concepts. The True Intent force contained within the Sect Master True Intent Map was growing weaker, leading Gu Qingfeng to suspect that this True Intent Map would only support him in cultivating up to the seventh level at most. Any further advancement seemed improbable for now. ¡ª Guangyang Prefecture. Nine Curves Road. Within the Nine Curves Sword Sect, Sect Master Li Qing listened to the report from a subordinate, his face dark as water. At this time. A Nine Curves Sword Sect elder could not help but say, "Sect Master, with several villages and towns losing people, there must undoubtedly be evil spirits causing harm. To date, there''s been no action from the officials, and the Evil Suppression Bureau is nowhere to be seen. What should we do if that evil spirit attacks our Nine Curves Sword Sect!" It was no surprise that the elder felt fear. Rumors from the outside world spoke of evil spirits appearing on Nine Curves Road, causing the disappearance and death of numerous villagers, but only people from the Nine Curves Sword Sect knew that it was not just villagers who were missing¡ªseveral martial sects from Nine Curves Road were gone as well. These sects might not have been extraordinarily strong, but they at least possessed martial artists in the Blood Refining Realm, which made them relatively powerful forces on Nine Curves Road. The Nine Curves Sword Sect, being the top sect of Nine Curves Road, merely had one Iron Bone Perfection expert in residence. Hearing this. Just as Li Qing was about to say something, he suddenly heard a bizarre whispering sound, like the wail of creatures or the chanting of divine Buddhas, which caused his expression to drastically change. Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Divine Rumors Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Divine Rumors In the study of the Gu Family Manor, Gu Yang hurried in from outside. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng, who was observing the True Intent Map of the Master, furrowed his brows slightly. "What''s the matter that has you so panicked?" "Father, the Nine Curves Sword Sect is gone!" Gu Yang spoke directly. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng''s expression shifted slightly, "I''ve heard that the Nine Curves Sword Sect is a top force in Nine Curves Road. The sect master of the Nine Curves Sword Sect, Li Qing, known as Sword Lord, seems to have also broken through to the Bone Refining Realm. Unless some millennium-old sects or noble families make a move, I''m afraid it wouldn''t be so easy to annihilate the Nine Curves Sword Sect!" It might not seem like much in front of the current Gu Family Manor. But when you look at the Martial World. The Bone Refining Realm still belongs to the truly strong. Initially, the supreme power of White Stone Dao was merely at Blood Refining Perfection. Taishan Road was a bit stronger than White Stone Dao, but the Green Sun Sect wasn''t that mighty either, having only the Green Sun Ancestor with the strength of Evil Refining entering his body, capable of rivaling a martial artist of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. The rest of the strong were also at most in the Bone Refining Realm. However, The resources of Nine Curves Road were comparable to those of White Stone Dao. Normally, No one should target the Nine Curves Sword Sect. More importantly, the Nine Curves Sword Sect had the backing of other forces. Just like in the past, the Qin Family, strictly speaking, also had the support of the Green Sun Sect. Gu Yang said, "In one night, everyone from the Nine Curves Sword Sect disappeared without a trace. Apart from some bloodstains and remains, there was no other sign of life in the entire sect." "Moreover¡ª" "Some people heard Buddha''s chant on the night the Nine Curves Sword Sect disappeared, and others claim to have seen Buddha reincarnate. Now, rumors have spread among the people in Nine Curves Road, saying that the Nine Curves Sword Sect had incurred the wrath of gods and Buddha himself, angered, struck out, and erased the Nine Curves Sword Sect!" Gu Yang''s words caused Gu Qingfeng''s face to show a slight change. "Buddha..." "Could it be that there are really divine beings in this world?" Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself. Then, He shook his head. If there were truly divine beings in the world, they wouldn''t only annihilate the Nine Curves Sword Sect. Evil spirits run rampant. Strange occurrences are common. Chaos arises across the world. In terms of committing evil, the Nine Curves Sword Sect is far less than those millennium-old noble families and ancient sects. Otherwise. Such news would absolutely not have become common knowledge. If it is like this here, in other places the news was probably already widespread. "Now, it''s a matter of seeing how the Evil Suppression Bureau will respond!" Gu Qingfeng pondered. He did not linger in White Stone City; after a brief stroll, he returned to the Gu Family Manor. This time, Gu Qingfeng had no other purpose. He merely wished to visit White Stone City and, as he had secluded himself for a long time, he had almost never stepped out of the Gu Family Manor. Now having a clear understanding of the situation in White Stone City, Gu Qingfeng had some ideas in mind. ¡ª Nine Curves Road. Yunshan City. Jiang Qin sat majestically in the main seat of the magistrate''s Inner Hall, with the Yunshan Prefect at his side, his face full of utmost respect and deference. "This official demands all the intelligence on the initial emergence of the Nine Curves Sword Sect and that evil spirit!" "Mr. Jiang, rest assured, subordinates have already been dispatched to handle this, and it''s believed that it won''t be long before we receive news!" The Yunshan Prefect said with a face full of obsequious laughter. Having said this. His expression turned somewhat hesitant: "Now that the evil spirit has obliterated the Nine Curves Sword Sect, is there a possibility that it may target our Yunshan City next?" "Evil spirits act unpredictably, and the blood and qi of our human race are their favorite delicacies. If that entity really targets Yunshan City, it is not out of the realm of possibility." Jiang Qin gave him a sidelong glance and spoke indifferently. These words. Made the Yunshan Prefect''s face turn even paler. Following that. Jiang Qin continued, "However, you may rest assured, the Evil Suppression Bureau has already taken over this case, so it is definitely impossible to let that evil spirit run amok. As soon as the whereabouts of that evil spirit are found, I will personally suppress it!" "With Mr. Jiang''s assurances, this subordinate can now be at ease!" The Yunshan Prefect''s face finally looked much better. The reputation of the Evil Suppression Bureau was not minor, and as Jiang Qin, the deputy commander for Guangyang Prefecture''s Evil Suppression Bureau, his strength was astonishing. Since he had made such a declaration, it seemed unlikely that there would be any problem. Just at that moment. A constable hurried in from outside and respectfully handed over a dossier to Jiang Qin. "Mr. Jiang, this contains all the records pertaining to that evil spirit, please take a look!" "Hmm¡ª" Jiang Qin gave a slight nod and immediately opened the dossier to read the information recorded within. Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Evil Buddha Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Evil Buddha A moment later. Jiang Qin looked at the scroll and slightly furrowed his brows. "There was nothing unusual about the place where the Evil Spirit first appeared until an entire village vanished without a trace, drawing the attention of others. Then, the officialdom started sending people to investigate but to no avail. It''s only then that it was confirmed to be the work of the Evil Spirit!" "And then, it was the destruction of the Nine Curves Sword Sect." "All records concerning the Evil Spirit are scarce within the officialdom; basically, everything there is can be found here for Mr. Jiang to peruse!" The Yunshan Prefect spoke. Jiang Qin nodded in acknowledgement and then said, "The officialdom should assign a few people to accompany me to the Nine Curves Sword Sect!" "Why the hurry, sir? I have already arranged a banquet. How about we proceed to the Nine Curves Sword Sect after we have eaten and drunk to our content?" The Yunshan Prefect''s face wore an ingratiating smile. Jiang Qin slightly shook his head, "As long as the issue with the Evil Spirit remains unresolved, I won''t have peace of mind." "So be it, since Mr. Jiang insists, then this official will have someone to accompany Mr. Jiang on the visit!" The Yunshan Prefect no longer insisted and ordered his subordinates to assemble outside the government office to join Jiang Qin and others on the journey to the Nine Curves Sword Sect. This time. To investigate the Nine Curves Road affair. The Evil Suppression Bureau hadn''t sent only Jiang Qin but also several Evil Punishment Envoys. The so-called Evil Punishment Envoys. Are essentially agents of the Evil Suppression Bureau primarily responsible for dealing with the Evil Spirit. Each of the Evil Punishment Envoys is a Magician who has undergone Refining Evil, and their strength is not to be underestimated. Among them. Some powerful Evil Punishment Envoys have even stepped into the Yun Ling Realm and even become masters within the Spirit-controlling Realm. Now. The five individuals Jiang Qin brought with him were all high-ranking Spirit-controlling magicians. The reason for such an arrangement was because the Evil Spirit of the Nine Curves Road was not simple, and in the interest of caution, they would suppress it with full force upon its discovery. Five Spirit-controlling Evil Punishment Envoys. Plus Jiang Qin. That was a total of six individuals from the Spirit-controlling Realm. Such a force almost constituted a majority of the power of the Evil Suppression Bureau in Guangyang Prefecture. ... "Sir, there seems to be a problem here!" Upon entering the Nine Curves Sword Sect, one of the Evil Punishment Envoys frowned at the surroundings, and his expression turned sour. Jiang Qin asked, "What''s the problem?" "Quiet!" Gone was the Nine Curves Sword Sect, and they found themselves on the streets of Yunshan City, but unlike the Yunshan City they knew, the whole place was now eerily silent, as if shrouded in a blood-red haze. And above Yunshan City, stood an imposing Buddha, fingers gently touching a flower, smiling. Yet the face bore not a hint of compassion, only a sinister and fierce expression, its eyes shedding two lines of blood tears, staring intently at the group. Their gazes met. Several from the Evil Suppression Bureau screamed in horror as the Evil Spirits sealed within them, seemingly beyond control, began to forcibly resurface, an awful and eerie chill erupting violently. Only Jiang Qin and Ling Xianzhong managed to barely suppress the surging power of the Evil Spirits. Even so, both of their faces were filled with utter despair. "Forbidden zone!!" "This is a Disaster Level Evil Spirit¡ª" Ling Xianzhong''s face was filled with terror. Disaster Level Evil Spirit! It was an entity capable of creating a forbidden zone! No wonder! No wonder they had failed to notice anything was amiss. It was because just as they set foot into Yunshan City, they had been influenced by the Evil Spirit, falling into the illusion created by the forbidden zone. On the other side. Jiang Qin''s face had turned ghostly pale. "Evil Buddha!" "Impossible, after that battle with the ancestors of the Evil Suppression Bureau, which left both sides severely injured, how could it have recovered to Disaster Level strength so quickly!" Evil Buddha! This was the Evil Spirit that the Evil Suppression Bureau had been tirelessly pursuing. As soon as the news from the Nine Curves Road came out, Jiang Qin had already considered this possibility, which was precisely why he personally led five Magicians of the Spirit-controlling Realm here. A heavily wounded Disaster Level Evil Spirit, even with severely diminished strength, was not something an ordinary Magician could contend with. To suppress it. Only a united front of many powerful individuals would suffice. But now, Jiang Qin realized he had been too optimistic; this Evil Spirit had somehow already regained its Disaster Level strength, having slaughtered the entire Yunshan City, transforming it into what is known as a forbidden zone. Trapped in a forbidden zone. Desperation unavoidably welled up in Jiang Qin''s heart. Just then. Buddhist chants seemed to echo from heaven and earth, but such chants were devoid of any righteousness, instead evoking an extreme sense of eeriness. Ling Xianzhong could no longer suppress the Evil Spirit within him; his body exploded violently. Seeing this. Jiang Qin did not look back as he dashed towards the outskirts of Yunshan City. However. The Buddha in the void suddenly stirred, and a blood-stained palm reached down toward him. As darkness enveloped the skies, Jiang Qin looked up to see the sinister patterns on the Buddha''s palm. "No¡ª" Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Age Thirty-Seven Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Age Thirty-Seven "Impossible!!" In Guangyang Prefecture City, Lu Wenxuan''s face was filled with shock and disbelief when he received the news from his subordinates. Gone! Vice Commander Jiang Qin and several other Evil Punishment Envoys of the Spirit-controlling Realm had all disappeared. Not long after they had entered the Nine Curves Road, they had lost all trace. However. Everyone knew. In such situations, losing trace meant that an accident had happened. How could Lu Wenxuan not be furious at such an outcome? Although the Evil Suppression Bureau of Guangyang Prefecture had many magicians, only a very few could step into the Spirit-controlling Realm. Now. With Jiang Qin and the others vanished, it was highly likely that they had met their fate in the Nine Curves Road. In that case. The strength of the Evil Suppression Bureau had been greatly compromised. To put it gravely. Now, it seemed almost impossible for the Evil Suppression Bureau to suppress the various factions in the Martial World. Another point. It was what sort of evil spirit could silently slay Jiang Qin and the others. This. This was the crucial and most important matter. "Could it be that evil spirit from Lin County back then, but it''s impossible. Although that evil spirit was of Disaster Level, it had been severely damaged back in the day and recovering in such a short time seemed unlikely. With the strength of Jiang Qin and the others, even if they were no match for such an evil spirit, they should have been able to escape¡ª" "The matter of the Nine Curves Road still needs to be thoroughly investigated!" As soon as the thought crossed Lu Wenxuan''s mind, he immediately instructed the people of the Evil Suppression Bureau to go to other prefectures and spread the news of what had happened in the Nine Curves Road, asking them to send strong reinforcements. Exactly! It was a call for help! Since Jiang Qin and the others had already fallen into it, Lu Wenxuan naturally couldn''t venture into the Nine Curves Road alone. Even though his power was greater than Jiang Qin''s, it was only by a limited margin. The evil spirit in the Nine Curves Road had caused Jiang Qin and his group to disappear, indicating that the opponent''s strength was formidable and not something an ordinary Spirit-controlling Realm could handle. In such a case. Lu Wenxuan naturally had to seek help from all quarters. The Evil Suppression Bureau of Guangyang Prefecture was just a subordinate institution of the entire organization; other prefectures, as well as Taishan County and even the higher Qingyun State, had their branches of the Evil Suppression Bureau. For several consecutive days. Gu Qingfeng was deciphering the True Intent Map of the master. In the depths of his mind, he had a premonition that made him feel like he was touching the thin membrane of the seventh level of True Intent, but he had always been unable to truly break through that layer, which made Gu Qingfeng very uncomfortable. Thus. He had been fully cultivating the Domineering Blade Slash and deciphering the mysteries in the True Intent Map of the master, vowing not to stop until he had broken through that barrier. This day. Gu Qingfeng, who had been sitting still for a long time, suddenly trembled, and immediately a tremendous intention revived, covering the entire Gu Family Manor as if it were enveloped by an immensely strong Blade Intent. Many people discovered that the long blades in their hands were trembling involuntarily, as if attracted by some force. While cultivating, Gu Yang, upon sensing this disturbance, also changed his expression. "Domineering Blade True Intent!" "Father has made another breakthrough!" Gu Yang, who had also comprehended the Domineering Blade True Intent, was very familiar with this supremely domineering Blade Intent. However. The Domineering Blade True Intent he comprehended seemed much weaker in front of this force. Although they originated from the same source, they were not on the same level at all. In front of such a level of Domineering Blade True Intent, Gu Yang found that he didn''t even have the courage to wield his blade. This was the oppression of True Intent. And while Gu Yang was secretly shocked, inside the study, Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, as if blade light had slashed through the air, his gaze sharp as a blade, hard to meet directly. Moments later. This strong Blade Intent finally calmed down. Then. Gu Qingfeng looked at his own attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 37/200 Realm: Refining Organ Second Realm Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable Level 1), Iron Body Skills (Body as Hard as Iron Level 1), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Perfection), Iron Leg Skill (Perfection), Iron Refining Finger (Perfection), Fiery Sun Divine Palm (Fierce Sun Palm Force Level 4), Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Hundred Refinement Golden Body (Golden Body Unbreakable Level 9), Seven Killings Blade Skills (Slaughter True Intent Level 2), Heavenly Gang Dominator Body (Protective Gang Qi Level 4), Heavenly Gang Divine Body (Undying Divine Body Level 1), Green Sun Skills (Fifth Layer Perfection, Pure Yang Qi Blood Level 4), Five Internal Organs Scripture (Second Layer, Five Organs Like God Level 2), Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual (Second Layer, Refining Organ as Iron Level 2), Domineering Blade Slash (Small Success, Domineering Blade True Intent Level 7) Upgrade Points: 4 ... This year. Gu Qingfeng was thirty-seven years old. His Domineering Blade True Intent had made yet another breakthrough, advancing a step forward on the foundation of master-level True Intent. Chapter 96: Chapter 96: The Courts Actions Chapter 96: Chapter 96: The Court''s Actions "Phew!" Gu Qingfeng let out a breath and immediately looked at the Master True Intent Map in front of him. This time. Gu Qingfeng found the Master True Intent on the map had completely dissipated. As he had thought. The True Intent contained in the Master True Intent Map could only help him cultivate up to the seventh level of True Intent. It was an unavoidable matter. If it had been the Master True Intent Map from its peak period, he believed it would have allowed him to cultivate to the eighth level, or even the ninth level of True Intent. Regrettably. This Master True Intent Map, having been in the Zhuo Family''s possession for many years, had much of its Master True Intent already lost; now, reaching the seventh level of True Intent was about the limit. At this moment. The Master True Intent dissipated. It was now merely an ordinary painting with no further use. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng approached the desk, spread out a piece of Xuan paper, closed his eyes for deep meditation, and then reopened them. With a sweep of his brush, he quickly sketched a new painting. In the next moment. The Xuan paper suddenly shattered, turning into a cloud of fragments scattering in the air. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head, "As expected, the power of True Intent is not something ordinary paper can bear; even if I wish to preserve such True Intent, I must find a treasure capable of containing it!" He wanted to emulate his predecessor and leave behind his own True Intent power. Regrettably. Ordinary Xuan paper could not withstand it. And the Master True Intent Map sent by the Zhuo Family was clearly made of no ordinary material. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng temporarily abandoned the idea of leaving behind a True Intent Map. Of course. There were other methods to truly preserve True Intent, not just this one. The difference being, if one could emulate the ancient ones and use special treasures to contain the True Intent, then such True Intent could be preserved for much longer. Before the Sixth Layer, the cultivation was at the level of Blood Refining, but starting from the Sixth Layer, it involved the aspect of Bone Refining. Gu Qingfeng felt the power of Pure Yang Qi Blood refined by the Green Sun Skills, which merged from the veins into his bones, and his already tempered bones, terrifying in strength, expelled a bit of impurity once again. As the impurities were expelled, Gu Qingfeng felt his Golden Bones become even smoother. Yet, to say they were truly flawless was still an exaggeration. "Once the Green Sun Skills advance further, I should be able to continue tempering my Golden Bones. Perfecting my body with various Martial Arts will surely bring a fundamental transformation to my strength!" Gu Qingfeng felt the changes in his body, with a little impurity expelled and the circulation of qi and blood within his body running smoothly, his strength also experienced a slight improvement. Although the improvement was not very evident, at his current level, every bit of improvement should not be underestimated. Three days after Gu Qingfeng''s breakthrough, Gu Yang came to visit again. "Father, I greet you!" Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Yang bowed deeply, and his gaze involuntarily fell upon the Evil Slayer Blade in the center. Divine Weapons have spirits. The powerful Blade Intent contained within it slightly influenced his own understanding of the Dominating Blade Intent, as if creating a subtle resonance between them. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, his body still sitting immobile, and he slowly spoke, "Tell me, what has happened?" "There has been a major incident in Nine Curves Road. The Zhuo Family and the Red Flame Sect, among other millennium-old families and sects, marched into Nine Curves Road, intending to suppress that Evil Spirit, but all were utterly defeated." "Rumors from the outside suggest that the Evil Spirit is extremely formidable, and tens of thousands of residents of Yunshan City have perished at its hands. It''s said that several Masters from the Spirit-controlling Realm of the Evil Suppression Bureau also fell. This includes the deputy commander of the Evil Suppression Bureau in Guangyang Prefecture, Jiang Qin!" Gu Yang relayed accurately. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng''s eyes flashed with sharpness. "Is this information reliable?" "Almost certainly!" Gu Yang paused for a moment, then continued to speak. "If it were not for those sects and families entering Nine Curves Road and clashing with that Evil Spirit, this news might not have reached us. I have also tried to send people to Nine Curves Road to gather information. It seems that the court is gradually evacuating the people there, and the Evil Suppression Bureaus in various prefectures are also mobilizing to jointly combat this Evil Spirit." Gu Yang''s words made Gu Qingfeng appear somewhat solemn. If the court truly took these steps, then this rumor was likely true. After all. If not. The court would not have taken such significant actions. Just as Gu Qingfeng was contemplating, Gu Yang said, "The situation with the Evil Spirit in Nine Curves Road is causing quite a stir, and someone from the court has also come to Gu Family Manor, seeking your assistance in jointly annihilating the Evil Spirit. However, since Father was in seclusion earlier, I did not disturb you." Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Devouring the Evil Spirit Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Devouring the Evil Spirit "Who is coming?" Gu Qingfeng asked. Gu Yang said, "The people coming are from the Evil Suppression Bureau of Guangyang Prefecture." "Um..." Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. "If more people come later, just say I am in seclusion. There''s no need to get involved with the matter at Nine Curves Road for now. Let those sects and families, as well as the Evil Suppression Bureau, take the lead. These millennium-old sects certainly have their own foundations. Moreover, with the strong power of the Evil Suppression Bureau, dealing with an evil spirit shouldn''t be a problem. Now that they are inviting forces from all sides to suppress the evil spirit at Nine Curves Road, they are probably just looking for cannon fodder..." With the foundations of those sects and the strength of the Evil Suppression Bureau, Gu Qingfeng didn''t believe they couldn''t even handle one evil spirit at Nine Curves Road. Step back to consider. If these people really can''t handle the evil spirit at Nine Curves Road, then going there himself would most likely result in his own demise. Therefore. No matter from which angle you look at it. There is no need to get involved in the affairs of Nine Curves Road this time. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang nodded, "I understand, Father!" Afterward. Gu Qingfeng continued, "In the next few days, I will be leaving Gu Family Manor for a while. You will stay and take charge of the manor." "Are you planning to go to Nine Curves Road, Father?" Gu Yang looked slightly startled. Gu Qingfeng smiled lightly, "Although there''s no need for our Gu Family Manor to be involved in this battle, it''s still good to take a look at that evil spirit." This battle. It would be a good opportunity to see the true depths of the various sects and families and identify how far Gu Family Manor is behind them. Or to say. To gain a deeper understanding of the strengths of that evil spirit. If the major sects and families really fail miserably, Gu Qingfeng himself also needs to be prepared. After all¡ª Although White Stone Dao is some distance from Nine Curves Road, they are both part of Guangyang Prefecture. If Nine Curves Road truly falls, it would be impossible for White Stone Dao to remain unaffected. So. Know thyself, know thy enemy. ¡ª On the ancient road. A person in green robes walked slowly. However, Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to delve deeper into Nine Curves Road, suddenly the Evil Slayer Blade behind him vibrated violently, emitting a sword cry, followed by a sense of impending doom emerging in his heart. "Something''s wrong!" Gu Qingfeng''s face changed, and he explosively retreated. And at the moment he stepped back, the scene before his eyes suddenly changed, the trees twisted and vanished, presenting an ancient city right before his eyes. Above the ancient city, A Buddha sat in the void, smiling while holding a flower, with tears of blood streaming from his eyes, looking directly into Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. Around the Buddha, numerous lotuses bloomed, each with a figure sitting in them¡ªfigures that one would expect to be most sacred. But upon closer inspection, one could see that those sitting had their bodies impaled from the anus straight through the head, their skin being stripped bare and copious amounts of blood spilling, dyeing the golden lotuses into eerie Blood Lotuses. "Save... save me!!" Someone spoke with difficulty, their voice hoarse and filled with terror. Some tried to raise their hands in a struggle, but their bodies were impaled and lacked the strength to break free. This scene, Caused Gu Qingfeng''s pupils to shrink. Among the many figures on the Blood Lotuses, he also saw a familiar face. Zhuo Family! Zhuo Feng! But differently, Zhuo Feng''s skin had been stripped away, his muscles and veins exposed to the air, with copious amounts of blood flowing down from his body, making a very miserable sight. If it weren''t for the features that could be vaguely recognized, Gu Qingfeng would have had difficulty truly identifying him. Seeing this scene, Gu Qingfeng understood. The strong ones from various Sects and prestigious families, it seemed, had been wiped out. Suddenly, Someone couldn''t bear the pain and let out a miserable, piercing scream, their body suddenly splitting apart, and the Evil Spirit they harbored revived at that moment. However¡ª At the moment the Evil Spirit revived, The Buddha in the void reached out a huge hand toward the Evil Spirit, and holding the corpse that harbored the Evil Spirit, he placed it in his mouth to chew, as a great deal of blood flowed down the corners of his mouth. Devouring an Evil Spirit! This was the first time Gu Qingfeng had witnessed an Evil Spirit being annihilated. Clearly, The Buddha above the ancient city was a very powerful Evil Spirit. All the Evil Spirits harbored within the bodies of the mighty ones from various sects and families had become food for this ancient city''s Evil Spirit. And when one Evil Spirit was completely devoured, Gu Qingfeng could clearly feel that the aura of the ancient city''s Evil Spirit seemed to grow stronger by the minute. "Evil Buddha!" "This is definitely a Disaster-Level Evil Spirit!!" Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath, barely managing to suppress the shock in his heart. The illusion just experienced and the current events were enough to indicate that this was a Disaster-Level Evil Spirit capable of forming a forbidden zone. Chapter 98: Chapter 98 The Power of the Evil Buddha Chapter 98: Chapter 98 The Power of the Evil Buddha ``` At that moment. Above the ancient city. The Evil Buddha muttered. Gu Qingfeng instantly felt his blood and vitality boil uncontrollably, a surge of compulsion rising within his heart to abandon resistance, to walk towards the Blood Lotus and serve at the Evil Buddha''s side. However. This thought had just emerged. When Gu Qingfeng, with a determination as sharp as a knife, ruthlessly severed the intrusive thoughts from his mind. Suddenly. The scene before him shifted. Gu Qingfeng found himself, without knowing when, inside the ancient city, with an extremely terrifying and eerie chill pervading the air. And behind him. Stood the city gate. Without hesitation. Gu Qingfeng turned and fled swiftly. But just as he spun around to leave, that eerie chill abruptly erupted, and a Buddha''s palm descended across the void with such force that it seemed to block out heaven and earth. The sun and moon lost their light. The color of blood spread. The Evil Slayer Blade trembled violently, but Gu Qingfeng''s expression was more composed than ever, his bodily energy exploding forth like a proud sun rising, its extreme heat vaporizing the cold chill completely. Immediately after. The long blade was drawn. Spirit converged. "Domineering Blade slash!" Gu Qingfeng bellowed, unleashing a tyrannical slash as if it could split mountains and rift valleys. The dazzling brilliance of the blade''s light, like the first gleam of dawn breaking the sky, struck ferociously into the hand of the Buddha. The next moment. "Boom¡ª" An immense, terrifying force bore down. Gu Qingfeng''s body flew out like a cannonball, but before he truly hit the ground, he twisted mid-air and slashed again, this time towards the outside of the ancient city. The fierce blade light seemed capable of tearing through space, and in the blink of an eye, Gu Qingfeng had broken free. The entire ordeal. Occurred in the blink of an eye. As Gu Qingfeng made his getaway, for the first time, an emotion known as anger appeared in the Buddha''s bleeding eyes; clearly visible was a deep cut on the Buddha''s golden-palmed hand, from which fresh blood seeped, dripping from the wound. Yet in less than a breath''s time, the wound had vanished without a trace. With the Evil Buddha''s power, it was not something he could handle now. Half-step Master! In front of a truly powerful Evil Spirit, even they are but ants. If such an Evil Spirit were to appear in White Stone Dao, then the fate of Gu Family Manor could be easily imagined. For a moment. Gu Qingfeng considered relocating Gu Family Manor away from White Stone Dao, but this thought did not last long before he suppressed it. Moving away from White Stone Dao would be easy. But the problem is. With the world in chaos and uncanny Evil Spirits rampant, it''s not necessarily safe elsewhere. Moreover, in a foreign land, with complex and intertwined power dynamics, it wouldn''t be easy for Gu Family Manor to carve out their own place in that new territory. By comparison. White Stone Dao at least can be considered safe for now. The Evil Buddha exists within Nine Curves Road; it might not necessarily spill over to White Stone Dao. Therefore. Leaving is out of the question. Unless it''s truly a last resort, the legacy of White Stone Dao must not be abandoned. ¡ª¡ª When Gu Qingfeng returned to Gu Family Manor, it was already three days later. During his absence, Gu Family Manor had remained peaceful. In the current White Stone Dao, Gu Family Manor was akin to heaven; even the reputation of the court''s officialdom wasn''t as useful as the former''s. The name "Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng." Was enough to deter all criminals. And when Gu Qingfeng returned, Gu Yang was the first to come and see him. "Father, have you discovered anything from the Nine Curves Road?" His expression was somewhat curious. Gu Qingfeng, however, had a solemn and serious face, as he said gravely, "The experts from the sects and aristocratic families of Guangyang Prefecture are ruined. The Evil Spirit of Nine Curves Road is a Disaster Level being. When I entered Nine Curves Road, I only saw the Evil Buddha towering in the void, subduing a city, with all the sect and aristocratic family experts becoming fodder for the Evil Buddha." "This matter, I believe, will not take long to spread throughout Guangyang Prefecture." "Now that the world is in turmoil and the strength of the sects and aristocratic families in Guangyang Prefecture is diminished, it may trigger other consequences." "So for the time being, you need to keep an eye on the affairs of the Martial World. Any sudden changes must be immediately reported to me." Gu Qingfeng''s words also made Gu Yang very serious, hurriedly nodding in agreement. A Disaster Level Evil Spirit, with just a few words from Gu Qingfeng, he understood the terror of such an Evil Spirit. ``` Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Establishing a Career and Starting a Family Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Establishing a Career and Starting a Family The immense power of the Disaster-Level Evil Spirit. It made Gu Qingfeng even more anxious to enhance his own strength. Even the changes in the outside world, he had no intention of paying attention to them. Just as Gu Qingfeng had anticipated, many families and sects within Guangyang Prefecture had suffered heavily, with numerous powerful individuals falling at the hands of the Evil Buddha. As a result. The strength of the Martial World in Guangyang Prefecture had suddenly decreased significantly. In these chaotic times, territory and resources were particularly important. When the power of Guangyang Prefecture weakened, other Martial World forces not belonging to Guangyang eyed this place. Thus. Numerous other provincial Martial World forces secretly sent people into Guangyang Prefecture, wanting to gradually encroach upon it. Regarding such situations. Those millennial families and sects belonging to Guangyang Prefecture certainly would not agree. After all¡ª These sects and families had been rooted here for many years, already deeply entrenched, and if they allowed other outside forces to encroach, it would be like digging up their own roots. Such circumstances. They simply could not tolerate. Conflict! The inevitable eruption! Although the power of the Martial World in Guangyang suffered not lightly, it was, after all, a millennium of heritage not to be underestimated, and they were able to roughly stabilize the situation for the time being. On the other hand. In White Stone Dao, other forces also wanted to make a move. However. After Gu Qingfeng personally took action, with the force of thunder, striking down several powerful individuals in one strike, the reputation of the Domineering Blade spread once again, causing the Martial World forces wanting to target White Stone Dao to once again fail. The prestige of being half-step Master! Indeed was not to be underestimated. Furthermore, given that White Stone Dao''s ranking within Guangyang Prefecture was not among the top, possessing very limited resources, it was not worth it to fight to the death over White Stone Dao against a half-step Master. ¡ª In the blink of an eye. Two years passed. This day. Gu Family Manor was brightly lit and bustling with guests. This was because today was the day of the Young Master of Gu Family Manor''s grand wedding. At the banquet. Now that he saw his own son settling down and starting a career, as an old father, it was impossible to say he felt no emotion. And Xu Yulan, at his side, also wore a smiling face, her appearance growing even more charming over the years. ... "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has established a family (can be triggered only once)!" "Reward upgrade points *30!" ... Gu Qingfeng''s expression shifted slightly as he looked at the message that appeared on the attribute panel, feeling a bit surprised, but more so, relieved. Indeed. A descendant establishing a family truly counted as a significant event, and the reward given was also decent. At least, thirty upgrade points could accomplish quite a lot. ... The banquet lasted a full seven days before all the guests finally left. The originally lively Gu Family Manor once again returned to its usual tranquility. Gu Qingfeng sat alone in the Grinding Blade Hall, his gaze turned toward his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 39/200 Realm: Refining Organ Second Layer Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable Level One), Iron Body Skills (Body as Hard as Iron Level One), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Perfection), Iron Leg Skill (Perfection), Iron Refining Finger (Perfection), Fiery Sun Divine Palm (Fierce Sun Palm Force Level Four), Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Hundred Refinement Golden Body (Golden Body Unbreakable Level Nine), Seven Killings Blade Skills (Slaughter True Intent Level Two), Heavenly Gang Dominator Body (Protective Gang Qi Level Four), Heavenly Gang Divine Body (Undying Divine Body Level One), Green Sun Skills (Ninth Layer Perfection, Pure Yang Qi Blood Level Eight), Five Internal Organs Scripture (Second Layer, Five Organs Like God Level Two), Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual (Second Layer, Refining Organ Like Iron, Level Two), Domineering Blade Chop (Small Success, Domineering Blade True Intent Level Seven) Upgrade points: 34 ... Two years'' time. In general, Gu Qingfeng hadn''t changed too dramatically. Whether it was the Five Internal Organs Scripture or the Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual, there hadn''t been many breakthroughs. It was an unavoidable situation. Refining organs, each step was profoundly different. Even for so-called prodigies, refining an organ required a lengthy time, gradually perfecting it, and absolutely no accidents could occur. Otherwise, if organ refining encountered a problem, at best it would be a severe setback, and at worst, it could lead to death. Moreover, since Gu Qingfeng''s talents were not considered prodigious, it was natural that there weren''t many breakthroughs in organ refining. However, in terms of Green Sun Skills, Gu Qingfeng had utilized those two years to cultivate this supreme technique to the level of Perfection. Chapter 100: Chapter 100 Perfect Refining Skin Chapter 100: Chapter 100 Perfect Refining Skin Upgrade! Gu Qingfeng naturally did not hesitate. Twenty upgrade points disappeared, and in their place, the Five Internal Organs Scripture silently advanced to the third layer of mastery. Organ Refining. Blood and Qi filled his body. Gu Qingfeng felt the transformative power within him, his eyes bright with a fierce light, and a strong aura invisibly emanated from him, causing the divine weapons inside the Grinding Blade Hall to tremble as if influenced by some force. "Organ Refining third layer!" A slight smile appeared on Gu Qingfeng''s face. Organ Refining third layer. His strength had advanced further. As they say, each step in Organ Refining is a huge leap, and each successful refinement of an organ could bring a great transformation in one''s strength. "I just don''t know how my current strength compares to a true Grandmaster!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes narrowed slightly. A Grandmaster is one who has achieved Perfection in the Five Internal Organs and then breaks through their personal limits once more. If it were just an ordinary person at the third layer of Organ Refining, naturally, there would be no confidence to contend with a Grandmaster. However, Gu Qingfeng himself had already grasped the True Intent of a Grandmaster. If he were to face an ordinary Grandmaster who had not comprehended the True Intent of a Grandmaster, relying on his third layer of Organ Refining cultivation, he might possibly have the strength to fight. Of course, for now, Gu Qingfeng was only contemplating this. Grandmasters were few in number across the world. He would not senselessly seek out a Grandmaster to challenge. But one thing, Gu Qingfeng could be certain of. That is, his current strength, compared to the Evil Buddha on the Nine Curves Road, still had a significant gap. The Nine Curves Road had now become a completely forbidden area, with evil spirits rampant, and even the Evil Suppression Bureau had failed to subdue the Evil Buddha. In Guangyang Prefecture, the mention of the Nine Curves Road frightened people. Whether ordinary citizens or those from the Martial World, they all kept a respectful distance from the Nine Curves Road, fearing that entering it might make them fodder for the Evil Buddha. It can be said, that the Nine Curves Road, had truly become a paradise for evil spirits. Although so far, the Evil Buddha had not made many moves, Gu Qingfeng was certain that the opposite party would not be content to stay confined to the Nine Curves Road. Therefore, one day, the Evil Buddha would step out of the Nine Curves Road. At that time, the consequences would be unpredictable. Now. Gu Qingfeng had entered the Perfection stage of Refining Skin Realm, and he could control every pore on his body. If he closed all his pores, he could lock in his vital essence and thus extend his lifespan. Just as expected. When Gu Qingfeng looked at his attribute panel, he found that his lifespan had quietly increased by a hundred years. "Three hundred years of lifespan!" "If I''m not mistaken, even an Innate Grandmaster has merely three hundred years of lifespan, yet I''ve reached it in the Third Realm of Refining Organ, equivalent to an Innate Grandmaster." "This goes to show, a perfect body that locks in vital essence indeed has many benefits!" Gu Qingfeng secretly thought. Such was the case with perfect Refining Skin. If he could go further, achieving Perfect Blood Refining or even Perfect Bone Refining, his lifespan could extend even more. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng glanced at the remaining fourteen Upgrade Points and decided instantly to put them all into the Red Flame Divine Skill. In an instant. Eight Upgrade Points disappeared. The Red Flame Divine Skill instantly broke through from the first layer Perfection to the second layer Perfection. At that moment. Gu Qingfeng once again felt a transformation in his vital energy, truly reaching the state of purified and essential vitality, cleaned of all impurities. Blood is the foundation of a Martial Artist. Now, with Perfect Blood Refining, Gu Qingfeng''s strength had improved by at least twenty percent. Then again. It was the matter of lifespan. From the initial three hundred years, his lifespan had now directly broken through to five hundred years. And then. Gu Qingfeng, with a determined expression, again used five Upgrade Points to elevate the Red Flame Divine Skill from the second layer Perfection to the third layer Beginner. This time. He noticed some changes in his iron bones, yet they hadn''t reached the stage of true Perfection. "It seems that to achieve Perfect Bone Refining, I must train in more Martial Arts related to bone refining!" Though it was so. But having been able to reach Perfect Refining Skin and Perfect Blood Refining, Gu Qingfeng was quite satisfied. Besides. The upgrade of the Red Flame Divine Skill perfectly matched with the earlier Fiery Sun Divine Palm, with the latter being completely absorbed by the former. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng instantly understood that the two Martial Arts originated from the same source. Or rather. The Fiery Sun Divine Palm was derived from the Red Flame Divine Skill. Otherwise. It would be difficult to explain how two Martial Arts could merge and absorb each other. This also indirectly indicated that Master Lieyang, who created the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, probably had some connection with the Red Flame Sect. Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Two Years Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Two Years Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 39/500 Realm: Third Realm of Organ Refining Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable Level 1), Iron Body Skills (Body as hard as iron Level 1), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Perfection), Iron Leg Skill (Perfection), Iron Refining Finger (Perfection), Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Hundred Refinement Golden Body (Golden Body Unbreakable Level 9), Seven Killings Blade Skills (Slaughter True Intent Level 2), Heavenly Gang Dominator Body (Protective Gang Qi Level 4), Heavenly Gang Divine Body (Undying Divine Body Level 1), Green Sun Skills (Ninth Layer Perfection, Pure Yang Qi Blood Level 8), Five Internal Organs Scripture (Third Layer, Five Organs Like God Level 3), Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual (Third Layer, Organ Refining as Iron, Level 2), Domineering Blade Slash (Small Success, Blade True Intent Level 7), Red Flame Divine Skill (Third Layer Beginner, Red Flame Palm Level 2) Upgrade Points: 1 ¡ª This is Gu Qingfeng''s current attribute panel. Perfect Skin Refining. Perfect Blood Refining. Both breakthroughs had directly shattered the barrier of an Innate Grandmaster''s lifespan, reaching the level comparable to a Blood Qi Grandmaster. If he were to step into the perfect stage in all aspects, Gu Qingfeng even wondered if his lifespan could break a thousand years. If he further broke through the Grandmaster, his lifespan could even surpass two thousand years. "Spirit-controlling Realm magicians have a lifespan of eight hundred years!" "If I can achieve Perfect Organ Refining, breaking an eight hundred-year lifespan would not be a problem!" "Everyone says that martial artists are inferior to magicians because of the shorter lifespan of martial artists, but now who can say that martial artists are inferior to magicians!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression was determined. Although he had not achieved Perfect Bone Refining at the moment, as long as he had time, it would definitely not be a problem. Martial artists in the world cannot step into the perfect stage, because to truly have a perfect body, one must cultivate many Martial Arts of the same level. Unfortunately. Martial artists have a limited lifespan. Staying in a realm for too long is not a good thing for many. Therefore. This creates a closed loop. To cultivate a perfect body, one needs a sufficiently long time, but what martial artists often lack is time. Consequently. This leads to the near impossibility of cultivating a perfect body. Moreover, the benefits of a perfect body are not known to others; if the goal were clear, then others might be willing to make an attempt. But for an unknown outcome, who would waste time as the years slip by? After all, even for truly exceptional individuals, cultivating multiple Martial Arts takes a significant amount of time. However. Gu Qingfeng was different. He had an attribute panel. As long as he had enough upgrade points, cultivating a perfect body would not be a problem. And when his body reached perfection, Gu Qingfeng could devise Martial Arts for cultivating a perfect body for his descendants in the Gu Family to cultivate. Gu Qingfeng turned forty. ¡ª¡ª The Martial World was in turmoil. The world was in chaos. It seemed that all of this had nothing to do with Gu Family Manor. Even though Gu Qingfeng had achieved organ refining fifth realm Perfection, he had no intention of leaving seclusion and continued to painstakingly cultivate martial arts. The Domineering Blade had also become more profound over the years of rigorous practice. Although it had not achieved Great Success, the Blade Intent had grown stronger than before. Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, The Blade Intent was chilling. Gu Qingfeng seemed to merge with the hall, and the Evil Slayer Blade placed in front on the rack emitted an extremely powerful aura, as if connecting with each other. This was due to the Blade Nourishing Skills. Years of nurturing the blade. Made the Evil Slayer Blade extraordinarily mystical. However, Regarding these matters, Gu Qingfeng did not concern himself; he still practiced daily, and all matters within the manor were managed by Gu Yang. ¡ª¡ª Soon, Another year passed. This year, Gu Qingfeng turned forty-one. And now, Gu Family Manor was also on high alert, everyone within looking tense. The reason was simple; Zhong Li was about to give birth. More than a year after the marriage, Zhong Li was blessed with a child, and now, judging by the timing, it was almost time for childbirth. Outside the chamber, Gu Yang paced back and forth. Nineteen-year-old Gu Yang, due to taking over the management of Gu Family Manor early, had a mature face, showing none of the naivety typical of his age. However, Gu Yang did not exhibit his usual composure today, his face full of nervousness. By his side, the graceful and noble Xu Yulan offered reassuring words, "Yang''er, there''s no need to worry. Li Niang is a martial artist; her body is not weak. I believe childbirth won''t pose a major problem, just be at ease. When I gave birth to Xuan''er and Xiu''er, everything went smoothly as well." "Mother, your words make great sense!" Hearing this, Gu Yang forced a smile, but the nervous expression never truly left his face. It was his first time becoming a father, after all. It was naturally impossible not to feel nervous. Seeing this, Xu Yulan shook her head slightly and said nothing more. Chapter 102: Chapter 102 Gu Shengnan Chapter 102: Chapter 102 Gu Shengnan At that moment, Gu Qingfeng walked over. Seeing the newcomer, Gu Yang hurriedly bowed, "Father!" "How is Li Niang?" Gu Qingfeng looked toward the tightly closed door of the side room, from inside which anguished cries could be heard. Gu Yang shook his head, "No news yet!" Having said this, Gu Yang couldn''t help pacing back and forth again, his expression changing erratically. Gu Qingfeng furrowed his brow and scolded sternly, "Such a flustered appearance is unbecoming!" At these words, Gu Yang''s expression became serious, and he no longer dared to pace back and forth. Even the anxious worry on his face diminished somewhat. In the entire Gu Family Manor, the only person Gu Yang feared, or perhaps respected, was Gu Qingfeng. Especially now that Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation had grown more profound, honing his Blade Intent in the Grinding Blade Hall, there was an indescribable authority about him that made people dare not look him directly in the eye. Watching Gu Yang barely calming down, Gu Qingfeng was constantly looking at his own information panel. This time, was also a moment of verification. Time trickled away. Suddenly, after a long silence, new text refreshed on the information panel. "You have a new child born!" Seeing this, a gleam shone in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. "It really is possible!" Just as this thought settled, the cry of an infant came from the side room; the midwife walked out with a face full of smiles, repeatedly bowing to offer congratulations. "Congratulations to Master Gu, congratulations to Mr. Gu, the Young Madam has given birth to a precious daughter, both mother and daughter are safe!" As soon as these words ended, Gu Yang rushed straight into the room. Gu Qingfeng, looking at the servant beside him, said indifferently, "Someone, reward a hundred taels of silver!" "Many thanks, Mr. Gu!!" The midwife''s expression brightened once again. This was the benefit of dealing with a wealthy and noble household; if there were problems, one could hardly escape blame, but if things went well, the rewards were incredibly generous. "Yes!" The two of them eagerly responded. The path of Martial Arts captivated them both for some time, and seeing many in the Gu Family Manor possessing Martial Arts, they were itching to try. Alas. Gu Qingfeng had repeatedly commanded that they not cultivate Martial Arts before the appropriate age, so neither dared to defy the order, and no one in the Gu Family Manor dared to secretly teach them. "This time I will teach you the Beginner Fist Skills of our Gu Family Manor, named Gu Family Boxing. Although this is not a top-tier Martial Arts technique, it can hone your foundation, allowing you to potentially go much further in the future!" Gu Qingfeng spoke slowly. The current Gu Family Boxing differed from the original. This was because over the years, Gu Qingfeng had improved the technique, elevating a Martial Arts style that merely touched the threshold of Blood Refining to one that could stand shoulder to shoulder with top mid-tier Martial Arts. The current Gu Family Boxing integrated the advantages of Gu Qingfeng''s perfect Refining Skin and Blood Refining Perfection into the technique. Though the Gu Family Boxing was still unable to lead one to achieve perfect Refining Skin or Blood Refining, it could greatly compensate for the deficiencies in other cultivation techniques. Without exaggeration. If one could build their foundation on Gu Family Boxing, even if they could not cultivate the perfect physical body, their physique would approach perfection. Gu Qingfeng believed. The current Gu Family Boxing was truly among the elites within mid-tier Martial Arts¡ªperhaps even stronger than the Fiery Sun Divine Palm of old. The real advantage of the Fiery Sun Divine Palm was that upon reaching Blood Refining Perfection, it leveraged the Fierce Sun Palm Force to aid Martial Artists in actively refining their bones, thus passively entering the Bone Refining Realm. Just this aspect alone made the Fiery Sun Divine Palm far surpass many mid-tier Martial Arts, with an importance that was significantly greater than that of an average high-tier Martial Arts. However. If discussing solely the foundation, the Fiery Sun Divine Palm was somewhat behind the Gu Family Boxing. Seeing the excited look in the eyes of Gu Xuan and the other, Gu Qingfeng cut to the chase. He first explained the Heart Method Mantra and the breathing techniques of the Gu Family Boxing, ensuring the two could fully remember them, before he began to demonstrate the moves of the Gu Family Boxing. After a short while. After Gu Qingfeng completed a set of fist techniques, he intended to ask the two if they remembered it, but seeing their blank expressions, he simply shook his head, no longer bothering to ask, and patiently continued to practice the techniques. Half an hour later. The two had memorized the routine of the fist techniques and the corresponding Heart Method Mantra. Regarding this. Gu Qingfeng was quite pleased. Setting other things aside. For their first encounter with Martial Arts, they memorized a Martial Arts technique so quickly. Not to mention their genetic potential, just in terms of memory and comprehension, they were already much better than the average person. "I just don''t know how long it will take for the two to truly step onto the path of Martial Arts!" Gu Qingfeng watched the two earnestly practicing Gu Family Boxing and pondered inwardly. ``` Chapter 103: Chapter 103: It Really Works! Chapter 103: Chapter 103: It Really Works! "Your scion ''Gu Xuan'' has learned Gu Family Boxing!" "Your scion ''Gu Xiu'' has learned Gu Family Boxing!" "Your scion ''Gu Xuan'' shows a slight understanding in his training of Gu Family Boxing!" "Your scion ''Gu Xiu'' shows a slight understanding in his training of Gu Family Boxing!" "Your scion..." In the following period, Gu Qingfeng was all about monitoring the information panel. Every few days, he would see the information panel refresh. "I wonder how long will it take for Xuan''er and Xiu''er to step into the realm of Martial Arts." Gu Qingfeng speculated. From a young age, both had been soaking in medicine baths to hone their genetics, even if they were born with mediocre talent, after so many years of tempering, they could be considered on par with average prodigies. Originally, Gu Yang took almost three months to step into the Initial Stage of the Refining Skin Realm. Such talent could already be considered top-notch. However, the difference was that. Gu Yang didn''t have the luxury of medicine baths to hone from a young age. If he had received the same treatment as the two of them, becoming a top talent wouldn''t have been a problem. Nonetheless. Genetic potential is not absolute. It is just that. Those with better genetic potential find cultivation to be as if aided by divine assistance, whereas if one''s genetic potential is average, their cultivation would lag. But in the end, the limit still depends on the individual. Half a month later. The information panel refreshed again. "Your scion ''Gu Xuan'' has broken through to the Initial Stage of the Refining Skin Realm!" "Reward points*1!" "Your scion ''Gu Xiu'' has broken through to the Initial Stage of the Refining Skin Realm!" "Reward points*1!" "Indeed, it''s possible!" The smile finally appeared on Gu Qingfeng''s face as the heavy stone in his heart dropped completely. The breakthroughs of Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu were bringing him upgrade points, which meant his previous assumptions weren''t off the mark. Additionally, Gu Qingfeng finally confirmed something. Anyone who could be recorded by the information panel, their breakthroughs would also bring him upgrade points. That means. In the future, as long as there were enough descendants of the Gu Family bloodline, he could amass vast amounts of upgrade points. At that time, No matter the Masters or Great Grandmasters, they would all be easily broken with just a flick of a finger. Even the Evil Buddha of the Nine Curves Road could be suppressed single-handedly. But¡ª "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' has gained insight into the Gu Family Boxing and has broken through to the Late Stage of the Refining Skin Realm!" "Reward points*5!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xiu'' has somewhat grasped the Gu Family Boxing, with a slight increase in strength!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has slain a Mid-level Blood Refining Martial Artist!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has been attacked by a Mid-level Bone Refining Martial Artist!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has been attacked by a Blood Refining Perfection Martial Artist*5!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang''¡ª" ... Initially practicing in peace within the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng''s face turned furious upon seeing the flood of notifications on the information panel, and a soaring Blade Intent burst forth from the hall, causing the many divine weapons to buzz silently. In the next breath, Gu Qingfeng stepped out of the Grinding Blade Hall. Moments later, Gu Peng arrived. "Speak, where is the Young Master currently?" Gu Qingfeng asked with a cold expression. Sensing the suppressed anger emanating from Gu Qingfeng, Gu Peng did not understand why but dared not hesitate in the slightest, hastily bowing and speaking, "Reporting to the manor master, there was a message yesterday that the rebel army was moving through White Stone Dao. Therefore, the Young Master led the Outer Hall disciples to deal with the rebel army!" "Rebel army?" Gu Qingfeng''s brows furrowed slightly. Gu Peng spoke, "In the recent years, the Divine Martial King has conquered several prefectures, and the court has suffered great losses. Even within Guangyang Prefecture, there are many rebel armies lurking, with even more defeated soldiers turning to banditry, engaging in acts befitting a rebel army. Even our White Stone Dao has been affected. However, these matters have not disturbed the manor master, and the Young Master himself has been dealing with them!" Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng remained cold, but his mind was clear. In two years, the Divine Martial King''s power had grown more formidable. Already a year ago, the Divine Martial King had knocked on the doors of Liuyun Prefecture, and his troops marched straight in. The war had officially reached Taishan County, and as Guangyang Prefecture was a part of Taishan County, it was naturally unavoidable. It was quite normal for defeated rebel troops to roam as bandits. Instantly, Gu Qingfeng asked, "Now tell me, where exactly is Yang''er?" "Red Rock Village!" ... The setting sun was like blood. A village was engulfed in cries of slaughter, and the tranquility of the past had disappeared. Within view, corpses of the common folk were everywhere¡ªmen and women, old and young. Some of the bodies were even disheveled, indicating they had suffered various indignities before death. But upon closer inspection, it could be seen that the majority of the people had been gutted, their internal organs all harvested. Meanwhile, in the village, more than a hundred rebel soldiers were battling with the people from Gu Family Manor. Chapter 104: Chapter 104: What Will You Do If I Come? Chapter 104: Chapter 104: What Will You Do If I Come? Gu Yang stood with a long saber in hand, its light sharp and cold, sweeping through with unchecked ferocity. With his strength alone, he had forcefully held back the attacks of several rebel army strongmen. He paid no mind to the other Martial Artists at Blood Refining Perfection; though he was only at the Late Stage of Blood Refining himself, slaughtering those at Blood Refining Perfection was a trivial matter. The person truly warranting Gu Yang''s caution was the middle-aged military commander before him, a formidable man who had attained Mid-level Bone Refining with copper bone strength throughout his body. "What a Young Master of Gu Family Manor, to possess such strength even at the Late Stage of Blood Refining. If you were to grow further, you would become a great enemy!" "It is said that His Majesty once sent envoys to White Stone Dao to recruit your Gu Family Manor, but alas, your Gu Family refused." "Since that''s the case, you cannot be allowed to live!" The middle-aged commander''s expression was icy, his eyes full of deadly intent. To him, the Gu Family Manor''s rejection of the Divine Martial King''s invitation meant they were already enemies. Moreover, with Gu Yang personally leading people to stop him and his men, there was no ground for reconciliation. And so. For a fleeting moment. The middle-aged commander had already decided, Gu Yang must not be spared. As for whether killing Gu Yang would offend the Gu Family Manor, he held no concerns. Once this deed was done, whether the Gu Family Manor would even exist remained a question. With that thought in mind. The middle-aged commander suddenly roared, "Release the signal arrows!" As his voice fell. Signal arrows soared into the sky, bursting forth in the twilight heavens, glaringly bright. "You''re as good as dead!" Seeing his subordinates release the signal arrows, the middle-aged commander''s face twisted savagely. Hearing this, Gu Yang remained silent, yet his heart was already searching for a way out. White Stone Dao belonged to Gu Family Manor. The rebellion revolted. Gu Yang certainly could not tolerate it. Thus, upon learning of the rebel army''s movements, he had led his Outer Hall Disciples to intercept them, only to find, a step too late, that Red Rock Village had been entirely slaughtered. Then. The conflict between both sides erupted. Gu Yang had intended to execute the rebel army on the spot, only to discover a high-ranking Mid-level Bone Refining expert among them unexpectedly. Now. Clearly, the rebel army was seeking to gather others to their cause. Given the current situation, their chances of victory were slim. Instantly. Gu Yang was overtaken by the desire to retreat. As he spoke, Ji Zong took his time walking toward Gu Yang. In his eyes, Gu Yang was nothing more than a lamb to the slaughter, so Ji Zong naturally was in no rush. Hunting prey. He loved feeling the fear emanating from his prey. However, to Ji Zong''s disappointment, Gu Yang, from beginning to end, showed not a hint of fear on his face. Instead, he gripped the handle of his saber tightly as if preparing for a final desperate struggle. "Why bother struggling in vain? It wouldn''t matter even if your father came; I would not fear him, either. That Domineering Blade of his is nothing but a rat cowering in White Stone Dao, too afraid to come out." "How dare you insult my father!" Murder flashed across Gu Yang''s eyes, while he slowly gathered the Blood Qi in his body, waiting for Ji Zong to step into his range of attack. He was ready to strike the moment Ji Zong did. Now that he had suffered serious injuries, he could only strike one more blow. "Hmph, insult or not, if he dares to show up here¡ª" Ji Zong let out a cold smile, but before he could finish speaking, a calm voice rang out. "If I were to appear here, then what?" With these words, Ji Zong''s face instantly stiffened. He saw a person in green robes walking slowly toward them, an indescribable oppressive aura spreading in the air. Both sides engaged in the battle had involuntarily stopped fighting. All eyes fell upon the newcomer. "Father!" Gu Yang''s expression relaxed. Gu Qingfeng glanced at the wounds on his body, his gaze growing even colder. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng turned to look at Ji Zong again, his face showing neither grief nor joy. "I''ll ask you one more time, if I have come, then what would you do?" "Gu... Gu Qingfeng!!" Ji Zong''s face turned ghostly white. As their eyes met, a sensation of terror surged from within him. He had never imagined that his idle boasting would actually bring this person to the scene. A man''s reputation is like a tree''s shadow. A half-step Master is a formidable being; this, Ji Zong understood all too well. Therefore, in the blink of an eye, without uttering another word, Ji Zong made a hasty retreat and then turned tail and fled. Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Sacrifice Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Sacrifice As he saw Ji Zong turning away to leave, Gu Qingfeng made no movements, but the Evil Slayer Blade he carried on his back suddenly trembled and unsheathed itself. The next moment. A bloody blade light cleaved through the air. Amidst the shocked and horrified stares of the onlookers, Ji Zong, known as Divine Fist Vajra, was split in half mid-air; the long sword was sheathed once again, and the bloody blade light also dissipated. Silence! A deathly stillness! Whether it was from the side of the rebel army or the Gu Family Manor, everyone''s gaze turned to Gu Qingfeng, disbelief etched upon every face. With Gu Qingfeng''s near-Master level strength, slaying a Martial Artist at Bone Refining Perfection was naturally not something to be astonished about. But the problem was. Gu Qingfeng had never actually made a move; it was the autonomous action of the long sword on his back that had slain someone at Bone Refining Perfection, which was an entirely different concept! Immortal? Slaying an enemy from a thousand miles away with a controlled sword? No. It should be said to be slaying an enemy with a controlled blade. Although it wasn''t as exaggerated as a thousand miles, being able to kill a Martial Artist at Bone Refining Perfection from a distance of ten paces still sent chills down one''s spine. Even Gu Yang himself was shocked, not expecting his own father to possess such terrifying strength. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng slowly walked up to the middle-aged military commander. "Why have you, soldiers under Pei Jing''s command, come here to slaughter indiscriminately?" He asked. This question struck the middle-aged commander, who trembled and forced a grim smile. "If I reveal the reason, might Manor Master Gu spare my life?" "You don''t have the right to negotiate terms. Speaking out is the best course of action for you; should I be forced to act, perhaps even death would be a luxury." Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently, his words sending a shiver down the middle-aged commander''s spine. He understood. Gu Qingfeng was not merely trying to scare him. The methods at the disposal of such powerful beings were certainly not so simple. Even more so. The commander did not even harbor the thought of fleeing. Or perhaps. Gu Qingfeng''s blade, which had not only slain Ji Zong but also cut off his desire to flee, was to blame. "Manor Master Gu, please ask whatever you wish; I will answer all that I know, only hoping that you would grant me a swift end when the time comes." "Kill!" Gu Yang, seeing this, instantly shouted in anger. The other surviving disciples of the Gu Family Manor all rose to the occasion, launching themselves at the remaining rebels. As Ji Zong and the middle-aged warrior died, the rebels, whose spirits had been suppressed and who dared not move before, now erupted with a strong will to survive and scattered like birds and beasts in the blink of an eye. But unfortunately, although there were many rebels, they meant nothing in front of Gu Qingfeng. His Blade Qi was forbidding, his Palm Strength astonishing. With each palm and slash, Gu Qingfeng slaughtered most of the rebels in a flash, not even allowing them to get out of the bounds of Red Rock Village. The few remaining rebels were dealt with entirely by Gu Yang and his followers. "Father!" Covered in blood, Gu Yang came up to Gu Qingfeng and bowed his head in respect. Gu Qingfeng, seeing his bedraggled state, frowned deeply and immediately tossed a bottle of golden sore medicine to him. "Tend to your wounds, and then burn all these corpses completely. We will discuss the rest when we return." "Yes!" Gu Yang dared not say more, merely applying the golden sore medicine to his wounds. As the powder touched his wounds, a sharp pain instantly struck, causing his brows to furrow slightly, but that was all. Before long, Red Rock Village was ablaze. All the corpses of the rebels and villagers were incinerated in the great fire. However, Gu Qingfeng, watching the roaring flames, seemed to sense an enduring cold presence that refused to dissipate. "Great chaos under heaven!" "The people have no peace!" "I fear Red Rock Village may soon see the emergence of something strange¡ª" Although Gu Qingfeng had not witnessed the birth of such strange phenomena, he had a premonition. With so many people dead in Red Rock Village, and their deaths so brutal, the grudges of these people might take on a malevolent form. That being said, Gu Qingfeng did not know when such strangeness would actually emerge. "Go back and inform the others that strange events are likely to occur in Red Rock Village soon. If not necessary, do not come to this place!" This last statement was what Gu Qingfeng said to Gu Yang. The latter, hearing this, naturally nodded in agreement. Chapter 106: Chapter 106: The New Manor Master Chapter 106: Chapter 106: The New Manor Master Nine Curves Road. It had been two or three years. Gu Qingfeng once again stepped into this place. Compared to before, the sinister aura of the Nine Curves Road had become even more intense. It was as if this place truly was a forbidden realm for living beings, permeated everywhere with the aura of desolation. Gu Qingfeng looked ahead into the void, where a Buddha''s phantom sat cross-legged, as if thousands of souls knelt and worshipped beneath him. This scene, which should have been utterly sacred, was now pervaded by eerie and strange vibes. Because the Buddha was bleeding, none of his body retained any hint of sanctity or grandeur; only decay and rot were present. The once golden body of the Buddha had now turned putrid. Underneath him, the thousands of believers also seemed like walking corpses. In the instant he looked at the Evil Buddha, their bloodied, hollow eyes met his. In that moment, a terrifying psychic power crushed down upon him, making Gu Qingfeng feel an urge to kneel and submit. His blood and energy seemed to burst forth uncontrollably. In the next breath, Gu Qingfeng''s thoughts were like a knife. He completely severed the psychic power and pulled himself out from the Nine Curves Road, his eyes filled with even more horror as he looked at the Evil Buddha. "This Evil Spirit''s strength has grown even stronger!" said Gu Qingfeng. He had thought, having advanced to the Perfection level of the Fifth Realm of Refining Organ, and only a step away from becoming a Master, that he could narrow the gap with the Evil Buddha. Unexpectedly, the strength of the Evil Buddha had grown even more terrifying. Gu Qingfeng was unsure whether this was due to the blood sacrifices done by Pei Jing, or if the Evil Buddha''s growth was naturally this alarming. However, he could see that the Evil Buddha was currently in a stage of transformation. Once the Evil Buddha completed its transformation, it would undoubtedly leave the Nine Curves Road. At that time, the whole of Guangyang Prefecture might be devastated. After casting a deep look at the Evil Buddha, Gu Qingfeng turned and left without a moment''s hesitation. The power of the Evil Buddha was not something he could contend with right now, not to mention the currently transforming Evil Buddha, let alone the one from before. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng left without any hesitation. ¡ª Gu Family Manor. "How does the court have the righteousness to be revered by all under the heavens!?" "What will you do?" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes slightly narrowed. Gu Yang spoke solemnly, "The world is corrupt, the cosmos is murky, it is time for someone to step forward and cleanse the universe. Presently, although the various rebel armies seem strong, they are actually no different from the likes of Pei Jing. If these people obtain the world, it will not change in the slightest." With that said, Gu Yang seemed to have made a decision and bowed deeply to Gu Qingfeng. "Your son dares to contend with the heroes of this world!" "Are you planning a rebellion?" Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, then shook his head. "Don''t even mention you; even the entire Gu Family Manor isn''t qualified to vie for the world. Moreover, if such actions fail, they will result in an irreversible doom, remember this!" Upon hearing these words, Gu Yang''s expression remained unchanged, "Ultimately, someone must stand out in this world, despite the dangers, your son wants to attempt it. Furthermore, I understand the concerns you''ve mentioned, so I do not plan to act immediately. Instead, I will first secretly accumulate and nurture some strength, only making my move when the time is ripe!" Seeing Gu Yang''s resolute expression, Gu Qingfeng looked deeply at him, then slightly nodded. "As you said, the order of the world has already decayed, even changing dynasties wouldn''t differ, but you must understand, the root of this problem is not within the court, but within the magicians and the evil spirits. As long as the magicians are not eradicated, and the evil spirits are not wiped out, the world will remain as it is." "If you want to stand out and be the person who reestablishes the rules and order, then you are destined to be an enemy to all the magicians of the world." Gu Yang''s expression remained firm, and he spoke solemnly, "This path is perilous, but your son still wishes to try!" "Good!" Gu Qingfeng nodded. "From today onwards, you are the manor master of Gu Family Manor. You may allocate all resources in the manor as you deem fit, but I must tell you, the Immortal Sect is not as simple as you think. The top spirit-controlling realm magicians are already equivalent to master-level martial artists. And within these Immortal Sects, there are definitely existences beyond the spirit-controlling realm. If you wish to vie for the world, you must have enough strong forces in your hands; this power cannot be satisfied by just one or two masters!" "Your son understands!" Gu Yang bowed deeply. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng then said, "Good, I will take some people to Liuyun Prefecture in the next few days, and you should stay here to officially take over the affairs of the manor!" Chapter 107: Chapter 107: The Correct Way to Open Chapter 107: Chapter 107: The Correct Way to Open Abdication for a deserving successor! This had long been Gu Qingfeng''s intention. He established the Gu Family Manor with the aim to create a power that could gather cultivation resources for him while also nurturing his descendants. Now. Gu Yang was well-rounded in all respects, and he possessed the necessary ambition, so naturally, Gu Qingfeng was ready to pass on the position to him. Just as well. Currently, both Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu were young. By Gu Yang directly becoming the new manor master, a lot of strife and trouble could be spared. The following day. The news of the manor master''s change caused some stir within the Gu Family Manor, but it did not cause any significant turmoil. After all, in recent years, most of the matters within the manor had been handled by Gu Yang. To many, the Young Master had already been the appointed successor. The news that was circulated now only confirmed this fact. As for the only issue. It was perhaps that Gu Qingfeng was not particularly old¡ªin fact, for a martial artist, he was still in his prime. His abdication at this time was somewhat unexpected to many. However. Gu Qingfeng now paid no heed to these matters and instead was looking at his own information panel. ... "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has become the new manor master of the Gu Family Manor, seeking to compete for supremacy in the world, achieving the feat ''Hidden Dragon in the Abyss'' (can only be triggered once)!" "Reward points *100!" "Rewards Direct Ascension Pill (Bone Refining) *100!" "Rewards Direct Ascension Pill (Marrow Cleansing) *10!" "Rewards Direct Ascension Pill (Refining Organ) *5!" "Rewards Blood Refining Realm Death Soldier *100!" ... The influx of rewards was dizzying to Gu Qingfeng. Amid such generous rewards, the one hundred reward points seemed almost insignificant. "Direct Ascension Pills!" "Death Soldiers!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression subtly shifted as he looked at these two new and unfamiliar items. Subsequently. When his gaze turned to the Item Bar, he saw various elixirs stored there. As soon as Gu Qingfeng focused his thoughts, relevant information appeared. "Direct Ascension Pill (Bone Refining), upon consumption immediately breaks through to Perfection in the Bone Refining Realm!" "Direct Ascension Pill (Marrow Cleansing), upon consumption immediately breaks through to Perfection in the Marrow Cleansing Realm!" "Direct Ascension Pill (Refining Organ), upon consumption immediately breaks through to Perfection in the Refining Organ Realm!" It should be said. Following that, Gu Qingfeng proceeded to bestow names upon the other Death Soldiers. From Gu Er to Gu Yi, each was given a numerical code as a name. "Gu Er and Gu San will serve as deputy leaders!" Gu Qingfeng announced further. The cultivation realms of the hundred Death Soldiers were all quite similar, so there was little difference in who became the leader. Having promoted three individuals to leaders, Gu Qingfeng bestowed upon them three Direct Ascension Pills of the Refining Organ Realm. Then, Gu Qingfeng distributed ten Marrow Cleansing Realm Direct Ascension Pills and eighty-seven Bone Refining Realm Direct Ascension Pills among the remaining ninety-seven Death Soldiers, respectively. As the crowd consumed the elixirs, their energy suddenly surged, and within a few breaths, all the Death Soldiers had completed their breakthroughs. Three at the Perfection of the Refining Organ Fifth Layer! Ten at Marrow Cleansing Realm Perfection! Eighty-seven at Bone Refining Realm Perfection! This constituted an extremely terrifying force. At the very least, within Guangyang Prefecture, such a power was quite formidable indeed. However, Gu Qingfeng also knew that these Death Soldiers possessed merely the corresponding cultivation realms, but no Cultivation Techniques or Martial Arts. Among those of the same rank, the strength of the Death Soldiers was about the lowest tier. But these were not significant issues. With their realms established, Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts could be trained much more easily afterward. Also, because the Death Soldiers were absolutely loyal, Gu Qingfeng did not need to be secretive about imparting Martial Arts; he directly taught them the Gu Family''s most top-notch Red Flame Divine Skill as the foundational Martial Art for the Death Soldiers. Based on the advantages of the Red Flame Divine Skill, as long as this technique was cultivated to the Ninth Layer Perfection, one could then self-generate True Qi and step into the tenth layer, becoming an Innate Grandmaster. If all of the Death Soldiers could cultivate the Red Flame Divine Skill to the realm of Perfection, it would be equivalent to having a hundred Innate Grandmasters. Of course¡ª These were merely the most ideal estimates. In reality, Gu Qingfeng did not know the talents of these Death Soldiers, so after the real transmission of the Red Flame Divine Skill, how many could cultivate to Perfection was also unpredictable. Besides the Red Flame Divine Skill, Gu Qingfeng then passed down the Seven Killings Blade Skills. This blade technique was originally a superior-grade Martial Arts, but later Gu Qingfeng broke through its limits, making it comparable to a top-grade Martial Arts. Finally, Gu Qingfeng gave these Death Soldiers an official organization name. Hidden Guard! Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Direct Ascension Pill Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Direct Ascension Pill The appearance of the Hidden Guard. Gu Qingfeng did not promote it widely but kept it as a trump card for the Gu Family Manor. ... A routine moment of warmth. Gu Qingfeng handed an elixir to Xu Yulan and spoke, "This elixir is called the Refining Organ Pill, and if you take it, you can become a master at the Perfection stage of the Refining Organ Realm." "Your martial arts talent is average, and without accidents, the Bone Refining Realm would be your limit." "Now with this elixir, you should be able to break through to the Perfection of the Refining Organ Realm. I''m not saying you''ll definitely reach the Grandmaster Realm afterward, but living for another two hundred years shouldn''t be a problem!" Hearing Gu Qingfeng''s words, Xu Yulan''s bright eyes showed a few extra hints of shock. Although she didn''t care much for the affairs of the Martial World, she was well aware of how difficult it was to advance in martial arts. Now, an elixir could lead to a breakthrough to Perfection in the Refining Organ Realm, which was unheard of. However, Xu Yulan had no doubts about the effectiveness of the Refining Organ Pill. "Now that Yang''er has just taken over the Gu Family Manor and his cultivation is still weak, why not give the elixir to Yang''er?" "Yang''er has his own path to follow, and so do Xuan''er and Xiu''er. With their talents, the Refining Organ Realm won''t be their limit, and even reaching the Grandmaster Realm should be fairly easy. So, you don''t need to worry too much about them. You just need to focus on enhancing your own strength." Gu Qingfeng shook his head. Direct Ascension Pills and Breakthrough Pills, when consumed by descendants, would not provide any upgrade points. And, As Gu Qingfeng said, Whether it was Gu Yang''s talent, or that of Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu, breaking through the Refining Organ Realm was not a problem, and even reaching the Grandmaster Realm seemed easy in his eyes. Putting it another way, Should they face difficulties in breaking through, they could then just take a Breakthrough Pill or Direct Ascension Pill. Given that the information panel provided access to Breakthrough Pills and Direct Ascension Pills, there was a possibility of acquiring them in the future. Not to mention a Direct Ascension Pill for the Refining Organ Realm. Even a Direct Ascension Pill for the Grandmaster Realm, Gu Qingfeng suspected, might appear. "My husband''s deep affection, I have nothing to repay with!" Xu Yulan spoke with charm, her breath as sweet as orchids, showcasing a captivating demeanor. Compared to before, not only had her beauty not diminished after childbirth, but it had also gained a unique allure, making even Gu Qingfeng feel intense inner stirrings. Suddenly, With a flip, The two engaged in another friendly exchange. ... Gu Peng stood up as told. Gu Qingfeng casually tossed a porcelain bottle over, which the latter instinctively caught. "What''s inside this is a Refining Organ Pill. This pill has no extraneous effects other than allowing you to consume it and directly achieve Refining Organ Five Internal Organs Perfection, thus I bestow it upon you." Refining Organ Pill! Able to achieve Five Internal Organs Perfection in the Refining Organ Realm! Gu Qingfeng''s words made Gu Peng''s breathing turn rapid, his hand holding the porcelain bottle trembled uncontrollably, and the excitement in his heart was beyond words. "Manor master... I... I..." Gu Peng was somewhat incoherent. Gu Qingfeng waved his hand: "There''s no need for redundant pleasantries, go down and diligently consume the pill and cultivate. Also, this is the Red Flame Divine Skill, a profound technique that directly aims for Five Internal Organs Perfection and holds the hope of breaking through to the Innate Grandmaster. I bestow it upon you today. Tomorrow, you will accompany me on a trip to Liuyun Prefecture!" "Yes!" Gu Peng took a deep breath, catching the Secret Manual containing the Red Flame Divine Skill, then respectfully bowed and took three steps back before turning to leave. Watching Gu Peng''s departing figure, Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained impassive. The Direct Ascension Pill for the Refining Organ Realm, he had reserved one for Gu Peng because the latter had been by his side for many years, handling matters comprehensively. However. The Bone Refining Realm was still somewhat insufficient. Especially as the Gu Family Manor was now accessing higher and higher levels, it wasn''t to say that the Bone Refining Realm was weak, but many matters were still beyond its capability. But if one could break through to the Five Internal Organs in the Refining Organ Realm, that would be different. Therefore. Of the five Refining Organ Direct Ascension Pills, not counting the three given to the Hidden Guards and one to Xu Yulan, the best candidate left was Gu Peng. ¡ª Returning to the Outer Hall residence. Gu Peng calmed his spirit and immediately consumed the Direct Ascension Pill, unleashing an unprecedented powerful force that erupted uncontrollably, autonomously refining his physical body. Copper Bone Perfection! Silver Bone Perfection! Golden Bone Perfection! ... In just a moment, Gu Peng had directly completed the Five Internal Organs Refining, reaching the Perfection of the Refining Organ Realm. "This is the power of Refining Organ Perfection!" Feeling the river-like vital force within his body, Gu Peng''s face showed excitement, and his gratitude towards Gu Qingfeng reached a peak. As the latter had said, there was no need for superfluous words. But in Gu Peng''s heart, he was already willing to die for Gu Qingfeng. Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Lifespan of Eight Hundred Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Lifespan of Eight Hundred "It''s time for my breakthrough!" Gu Qingfeng thought as he looked at his attribute panel inside the Grinding Blade Hall, immediately using upgrade points to breakthrough in his Red Flame Divine Skill. ... Red Flame Divine Skill, fourth level, Small Success! Red Flame Divine Skill, fourth level, Great Success! Red Flame Divine Skill, fourth level, Perfection! ... After Gu Qingfeng cultivated the Red Flame Divine Skill to the fourth level of Perfection, he stopped forcefully upgrading with upgrade points. Because the first four levels of the Red Flame Divine Skill corresponded from Refining Skin to Marrow Cleansing, each level required four advancements to break through to the next level. However, starting from the fifth level, the Red Flame Divine Skill was on par with the Refining Organ Realm. The fifth level corresponded to the Five Internal Organs. Fittingly, cultivating the Five Internal Organs is typically challenging at the initial stage, but once successfully cultivated, it becomes much easier. Therefore, in Gu Qingfeng''s case, already at the fifth stage of Refining Organ, instead of wasting upgrade points to push the Red Flame Divine Skill higher, it made more sense for him to take his time and cultivate the Red Flame Divine Skill slowly. Don''t think too much about how it took Gu Qingfeng two years just to barely cultivate the Red Flame Divine Skill to the fourth level. But, for the subsequent five levels, he actually needed much less time. Looking at the remaining eighty-two upgrade points on the attribute panel, Gu Qingfeng then cultivated two top-grade martial arts techniques. ... Profound Heart Saint Body (third layer, Perfection, second level Jade Body) Great Vajra Dominator Body (third layer, Perfection, second level Vajra Body) ... Gu Qingfeng elevated both top-grade martial arts to the state of Perfection in one go. And at the moment when both martial arts reached Perfection, all three hundred and sixty-five pieces of Golden Bone around Gu Qingfeng''s body vibrated intensely, with torrents of vigorous blood flowing into the Golden Bones, causing the impurities within them to be expelled. In less than a moment, a layer of grime had already coated Gu Qingfeng''s skin. His vigorous blood vibrated, instantly scattering the filth covering his body. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng internally visualized his body. Only to see all his bones, now turning into a translucent jade-like color. "All-round Jade Bone!" "This is the realm of Perfect Bone Refining!" A glint of brilliance burst forth in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. In the Martial World, probably no one expected that the Golden Bone, cultivated by achieving Bone Refining Perfection, was not the ultimate limit. Gu Qingfeng pondered. His next goal was Perfect Marrow Cleansing. For top-tier Martial Arts, it is indispensable. ¡ª The next day. In the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Yang came to pay respects. As the new manor master, Gu Yang''s demeanor became more solemn, and he respectfully bowed to Gu Qingfeng. "Father, I greet you!" "Our manor''s foundation is shallow; although we have cultivated many disciples, the time has been too short, and it''s difficult to achieve great things quickly. Now that you are the manor master, there are things I must hand over to you." As Gu Qingfeng spoke, he paused briefly, then continued. "Come in!" Not long after his words fell, three middle-aged martial artists dressed in black entered. "We greet our lord!" Both men bowed respectfully. Gu Yang watched the three men who appeared, his pupils involuntarily constricting, because he felt a subtle yet undeniable threat emanating from them. Clearly, the capabilities of these two were extraordinary. Gu Qingfeng said, "This man is named Gu Yi, the chief of the Hidden Guard. The other two, named Gu Er and Gu San, are deputy chiefs of the Hidden Guard, all three are experts who have reached Perfect Refining Organ Realm. Besides, there are a hundred members in the Hidden Guard with the weakest amongst them being at Bone Refining Perfection. Since you intend to contend for supremacy over the realm, having such a force at your disposal should make your actions much easier!" Having said this, Gu Qingfeng looked towards Gu Yi and others, speaking indifferently, "From today, the Hidden Guard will be under the command of Yang''er; all of you must obey his orders!" "Yes!" Gu Yi responded in a deep voice, then bowed to Gu Yang. "Subordinate Gu Yi greets the manor master!" "Commander Gu, you need not be overly formal..." It was only then that Gu Yang slowly recovered from his shock, still unable to disperse the inner turmoil as he faced Gu Yi and the others. Who could have imagined, that his own father held such a fearsome power in his hands. A hundred Hidden Guards. The weakest among them were all at Bone Refining Perfection. Like Gu Yi and the others before him, they were even at Perfect Refining Organ Realm. What a concept this was. To know, even the Green Sun Sect that once dominated Taishan Road only had a couple at Bone Refining Perfection, and even the centuries-old Green Sun Ancestor, whose strength was arguably on par with an average Marrow Cleansing Realm. Now this force of Hidden Guards, would utterly surpass ten Green Sun Sects, not just one. If not for Gu Qingfeng voluntarily revealing it, Gu Yang would not have known how deep his father''s hidden strength ran. Chapter 110: Chapter 110 Hidden Guard Chapter 110: Chapter 110 Hidden Guard After Gu Yi and the others withdrew, Gu Yang cautiously asked, "Father, when did you begin cultivating the Hidden Guard? Why had I not heard a whisper of it before?" "The matter of the Hidden Guard will be told to you when the time is right." Gu Qingfeng brushed off the question with a nonchalant response. Seeing this, Gu Yang, despite his myriad of questions, had no choice but to suppress them. Leaving the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Yang shook off his earlier dejection, feeling a surge of boldness within. A hundred Hidden Guards. Though the number didn''t seem large, each one possessed enough strength to establish a sect. Having such a force at his disposal gave him a vast scope for maneuvering. --- In the Inner Hall, Gu Yang summoned all the Hidden Guards. He saw over a hundred black-clad figures standing there, each with an indifferent expression that rendered the vast Inner Hall silent and serene. Seeing this, Gu Yang once again updated his understanding of the Hidden Guard. Not to mention anything else, just the discipline alone was telling. "Perhaps Father has long harbored thoughts of contending for supremacy in the world?" Gu Yang pondered privately. Otherwise, how could the existence of the Hidden Guards be explained? Initially, Gu Yang thought the Hidden Guards were talents secretly cultivated by Gu Qingfeng. But now it seemed, the Hidden Guards could no longer be described as mere talented martial artists. Despite being only a hundred strong, they gave Gu Yang a chilling and solemn feeling, as though he was facing elite military troops. It was evident. The Hidden Guard was not so simple. "What martial arts do the Hidden Guard practice?" Gu Yang turned to Gu Yi beside him and asked. Upon hearing the question, the latter bowed and said, "All the Hidden Guards practice the martial arts passed down by the manor master, which are the Red Flame Divine Skill and the Seven Killings Blade Skills!" "In that case, Father must hold you all in high regard!" Gu Yang nodded. He was, of course, familiar with the Seven Killings Blade Skills, and he had also heard of the Red Flame Divine Skill, the latter being a supreme skill that had hopes of reaching the Innate Grandmaster level. As the manor master of Gu Family Manor, Gu Yang himself was also qualified to cultivate the Red Flame Divine Skill. "Yes¡ª" Gu Yi took his orders and withdrew. Then the spacious Inner Hall was left with only Gu Yang. "We are indeed short of capable hands!" After a long while, Gu Yang sighed helplessly. The Hidden Guard were strong and could be of significant help, but a hundred men ultimately were too few. Indeed, if they were to be spread out, a hundred men would certainly not be enough. But this was unavoidable. The Gu Family Manor had only been established for a few years, and raising a new generation of strong candidates would take time to accumulate. Without several decades or even a century of development, no power could expect to have a considerable foundation. However, this was also why. Gu Yang was still full of doubt about how Gu Qingfeng could secretly train the Hidden Guard. After all. The strength of the Hidden Guard was not simple. The weakest among them had achieved Bone Refining Perfection, and the strongest had achieved Refining Organ Perfection. Such a force couldn''t be cultivated in just a few years. Back in Lin County, Gu Qingfeng was just a martial artist suspected to be at the Blood Refining Realm. Gu Yang had seen the battle with the Evil Suppression Bureau''s magician with his own eyes. This demonstrated. That Gu Qingfeng also had his secrets. Otherwise. How could he possess such unfathomable strength now, and how could he have raised such a force as the Hidden Guard? Nevertheless. Even though Gu Yang was aware of the secrets Gu Qingfeng may be hiding, he wouldn''t actually go digging around for them. In his view. If the time were right, Gu Qingfeng would undoubtedly tell him on his own; otherwise, even if Gu Yang were to inquire further, the other man wouldn''t divulge anything. Instead of worrying so much, it was better to make good use of the Hidden Guard''s strength and to enhance his own power. When the day comes that the world completely falls into chaos, the Gu Family Manor should also be able to carve out its own place in this tumultuous era. "With the Taixuan Emperor in declining health, I fear he won''t last much longer. Once he passes away, the fragile balance that the Taixuan Dynasty has been able to maintain will utterly dissipate. At that time, the world would inevitably be more chaotic!" "With the current strength of the Gu Family Manor, to seek dominance in this disordered world is still a long and arduous path!" "Not to mention competing for the realm, but at the very least, we must possess the strength to deal with the Nine Curves Evil Buddha, for as long as that issue remains unsolved, it''s like a blade hanging over our heads, constantly threatening our lives!" Gu Yang''s gaze was profound. The more severe the problems faced by the Gu Family Manor, the more tranquil his heart became. All he needed to do was proceed step by step. And everything was possible. Chapter 111: Chapter 111 Chaos Chapter 111: Chapter 111 Chaos As Gu Yang took over the Hidden Guard, a carriage carrying a squad of men had already left the Gu Family Manor without a trace. The interior of the carriage was luxuriously decorated, and the space was extremely spacious. Gu Qingfeng sat in the central seat, while Gu Peng sat at the bottom position. "What''s the situation in Liuyun Prefecture now?" "Ever since Divine Martial King Pei Jing broke through Liuyun Prefecture''s gates, his army marched in, and most areas of Liuyun Prefecture have fallen under Pei Jing''s control. Only a very few places and cities are still desperately holding on, hoping for imperial reinforcements. Unfortunately, it seems like the court has no intentions of supporting Liuyun Prefecture¡ª" Gu Peng respectfully reported. Now, he had reached the Perfection of the Refining Organ realm, the white at his temples had completely turned back to black, showing no trace of age. This was the benefit of Refining Organ Perfection. A lifespan of two hundred years. Gu Peng''s physical condition had returned to his youthful prime, at the peak of his peak. "The court doesn''t plan to support Liuyun Prefecture?" Gu Qingfeng raised his eyebrows slightly. Gu Peng said, "It''s said that there are some issues in the Central Plains, and now the court is at the end of its strength. The fall of the three-thousand-year-old dynasty seems imminent." "If the Taixuan Dynasty completely collapses, I''m afraid the situation in the world will deteriorate even more." "At that time, with warlords contending for power, our Gu Family Manor could also follow in the footsteps of other noble families and sects to support a side. If we could seize even a slim chance, that would be more than great!" By the end of his speech, Gu Peng''s eyes were filled with a fervent light. Any ancient sect or noble family with a legacy has its opportunities, such as the so-called Immortal Sects, which had supported many powers to ascend to the imperial throne. It''s not about the Gu Family Manor imitating those Immortal Sect families, but if it can support a force in this struggle for the world, it can also benefit greatly. Even if they ultimately failed, it didn''t matter. Because. Throughout the millennia, only one person has managed to sit on that throne, the rest being mere cannon fodder. However, these cannon fodder''s backing forces each had their fill of benefits. "The waters of this world are deep, and now our Gu Family Manor, without a Master to stand watch, doesn''t compare to those top-tier sects and noble families. And even if we had a Master, in the end, it''s a world of Magicians. The influence of Martial Artists is insignificant, and an ordinary Master also doesn''t qualify. At least a True Intent Master or a Great Grandmaster might stand a chance!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes were profound as he slightly shook his head. Gu Peng said, "With the old manor master''s strength, breaking through to a Master and even a Great Grandmaster is certainly not an issue!" He had absolute confidence in his heart for Gu Qingfeng. This world. After all, speaks through strength. Gu Qingfeng had now entered Perfection in the Refining Organ Realm and comprehended the True Intent of a Master as well as achieved Perfect Bone Refining. As to the extent of his true strength¡ªhow advanced it might be¡ªhe himself was not certain. Master! Or perhaps, even more robust than an ordinary Master! At least. In the Martial World of Taishan County, Gu Qingfeng believed that even if there were those stronger than him, they wouldn''t be numerous. A mere Divine Fist Sect, if truly annihilated, wouldn''t likely stir up much turmoil. No one would offend a powerhouse comparable to a Master for the sake of a small sect like the Divine Fist Sect. Of course. If the Gu Family Manor were not strong enough, that would be a different matter altogether. This time, heading to Liuyun Prefecture, Gu Qingfeng did not bring too many people, just some Outer Hall Disciples and Gu Peng, the Outer Hall Master, following him. On their journey. Everyone had truly witnessed the chaos of troubled times. Refugees rose everywhere! Cannibalism out of desperation! Bones exposed in the wilderness, silence reigning over a thousand miles! This was the chaos of a true troubled era. To the upper echelons, it was merely a game of power and succession, but to the common folk, it was a genuine catastrophe. Seeing these sights only made Gu Qingfeng''s heart grow colder. These people were the truest reflection of the world. The so-called prosperity was nothing but a facade. The weak were swept along with the tide, struggling to survive at the very bottom. If he still were a common man, powerless as a tied-up chicken, his end would not have been much better than theirs. Furthermore. With the chaos of troubled times upon them, the people unable to make a living, with countless dying or being injured, it was also a time when the bizarre and sinister flourished, freely slaughtering and devouring the common people. Even those from Gu Family Manor faced attacks from bandit refugees on their journey, and even encountered the odd and the ghastly several times. Nonetheless. These bizarre entities were not powerful. In fact, there was no need for Gu Qingfeng to handle it personally¡ªrelying solely on Gu Peng''s strength at the peak of Refining Organ Realm was enough to slaughter all comers, whether they be refugee bandits or all sorts of oddities, all were easily annihilated by him. Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Divine Fist Sect Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Divine Fist Sect "Boom!" With a single punch, he smashed a bandit''s skull, and the remaining bandits immediately scattered like scared animals. Seeing this, Gu Peng did not pursue to completely annihilate them, and let them escape. "In these chaotic times, it''s hard for ordinary people to survive!" The Outer Hall Master sighed. He originally thought the situation in Guangyang Prefecture was chaotic enough. But only when he truly left Guangyang Prefecture did he realize that compared to the outside world, Guangyang Prefecture could actually be considered stable. There were natural disasters and man-made calamities, but at least most people could still eat and not be affected by the war. However¡ª This was all temporary. When the rebel army arrived, Guangyang Prefecture would inevitably become like these places. Inside the carriage, Gu Qingfeng was indifferent. "Whether a dynasty rises or falls, the people suffer. The order of this world has long collapsed, and unless the problem is solved at its root, it doesn''t matter who rules; the outcome will be the same!" "Are you referring to magicians as the root problem the manor master mentioned?" Gu Peng''s expression stiffened, as if he had thought of something. "Yes, but not entirely so!" Gu Qingfeng first nodded, then shook his head. "Indeed, the existence of magicians is a significant problem, but this world has long been sick, terminally so. Only a thorough cleansing, scraping the bone to remove the poison, offers a chance for a complete cure!" He said no more. Talking more now was useless. To change this world, one needed enough power. After all. This world still respects the strong. The strong make the rules. Only then can the weak survive. Unfortunately, in this world where magicians are revered, those who have undergone the Evil Refining are not truly human in the strictest sense. Such beings regard ordinary people as livestock. This. Is the most significant problem. ¡ª The procession moved on. Before Gu Qingfeng lay a report about the Divine Fist Sect, which he had read dozens of times. The Divine Fist Sect has a long history, tracing back three thousand years, when a True Intent Master emerged. However. Three thousand years ago. The world was as chaotic as it is now. The Sect Master of the Divine Fist Sect stepped into the chaos, wishing to attain enlightenment through killing, and to explore the inscrutable Grandmaster Realm. Unfortunately. In the end, he failed and perished in a great calamity. However, looking at Gu Qingfeng standing before him with a calm demeanor, Gu Peng suppressed the little trepidation he felt in his heart. What of a Master. The one before him might not necessarily be unmanageable. With a wave of Gu Qingfeng''s sleeve, the scroll recording information about the Divine Fist Sect turned into ash. Afterwards, he closed his eyes to meditate, preparing for the upcoming battle. Seeing this, Gu Peng didn''t dare to disturb him and quietly left the carriage. ... Two days later, the advancing team halted. Gu Qingfeng''s tightly closed eyes opened, seeming to flash with a cold light but quickly grew calm again. "Reporting to Lord Gu, the Divine Fist Sect has arrived!" Outside the carriage, Gu Peng spoke respectfully. As his voice fell, the curtain was lifted and Gu Qingfeng descended from inside. In front of the carriage, stood the gate of the Divine Fist Sect. The strong members of the massive Divine Fist Sect had all appeared here, their expressions filled with solemnity as they looked toward the carriage. On this trip, Gu Qingfeng had made no attempt to conceal his tracks, making it difficult for the Divine Fist Sect to not notice him. The person leading them was none other than Zhong Yang, the current Deputy Sect Master of the Divine Fist Sect. Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng step down from the carriage, Zhong Yang''s pupils slightly contracted; then he spoke in a loud voice. "This is the Divine Fist Sect; what brings Lord Gu here today?" Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng did not reply but looked at the multitude of martial artists from the Divine Fist Sect before finally setting his gaze back on Zhong Yang. "The Sect Master of the Divine Fist Sect, Ji Zong, orchestrated the killing of the current manor master of the Gu Family Manor; the Divine Fist Sect ought to provide an explanation for this matter." His words, made Zhong Yang''s expression slightly unpleasant: "Our Sect Master of the Divine Fist Sect has already fallen by Lord Gu''s hand; this affair should have ended our grievances. What further explanation does Your Excellency require from the Divine Fist Sect?" "A mere Ji Zong dares not be compared with my son; if Ji Zong dared to act, his death was deserved, but your Divine Fist Sect must also pay a price!" Gu Qingfeng sneered disdainfully, his words may sound calm but were filled with mockery to the ears of Zhong Yang and the others. Immediately, Zhong Yang became enraged. "Lord Gu, you are acting rather overbearing!" "Do you truly believe that my Divine Fist Sect has no one?" Hearing these words, Gu Qingfeng suddenly laughed. "Overbearing? So what if I am? Since you are unwilling to give an explanation, then the Divine Fist Sect need not exist anymore." Saying this, Gu Qingfeng''s expression turned ice cold as he waved his hand. "Kill!" Chapter 113: Chapter 113: One Punch Kill! Chapter 113: Chapter 113: One Punch Kill! With Gu Qingfeng''s order, Gu Peng and the others immediately set out to slaughter their way to the Divine Fist Sect. Gu Peng''s blood surged, his aura as terrifying as an abyss. When he launched his punch, he directly exploded the flesh of a Blood Refining Realm martial artist from the Divine Fist Sect. "How dare you!" Zhong Yang roared in anger, stepped forward, and brought down his right fist toward Gu Peng with the might of a collapsing sky. In his view, a mere Gu Peng was hardly worth mentioning. The only real powerhouse in the entire Gu Family Manor was Gu Qingfeng. The rest were somewhat insignificant in the Martial World, and their strength couldn''t possibly be considered formidable. Since Ji Zong''s fall, people from the Divine Fist Sect had been gathering intelligence on the Gu Family Manor with all their might. Thus, they believed they had a considerable understanding of the strength of the Gu Family Manor. From the intelligence they had collected, Gu Peng was only an Outer Hall Master of the Gu Family, a minor Blood Refining Realm martial artist at best. Even though Gu Peng had just exploded a Blood Refining Realm martial artist with a single punch, making his strength seem not as simple as the rumors suggested, Zhong Yang still didn''t take him seriously. He threw his punch! The impact was earth-shattering! Watching Zhong Yang''s oncoming punch, a ferocious smile appeared on Gu Peng''s face as he threw his right fist in response. Their fists collided. Zhong Yang''s initial smirk instantly turned to horror. "No¡ª" Before he could finish speaking, his arm burst violently, flesh and bone spraying in every direction, and the unstoppable force sent his body flying like a broken reed. After he hit the ground, Zhong Yang spat out mouthfuls of blood, his eyes filled with horror as he looked at Gu Peng. "No... impossible, your strength... strength..." He couldn''t complete his sentence, as Zhong Yang''s pupils dilated and he died with an expression of unwillingness on his face. This scene struck fear into the hearts of all within the Divine Fist Sect. Since Ji Zong''s death, Zhong Yang, the Deputy Sect Master, had been the most publicly acknowledged top fighter in the Divine Fist Sect. However, this top fighter had been killed with a single punch by Gu Peng, shocking everyone. It must be acknowledged that even Gu Qingfeng, known in the Martial World as the Domineering Blade, had not genuinely made a move yet. It was just his subordinate who had the power to kill Zhong Yang in an instant. The shock of such a scene was imaginable. "The manor master has ordered, leave none from the Divine Fist Sect alive!" Gu Peng roared, his face filled with both the excitement of his power transformation and bloodlust. Although Gu Peng had also killed many bandits and outlaws since leaving Guangyang Prefecture, these men weren''t of much importance. the Divine Fist Sect was already in complete collapse. Many sect elders had fallen under Gu Peng''s fists, and numerous others had abandoned the thought of resistance, hoping to surrender. Yet, Gu Peng did not spare them; whether they surrendered or resisted, all were slain without exception. He did so because Gu Qingfeng had not spoken a word. If the other party remained silent, then the meaning was quite apparent. Not a single member of the Divine Fist Sect would be left alive! Having followed Gu Qingfeng for many years, Gu Peng naturally understood his temperament. It was either not taking action at all or, once he did, he eradicated the roots entirely, never leaving any trouble for the future. Therefore, Gu Peng showed no mercy. From the moment Ji Zong took action to assassinate Gu Yang, the fate of the Divine Fist Sect had been sealed. Eradicate the Divine Fist Sect! Leave none behind! ¡ª¡ª Soon enough, the vast Divine Fist Sect was turned into rivers of blood. The stele at the gate was stained with fresh blood, with limbs and broken bodies everywhere¡ªthe scene was exceedingly tragic. Just then, the Evil Slayer Blade on Gu Qingfeng''s back trembled slightly, his demeanor shifted, and a fighting spirit seemed to burst forth from his eyes. "They''re here!" As if in confirmation of Gu Qingfeng''s words, suddenly a terrifying pressure swept through the air, causing many Outer Hall disciples to go pale and tremble uncontrollably under this influence. Even Gu Peng''s face couldn''t help but reveal a look of shock. Under this pressure, it seemed as though he was being targeted by some terrifying entity, giving him the false feeling that he could perish at any moment. "Fall back!" Gu Qingfeng slowly spoke. Gu Peng and the others dared not hesitate and immediately retreated to Gu Qingfeng''s side. At this time, within the Divine Fist Sect, there came a middle-aged martial artist leisurely descending from the mountain. The man was bald and barefoot, his expression peaceful, much like a high monk who had attained enlightenment. However, in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes, behind the seemingly tranquil visage of the newcomer lurked an evil demon. With the arrival of this figure, despite the clear skies and bright sun, an indescribable chill descended. "So you are that Master of the Divine Fist Sect!" Gu Qingfeng stepped forward, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit as he regarded the middle-aged monk. At this moment, the newcomer halted. Looking towards Gu Qingfeng, his eyes seemed to surge with bloodred hues, and his face revealed a mild yet eerily sinister smile. "I am Shen Wudao!" Chapter 114: Chapter 114 Shen Wudao Chapter 114: Chapter 114 Shen Wudao Shen Wudao! Upon hearing the other party''s name, Gu Qingfeng had already understood that this was the Master from the Divine Fist Sect of centuries ago. Divine Fist Dao! The top powerhouse of Liuyun Prefecture! As it seemed now. Gu Qingfeng knew that this person had successfully refined evil into his body, achieving the status of a Magician. How formidable a Magician, who was a Grandmaster Martial Artist, truly was, Gu Qingfeng could not ascertain, but the powerful aura emanating from the other party only made his spirit for battle boil even more intensely. "Warlock Master!" "The Divine Fist Sect indeed is not so simple!" Hearing Gu Qingfeng''s words, Shen Wudao smiled slightly, he did not even glance at the corpses on the ground, his gaze fixed on Gu Qingfeng from beginning to end. "You give this seat a very good impression, and you are strong, if I devour you, this seat might be able to break through the limits of the Spirit-controlling Realm, and step into the God Fusion Realm!" "But this seat is curious, just what realm have you reached? You are neither a Grandmaster of Vital Energy nor an Innate Grandmaster... Interesting, truly interesting¡ª" Shen Wudao seemed to be asking Gu Qingfeng, yet it also seemed like he was talking to himself. Soon. Shen Wudao looked at the corpses on the ground and shook his head slightly. "The pity of it! The waste of the Divine Fist Sect, throughout these many years so few have been able to step into the Refining Organ Realm, otherwise, this seat would not have needed so long to make a breakthrough. These wretches, their deaths are merely deaths, feeding them is ultimately a waste of food." Saying this, Shen Wudao looked at Gu Qingfeng again, licked his lips, his expression growing increasingly sinister and eerie. "Devouring you!" "Everything will be enough!" As his voice fell, Shen Wudao''s body suddenly disappeared from the spot like a ghost, the very next moment, a terrifyingly powerful fist came hurtling towards Gu Qingfeng, catching his eye. The latter remained unflustered, as if he had anticipated this, and likewise hurled out a punch ferociously. This punch. Gu Qingfeng did not hold back at all. Facing a Magician who had achieved mastery centuries ago, he could not afford to be the least bit careless. Thus. As soon as he launched his attack. Whether it was the remaining disciples of the Divine Fist Sect or Gu Peng and others, their faces were filled with shock when looking at the scene. "This is the manor master''s true strength, indeed unfathomable!" Gu Peng, feeling this extremely terrifying presence, had his face twitch a little, his eyes showing respect and excitement. Such power, is what every martial artist yearns for their entire life. Even though he had stepped into the Refining Organ Realm''s fifth level, Gu Peng knew that if he were to face either of the two men, he would likely be overwhelmed in a direct encounter. Never mind Shen Wudao for a moment. This man had been a master for hundreds of years, his strength terrifying, and now, with Refining Evil incorporated into his body, he had ascended even further. "Boom!" "Boom! Boom!!" Blade Qi rampaged through, Gu Qingfeng had pushed the power of Domineering Blade to the limit, making it difficult for even Shen Wudao''s mighty strength to gain the upper hand. As time passed, Shen Wudao''s injuries became increasingly severe. A large amount of blood flowed down from his wounds, making his face look particularly ferocious. "I have stepped into martial arts for hundreds of years, long reaching the Grandmaster Realm, and now with Refining Evil incorporated into my body, considered extraordinary and transcendent, how could I be inferior to you, a mere human martial artist!" Shen Wudao roared in a deep voice, his chilling aura intensifying again, the Vajra Buddha within the black fog becoming especially bizarre, twisting madly as if it was about to break free from the fog at any moment. Kill! Kill! Kill!! Shen Wudao''s eyes were blood-red, like a demon crawling out of hell, with only one thought in his mind¡ªto devour the person before him. "How dare you who are neither human nor ghost claim to be transcendent and saintly!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression was icy cold, his Five Internal Organs vibrated, his rolling vitality surged like rivers and seas, making the blood light of the Evil Slayer Blade shine even brighter. Many realizations regarding the Domineering Blade Slash surged into his mind at this moment. In an instant, Gu Qingfeng seemed to have pushed open a door within his mind, experiencing a great transformation in his understanding of Domineering Blade Slash. After stepping into the realm of Small Success and undergoing four years of consolidation and this life-and-death battle, he finally entered the ranks of Great Success. Domineering Blade Slash Great Success! Domineering Blade True Intent Level Eight! Martial Arts Breakthrough. Gu Qingfeng infused all his strength into the Evil Slayer Blade, slashing down with the most peak strike of his life. A sky-piercing, earth-shattering blade light of blood color filled his eyes, the fear of death brought a moment of clarity to Shen Wudao''s blood-red eyes, and an emotion called fear emerged on his face. "No¡ª" Chapter 115: Chapter 115 Tianyang Sword Sect Chapter 115: Chapter 115 Tianyang Sword Sect The blade''s light flashed and then vanished. Magician Shen Wudao stood there petrified, and in the next breath, a line of blood appeared at his brow, then spread downwards. "Spurt!" His body split in two. And as Magician Shen Wudao perished, the Vajra Buddha within the black fog was completely resurrected, the layers of chains shattered, and an extremely terrifying chill burst forth. "Roar!" A fearsome roar shook all sides, making Gu Peng and others feel an indescribable oppression, making their breathing much more difficult. The Evil Spirit had resurrected! Like a demon emerging in the world! Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained cold. At the very moment the Vajra Buddha resurrected, his Evil Slayer Blade had already slashed through the air, the latter instinctively raised its hand to block, but could not withstand the force of the blade. "Splash!" An arm separated from the body. A torrent of black blood surged forth. The earth corroded. As if suffering the erosion of some terrible poison. The intense pain from losing an arm made the Vajra Buddha''s expression grow even more furious, its blood-red eyes appearing to desire nothing more than to completely devour Gu Qingfeng. Only to see the opponent''s intact left arm punching out, the black fog surged, and the air itself seemed to be completely frozen by the cold aura. Gu Qingfeng unafraid, "I''ve killed Shen Wudao. A mere Evil Spirit that was sealed within, what waves can it possibly make?" With those words, His blade struck. The Evil Slayer Blade glinted coldly, and in a blink of an eye, it had slashed out dozens, if not hundreds of times, leaving frighteningly ferocious wounds all over the Vajra Buddha''s body. The next breath. The wounds expanded. Then one saw the Vajra Buddha''s flesh suddenly shatter. The head split in two, and the massive body further disintegrated into numerous pieces, yet the Evil Spirit''s life force, which was said to defy the heavens, even to this degree, ultimately did not fall truly. Seeing that the Evil Spirit''s corpse was eerily writhing, attempting to self-heal, Gu Qingfeng''s expression was cold. "Bring me the item!" "Yes¡ª" With hands clasped behind his back, Duan Ping said, "I, Duan Ping, am an elder of the Tianyang Sword Sect. Divine Martial King Pei Jing is a man supported by my Tianyang Sword Sect. Now that the Divine Fist Sect has submitted to Pei Jing, it is tantamount to being under our Tianyang Sword Sect. By exterminating the Divine Fist Sect and killing Shen Wudao, you are opposing the Tianyang Sword Sect. Have you considered the consequences of this?" Tianyang Sword Sect! The others'' faces changed upon hearing these words. Gu Qingfeng licked his lips, his expression slightly odd, "I hear that the Tianyang Sword Sect is an Immortal Sect with a heritage spanning ten thousand years and is home to numerous experts. However, I''m very curious about just how many powerful figures the Tianyang Sword Sect truly possesses." "Hmph, there''s no need for you to probe. My Tianyang Sword Sect has established a profound foundation for ten thousand years, and boasts numerous Masters, even Magicians more powerful than Masters exist within our ranks. Such strength is beyond your imagination." Duan Ping''s expression was filled with pride. He indeed had the credentials to be arrogant. The Tianyang Sword Sect had a solid foundation and was considered a genuine top-tier power in the world. As an elder of the Tianyang Sword Sect, Duan Ping held a position of great authority. Were it not for respecting Gu Qingfeng for suppressing Shen Wudao, Duan Ping wouldn''t have bothered with such extensive talk. "The Divine Fist Sect is already annihilated, and Shen Wudao is dead; the matter is beyond redemption. What do you think should be done about this issue?" Gu Qingfeng spoke. Thinking that Gu Qingfeng was conceding, Duan Ping responded coldly. "Hand over the Evil Spirit carried by Shen Wudao, submit the Gu Family Manor to my Tianyang Sword Sect, and then cooperate with Pei Jing to seize Guangyang Prefecture. With that, your crime could be considered redeemed. Otherwise, once the powerful figures of my Tianyang Sword Sect arrive, your Gu Family Manor will be left with neither chickens nor dogs¡ª" "Heh, they say the Immortal Sects are eternally unperishable, the true overlords of the world; it''s just a pity that I don''t believe it." Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, and his words darkened Duan Ping''s face. "What do you mean by that?" "I mean it''s quite simple. If I kill you, I wonder if the Tianyang Sword Sect truly has the strength to exterminate my Gu Family Manor!" A cold glint flashed in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes, and at the moment his words fell, he suddenly slashed out with a blade. The terrifying Domineering Blade''s True Intent, filled with a killing aura, bore down, causing Duan Ping''s face to change dramatically. "You dare lay a hand on me¡ª" He hadn''t expected it. Gu Qingfeng, upon learning of his identity, had instantly made a move. As the Domineering Blade came down, Duan Ping also activated his Innate Gang Qi to protect his body, turning the surrounding space into an absolute defensive barrier with the formidable power of his True Qi. The moment the Innate Gang Qi appeared, the Evil Slayer Blade had already come crashing down. The terrifyingly domineering power struck the Protective Gang Qi, and under Duan Ping''s horrified gaze, the solid Gang Qi showed inch by inch of cracks, followed by an explosive shattering. Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Recognizing Strength Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Recognizing Strength Protective Gang Qi shattered. Duan Ping didn''t look back as he tried to flee from the Divine Fist Sect. But unfortunately for him, just as his body had leaped up, the flash of a blade''s light cleaved him in two in a fleeting moment. Blood sprayed across the heavens and earth. An Innate Grandmaster had perished on the spot. "Weak!" "Truly too weak!" Gu Qingfeng showed a look of disappointment. He had thought that Duan Ping, being an Innate Grandmaster, would bring him some surprise, but he never expected that the latter''s strength would be several levels inferior even compared to Shen Wudao. At least, Shen Wudao, though dead, had managed to fight a great battle against him. As for Duan Ping, he was directly slain upon first encounter. Any previous trepidation that Gu Qingfeng had towards Innate Grandmasters now directly collapsed. It was true that Masters were stronger than the average Refining Organ Little Master, but not as fearsome as Gu Qingfeng had anticipated. However, it also had to do with Duan Ping not having undergone Evil Refining. If the latter had Refined Evil and imitated Shen Wudao, then the combination of Magician and Martial Arts powers might have made a difference. "Manor master''s divine might is unmatched!" Gu Peng immediately offered his praises, his face full of reverence. To kill a Master with a single blade strike! How many in the Martial World could achieve this feat? Such a powerhouse was the one he had always followed. Other Outer Hall disciples also trembled in their hearts upon witnessing this scene, their eyes full of awe and worship as they looked toward Gu Qingfeng. In a chaotic world, the powerful were honored. The stronger the power displayed by Gu Qingfeng, the safer they felt. To follow such a powerhouse was indeed a great fortune in life. Stepping over the bones of many Divine Fist Sect martial artists, Gu Qingfeng''s garment was not stained with a hint of blood. Long blade sheathed, he slowly spoke, "Search through the entire Divine Fist Sect. Put an end to any survivors you find, and move all the sect treasures back to Gu Family Manor. The families of those who died or were injured in this battle will be compensated by the manor!" "Yes!" The crowd accepted the command. Immediately, Gu Peng led other disciples into the Divine Fist Sect, starting the grim work of silencing the remaining and plundering the sect. Compared to an old Master like Shen Wudao, it was a notch lower. Inside Guangyang Prefecture, All the thousand-year-old Immortal Sect families are only fortified with Spirit-controlling Realm Magicians. In other words, Gu Qingfeng found that his current strength seemed to be unmatched throughout the entire Guangyang Prefecture. Of course, Except for the Evil Spirit of the Nine Curves Road. The strength of the Evil Buddha was not something Shen Wudao could compare to. Even if Gu Qingfeng now had the strength to slay Shen Wudao, he didn''t have the confidence to confront the Evil Buddha of the Nine Curves Road. As for slaying Duan Ping later on, Gu Qingfeng was not afraid of offending the Tianyang Sword Sect. Frankly speaking, From the death of Ji Zong, the Gu Family Manor had already torn their faces with Pei Jing. And now, having annihilated the Divine Fist Sect, they had thoroughly offended the other party. As Duan Ping said, In such a situation, if the Gu Family Manor wanted to mend the relationship, then the only options were to submit to Pei Jing, or rather to submit to the Tianyang Sword Sect behind him. "It''s just a pity," "I have never had the habit of being someone''s dog." "Offending the Tianyang Sword Sect, let it be offended; I want to see just how much depth the so-called Immortal Sect really has!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes grew cold. Since they were already offended, there was nothing to hesitate about. Indecision breeds chaos. Therefore, From the moment Duan Ping began to speak, it was already destined that he was to die. After all, even if Duan Ping were to be released, there was no chance of easing the relationship; since that was the case, killing Duan Ping first to weaken the strength of the Tianyang Sword Sect was also good. Half a day later, Gu Peng arrived. Following him were several Outer Hall disciples. The group brought over a dozen chests, which they arranged neatly in front of Gu Qingfeng. "All of the Divine Fist Sect''s Martial Arts Secret Manuals are here, plus there''s some gold here as well, please manor master have a look!" Gu Peng said, cupping his fist in salute. Gold! At the mention of these two words, Gu Qingfeng''s eyes instantly lit up. What was he most lacking now? Apart from Martial Arts Secret Manuals, it was gold. Gold was the most important thing for sealing an Evil Spirit; without gold, the Evil Spirit would be difficult to suppress, after all, the Evil Spirit was hard to kill, and Gu Qingfeng for now had no method to eradicate it. The small amount of gold remaining in the Gu Family Manor was to be used as the last seal for the Vajra Buddha''s coffin. Now that they had found a batch of gold in the Divine Fist Sect, it could not have come at a better time to resolve the urgent need. Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Hell Floating Scripture Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Hell Floating Scripture Ten chests of gold. Each chest contained roughly two thousand taels of gold. Ten chests of gold. That was twenty thousand taels. And then, there were three chests of Martial Arts Secret Manuals. The Divine Fist Sect, with a history spanning thousands of years, had produced two Masters, making it a top-tier major sect. Therefore, in terms of Martial Arts, the Divine Fist Sect was certainly not lacking. The three chests of Martial Arts, when combined, amounted to several hundreds of volumes. However, Gu Qingfeng had a cursory glance and found that most of these Martial Arts were related to Refining Skin and Blood Refining levels; above Blood Refining, starting with Bone Refining, the number of Martial Arts sharply decreased. It was apparent, even with the Divine Fist Sect''s deep legacy, there weren''t many high-grade Martial Arts. Of course, there still were a total of twenty-six high-grade Martial Arts. If it had been before Gu Qingfeng had achieved Perfect Bone Refining, then those twenty-six high-grade Martial Arts would have been extremely important. But now¡ª High-grade Martial Arts were of little use to him. Perfect Bone Refining! The reason for the term "perfect" being used was to signify that this level could not be further improved upon. Even if Gu Qingfeng were to practice hundreds or thousands of high-grade Martial Arts afterward, it wouldn''t bring any further enhancement to himself. This, was the difference between Perfect Bone Refining and ordinary Bone Refining. Nevertheless, beyond high-grade Martial Arts, there were some Extreme-grade Martial Arts and Extraordinary Martial Arts that pertained to Organ Refining. Among them, there were six Extreme-grade Martial Arts. Three Extraordinary Martial Arts. And¡ª one Master-level Martial Art. "Prajnaparamita Sutra!" "This is a Martial Art that leads directly to the level of Innate Grandmaster!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyebrows slightly raised. It was truly the first Master-level Martial Art he had obtained. Although Red Flame Divine Skill could also allow one to break through to the Master level, in terms of grade, it naturally could not compare to the Prajnaparamita Sutra before him. Because the Prajnaparamita Sutra was not just capable of allowing one to break through to the Innate level, it pointed directly towards the Peak of Innate. This Cultivation Technique was divided into thirteen layers. It was a realm beyond the Spirit-controlling Realm. "A Magician at the peak of the Spirit-controlling Realm is already comparable to an ordinary Master. If one steps into the God Fusion Realm, their strength would be at least at the level of a True Intent Master, and possibly even comparable to a Great Grandmaster." "Shen Wudao did not step into such a level, otherwise the outcome of this battle would have been hard to predict." "Like the Tianyang Sword Sect, there must be Magicians who have reached the God Fusion Realm, but as for whether there are any beyond the God Fusion Realm, that''s a mystery¡ª" Gu Qingfeng pondered to himself. Then he put away the Hell Floating Scripture. The secret technique of Refining Evil into the body, Gu Qingfeng naturally would not spread it. However, from here, it could be seen that Duan Ping''s purpose for coming here was probably for the Hell Floating Scripture and the Evil Spirit within Shen Wudao. An Evil Spirit that could give one the chance to advance to the God Fusion Realm, along with the corresponding secret technique, their value naturally goes without saying. Even if the Tianyang Sword Sect had Magicians in the God Fusion Realm, Gu Qingfeng believed that there wouldn''t be too many at this level. As for Duan Ping, The man had not undergone Refining Evil into his body. It was possible that the time was not right, or he was waiting for some special opportunity. But no matter the reason, these were all insignificant now. With Duan Ping''s demise, Everything had dissipated like smoke and clouds. "Continue the search. The Divine Fist Sect produced a True Intent Master thousands of years ago, so it''s very likely that there are remnants of a Master''s True Intent or Martial Arts related to the Master level within the Sect. The Prajnaparamita Sutra alone is certainly not all the Divine Fist Sect has!" Gu Qingfeng looked at Gu Peng and spoke gravely. The Divine Fist Sect was known in the Martial World for its Fist Skills, and thousands of years ago, they even produced a True Intent Master, which indicated that the Divine Fist Sect must possess a set of Martial Arts in Fist Skills. And furthermore, It could be related to a Master''s True Intent. This was like the True Intent Map that the Gu Family Manor originally obtained. Items of such kind, In terms of preciousness, they were not inferior to the Prajnaparamita Sutra. "Your subordinate will take care of it right away!" Gu Peng immediately complied and left. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng continued to meditate on the profundities of the Prajnaparamita Sutra. The thirteen layers of the Prajnaparamita Sutra. If he could comprehend them, it would certainly take his strength even further. And furthermore, As an ultimate skill at the Peak of Innate, building the foundation for each step, even if it wasn''t perfect, would surely be extremely close. As a result, The Perfect Marrow Cleansing and Perfect Organ Refining for Gu Qingfeng would become much easier later on. Observing such ultimate skills, Gu Qingfeng''s qi and blood automatically adjusted, significantly reducing the difficulty in cultivating the corresponding level of Martial Arts with a perfect body. In just less than a moment, Gu Qingfeng had successfully entered the Beginner''s level of the first layer of the Prajnaparamita Sutra. Chapter 118: Chapter 118 Masters Notebook Chapter 118: Chapter 118 Master''s Notebook Half a day''s work had passed. The entire Divine Fist Sect had been turned upside down. All the ancient calligraphy, paintings, and divine weapons had been taken away by Gu Qingfeng. Combining that with some silver, Gu Qingfeng estimated that he had plundered at least five million taels of silver from the Divine Fist Sect this time. It was hard to imagine. A sect could possess valuables worth five million taels of silver. And furthermore, that did not even take into account the existence of Martial Arts. If Martial Arts were included, then the value of the Divine Fist Sect would be at least over ten million taels. After all, just the True Scripture of the Prajnaparamita alone was priceless. However, those were not the things Gu Qingfeng cared about the most. What he valued the most was a scroll written by a master. "Sun and Moon Fist Scripture!" It was a legacy left by a powerful member of the Divine Fist Sect, containing the scripts of a master-level Fist Skills. More importantly, within this Fist Skills script, every word and line contained the power of True Intent of a master. Such True Intent of a master. Gu Qingfeng was certainly not unfamiliar with it. It was just a pity. The Sun and Moon Fist Scripture had been left behind for too long and had been pondered by successive powerhouses of the Divine Fist Sect; the power of true intent in it had become so weak that it seemed as if it might dissipate at any moment. Gu Qingfeng suspected that this was precisely why the later generations of the Divine Fist Sect did not continue to study the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture, instead preserving this script to wait for a truly talented and insightful disciple to ponder it. Otherwise, once the master''s true intent in it was exhausted, the value of this master''s script would be greatly reduced. As for scripts recording the sect''s Martial Arts, the former containing master''s true intent while the latter did not, the former was evidently far more valuable than the latter. ... As the team had not been large when they set out, by the time they returned, just the number of carriages alone had increased by more than a dozen, all filled with treasures from the Divine Fist Sect. With such a large convoy traveling from Liuyun Prefecture to Guangyang Prefecture, it was bound to attract attention along the way. In such times, attracting attention meant endless trouble. However, none in the Gu Family Manor''s team showed any signs of worry. Quite simple, If the rumors were true, even if Domineering Blade hadn''t achieved full mastery, his power was already beyond that of a master. A master-level powerhouse! Not to mention within one prefecture. Even across one county, one state, he would be a truly top-tier powerhouse. For a time, all the bandits fell silent. Even when Gu Qingfeng ordered the destruction of camps and strongholds, which nearly insulted the bandits, they turned a blind eye, not daring to make a peep. What a joke. Suspected to be a master-level powerhouse, who would dare act rashly? Not to mention a master. Even Gu Peng, strong in the fifth realm of Refining Organ to Perfection, was not someone they could handle. While many bandits quieted down, among the displaced populace, the reputation of the Gu Family Manor spread. Because Gu Qingfeng had ordered the destruction of bandit camps and eradication of marauders, many civilians were spared from the bandits'' harassment, and some were even indirectly saved by the Gu Family Manor. Thus, among the civilians, the Gu Family Manor earned quite a favorable reputation. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng did not pay much attention. Now, his entire focus was on the master-level scripts. Using the stones of other mountains to polish one''s jade. Although Gu Qingfeng was now primarily focused on blade techniques, it did not mean he was unenthusiastic about fist skills. On the contrary, Gu Qingfeng was extremely passionate about the martial arts of the world, especially profound martial arts that could stir his interest. Currently, the intricacies of the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture had somewhat captivated him. Especially the true intent of a master embedded within, which provoked a different kind of realization in him. Both being master-level techniques, Domineering Blade and Sun and Moon Fist Scripture could also validate each other. Though one was a blade technique and the other a fist skill, using stones from other mountains could still be beneficial in polishing jade, allowing mutual corroboration to be greatly advantageous. Gradually, Gu Qingfeng''s understanding of Domineering Blade deepened, and he also began to grasp the subtleties of Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. But to truly master it, he still needed some time. Chapter 119: Chapter 119 The Reaction of the Tianyang Sword Sect Chapter 119: Chapter 119 The Reaction of the Tianyang Sword Sect Tianyang Sword Sect. When the news of Elder Duan Ping''s death made its way back, the vast Tianyang Sword Sect was shaken to its core. After all, any elder of the Tianyang Sword Sect was an Innate-level powerhouse. Such mighty beings had not fallen for a long time. And now, the death of an elder brought forth an impact that could be well imagined. Instantly, many powerful figures within the Tianyang Sword Sect left their seclusions and gathered in the main hall of the sect. Right at that moment, on the empty Sect Master''s throne, a figure suddenly appeared out of thin air, and an eerie, cold aura began to permeate the hall. All the powerful members of the sect hastily rose to their feet and bowed deeply toward the figure. "Greetings, Sect Master!" "Dispense with the formalities," the voice of the Tianyang Sect Master was hoarse, and his face, bizarre and pale without a trace of blood, featured a pair of eyes slightly tinged with red. They seemed to hold endless bewitching power, making it impossible for one to hold his gaze. "Elder Duan Ping has fallen, what are your thoughts?" The Sect Master''s crimson gaze fell upon the crowd, and everyone felt an immense pressure weighing upon them. After a long silence, a powerful member of the sect spoke with a heavy voice, "Reporting to the Sect Master, Gu Qingfeng brazenly killed Elder Duan, treating our Tianyang Sword Sect with utter disregard. In my opinion, we should annihilate Gu Family Manor with thunderous force to uphold the reputation of our Tianyang Sword Sect!" "That''s right, Gu Family Manor must be destroyed!" "By killing an elder of our Tianyang Sword Sect, Gu Qingfeng has sought his own death!" "What Domineering Blade, a mere Martial Artist dares to be so rampant, truly oblivious of life and death¡ª" As one person began speaking out, others joined in berating, their words utterly dismissing the significance of Gu Family Manor. Indeed, the Tianyang Sword Sect had every right to do so. As the true hegemonic power of the entire Qingyun State, the Tianyang Sword Sect had been thought to be indestructible for all eternity, while Gu Family Manor and its predecessor, the Gu Family, had only been established for a mere decade or two. Thus, it was natural for the Tianyang Sword Sect to not take Gu Family Manor seriously. The Tianyang Sect Master said indifferently, "The Divine Fist Sect had a figure who was a Master hundreds of years ago, later undergoing Evil Refining to become a Spirit-controlling Realm Magician. Even if he hasn''t broken through to God Fusion, it would not be much different. In terms of strength, Shen Wudao is a match for a True Intent Master. Since Gu Qingfeng was able to slay Shen Wudao, it shows that his power is at least at the level of a True Intent Master, and he might even be comparable to a half-step Great Grandmaster!" If a Magician were to fight beyond their limits, it would make it possible for the Evil Spirit within their body to reawaken. Once the Evil Spirit is revived, it is difficult to truly suppress it again. Now, That was the situation for the Sect Master of Tianyang. Therefore, He had to break through. Break the limit of transformation and ascend to even greater heights. Only by doing so, Could he suppress the Evil Spirit that had awoken inside him once again. "Gu Qingfeng actually has commendable talent, stepping into a realm on par with a half-step Great Grandmaster in less than a hundred years. Within a century, this child might indeed have the potential to become a Great Grandmaster!" "Hehe, grow, for the flesh and blood of a Great Grandmaster are far tastier than that of an ordinary Martial Artist. If one day I break through to Divinity and swallow a Great Grandmaster, it will save me a great deal of effort to consolidate my realm!" This was another reason why the Sect Master of Tianyang did not act immediately. He saw the potential for Gu Qingfeng to break through to a Great Grandmaster. Under the heavens, Great Grandmasters were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. To swallow a newly risen Great Grandmaster would bring unimaginable benefits. So, The Sect Master of Tianyang was waiting. Waiting for a genuine opportunity to strike. Afterward, The Sect Master of Tianyang closed his eyes again, surrounded by a sinister aura. The evil, chilling presence surged ceaselessly. --- While Tianyang Sword Sect temporarily made no moves, on the other side, Pei Jing learned of the annihilation of the Divine Fist Sect, as well as the death of Duan Ping, and was infuriated. At this moment, He utterly abandoned any thought of recruiting Gu Qingfeng. If he could not be used for his own benefit, then he had to be destroyed. However, Since Gu Family Manor was located in Guangyang Prefecture, despite Pei Jing''s fury, he was powerless to act. Given that Gu Qingfeng was capable of slaying Shen Wudao and Duan Ping, his strength must be at least on the level of a True Intent Master; the difficulty of crossing several prefectures to kill a True Intent Master could be imagined. Therefore, Pei Jing could only temporarily suppress the rage in his heart, focusing instead on ordering an aggressive assault, aiming to capture Liuyun Prefecture as quickly as possible and then use it as a foundation to gradually consume all of Taishan County. Once the entire Taishan County fell into his control, dealing with Gu Family Manor would be effortless. Chapter 120: Chapter 120 Waiting for the Right Moment Chapter 120: Chapter 120 Waiting for the Right Moment Guangyang Prefecture. When news from Liuyun Prefecture reached the court, they were overjoyed. The Divine Fist Sect was annihilated. Shen Wudao and Duan Ping perished. Two Master-level formidable men fell by Gu Qingfeng''s hand, effectively weakening the rebel army''s power, which was seen as a good thing by the court. Of course. Duan Ping was from Tianyang Sword Sect, and now with Duan Ping''s demise, it could potentially infuriate Tianyang Sword Sect, making the situation even worse. But. One thing to understand is. From the moment Tianyang Sword Sect supported Pei Jing, they officially stood against the court. Regardless of whether Duan Ping''s death would anger Tianyang Sword Sect or not, both sides were destined to have no room for reconciliation. Currently Tianyang Sword Sect has not made significant moves, which must be due to their concerns. Similarly. Given these concerns. One more Duan Ping or one less, actually does not make much of a difference. If the timing is right. Even if Duan Ping had not died, Tianyang Sword Sect would have intervened. Conversely. If the timing were not right. Even with the fall of a Duan Ping, Tianyang Sword Sect might not necessarily take action. Therefore. From any perspective, the destruction of Divine Fist Sect and the loss of a Master from Tianyang Sword Sect are more beneficial than detrimental for the court. ... Inside the Governor Mansion of Taishan County. Taishi Yi listened to his subordinate''s report, his eyes twinkling, "Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng, it is rumored in the Martial World that this man is just half a step away from Master, but now it seems, to be able to kill Shen Wudao and Duan Ping, his strength must be at least that of a True Intent Master." True Intent Master! In all of Taishan County, they are considered top powerhouses, comparable to a Magician in the God Fusion Realm. There are numerous magicians in the world. But how many can actually step into the God Fusion Realm? From this, one can see the extent of a True Intent Master. Subsequently. Taishi Yi looked at his subordinates and asked in a deep voice, "What is the situation in Liuyun Prefecture now?" "Reporting to the Lord, rebel king Pei Jing is currently leading a large army attacking Liuyun Prefecture, our resisting strength is limited, I fear it won''t be long before Liuyun Prefecture completely falls!" Taishi Yi pondered for a moment, then spoke. Naturally, the Governor Mansion would show goodwill to a True Intent Master-level combatant, but there was no rush with other matters. In Taishi Yi''s view, Gu Qingfeng was proud and haughty. Even if the Governor Mansion extended an olive branch, it wasn''t necessarily going to be gratefully accepted. It was better to show goodwill first and then, when the Tianyang Sword Sect really took action and the other party felt the pressure of the Immortal Sect, the Governor Mansion could step in to recruit, thereby greatly increasing the success rate. Taishi Yi had already calculated these matters in his mind. ¡ª The destruction of the Divine Fist Sect and the death of Duan Ping had caused a stir in the Martial World, which Gu Qingfeng completely ignored. Now, he had moved everything back to the Gu Family Manor. "Father!" Gu Yang looked at the dozens of carts in front of him and the deep indentations on the ground, and could vaguely guess what was loaded on the carts. In fact, before Gu Qingfeng returned, news from the Martial World had already reached them first. When learning that Gu Qingfeng had slain a Master, Gu Yang was also shocked. However, the shock wasn''t as great as he had anticipated. Because Gu Yang found that as various secrets about Gu Qingfeng were revealed, his father increasingly appeared mysterious and often made astonishing moves, which he considered normal. But, normal as it was, it was impossible for his heart to remain calm upon seeing so much material wealth. "These items are from the Divine Fist Sect and various bandits and strongholds along the way. You take charge of inventorying them. There are a few boxes of Martial Arts you can handle, but the rest of the gold must not be tampered with, as it''s meant for sealing the Evil Spirit!" Gu Qingfeng said. "The child understands!" Gu Yang nodded. Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng leave, he set about having people inventory the materials. The three to four dozen carts were loaded with materials. As box after box was carried down and opened, what caught the eye were vast amounts of silver along with antique paintings and more. Seeing this, a gleam appeared in Gu Yang''s eyes. "Very good, very good, with these resources available, our subsequent actions will be much easier!" To secretly build and support a large army, sufficient silver coins were essential for support, relying solely on the Gu Family Manor was somewhat insufficient. But now with such a large batch of resources at hand, it could greatly alleviate the urgent needs. That''s why Gu Yang was so excited. Indeed, it was difficult for anyone to remain calm upon seeing such an abundance of resources. Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Information Panel Flooded Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Information Panel Flooded "So, Father, in the battle at the Divine Fist Sect, directly killed a Grandmaster in seconds!" Gu Yang listened to the reports from his subordinates, his eyes flickering with thought. Killing a Grandmaster! And killing a Grandmaster in seconds! These were two entirely different concepts. Right then, Gu Yang had an idea in mind. At this time, Gu Yi also stepped forward with a bow and said, "Manor Master, according to messages from other Hidden Guards, Pei Jing is now aggressively taking over Liuyun Prefecture, and it seems the court has no intention of putting up a resistance. A large number of living forces have been withdrawn from Liuyun Prefecture, I''m afraid that the Prefectural Governor of Taishan County also has some thoughts of his own." Upon hearing this, Gu Yang''s eyebrows slightly raised. "Do you mean to say, the Prefectural Governor of Taishan County is also not utterly loyal to the court?" "From the current situation, Taishi Yi is not willing to exert himself to death for the Taixuan Dynasty!" Gu Yi explained. Gu Yang immediately fell into deep thought. After a while, he looked at Gu Yi and then asked, "I previously asked you to investigate Mu Qing''s situation, do you have any news now?" "Please review, Manor Master!" Gu Yi took out a secret letter from his chest, handed it with both hands to Gu Yang, who opened the letter and glanced through it, a smile immediately spreading across his face. "Good!" "It seems that the Taixuan Dynasty is indeed destined to fall!" The situation in the other Nine States was unclear, but at least the officials in Taishan County each had their own ideas. Now, this secret letter recorded some hidden information about Mu Qing. Moments later, Gu Yang said, "In three days, I want to meet with Magistrate Mu!" "Yes!" Gu Yi took the order and retreated. Half an hour later, Gu Er came forward. "Greetings, Manor Master." "How has the inventory of all the materials gone?" Seeing him arrive, Gu Yang also became serious. Gu Er said with a bow, "Reporting to the Manor Master, all the materials have been counted. There are about sixty thousand taels of silver, six hundred and eighty-four million taels in silver notes, as well as many antique calligraphies and paintings, roughly worth two million taels in value." "Reward Upgrade Points *5!" "Your descendant ''Gu Xuan'' has gained some understanding in practicing Gu Family Boxing; his cultivation has improved slightly!" "Your descendant ''Gu Shengnan'' has enhanced her aptitude through Yijing Fasui!" "Your descendant..." ... The information panel now frequently refreshed with messages, a dense series of texts appearing, allowing Gu Qingfeng to have a grasp of every move made by Gu Yang and others, even without setting foot outside. However, when he saw the message that Gu Yang had successfully subverted Mu Qing, Gu Qingfeng also showed a flicker of surprise. "It seems Yang''er is already making his move!" Magistrate Mu Qing held authority over White Stone City, and once he was subverted, it basically meant that the entire White Stone City was under the control of the Gu Family Manor. Moreover. From what was shown on the information panel. After subverting Magistrate Mu, Gu Yang used this opportunity to secretly recruit troops and buy horses, to expand his own power. It was evident that Gu Yang''s actions were moving in the direction Gu Qingfeng had anticipated. With this in mind. Gu Qingfeng didn''t plan to intervene too much. Ever since he understood the true use of Golden Finger, Gu Qingfeng chose not to interfere in his descendants'' affairs, as long as they did not affect the foundation of the Gu Family Manor, every problem was not a problem. And to truly stabilize the foundation, the most normal method was to enhance strength as much as possible. The main source of strength increase for Gu Qingfeng came from his descendants. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng was now entirely in a free-range state. He wanted to see whether allowing Gu Yang to do as he pleased would trigger some useful achievements. With the current foundation accumulated, as long as he could trigger new achievements, Gu Qingfeng was 100 percent confident he could break through the Grandmaster Realm. Once he broke through the Grandmaster. Gu Qingfeng even had some confidence in facing off against a Great Grandmaster. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng looked to other information. Gu Xiu had made a breakthrough! This was within his expectations. After all, both Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu had their genetic potential cleansed from a young age, and their talents were quite extraordinary. But now that Gu Xuan had broken through first, it indicated his talent was slightly better. But even though Gu Xiu might not be as good as Gu Xuan, the difference wouldn''t be too vast. Given that the former had been in the Late Stage of Refining Skin for some time, it was completely normal for Gu Xiu to follow suit and break through. "With Xuan''er and Xiu''er''s talents, reaching Refining Skin Perfection won''t take too long, and even the Blood Refining Realm won''t be a problem with sufficient Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to assist in their cultivation. Five Upgrade Points for Late Stage Refining Skin, and undoubtedly even more for Refining Skin Perfection and the Initial Stage of Blood Refining!" Chapter 122: Chapter 122 The Fourth Level of the Prajnaparamita Sutra Chapter 122: Chapter 122 The Fourth Level of the Prajnaparamita Sutra In the following time, Gu Qingfeng devoted himself entirely to cultivation. The two supreme techniques he principally focused on were: Red Flame Divine Skill! Prajnaparamita Sutra! The former still remained at the Perfection level of the Fifth Layer, and breaking through to the Fifth Layer would still require some time and polishing. As for the latter, Gu Qingfeng found that after refining his physical body to Perfect Bone Refining, the difficulty of cultivating the three stages¡ªRefining Skin, Blood Refining, and Bone Refining¡ªhad decreased significantly compared to before. In his view, this should be because his physical body was perfect and there were no areas in need of further refinement, so advancing through these three realms was as simple as eating and drinking. In less than a month, Gu Qingfeng had cultivated the Prajnaparamita Sutra to the Perfection of the third layer. But, this time, even though the Prajnaparamita Sutra had broken through quickly, there was virtually no change in his own strength. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng also understood the reason behind it. It was the same reason as before: Physical Perfection. He had reached a point where no further advancement was possible, so no matter how mysterious the Prajnaparamita Sutra was, it could not bring any change to a perfect body. However, once the Prajnaparamita Sutra broke through to the fourth layer and entered the Marrow Cleansing Realm, things would be different. Because¡ª Gu Qingfeng had not yet achieved Perfect Marrow Cleansing. As long as the Marrow Cleansing had not reached a flawless level, each cultivation of a Marrow Cleansing technique could slightly enhance his strength. As for how much the strength would increase, it depended on to what extent the cultivation technique could refine within the Marrow Cleansing level. ... Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng sat cross-legged, his Blood Qi Power vibrated like a surging river, wave after wave crashing against his physical body, as if he was performing Yijing Fasui. However, Gu Qingfeng was indeed performing Yijing Fasui. To be precise, it should be called Marrow Cleansing. Having possessed the Prajnaparamita Sutra for over half a year, Gu Qingfeng had finally reached the point of assaulting the fourth layer. His abundant Blood Qi Power cleansed his marrow continuously, purging the impurities from within his bones, gradually moving towards perfection. Time passed unnoticed, and Gu Qingfeng''s body shook, a layer of thin dirt attached to the surface of his flesh was directly scattered. "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' slightly improved his skills in Gu Family Boxing, gaining a minor increase in strength!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xiu'' slightly improved his skills in Gu Family Boxing, gaining a minor increase in strength!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' faced an attack from a strong practitioner at the Late Stage of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' faced an attack from a strong practitioner at the Mid-level Stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!" "Your offspring¡ª" ... In the space of half a year, a massive amount of information refreshed, with most of it related to Gu Yang, occasionally interspersed with updates on Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu. But, the latter two were basically just background characters. This was quite normal, since Gu Xuan and the others were too young and mostly trained within the Gu Family Manor, naturally not having many experiences. However, in this past half year, Gu Yang had really been through the wringer, if not recruiting and buying horses, then attacking various bandit hideouts and strongholds and plundering resources from these Green Forest Forces. In layman''s terms, it was a case of dog-eat-dog! Once or twice was one thing, but doing it frequently was bound to attract unwanted attention. Nevertheless, Gu Qingfeng wasn''t too worried, as he had given the control of a hundred Hidden Guards to Gu Yang, with three Hidden Guard commanders who were all high-level experts with Perfection in the Fifth Layer of Refining Organ. As long as no Masters made a move, there shouldn''t be any major issues. Thus, although the attribute panel refreshed frequently, and there were occasionally strong practitioners from the Marrow Cleansing Realm taking action, up until now, Gu Yang had been like a fish in water. Moreover, Gu Yang was not acting recklessly. Gu Qingfeng had a good understanding of his son. ... Liuyun Village. Now a scene of carnage lay before them, every bandit slain, with Gu Yang standing bloodstained among them, and before him stood Gu Yi leading a group of Hidden Guards. Simultaneously, a man lay twisted and contorted on the ground, as if his limbs had been forcibly broken by brute strength. Gu Yang looked indifferently at the man and said calmly, "State your purpose for being here, and I can grant you a quick death." "Heh, for offending the Blood Spirit Sect, you will meet no good end. If you think you can get any information out of me, think again¡ª" The man spat out in defiance, causing Gu Yang''s expression to turn cold. Then, he glanced at Gu Yi. "Have someone thoroughly interrogate him. I want to understand the exact relationship between the Blood Spirit Sect and Liuyun Village. Also, find out who leaked our movements this time." "At once!" Gu Yi responded with a fist and palm salute, then signaled with his eyes. Immediately, a Hidden Guard dragged the man away. Shortly after, agonizing screams began to emanate from outside. The screams lasted for a good quarter of an hour before finally ceasing. Another quarter of an hour passed, and the Hidden Guard returned from outside. Chapter 123: Chapter 123 Blood Spirit Sect Chapter 123: Chapter 123 Blood Spirit Sect "Reporting to the manor master, this person is an elder of the Blood Spirit Sect. The very existence of Liuyun Village is to provide a populace for the Blood Spirit Sect''s magicians to cultivate!" "Actually, it''s not just Liuyun Village; there are shadows of the Blood Spirit Sect behind other Green Forest Forces as well." The Hidden Guard said in a deep voice. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang''s expression turned cold, "It seems that, during this period, we''ve decimated too many bandit strongholds, drawing the attention of the Blood Spirit Sect. That must be why they''ve sent someone to investigate!" Gu Yang had heard of the Blood Spirit Sect before. Taishan County''s Twelve Prefectures. Among them, Qingjiang Prefecture is the leader. The Blood Spirit Sect is a millennium-old sect within Qingjiang Prefecture. But to Gu Yang''s surprise, he had no idea when the Blood Spirit Sect began to extend its reach into Guangyang Prefecture. As a rule. The martial world of a prefecture does not allow foreign forces to intervene. If the secret involvement of the Blood Spirit Sect were to be exposed, it would also provoke hostility from the other native forces in Guangyang Prefecture. Of course. That was in the past. Now with the emergence of an Evil Buddha on the Nine Curves Road, the sects and nobility of Guangyang Prefecture have all had their strengths greatly diminished. It is probably for this reason that the Blood Spirit Sect found an opportunity to sneak in. Gu Yang''s knowledge of the Blood Spirit Sect was also limited. Immediately. He looked at Gu Yi and instructed: "Send someone to check out the details of the Blood Spirit Sect. Also, have all Hidden Guards return immediately, and for now, make no move!" Since this decimation of the bandit strongholds had caught the attention of the Blood Spirit Sect, Gu Yang knew he had to be extra cautious. A millennium-old sect was not weak. Moreover, in carrying out this operation, Gu Yang also deliberately concealed his identity, leaving no survivors. If because of the Blood Spirit Sect his own identity was exposed, that would be a significant problem. After all. The base of the Gu Family Master was too weak. In the past six months. Although Gu Yang had been recruiting soldiers and buying horses in secret to expand his power, he had also used White Stone City as his foundation, gradually expanding his influence outward and bringing several cities within White Stone Dao under his control. But even so, this power was still not enough. At once. Gu Yang led his men to leave. Among those taken away were also the many resources of Liuyun Village. At the same time, within the dungeon of Liuyun Village, Gu Yang discovered many long-imprisoned commoners, mostly strong men and women, who were on the brink of starvation, not knowing how long they had been locked up. In response. Gu Yang did not show up personally but had his Hidden Guards secretly open the dungeon and then led his men to withdraw. Yan Shaoyang had reason to suspect that these events were related to the Red Flame Sect. At this thought. Yan Shaoyang''s heart sank. If the aggressor were any other force, the Blood Spirit Sect wouldn''t be too worried, but if it were the Red Flame Sect, the problem could be big or small. Even though the Red Flame Sect''s power had waned considerably, it was still a millennium-old sect. Moreover, this was happening in Guangyang Prefecture. If a conflict erupted, it wasn''t certain that the Blood Spirit Sect could emerge unscathed. With this in mind. Yan Shaoyang turned and left. This matter was no trivial issue; he had to report back to his sect. ¡ª¡ª Gu Family Manor. Gu Yang returned with his people and then reported the Blood Spirit Sect''s situation to Gu Qingfeng. Upon hearing this. Gu Qingfeng appeared indifferent: "There''s no need to be too concerned about the Blood Spirit Sect. The so-called millennium families and sects are not worrisome. The only thing to pay attention to now are those Immortal Sects!" "Father''s words reassure me!" Gu Yang was certain in his heart. He knew very well Gu Qingfeng''s character; he never undertook matters without confidence. Since the other party dared to say so, it meant that the so-called millennium families and sects were truly not to be feared. At this thought. Gu Yang couldn''t help but ask, "What level of cultivation has Father reached now?" "My cultivation?" Gu Qingfeng suddenly smiled. "The path I have taken differs from ordinary martial artists. In terms of realm, I should be considered to have reached Perfection in the fifth level of Refining Organ, but in terms of strength, I am capable of killing a True Intent Master. As for lifespan, even those in the Grandmaster Realm cannot compare to me!" In Gu Qingfeng''s view, the Martial Arts path he was on might be the truest form of Martial Arts. It wasn''t that other people''s Martial Arts were fake; they were simply incomplete. Gu Yang was startled: "Rumors say that a Grandmaster of vitality can live for five hundred years. Father has not yet entered the Grandmaster Realm, and his lifespan can already surpass a vitality Grandmaster?" "The Universal Martial Arts world has its flaws; what I am pursuing is the Perfect Martial Arts. Most believe the Magician to be supreme and Martial Arts to be inferior, but I do not share this view!" "It''s just that the real Perfect Martial Arts still need some time before I can refine them completely. Once they are perfected, I will naturally pass them on to you and the others." Gu Qingfeng''s expression was solemn. Magicians were held in high esteem, with Evil Spirits rampant; simply put, the world lacked the powers to counteract the Magicians and Evil Spirits. If the true Martial Arts were flawless. Then the current predicament might very well be broken. ``` Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Red Flame Divine Skill Ninth Layer Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Red Flame Divine Skill Ninth Layer Gu Yang left. He was digesting the words previously spoken by Gu Qingfeng. There are flaws in the Universal Martial Arts! Perfect Martial Arts! There was a vague stirring in Gu Yang''s heart, but since he was only at the Late Stage of Blood Refining, he naturally had little realization. However. He was also doing his utmost to enhance his strength. Whatever resources were available for cultivation, he endeavored to pour as much as possible onto himself. After all, in the past six months, having eradicated many mountain strongholds, Gu Yang had acquired a considerable amount of materials from these strongholds. Besides secretly training troops, the surplus materials were more than sufficient for his own use. Gu Yang had a premonition. At the soonest, half a year, and at the latest, one year, he would be able to break through to Blood Refining Perfection. Of course. Given the current state of the world. Even Blood Refining Perfection would seem somewhat inadequate. The higher one stood. The farther one saw. In the eyes of the weak, a small plot of land in White Stone Dao was the entire Martial World, but in the eyes of the strong, one prefecture or county was merely trivial. Gu Yang intended to take the path of contending for supremacy under the heavens, so naturally, his vision would not be short-sighted. However. Eat one bite at a time. Walk one step at a time. At present. Prioritizing the breakthrough to Blood Refining Perfection was crucial. ¡ª¡ª On the other side. Inside the Grinding Blade Hall. Gu Qingfeng was not concerned about the Blood Spirit Sect. Since the battle in Liuyun Prefecture, he had gained a clearer understanding of his own strength. The Blood Spirit Sect. At most, it was equivalent to the Red Flame Sect. To be honest. With Gu Qingfeng''s current strength, he had absolute confidence in destroying the Red Flame Sect. It''s just that. Destroying the Red Flame Sect was easy, but the complications that followed were extraordinary. Again, that old saying. This world belongs to the magicians. Gu Yang continued to dispatch Hidden Guards to eliminate various bandits and gather resources for military training. Originally, Gu Yang was still wary of the Blood Spirit Sect. But since a conversation with Gu Qingfeng, he had completely let go of his concerns. Since the Blood Spirit Sect was not to be feared, there was no need to worry so much. He had thought that such a course of action would infuriate the Blood Spirit Sect; however, for half a year, it was as if the Blood Spirit Sect had completely disappeared, which left Gu Yang somewhat inexplicably disappointed but also secretly relieved. "Phew!" Gu Qingfeng exhaled a breath, his physical strength and blood roiling, his muscles and bones crackling loudly, as if thunder was rumbling. "It seems that the Prajnaparamita Sutra will still require some time to reach Perfection!" Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head. Though the Prajnaparamita Sutra had not achieved Perfection, his progress with the Red Flame Divine Skill had been quite good in this half year. Since breaking through to the Fifth Layer of the Red Flame Divine Skill four months ago, he had been advancing rapidly, swiftly overcoming several levels and having the Red Flame Divine Skill breakthrough to the Ninth Realm. When the Red Flame Divine Skill broke through to the Ninth Realm, Gu Qingfeng truly understood that after the Ninth Realm, he could generate True Qi on his own and breakthrough to the rank of Innate Grandmaster. The rumored Tenth Layer required gradual refinement. Since the Red Flame Divine Skill reached the Ninth Realm, Gu Qingfeng''s vitality was as fiery as the fierce sun, and his meridians were always filled with a burning sensation, with a subtle power gestating within. This kind of power, in Gu Qingfeng''s view, was so-called True Qi. This gestating True Qi eventually converged towards the direction of the Dantian in his lower abdomen. Unfortunately, his Dantian had not yet opened. This True Qi continuously surged but could never break through the barriers of the Dantian. According to Gu Qingfeng''s estimation, only when the True Qi accumulated to a certain extent and completely opened the Dantian, would he truly step into the Tenth Layer of the Red Flame Divine Skill and breakthrough to become an Innate Grandmaster. As for how long this would take, Gu Qingfeng could not make a good estimate. After all, judging by the speed at which this True Qi was forming, it would take at least several years, or even ten years, to possibly breakthrough to the Innate Grandmaster Realm. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng could not help but shake his head. "Marshalling ten years to exchange for a chance at a breakthrough to Grandmaster, I believe most people would be willing because there are not many Grandmasters in the world, which shows how difficult this realm is to breakthrough. However, if I have enough Upgrade Points, I won''t need to wait for ten years!" Having said this, Gu Qingfeng also understood that if he had enough Upgrade Points, instead of using them to break through to the rank of Innate Grandmaster, it would be better to first refine his body to a perfect state. Innate Grandmaster True Qi generation on its own might not be more powerful than perfect Body Refinement. Before reaching Grandmaster, Refining Organ and Marrow Cleansing and Bone Refining, among others, were all part of the body refining process. Therefore, to achieve perfect Body Refinement, Gu Qingfeng believed that his strength would definitely be much stronger than if he directly broke through to Innate Grandmaster now. Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Heart Abnormality Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Heart Abnormality "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' has achieved Refining Skin Perfection!" "Reward Upgrade Points *10!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has gained insights during cultivation, steadily enhancing his strength!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has secretly expanded his military forces, increasing his influence!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has attracted the wrath of the Green Forest Force by annihilating too many bandit strongholds!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has been attacked by a Martial Artist at the Late Stage of Marrow Cleansing!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has slain a Mid-level Bone Refining Martial Artist!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has slain Blood Refining Realm Martial Artists at the Late Stage *5!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xiu'' has achieved Refining Skin Perfection!" "Reward Upgrade Points *10!" "Your offspring ''Gu Shengnan'' has cleansed her genetic potential, slightly improving her aptitude!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has had a breakthrough realization during combat, stepping into Blood Refining Realm Perfection!" "Reward Upgrade Points *50!" "Reward Bone Refining Pill *100!" "Reward Marrow Cleansing Pill *100!" "Reward Perfect Level superb Martial Arts ''Wind and Thunder Blade Skill''!" ... Over the past month. The messages on the attribute panel kept refreshing, and Gu Qingfeng would look at them more closely whenever he had a chance. However. When he saw Gu Yang''s breakthrough, a smile finally appeared on his face. "Blood Refining Perfection!" "It is finally time for my own breakthrough!" The breakthroughs of Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu, although not providing many upgrade points, were acceptable; next was Gu Yang''s breakthrough. One could say. The three of them broke through. A total of seventy upgrade points, which grants a significant range of options. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng''s thoughts moved, and he took out the Wind and Thunder Blade Skill. As soon as he opened the Secret Manual, a stream of light entered his mind, as if he had practiced the Wind and Thunder Blade Skill for many years, with all the memories deeply engraved in his mind. After a good while. Gu Qingfeng let out a long breath. Then. He looked towards the attribute panel. ... Wind and Thunder Blade Skill (Perfection, Wind and Thunder Blade Intent Level 3)! ... "Wind and Thunder Blade Intent Level 3!" A cold glint burst forth in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes, and between them seemed to emerge terrifying True Intent that transformed into thunder, making the Divine Weapons in the vast Grinding Blade Hall tremble slightly, as if sensing something. The Evil Slayer Blade in the middle emitted a soft hum, and a powerful aura disseminated from it. ... Prajnaparamita Sutra upgraded to the fourth level Perfection! Consuming ten upgrade points! ... With a thought, Gu Qingfeng directly upgraded the Prajnaparamita Sutra to Perfection. However. As the Prajnaparamita Sutra broke through to Perfection at that moment, Gu Qingfeng felt as if there was a tremendously powerful force awakening in his body. Perfect Marrow Cleansing! Without any surprise. Gu Qingfeng looked at his own attribute panel. He saw that, at the moment of achieving Perfect Marrow Cleansing, his lifespan had increased by another four hundred years. Having reached this step. Gu Qingfeng''s lifespan was now a full twelve hundred years. "One thousand two hundred years, who says martial arts cannot lead to longevity!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes shone with brilliance. Perfect Marrow Cleansing came with a twelve hundred year lifespan, much stronger than magicians of the same level. Gu Qingfeng understood. From the moment he stepped into the realm of Perfect Martial Arts, the legend that martial arts could not achieve longevity was completely shattered. Martial arts could achieve longevity too! As long as the body was flawless and perfect, longevity could be vastly increased. Marrow Cleansing is so. When it comes to Perfect Organ Refining, and even the levels of master and great grandmaster in the future, Gu Qingfeng believed that his lifespan would break through to an even more terrifying extent. At that time. Longevity and long-standing life might not be mere illusions. Taking a deep breath. Gu Qingfeng suppressed the excitement in his heart. He was not yet at that step. For now, the most important thing for Gu Qingfeng was to first step into the realm of Perfect Organ Refining. Looking at the remaining upgrade points, with a thought, Gu Qingfeng directly upgraded the Prajnaparamita Sutra to the fifth level. ... Prajnaparamita Sutra (Fifth Layer, Prajnaparamita True Body Level Four)! ... When this martial art entered the fifth layer, Gu Qingfeng felt his original heart undergo some sort of terrifying transformation, ominous blood essence nourished it, and in an instant, it flowed through his limbs and bones. "This is... the first level of Perfect Organ Refining!" Gu Qingfeng closed his eyes and introspected himself, only to see his heart had now acquired an unusual mystical quality unlike before. The blood returning from it was no longer as deep red as it used to be, but instead had a hint of gold that was not easy to detect. Yes. Gold! Gu Qingfeng had indeed discovered his blood had become somewhat different. Within this golden blood, Gu Qingfeng felt an entirely different aura than before, as if the blood was now imbued with some sort of mysterious power. Such a change. Made Gu Qingfeng''s eyebrows slightly raise. Chapter 126: Chapter 126: The Elevation of Lifes Level Chapter 126: Chapter 126: The Elevation of Life''s Level "Interesting!" Gu Qingfeng tried to cut across his own skin, squeezing out a bit of fresh blood, only to see the blood tinged with a faint golden color. At the same time, it also contained a powerful aura. The magnitude of such an aura was not just reflected in strength but was on the level of life essence, giving off a more noble feel. "Transformation of life essence level!" "Could it be that upon stepping into the stage of Perfect Organ Refining, a martial artist''s life essence level begins to transform?" Gu Qingfeng''s expression changed slightly, then he left the Grinding Blade Hall and entered the Demon Suppression Prison. The Demon Suppression Prison now. Three Evil Spirits were imprisoned there. Gu Qingfeng skillfully opened the Golden Coffin sealing the Shadow Demon, then he directly cut off a part of the Shadow Demon, attempting to obliterate its existence with his own qi and blood power. As soon as his qi and blood power collided with the remnant body of the Shadow Demon, it was like water hitting hot oil, instantly triggering an intense reaction. Indistinctly. Gu Qingfeng could even hear a wail of extreme misery emanating from the remnants of the Shadow Demon. But he paid it no heed and focused all his effort on utilizing his qi and blood power, continually eroding the Shadow Demon''s remnant body. After a long time. Gu Qingfeng had nearly exhausted all his qi and blood, but there was not a hint of disappointment on his face. Instead, there was an irrepressible smile. Simply because the segment representing the Shadow Demon''s remnant body, a broken finger, now had completely disappeared. "Indeed it''s possible!" Gu Qingfeng''s face was filled with great joy. "Perfect Organ Refining causes mutations in the heart, thereby upgrading the martial artist''s life essence level; the rumors of Evil Spirits being immortal shall also be thoroughly broken. My current life essence level, I fear, exceeds even that of so-called magicians. Although it still falls a bit short compared with the Evil Spirits, with the subsequent progression in realms, truly slaying an Evil Spirit will no longer be a problem!" Although he had to use all his qi and blood power to barely eradicate a segment of the Shadow Demon''s broken finger, which seemed a far cry from truly eliminating an Evil Spirit, there was still a long road ahead. But one thing is clear. Many difficulties lie at the beginning. In the past, Evil Spirits were difficult to eradicate, not even a small segment like a broken finger could be shaken. But that was then. Now, Gu Qingfeng was able to obliterate a segment of the Shadow Demon''s broken finger, and once his own realm upgrades, truly obliterating an Evil Spirit will undoubtedly not be a problem. This indicates, the rumors of the immortality of Evil Spirits can be broken. By comparison. Magicians are powerful, but they do not have the ability to truly eradicate Evil Spirits. Gu Qingfeng''s expression was somewhat somber. "The increased difficulty of cultivating the Prajnaparamita Sutra must be related to the Perfect Organ Refining. I am now only one step away from completely transforming my Five Internal Organs. Therefore, to truly take that step, time is needed to grind away slowly, only then is there a possibility of breakthrough¡ª" With this thought. Gu Qingfeng''s original plan to first cultivate the Prajnaparamita Sutra to perfection in the Refining Organ five layers, and then use Upgrade Points to break through to the Grandmaster, fell through. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng used forty Upgrade Points to raise the Prajnaparamita Sutra directly from the Fifth Layer to the Seventh. Two realms broken through. In doing so, Gu Qingfeng perfectly refined two more organs, making his strength even more formidable, and his life force level was also incrementally and slowly rising. "With my current vital energy and strength, not to mention a single finger of the Shadow Demon, even if it were a whole hand, I could directly grind it to nothing. However, to truly claim that I could kill the Shadow Demon in one fell swoop, that''s still beyond me for the moment!" Gu Qingfeng felt the changes within himself, and by now, compared to the time when only his heart had mutated, he had grown much stronger. Nevertheless. It still wasn''t enough. In Gu Qingfeng''s view, such strength was still insufficient for him to truly slay the Evil Spirit. After all, in a life-and-death struggle, who has the time to gradually wear down the Evil Spirit, especially since the Evil Spirit is not an inanimate object and wouldn''t willingly allow itself to be eroded and erased. The Evil Spirit would flee. And resist. Therefore. What Gu Qingfeng needed to do was to truly elevate his life force level to the same level as the Evil Spirit; this would make slaying the Evil Spirit much easier. Nevertheless¡ª Glancing at the remaining three Upgrade Points, Gu Qingfeng abandoned the idea of continuing to increase his power. Next. He would wait. Wait for the Gu Family''s offspring to make another breakthrough so he could use Upgrade Points to wholly refine the Five Internal Organs. At that time. Gu Qingfeng would be able to work on breaking into the Grandmaster Realm. "With my current strength, although I haven''t truly eradicated the Evil Spirit, if I were to face Shen Wudao again, I believe a single slash would suffice to slay him." Gu Qingfeng''s expression was confident. Now, although he had not broken through to the Grandmaster level, his strength was incomparable to the past. The only unknown was whether Gu Qingfeng was stronger or weaker than the Great Grandmasters spoken of in legends. Chapter 127: Chapter 127 Creating Perfect Martial Arts on My Own Chapter 127: Chapter 127 Creating Perfect Martial Arts on My Own After stepping into the seventh layer of the Prajnaparamita Sutra, causing three anomalies in his internal organs, Gu Qingfeng had actually stopped cultivating the Prajnaparamita Sutra in the following period, instead choosing to delve into his own learning, attempting to create the truly Perfect Martial Arts. The reason for doing this was because the anomalies in the internal organs for the last two layers required the Prajnaparamita Sutra to make another breakthrough, but such a breakthrough was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Thus, rather than waste energy on cultivation, it would be better to turn around and thoroughly integrate what he had learned to see if he could combine it with his own being to create the Perfect Martial Arts. Even if he couldn''t create a truly complete Perfect Martial Arts, having a rudimentary form would still be good. At the same time, in terms of Red Flame Divine Skill, Gu Qingfeng also had no need to cultivate it. Ninth Layer Perfection. True Qi is self-generated. Now, he just needed to wait enough time, and the Red Flame Divine Skill would naturally break through to the tenth layer, allowing him to prove himself as an Innate Grandmaster. "The martial arts created by the ancients either observed nature and the universe, or they drew inspiration from the martial arts of predecessors, ultimately incorporating their own unique insights. Only in this way could one create martial arts that belonged to oneself!" "Now that I have cultivated many martial arts, I do indeed have the foundation to create my own martial arts!" Gu Qingfeng''s heart gradually calmed down as he began to methodically organize what he had learned, then confirmed his own perfected physique, and started to deduce the so-called Perfect Martial Arts. The idea was beautiful. But the reality was cruel. When Gu Qingfeng truly started to deduce it, he understood just how difficult it was to create an entirely new martial arts. However, Gu Qingfeng did have enough time, after all, a lifespan of one thousand two hundred years was already considered long-lived in many people''s eyes. Since he had sufficient time, he could slowly ponder and research until he succeeded. ¡ª¡ª While Gu Qingfeng was secluded and creating his own martial arts, the situation in the world was also constantly changing. First of all, it was the Divine Martial King Pei Jing leading a large army, openly attacking Guangyang Prefecture. Although Guangyang Prefecture responded immediately, with strong individuals from the court leading armies in defense, Pei Jing''s force was too powerful, and with the backing of experts from the Tianyang Sword Sect, Guangyang Prefecture''s side inevitably fell back in defeat. With the downfall of the court''s army, the Divine Martial Army might be said to be unstoppable, plunging the vast Guangyang Prefecture into utter chaos. With such changes, Gu Yang was the first to know. that his strength is comparable to that of a top True Intent Master. The other reason they were willing to obey Gu Yang was because standing behind him was a top-tier powerhouse. In an era where Great Grandmasters are scarce, a top True Intent Master is considered an invincible force. Even though magicians are held in the highest esteem, the number of magicians strong enough to confront a top True Intent Master can be counted on one hand. If one has just learned the truths of this world, they may believe any magician to be utterly unbeatable and that martial artists are mere ants in the eyes of magicians. But in reality as court officials, they have a deeper understanding of magicians. Magicians are indeed powerful but this is all relative. To the average martial artist, magicians are an unbeatable existence, with even the weakest magician being on par with a Blood Refining Realm martial artist. However such "average martial artists" obviously do not include top True Intent Masters. Immediately someone said, "If Senior Domineering Blade is willing to make a move, the problem is naturally not a big deal." "Alright, you continue to pay attention to the movements of the Divine Martial Army. Any news must be immediately reported to me!" After finishing his words, Gu Yang stood up and left with a few Hidden Guards. After his departure the atmosphere within the official residence underwent subtle changes. One of them looked at Mu Qing and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Mu, now that the Divine Martial Army is bearing down upon us, do we really have to stand on the same boat as the Gu Family Manor?" Upon hearing this the expressions of the others became even more uncertain. Mu Qing replied indifferently, "If we don''t stand with the Gu Family Manor, do we have other options?" "Not to mention the current state of chaos, just the fact that the Domineering Blade stands behind the Gu Family Manor means he is someone we cannot afford to offend." "The horror of a top True Intent Master is beyond your imagination. As long as that person lives, the Gu Family Manor will never truly perish." "Let alone whether Pei Jing can really take down White Stone Dao. Even if he could, without absolute certainty that he can kill Gu Qingfeng, he would absolutely not dare do anything to the Gu Family Manor." "Even the Divine Martial King cannot afford to offend such a figure, what makes you think we can?" In the end, Mu Qing''s face showed a mocking smile. It is uncertain whether they would survive the arrival of the Divine Martial Army, but to offend a True Intent Master is to truly court death. If the Domineering Blade wished, killing them would be as easy as turning over his hand; nowhere under the heavens would they find a chance to live. Mu Qing''s words caused those who had entertained other ideas to turn pale, immediately dispelling the few thoughts that had arisen in their minds. Chapter 128: Chapter 128: I Will Take Action at the Critical Moment Chapter 128: Chapter 128: I Will Take Action at the Critical Moment Stepping into the Grinding Blade Hall once more, Gu Yang immediately felt a terrifying Blade Intent filling the air, giving him a chilling sensation. Seeing this, Gu Yang''s expression turned solemn. He understood. This was a sign of his father''s strength advancing yet again. Gu Qingfeng''s strength seemed to be improving every moment, and such a rate of improvement could only be described as astonishing. "You''ve arrived!" Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, which seemed to flash with a cold, bloodthirsty light, instantly raising the hair on Gu Yang''s body and making him feel as if he was facing a terrifying being. Although the feeling came quickly and left just as fast, Gu Yang''s back was already soaked with cold sweat. "Father!" Gu Yang took a deep breath, steadied the shock in his heart, and then bowed ceremonially. Gu Qingfeng asked calmly, "Tell me, has something happened?" It was unnecessary. Gu Yang would almost never come to the Grinding Blade Hall to disturb him. This was also Gu Qingfeng''s instruction. The Grinding Blade Hall was his place for secluded cultivation, and only a few people like Gu Yang were allowed to enter and leave freely, but they would not come unless it was absolutely necessary. "Father, some time ago, Pei Jing led an attack on Guangyang Prefecture, and the court suffered a major defeat," Gu Yang reported solemnly. "Now, a hundred thousand soldiers from the Divine Martial Army are marching directly toward White Stone Dao. The intention of the Divine Martial Army is clear. In this battle, father, what do you think we should do?" Gu Yang spoke with a grave tone. Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained unchanged as he glanced at him faintly. "What do you have in mind?" "I believe that our Gu Family Manor, after so much effort over the years, should not abandon our current foundation, for that would be equivalent to giving up years of hard work." Gu Yang spoke without any hesitation, directly stating his view. "Over these years, I''ve established White Stone Dao as our base, while secretly raising a strong force. Now we can muster nearly a hundred thousand troops. If it comes to a head-on battle, we don''t necessarily have to face defeat. The only problem is the existence of the Tianyang Sword Sect backing Pei Jing. I''ve heard that the court''s defeat was due to the intervention of experts from the Tianyang Sword Sect!" At the end, Gu Yang looked toward Gu Qingfeng, waiting for his decision. Withdrawing was not something he was willing to do. Shortly after Gu Yang left, someone entered the Grinding Blade Hall. "Greetings to your honor!" "How goes the intelligence gathering on Tianyang Sword Sect?" Gu Qingfeng asked Gu Er, looking at the man before him. Although the Hidden Guard was now under Gu Yang''s control, Gu Qingfeng still had the authority to command the Hidden Guard. A year earlier, he had ordered them to secretly gather intelligence on the Tianyang Sword Sect. After all, his rift with the Tianyang Sword Sect was beyond mending, and it was essential to know both the enemy and oneself; otherwise, a direct confrontation could lead to being caught off guard. Gu Er replied, "To report to your honor, the Tianyang Sword Sect has a robust foundation, with thirty-six elders within the sect. Each elder is either in the Innate Realm, or a Magician from the God Fusion Realm." "At the same time, the Sect Master of Tianyang, it is rumored, broke through the barriers of the God Fusion Realm thousands of years ago and stepped into the fabled Transformation Realm. However, for several centuries now, the Sect Master of Tianyang has been in seclusion, rarely making public appearances." "Some messages have surfaced, suggesting that the Sect Master of Tianyang hasn''t appeared because previous life-and-death battles caused signs of an Evil Spirit revival within him, and thus he has been suppressing its resurgence all this time. There are also rumors that the Sect Master of Tianyang is in seclusion, attempting a breakthrough to a realm above Transformation. But the precise details are unknown to me at this time." Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly at Gu Er''s words. It was no easy feat for the Hidden Guard to have gathered such information; uncovering the Sect Master of Tianyang''s secrets would naturally not be simple. The God Fusion Realm and Transformation Realm mentioned by Gu Er are two realms of Magicians. Spirit-controlling Realm Magicians are only comparable to those in Refining Organ and the ordinary Innate. God Fusion Realm Magicians are on par with True Intent Masters and the pinnacle can even match a Great Grandmaster. The so-called Transformation Realm, even at the initial entry, is not inferior to a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Based on these statements, it was conservatively estimated that there would be a peak Transformation Realm Magician in Tianyang Sword Sect; as for whether that Sect Master of Tianyang had broken the shackles of the Transformation Realm, stepping into a higher tier, Gu Qingfeng deemed the probability rather low. According to Gu Qingfeng''s understanding, the peak Magicians of various Immortal Families and sects around the world are at the stage of the Transformation Realm. Although it appears that the Transformation Realm is only equivalent to a Great Grandmaster, in reality, the two are entirely incomparable. The reason is very simple. A Great Grandmaster''s life spans eight hundred years. A Transformation Realm Magician''s life spans three thousand years. That, is the difference. With a lifespan of three thousand years, one could outlive several Great Grandmasters without issue. Speaking bluntly, in the face of such a long lifespan, a Great Grandmaster naturally doesn''t compare to a Magician of the same level. Chapter 129: Chapter 129: A Hundred Thousand Strong Army Chapter 129: Chapter 129: A Hundred Thousand Strong Army "Three thousand years for those in the Transformation Realm!" "Eight hundred years for a Great Grandmaster!" "And for a Magician in the God Fusion Realm, only fifteen hundred years." "Though I have yet to perfectly refine my Five Internal Organs, my lifespan is already fourteen hundred years, barely less than that of a God Fusion Realm Magician. Once I complete the Refining Organ stages, my lifespan shall surely crush that of a God Fusion Realm Magician." "As for strength, I should now be no weaker than an average Transformation Realm Magician!" Gu Qingfeng mused to himself. Back when he was able to slay Shen Wudao, his strength could be considered top-tier in the God Fusion Realm, which is the equivalent of a pinnacle True Intent Master. But at that time, Gu Qingfeng hadn''t achieved Perfect Marrow Cleansing, nor had he tempered his viscera. Each instance of perfect tempering elevated his existence to a higher echelon of life, and with it, his strength underwent a transformation. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng was confident that his current power was on par with that of a Transformation Realm Magician. Moreover, There was only one known Transformation Realm Magician openly in the Tianyang Sword Sect, the Tianyang Sect Master. Even if there were other powerhouses in hiding, there certainly wouldn''t be many Transformation Realm Magicians. As long as Transformation Realm Magicians did not interfere, Gu Qingfeng was sure he could handle anything. Even if a Transformation Realm Magician were to act, a victory was not out of the question. Furthermore, No matter the situation, nothing was ever guaranteed; close enough was often sufficient. Although Gu Qingfeng conducted his affairs prudently, he was never so cautious as to be a coward. Following that, Gu Qingfeng once again began to contemplate and deduce the principles of Martial Arts. Nowadays, most of his time was spent in the Grinding Blade Hall, striving to create a truly Perfect Martial Arts. Up to now, Gu Qingfeng had some clues, though he had not taken the actual first step, but at least he had found a direction to move forward. --- Within a secret forest valley, a military camp had been established. This was a place secretly found by Gu Yang to train his soldiers. At this moment, The camp was home to an army of a hundred thousand men. Standing on the review platform, Gu Yang gazed down at the hundred thousand strong army below. A silent but deadly aura permeated the air, stirring a torrent of pride in his chest. As the great army mobilized, the vast expanse of White Stone Dao trembled. Over these years, although Gu Yang had been active, he had always operated covertly. Training the army had also been done in secrecy, and outsiders were completely unaware that such a formidable force had been cultivated. Only now, as the hundred thousand strong army left the camp and headed towards Beimen Pass, did the various forces realize that the Gu Family Manor had been secretly amassing such a terrifying power. In these chaotic times, the purpose of cultivating a large army needed no explanation. ... "A hundred thousand troops, the Gu Family Manor has been planning a rebellion from the start!" "Heh, rebellion or not, the Taixuan Dynasty is about to fall, what difference does it make if there''s talk of rebellion?" "That''s true, but I originally thought the Gu Family Manor, being a sect family above worldly affairs, would not get involved in the chaos of these times. However, it looks like they also harbor ambitions to compete for supremacy over the world." "Competing for supremacy is easy to say, but a slight misstep means complete destruction. A hundred thousand strong army may seem powerful, but that''s all there is to it." "I''ve heard that this time the Divine Martial Army is coming fiercely, not only is Pei Jing personally leading the troops, but there are also powerhouses from the Tianyang Sword Sect marching with the army. Whether the Gu Family Manor can survive this ordeal is a question." The forces and martial artists of White Stone Dao were all discussing among themselves, and the vast majority of them were not optimistic about Gu Yang. Simply put, Divine Martial King Pei Jing ruled over several provinces, his armies invincible, and even the hundred thousand troops that had come this time could be considered elite. With equal numbers, the hundred thousand troops under Gu Yang''s command would find it hard to be a match for the Divine Martial Army. Therefore, as news of the Divine Martial Army''s approach spread, many Martial World forces were preparing in secret, waiting for the Gu Family Manor''s defeat to immediately pledge allegiance to the Divine Martial Army to avoid being purged. Gu Yang wasn''t the least bit concerned about the outside rumors. As long as he could win this battle, all rumors and slander would collapse on their own. But likewise, if they lost this battle, then the rumors and slander would no longer matter. It could be said, this battle was now tied to the future and existence of the Gu Family Manor. They could only win! They could not lose! Even Gu Yang, with all his confidence, couldn''t help but feel somewhat nervous. However, when he felt the presence of the Evil Slayer Blade at his back, the tension in his heart dissipated quite a bit. With his father there, the sky would not fall. Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Battle Begins Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Battle Begins "Reporting to Your Majesty, we will reach Beimen Pass in another ten miles!" The army advanced as a vanguard scout came forward to report. Before Pei Jing could speak, another vanguard scout quickly arrived and said with a bow. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the latest news has arrived, Manor Master Gu Yang of the Gu Family Manor has led an army of one hundred thousand to Beimen Pass." "Gu Yang!" Pei Jing''s eyes narrowed slightly, as he was no stranger to the existence of Gu Yang. Years earlier, the intelligence on Gu Family Manor had already been thoroughly investigated by him. At that time, however, Gu Yang was not someone Pei Jing had seriously considered. Until later. When Gu Yang became the new manor master, Pei Jing truly started to take notice of him. "An army of one hundred thousand stationed at Beimen Pass implies that Gu Family Manor also intends to contend for supremacy over the world, hence the covert development of a large army. However, to think that they could stop us with a mere one hundred thousand troops is pure folly." "This time, we shall eliminate Gu Yang first, then encircle and suppress Gu Family Manor, and avenge Elder Duan Ping!" The speaker was Jiang Ning, an elder of the Tianyang Sword Sect. Originally, according to the previous statement by the Sect Master of Tianyang, it was not necessary for Tianyang Sword Sect to strike against Gu Family Manor over Duan Ping''s matter. But now, times had changed. Now that the Divine Martial Army had completely infiltrated Guangyang Prefecture, dealing with Gu Family Manor would be necessary. Nevertheless. The Sect Master of Tianyang also instructed that their main target should be to suppress Gu Qingfeng and not to kill him immediately, but rather to bring him back to Tianyang Sword Sect. For this command, elders like Jiang Ning clearly understood the Sect Master''s intentions. Rearing gu! This was not anything uncommon. Many ancient martial orders would imprison martial artists from the Martial World with talent and cultivate them like livestock until they had truly matured to a certain level, then use them as nourishment. Clearly. The Domineering Blade was highly valued by the Sect Master of Tianyang. Pei Jing said, "Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng, suspected to be a top True Intent Master, such strength will not be easily suppressed!" "Your Majesty can rest assured, with three God Fusion Realm elders from our Tianyang Sword Sect taking action, even if a Great Grandmaster himself were to appear, we would have a chance to battle, let alone a mere top True Intent Master!" Jiang Ning sneered dismissively, the other two Tianyang Sword Sect elders also wore proud expressions. A mere martial artist. Was hardly worth mentioning. This was what Jiang Ning wanted to say in his heart, but he held back this thought since he knew Pei Jing was also a martial artist. "Now that the elders are confident, then this battle shall surely annihilate Gu Family Manor!" Pei Jing nodded, his eyes already fierce with killing intent. Beside Gu Yang, Gu Yi spoke solemnly. Three Grandmasters! At these words, Gu Yang''s eyes narrowed slightly. Logically, the presence of three grandmasters should worry him, but thinking of Gu Qingfeng, he felt reassured. As soon as Gu Yang had led the army to Beimen Pass, he had already sent the Hidden Guard to inform Gu Qingfeng. If nothing went wrong, his father would also soon arrive. Therefore. Even if the Tianyang Sword Sect had three Grandmasters personally arriving, they might not necessarily lose this battle. At this moment. The Divine Martial Army had arrived. The enormous army stood deathly still; Pei Jing, looking at the figures on the city wall, called out loudly, "Gu Yang, if you surrender now, this king might spare your life." "If you resist stubbornly, when the city falls, that will be the time of your death!" Upon hearing this. Gu Yang scoffed disdainfully and then declared fiercely, "I also advise you, retreat now with your troops, and I can pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, once the Divine Martial Army attacks, I''m afraid you, the Divine Martial King, will remain here forever!" "Arrogant fool!" At these words, Pei Jing''s face turned icy, and then with a great wave of his hand, he gave the direct order. "Siege the city!" As his words fell. The hundred thousand Divine Martial Army moved as one. Frontline infantry lifted their shields, advancing toward Beimen Pass, while archers shot arrows overhead to cover them, trying to create an opening for the infantry. On the other side. Gu Yang also waved his hand grandly. "Fire arrows!" At this command. Arrows poured down like raindrops from a waterfall, falling upon the Divine Martial Army. For a time. Arrows flew chaotically across the battlefield. Both sides faced off, each suffering considerable casualties. Gu Yang drew the long sword from his waist, his fierce sword light danced, and all incoming arrows were severed by his Sword Qi, none capable of even slightly harming him. Immediately following. Cloud ladders were then set up, with Divine Martial Army soldiers beginning to scale them, attempting to climb the city walls. Seeing this scene, Martial Artists from the Blood Refining Realm onward appeared, directly destroying the ladders and stopping these soldiers from reaching the top. "Kill!" Chapter 131: Chapter 131: The Strong Make Their Move Chapter 131: Chapter 131: The Strong Make Their Move The armies were on the verge of a clash. Flesh and blood flew in all directions. The cacophony of killing shouts melded with screams, becoming the main melody of the battlefield. Compared to the Divine Martial Army, the Gu Family Army had the advantage of occupying the city walls, enabling them to press down from high above. From the moment the two armies engaged in battle, the Gu Family Army had a certain advantage; their casualties were far less severe than those of the Divine Martial Army. However, Gu Yang''s face showed little joy at this sight. Because he understood that all of this was only temporary. The battle between the two armies was not only a comparison of troop strength but also a contest of the top fighters'' power. Now on the Divine Martial Army''s side, the real powerhouses had yet to take action. If those existences were to make their move, Beimen Pass might not be able to stop them. As expected, shortly after the battle began, Pei Jing directly ordered an assault. Suddenly, several individuals burst forth, unleashing powerful blood energy as they charged toward the city gates, intending to smash through with brute force and allow the army to sweep in. "Refining Organ Martial Artists!" Gu Yang''s gaze sharpened, and he immediately ordered a sniper attack. Instantly, many arrows, gleaming with light, were fired toward those few Refining Organ Realm Martial Artists. The latter either struck out with both palms or used their weapons to block, shattering all incoming arrows. In a mere moment, as several Refining Organ Realm Martial Artists were about to reach the gates, a terrifying aura locked onto them¡ªan arrow that seemed to slice through the air, shooting toward them like a long rainbow. "Kill!" A Refining Organ Realm Martial Artist suddenly struck forward with both palms, his powerful gusts stirring up the sounds of wind and thunder. Then, in the next instant, a rainbow light shattered the void and headed straight for him, completely ignoring his force and piercing through his palms. Blood splattered. The intense pain caused that Refining Organ Martial Artist''s complexion to change, and he explosively retreated. At the same time, his blood energy formed Protective Gang Qi to shield himself. However, at the moment when the Protective Gang Qi rose, two more arrows arrived one after the other. The first arrow shattered the Protective Gang Qi. And when the second arrow arrived, "Puchi!" Flesh was penetrated. An arrow passed straight through his chest, and the man looked down at the arrow feathers protruding from his chest in utter disbelief. In fact. Our side has three Magicians of the God Fusion Realm stationed here. With this in mind. The mere Refining Organ Martial Artists are nothing, of course. "Let''s not argue, you two¡ªthe three Refining Organ Realm Martial Artists are mine to deal with. Once we break through Beimen Pass, I don''t need a single one of the hundred thousand soldiers of the Gu Family Army!" Jiang Ning spoke first, looking in the direction of Beimen Pass. A flash of bloodthirsty color appeared and vanished in the depths of his eyes. Hearing this. Zuo Qiu and Cui Mingfeng exchanged glances and nodded as well. "Alright!" "Then let''s leave them to Elder Jiang!" In their conversation, it seemed as though Beimen Pass was theirs for the taking. Upon hearing this. Jiang Ning immediately smiled, and then he was seen stepping into the air and swooping towards the city gate like a wild goose. His terrifying and chilly aura erupted, causing the temperature in the air to drop sharply. "Manor Master, be careful!" Gu Yi''s complexion changed, he gathered a tremendous force in both palms and struck out, aiming to knock Jiang Ning down. However, the latter, facing this strike, showed a disdainful smile on his face. While still in the air, he casually threw out a palm. The two palms met. Gu Yi''s body was struck as if hit by thunder and was immediately sent flying. Jiang Ning, on the other hand, didn''t retreat half a step and landed directly on the city wall. He stood with his hands behind his back, and his fearful aura was so intimidating that the surrounding soldiers dared not step forward. At this moment. Jiang Ning''s gaze fell on Gu Yang, who was at the forefront, his eyes flashed a bloody red, and his face showed a ferocious expression. "Heh heh, you are Gu Yang?" "Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng killed an elder of our Tianyang Sword Sect. Now I will kill you first as the interest, and then I will exterminate the entire Gu Family Manor to avenge our Tianyang Sword Sect elder!" As Jiang Ning spoke, his right hand struck out suddenly, a terrifying force surged forth, causing Gu Yang''s expression to change. His Perfection in the Blood Refining Realm Cultivation felt utterly useless under such power. As the cold and terrifying aura swept over him, all the blood in his body seemed to stall, and his body could hardly move an inch. Just when Gu Yang thought he was going to die there, he heard the sound of a blade being unsheathed behind him, and then saw a long blade drawn from its scabbard. "Clang!" A blood-colored blade light illuminated the long sky, accompanied by an overwhelmingly domineering Blade Intent. ¡ª¡ª PS: I have something to attend to, so I''m updating just one chapter for now. I''ll post the second chapter later! ``` Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Thats Gu Qingfengs Knife! Chapter 132: Chapter 132: That''s Gu Qingfeng''s Knife! "¡ª¡ª" Blood-red blade light cleaved through the sky, and the overwhelming sword intent surged forth, causing Jiang Ning''s pupils to unconsciously dilate, with a look of terror just beginning to surface, before it solidified on his face. Immediately after. A bloody mark appeared on Jiang Ning''s forehead, and in the next breath, his body suddenly split in two. "Boom!" An appalling, icy breath burst forth, and an Evil Spirit awoke from Jiang Ning''s corpse before it bent down and frantically devoured the blood and flesh of Jiang Ning''s body. This scene. Left both sides stunned in place. However. In the next instant. The Evil Slayer Blade emitted a quivering hum, then the long blade slashed at the Evil Spirit, instantly nailing the creature, which had been devouring Jiang Ning''s corpse, to the ground. "Sssss!" The Evil Spirit let out a reluctant roar, its body not of human form twisted wildly, but it could never break free from the suppression of the Evil Slayer Blade. All of this. Happened in the blink of an eye. Only at this moment. Did everyone finally come to their senses. "Father!" Gu Yang''s face showed shock, with uncontrollable joy in his eyes. He hadn''t expected that the Evil Slayer Blade left to him by Gu Qingfeng would truly be so powerful, not only instantly killing an Innate Grandmaster of the Magician class, but also autonomously suppressing an Evil Spirit. Even though Gu Yang had always believed Gu Qingfeng''s words, he had not been as shocked as when he witnessed it with his own eyes. Now. As the Evil Spirit struggled wildly, the long blade stood unwaveringly. "Impossible!" "What kind of Divine Weapon is that, that it can kill Jiang Ning¡ª" On the side of the Divine Martial Army, Zuo Qiu and Cui Mingfeng''s faces had long lost their smiles, looking toward Beimen Pass with nothing but shock in their eyes. Jiang Ning''s strength, Strictly speaking, was not much different from theirs. They had thought that with Jiang Ning''s methods, killing Gu Yang would be a piece of cake. But unexpectedly. Before Jiang Ning could truly display his strength, he was instantly killed by a mysterious Divine Weapon. "That''s Gu Qingfeng''s blade!" Pei Jing said, word by word. After learning about Gu Qingfeng''s annihilation of the Divine Fist Sect and the slaying of Tianyang Sword Sect''s Innate Grandmaster, Pei Jing had gone all-out to collect information about him. Therefore. Yes, it was fear. Gu Qingfeng''s strength instilled a sense of dread even in the Divine Martial King. Before the man arrived, a blade had already slain a magician at the peak of the God Fusion Realm. Then how terrifying must Gu Qingfeng''s true strength be? A Great Grandmaster? Or even higher? At that moment, Gu Qingfeng also looked towards Pei Jing; the two were a hundred zhang apart, but their eyes could meet. "Divine Martial King Pei Jing, today we finally meet!" He spoke slowly, but his voice was able to drown out all other noises on the battlefield and reached accurately into the latter''s ears. Upon hearing this, Pei Jing suppressed the emotions in his heart and said calmly, "The reputation of Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng is long-standing, and in fact, I have always held Master Gu in high regard. Now that the Taixuan Dynasty is on the brink of collapse and heroes are rising everywhere, if Master Gu is willing to cooperate with me, it is not impossible for us to contend for the throne together." "When I, your king, Rule the World, I will surely not forget Master Gu''s contributions. At that time, Guangyang Prefecture or even the entirety of Taishan County or one county''s land, all could be granted as the Gu Family''s fief. All the martial arts and secret techniques in the world, as long as I can offer them, are yours for the viewing, Master Gu!" After witnessing Gu Qingfeng''s formidable strength, Pei Jing had given up the notion of taking Beimen Pass. Such a strong individual was not someone ordinary people could match. The outside world rumored that Gu Qingfeng was merely a top-tier True Intent Master, but now it seemed that this man was clearly a genuine Great Grandmaster. It was only because this Great Grandmaster had always been low-profile that he had repeatedly misjudged the other party''s power. Now, Pei Jing''s most significant thought was to pull Gu Qingfeng into his faction at all costs. Such a powerful individual, if he could be used for oneself, the benefits were plain to see. Hearing Pei Jing''s words, Zuo Qiu and Cui Mingfeng exchanged glances, both remaining silent. On Beimen Pass, Gu Qingfeng, upon hearing this, remained indifferent, "The offer of the Divine Martial King is indeed hard to refuse, it''s just a pity that I have always believed in the power of strength. With your current strength, Divine Martial King, I am afraid you are still not qualified to make me lower my head!" "Today, the one hundred thousand Divine Martial Army attacks Beimen Pass, and the Divine Martial King even leads the troops personally. Let''s have a look, Divine Martial King, to see if your strength is indeed a match for your ambition¡ª" As the words fell, Gu Qingfeng''s qi and blood exploded, and with one step, he plunged into the battlefield like a cannonball. "Boom!" The blade light was chilling. Slaughter erupted immediately. Chapter 133: Chapter 133: As if Entering an Uninhabited Territory Chapter 133: Chapter 133: As if Entering an Uninhabited Territory Gu Qingfeng plunged into the midst of the Divine Martial Army, the Evil Slayer Blade emitting a bitter chill as its endless blade light burst forth, claiming the life of anyone it touched on the spot. Seven Killings Blade Skills were originally military martial arts, conceived by a mighty warrior on the battlefield. And though Gu Qingfeng had cultivated the Seven Killings Blade Skills to the Breakthrough level, surpassing the original creator''s upper limits, the actual sight of carnage on the battlefield still aroused in him a different kind of insight. Blood sprayed. Lives were reaped. Gu Qingfeng gained a whole new understanding of the Seven Killings Blade Skills, and that Slaughter True Intent seemed to evolve to a higher level as lives were extinguished in droves. "Kill!" "Join forces and take down this miscreant!" Witnessing Gu Qingfeng moving through a hundred thousand soldiers as if strolling through an empty courtyard, Pei Jing''s expression turned exceedingly ugly as he immediately ordered the encirclement and execution. Even if he''s a Great Grandmaster, so what. A Great Grandmaster is still human; they too can be drained of strength. If we can enclose the adversary and deplete all his strength, with our current high-level combat power, slaying a Great Grandmaster is not impossible. Of course, Pei Jing knew this probability was low. After all¡ª Though a Great Grandmaster is human, if such a powerful being really wanted to escape without being held back by adversaries of equal strength, a hundred thousand soldiers might truly be unable to detain him. But now, Pei Jing could only resort to an all-out assault. The threat posed by a suspected Great Grandmaster was simply too great. Without Gu Qingfeng''s death, Pei Jing would find no peace. "I implore the two elders to join hands and, in coordination with the army, eliminate this fiend!" Pei Jing turned to the two elders of Tianyang Sword Sect and spoke. Upon hearing this, the faces of the two elders shifted as they pondered their decision. After a long moment, Cui Mingfeng inhaled deeply and nodded slightly, "A suspected Great Grandmaster indeed poses a grave threat. Since he has arrogantly delved deep into our forces, if we prevent his escape, we might just have a chance to kill him!" Seeing Gu Qingfeng''s strength, Cui Mingfeng''s first thought was to flee. The might of a suspected Great Grandmaster was truly too fearsome. Yet witnessing Gu Qingfeng trapped in the chaos of battle, Cui Mingfeng had begun to entertain a different notion. It''s the same saying. A Great Grandmaster is still human. As long as they are human, they can be killed. Since ancient times in the Martial World, instances of a Great Grandmaster being slain in an encirclement are few, successful only at a great cost without the intervention of a fighter of equivalent realm. "Bang¡ª" The two attacks landed on the Protective Gang Qi, only causing it to crack slightly without truly shattering. This scene. Made Cui Mingfeng and Zuo Qiu''s faces turn pale with shock. They were aware of Gu Qingfeng''s formidable strength, but never did they imagine that their combined full-strength attacks couldn''t even break his Protective Gang Qi. Seeing that their strike didn''t do substantial damage, they both turned to retreat. However. Just as they prepared to pull back, Gu Qingfeng''s aura had already locked one of them down. The Domineering Blade True Intent thunderously erupted, and the terrifying power of True Intent loomed like a Divine Blade descending from the heavens, plunging Zuo Qiu into a cold abyss as if he was plummeting into an ice cellar. "Don''t¡ª" Zuo Qiu was overwhelmed with horror. He desperately tried to struggle, but under the oppressive True Intent, he found himself unable to move an inch. In the next breath. The long blade ruthlessly slashed down. Zuo Qiu''s body abruptly split in two, his blood spraying across the battlefield. The Magician had fallen. The Evil Spirit resurrected. An Evil Spirit with a hideous and frightful appearance walked out from Zuo Qiu''s body, not immediately devouring his corpse but instead turned to slaughter the surrounding soldiers. However. This Evil Spirit also seemed to sense Gu Qingfeng''s fearsomeness and did not dare to attack him. On the other side. Gu Qingfeng also ignored the newly emerged Evil Spirit, locking his aura on Cui Mingfeng after slaying Zuo Qiu. Anyone who attempted to block his path was cut down by his blade. In less than a moment. Gu Qingfeng had already arrived behind Cui Mingfeng. Feeling that sharp and domineering presence, the latter''s face turned deathly pale, not daring to even turn to look back. Run! That was Cui Mingfeng''s only thought. The fear incited by the Great Grandmaster filled him with deep despair, and the ridiculous notion of devouring a Great Grandmaster now vanished without a trace. However. At that moment. Cui Mingfeng suddenly felt a chill at his neck, followed by the world spinning around him, then he saw a familiar headless corpse. Just before his consciousness faded, a realization dawned on him. "This is my corpse!" ¡ª PS: The second chapter will be updated later, it will not be late tomorrow, updates will resume as normal! Chapter 135: Chapter 135 Perfect Organ Refining Chapter 135: Chapter 135 Perfect Organ Refining Carrying the momentum of a great victory, they suppressed the entire Guangyang Prefecture. Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to speak, he saw the information panel refresh again. "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has defeated the one hundred thousand Divine Martial Army and achieved the achievement ''Hidden Dragon Emerges'' (Can only be triggered once)!" "Reward points *300!" "Reward Direct Ascension Pill (Marrow Cleansing) *100!" "Reward Direct Ascension Pill (Refining Organ) *10!" "Reward Direct Ascension Pill (Grandmaster) *3!" "Reward Grandmaster Realm Death Soldier *3!" "Three hundred Upgrade Points!" Gu Qingfeng''s pupils shrank slightly. He had considered the possibility of Gu Yang defeating the Divine Martial Army and achieving this achievement, but when he actually saw the achievement information, Gu Qingfeng couldn''t help but feel shocked. Three hundred upgrade points. For Gu Qingfeng at this moment, it was like resolving an urgent crisis. He himself was only half a step away from Perfect Organ Refining. Now, with three hundred upgrade points in hand, not to mention achieving Perfect Organ Refining, even breaking through to Grandmaster Realm would not be a problem. Then, there were the Direct Ascension Pills. This was the second time Gu Qingfeng had received Direct Ascension Pills. However, the quality of the pills this time was far higher than before. They started at the Marrow Cleansing Realm and could go up to Grandmaster Realm. In other words, this batch of Direct Ascension Pills could instantly create one hundred Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artists, ten Refining Organ Realm Martial Artists, and three Grandmaster Realm Martial Artists for Gu Family Manor. What''s more important, the Direct Ascension Pills were for breaking through to the Perfection level of the current realm. With this, Gu Family Manor would have not only three Grandmasters but three Grandmasters who had stepped into the Perfection of Grandmaster Realm. And¡ª Three Grandmaster Realm Death Soldiers. Gu Qingfeng was no stranger to the existence of Death Soldiers; he had used them quite proficiently as part of the Hidden Guard in the past. Now, the appearance of three Grandmaster Realm Death Soldiers was just right. You see, the biggest problem at Gu Family Manor right now was the lack of top-tier powerhouses. Even though there were Martial Artists like Gu Yi who were at the Perfection of Refining Organ Realm following them, when it came to wars for supremacy, the Little Masters of Refining Organ Realm were naturally not enough. Just like this time, three peak God Fusion Realm powerhouses from the Tianyang Sword Sect had appeared. Any one of them could easily kill Martial Artists in the Refining Organ Realm. Gu Qingfeng couldn''t always be by Gu Yang''s side to protect him, and with Gu Yang being exposed to the eyes of forces from all around the world, it was destined to be fraught with peril. "Without my permission, you must not reveal your strength and should stay outside to guard, ensuring no one disturbs us!" Gu Qingfeng ordered immediately, and the three left to serve as his protectors. After the trio departed, Gu Qingfeng refocused his attention on himself. Three hundred reward points. Enough to change many things. Without any hesitation, Gu Qingfeng immediately used some points to first enhance the Prajnaparamita Sutra. ... Twenty upgrade points consumed! Prajnaparamita Sutra achieved the eighth Layer! Twenty upgrade points consumed! Prajnaparamita Sutra reached the ninth Layer! ... In an instant, Gu Qingfeng had enhanced the Prajnaparamita Sutra to the ninth layer. As the Martial Arts broke through, Gu Qingfeng''s body underwent a terrifying transformation; his organs were refined to a truly perfect level, and his blood Qi seemed to change drastically. Originally, his flowing blood was only tinged with traces of pale gold, but at this moment, such gold became much more visible. Blood transformation. Gu Qingfeng seemed elevated altogether. That was not the end. Next, at the moment of perfect Body Refining, Gu Qingfeng''s blood Qi surged like rivers, instantly breaking the Circulation''s bonds, and a majestic force akin to the sun emanated from him. Blood Qi like the divine sun! Brilliantly illuminating the void! After a while, Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, his expression extremely calm. "Blood Qi Master!" "I hadn''t expected this breakthrough to be much easier than I had anticipated!" Indeed. It was the Blood Qi Master. At the moment of perfect Organ Refining, the majestic blood Qi in Gu Qingfeng''s body transformed, breaking through to the realm of a Blood Qi Master, seamlessly. Everything fell into place naturally, without any twists or surprises. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng had anticipated it. After all, the blood Qi power in his body was already much stronger than that of a Blood Qi Master, and now with another physical transformation, his ascendancy to Blood Qi Master seemed not so strange. Now, breaking through to Master, Gu Qingfeng felt his strength had grown even stronger. Chapter 136: Chapter 136 Extreme Dao Master Chapter 136: Chapter 136 Extreme Dao Master "When I reached the third layer of Perfect Organ Refining, my strength matched that of a Great Grandmaster!" "By the time I achieved perfection at the fifth layer of Perfect Organ Refining, my strength had increased even further." "Now that I''ve entered the Grandmaster Realm of Qi and Blood, I wonder just how far my strength has truly developed¡ª" Gu Qingfeng pondered. At present, even he couldn''t fully grasp the extent of his own strength. But one thing was certain for Gu Qingfeng. That was, none of the ordinary Great Grandmasters and Transformation Realm Magicians could possibly be his match now. In this vast world, the only ones he had to be wary of might just be those truly ancient beings from the Immortal Sect families. As the thought settled, Gu Qingfeng looked at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 42/3000 Realm: Qi and Blood Grandmaster Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable level 1), Iron Body Skills (Body as Hard as Iron level 1), Big Stone Breaking Hand (Perfection), Iron Leg Skill (Perfection), Iron Refining Finger (Perfection), Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Hundred Refinement Golden Body (Golden Body Unbreakable level 9), Seven Killing Blade Skills (Slaughter True Intent level 3), Heavenly Gang Dominator Body (Protective Gang Qi level 4), Heavenly Gang Divine Body (Undying Divine Body level 1), Green Sun Skills (Ninth Layer Perfection, Pure Yang Qi Blood level 8), Five Internal Organs Scripture (Fifth Layer, Five Organs Like God level 5), Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual (Fifth Layer, Perfect Organ Refining level 5), Domineering Blade Decimation (Great Success, Blade True Intent level 8), Red Flame Divine Skill (Ninth Layer Perfection, Red Flame Palm level 8), Profound Heart Saint Body (third layer Perfection, Flesh Body Like Jade level 2), Great Vajra Dominator Body (third layer Perfection, Flesh Body Diamond level 2), Prajnaparamita Sutra (Ninth Layer, Prajnaparamita True Body level 8), Sun and Moon Fist Scripture (Not Entered), Wind and Thunder Blade Skill (Perfection, Wind and Thunder Blade Intent level 3) Upgrade Points: 263 ... "Qi and Blood Grandmaster!" "A lifespan of 3000 years!" Gu Qingfeng''s pupils slightly constricted. Even though he was mentally prepared, seeing the change in his lifespan still profoundly shook him inside. Since the moment of achieving Perfect Organ Refining, Gu Qingfeng''s lifespan had broken through to two thousand years, and now, upon advancing to a Qi and Blood Grandmaster, his lifespan had increased by another thousand years. Now, this amounted to a lifespan of three thousand years. "Transformation Realm Magician three thousand years lifespan!" "My current status as a Qi and Blood Grandmaster is also three thousand years!" "And combined with Perfect Body Refining, my life level has undergone another transformation, making me incomparable to any Magician!" Gu Qingfeng''s thoughts subtly stirred, and then he slashed his hand palm with the Evil Slayer Blade, a drop of golden blood flowed out from the wound. Just like blood made of gold, it contained an extremely terrifying aura, one that came from a transformation at the level of life itself, not merely a simple breakthrough in strength. In this drop of blood, Gu Qingfeng felt a feeling that was both familiar and unfamiliar. The familiar part, was that Gu Qingfeng perceived a power similar to that of an evil spirit in this drop of blood. Without hesitation, Gu Qingfeng looked at the remaining Upgrade Points and immediately lifted the Prajnaparamita Sutra to the Thirteenth Layer Perfection. With the breakthrough of the Prajnaparamita Sutra, a flood of memories emerged, as if Gu Qingfeng had practiced Prajnaparamita Sutra for hundreds of years, and the True Qi in his Dantian suddenly became much more robust. This level of robustness in True Qi was several times stronger than just after stepping into the Extreme Dao Master realm. At this point, Gu Qingfeng had achieved Perfection in the Prajnaparamita Sutra, and in terms of conventional Martial Arts, he should be considered at the peak of the Innate Grandmaster. However, if spoken in terms of an Extreme Dao Master, he naturally hadn''t reached the peak of the Grandmaster yet. After all, although Gu Qingfeng''s True Qi had broken through, his Qi Blood and power had only just stepped into the Grandmaster realm, not yet reaching the limits of this realm. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng attempted to break the limit of Prajnaparamita Sutra in Martial Arts. But when he saw the Upgrade Points required for the breakthrough, his expression slightly changed. "One thousand Upgrade Points!" If the Prajnaparamita Sutra could break the limit, it would allow him to step directly into the Great Grandmaster realm. Gu Qingfeng was aware that such a degree of limit-breaking inevitably required numerous Upgrade Points. Yet, he could never have imagined that breaking from a Grandmaster to a Great Grandmaster in the Prajnaparamita Sutra would necessitate as many as a thousand Upgrade Points. It should be known, upgrading within the Grandmaster realm only required fifty Upgrade Points. Even breaking through to Great Grandmaster, normally, a hundred or two hundred Upgrade Points would suffice. But now, a Martial Arts breakthrough actually required a full thousand Upgrade Points. Instantly, Gu Qingfeng abandoned the idea of breaking the limit. "The further you progress in Martial Arts, the more Upgrade Points are required to breakthrough!" "Great Grandmaster is already like this, if someday I break the shackles of the Great Grandmaster and step into a higher level, it will likely require even more Upgrade Points¡ª" Gu Qingfeng never believed he would stop at Great Grandmaster, even though up till now, Great Grandmaster was the peak of Universal Martial Arts. But, he had the attribute panel with him. Breaking Grandmaster''s shackles wouldn''t be considered extremely easy, but it wasn''t too difficult. However, Gu Qingfeng hadn''t yet reached that step himself, so he didn''t waste time on this matter. Things will straighten out at the bridge. One step at a time! Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Ninth Level True Intent Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Ninth Level True Intent Looking at the remaining sixty or so Upgrade Points. Gu Qingfeng''s thoughts shifted, and he directly brought his Domineering Blade Intent to Perfection. The moment the Upgrade Points disappeared, a surge of memories emerged from the depths of Gu Qingfeng''s mind. At the same time, a terrifying Blade Intent emerged in the hall, causing Hong Ye and the others guarding outside the hall to instinctively tremble, as if they had been targeted by some fearsome existence. That feeling was as if a single move could result in their immediate demise. Fortunately, this aura appeared swiftly and dissipated just as quickly. In less than a moment, the aura had completely quieted down. "Phew!" "Our lord''s strength is truly unfathomable!" The several of them exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of shock in the others'' eyes. They were all at the Peak of Innate Grandmaster, but under the lock of that aura, they felt as if they could die at any moment. ¡ª¡ª Inside the hall. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, a piercingly sharp Blade Intent shooting from them, which left two white trails in the air that took a long time to fade away. His gaze was sharp as a blade! At this moment, Gu Qingfeng had literally achieved this feat. Next, he looked at his attribute panel. ... Domineering Blade Cut (Perfection, Blade Intent Level Nine)! ... "Level Nine True Intent!" "This is the limit that a True Intent Master can reach!" "Beyond this, the True Intent rank would have to break out of the Level Nine shackles and ascend to a higher plane." Gu Qingfeng mused internally. However, looking at the current situation, it''s very likely that all of the True Intent Masters in the world are only at the initial understanding of True Intent¡ªthat is, Level Six True Intent. After all, there were a number of Grandmaster-level experts who had fallen by Gu Qingfeng''s hand, but very few had truly comprehended True Intent. Previously, Level Eight True Intent had allowed Gu Qingfeng to be unrivaled within the Grandmaster Realm. Gu Qingfeng then handed over the Prajnaparamita Sutra to him. "This is a Grandmaster level cultivation technique, which should help consolidate your foundation. Though it may not break through to the Great Grandmaster realm, it should at least enhance your strength somewhat." Martial artists who break through using a Direct Ascension Pill are considered the weakest among those at the peak of Innate Grandmasters. Yet, if one could practice a cultivation technique of the same level to compensate for foundational flaws, their strength would naturally increase. "Thank you, my lord!" Gu Yi solemnly received the Prajnaparamita Sutra, recognizing at a glance that it was only a manual of a Grandmaster technique, not the original. However. That was enough. A top-tier Grandmaster Martial Arts technique was sufficient to further improve one''s strength. Gu Qingfeng spoke, "Next, you shall stay by Yang''er''s side to prevent clandestine attacks by powerful foes. With your current strength, unless a God Fusion Realm Magician makes an appearance, I believe no one could be your match." "Also, distribute these elixirs to all members of the Hidden Guard." Gu Qingfeng handed over eighty-seven Marrow Cleansing Realm Direct Ascension Pills, ten Refining Organ Realm Direct Ascension Pills, and the last two Grandmaster Realm Direct Ascension Pills to Gu Yi. With this action. The strength of the Hidden Guard could be significantly enhanced in one fell swoop. Previously. The lowest level of strength among the Hidden Guard was Bone Refining Perfection, but now, it had ascended to Perfect Marrow Cleansing. To put it plainly. Any martial artist who reached Perfect Marrow Cleansing could be considered a top-tier formidable person capable of dominating one side of Guangyang Prefecture. Not to mention. There were also ten martial artists at Refining Organ Perfection and three at the Peak of Innate Grandmaster Realm. This increment was substantial enough for the Hidden Guard''s overall strength to match or even surpass many millennial family clans and sects. After all. Even Guangyang Prefecture''s great ancient families and sects might not possess God Fusion Realm or Grandmaster Realm powerhouses. The so-called pinnacle of Spirit-controlling Realm Magicians who could match Grandmasters were only comparable to average Grandmasters. A presence like an Innate Grandmaster at their peak could easily suppress any magician below the God Fusion Realm. Afterward. Gu Yi respectfully took his leave. "With such a force as the Hidden Guard, Yang''er''s actions against Guangyang Prefecture''s major forces will also be absolutely safeguarded." "As long as neither the Tianyang Sword Sect nor the court''s top experts intervene, the Hidden Guard''s strength should be sufficient to handle everything." Having addressed Gu Yang''s safety, Gu Qingfeng felt a weight lift from his chest. Gu Yang, being his first offspring, held a unique place in Gu Qingfeng''s heart, and not solely because of the Golden Finger. Next. Once news from White Stone Dao spread. Gu Qingfeng was sure that not only Guangyang Prefecture but the entirety of Qingyun State would be shaken. Chapter 138: Chapter 138 Shocks from All Sides Chapter 138: Chapter 138 Shocks from All Sides "What, Pei Jing is dead!!" Inside Qingjiang Prefecture, when Prefectural Governor Taishi Yi heard this news, his complexion dramatically changed, the previous composure now nowhere to be seen. There was no helping it. This news was truly astonishing. How formidable Pei Jing was, Taishi Yi knew all too well. Over the past few years, Pei Jing had constantly been attacking Taishan County, and as the Prefectural Governor, Taishi Yi had fought against him numerous times. Even if Taishi Yi didn''t believe that Pei Jing had the potential to vie for supremacy over the world, at least, the latter''s strength was beyond doubt. Not to mention Pei Jing himself was an Innate Grandmaster Realm powerhouse, the Tianyang Sword Sect backing him was also the overlord of Qingyun State. Such a force. To speak frankly. Looking across Qingyun State, it was quite astonishing. When Taishi Yi learned that Pei Jing was going to make a move on White Stone Dao, he had also prepared himself to intervene at the crucial moment, to pull the Gu Family Manor into his camp. By doing so. One side of Taishan County would have the support of another top-tier True Intent Master, having a greater assurance to withstand Pei Jing''s Divine Martial Army and thus hold out until the moment of decision among the warlords of the central state. But unexpectedly, Taishi Yi hadn''t even had the chance to make his move before astonishing news came from White Stone Dao. The Divine Martial King Pei Jing was dead. Completely catching Taishi Yi off guard. Just then. A person below cupped his fists and said, "Not only is the Divine Martial King Pei Jing dead, but three God Fusion Realm elders of the Tianyang Sword Sect have also fallen at the hand of Gu Qingfeng. According to the messages, that Domineering Blade is not as simple as a True Intent Master, but a Martial Arts Grandmaster of this era!!" With these words spoken. The entire Governor Mansion was in shock. Martial Arts Grandmaster!! Three simple words. Yet they contained an indescribable weight. Everyone, including Taishi Yi, upon hearing the words "Martial Arts Grandmaster," involuntarily widened their pupils as if they had heard something unbelievable. After a long while. Taishi Yi muttered to himself. "Martial Arts Grandmaster... So many years have passed, and I never imagined that Taishan County could produce a Martial Arts Grandmaster!" "No wonder, no wonder Pei Jing met his defeat and death, and no wonder the Gu Family Manor feared not the Tianyang Sword Sect, it turns out that the Domineering Blade is the Martial Arts Grandmaster of this era¡ª" At this moment. All the doubts in Taishi Yi''s heart dispersed, and everything became clear. If Gu Qingfeng was a Martial Arts Grandmaster, then everything made sense. Why the Gu Family Manor was unafraid of the Tianyang Sword Sect. Even though the probability was very small. But what of that? As long as he did not get involved, it would not matter to him if other powers broke their heads over it. ---- Red Sun Sect. The entire main hall of the sect was steeped in silent extremity. Sect Master Ouyang Lie listened to the report from his subordinates with an unusually somber face, saying nothing. Some elder members of the sect showed signs of panic and unease, while others were in disbelief. The death of Divine Martial King Pei Jing. The fall of three God Fusion Realm elders from the Tianyang Sword Sect. Either news alone would be enough to shake Guangyang Prefecture; the combined impact of both pieces of information was beyond words. Panic! Unease! This was the emotional state of the many elders of the Red Flame Sect. After all, strictly speaking, the Red Flame Sect had significant conflict with the Gu Family Manor, and in the past, the Red Flame Sect didn''t take the Gu Family Manor too seriously. But ever since Gu Qingfeng annihilated the Divine Fist Sect and beheaded an Innate Master of the Tianyang Sword Sect, the Red Flame Sect had been extremely wary. If that were all, it would have been one thing. A top-tier True Intent Master, against the foundation of the Red Flame Sect, they might not be a match but could withstand the pressure. But¡ª A Great Grandmaster was a different story altogether. A God Fusion Realm powerhouse. Something the Red Flame Sect did not possess. Thinking of the enmity between the Red Flame Sect and the Gu Family Manor, if the Domineering Blade himself were to come, the Red Flame Sect might be wiped out in an instant. After a long silence, Ouyang Lie slowly said, "The individual from the Gu Family Manor is indeed a Great Grandmaster, which is beyond our expectations. However, the Tianyang Sword Sect is unlikely to let this go easily. For now, the Red Flame Sect should avoid any conflict with the Gu Family Manor and quietly wait for an opportunity in the shadows." "If the Gu Family Manor decides to take action against our Red Flame Sect, what should we do?" Gu Xin asked. Upon this inquiry, Ouyang Lie''s expression visibly stiffened before he shook his head. "If the Gu Family Manor truly takes action, then the Red Flame Sect will have no choice but to abandon our foundations in Guangyang Prefecture!" His words were somewhat humiliating, but that was the reality. If a Great Grandmaster really set their sights on the Red Flame Sect, then the only option would be to leave Guangyang Prefecture. Not leaving meant a certain death. Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Campaign in Guangyang Prefecture Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Campaign in Guangyang Prefecture Chaos! With the news of Pei Jing''s death spreading, not to mention Guangyang Prefecture, Nanyang, Chi River, Dan Yang, and other counties were in complete turmoil. It was simple. Pei Jing had left no heir. Now that Pei Jing was dead, the Divine Martial Army that was once under his control naturally erupted into internal conflict in an instant. Everyone wanted to take advantage of the chaos to usurp Pei Jing''s position, and a fierce internal battle thus broke out. Meanwhile, in the Governor Mansion of Nanyang County, Prefectural Governor Pei Sheng was boiling with rage, and countless cups were smashed to smithereens in the main hall, while all the servants and other high-ranking members of the Pei Family looked at each other with a hint of fear in their eyes. "Damn it!" "Gu Qingfeng, you truly deserve to die!!" "By killing Jing''er and cutting off the hopes of the Pei Family, we cannot co-exist under the same sky!!" Pei Sheng roared furiously, the murderous intent in his eyes nearly taking physical form. He wished he could immediately march to Guangyang Prefecture and mete out a brutal death to Gu Qingfeng and the entire Gu Family Manor. However, Pei Sheng knew all too well. If Gu Qingfeng truly were a Great Grandmaster, then with the forces at his command, it would be very difficult to confront him. The three words "Great Grandmaster" embodied endless mighty power. Even as the ruler of a county, Pei Sheng could not help but feel some despair. What was more important, now that Pei Jing was dead, there were not many in the Divine Martial Army genuinely willing to remain loyal to the Pei Family. Such a loss of power made the prospect of revenge for the Pei Family even more hopeless. At this time, a Pei Family elder cautiously suggested, "Family Head, why don''t we request the Tianyang Sword Sect to step in? After all, with the Young Master gone, the Tianyang Sword Sect also lost several powerful members of the God Fusion Realm. Moreover, the Young Master was a True Disciple of the Tianyang Sword Sect. No matter what, the Tianyang Sword Sect should not stand by idly. What of a Martial Arts Grandmaster? We, the Pei Family, may not have the power to deal with a Grandmaster, but that does not mean the Tianyang Sword Sect lacks the capability¡ª" "Indeed, we must report this matter to the Tianyang Sword Sect." "In my view, the Tianyang Sword Sect intends to support our Pei Family in dominating the world. Now that the Young Master has perished, calling upon the Tianyang Sword Sect to act could also conveniently inspire them to choose another person from our Pei Family to nurture." The other Pei Family elders all chimed in, each harboring their own thoughts. While Pei Jing was alive, they had no opportunity to intervene, but now that Pei Jing was dead, it might not necessarily be a bad thing for them. It was simple. However, about this situation, Gu Qingfeng understood in his heart. It wasn''t that the Gu Family Army led by Gu Yang was really so powerful, but rather his reputation as the Domineering Blade that deterred forces in Taishan Road from resisting. A powerhouse suspected to be a current Martial Arts Grandmaster could cause utter despair in people''s hearts. From this, Gu Qingfeng also realized the impact that top-tier combat power could have. The title of a Grandmaster was even more terrifying than an entire army. However, Gu Qingfeng also understood, even without the deterrence of his Domineering Blade reputation, Gu Yang would have easily taken over Taishan Road. Quite simply, because Gu Yang had five Innate Perfection rank powerhouses at his side. Indeed, five of them. Three Innate Realm Direct Ascension Pills had allowed Gu Yi, Gu Er, and Gu San to break through their limits at the Refining Organ Perfection stage and step into the Innate Perfection stage. Then there were Soul Stealer and Chasing Soul. Gu Qingfeng also had them join the army, following Gu Yang, to protect him and to solve some difficult issues. As for Hong Ye, Gu Qingfeng brought her back to the Gu Family Manor to situate the affairs there. Many times, Gu Qingfeng was too lazy to act personally. With a Peak of Innate Grandmaster powerhouse sitting in the Gu Family Manor, unless they were faced with a Transformation Realm or a Grandmaster Realm powerhouse, they could basically handle anything. Of course, if there were a Grandmaster at the peak who could comprehend True Intent, that would be different. Whether it was Direct Ascension Pills or the now-awarded Death Soldiers, they all possessed merely the strength of top-tier Innate Grandmasters, and not of True Intent Masters who had grasped True Intent. To put it plainly, a True Intent Master was a particularly mysterious realm. Whether a Grandmaster had grasped True Intent or not, it wouldn''t affect their breakthrough to the Martial Arts Grandmaster. It''s simply because the breakthrough from Grandmaster to Martial Arts Grandmaster is all about accumulating power, whereas the comprehension of True Intent is a transformation on the level of combat power. A top-tier Innate Grandmaster who had mastered Grandmaster True Intent was naturally much stronger than a top-tier Innate Grandmaster who had not. However, ordinary top-tier Innate Grandmasters could still challenge the Grandmaster Realm, hence the comprehension of True Intent was not a key factor for breaking through to Martial Arts Grandmaster. Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Re-entering the Demon Suppression Prison Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Re-entering the Demon Suppression Prison Masters are so. Gu Qingfeng suspected that Great Grandmasters were as well. Since Masters were divided into ordinary Masters and True Intent Masters, it was very likely that Great Grandmasters were also divided into ordinary Great Grandmasters and True Intent Grandmasters. Now, Gu Qingfeng had already achieved the ninth level of True Intent, which was the peak of a Master''s True Intent. If he continued upwards, he believed he could transform into a Great Grandmaster''s True Intent. Unfortunately, the comprehension of True Intent required destiny. When Gu Qingfeng first comprehended the Master''s True Intent, it was also because of a serendipitous opportunity that he had obtained the True Intent Map. But in fact, even with the Master''s True Intent Map, mastering the Master''s True Intent was not easy. It was like Gu Yang, who had also perceived the existence of the Domineering Blade and even comprehended some Domineering Blade True Intent from it, but that level of True Intent had not yet truly reached the extent of a Master''s True Intent. However, after Gu Qingfeng himself had comprehended the Domineering Blade True Intent, he was able to directly elevate the Domineering Blade True Intent to real Master''s True Intent, which he suspected was related to his cultivation and having mastered the Slaughter True Intent before others. However¡ª Now Gu Qingfeng also had other thoughts. "With my current level of ninth level Domineering Blade True Intent, I should be no weaker than the one who left behind the Master''s True Intent Map, which means I can also leave behind Master''s True Intent for future generations to contemplate!" Gu Qingfeng suddenly realized that a True Intent Master represented not just a top-tier combatant, but this was a significant opportunity for other members of the force. After all, comprehending True Intent on one''s own was too difficult. But if one comprehended the True Intent of a predecessor, the difficulty naturally reduced. However, there was a clear drawback to comprehending a predecessor''s True Intent. That was, the predecessor''s True Intent was, after all, the predecessor''s and not one''s own; thus, unless it was a natural fit, it would be difficult to truly cultivate it to a level comparable to the predecessor, not to mention surpassing the predecessor. It was just like Gu Qingfeng himself. If it were not for the existence of the attribute panel, he would not have been able to cultivate the Domineering Blade True Intent to Perfection. Gu Qingfeng had not felt this way before. But now, since the Domineering Blade True Intent reached Perfection, he realized that truly cultivating a predecessor''s True Intent to Perfection was as hard as ascending to heaven. Moments later, Gu Qingfeng summoned someone. The person who arrived was draped in red garments, with eyebrows like willow leaves and a cold, stern complexion, symbolizing untainted purity and making them hard to approach. "Greetings to you, esteemed one!" The other''s icy voice spoke out, yielding an impression of keeping strangers at bay, but also carrying a tinge of hard-to-detect respect. Gu Qingfeng looked at Hong Ye before him, and his heart was not much perturbed; at his level, his pursuit was mainly in the Martial Arts, and he had little concern for the ordinary worldly matters. "I am going to enter the Demon Suppression Prison for a visit; you are to take charge of the Gu Family Manor in my stead and should an Evil Spirit escape from the Demon Suppression Prison, suppress it immediately!" "Yes!" Hong Ye nodded in response. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng left the Grinding Blade Hall and headed alone toward the Demon Suppression Prison. ... Upon stepping into the Demon Suppression Prison, Gu Qingfeng arrived at the location where Evil Spirits were sealed. There were six Golden Coffins here now, each sealing an Evil Spirit. Three of these Golden Coffins were from the Tianyang Sword Sect''s three God Fusion Realm elders. When Gu Qingfeng left Beimen Pass, Gu Yang had the three Golden Coffins brought back and sealed within the Demon Suppression Prison. Indeed, he was well aware of the grave implications of the Evil Spirits; allowing even one to escape could cause significant trouble. If an Evil Spirit were to rampage freely, another entity akin to the Nine Curves Evil Buddha could emerge. Therefore, bringing the Evil Spirits back to the Demon Suppression Prison was a necessary action. Staring at the six Golden Coffins before him, Gu Qingfeng''s gaze ultimately became fixed on one particular coffin. Within it, the Shadow Demon was sealed. "Perfect Body Refining!" "Extreme Dao Master!" "My current level of life has already surpassed that of ordinary Martial Artists and even that of the Magicians; it''s time to see if at my current level of life there''s a possibility to truly annihilate an Evil Spirit." Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself, and then directly broke the seal on the Golden Coffin, releasing a sudden burst of a terrible chilly aura, chilling the entire vast Demon Suppression Prison by a significant margin. Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Eliminate the Evil Spirit Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Eliminate the Evil Spirit "Roar!" The Evil Spirit revived, immediately bursting out with a rage-filled roar; soon after, one could see the Shadow Demon''s body moving like a tide, heading toward the shadow beneath Gu Qingfeng''s feet. This was the ability of the Shadow Demon. It could hide within the shadows of others and even manipulate them through their shadows, turning them into puppets. However. Gu Qingfeng would not let the Shadow Demon succeed. Given the bizarre nature of the Evil Spirit, even though he was confident in suppressing the Shadow Demon, he would not truly be careless. With a stomp of his right foot onto the ground, a powerful force caused the vast Demon Suppression Prison to shake violently. A terrifying surge of vital energy erupted¡ªwhen the Shadow Demon, about to invade Gu Qingfeng''s shadow, came into contact with the vital energy as hot as the sun in a furnace, it instantly let out a piercing, miserable scream. The Shadow Demon retreated. It fled toward the direction outside the Demon Suppression Prison. "Trying to escape?" Gu Qingfeng smirked disdainfully and suddenly unsheathed the Evil Slayer Blade, pinning the Shadow Demon''s body directly to the ground. When the vital energy from the blade touched the Shadow Demon, it melted away like snow under the spring sun. Simultaneously, its body melted bit by bit while it struggled and twisted frantically, letting out pitiful wails. Moments later. The sound gradually faded away. All that was left on the ground was a bit of black powder¡ªthe Shadow Demon''s existence had completely vanished. "The Evil Spirit is dead!" Gu Qingfeng''s pupils suddenly constricted. Though he had anticipated this, seeing the Shadow Demon perish right before his eyes still seemed somewhat unbelievable to Gu Qingfeng. The entire process of eradicating the Shadow Demon had proceeded so smoothly, without any challenges. But soon. Gu Qingfeng came to terms with it. His life level had transformed and was not the same as before. The reason why the Evil Spirit was so hard to eliminate was because of its high life level. But now, it was different. The life levels of both parties were on the same plane. So the difficulty in eradicating the Evil Spirit no longer existed. Having slain the Shadow Demon, Gu Qingfeng soon released the other Evil Spirits. Suppressing and sealing the Evil Spirits was a necessary last resort. In fact. If possible, to eradicate the Evil Spirits. Gu Qingfeng naturally did not wish to seal them here. After all, the presence of Evil Spirits was like a ticking time bomb, which could potentially cause great trouble if not handled carefully. Even though Gu Qingfeng had put a lot of effort into creating this Demon Suppression Prison, it still had some risks. Soon. The second Evil Spirit was released. "If Martial Arts rise now and eradicate both the so-called Evil Spirits and Magicians, then the problem could be greatly alleviated¡ª" Gu Qingfeng did not consider himself a savior, but as long as it was within his capabilities, doing something for the people of the world posed no problem. Now, he indeed possessed this capability. The fall of the Evil Spirit sufficed to prove these things. Of course, if the news of his ability to slay the Evil Spirit spread, Gu Qingfeng could be sure that the Magicians and those so-called Immortal Sects would definitely be unable to sit still. It was simple. The creation of Perfect Martial Arts would threaten the position of Magicians. However, Gu Qingfeng did not care much about that. Therefore, in the time to come, Gu Qingfeng would devote himself entirely to comprehending Martial Arts, aiming to originate the true Perfect Martial Arts. For this, Gu Qingfeng called upon Gu Peng. "Greetings, Manor Master!" "Tell Yang''er to gather Martial Arts knowledge from various places and send them all to Grinding Blade Hall; I have great use for them!" Gu Qingfeng said indifferently. Upon hearing this, the latter did not ask for reasons and immediately took the order and left. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng began his retreat. He intended to collect universal Martial Arts knowledge, using himself as a refining vessel to nurture the array of knowledge and ultimately conceive the true Perfect Martial Arts. Although Gu Qingfeng had already stepped into the realm of Perfect Martial Arts, creating a new school of Martial Arts was not a simple matter. Other mountains'' stones can be used to polish jade. Universal Martial Arts, though flawed, indeed possessed valuable elements. Meanwhile, Gu Peng was riding fast and soon found Gu Yang''s army. Now, Gu Yang had just led his army to conquer Ban Nan Road and was resting and reorganizing when he happened to meet Gu Peng arriving. "Master Gu comes here; does father have urgent matters?" Gu Yang asked. He knew Gu Peng was his father''s confidant, always by his father''s side to handle affairs. Now that he had personally come to Ban Nan Road, there must be a significant reason. "Reporting to the Manor Master, the Manor Master indeed sent me here with matters to convey!" ¡ª PS: Updating one chapter now, will update the second chapter later! Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Targeting the Red Flame Sect Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Targeting the Red Flame Sect Afterward, Gu Peng recounted the events. "Collecting Martial Arts from all over the world?" Gu Yang nodded slightly, then promptly issued commands. It wasn''t long before a group brought up more than a dozen chests. "These are the Martial Arts the army has obtained from the eradication of various factions; I will arrange them. Master Gu, you shall take this collection of Martial Arts back to father first," said Gu Yang. The Gu Family Army, in its campaigns against all parties, found not every power willing to submit. Any force that resisted in any way was shown no mercy by Gu Yang, who would strike them down without hesitation. And the Martial Arts possessed by these annexed forces naturally fell into Gu Yang''s hands. The reason for this action was to serve as a warning to the others. After all, if the Gu Family Army wished to conquer the entire Guangyang Prefecture swiftly, they had to employ thunderous methods to do so. The mere reputation of a Great Grandmaster was not enough to make all the powers bow their heads in fealty. There were also some who wished to wait and see, not wanting to get involved in such warfare. However, in these chaotic times, there was no room for neutrality. You either submit, or you perish. There was no third option. Thus, through annihilating these forces, Gu Yang intended to tell the others: if you do not submit, death is the only path left. Gu Peng, of course, had no objections to this. After the other party departed, Gu Yang called for a member of the Hidden Guard. "Greetings, manor master!" "How is the situation with those remnants of the court?" Gu Yang asked indifferently. Gu Yi respectfully reported, "Half a day ago, the Hidden Guard located the trail of the remaining court forces and has thoroughly exterminated them!" "Good!" Gu Yang expressed his satisfaction with a nod. Although Pei Jing''s Divine Martial Army had defeated the court''s main forces in Guangyang Prefecture, they had not truly brought the entire prefecture under control; almost half of the territory was still governed by the court. Ban Nan Road was part of this half. However, As a result. The Taixuan flags representing the court occupied about half of Guangyang Prefecture''s territories. Of the remaining thirty-six routes, the Gu Family Army had now secured control over thirteen, while the remaining twenty-three were temporarily under the command of the Divine Martial Army. But all of these were temporary. Now that Gu Yang personally led a large army and even bore the title of Great Grandmaster, neither the Guangyang Prefecture''s army nor the Divine Martial Army could possibly be a match for him. On this point. Gu Yang had absolute confidence. After absorbing the remnants of the army led by Pei Jing and securing thirteen routes, the numbers of the Gu Family Army had directly expanded to five hundred thousand. Such a size of the army, compared to the very beginning, had in fact increased more than fivefold. Even though the majority of this five-hundred-thousand-strong army had only recently been recruited and their combat prowess was questionable, it was still half a million people¡ªa force that must not be underestimated. Right now, Gu Yang did not have much time to integrate his forces slowly. He could only roll forward like a snowball, taking down Guangyang Prefecture first. To compete in this world. One must at least have a prefecture as a foundation to harbor even a slight hope of success. If even one prefecture couldn''t be taken, how many capable men could be cultivated with only the small piece of land currently under control? After examining the sand table for a moment, Gu Yang picked up a Gu Family Flag and planted it firmly into Taoyun Road. "Next!" "The Gu Family Army''s target will be Taoyun Road!" "It so happens Father needs the Martial Arts Secret Manual, and Taoyun Road is home to the Red Flame Sect; if the sect knows what''s best, they might be able to preserve their legacy. If they are not sensible, then there''s no need for their existence!" Gu Yang''s gaze turned icy, a dense murderous intent pervading his being. During this time, while leading the army to conquer territories, the number of people indirectly or directly killed by Gu Yang had become countless. Commanding the power over life and death had honed his own ruthlessness. To tell the truth. Gu Yang did not wish to slaughter too many. After all, should he devastate the entire Guangyang Prefecture, then even if he were to eventually occupy the entire prefecture, it would be difficult to have people of use under his command. Up to now, the leaders of the Gu Family Army had been those cultivated by Gu Yang. Even if they were serviceable for the moment, further expansion would reveal the limits of their capabilities. But the issue was. Some matters weren''t ones where Gu Yang could choose not to kill. Therefore. To stop killing with killing. Was also a method. "Gu Yi, you will replace me and pay a visit to the Red Flame Sect, tell them that if they are willing to submit to the Gu Family Manor, all past grudges can be erased," Gu Yang said, pausing for a moment. "Lead some Hidden Guard experts with you. If the Red Flame Sect is unwilling, then just eradicate the sect!" "Yes!" Gu Yi directly accepted the order and departed. Chapter 143: Chapter 143: I, Gu Qingfeng, Have Never Been One to Follow Rules Chapter 143: Chapter 143: I, Gu Qingfeng, Have Never Been One to Follow Rules "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has set off for Taoyun Road!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has slain 368 Martial Artists of the Refining Skin Realm!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has slain 126 Martial Artists of the Blood Refining Realm!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has slain 3 Martial Artists of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' was attacked by a mysterious formidable foe!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' gained insight amidst the slaughter, his Domineering Blade skill has improved significantly!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has sent people to the Red Flame Sect!" "Your descendant ''Gu Shengnan'' has cleansed her genetic roots, slightly enhancing her aptitude!" "Your descendant ''Gu Xuan'' practiced Gu Family Boxing and had an epiphany, increasing his strength!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' led a large army to conquer a city, his fame spread far and wide..." ... Rows of text refreshed on the information board, and Gu Qingfeng observed the contents with a considerably calm demeanor. Taoyun Road! Red Flame Sect! In the past, Gu Qingfeng would have been quite wary of the Red Flame Sect. After all, as a millennia-old sect, the Red Flame Sect''s heritage was not ordinary. However. Times had changed. In Gu Qingfeng''s eyes, the Red Flame Sect was nothing special now. With five Peak of Innate experts at Gu Yang''s side, dealing with a Red Flame Sect was naturally not a problem. Not to mention one Red Flame Sect. Even ten Red Flame Sects, he believed, could be sufficiently suppressed. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng wasn''t too concerned. Nowadays. He wasn''t always looking at the information board. Because. Gu Peng had already returned. He had brought back a dozen boxes of Martial Arts Secret Manuals. Now. These Martial Arts Secret Manuals were all placed in the Grinding Blade Hall, available for Gu Qingfeng''s day-and-night study and contemplation. To create a Perfect Martial Arts. Gu Qingfeng''s purpose was not merely for the future generations of the Gu Family, but more importantly, it was to carve out a path for himself. After all. Universal Martial Arts culminated at Great Grandmaster. Throughout history. No one had ever broken the limit of the Great Grandmaster. At least. From what Gu Qingfeng understood at his current level, Great Grandmaster was the ultimate limit of Martial Arts. "Unfortunately, I, Gu Qingfeng, have never been one to follow rules, nor do I believe the world''s unspoken rules are necessarily correct." Gu Qingfeng sneered, his palm radiating True Qi, and the letter instantly turned to ash. Following that, Gu Qingfeng casually took a sheet of white paper and left just one character on it, handing it to the Hidden Guard scout. "Take this item to Young Master Yang!" "Yes!" The Hidden Guard scout received the order and immediately turned to leave. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng resumed his contemplation of Martial Arts. Now, unlike before, his body emitted a piercing killing intent that enveloped the vast Grinding Blade Hall. All the Divine Weapons inside trembled slightly, as if in fear, or perhaps excitement. After a long while, the killing intent gradually subsided. ... Three days later, the Hidden Guard scout once again met Gu Yang. "What did Father say?" Gu Yang immediately asked. The Hidden Guard scout presented a letter with both hands and respectfully said, "This is what the old manor master instructed me to bring to the Manor Master!" When alone, the Hidden Guards referred to Gu Qingfeng as ''Your Excellency,'' but in front of Gu Yang, they naturally called him the old manor master. After all, the Hidden Guards were officially loyal to Gu Yang. Of course, Gu Yang was not particularly concerned with these titles. Upon opening the letter brought by the Hidden Guard scout, a strong blade Intent instantly radiated from the unfolded paper. This blade Intent was extremely terrifying. When Gu Yang laid eyes on it, he even felt a slight sting in his eyes and found it somewhat difficult to look directly at it. Only after a moment, when the blade Intent calmed down, could he clearly see the content written on the paper. Kill! A single, simple word. But upon seeing this word, Gu Yang understood Gu Qingfeng''s thoughts. "Seems Father''s idea is just like mine!" Gu Yang slightly nodded. He was also not fond of the Red Flame Sect. However, now that the Red Flame Sect was willing to submit to the Gu Family Manor, eradicating them at this time would certainly mean tearing away the last veil of pretense and standing openly against all the Magicians in the world. It is well-known. Throughout history, those who managed to securely hold the supreme status in the world were invariably backed by either Immortal Sects or noble families. In other words, the rulers of the world were supported by these Magicians. The warring states at the end of dynasties were, in effect, a game among Magicians, seeing who could ultimately prevail. It follows from this, how high the status of Magicians was. Chapter 144: Chapter 144 Kill! Chapter 144: Chapter 144 Kill! But similarly, Gu Yang was also aware of one thing. That was his father''s immense disdain for the presence of Magicians. Influenced by what he constantly heard and saw, Gu Yang had developed a dislike for the Magicians of the world. However, from a broader perspective, taking a step back and accepting the Red Flame Sect was more beneficial than detrimental for Gu Family Manor. But if considered from a personal emotional standpoint, Gu Yang certainly did not want to associate with the corrupted. Yet the issue was, great achievers do not fuss over trifles. To gain something, often something else must be sacrificed. Therefore, Gu Yang was somewhat indecisive. But now that Gu Qingfeng had sent a message, Gu Yang no longer needed to be so conflicted. Immediately, Gu Yang called for Gu Yi and others. "Presenting ourselves before the manor master!" "Father''s orders, annihilate the Red Flame Sect!" Gu Yang handed the letter with the word "kill" written on it to Gu Yi, and although the Blade Intent had dissipated much, there was still some residue. Even the residual Blade Intent was enough to make a Master Martial Artist feel wary. "Does the manor master plan to flatten the Red Flame Sect with a large army or just let the Hidden Guards handle it?" Gu Yi asked. Gu Yang said indifferently, "If only the Hidden Guards take action, is there assurance of annihilating the Red Flame Sect?" "Currently, the Hidden Guards have three Innate Grandmasters and ten Refining Organ Perfection warriors; exterminating a Red Flame Sect should not be a problem," Gu Yi stated without hesitation. "Good, since you are confident, then lead the Hidden Guards and extinguish the Red Flame Sect. Although the Red Flame Sect needs to be destroyed, the Evil Spirits within cannot be ignored. Remember to bring the items used to seal the Evil Spirits," Gu Yang instructed, and then he directed Gu Yi to lead the powerful Hidden Guards to the Red Flame Sect. At the same time, Gu Yang also needed to block the news of the Red Flame Sect''s annihilation, and even if it could not be kept secret, to delay as much as possible, then sweep through all sides with thunderous methods. Only by doing so could he seize the entire Guangyang Prefecture with the least cost before other sects and families could react. Otherwise, once the news of the Red Flame Sect''s destruction spread, those families and sects would likely resist desperately. "Alas, I still have too few powerful warriors at my disposal; if there were enough Innate Grandmasters, there would be no need for such trouble, and all the families and sects in Guangyang Prefecture could be suppressed at once. Furthermore, if my father were willing to take action, it would also save a lot of trouble..." This thought only flashed through Gu Yang''s mind momentarily. Gu Yi''s task was to kill every single person of the Red Flame Sect, leaving no survivors. To resolve the Red Flame Sect issue, Gu Yi had directly led thirty Hidden Guards here. Considering the lowest among the Hidden Guards possessed the Marrow Cleansing Realm''s Perfection, thirty Hidden Guards represented a formidable force. Not to mention. Among the thirty Hidden Guards, five notoriously held the Refining Organ''s Perfection level. Such a force was enough to drive the Red Flame Sect to despair. Under Ouyang Lie''s gaze, one after another Red Flame Sect''s strong were executed, and many of the sect elders were overpowered by the Hidden Guards ¡ª the familiar faces from the past had significantly lessened. At that moment. Ouyang Lie, distracted, was slashed by Gu Yi, breaking through his Protective Gang Qi and leaving a ghastly wound. Blood spurted copiously. Driving Ouyang Lie to frenzy. "You want to annihilate my Red Flame Sect, but even in death, I will make you accompany me!" At this moment. Ouyang Lie held nothing back. He summoned all his powers, and a terrifying, eerie aura surged like a tide; looking at Ouyang Lie then, his eyes glowed a ghostly green, as if an Evil Spirit had descended. For a Magician, fighting with all one''s might might result in the awakening of the inner Evil Spirit, rendering it uncontrollable forever. Under normal circumstances, Ouyang Lie would naturally not do this. But now. With life and death imminent. Ouyang Lie could not care less. The only thought in his mind was that even if he died, the Hidden Guards must pay a price. "Evil Spirit!" Gu Yi''s expression remained unchanged, only his body''s True Qi roared like a torrent, his vigorous vitality converging True Qi into the long blade, elevating the Seven Killings Blade Skills to an unprecedented level. Boom! Thunderous booms! Blade Qi dominated all directions. Even with Ouyang Lie fighting with all his might, he was no match for Gu Yi. In less than a moment, with a flash of the blade light, Ouyang Lie''s head was seen severing from his body, flying through the air with a frozen grimace. The next moment. The headless corpse heavily collapsed onto the ground. Following. An even more terrifying and chilling aura burst forth. With Ouyang Lie''s fall, the Evil Spirit harbored within his body finally awakened fully. Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Mysterious Heritage Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Mysterious Heritage "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has eradicated the Red Flame Sect!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has led his troops in an attack, decisively defeating the court''s army!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has crushed the remnants of the Divine Martial Army and has taken them under his command!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang''s'' power has surged!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has unexpectedly discovered the heritage of an ancient and mysterious powerhouse!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has obtained the ''Heavenly Vein True Scripture,'' and his strength has further sharpened!" ... Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng looked at the content on the information panel, and his expression involuntarily showed a flicker of surprise. "Heavenly Vein True Scripture!!" Initially, the content in front didn''t shock Gu Qingfeng too much. After all, the Red Flame Sect''s downfall was already within his expectations. But. What truly caught Gu Qingfeng off guard was that Gu Yang had managed to obtain the inheritance of a mysterious ancient powerhouse. Heavenly Vein True Scripture! Judging by the name, Gu Qingfeng did not know what level of heritage this was for the time being. However. Given the use of the term "ancient," it''s probably not simple. "The world is so vast, naturally, there are countless resources, but just what mysteries does the Heavenly Vein True Scripture hold!" Gu Qingfeng''s gaze flickered slightly. Then, he set aside the thoughts in his heart and continued creating his own Perfect Martial Arts. --- "Heavenly Vein True Scripture!" Gu Yang looked at the sole copy of the secret manual in his hand, not knowing what material was used to create it, such that even with his current strength, he found it difficult to damage the manual in the slightest. This Heavenly Vein True Scripture was something that a Hidden Guard spy had found in a sudden and unexpected collapse of the ground, and subsequently, it came into his own hands. And the so-called Heavenly Vein True Scripture was not a conventional martial arts technique, but more like a different kind of secret technique. "Gather the Nine Great Heavenly Veins!" "Combat power that reaches to the heavens¡ª" Gu Yang''s mind involuntarily surfaced with the cultivation method of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. This cultivation technique did not focus on advancing realms nor temper the physical body. Instead, it emphasized condensing the so-called Heavenly Veins within the martial artist''s body, in turn, enhancing the martial artist''s strength. Condensing a single Heavenly Vein could double a martial artist''s strength. If two Heavenly Veins were condensed, the martial artist''s strength could be doubled. And if nine Heavenly Veins were condensed, it would be enough to increase a martial artist''s strength by ninefold. Still, none of this compared with the profound foundation of a single Red Flame Sect. It shows. How many resources these thousand-year-old family clans and sects controlled. In Gu Yang''s view, these sects were like leeches attached to the world''s populace, constantly sucking fresh blood to strengthen themselves. Therefore, there were endless natural disasters and human calamities, while the common people at the bottom suffered unspeakably. However, these family clans and sects remained unaffected, high and mighty as if transcending the material world. To be precise, not all family clans and sects were like this. Only those belonging to magician families could achieve such a state. "Greetings, manor master!" Gu Yi walked in from outside. Gu Yang looked at him and asked, "Has there been any movement from the Tianyang Sword Sect lately?" "Someone from the Pei Family in Nanyang County recently visited the Tianyang Sword Sect, seemingly seeking their intervention. However, since then, the Tianyang Sword Sect has shown no activity. It''s unknown if they have any plans. Currently, there are Hidden Guard spies constantly watching them; should there be any changes, we will be the first to receive the news." Gu Yi answered truthfully. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang''s expression shifted slightly. He had always been attentive to the situation of the Tianyang Sword Sect, as, after all, they were an Immortal Sect, and Gu Yang could not afford any negligence. But so far, the Tianyang Sword Sect had been inactive, which was somewhat intriguing. If the Tianyang Sword Sect had any major movements, Gu Yang wouldn''t have been too worried, but the current calmness of the Tianyang Sword Sect gave off an eerie feeling. Sometimes, Silence can be the most terrifying. After all, with the resources of the Tianyang Sword Sect, even if Gu Qingfeng had attained the breakthrough into Great Grandmaster, it was not certain that they would fear a Great Grandmaster powerhouse. If it''s perplexing, Then it''s best not to dwell on it for now. "The Hidden Guards should hasten their steps, dissolving any internal resistance within Guangyang Prefecture as swiftly as possible," Gu Yang pondered for a moment before speaking. The Gu Family Army had been able to quickly conquer over ten territories not only due to the formidable strength of the forces Gu Yang led, but also because of the actions of powerful Hidden Guards behind the scenes. In warfare between factions, it wasn''t just a comparison of military numbers but also a contest of high-level power. Before the overwhelming strength of the Hidden Guards, few within the Guangyang Prefecture had the power to block their path. With this, The Hidden Guards could indeed engage in deep communication with those high-ranking officials from the court. Whether they were willing to submit or not, a perfect solution could be reached. Chapter 146: Chapter 146 Heavenly Vein True Scripture Chapter 146: Chapter 146 Heavenly Vein True Scripture War! Sometimes, it''s just that plain and unadorned. There''s no need to speak of any so-called cunning strategies, for in a world where the strong are revered, strength is the root of everything. When the higher ranks of one army are all assassinated or turned traitor, how much resistance can that army have left? Such reasoning Gu Yang clearly understood. Therefore, to prevent others from imitating his tactics, Gu Yang would not send out all his Hidden Guards. He would at least keep one or two Innate Grandmasters by his side to prevent any issues. With two Innate Grandmasters at the Perfection level guarding him, as long as no Great Grandmaster or top-tier True Intent Master took action, there generally wouldn''t be any major problems. After all, Gu Yang was not only protected by Masters, but he also commanded an army of hundreds of thousands. With this in mind, unless the enemy could succeed in one strike, once they were surrounded by the great army, they would most likely meet their death. Despite seeming like his power had not developed for many years and failing to completely occupy One Prefecture, if one truly considered his deep-rooted strength, he was destined to be more formidable than many other forces. ¡ª¡ª At the same time, the Hidden Guards also didn''t take too long to carry away the items. After throwing the Golden Coffin that sealed the Evil Spirit into the Demon Suppression Prison, Gu Qingfeng directly released the Evil Spirit inside and then suppressed and killed it with absolute power. Such things, which are nothing but a curse, Gu Qingfeng naturally would not ignore. After that, it was the Red Flame Sect''s Martial Arts and a special Cultivation Technique. "Heavenly Vein True Scripture!" "It seems this is the mysterious inheritance that Yang''er received¡ª" As Gu Qingfeng looked at the Heavenly Vein True Scripture in his hand, he also noticed that the material on which this Martial Art was recorded was somewhat special. He tried to tear it slightly with force but found that the Secret Manual remained intact. At this, Gu Qingfeng''s expression became even more astonished. You must know that at his level of cultivation, even a single finger could exert immense power, enough to tear through so-called legendary Divine Weapons. However, this strength did nothing to the paper, indicating the unusual nature of this Secret Manual. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng''s gaze fell upon the content of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Half an hour passed, and Gu Qingfeng came back to his senses. There was a blend of three parts astonishment and seven parts doubt in his eyes. "However, Yang''er is now indeed capable of leaving more offspring behind, otherwise, once his cultivation advances, it won''t be so easy to have children." Gu Qingfeng reflected. Gu Yang''s current situation was much better than his own at the time. After all, back then, Gu Qingfeng had no forces behind him and had to support the entire Gu Family alone, so being cautious and burdened with a family was truly a last resort. But now it was different. Gu Yang had the entire Gu Family Manor behind him, and him as a father, comparable to a Great Grandmaster, so having offspring and enlarging the Gu Family lineage would be much less of a problem. Thinking about this, Gu Qingfeng summoned Gu Peng. "Your subordinate greets the old manor master!" "Take my message to Yang''er, tell him to seize the opportunity to leave more offspring and strengthen our Gu Family bloodline." "... Your subordinate acknowledges the order!" Gu Peng was taken aback, having not expected Gu Qingfeng to call him over for this kind of matter. After a brief moment of shock, Gu Peng bowed and withdrew. Whatever Gu Qingfeng said, he would do. Gu Peng understood his own status and position well. After Gu Peng left, Gu Qingfeng turned his gaze to the numerous martial arts of the Red Flame Sect. The Evil Refining Secret Technique! A top-notch superior skill! It had to be said. The Red Flame Sect truly deserved its reputation as a millennium sect, and even if it only flexed its muscles within Guangyang Prefecture, its foundation was extraordinary. The martial arts here, although lacking Master-level supreme skills, were abundant in Refining Organ and other levels of martial arts. Right away, Gu Qingfeng began to read these martial arts, gaining insight from the understanding left by predecessors and feeling a trace of profound mysteries, aiding his own path in deducing the Perfect Martial Arts, allowing him to further advance. ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has defeated the court allied forces, gaining great fame!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has conquered five cities within three days, significantly increasing his forces!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' has gained a slight understanding in cultivating martial arts, with a slight improvement in strength!" "Your offspring ''Gu Shengnan'' has cleaned her genetic makeup, with a slight increase in talent!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has slain *697 Refining Skin Realm Martial Artists!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has defeated the remnant forces of the Divine Martial Army, slaughtering many enemies!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has slain *1786 Divine Martial Army soldiers!" "Your offspring..." ... During his spare time in seclusion at the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng looked at the attribute panel that refreshed with new information from time to time, his eyebrows slightly raised. From the attribute panel, it seemed that Gu Yang had killed quite a few people during this period. Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Blood Vessels Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Blood Vessels "Martial Arts Grandmaster!" "Unexpectedly, after many years, another Martial Arts Grandmaster has emerged in the Martial World¡ª" Inside the Divine Martial Sect, a burly man, his tiger-like eyes filled with authority and a strong aura emanating from his body, heard this news. He was Gu Yun. Now the Sect Leader of the Divine Martial Sect. "Such a powerful being at the level of a Grandmaster has not appeared for many years; the authenticity of this matter is questionable." An elder of the Divine Martial Sect slightly shook his head, expressing his skepticism. Other elders also nodded slightly. They all knew how difficult it was to break through to the level of a Grandmaster. Moreover, according to the intelligence received, Gu Qingfeng had not been well-known previously; only after annihilating the Divine Fist Sect and suspected to be a True Intent Master, did he gain some renown. Nowadays. It hadn''t been long since then. The martial artist, previously suspected to be a True Intent Master, had turned out to be a Grandmaster-level powerhouse. Such news would be doubted by anyone. Gu Yun shook his head and said, "Regardless of the truth, we cannot disregard this situation. In this era where magicians are revered and martial arts are in decline, you all understand very well what exactly a Grandmaster represents." "Moreover, this news has spread far and wide; those immortal sect families will certainly not sit idly. If we could bring him back to our Divine Martial Sect and seize the legacy left by our ancestors, perhaps we could lead the Divine Martial Sect to resurgence." Revitalize the Divine Martial Sect! That was Gu Yun''s lifelong goal. Alas. The Divine Martial Sect had long been in decline. Although every generation had grandmasters emerging, it was limited to that level only. Regarding Grandmaster-level powerhouses, it had been a long time since one had appeared in the Divine Martial Sect. Although there had been news of some Grandmasters emerging in the Martial World, by the time the Divine Martial Sect arrived, these Grandmasters had already vanished. But Gu Yun was clear. The disappearance of these Grandmasters was entirely at the hands of those immortal sect families. Therefore. This time, hearing the news from Qingyun State made Gu Yun somewhat restless. Looking at the elders before him, Gu Yun said gravely, "This time, I have decided to go directly to Qingyun State, and Elder Yue Feng will handle the sect''s affairs in my absence." "The Sect Leader holds a prestigious position, how can you lightly seek danger!" "Indeed, our Divine Martial Sect is a thorn in the side of various powers; if the Sect Leader leaves the sect, I fear it would bring not a small amount of trouble!" "Sect Leader, please reconsider!" At the moment Gu Yun''s words fell, the other sect elders changed their expressions and hurriedly spoke to persuade him. Despite this. Gu Yun resolutely dismissed their opinions and decided to set off for Qingyun State immediately. After all, the news from Qingyun State had already spread, and other forces would likely take action. Cultivating more Martial Arts below the Master level could not possibly bring any change to his own strength. Only a breakthrough of Martial Arts at the Master level or higher could bring some changes to himself. But the problem was, upgrading Refining Organ Martial Arts to a Master Martial Arts after a breakthrough required five hundred upgrade points. And from Master Martial Arts to Great Grandmaster Martial Arts required a thousand upgrade points. Either scenario was beyond what Gu Qingfeng could afford right now. Therefore, he had to put off breaking through in Martial Arts. And the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture, to be honest, even if enhanced, the increase in strength it could bring him was limited. A Master-level Fist Skill might seem impressive, but that''s all there was to it. The Domineering Blade Strike, also a Master Martial Arts, had already been enhanced by Gu Qingfeng to the level of Perfection. Full-level Domineering Blade Strike. It was far more potent than the so-called Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. Unless the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture could also reach Perfection. Thus, Gu Qingfeng shifted his gaze to the final Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Nine Great Heavenly Veins. Power reaching the sky! Gu Qingfeng also tried cultivating the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, but he realized that not to mention gathering the Nine Great Heavenly Veins, even cultivating the first Vein was incredibly difficult. At least up to now, Gu Qingfeng hadn''t even touched the threshold of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. "Then let me see if this so-called Heavenly Vein True Scripture is as powerful as it''s said to be!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes flickered, and then he upgraded the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Suddenly, one hundred upgrade points vanished, and the Heavenly Vein True Scripture also went directly from Not Entered to the First Level. In the next moment, a flood of memories emerged. It was as if Gu Qingfeng had been cultivating the Heavenly Vein True Scripture for hundreds of thousands of years, his physical essence-blood surging like rivers and boiling like the great sun, an extreme power of essence-blood gathered in a certain part of his body. His body trembled. His bones and muscles resonated in unison. At that moment, Gu Qingfeng''s body underwent a groundbreaking transformation, waves of powerful essence-blood crashing against his body. Finally¡ª Blood-colored veins condensed. Barbaric! Ancient! These veins were unlike the meridians of ordinary people, yet they were filled with an indescribable, terrifying aura. Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Taking Down Guangyang Prefecture Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Taking Down Guangyang Prefecture Heavenly Vein True Scripture (First Level)! ... Gu Qingfeng introspected himself, only to see that within his body there had already condensed blood-colored veins, distinct from the other meridians in his body and permeated with an ancient, barbaric aura. Heavenly Vein! This was the Heavenly Vein mentioned in the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Perceiving the mysterious aura in the Heavenly Vein, he could already see a glimpse of its power. Instantly, Gu Qingfeng tried to activate the Heavenly Vein. In a flash, the Heavenly Vein vibrated. A strength, more formidable than any he had experienced before, awakened from within the Heavenly Vein. It seemed to connect with the heavens and earth, and in an instant, Gu Qingfeng''s physical strength and blood surged violently. Moments later, the power gradually subsided. Gu Qingfeng let out a breath, his face unable to hide his excitement. "So this is the Heavenly Vein!" "This vein can connect heaven and earth, borrowing the power of the cosmos. No wonder that condensing the Heavenly Vein can greatly increase a martial artist''s strength, so it is!" Heavenly Vein! Heavenly Vein! The most important aspect lies in the word "heaven." This vein can communicate with heaven and earth. At the moment he activated the Heavenly Vein, Gu Qingfeng felt, for the first time, the overwhelming strength coming from the cosmos. According to the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, condensing a single Heavenly Vein could double one''s strength. Before truly starting the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, Gu Qingfeng was skeptical. But now, he no longer had any doubts. With the formidable power of the Heavenly Vein, it was clear that the descriptions in the Heavenly Vein True Scripture were utterly truthful. After the shock, Gu Qingfeng''s expression also flickered. "With the strength of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, the creator of this martial art must have been an unfathomably powerful being, at least of the Great Grandmaster level." "And with the strength of such a being, if they were to condense the Nine Great Heavenly Veins, they could likely dominate the world unchallenged." Having truly experienced the power of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, he was somewhat curious about who had created the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Normally, if someone created the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, they would not be a nobody. However, There have been many powerful individuals in the world, but Gu Qingfeng had never heard any mention of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. But from the current perspective, with Great Grandmasters having lifespans of eight hundred years, it''s possible that the creator of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture had long since passed away. Shaking his head, Gu Qingfeng decided to set this matter aside for now. Where the Heavenly Vein True Scripture came from and who created it weren''t as important to him at the moment. In the grand hall''s sand table, Guangyang Prefecture was now half under his control. The banners of the Gu Family Army had completely overwhelmed the court and the Divine Martial Army. Moreover, with Pei Jing''s downfall and the ensuing chaos within the Divine Martial Army, many generals tried to split this force and aspire to become kings themselves. Unfortunately, under the iron cavalry led by Gu Yang''s Gu Family Army, these forces attempting to establish independence were exterminated one by one, with none able to withstand the advance of Gu Family Army. This was only natural. After all, the current Gu Family Army numbered nearly six hundred thousand, with the Hidden Guard, a force that could be described as top-notch, secretly assisting. Not to mention a Guangyang Prefecture. Even the whole of Taishan County, with such a force, was within their reach. From the time Gu Yang mobilized his troops, to now, seizing half of Guangyang Prefecture, it had only been two months. Looking at the military generals and the leader of the Hidden Guards in the hall, Gu Yang said in a deep voice, "I want, within a month, for only one voice to be heard in Guangyang Prefecture, that of my Gu Family Army. Can you achieve this?" "Your subordinates are willing to die for our lord!" Numerous generals spoke in unison. They were not from Gu Family Manor and naturally didn''t need to address Gu Yang as the manor master. To this, Gu Yang waved his hand grandly. "Consolidate the army, I want to take over the entire Guangyang Prefecture within a month!" "Yes!" Many generals bowed and took their orders. ... Half a day later. The army was mobilized once again. This time, Gu Yang divided his forces into three, directly targeting the remaining territories of Guangyang Prefecture. Under the assassinations and persuasions by the strong members of his iron cavalry and Hidden Guards, the resistance in Guangyang Prefecture significantly weakened, and within just twenty days, both the court''s army and the Divine Martial Army were utterly defeated. Thus, Guangyang Prefecture fell under Gu Yang''s control. As Guangyang Prefecture fell, the news quickly spread, and all other prefectures in Taishan County soon received word. Seeing the intelligence in their hands, many people were visibly shocked. From the time Gu Yang raised his army, to the complete fall of Guangyang Prefecture, it had been less than three months. Such momentum, was much stronger than Pei Jing''s initial conquests. After all, Pei Jing rose quickly in the past because of the support from the Pei Family, the prefectural governors of one county. But comparatively, though the Great Grandmaster presided over Gu Family Manor, he had not intervened more than a few times. The reason Guangyang Prefecture fell so swiftly, in the eyes of other forces, was solely reliant on Gu Yang''s own foundation and strategies. That, certainly left them in awe. Chapter 149: Chapter 149 Longevity Skills Chapter 149: Chapter 149 Longevity Skills "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has taken control of Guangyang Prefecture, significantly boosting his power!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang''s'' reputation has increased!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has been attacked by three Martial Artists in the Refining Organ Realm!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang''..." ... "It seems he has succeeded!" Glancing at the attribute panel, Gu Qingfeng knew that when he saw Gu Yang had taken control of Guangyang Prefecture, he had taken a crucial step. To compete for supremacy in the world, one must at least have the foundation of an entire prefecture. Without even a single prefecture under one''s control, how can one talk of contending for the world? The only regret for Gu Qingfeng was that. When Gu Yang took control of Guangyang Prefecture, he didn''t achieve any feats. About this. Although Gu Qingfeng felt a bit disappointed, he quickly came to terms with it. Feats are not easy to trigger. Since no feat was triggered with the takeover of Guangyang Prefecture, this means it wasn''t forceful enough. Then when the time comes to take over Taishan County, or perhaps Qingyun State, or even the entire world, there will inevitably be feats triggered. Moreover¡ª If it were truly a feat for taking over the world, Gu Qingfeng believed, the reward would certainly be extremely generous. Taking a deep breath. Gu Qingfeng refocused and looked at the attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 42/3000 Realm: Initial Stage of Extreme Dao Master Martial Arts: Gu Family Boxing (Unbreakable Level 1), Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Hundred Refinement Golden Body (Golden Body Unbreakable Level 9), Seven Killings Blade Skills (Slaughter True Intent Level 3), Heavenly Gang Dominator Body (Protective Gang Qi Level 4), Heavenly Gang Divine Body (Undying Divine Body Level 1), Green Sun Skills (Ninth Layer Perfection, Pure Yang Qi Blood Level 8), Five Internal Organs Scripture (Fifth Layer, Five Organs Like God Level 5), Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual (Fifth Layer, Organ Refining Ironlike Level 5), Domineering Blade Slash (Perfection, Blade Intent Level 9), Red Flame Divine Skill (Ninth Layer Perfection, Red Flame Palm Level 8), Profound Heart Saint Body (Third Layer Perfection, Flesh As Jade Level 2), Great Vajra Dominator Body (Third Layer Perfection, Diamond Body Level 2), Prajnaparamita Sutra (Thirteenth Layer Perfection, Prajnaparamita True Body Level 12), Sun and Moon Fist Scripture (Not entered), Wind and Thunder Blade Skills (Perfection, Wind and Thunder Blade Intent Level 3), Heavenly Vein True Scripture (First Level), Longevity Skills (Perfection, Longevity Level 1) Upgrade Points: 13 ... This is the current situation of Gu Qingfeng''s attribute panel. In the panel, Many inferior Martial Arts from the past had disappeared, to be replaced by a Martial Art called Longevity Skills. This Martial Art. For an ordinary person, being able to cultivate Longevity Skills to the Refining Organ five realms level would not be on par with Gu Qingfeng at that stage, but it would still be enough to suppress many strong adversaries. ¡ª¡ª As news of Gu Yang taking over Guangyang Prefecture spread, the vast Qingyun State was shaken. Half a month later, Gu Yang returned to Gu Family Manor. "Father, I pay my respects!" Looking at Gu Yang before him, Gu Qingfeng''s expression moved slightly; compared to several months ago, the changes in the latter were undeniable. The trace of youthful naivety that had been on his face had now completely vanished, and the intense aura of iron-blooded severity was strong on him, while between his brows there was a subtle air of dominance. It was an attitude befitting a superior. Clearly, taking command of an army and suppressing an entire prefecture had caused great changes in Gu Yang. However, from the look of him now, Gu Yang still held the same reverence for his father as always. "It''s good that you''re back. I heard you''ve taken Guangyang Prefecture; what are your plans moving forward?" Gu Qingfeng asked with a faint smile. Gu Yang said solemnly, "The world is currently beset by natural disasters; the court is corrupt, Magicians cause havoc¡ªyour son must surely cleanse the realm and fight for a sliver of hope for the people." "Do you intend to declare yourself a king?" "Indeed!" Gu Yang nodded, his expression extremely serious. "Now that I''ve taken control of a prefecture, it is right to raise a banner and declare myself king. In doing so, I can also hope to gather righteous individuals from all over the world to join me in our great endeavor!" If time were wound back twenty years, Gu Yang would not have had thoughts of declaring himself king. At that time, Qingyun State was not yet in chaos. Even though the Taixuan Dynasty was already terminally ill, it still had a not weak grip on the land. Hence, open rebellion and self-declaration as king at that time would have certainly provoked the thunderous wrath of the court. But now it was different. Now, with the rise of righteous armies and the situation in the Central Plains thrown into extreme chaos, the situation in Qingyun State had been thrown into utter disarray with Pei Jing raising the flag of rebellion, along with the continuous natural disasters and later his death. At this time, if he were to declare himself king, Gu Yang saw it as more beneficial than detrimental. Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and then nodded, "If that is what you think, then go ahead and do it. Even if the sky were to fall, your father would hold it up for you!" "With father''s words, your son feels at ease!" Gu Yang''s face was filled with gratitude, and at the same time, his heart burgeoned with boundless confidence. Chapter 150: Chapter 150 Guangyang Prince Chapter 150: Chapter 150 Guangyang Prince On this day, Gu Yang raised the banner of rebellion and declared that, due to the natural disasters year after year and the court''s loss of virtue, the common people could no longer survive. Thus, he intended to purify the world and reestablish the cosmic order, proclaiming himself the Guangyang Prince! The news broke out. And once again it sent shockwaves in all directions. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng looked at the attribute panel before him, where the corresponding text emerged. ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has proclaimed himself king, achieving the feat ''One Side Lord'' (can only be triggered once)!" "Reward: Upgrade Points *1000!" "Reward: Martial Arts Master Direct Ascension Pills *10!" "Reward: Death Soldiers (top-grade talents) *3000!" ... The rewards this time were particularly straightforward and forceful. However, they left Gu Qingfeng extremely satisfied. Keep in mind that the last achievement only gave three hundred Upgrade Points. But this time, it went straight to a thousand Upgrade Points. Not to mention the other rewards. Just the thousand Upgrade Points alone were enough to completely outshine anything from before. After all, such a generous amount of Upgrade Points was more than enough for Gu Qingfeng''s strength to significantly increase. And behind it, the ten Martial Arts Master Direct Ascension Pills and the three thousand Death Soldiers were also extraordinary. The former could directly promote ten individuals to the peak of Innate Grandmaster strength, while Gu Qingfeng, upon seeing the term ''top-grade talents'', already had some guesses about the latter. Without surprises, these Death Soldiers would not start with very high strength, but their talent should be superior to other Death Soldiers. This meant a low starting point, but a high potential ceiling. If it were in the initial stages, Gu Qingfeng would have wished for the Death Soldiers to have a higher starting point, even if the potential were not as impressive, to make them immediately useful. But now, things were different. With the formidable strength of Gu Family Manor and Gu Yang''s occupation of Guangyang Prefecture, becoming the Guangyang Prince, if this group of Death Soldiers with top-grade talent could be cultivated, they would be formidable forces in the future. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng stepped out of the Grinding Blade Hall and directly summoned the three thousand Death Soldiers. Three thousand Death Soldiers appeared, men and women alike. But without exception, they were all young boys and girls. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng directly incorporated this batch into the Hidden Guard. He then temporarily granted them the status of Outer Hall Disciples of the Gu Family and handed them all over to Gu Peng. "These individuals are talents I have collected from various places. They will now be under the Outer Hall''s supervision. It is your duty to carefully instruct and guide their cultivation!" If one could accomplish it in just over a month, then among the top talents that would be an outstanding standard. Going any higher. Would mean the pinnacle of genius. The Refining Skin Realm may seem like just the Beginner entry to Martial Arts, and called simple, but in fact, the first step into the entrance is the most difficult. Now. The aptitude displayed by the three thousand Hidden Guards was extremely powerful. Not to mention two to three months. Gu Peng suspected that in just over a month, these people would be able to step into the threshold of Martial Arts one after another. One or two geniuses were one thing, but with three thousand geniuses, to be honest, Gu Peng found it a bit unimaginable. At the same time. He also deeply felt the unfathomable depth of Gu Qingfeng''s resources. Now that he could produce three thousand geniuses, who knew what kind of power was hidden behind him. However. From the beginning to the end, Gu Peng never had any thoughts of rebellion, so the stronger Gu Qingfeng''s strength was, the better he believed it would be for himself. ... On this day. Gu Peng once again entered the Grinding Blade Hall. Gu Qingfeng asked, "How are the disciples I entrusted to you last time doing now?" "Reporting to the old manor master, that batch of Outer Hall disciples has quite astonishing talents. Now in less than a month, they are almost able to step into the threshold of Martial Arts. In my opinion, it would take at most another half a month for all of them to break through the Refining Skin Realm." Gu Peng reported truthfully. Upon hearing this. Gu Qingfeng''s expression became clear. According to the other party, the time for this batch of Hidden Guard Death Soldiers to break through the Refining Skin Realm was at most just over a month, once again refreshing his estimate of the Hidden Guard Death Soldiers. With just over a month to break through the Refining Skin Realm. As long as they were properly trained. In the future, the three thousand Hidden Guards would be three thousand Masters. What''s more. With such talents, even if they were to break through the Great Grandmaster one day, it was somewhat possible. As long as Gu Family Manor had enough resources to nurture them, these people could all grow into a strong support. If it was the Gu Family Manor of the past, Gu Qingfeng would not have been sure of cultivating three thousand such geniuses. But now it was different. Gu Yang had become the Guangyang Prince, controlling the entire Guangyang Prefecture, all the resources of a prefecture could be freely mobilized, let alone three thousand geniuses, even thirty thousand geniuses could be fully nurtured. So. Hearing Gu Peng''s words and understanding the talent of the three thousand Hidden Guards, Gu Qingfeng was quite optimistic about their future. Not to mention anything else. Such a force placed in any power would be considered an incredibly strong foundation. Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Breaking Out of the Pass Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Breaking Out of the Pass Then followed. The ten Master Breakthrough Pills. Among them, Gu Qingfeng had given two Master Breakthrough Pills to Gu Peng and Xu Yulan. The former served him, so naturally, an increase in strength was necessary. After all, as Gu Qingfeng''s own power grew stronger and he became involved in higher levels, Perfection in Refining Organs seemed rather insufficient. As for Xu Yulan, there was no need for further explanation. Although Gu Qingfeng had mostly been in seclusion within the Grinding Blade Hall over the years, his feelings for her were quite subtle. Allowing her to ascend to Masterhood, not to mention the possibility of extending her life, even a slight increase in strength was beneficial. When Gu Peng saw the Master Breakthrough Pill, he too was stunned in place. He had taken Breakthrough Pills and Direct Ascension Pills before and experienced their profound mysteries. However, even so, Gu Peng had never imagined that there could be even more heaven-defying elixirs in the world. A single elixir, could enable one to break through to a perfect Master. This was something Gu Peng had never considered. After all, Masters were rare in the world, and those who truly entered this realm, compared to all martial artists, were considered as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. But now, a single pill was enough to let one break directly through to Master level, showing just how terrifying such a pill was. After breaking through to Master, Gu Peng''s reverence for Gu Qingfeng grew even more. ¡ª¡ª Tianyang Sword Sect. At present, in a secret chamber, a bizarre and extreme power was emanating, with blood seeming to surge in the firmament, causing unrest in the hearts of everyone at the Tianyang Sword Sect. This strange power seemed to be persistent for quite a while before it finally began to recede slowly. Then, the door of the secret chamber opened. The Tianyang Sect Master walked out from inside. Gong Lei dared not hesitate and immediately relayed all the information he knew. He did this tantamount to fearing that any delay in his report might provoke the furious Tianyang Sect Master to suppress him on the spot. "Great Grandmaster!" "Guangyang Prince!" "It seems a lot has happened in the world during the time I was in closed-door cultivation. But it''s for the better, I originally thought it would take him at least a hundred years to break through to Great Grandmaster status. I never expected him to have broken through so soon." "As for Jiang Ning and the rest, their deaths are inconsequential. Regarding Pei Jing, the Tianyang Sword Sect has nurtured him for many years, and his death in Guangyang Prefecture shows he was not a true dragon." "Now that a Great Grandmaster has emerged, it is the opportunity I''ve been waiting for to make my own breakthrough. Once this news spreads, I''m afraid many from across the Nine States will be eying Gu Qingfeng." The eyes of the Tianyang Sect Master were blood-red, and a sinister, cold smile appeared on his face. Great Grandmaster. He never imagined that the situation would align so coincidentally. During this period of seclusion, The Tianyang Sect Master found that the resurgence of the Evil Spirit was more severe than he anticipated. Despite exerting his full power to suppress it, he hadn''t been able to fully contain it. Now. Inside the Tianyang Sect Master, the Evil Spirit was in a semi-revived state. If he couldn''t make another breakthrough to send the Evil Spirit back into slumber, he would completely cease to exist. But such a breakthrough was no easy feat. The Tianyang Sect Master had emerged from seclusion intending to collect a large number of souls for his cultivation so he could then attempt to break into a realm above the Transformation Realm. But now, Hearing about Gu Qingfeng''s breakthrough to Great Grandmaster, he had another idea. Ordinary people couldn''t compare to a Great Grandmaster; even the meat of a million beings was less useful than consuming a Great Grandmaster. At such a level, a powerhouse''s flesh had transformed entirely, even their life essence elevated. If he could devour it, It would most likely enable him to make a breakthrough. Once he broke through the barrier of the Transformation Realm, he could step into the Divinity Realm. "I originally planned to consume a Great Grandmaster after breaking into the Divinity Realm to solidify my cultivation foundation, but now it seems, that will not be necessary. If I consume Gu Qingfeng, I believe I can directly enter the Divinity Realm. Then, under heaven and earth, I alone will reign supreme!" The Tianyang Sect Master''s eyes were cold, and then his gaze fell back onto Gong Lei. "Inform the others in the sect, I will personally head to Guangyang Prefecture. Merely a Great Grandmaster, I want the world to know that the Tianyang Sword Sect is not to be challenged by anyone, Great Grandmaster or not!" "Yes!" Gong Lei''s face lit up with joy upon hearing that, and he immediately took his leave to execute the command. Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Eleven Innate Grandmasters Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Eleven Innate Grandmasters Tianyang Sword Sect, as an Immortal Sect of Qingyun State, was unknowingly monitored by countless eyes in the shadows. Every slight movement could be detected by forces from all directions. "Gu Yutian has exited seclusion!" In the Governor Mansion, Taishi Yi looked at the intelligence in his hands, a smile appearing on his face. Gu Yutian. That was the name of the Tianyang Sect Master. These three characters alone were enough to suppress Qingyun State, solidifying the unshakable status of the Tianyang Sword Sect as an Immortal Sect. Across the Nine States. There were quite a few Immortal Sects. And Gu Yutian''s strength was also sufficient to rank among the very peak. Ever since Gu Yang occupied Guangyang Prefecture and proclaimed himself as Guangyang Prince, he had already become a threat to the Governor Mansion. After all. In Taishi Yi''s view, the chances of Gu Yang contending for supremacy over the world were slim to none, even if he had the backing of a Great Grandmaster. The struggle for supremacy. Was never something that Martial Artists could intervene in. Only the support of an Immortal Sect could hope to have a hand in the affairs of the world. But the Gu Family Manor, standing behind Gu Yang, represented a Martial Artist force in the true sense of the term, naturally not holding an advantage, especially since that Great Grandmaster had now been exposed¡ªwhether he could even survive was in question. Therefore. In the eyes of Taishi Yi, Gu Yang had little chance of victory. And since it was a force doomed to fail, he naturally would not submit to that Guangyang Prince. Consequently. If Gu Yang led his army to invade Taishan County, threatening the Governor Mansion, it would be tantamount to indirectly weakening the power of the Governor Mansion. Such an outcome did not align with Taishi Yi''s interests. However, at the same time. Gu Yang had a Great Grandmaster behind him, and the Governor Mansion was not in a position to shake them. Therefore. Now that the Tianyang Sword Sect had made a move, with the Tianyang Sect Master himself taking action, the problems that Taishan County faced naturally dissipated. ¡ª¡ª "Tianyang Sword Sect!" "Gu Yutian¡ª" Inside Guangyang Prefecture City, Gu Yang, now dignified as Guangyang Prince, looked at the intelligence in his hands, frowning deeply. This outcome. Was within his expectations. But now that he had truly learned about the Tianyang Sword Sect''s actions, Gu Yang couldn''t help but feel a sense of urgency. To put it bluntly. Since taking over Guangyang Prefecture, Gu Yang had been secretly amassing power while also securing a backup plan for himself and the Gu Family Manor. Next. Gu Yang then asked, "How many Innate Masters do we currently have in the Hidden Guard?" It was a bit helpless to say. Although he controlled the Hidden Guard, Gu Yang himself wasn''t very clear on how many powerful figures were within it. "Reporting to Your Majesty, including those of us who are commanders, there are a total of eleven Innate Masters in the Hidden Guard!" "Eleven Masters!" Upon hearing this, Gu Yang, despite having already overestimated the strength of the Hidden Guard, couldn''t help but take a sharp breath. Clearly. No one expected the Hidden Guard to have eleven Innate Masters. The reason for this was because Gu Qingfeng, not long ago, handed the remaining eight Master-level Direct Ascension Pills to Gu Yi. Eight Master Direct Ascension Pills. Naturally, they directly created eight Innate Masters. After the shock had passed. Gu Yang took a deep breath to calm the emotional turbulence in his heart. "Since the Hidden Guard has such strength, they will replace me in patrolling Guangyang Prefecture. During this time, any in Guangyang Prefecture who seek to create chaos, suppress them all, don''t show any mercy. I want to see exactly what forces dare to extend their hands into my Guangyang Prefecture!" "Also, command the various sects and clans throughout Guangyang Prefecture to maintain stability within their own regions. If there is any disobedience, punish them without mercy!" Upon learning there were eleven Innate Masters in the Hidden Guard, Gu Yang started to act more decisively. What a joke. Such a force was already extremely powerful. Although the current strength of the Hidden Guard was still insufficient to resolve the problem of the Tianyang Sword Sect. Still. If they couldn''t handle the Tianyang Sword Sect, could they not handle other forces? Initially, in the vast Guangyang Prefecture, there wasn''t a single Innate Master in charge. Such level of powerhouses, not to mention in Guangyang Prefecture, even looking across the entire Qingyun State, belonged to high-end fighters, capable of founding sects and dominating territories. With the Tianyang Sword Sect now attacking, and Guangyang Prefecture having just fallen not long ago, Gu Yang didn''t need to think to know that there would definitely be some who wished to take advantage of the situation to create chaos. However. With the cooperation of the Hidden Guard and the sects from various regions, should anyone truly seek to create chaos, they wouldn''t be able to cause much of a disturbance. As for whether the various forces in Guangyang Prefecture were willing to obey, Gu Yang had no doubts whatsoever. It was simple. Those who didn''t obey had already been annihilated. All the sects that could remain now were those who bowed their heads in submission to him. Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Ordered to Annihilate the Zhuo Family Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Ordered to Annihilate the Zhuo Family Zhuo Family. Many high-level elders and the Zhuo Family Master Zhuo Xuankong were all gathered together. "News has arrived from the Tianyang Sword Sect, they wish for our Zhuo Family to collude from within and without to jointly eradicate the Gu Family Manor. What are your opinions?" Zhuo Xuankong spoke slowly. Upon these words. Many Zhuo family elders had expressions that flickered with uncertainty. Then. Someone spoke up, "The Tianyang Sword Sect is an Immortal Sect, and Gu Yutian is a top-notch powerhouse in the world. Even if Gu Qingfeng is a Great Grandmaster, he is no match for Gu Yutian." "Once the Tianyang Sword Sect arrives, the Gu Family Manor will surely crumble. Not to mention the Guangyang Prince, it''s questionable whether even the Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng can survive." "What''s more, judging by the actions of the Guangyang Prince, he holds considerable reservations towards our Magician forces." "The Red Flame Sect had already submitted, yet it was still eradicated by the Guangyang Army. Now, although they have not made a move against our Zhuo Family, who can guarantee that our Zhuo Family will not become the next Red Flame Sect?" "Therefore, I believe that agreeing to the Tianyang Sword Sect''s request has no drawbacks for our Zhuo Family, and we can also use this opportunity to establish a connection with the Tianyang Sword Sect!" A millennium-old family! An immortal sect! The gap between the two is vast. The strongest in the Zhuo Family are high-ranking experts in the Spirit-controlling Realm, but in the Tianyang Sword Sect, the Spirit-controlling Realm is considered quite ordinary; only those in the God Fusion Realm are eligible to join the upper echelon. Like that Sect Master of Tianyang, Gu Yutian, who is a terrifying existence in the Transformation Realm. From this, it can be seen. The gap between the Zhuo Family and the Tianyang Sword Sect is immense. If even a tiny portion of resources from the Tianyang Sword Sect were to slip through their fingers, it would be enough for the Zhuo Family to feast to their heart''s content. Hearing this, the other elders also nodded in deep agreement. Let alone the power of the Guangyang Prince being insufficient to contend with the Tianyang Sword Sect, even if the two were evenly matched, the Zhuo Family would still lean a bit more towards the Tianyang Sword Sect. The reason is simple. The power behind the Guangyang Prince is the Gu Family Manor, which is a pure Martial Arts force. Whereas the Tianyang Sword Sect, like the Zhuo Family, is considered part of the Magician faction. The evolution of thousands of years has already created a vast chasm between Magicians and Martial Artists; the two sides are entirely on different levels. If the Zhuo Family had to choose, the Tianyang Sword Sect would be the first choice. The seated Zhuo Xuankong heard this and his lips curled into a cold smile. He too had many dissatisfactions with the Guangyang Prince and the Gu Family Manor behind him. Simply put. Ever since Gu Yang took control of Guangyang Prefecture, he had ordered all parties to cease the blood sacrifice of civilians. Such practices, naturally, displeased many families and sects. However. Just as many Zhuo Family elders were fantasizing about the benefits of a city-wide blood sacrifice, an indifferent voice suddenly broke through. "Wanting to conduct a blood sacrifice upon the citizens of an entire city, I''m afraid the Zhuo Family will not have that opportunity!" Hearing this sentence, the faces of the Zhuo Family members all changed. "Who is it!" The words had barely fallen. When suddenly, in the middle of the main hall, a young man had appeared out of nowhere. The man was dressed in black, his face stern and expression indifferent, emanating an aura of death from his entire being. Upon hearing the Zhuo Family members, the young man spoke a few words. "Gu Er, deputy commander of the Hidden Guards under the command of the Guangyang Prince, has been ordered to eradicate the Zhuo Family!" Hidden Guards! Hearing this sentence, the Zhuo Family members'' expressions changed dramatically again. The existence of the Hidden Guards is no longer a secret. It''s precisely because of the Hidden Guards that Gu Yang was able to occupy Guangyang Prefecture so swiftly, playing a significant role in the process. Even rumors have spread that the one who annihilated the Red Flame Sect''s warriors was a member of the Hidden Guards. Now. The emergence of a deputy commander of the Hidden Guards had shocked the people of the Zhuo Family immensely. However¡ª Before the Zhuo Family could react, Gu Er swiftly moved his hand, and the long blade at his waist flashed out of the sheath, the light from the blade as bright as daylight, infused with overwhelming killing intent, causing the temperature of the entire hall to drop suddenly. After the light from the blade faded. The hall fell into a brief silence, then several Zhuo Family elders were seen torn asunder, their flesh scattering, and in some cases, evil spirits directly revived in the corpses. Only at this moment. Did the other members of the Zhuo Family come out of the abrupt situation in shock. "Innate Grandmaster!!" Zhuo Xuankong''s face was filled with horror, his eyes looking at Gu Er filled with fear. The next instant. Zhuo Xuankong turned tail and ran. Facing an Innate Grandmaster directly, and judging from that one strike, Gu Er''s strength was certainly not as simple as that of an ordinary Innate Grandmaster. Though it''s said that top-tier Spirit-controlling Magicians can match an Innate Grandmaster, that''s only on par with newly advanced Innate Grandmasters. Even more so. Zhuo Xuankong was just a step away from the peak of the Spirit-controlling Realm. But even this one step apart was like the difference between heaven and earth. ``` Chapter 154: Chapter 154 Phantom Shadow Chapter 154: Chapter 154 Phantom Shadow What a pity. Zhuo Xuankong wanted to leave. But Gu Er did not give him a chance to do so. Originally just a superior Martial Arts technique, the Seven Killings Blade Skills now had mysterious and ghostly power in Gu Er''s hands. As soon as the Slaughter True Intent, formed by who knows how many lost souls, appeared, it made Zhuo Xuankong feel as if he was plummeting into an ice cellar. "True Intent!" Zhuo Xuankong''s face showed shock. Although the power of this True Intent was not at the level of a Master''s True Intent, it was still extraordinary. Moreover, Gu Er was himself an Innate Grandmaster. The combination of the two made Zhuo Xuankong sense the aroma of death when the blade came slashing down. Seeing the long blade slicing through, Zhuo Xuankong exploded with all his strength, his right palm slamming out violently, unleashing a river-like torrent of power. "Boom¡ª" The long blade cut through the waves. Zhuo Xuankong''s full-powered palm strike seemed futile in front of this blade. At the moment the long blade caught his eye, Zhuo Xuankong just froze in place. Following that, a trail of blood began to emerge from his forehead, spreading downwards. In the next instant, Zhuo Xuankong''s body split in two, and the illustrious Zhuo Family Master met his demise. From Gu Er''s strike to Zhuo Xuankong''s death, everything happened in the blink of an eye. With Zhuo Xuankong''s death, Gu Er did not bother with the resurgent Evil Spirit, but instead stepped forward, moving on to kill other Zhuo Family elders. ¡ª "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has annihilated the Zhuo Family!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has annihilated the Stargazing Sect!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has annihilated the Soul Bone Sect!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' was attacked by a Spirit-controlling Realm Magician!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' was attacked by a Refining Organ Realm Martial Artist*3!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has slain a Yun Ling Realm Magician*2!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has slain a Bone Refining Realm Martial Artist*6!" ... While undercurrents stirred in Guangyang Prefecture, Gu Qingfeng, who was in seclusion in Grinding Blade Hall, now looked at the information panel as numerous texts refreshed, slightly stirring his demeanor. Zhuo Family! Stargazing Sect! Soul Bone Sect! As for now. Having broken through the second layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture and having condensed two Heavenly Veins within his body. To be honest. Gu Qingfeng did not think Gu Yutian would be a match for him. He only worried about whether Gu Yutian deserved his full effort and whether he could test the limits of his strength. On the other side. Gu Qingfeng''s silence, in Gu Peng''s eyes, appeared as if it were due to dread of Gu Yutian, prompting him to speak. "It is said that Gu Yutian is a strong warrior from a thousand years ago, with strength so profound and deep that it''s incalculable. I believe there is no need for a direct confrontation with him. Perhaps it would be wise to avoid his edge for the time being, even if it means giving up our current holdings..." "I will handle Gu Yutian''s issue myself. When I am not here, you will take care of the matters within the manor." Gu Qingfeng interrupted Gu Peng directly. Retreat? That was impossible. If it truly became unmanageable, Gu Qingfeng naturally would not confront him head-on. But as of now. Gu Qingfeng only wanted a battle with Gu Yutian. Ignoring the astonishment on Gu Peng''s face, Gu Qingfeng walked out of the Grinding Blade Hall. The moment he stepped out of the Grinding Blade Hall, the Evil Slayer Blade, which had been quietly resting inside, seemed to sense something and, under Gu Peng''s shocked gaze, it flew out autonomously and instantly fell into Gu Qingfeng''s hand. Outside the Grinding Blade Hall. The sun was high in the sky. Gu Qingfeng looked directly at the blazing sun, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Having stayed in the Grinding Blade Hall for so long, it''s time to go out for a walk, I just hope you don''t disappoint me!" Muttering to himself, Gu Qingfeng slowly left the Gu Family Manor. When Gu Peng came out of the Grinding Blade Hall, he glimpsed Gu Qingfeng standing in front of the hall. But before Gu Peng could speak, Gu Qingfeng''s figure suddenly vanished like a bubble. This sight. Once again caused Gu Peng''s pupils to shrink sharply, his face filled with shock. "Afterimage!" "The Old Manor Master''s strength is truly unfathomable¡ª" Only movement that reaches a certain speed can leave an afterimage in place, and an almost indistinguishable afterimage like Gu Qingfeng''s was proof of the terrifying extent of his power. "Such a feat, even that Tianyang Sect Master might not be able to achieve it!" "The Old Manor Master''s fight with Gu Yutian will certainly shake the heavens. It''s a pity I won''t be there to witness it!" Gu Peng shook his head and sighed. This level of battle between powerhouses wasn''t something he could get involved in. Moreover, Gu Qingfeng had given his orders before leaving, so Gu Peng naturally obeyed. Otherwise, if something happened to the Gu Family Manor, he would be in big trouble. Chapter 155: Chapter 155 Absolute Certainty Chapter 155: Chapter 155 Absolute Certainty "Father has emerged from retreat!" In the heart of Guangyang Prefecture City, Gu Yang received the news immediately. Gu Qingfeng had finished his seclusion. It let the great stone hanging in his heart fall. Since his own father had emerged from retreat, it meant that he was confident in dealing with the Tianyang Sword Sect. At the same time. Gu Yang also made certain to find out where the mysterious forces that had recently appeared in Qingyun State came from. Divine Sword Sect¡ªSword State! Taisu Sect¡ªLing Province! Ji Family¡ªXianzhou! These were all forces on the same level as the Tianyang Sword Sect; they belonged to the Immortal Sect families. It wasn''t just the three great Immortal forces that had brought experts; numerous other top sects and families had also sent strong figures into Qingyun State. The goal of these forces was also clear¡ªit was Guangyang Prefecture. To be precise. It was the Great Grandmaster behind him, the Guangyang Prince. Therefore. Gu Yang saw this upcoming battle as of great significance. If Gu Qingfeng and the Tianyang Sword Sect were both badly hurt, other forces would likely seize the opportunity to make their move. In that case. There could only be one outcome to this battle. Victory! And it had to be a crushing victory! Otherwise. Nothing less would be enough to deter these Immortal Sect forces. "Where is Father now?" Gu Yang looked at the Hidden Guard before him and asked. Upon hearing this, the latter respectfully replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, after the manor master left Gu Family Manor, his movements have been unpredictable, and even we Hidden Guards, who have been observing him along the way, have found it difficult to discern any clues." Hearing this. Gu Yang showed a look of helplessness but did not become angry. After all, the intelligence capabilities of the Hidden Guard were strong, but to constantly monitor a Great Grandmaster was an impossible task. Besides. The Hidden Guard itself was a force cultivated by Gu Qingfeng. The battle will attract many powerful figures. It''s a good opportunity to show them the true strength of the Gu Family Manor. This battle, if you can eliminate Gu Yutian, will bring you tremendous benefits." "Without Gu Yutian, the Tianyang Sword Sect can no longer be considered an authentic Immortal Sect. At that time, you can use this momentum to take Taishan County and then set your sights on Qingyun State." "Only by taking control of a whole province can you truly have the qualification to contend for supremacy in the world!" The emergence of a Great Grandmaster. And the arrival of the Tianyang Sword Sect. This had long turned Guangyang Prefecture into the center of the world''s turmoil. Originally, Gu Qingfeng had not planned to let the Tianyang Sword Sect enter Guangyang Prefecture but instead aimed to eliminate Gu Yutian early and nip the threat in the bud. But now. Gu Qingfeng had other plans. He didn''t want to stop Gu Yutian; on the contrary, he wanted to let Gu Yutian lead the forces of the Tianyang Sword Sect straight into Guangyang Prefecture and then execute him openly under the scrutiny of all. The purpose of doing so was to establish awe. After all. Over the years, although the Gu Family Manor had annihilated many factions within Taishan County and even in Qingyun State, it was still famous. However. Such fame was no match for that of the Immortal Sects. Should this battle publicly culminate in the slaying of Gu Yutian, then the reputation of the Gu Family Manor would reach its peak, and for Gu Yang, the Manor Master and Guangyang Prince, his prestige and reputation could increase by more than just double. The enhancement of such reputation and prestige, while attracting hostility from many factions, can also bring about great benefits. Hearing Gu Qingfeng''s words, Gu Yang''s heart couldn''t help but beat violently. He was very clear. If what Gu Qingfeng said could truly be achieved, the benefits were imaginable. However. There was still some worry lingering in Gu Yang''s heart. "Father, just how certain are you about eliminating Gu Yutian?" "One hundred percent!" Gu Qingfeng uttered these two words. Hearing this. Gu Yang''s heart gave another jolt, immediately followed by a surge of great joy. Knowing Gu Qingfeng as he did, the man never talked big. Since his own father claimed to be one hundred percent sure, then it must indeed be so. Thinking this. The small lingering worries Gu Yang had about the upcoming battle dissolved completely. Chapter 156: Chapter 156: I Dare to Kill You! Chapter 156: Chapter 156: I Dare to Kill You! At a brothel. All around were nothing but corpses. These corpses, Some were male, others female, including both old and young. Within one of the side rooms, several disdainful young men, each holding partially dressed women, surrounded by many women who served them tremblingly. And on the floor of the room lay many more bodies. "Come, let everyone drink to their heart''s content," a young man said with a reckless laugh, his right hand reached beneath the clothes of a woman in his arms, he squeezed harshly, pain was evident on her face, yet she dared not make a sound. For those who had made noises beforehand had all become corpses unable to speak. "Jiang, if the Guangyang Prince investigates our actions, it could be quite troublesome!" Another young man appeared slightly worried. To this, Jiang Mo scoffed, "Afraid of the Guangyang Prince? Once the Tianyang Sword Sect arrives, Gu Yang and all behind him at the Gu Family Manor will inevitably be reduced to ashes." "Do you really think that being a Great Grandmaster makes one invincible?" "This world ultimately belongs to the likes of us from the Immortal Sects. A mere Great Grandmaster can''t stir up any big waves." "Moreover, why should we, as disciples of the Taisu Sect, fear the power of a mere Martial Artist?" "The Gu Family Manor has already offended the Tianyang Sword Sect, do they really have the courage to offend the Taisu Sect as well?" Jiang Mo, with a face full of defiance and disdain, showed no respect for the Guangyang Prince or the Gu Family Manor in his words. After all, in his view, the so-called Guangyang Prince and Gu Family Manor were nothing in the face of the Immortal Sect. Not to mention the Guangyang Prince. Even in the prime days of the Taixuan Dynasty, they had to behave courteously towards the Immortal Sect, fearing to offend them in the slightest. Indeed, Such dynastic powers were always supported by the noble families of the Immortal Sects. The rise and fall of dynasties were under their control. This, was where Jiang Mo''s confidence stemmed from. However, Before long, the door of the room suddenly shattered, halting all noise within. Gu Yi walked in slowly. Jiang Mo, who had initially burst from the room, had already been captured by the Hidden Guards, and many commoners as well as others were watching this scene. The latter struggled frantically, bellowing, "My father is Elder Jiang Shidao of the Taisu Sect. Who dares to kill me?!" "I dare to kill you!" Gu Yi, expression cold, suddenly drew his long blade from his waist and beheaded Jiang Mo in an instant. The expression on Jiang Mo''s severed head was full of astonishment; he clearly did not anticipate that Gu Yi would dare to strike him down, even after knowing his identity. This scene. Was also shocking to the onlookers. "Jiang Mo is dead!" "Hiss, does that Guangyang Prince truly not fear offending the Taisu Sect?" "Publicly killing a disciple of an Immortal Sect; that Guangyang Prince is indeed courting death!" "It seems that there will be a good show to watch next. It''s said that the powerhouse who came to Guangyang Prefecture this time from Taisu Sect is Jiang Shidao. Now that his son has died tragically at the hands of the Hidden Guards, he likely cannot remain seated anymore." "Although that''s true, the strength of the Hidden Guards is good, having several Innate Grandmasters." "Hmph, what use are many Innate Grandmasters when offending an Immortal Sect? Even a Great Grandmaster cannot escape death¡ª" Many power-holders were quietly discussing and looking at Gu Yi and other Hidden Guards as if looking at dead men. In their view, by killing Jiang Mo and offending an Immortal Sect, not only was Gu Yi doomed, but even the Guangyang Prince behind him couldn''t escape involvement. Regarding this. These people were naturally reveling in schadenfreude. Even though many forces were at odds with the Taisu Sect, they still hoped to see a tragic end for the Hidden Guards. After all, when had a Magician ever fallen to being killed by a Martial Artist on the street? Gu Yi''s execution did not only sever Jiang Mo''s head¡ªit also cut down the dignity of Magicians. At this time. As Jiang Mo had died. The Evil Spirit inside his body also resurrected. The Hidden Guards were ready and immediately sealed the freshly resurrected Evil Spirit into a prepared Golden Coffin. "Boom¡ª" At the moment the Hidden Guards sealed the Evil Spirit, an extremely terrifying aura suddenly erupted, followed by the appearance of an old man in black robes soaring through the sky. The sinister, chilling aura caused the temperature in the air to drop sharply. Upon seeing Jiang Mo''s corpse, the old man in black robes'' pupils turned blood red, his face twisted with a ferocious intent to kill as he looked at Gu Yi, the leader. "How dare you kill my son, old man will flay you and rip your tendons, torturing you slowly to death!" Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Killing from Afar Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Killing from Afar "Jiang Shidao has arrived!" "Hissss, as expected of an elder from the Taisu Sect, such a presence is truly terrifying!" "I''ve heard that he is a top-level God Fusion Realm expert, but looking at him now, it seems he''s almost about to make a breakthrough into the Transformation Realm!" "It''s said that the Taisu Sect has sent Jiang Shidao here with the goal of having him devour the Great Grandmaster from the Guangyang Prince''s retinue, to shatter his own barriers and directly break through to the Transformation Realm." "So that''s it¡ª" When Jiang Shidao appeared, many people immediately looked worried. An elder from the Taisu Sect. A pinnacle God Fusion Realm expert. But now it seems, the rumors outside are incorrect. The powerhouses from various major forces could tell, with Jiang Shidao''s terrifying aura, that it was more than simply the pinnacle of the God Fusion Realm; strictly speaking, he could already be considered half a step into the Transformation Realm. Magicians of the same realm have always been stronger than Martial Artists of the same level. A half-step Transformation Realm Magician, to a certain extent, is already not weaker than a Martial Arts Grandmaster. In some tavern, Gu Yun watched the scene below, frowning deeply. "Half-step Transformation Realm, it seems there are indeed many forces eyeing that Great Grandmaster from Guangyang Prefecture; the Taisu Sect is already an Immortal Sect, if another Transformation Realm expert emerges, their strength is bound to become even more terrifying!" After learning of Gu Qingfeng''s news, Gu Yun headed to Qingyun State immediately. Alas, the distance between Wuzhou and Qingyun State was vast. Despite Gu Yun''s best efforts to rush over, he still couldn''t beat the other forces arriving first. Just arrived, he witnessed the scene of Gu Yi executing Jiang Mo in the street. To tell the truth, in today''s world where Magicians rule, someone being so brave as to execute a disciple of an immortal sect right in the street, just this courage alone is incomparable to others. Therefore, Gu Yun had a rather high opinion of Gu Yi. Now, seeing Jiang Shidao wanting to make a move, Gu Yun already thought about rescuing him. Even if such actions might offend the Taisu Sect and bring trouble to the Divine Martial Sect, Gu Yun didn''t care too much. In Gu Yun''s view, with Gu Yi''s strength, it was clearly impossible for him to contend with Jiang Shidao. Not to mention Gu Yi, even Gu Yun himself wasn''t entirely confident he could suppress the other party. All in all, a half-step Transformation Realm powerhouse is already enough to rival a Martial Arts Grandmaster. At this moment, on the street, However. Such an existence. Was directly killed in one strike. Indeed! Instant kill! Throughout the process, Jiang Shidao had no chance to resist at all. Just at that moment. The Evil Spirit revived. Yet another blood-red Divine Blade soared across the sky, directly pinning the revived Evil Spirit to the ground. Seeing this. Gu Yi and other Hidden Guard members also reacted, beginning to suppress the Evil Spirit. When the Evil Spirit was sealed and suppressed, that Divine Blade soared into the sky and disappeared from the sight of the people once again. Sword control to kill the enemy! How terrifying! Those who had previously looked down on Gu Yang and the Gu Family Manor he represented now had that bit of contempt thoroughly erased from their hearts. Before Gu Qingfeng made his move, no one believed that he could contend with the Tianyang Sword Sect, let alone be an opponent for Gu Yutian. But now¡ª Looking at the corpse of Jiang Shidao, everyone fell silent. A one-strike kill against a powerhouse rivaling a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and throughout it all, Gu Qingfeng never truly revealed himself. Even if Gu Yutian were to personally take action, it was debatable whether he could achieve this extent. ... "Grandmaster!" "No¡ªthis is definitely not a regular Grandmaster!" "Could it be that he has already become a True Intent Grandmaster!?" Upstairs in the tavern, Gu Yun was also shocked, so much so that he crushed the wine cup in his hand without noticing. There was no helping it. The shock that Gu Qingfeng''s strike had brought him was simply too great. Despite Gu Yun''s attempt to assess Gu Qingfeng''s strength as highly as possible, he found that he had still underestimated him. To be frank. The strength of Jiang Shidao was not weaker than that of an ordinary Martial Arts Grandmaster. For Gu Qingfeng to be able to slay him from afar with one strike indicated at least the level of a True Intent Grandmaster. Moreover. Even a True Intent Grandmaster might not necessarily be able to kill an ordinary Grandmaster from a distance. "It seems that the Tianyang Sword Sect might not gain any advantage from this battle; as long as Gu Qingfeng lives, the declined Martial Arts could be revitalized. Such a strong warrior must be brought back to the Divine Martial Sect!" Gu Yun became restless; he threw down a silver piece and promptly drifted away. Chapter 158: Chapter 158 Martial Ancestor Chapter 158: Chapter 158 Martial Ancestor Now. With Gu Qingfeng''s execution of Jiang Shidao, the entire Prefecture fell into an abrupt silence. In the past, other outsiders, some not fearing the Hidden Guard''s authority, would secretly cause chaos. But now. They had all disappeared without a trace. Cause chaos? What a joke! Gu Qingfeng''s cross-space strike that killed Jiang Shidao had effectively cut down everyone else''s courage. In terms of strength. Today, those within the Prefecture City who believed they were stronger than Jiang Shidao could be counted on one hand. Even looking across the Nine States, Jiang Shidao''s power was formidable. Moreover. Even Jiang Shidao, an elder of the Taisu Sect, was mercilessly slain by Gu Qingfeng. If even the Immortal Sects couldn''t deter them, let alone others. That being the case. Other powers naturally didn''t dare cause trouble. ¡ª¡ª Inside the Prefecture City. Gu Qingfeng looked indifferent. As if taking Jiang Shidao''s life with a cross-space strike was a trivial matter for him. Beside him, Gu Yang, even now, wasn''t clear about what had happened, only seeing Gu Qingfeng''s sudden eruption of a powerful True Intent fluctuation, which made him feel an immense threat. Under such a fluctuation of True Intent, Gu Yang found himself insignificant as an ant. However. This fluctuation came quickly and left quickly. Seeing Gu Qingfeng''s aura recede, Gu Yang couldn''t help but ask, "Father, what happened?" "It''s nothing, just a minor issue, but it has already been resolved by your father." Gu Qingfeng said blandly. Although he spoke lightly, Gu Yang was clear that the matter was certainly no small affair. But what exactly happened, Gu Yang temporarily did not know. However. Before Gu Yang''s confusion lingered too long, a Prefecture City guard came to report on the incident. Upon hearing that Gu Qingfeng had executed an elder of an Immortal Sect with a cross-space strike, Gu Yang was stunned in place for a long while. Gu Yun displayed a hint of a smile on his face, then nodded in agreement, "The Guangyang Prince is correct, our Divine Martial Sect is indeed the origin of Universal Martial Arts." "Our ancestor founded the Divine Martial Sect out of compassion for the common people''s struggles, spreading martial arts throughout the world and teaching the masses the ways of Martial Arts." "As a result, our ancestor came to be honored as the Martial Ancestor!" When mentioning the Martial Ancestor, pride involuntarily surfaced on Gu Yun''s face. As the origin of Universal Martial Arts, The Martial Ancestor was honored as the foremost figure in martial arts. With his role as the current Sect Master of the Divine Martial Sect, Gu Yun certainly had cause for pride. Gu Qingfeng''s gaze shifted subtly upon hearing these words. He hadn''t expected the Divine Martial Sect to have such a historical background. Martial Ancestor! Such a title couldn''t just be claimed by anyone. If Gu Yun spoke the truth, then the Martial Ancestor of the Divine Martial Sect must have been extraordinary. A pioneer in Martial Arts! At the very least, his cultivation must have reached the Grandmaster Realm. Otherwise, Universal Martial Arts wouldn''t be associated directly with the Grandmaster Realm. As the first Martial Arts Grandmaster, the Martial Ancestor''s legacy was surrounded by many enigmatic auras. On the other side, Gu Yun harbored pride only briefly before it vanished; he then laughed at himself. "It''s just a pity that since the Martial Ancestor''s passing, some have developed the forbidden technique of Refining Evil, allowing the profession of Magician to emerge and the status of Martial Artists to plummet." "Our Divine Martial Sect, having inherited the legacy of the Martial Ancestor, should have taken the responsibility of revitalizing Martial Arts." "Regrettably, the successors in our sect have not lived up to expectations. Since the Martial Ancestor, no one in the Divine Martial Sect has achieved the rank of Martial Arts Grandmaster." "Were it not for the other Immortal Sects'' wariness of the Martial Ancestor''s legacy, the Divine Martial Sect might have long vanished into the annals of history." Gu Yun''s words revealed much information. However, Gu Qingfeng frowned slightly upon hearing them. "These matters you speak of seem to have nothing to do with me, do they?" "On the contrary, they are related!" Gu Yun shook his head gently. "When the Martial Ancestor passed away, he left behind his legacy, which involves secrets that transcend even a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Sadly, to unravel such secrets requires the cultivation of a Martial Arts Grandmaster." "Mr. Gu, you are the only living Martial Arts Grandmaster in the world today." "Moreover, considering the battle outside the prefecture city earlier, where Mr. Gu killed an elder of the Taisu Sect with a single strike from afar, you must at least be at the level of a True Intent Grandmaster." "As long as you accompany me back to the Divine Martial Sect and receive the Martial Ancestor''s legacy, we can surely revitalize Martial Arts!" Chapter 159: Chapter 159 Gu Yuns True Purpose Chapter 159: Chapter 159 Gu Yun''s True Purpose Gu Yun''s words. caused a change in Gu Yang''s expression. Even Gu Qingfeng couldn''t help but show a slight change in his face. "Based on what Sect Master Gu suggests, the Martial Ancestor of the Divine Martial Sect is a powerhouse above a Great Grandmaster?" Now. Gu Qingfeng was somewhat more polite towards Gu Yun than he had been initially, no longer as cold. After all, from what he could see at the moment, Gu Yun truly bore no ill will. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng was also quite curious about the affairs of the Divine Martial Sect. Gu Yun said, "Indeed, the Martial Ancestor''s cultivation was unmatched in the past and present, and he was the founder of Martial Arts. Know that a Martial Arts Grandmaster has a lifespan of eight hundred years, but the Martial Ancestor lived for two thousand years before finally passing away." "In an era without the existence of Magicians, a lifespan of two thousand years speaks volumes." "If the Martial Ancestor had not broken the limits of a Great Grandmaster, how could he have lived so long!" At this point, Gu Yun also looked somewhat envious. Two thousand years! This is a lifespan that all Martial Artists would find difficult to match. A Great Grandmaster lives eight hundred years. That is the limit for Martial Artists under heaven. The prevalence of Magicians is not solely because Magicians at the same level are more powerful than Martial Artists, but also because Magicians generally have longer lifespans. Longevity! For the vast majority of people, it''s an irresistible temptation. With ordinary humans living one hundred and eighty years, many people would ruin themselves financially just to extend their life by three to five years, or even one or two years, not to mention the disparity of hundreds or thousands, even thousands of years. "The decline of Martial Arts back in the day was largely due to the shorter lifespans of Martial Artists compared to those of Magicians!" Two thousand years¡ª Upon hearing this lifespan, Gu Qingfeng''s heart didn''t fluctuate much. After all, ever since he perfected his Body Refining, his lifespan had already broken two thousand years, and after stepping into the ranks of the Extreme Dao Master, it had soared to three thousand years. Such a level of lifespan. Was enough to rival those in the Transformation Realm. It was upon hearing that Gu Qingfeng was a Great Grandmaster that Gu Yun rushed to Guangyang Prefecture without delay. And after entering Guangyang Prefecture and learning about the actions of Gu Yang, the Guangyang Prince, his conviction strengthened. Since Gu Yang took over Guangyang Prefecture, he has been intentionally and unintentionally suppressing the sect families of Magicians, and later directly exterminating the Zhuo Family and other family sects, all of which affirms his stance. In fact. Another reason for the decline in the influence of Martial Arts is that many martial artists, upon reaching a certain level of cultivation, throw themselves into the embrace of Magicians. Individuals like Gu Yang, who openly defy the sect families of Magicians, are exceedingly rare. Simultaneously. Gu Yun also confirmed. The actions of Gu Yang are surely influenced by Gu Qingfeng, the Great Grandmaster. Gifted! Powerful! Despising evil! Such a person is naturally suited to be a member of the Divine Martial Sect. Of course. Originally, Gu Yun wanted to observe more, but upon witnessing Gu Qingfeng killing Jiang Shidao through the air, he could no longer sit still. After a brief silence. Gu Qingfeng said, "Sect Master Gu''s thoughts, I have clearly understood. Once the matter of the Tianyang Sword Sect is settled, I will find a time to visit the Divine Martial Sect." "The Tianyang Sword Sect has a deep foundation, and Gu Yutian has long reached the pinnacle of the Transformation Realm, hoping to break through to achieve the Divinity Realm!" "Although Mr. Gu''s strength is formidable, facing Gu Yutian might not necessarily guarantee a win. Moreover, even if Mr. Gu wins this battle, the eyes of the powerful from the Nine States will all be on Guangyang Prefecture, a Great Grandmaster who can defeat a top Transformation Realm opponent; they absolutely will not let him live. Thus, it might be better for Mr. Gu to give up his current foundation and come back to the Divine Martial Sect with me. As long as Mr. Gu can obtain the Martial Ancestor''s inheritance, breaking free from the shackles of a Grandmaster to reach a higher level, reclaiming what was lost would be an easy task." Gu Yun earnestly advised. After all, the current predicament, whether Gu Qingfeng wins or loses, in his view, there''s no benefit either way. If he loses, no need to elaborate. He would likely perish in that battle. If he wins, it will surely provoke the fury of Magicians worldwide, and when an endless stream of powerful foes arrives, Gu Qingfeng will have only the path of defeat. Therefore. Avoiding the limelight is indeed the best strategy. Chapter 160: Chapter 160: Arrival Chapter 160: Chapter 160: Arrival "Sect Master Gu''s kindness is appreciated, but I, Gu Qingfeng, will not shrink from this battle. I''d like to see for myself just how strong these so-called masters of the Transformation Realm really are!" Gu Qingfeng replied with a faint smile, exuding a powerful confidence as he spoke. Seeing this, Gu Yun slightly shook his head, unsure of how to persuade him further. It was only now that he suddenly understood. For a warrior at Gu Qingfeng''s level, retreating without a fight did not align with his principles. With this thought, Gu Yun sighed, "Since Mr. Gu is so determined, I won''t say more. I will stay in Guangyang Prefecture for some time. If Mr. Gu needs anything, I certainly won''t refuse to help!" He didn''t want Gu Qingfeng to fight Gu Yutian, given the great unpredictability of such a confrontation. But if Gu Qingfeng was insistent, there was no stopping him. Forcibly intervening might just spoil relations between them. Thus, Gu Yun naturally knew better than to overstep his bounds. After speaking, Gu Yun did not linger in the Prince Mansion and took his leave right away. Gu Yang instructed his people to escort Gu Yun out. Once the latter had left, Gu Yang asked, "Father, how much of what the Sect Master of the Divine Martial Sect said do you think is true, and how much is false?" "Truth or falsehood is irrelevant; in the face of absolute power, all schemes are useless. However, you should indeed investigate the Divine Martial Sect in detail, particularly that Martial Ancestor. If what Gu Yun said is true, then this Martial Ancestor, who has broken through the Great Grandmaster''s shackles, must hold significant secrets!" Gu Qingfeng said. For thousands of years, no one in the world had broken through the limits of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. It was clear that breaking through the barriers of a Great Grandmaster was as difficult as reaching the heavens. If the Martial Ancestor managed to break through, it was impossible that there weren''t secrets involved. "I''ll have someone look into it right away!" Gu Yang nodded. With the influence he held in his hands now, investigating certain matters was quite feasible. "The Tianyang Sword Sect should also be arriving soon; prepare yourself. Once Gu Yutian falls, it will be our opportunity to send troops to other prefectures and take control of Taishan County," Gu Qingfeng admonished the man before him. Gu Yang nodded upon hearing this. Compared to the rest of the world, Guangyang Prefecture was simply too small. the convoy of the Tianyang Sword Sect had entered Guangyang Prefecture, with the vast cityscape coming into view. At that moment, within the city, powerful figures from various factions seemed to sense something simultaneously, their gazes shocked as they looked towards the outskirts. "This aura... Could it be that he has arrived!" "Gu Yutian!!" Immediately, these powerhouses grew restless, leaving their residences one after the other, heading towards the outer city. Inside a particular chamber, Gu Yun also sensed something. When he arrived on top of the city wall, he looked in the direction of the Tianyang Sword Sect''s advance, where inside the conveyance, one person sat upright. The latter seemed to sense something as well, opening his blood-red eyes and locking gazes with Gu Yun. "So it''s you!" A bizarre smile emerged at the corner of Gu Yutian''s mouth, his blood-red eyes displaying a desire to kill, as if a hunter had spotted an enticing prey. Sect Master Gu Yun of the Divine Martial Sect! Gu Yutian was naturally familiar with him. What he hadn''t expected was to see him here. However, Gu Yutian saw this as a fortuitous turn of events. After all, Gu Yun''s strength was not weak; if Gu Qingfeng couldn''t help him break through, then consuming Gu Yun afterward would increase the chances of a breakthrough significantly. On the other side, as Gu Yun met Gu Yutian''s blood-red eyes, his heart raced wildly, a strong sense of danger flooding his mind, tempting him with the impulse to turn and flee. "Gu Yutian... His strength is truly unfathomable!" Gu Yun was filled with trepidation. Even without clashing, he understood that his own strength was worlds apart from Gu Yutian''s. Especially after seeing those blood-colored eyes, Gu Yun finally understood why the other party was so eager to act. It was because it was a sign that the Evil Spirit within was about to awaken. "The Evil Spirit will soon awaken. If this battle does not lead to Gu Yutian''s breakthrough, then the Evil Spirit within him will fully awaken, and Guangyang Prefecture will face a new and terrifying Disaster Level Evil Spirit!" "Such an Evil Spirit, if not suppressed, is also a huge trouble!" Gu Yun''s expression changed uncertainly, but the resurrection of the Evil Spirit was a matter for later. Right now, it depended on whether Gu Qingfeng could truly defeat Gu Yutian. If he could win, that would be ideal. But if he were to fail, then all would be mere speculation. Chapter 161: Chapter 161 Gu Yutians Terrifying Strength Chapter 161: Chapter 161 Gu Yutian''s Terrifying Strength Sect Master Tianyang! Gu Yutian! A top powerhouse of the Nine States. As the saying goes, the reputation precedes the man; Gu Yutian''s appearance alone was enough to exert immense pressure on everyone. At the same time. Gu Yang also led numerous Hidden Guards to the scene. "This is the Tianyang Sect Master!" Looking at the figure above the chariot, Gu Yang felt unparalleled dread in his heart. Especially when he met Gu Yutian''s eyes, the terrifying oppression washed over him like a tide, making his breathing somewhat labored. A powerhouse! An incredibly fearsome powerhouse! If this person wanted to slay him, Gu Yang suspected that he would need only a single finger. Initially, Gu Yang had absolute confidence in Gu Qingfeng''s ability to defeat Gu Yutian. But now. Having witnessed Gu Yutian''s fearsome presence with his own eyes, that confidence started to waver. Such a powerhouse. Could his own father really contend with him? Thinking of this. Gu Yang turned to Gu Yi beside him and asked, "If this person makes a move, what chances do you think you have of surviving?" He didn''t ask about the chances of withstanding, but about the chances of surviving. After all. Despite Gu Yi''s strength as an Innate Grandmaster, he was not qualified to contend with a top powerhouse of the Transformation Realm. Upon hearing this. Gu Yi fell silent for a long while before slowly saying, "If this person makes a move, I wouldn''t have even a half chance of survival!" Though harsh, his words were the bitter truth. With Gu Yutian''s terrifying aura, Gu Yi wouldn''t even have the capacity to strike, let alone survive in his presence. Gu Yi remained silent. Gu Yang fell silent as well. At this moment. He understood the terror of a top powerhouse. Despite controlling Guangyang Prefecture with an army of hundreds of thousands under him, he knew they couldn''t withstand someone like Gu Yutian if he chose to attack. Even just giving the enemy enough time, this person could slaughter the entire Guangyang Prefecture. "This is the strength of a top combatant in Nine States!" "So terrifying¡ª" Let alone others, even the masters from the Divine Sword Sect and the Ji Family, powerful members of an Immortal Sect, were filled with horror when they looked at Gu Yutian. Such high-level combatants hardly ever act rashly, and even if they do act, they rarely give their full effort. The momentum Gu Yutian had fully unleashed now allowed these people to deeply experience the terror of a top existence. At the same time, Their look towards Gu Qingfeng was akin to seeing a dead man. Undeniably. Gu Qingfeng''s ability to kill Jiang Shidao from a distance was extremely astonishing, he could even reach the level of a True Intent Grandmaster. But. Such strength also depends on who the opponent is. In the eyes of the spectators, if the opponent was someone like Gu Yutian, Gu Qingfeng would definitely not have a chance. After all, a combatant of the Transformation Realm is comparable in strength to a Great Grandmaster. A top combatant in the Transformation Realm has a power that has even broken the shackles of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, stepping into a higher realm. "I originally wanted to give you a chance, unfortunately, you didn''t treasure it. Today, not only are you going to die, but everyone in Guangyang Prefecture City must die!" "However, becoming the nourishment for my breakthrough into the Divinity Realm is also an honor for you all!" At this moment, Gu Yutian, like a devil falling into hell, his long black hair completely turned blood-red, eyes crimson, the entire person emitting an extremely evil aura. This powerful oppressive force swept over, and Gu Qingfeng''s Evil Slayer Blade in his hand trembled slightly, as if it sensed some threat. However¡ª Inside, Gu Qingfeng harbored no fear whatsoever. Instead, It was excitement. Yes! Excitement. This was the thrill of facing a top combatant. Since his breakthrough as an Extreme Dao Master, many powerful beings could no longer arouse any interest in him, even the elders of the Immortal Sects, the fighters at half-step Transformation Realm were mere easy kills in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. Full effort! The opponent simply wasn''t worthy. But the current Gu Yutian was different, the terrifying aura he emitted gave Gu Qingfeng a threat like never before, reviving his dormant blood and qi in this moment. "Kill!" Gu Yutian was now striking directly. His body soared through the air, a palm pressed down towards Gu Qingfeng, carrying a destructive force that swept through and distorted the space around them, as if it would completely shatter in the next moment. Chapter 162: Chapter 162: A Strike of Peak Power Chapter 162: Chapter 162: A Strike of Peak Power A palm strike unleashed! Heavens and earth annihilated! As a terrifyingly abyssal power overwhelmed like the sky tipping over, Gu Qingfeng let out a long cry, his once still physical blood vitality finally fully revived. "Boom!" Terrifying blood vitality soared like the Divine Brilliance Great Sun ascended into the firmament, just like torrential river waters piercing through heaven and earth¡ªa blazing surge of hot blood energy burst forth from the top of Gu Qingfeng''s head, shooting straight into the Nine Layers of the firmament. Blood as the Great Sun! Illuminating heaven and earth! The intensely yang and unyielding power rampaged, and all the blood mist upon contact with such power scattered as if it had encountered some dreadful existence. This intensely yang and unyielding blood vitality made Gu Yutian''s complexion change. However. It hadn''t stopped. Gu Qingfeng immediately stimulated two Heavenly Veins, and amidst a majestic influx of the world''s power, as if granted from on high, it poured into his body. Heavenly Vein True Scripture! This was the first time Gu Qingfeng had truly stimulated the power of the two Heavenly Veins. Power of heaven and earth infused his flesh. It allowed his strength to once again undergo a tremendous transformation. One Heavenly Vein. Doubled his personal strength. Two Heavenly Veins. Quadrupled his personal strength. Given Gu Qingfeng''s already terrifying strength, another doubling of strength was utterly earth-shattering, capable of making ghosts and gods weep. Unprecedented power revived. Gu Qingfeng''s vitality seemed as if cast from gold. He held the handle of his blade in his right hand, also driving the power of Nine Layers True Intent to its limit. "Slash!" With that word from Gu Qingfeng, like thunder from a clear sky, the Evil Slayer Blade suddenly unsheathed¡ªthe blade light that split heaven and earth''s firmament mirrored a hundred miles of void. All blood mist under such power was suddenly ripped into two. Gu Yutian, watching the slash, had his body hair stand on end. It was as if he was targeted by some terrifying being, giving him an urge to turn and run. But¡ª He couldn''t run! He simply couldn''t! In the face of such terrifying power, Gu Yutian felt fear for the first time. This was also the first time since he stepped into the Transformation Realm that he felt such profound helplessness. Everything seemed prolonged, but it all happened in an instant. When the blade light dissipated, A bizarre black appeared in the void, extending into the Nine Layers of the firmament, finally disappearing after a long time. Gu Yun thought he had regarded Gu Qingfeng highly enough, but the latter always surpassed his expectations. When Gu Qingfeng had slain Jiang Shidao across the void, Gu Yun believed his true strength was that of a True Intent Great Grandmaster. But unexpectedly. He had underestimated him. What True Intent Great Grandmaster! This was a being who had broken the limits of a Great Grandmaster and stepped into another realm. Until now. Gu Yun finally understood why the other could remain so composed upon hearing the news of the Martial Ancestor and the secrets of the Great Grandmaster lineage. Originally. The opponent simply looked down upon the Martial Ancestor''s legacy. After all, a being who had already stepped beyond the Great Grandmaster would hardly care about such matters. However. It wasn''t long before someone noticed something amiss. Since Gu Yutian''s death, the Evil Spirit within him hadn''t resurrected, and the eerie, chilling presence in the air was gradually dissipating. This change left others with expressions of shocked suspicion. Moments later. Someone seemed to realize something, and their pupils suddenly widened. "The Evil Spirit is dead!" As soon as these words were spoken. Everyone''s expressions dramatically changed. The Evil Spirit is dead!? Upon hearing this, their first reaction was disbelief. After all, the immortality of the Evil Spirit was an accepted fact. No matter how powerful the Martial Artist or Magician, slaughtering the Evil Spirit was thought impossible; they could only suppress it with Gold. This was why, in the current era, Evil Spirits ran rampant and why Magicians were increasingly powerful. The Evil Spirit was indestructible. Impossible to truly annihilate. Many initially engaged in Evil Refining with the intent to harness the Evil Spirit''s formidable power to find a way to eliminate it, and to use their bodies to contain it. After all, Gold was limited. As Evil Spirits continuously emerged, there would come a day when the Gold would be exhausted. Using one''s body to contain the Evil Spirit was another method. However, as they underwent Evil Refining, Magicians were eroded by the power of the Evil Spirit, gradually becoming disasters akin to the Evil Spirits themselves. But no matter what. The initial purpose of the Magician''s birth was good. But now. The Evil Spirit within Gu Yutian had vanished, indicating that the legend of the indestructible Evil Spirit would also be completely shattered. Chapter 163: Chapter 163 Evil Spirit Banned Chapter 163: Chapter 163 Evil Spirit Banned Execute Gu Yutian. Gu Qingfeng stood with his blade, and called out loudly, "From this day forth, evil spirits are forbidden in Guangyang Prefecture; any magician within the boundaries of Guangyang Prefecture must not harm another soul. Those who defy this command will have their entire house exterminated!" At this point, Gu Qingfeng suddenly swung his blade forward, and a bloody blade wind severed heaven and earth. Hills crumbled as a ten-mile blade scar was etched directly onto the ground, as if naturally formed by the very heavens. "Any magician not of Guangyang Prefecture who dares to traverse this realm will die!" After Gu Qingfeng made this slash, he turned back to look at the Prefecture City. The faces of people from all powers changed involuntarily, and a sentiment named fear surged uncontrollably in their hearts. "I give you one day to leave Guangyang Prefecture, or you will meet the same fate as Gu Yutian!" Once these words were spoken, Everyone''s spirits sank again. It could be said, With this action, Gu Qingfeng had completely torn off the fac?ade with all the magicians of the world. Originally, some wanted to curse him for his arrogance, but remembering the slash that killed Gu Yutian, along with the ten-mile blade scar, they forcefully suppressed the urge. Are they joking? Gu Yutian was dead. Along with that, the evil spirit within him was reduced to ashes under that one strike. The rumor that an evil spirit could not die had now been thoroughly debunked. Being able to kill Gu Yutian with one slash, in the eyes of these people, Gu Qingfeng''s strength was definitely not as simple as that of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, not even a True Intent Grandmaster could achieve this feat. Obviously, This was a power who had broken through the limit of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. A peerless powerhouse who could be mentioned in the same breath as the Martial Ancestors of old. In the presence of such a power, the dignity of the Immortal Sects and noble familes seemed negligible. Let alone the depth of these Sects and families, among the magicians who had come to Guangyang Prefecture City, not a single one was qualified to be compared with Gu Yutian. Gu Yutian was dead. With the strength of Gu Qingfeng, driving them to complete extinction would be an easy task. ... Since Gu Qingfeng issued his fierce proclamation, the magicians who had come upon hearing the news now dared not linger a moment longer in Guangyang Prefecture. No one thought that Gu Qingfeng was joking. Three days'' time. Should they not leave, it was very likely they would be permanently settled here. Thus, They dared not stay. Upon learning this news, many martial artists couldn''t help but set out, heading straight to Guangyang Prefecture on a sacred pilgrimage. Indeed! It was a pilgrimage! In their eyes, the present Gu Qingfeng was the only martial arts powerhouse since the Martial Ancestor, calling him a Saint of martial arts was not at all excessive. "I heard that the Domineering Blade predecessor has achieved Divinity in martial arts, his cultivation is extraordinary, transcending sainthood, and with a single blade he slain the Sect Master of an Immortal Sect, elevating the prestige of our martial arts. If one could receive even the slightest guidance from him, it would be a tremendous opportunity!" "Hey, don''t even talk about getting guidance, just being able to lay eyes on such an existence would be an immense honor!" "That person once made a cut in front of Guangyang Prefecture City, and it''s said that there was Undying Blade Intent left there. Nowadays, many people are heading to Guangyang Prefecture, intending to comprehend that supreme Blade Intent!" "What?" "There''s such an opportunity?" "Then what are we waiting for, why not go together!" "Let''s go, let''s go..." In all the states across the world, one topic was being discussed, that was about Gu Qingfeng. As the majority of martial artists headed towards Guangyang Prefecture, the major Immortal Sects among the Nine States were also shaking with fury. ... Ji Family. The long secluded elder ancestor of the Ji Family emerged upon hearing reports from his subordinates, his expression as dark as still water. "Gu Yutian was not weak in strength, and the fact that he was slain by that figure from Guangyang Prefecture shows that the martial arts has indeed achieved Divinity; we have no need to confront him directly for the time being." "No matter how strong a martial artist is, they cannot achieve eternal life." "Back in the day, the Martial Ancestor mastered martial arts skills and reached a state above Great Grandmaster, but what was the result? Nothing but complete dissolution after a mere two thousand years." "Once this person passes away, the world will still belong to us magicians!" Upon hearing the words of the Ji Family elder ancestor, the other members of the Ji Family fell silent. These words. Appeared to show that the Ji Family was not afraid of the Domineering Blade. But in truth, everyone could hear that the elder ancestor of the Ji Family was not confident in dealing with such a powerful figure, and thus wanted to wait for his demise. This news. Was also a considerable blow to the people of the Ji Family. But. That was the reality. The Ji Family had deep roots and was no weaker than Tianyang Sword Sect, but what of it? The Tianyang Sword Sect was still no match for Gu Qingfeng, and the same would be true for the Ji Family. It might be best to avoid the sharp edge for now. Chapter 164: Chapter 164: The Royal Ji Family Chapter 164: Chapter 164: The Royal Ji Family Taisu Sect. The entire sect''s Grand Hall was enveloped in a suppressive atmosphere. The previously exalted Master Taixuan of the Taisu Sect now also bore a somber and unsightly expression. "To prohibit the Evil Spirits in Guangyang Prefecture and even forbid Magicians from all over the world to enter Guangyang Prefecture, this person is really audacious!" Master Taixuan''s voice was ice cold. In the battle at Guangyang Prefecture, although other sects suffered losses, Taisu Sect had not only lost a group of disciples, but had also lost an elder who was half a step into the Transformation Realm. Such an action, In Master Taixuan''s eyes, was a slap in the face of the Taisu Sect. If it had been any other time, Master Taixuan would not have swallowed this insult. But now¡ª Despite the fury in his heart, Master Taixuan did not actually give the order to directly attack Guangyang Prefecture. After all, A formidable contender on par with the Martial Ancestors is not so simple to deal with. "It is said that the one in Guangyang Prefecture has even slain the Evil Spirit carried by Gu Yutian, shattering the legend of the indestructible Evil Spirit. If this person can truly achieve this, our status might be affected!" One of the Taisu Sect''s elders said with a grave expression. Magicians could flourish, both because they had long lifespans and because Martial Artists struggled to deal with Evil Spirits. If Martial Artists had the ability to resolve Evil Spirits, then the significance of Magicians would naturally be impacted. Master Taixuan''s expression had now returned to indifference: "What the world pursues is nothing more than longevity. Even if one is on par with the Martial Ancestors, their life is merely limited to a mere two thousand years." "One in the God Fusion Realm may live for fifteen hundred years, while those in the Transformation Realm can live for three thousand years. If one can break through to the Divinity Realm, they can live for five thousand years!" "Rumour has it that beyond the Divinity Realm lies the secret to true eternal life." "With this point alone, Martial Artists will never be able to shake the position of Magicians!" Master Taixuan knew well that the growth of Magicians was not due to the many people caring for the world''s citizens, wishing to Refine Evil into their bodies, and consuming demons with their flesh. The true root of the Magicians'' growth lies solely in the two words: longevity. Although it is said, Since the emergence of Magicians, the strongest have been in the Divinity Realm. The so-called eternal immortality is only found in rumours. But, Rumours are still rumours. There is always that sliver of a chance. In contrast, The lifespan limitation of Martial Artists is a well-known issue. "Currently, the Supreme Elder has been in seclusion for hundreds of years, aiming to break through to the Divinity Realm. As long as the Supreme Elder is successful, mere Martial Artists will be insignificant!" Inside the Imperial Study Room. Emperor Ji Chunqiu of the Taixuan Dynasty was draped in dragon robes, seated upright, facing an old countenance and emitting an aura of late twilight all over. And before him, there was a memorial sent from Qingyun State, the contents of which were related to Guangyang Prefecture. "Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng!" "One slash killed the Sect Master Gu Yutian of the Tianyang Sword Sect, Martial Arts Cultivation reached Divinity, suspected to be on par with the Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago!" "Furthermore, this person also possesses the means to eradicate Evil Spirits¡ª" After Ji Chunqiu read the memorial for a long time, he finally exhaled deeply, passing the memorial to others in the Imperial Study Room. The vast Imperial Study Room. There was not only Ji Chunqiu alone; several imperial descendants were also sitting upright with dignity. They all took turns looking at the memorial, their expressions involuntarily changing. "Father Emperor, is this message truly real?" The one speaking was the current Crown Prince, Ji Zhen''an. Ji Chunqiu indifferently said, "This message should be true. Back then, when that Martial Ancestor spread his teachings across the world, it was said that he was a supreme being who broke the limits of the Great Grandmasters. However, since the Martial Ancestor passed away, no one in the world has been able to step into such a realm again." "I did not expect that Guangyang Prefecture could still produce such a strong person!" As he spoke. Ji Chunqiu''s tone also held a hint of emotion. The emergence of a strong person comparable to the Martial Ancestor, how could it let his heart remain calm. Upon hearing this. Ji Zhen''an carefully asked, "Does Father Emperor intend to recruit this person?" "Indeed!" Ji Chunqiu nodded. "Although our royal family originates from the Ji Family, the dynasty cycles every three thousand years, which is a fate no one can resist. The former dynasty relied on its foundations to forcibly extend its reign by six hundred years, but in the end, it could not escape the doom of destruction." "Currently, as numerous heroes vie for Zhongzhou, seeking to destroy the foundations of Taixuan, once the dynasty falls, you will also have no chance of survival!" Such words may sound cruel, but that is the reality. The Grand Ancestor of the Taixuan Dynasty actually came from a collateral line of the Ji Family, supported by the Ji Family, and thus was able to vie for domination under the heavens, eventually establishing the Taixuan Dynasty. Over the years. The Taixuan Dynasty has continuously provided resources to the Ji Family. But now that the three thousand-year term has come to an end, the Ji Family no longer protects the Taixuan Dynasty. And without the protection of the Immortal Family, the demise of the Taixuan Dynasty is imminent. To this. Ji Chunqiu was naturally unwilling to accept it. Chapter 165: Chapter 165 The Foundation of the Divine Martial Sect Chapter 165: Chapter 165 The Foundation of the Divine Martial Sect Ji Family, a collateral branch. Having control over the world for three thousand years. In Ji Chunqiu''s eyes, the current royal family was just that, the royal family, and the Ji family was the Ji family; the two had little to do with each other. Let him be bound and wait for death. This was something Ji Chunqiu could never tolerate. Alas. Now, heroes were gathering in the central state. The world was falling apart. All the great Immortal Sects and families were watching eagerly; even though the Ji royal family had amassed enough heritage over these three thousand years, hoping to contend with these sects and families was merely wishful thinking. At present. A figure comparable to the Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago had emerged in Guangyang Prefecture, giving Ji Chunqiu a glimpse of hope. He must fight! If the previous dynasty could extend its reign for six hundred years, then so could the Taixuan royal family. Not just for six hundred years! Ji Chunqiu wanted more. Immediately. Ji Chunqiu drafted an imperial decree and then dispatched a confidant, carrying the imperial decree to Guangyang Prefecture. ¡ª¡ª At present. The Nine States were rapidly changing. The battle in Guangyang Prefecture had utterly disrupted the structure of the Nine States. A supreme figure comparable to the Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago was enough to move hearts. Such a figure, if involved in the great current of the age, completely had the qualifications to influence the world''s structure. As for the reactions of forces across the world, Gu Qingfeng paid no attention; he was currently meeting with Gu Yun. "Mr. Gu, I was offensive before, I hope you won''t take offense!" The current Gu Yun took a very low stance, no longer entertaining the idea of considering himself a peer of Gu Qingfeng. What a joke. This was a figure comparable to the Martial Ancestor, how could he possibly afford to speak as an equal. Such a figure. Even with Gu Yun''s status, he had to respectfully address him as a senior. "Sect Master Gu jests, I hardly deserve the term ''senior.''" "In the past, I was presumptuous. With Mr. Gu''s world-surpassing cultivation, comparable to the Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago, it is only right for me to call you senior!" Gu Yun shook his head. Even if given ten times the courage, he wouldn''t dare to speak to Gu Qingfeng as an equal. This is the change that strength brings. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng did not dwell on this topic. Clearly. Gu Qingfeng''s current goal was to get the Divine Martial Sect to choose sides. Sect Master Gu hesitated for less than a moment before sternly responding, "The Guangyang Prince has always been known for his wisdom, and the Divine Martial Sect shall surely follow him!" There was nothing to hesitate about. Anyone with clear eyes could see that while the Guangyang Prince''s forces were currently weak, this was only temporary. With a powerful figure like Gu Qingfeng present, expanding influence next would naturally be an easy task. The purpose of the Divine Martial Sect''s existence was to revitalize Martial Arts. Now. Seeing a chance to connect with Gu Qingfeng, Sect Master Gu naturally would not decline. "To have the support of the Divine Martial Sect, this prince is deeply honored!" Gu Yang, who had been silent until now, also showed a hint of a smile on his face. The strength of the Divine Martial Sect. He knew it very well. Now as Gu Qingfeng, in just a few words, brought the Divine Martial Sect to his side, it was greatly beneficial for Gu Yang. As the foremost Martial Arts sect in the world, the strength of the Divine Martial Sect was not inferior to that of the Immortal Families and Sects. "The Guangyang Prince is too polite. Currently, the Divine Martial Sect has nine Innate Grandmasters, six Vitality Masters, and five True Intent Masters, all ready to heed the commands of the Guangyang Prince!" Having decided to side with Gu Yang, Sect Master Gu did not deliberately conceal the strength of the Divine Martial Sect. Instead, he directly revealed some of their trump cards. At such times, indirectly displaying one''s own foundational strength could make the other party value them even more. And indeed. Upon hearing about the capabilities of the Divine Martial Sect, Gu Yang''s face also showed surprise. Twenty Masters! And with as many as five True Intent Masters. Such a force was not ordinarily powerful. Although the Hidden Guard also had eleven Masters, not all Masters were on the same level. The Innate Grandmasters. They were considered the weakest tier among the Masters. In comparison. Even the ordinary Vitality Masters, strictly speaking, were three parts stronger than Innate Grandmasters. Then. There were the True Intent Masters. Now not only did the Divine Martial Sect have Innate Grandmasters and Vitality Masters, but they also had True Intent Masters¡ªhow could this not thrill Gu Yang? The Divine Martial Sect was now loyal to him, making such a force also available for his own use. Of course. Gu Yang was also very aware. With his current reputation and strength, it was impossible to make the Divine Martial Sect submit. The real reason they submitted was out of respect for his father. A supreme expert, on par with the Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago, was enough to make the Divine Martial Sect willingly submit. ¡ª PS: Typing is ongoing, one more chapter coming soon! Wait up! Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Considering Oneself as a Disciple Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Considering Oneself as a Disciple Afterward, Gu Yun looked at Gu Qingfeng, unable to resist asking, "Mr. Gu, it is a fixed principle that Evil Spirits cannot die. How exactly have you managed to slay an Evil Spirit?" This question had weighed on his heart for a long time. Until now. Gu Yun couldn''t help but ask it. Even Gu Yang had a curious expression on his face regarding this matter. Gu Qingfeng, seeing the look on their faces, said indifferently, "Evil Spirits do not die because the level of life of Martial Artists is insufficient; the life level of Evil Spirits is higher, and only by stepping into the same level of life as the Evil Spirits can one slay them. This is precisely why Evil Spirits are difficult to slay, but as an Evil Spirit, it can devour other Evil Spirits!" Life levels! Upon hearing this, both Gu Yun and Gu Yang looked at each other. For them, the term seemed rather obscure. Gu Qingfeng continued, "Universal Martial Arts is flawed. A common Grandmaster can only live for five hundred years, and even a Qi and Blood Grandmaster can live for merely eight hundred years at most." "Such Martial Arts not only fail to transform the life level of a Martial Artist but also significantly reduce lifespan." Universal Martial Arts is flawed? This statement made the two of them look shocked once again. Gu Yun couldn''t help but ask further, "Mr. Gu mentioned that Universal Martial Arts is flawed, so what exactly is Flawless Martial Arts?" "Flawless Martial Arts!" "Refining Skin allows one to live one hundred and eighty years, Blood Refining allows for four hundred years, Bone Refining allows for seven hundred and fifty years, Marrow Cleansing potentially allows for around twelve hundred years, and if one can achieve Organ Refining, one could live up to two thousand years!" "If one can perfectly refine organs, a Martial Artist''s life level can transform to be on the same level as an Evil Spirit!" "If one can break through the Organ Refining barrier and attain the Grandmaster Realm, one could live for three thousand years!" This was the first time Gu Qingfeng had discussed Perfect Martial Arts in front of others. Or rather, this should be called Flawless Martial Arts. Previous Martial Arts, in light of such Martial Arts, can only be said to be high imitations; only such Martial Arts are the genuinely authentic Martial Arts. Such words shook Gu Yun deeply. Refining organs for two thousand years! Grandmaster for three thousand years! These were things he had never dared to imagine before. If these words had been spoken by someone else, Gu Yun would have thought them mere nonsense. Gu Qingfeng shook his head in refusal. But Gu Yun''s attitude was very firm this time, as he earnestly said, "In learning, there is no first or last; the reached are the teachers. This is also true for Martial Arts. Master Gu has blessed this disciple with Longevity Skills; how can I not etch such a great grace in my heart?" Seeing that Gu Yun insisted on taking the position of a disciple, Gu Qingfeng did not continue further. Perhaps it was for the best. With this relationship in place, the Divine Martial Sect could indeed be genuinely used for oneself. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng also handed another copy of Longevity Skills to Gu Yang. "Now Longevity Skills is still not perfect. You may research it, but without my permission, it cannot be spread out yet." "Yes!" Both Gu Yun and Gu Yang solemnly nodded. "Alright, this battle has also tired me. Since the concern here is resolved, I will not stay long in the Prefecture. Whatever remains to be handled can be left to your own judgment." Gu Qingfeng instructed Gu Yang and then gracefully left. His purpose here was solely to deal with the Tianyang Sword Sect, but now that Gu Yutian and all other strong arrivals from the Tianyang Sword Sect had been slain, there naturally was no need for him to stay. This battle, also allowed Gu Qingfeng to gain a clear understanding of his own strength. With his current power as an Extreme Dao Master, he was almost on par with the top players of the Transformation Realm. However, if he utilized one Heavenly Vein, he could easily suppress the latter. If he employed two Heavenly Veins, those at Gu Yutian''s level could not withstand even a single strike from him. Even if there were stronger existences beyond the Transformation Realm, Gu Qingfeng felt he had a fighting chance with his current strength. After Gu Qingfeng left, Gu Yang immediately gathered all his generals. In the main hall, More than a dozen generals gathered together. With awe on their faces, their eyes also became fervent. The battle before the Prefecture, had by now spread far and wide. They clearly understood that behind their king was a peerless powerhouse providing support. Even the strongest from the Immortal Sect had been directly slain by him. Undoubtedly, with such a powerhouse at support, Gu Yang was destined to have the qualification to compete under the heavens. These men, following him, if one day Gu Yang truly ascended to that position, they would be his accomplished ministers and the benefits they could receive were unimaginable. Especially some generals who originally belonged to the court and the Divine Martial Army, by now felt exceedingly wise for their choice to submit to Gu Yang. Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Surrendering at the First Sign of Trouble Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Surrendering at the First Sign of Trouble "Gu Yutian is dead!" "This is our chance!" "This prince has decided, starting today, to deploy troops to Yixing Prefecture, Datong Prefecture, Danxia Prefecture, and Huaining Prefecture." Gu Yang looked at everyone present, his expression cold. Deploy troops to four prefectures! When these words were heard, everyone was visibly excited. Had it been before Gu Yutian''s demise, if Gu Yang had directly deployed troops to four prefectures, they absolutely would not have been so thrilled. After all, currently Gu Yang only controlled one prefecture''s foundation. Even with some base, rashly waging war with four prefectures might not bring many benefits. Once it failed, it could likely lead to the total loss of his foundation. But now it was different. Gu Qingfeng had slain Gu Yutian with a single strike from his Domineering Blade, a feat that earned him immense reputation, pressing down on the world. Gu Yang was not just the Guangyang Prince, but also the present manor master of the Gu Family Manor, backed by supreme powers. With this, when the Guangyang Army set foot into the four prefectures, what resistance could they possibly encounter? After all, a reputation precedes oneself. Merely the name Domineering Blade discouraged the idea of resistance in people. Gu Yang was now deploying troops to capitalize on this overwhelming momentum, naturally making the probability of success exceptionally high. While everyone was deep in thought, Gu Yang already turned to three of the commanders. "Shi Zhen!" "Your subordinate is here!" "You will lead a hundred and fifty thousand troops to attack Yixing Prefecture. This prince will assign three Masters to accompany the army. You must capture Yixing Prefecture with utmost speed, without fault!" "Your subordinate obeys the command!" A middle-aged commander solemnly accepted the orders, his face full of excitement. Then, Gu Yang turned to the other two. "Xue Cheng, you will also lead a hundred and fifty thousand troops and head to Datong Prefecture. Jiang Mo, you will lead a hundred and fifty thousand troops to take charge of Danxia Prefecture. As for Huaining Prefecture, I will handle it myself!" "Your subordinates obey the command!" Both of them accepted the commands with a clenched fist. "Since there are no objections, then act immediately!" Gu Yang waved his hand grandly, and all the commanders respectfully withdrew. The hall, previously filled with people, suddenly became much emptier. Deploy troops to four prefectures! Gu Yang was also taking a risk at this moment. At present, the Guangyang Army under his command totaled slightly less than seven hundred thousand. Despite Gu Yun bowing and scraping in front of Gu Qingfeng and assuming a very humble stance like a junior, Gu Yang was well aware that he wasn''t as simple as he seemed. The Divine Martial Sect had suppressed Wuzhou for many years. Even in today''s decline of Martial Arts, where Magicians are revered, the Divine Martial Sect still managed to maintain its status, which seemed quite detached from worldly affairs. As the Sect Master, if Gu Yun didn''t have significant capabilities, how could he have achieved this? Half a step to being a Great Grandmaster! In today''s absence of any Martial Arts Grandmasters, such strength could certainly be considered the foremost among Martial Arts practitioners. Of course, the current dominant figure in Martial Arts was not Gu Yun, but his own father. Regardless, Gu Yang was clear that even though Gu Yun might not approach the foremost level, ranking among the top three or even two posed no issue. Therefore, if Gu Yun would personally take action, many troubles could be avoided. ¡ª The next day, the army set out. Led by Gu Yang, the 600,000-strong army split into four, directly heading towards the four prefectures. Once this news broke, it quickly reached the ears of those in the four prefectures. Magistrates of each city and the court''s generals changed their expressions upon hearing this. Now, who didn''t understand that the Guangyang Army was currently the most formidable power in Taishan County? Although they only had 600,000 troops, the one behind the Guangyang Prince was equivalent to a million-strong army. Now, with Gu Yang leading the army, the court''s side had already seen a significant drop in morale. Resist? That was merely a joke! Even if they could stop 150,000 troops, they couldn''t stop the methods of that Domineering Blade. If he, provoked to act personally, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, when the Guangyang Army entered the four prefectures, many towns simply surrendered without any resistance. This degree of smooth progress startled even Gu Yang. He had expected that the resistance in Huaining Prefecture would not be too strong, but he didn''t expect that there would be absolutely no resistance and everything would go so smoothly. However, just when Gu Yang was about to take complete control of Huaining Prefecture, a very small number of the court''s army refused to surrender, vowing to block his control of Huaining Prefecture. Regarding this, Gu Yang was in no mood to show mercy. He personally led his army, and with Gu Yun participating, they completely wiped out this force in just a few days. At last, Huaining Prefecture fell into his hands. Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Blood Refining Chapter Completed! Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Blood Refining Chapter Completed! However, When Gu Yang took over Huaining Prefecture, the other three prefectures did not experience such smooth proceedings. "Kill!" "Whoever first ascends this city will be richly rewarded!" Shi Zhen''s expression was cold as he looked at the majestic city walls in front of him and issued orders in a deep voice. Meanwhile, on the battlefield. The Guangyang Army was furiously besieging the city. Shi Zhen had already received news that Gu Yang had taken over the entire Huaining Prefecture, and the progress in the other two prefectures was also not slow. Only Yixing Prefecture was resisting particularly fiercely. Regarding this, Shi Zhen naturally hoped that he could capture Yixing Prefecture as quickly as possible. It was simple. He had originally been a general of the Divine Martial Army, and after Pei Jing''s downfall, he had shifted his allegiance to Gu Yang. Shi Zhen was very clear. For a defeated general like him, it was difficult to be heavily relied upon. The reason he could lead an army was that the Guangyang Prince had weak foundations, and there were no capable generals under his command, which was why there was an opportunity for him. But as the Guangyang Prince''s followers increased, the possibility of being heavily relied upon again diminished. Therefore, Shi Zhen must show that he had strong enough capabilities. Suppressing Yixing Prefecture was an opportunity. Just then, within the city, suddenly, signal arrows shot into the sky, and fireworks burst forth, visible even in daylight. "The Hidden Guard has succeeded!" Seeing the appearance of the signal arrows, Shi Zhen''s face lit up with joy. Before besieging the city, he had the Hidden Guard secretly infiltrate the city to find an opportunity to seize the city gates. Now that the signal arrows had been released, it was clear that the city gates had been successfully captured. Sure enough, as Shi Zhen''s thoughts concluded, he saw the tightly closed city gate slowly opening. Seeing this scene, Shi Zhen immediately spurred his horse into the battlefield, leading the army on a charge towards the city. ¡ª "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has killed *362 court soldiers!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has killed *36 Martial Artists in the Blood-Refining Realm!" "Under the command of your offspring ''Gu Yang,'' the army rolls forward unstoppable, with all sides of the court submitting to his power!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has subdued Huaining Prefecture, gaining great renown!" "Your offspring ''Gu Shengnan'' has purified her genetic traits, slightly enhancing her aptitude!" "Under the command of your offspring ''Gu Yang,'' the Guangyang Army has suppressed Datong Prefecture, greatly increasing its strength!" "Under the command of your offspring ''Gu Yang,'' the Guangyang Army has suppressed Yixing Prefecture, greatly increasing its strength!" ... It was just so! After glancing at his attribute panel. Gu Qingfeng continued to ponder over Martial Arts. ... Three days later. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes. He looked at his attribute panel, now noticing some changes regarding the information of the Longevity Skills. ... Longevity Skills (Perfection, Longevity Level Two)! ... "Breakthrough!" "The second layer of the Longevity Skills is enough for perfect Blood Refining!" Gu Qingfeng wore a faint smile on his face. He had originally thought that creating the second layer of the Longevity Skills would take quite some time. But now. Gu Qingfeng realized. The reality was much better than he had anticipated. The battle in the Prefecture of Guangyang Prefecture gave him some unique insights; now that he came back to the Grinding Blade Hall for a period of seclusion, the Blood Refining Chapter of the Longevity Skills came naturally. Now. With the completion of the Blood Refining Chapter of the Longevity Skills, Gu Qingfeng stepped into the realm of Perfection. Ultimately. It was also because Gu Qingfeng had already walked this path; the Longevity Skills he created was nothing more than a replication of his original journey. Therefore. With the release of the Blood Refining Chapter of the Longevity Skills, Gu Qingfeng naturally reached Perfection. "But the Longevity Skills become increasingly difficult to create as one progresses; if one could use Upgrade Points to break limits and enhance, it would indeed save a lot of effort." "However, doing so would also lead to significant consumption of Upgrade Points, which might be somewhat uneconomical!" Creating the Longevity Skills, Gu Qingfeng proceeded step by step slowly. Yet the enhancement of his own strength could not slow down for even a moment. Even now, although Gu Qingfeng had the strength to reach the peak of the Nine States, in his view, it still always seemed insufficient. Next. Gu Qingfeng looked at the attribute panel again. Three days had passed. A large amount of text had refreshed on the attribute panel. All this information was related to Gu Yang. According to the attribute panel, after three days, almost the entire control of the Four Prefectures had fallen into Gu Yang''s hands; by doing so, he effectively managed the territories of Five Prefectures. Taishan County among the Twelve Prefectures. With Gu Yang being able to control the territories of Five Prefectures, he almost seemed to be on the verge of taking over the entire Taishan County. "Five Prefectures in Taishan County have already fallen into Yang''er''s hands; from this point, it seems Yang''er''s total control over Taishan County isn''t far off!" Gu Qingfeng secretly pondered. Chapter 169: Chapter 169 Sun and Moon Fist Scripture Small Success Chapter 169: Chapter 169 Sun and Moon Fist Scripture Small Success "The Five Prefectures have fallen!" "The Guangyang Prince''s momentum is now unstoppable!" In Qingjiang Prefecture, when Prefectural Governor Taishi Yi heard this news, his expression was uncertain. His momentum is now unstoppable! This was something he had not expected. After all, Taishi Yi had always thought that Gu Yang wouldn''t be able to make waves for long. He just needed to wait for the Tianyang Sword Sect to take action, and then the Guangyang Prince and the Gu Family Manor behind him would be turned to ash in an instant. But now. Taishi Yi realized he had been mistaken. The strength of the Domineering Blade was beyond everyone''s imagination. He had slain Gu Yutian with a single strike. Rumor had it that he even broke the legend of the Evil Spirit''s immortality. Such a powerful being was already being discreetly referred to as a Martial Saint in the Martial World. Saint among warriors! A Martial Arts Saint! Throughout the Universal Martial Arts, many were strong, and over ten thousand years, there had indeed been some Great Grandmasters, but none had the right to be called Martial Saints. But now. Gu Qingfeng, within the Martial World, did have the qualifications to be hailed as a Saint. It was a supreme honor. As long as Gu Qingfeng lived, Taishi Yi knew, no one could shake Gu Yang in the slightest, not even the so-called Immortal Sect families. However. In Taishi Yi''s view. Martial Arts were ultimately not as powerful as the way of the Magician. Even if Gu Qingfeng''s Martial Arts cultivation reached the level where he could be considered extraordinary and saintly, on par with the ancient Martial Ancestor, he could only live a mere two thousand years. Look at those Immortal Sect families, each of them had a lineage lasting thousands to even tens of thousands of years. In the end. It was because these Immortal Sect families could continuously produce powerful beings to ensure their foundations remained eternal. A Transformation Realm strong person could live three thousand years. It might seem only a thousand years more than the ancient Martial Ancestor. But what must be understood is that a thousand years can change too much. A thousand more years of life. This means the opponent has more time to cultivate the next generation of strong ones. A thousand more years of life. That''s a thousand years more of profound heritage. Then. The problem of breakthrough arises. Martial Arts breakthroughs are difficult; even stepping into the Grandmaster Realm requires top-tier talent, or there''s no chance at all. By comparison. "Reward Marrow Cleansing Pills *100!" "Reward Refining Organ Pills *10!" ... "Mid-level of Bone Refining!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression shifted slightly. He wasn''t too surprised by the breakthrough in Gu Yang''s cultivation. Although it hadn''t been long since the other party had broken through to the Initial Stage of Bone Refining, Gu Yang''s own natural talent was already strong, and now he was in control of various prefectures, his resources could be said to be vast. Moreover, from the information on his panel, Gu Yun had also given him much guidance. Thus. The breakthrough for Gu Yang had become all the more logical. Resources in abundance. Plus guidance from a powerhouse. Even a mediocre person, piled up with a multitude of resources, could be forced through a breakthrough, not to mention that Gu Yang was no mediocrity. If it had been in the past, Gu Qingfeng would have been quite pleased with Gu Yang''s breakthrough. But with the current circumstances, the benefits of Gu Yang''s progress were not enough to move Gu Qingfeng. Every breakthrough in the Heavenly Vein True Scripture multiplied the upgrade points by ten. The last time he broke through, Gu Qingfeng used a thousand upgrade points; to progress further now would require ten thousand upgrade points. As of now. He had no idea when he would be able to accumulate ten thousand upgrade points. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng gave up the idea of accumulating upgrade points to continue improving the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. However. If not considering the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. With his current level of cultivation, ordinary martial arts were of little use to him. At the very least. It would take martial arts at the Grandmaster level to advance Gu Qingfeng. "If that''s the case, then let''s enhance the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture!" Although he had always practiced blade techniques, the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture, as the Sect''s Ultimate Skill of the Divine Fist Sect, was also incredibly mysterious and extraordinary. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng had a thought. One hundred upgrade points were spent. The Sun and Moon Fist Scripture, which had not entered Beginner, had in an instant broken through to the Small Success stage. And as the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture broke through, Gu Qingfeng felt a vast surge of memories emerge in his mind, followed by a vibration of his qi and blood; his fists seemed to undergo endless refinement, imbued with fearsome divine might. After a long while. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes. "Hu!" "The Sun and Moon Fist Scripture is indeed worthy of being the Sect''s Ultimate Skill of the Divine Fist Sect; its profound mysteries are far greater than I had anticipated." Decades, even hundreds of years of refinement, had not only brought the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture to Small Success but also made his blood and qi even more powerful. Although Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation was still at the stage of an initial Extreme Dao Master, his strength had once again improved a bit. Chapter 170: Chapter 170 Great Success of the Peerless Technique Chapter 170: Chapter 170 Great Success of the Peerless Technique "Sun and Moon Fist Scripture (Small Success, Level Seven Sun and Moon Fist Intent)!" ... Glancing at his attribute panel, Gu Qingfeng felt as if he had cultivated and studied the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture for hundreds of years, and a strong True Intent also rose from within him. His fists like the sun and moon! Illuminating the sky! As this True Intent spread, everyone in the Gu Family Manor seemed to sense something, vaguely perceiving the mysterious scene of the sun and moon coexisting in the sky. But as quickly as this vision appeared, it dissipated just as fast. Only a few people like Gu Peng, the Innate Grandmasters, were able to comprehend what this commotion truly meant. "My husband has grown stronger!" Xu Yulan''s beautiful eyes moved slightly as she looked towards the Grinding Blade Hall, now also an Innate Grandmaster in the state of Perfection. To tell the truth, Prior to this, Xu Yulan had never imagined that one day she could break through to the level of an Innate Grandmaster. In fact, Not to mention becoming an Innate Grandmaster, It was normally considered the limit to even break through the Blood Refining Realm. After breaking through to the level of an Innate Grandmaster, Xu Yulan had doubted for a while if she was living in a dream. However, With the news of the battle in the Guangyang Prefecture City coming forth, Xu Yulan understood that the depth of her husband''s strength was utterly unfathomable. It''s just a pity, Nowadays, Gu Qingfeng mostly stays inside the Grinding Blade Hall, seldom venturing out, but whenever he emerges from seclusion, Xu Yulan would do everything within her power to satisfy him. And then, In her spare time, She too was researching Martial Arts. She did this because she did not want to become a drag on Gu Qingfeng. As Gu Qingfeng''s strength continued to rise, and as Gu Yang''s influence, the Guangyang Prince, grew larger, the Gu Family Manor was inevitably going to face more trouble. As his wife now, she would also become a target for others. In Xu Yulan''s view, this was also a major reason for why Gu Qingfeng had allowed her to break through to become an Innate Grandmaster. Therefore, Xu Yulan naturally did not want to let down Gu Qingfeng''s expectations. Another reason was, To guide Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu in their cultivation. With Xu Yulan''s current Innate Grandmaster cultivation, guiding the two in their training was an easy feat, and occasionally she even used Innate True Qi to help the two like performing Yijing Fasui. While the effects weren''t very strong, over time, they still had some benefit. ... Many Divine Weapons trembled slightly upon sensing this intent. After a while, this True Intent gradually calmed down. "The Sun and Moon Fist Scripture has reached Great Success!" "Sun and Moon True Intent, level eight!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression was calm. For an ordinary person to cultivate to such a level, without hundreds of years of hard work, it was basically impossible. Master-class martial arts are difficult to cultivate. However, even a Blood Refining Grandmaster only has a lifespan of five hundred years. And an Innate Grandmaster has merely three hundred. Therefore, many masters spend their entire lives and still struggle to advance a master-class martial arts to Great Success. In fact, not to mention Great Success, even truly reaching the Beginner stage and cultivating True Intent of a master is as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. This is why True Intent Masters are so rare. But Gu Qingfeng, with the attribute panel at his disposal, could skip much of the painstaking effort. ... After leaving the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng moved to the backyard and happened to see Xu Yulan guiding Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu in their cultivation. "Husband!" "Father..." The three of them showed joy at the sight of Gu Qingfeng''s arrival. However, apart from joy, Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu''s faces also showed a bit of awe and restraint. After all, in their eyes, Gu Qingfeng has always been strict, and given the father''s authoritative presence, they did not dare be presumptuous. "Good, you''ve broken through to the Blood Refining Realm so quickly!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the two and revealed a faint smile, as if he had just learned of their breakthrough, offering them praise and affirmation. Not yet eight years old and already in the Blood Refining Realm, In the eyes of the Martial World, they could be deemed prodigies. The two were clearly under eight years old, but due to their martial breakthroughs, their bodies appeared strong, scarcely different from that of teenagers. Thereafter, Gu Qingfeng handed a Secret Manual to Xu Yulan. "This is the Longevity Skills I''ve created while in seclusion at the Grinding Blade Hall. Although it only touches upon the Blood Refining Chapter, if cultivated, it can also increase lifespan to a certain extent, while enhancing strength." "You may study it when you have time, and also pass it on to Xuan''er and Xiu''er for practice." Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Entering Nine Curves Road Again Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Entering Nine Curves Road Again He passed down the Longevity Skills. Gu Qingfeng had his own considerations. Although the Longevity Skills were of significant importance, passing them to his own people was not an issue. If the Blood Refining Chapter could be successfully cultivated, it would extend one''s lifespan by hundreds of years. For Gu Qingfeng, the longer his descendants could live, the greater the benefits were for him. Not to mention, the two persons, Gu Xuan, were his sons, and Gu Qingfeng was certainly not stingy. Once the Longevity Skills were truly completed, Gu Qingfeng would consider making this cultivation technique the foundational legacy of the Gu Family Manor. ... That day, Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion at the Grinding Blade Hall. Suddenly, Gu Peng''s voice came from outside. "Your subordinate pays respects to the old manor master!" "Come in." Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, his voice calm. As his words fell, he waved his sleeve, and the originally closed doors of the hall opened, allowing Gu Peng to walk in from outside. "What''s the matter?" As Gu Qingfeng spoke, he glanced at the information panel, which showed everything as normal, with no particular situation. It was known, Gu Peng would not come without a reason. Since he had come, there must have been an incident. Upon hearing this, Gu Peng looked solemn, "There is a disturbance in the Nine Curves Road. In recent days, the Buddhist chants have become more distinct, and many civilians outside the Nine Curves Road have been affected, dying in strange ways. I suspect that the Evil Buddha at the end of the Nine Curves Road might be about to emerge!" Nine Curves Road! Evil Buddha! Upon hearing this name, Gu Qingfeng''s expression shifted slightly. If there was anything in Guangyang Prefecture worthy of his fear, it was undeniably the Evil Buddha of the Nine Curves Road. In Gu Qingfeng''s view, the strength of the Evil Buddha at the end of the Nine Curves Road was unfathomable. Initially, Gu Qingfeng considered it as an existence of the Transformation Realm. But now, having reached his current realm and looking back, the strength of that Evil Buddha was likely even more terrifying than the Transformation Realm. Originally, Gu Qingfeng wanted to wait until he made another breakthrough himself and was absolutely confident before dealing with the Evil Buddha. But now, with the disturbance in the Nine Curves Road, Gu Qingfeng could no longer wait. But now, when the terrifying oppressive force of Evil Buddha swept over, Gu Qingfeng stood tall and firm, his eyes flashing like lightning, releasing an extremely powerful Domineering Blade True Intent that collided with an unseen force in the air, causing a fearsome fluctuation. "Wake up!" Immediately following, Gu Qingfeng spoke in a low voice, and Gu Peng, who was behind him and caught in an illusion, also suddenly came to his senses. Seeing the true scene of Nine Curves Road, the complexion of this Outer Hall Master turned even uglier. "Old Manor Master..." "This Evil Spirit is even stronger than before!" Gu Qingfeng looked serious as he eyed the direction of the ancient city where Evil Buddha was located, with the other''s eerie presence shining brightly like a lamp in the darkness of Nine Curves Road. "Stay close behind me, never part with the Evil Slayer Blade, it will protect you when necessary!" As he spoke, Gu Qingfeng walked towards the ancient city. "Yes!" Upon hearing this, Gu Peng immediately followed. ¡ª Deeper into Nine Curves Road, they saw corpses everywhere. This place was like a Hell, devoid of any sign of living beings. Such a scene made Gu Peng''s complexion even worse, and an odd emotion surged uncontrollably within him. Panic! Fear! Indeed, it would be difficult for anyone to not feel afraid at such a sight. However, upon seeing Gu Qingfeng''s silhouette and the Evil Slayer Blade in his hand, the fear in Gu Peng''s heart dissipated quite a bit. In comparison, Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained normal, treating everything before his eyes as an illusion. Before long, the two arrived in front of the city gates. They saw that, in their view, the lifeless Nine Curves Road had now turned bustling and prosperous like a crowded tidal wave. "It''s still the same trick!" Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head, a hint of disdain on his face, as he threw a punch toward the ancient city, releasing the eighth level Sun and Moon True Intent that abruptly erupted, and his solid Fist Wind shattered through the air. "Boom¡ª" The ancient city trembled. Dust flew up. All signs of prosperity abruptly came to a halt, and the space in front of them seemed to turn to ash, revealing the true ruined state of the city. At the same time, An angry roar came out. Evil Buddha sitting above the ancient city seemed like a wrathful Vajra Buddha, his right palm ferociously crashing down towards Gu Qingfeng, the terrifying force twisted and cracked the space, bringing with it an apocalyptic oppressive force that made one''s heart tremble. "Evil Buddha!" Gu Peng, standing behind Gu Qingfeng, looked at the oppressive blow coming from Evil Buddha; that terrifying force made his whole body tremble, his shoulders felt as heavy as if bearing a mountain, and he found it hard to even think of resisting, let alone fleeing. ``` Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Blood Spilled Across the Sky Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Blood Spilled Across the Sky Before entering the Nine Curves Road, Gu Peng, even though he had estimated the Evil Buddha''s strength as high as possible, was confident that with his Innate Grandmaster Cultivation Realm, even if he could not defeat the Evil Buddha, he could still retreat at ease. However, only now, did Gu Peng realize how nai?ve he had been. The power of the Evil Buddha, was simply incomparable to an Innate Grandmaster. The Evil Buddha, having transformed again, was so superior that even an Innate Grandmaster before him was no different from an ant. "You move aside!" Gu Qingfeng stepped into the air, his boundless True Qi and blood force erupted like the Divine Brilliance Great Sun illuminating the void, all the cold and strange auras suddenly dispersed. With one punch, he struck. Sun and Moon in the Sky! This was the first move of the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. But as a top-tier Master''s secret technique, combined with Gu Qingfeng''s terrifying strength as an Extreme Dao Master, even just this first move caused a tremendous disturbance. At the center of Gu Qingfeng''s fist, space twisted and vibrated. When the Evil Buddha''s palm descended, the collision of the two powers created rolling waves that swept across the world. "Boom¡ª" Gu Qingfeng, who had been floating in the air, was directly knocked down. In an instant, dust and smoke billowed. This scene, made Gu Peng''s complexion change drastically. "Old manor master..." Before he could finish speaking, he saw the dust settle and Gu Qingfeng standing tall upon the earth, with the land within a thirty feet radius sunk more than a zhang deep, resembling a terrifying pit. "It seems without some tricks, you''re truly not my match!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the Evil Buddha sitting cross-legged in the void, meeting its blood-streaked eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his face. Yet this smile, was particularly ferocious and terrifying. That previous strike, was just Gu Qingfeng testing the Evil Buddha''s strength. The result was clear. The Evil Buddha''s power was more formidable than that of the Transformation Realm and even a Martial Arts Grandmaster, ranking amongst the topmost existences even for Disaster Level Evil Spirits. Even with Gu Qingfeng''s current Extreme Dao Master''s foundation, a normal confrontation would hardly make him a match for the Evil Buddha. However¡ª this only referred to a normal bout. Having witnessed the strength of the Evil Buddha, Gu Qingfeng held nothing back. His two Heavenly Veins were stimulated, the mighty power of heaven and earth converged around his body, and his already blazing blood force, like the Divine Brilliance Great Sun, now shot straight into the sky. The Great Sun hung high. His blood force was like a rainbow! Gu Qingfeng shattered the ground with one step, his entire body shot up from the earth, directly charging at the Evil Buddha. Sun and Moon in the Sky! Mountain and River Silence! Heaven and Earth Return to Ruins! The three techniques of the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture each contained the mighty power of Mountain Shattering and Divide Rivers and Cut Off Flow. Even faced with the formidable power of the Evil Buddha, when confronting the attack from Gu Qingfeng at this level, the Buddha''s bloodied, golden body cracked and he was completely pressed into a disadvantage. "Boom¡ª" Gu Qingfeng threw another punch, unleashing destructive power that obliterated one of the Evil Buddha''s palms. Flesh burst apart. Bones became dust. The excruciating pain on his physical body made the Evil Buddha let out a painful roar. More eerie and chilling forces flooded in like a tide, like countless spirits of the dead who had fallen to him, now clawing their way out from hell. "Blade!" Gu Qingfeng called out, his expression cold. At his command, Gu Peng held the Evil Slayer Blade which responded to some summon, releasing itself from its sheath and turning into a crimson glow that landed in Gu Qingfeng''s hands. The moment he gripped the handle. Gu Qingfeng''s entire aura transformed violently. Heavenly Veins stimulated. Qi and blood surged like a torrent. The true intent of the Domineering Blade, cultivated from slaying numerous powerful beings, instantly peaked. "Slash!" Gu Qingfeng uttered one word, and the Evil Slayer Blade slashed down towards the Evil Buddha. Rumbling¡ª The crimson blade wind tore through space, and wherever its force reached, there emerged web-like patches of utter darkness. All spirits of the dead and eerie chilling forces directly disintegrated in the face of this one slash. "Roar!" With blood tears flowing from his eyes, the Evil Buddha reached out his remaining palm towards the crimson blade wind. The next moment. The palm shattered. The remains of the blade wind''s force continued unabated, cutting through the Evil Buddha''s body, lingering for a hundred miles without fading. ¡ª One moment! Two moments! Three moments! ... The entire Nine Curves Road fell into a few moments of eerie silence, then on the Evil Buddha seated in the void, a sudden crimson slash mark appeared. As time passed. The slash mark widened at a visible rate. In just a short while, the slash had pierced through the Evil Buddha''s entire body. Following that. The Evil Buddha''s body split in two, and blood rained down upon the sky. Chapter 173: Chapter 173: A Drop of Blood Chapter 173: Chapter 173: A Drop of Blood The Evil Buddha was sliced in two with a single stroke. Such a massive body. In an instant, it turned to ash and dispersed. As the Evil Buddha perished, the strange and chilling aura that had hovered at Nine Curves Road seemed like rootless duckweed, gradually dissipating. However, Gu Qingfeng didn''t care about these things. His gaze, from beginning to end, was fixed in the direction where the Evil Buddha had fallen. At the spot where the Evil Buddha once was, a drop of golden, murky blood suddenly appeared. "Blood!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression shifted slightly. One must know that when an Evil Spirit falls, it is like the eerie death of a body: once slain, it only leaves behind black ash. But, this time as the Evil Buddha fell, a drop of blood remained, giving Gu Qingfeng an instinctive feeling that this drop of blood was not simple. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng approached the drop of blood. He saw the golden, murky blood, filled with an odd and evil aura. The moment Gu Qingfeng''s thoughts touched upon the blood, he suddenly felt a terrifying pressure overwhelm him. Above the nine heavens, a Buddha picked flowers. But the body of the Buddha was incomplete, its eyes gouged out, with only tears of blood flowing. When Gu Qingfeng''s gaze met the Buddha''s, a majestic heavenly might swept through heaven and earth, and an indefinable great terror surged in his heart. The next moment, the vision shattered. The so-called Nine Heavens Buddha was nothing more than an illusion, fleeting as a bubble. Only the blood before his eyes emitted strange fluctuations. "So this is the origin of the Evil Buddha!" "One drop of blood created an Evil Spirit of immense power!" Gu Qingfeng''s heart trembled. He had always been curious about how Evil Spirits came to be. Much like the appearance of oddities, which arose from the resentment of living beings unwilling to accept consecutive natural disasters, ultimately transforming into oddities. But as for Evil Spirits, Gu Qingfeng did not have much of a clue. But now, Gu Qingfeng saw this drop of blood, and he understood that the appearance of the Nine Curves Evil Buddha originated from this. However, Therefore. Gu Qingfeng naturally would not leave hidden dangers unaddressed. Even though he had slain the Evil Buddha, he could not deny the Evil Buddha''s might. After devouring the beings of the Nine Curves Road, the Evil Buddha had grown mightier than Gu Yutian and was, perhaps, not far from the rumored Divinity Realm. If the Evil Buddha left Nine Curves Road and continued to devour other beings, completing its final transformation, then even Gu Qingfeng, with his two Heavenly Veins, might not be able to suppress his opponent with his current strength. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng always held the utmost seriousness regarding the Evil Buddha. When Gu Qingfeng stepped out of the ancient city again, Gu Peng had long been waiting outside. "Elder Manor Master!" Gu Peng looked upon the person before him with a face full of reverence and awe. He had witnessed every bit of the battle between Gu Qingfeng and the Evil Buddha. That terrifying and might (earth-shattering, ghost-weeping) force, even a mere leakage of it, was sufficient to suppress him completely. The so-called Innate Grandmaster. In front of such a powerhouse, he was no different from an ant. It wasn''t long since Gu Peng had heard about Gu Qingfeng''s feat in Prefecture, where he had slain the Sect Master of Tianyang Sword Sect, Gu Yutian, with a single strike, but no matter the rumors, witnessing it firsthand left a much greater impact. For Gu Peng. Witnessing this battle in his lifetime was an honor he would treasure forever. "Let''s go, the problem with the Evil Buddha has been resolved, but this place where the Evil Buddha long occupied, the remaining Evil Spirit power will take some time to completely disperse," Gu Qingfeng softly declared. The Evil Buddha was slain. The leftover Evil Spirit power here was like rootless duckweed, its dissipation was just a matter of time. Of course. If Gu Qingfeng wished, he could also use his own power to disperse this Evil Spirit power prematurely. But there was no need. It was bound to dissipate sooner or later. A bit sooner or later was of no consequence. Once the aura of the Evil Buddha here completely vanished, relocating some of the common folk to this area would allow the Nine Curves Road to regain its former prosperity. But such matters were not for Gu Qingfeng to handle. Reestablishing the order of Nine Curves Road was something for Gu Yang to do; Gu Qingfeng only needed to eradicate the Evil Spirit from this place. ... Half a day later. When the commotion of Nine Curves Road faded, some folks couldn''t help but enter the area. Before long. The news of the Evil Buddha''s fall spread like a hurricane. Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Suppressing the Twelve Prefectures of Taishan County Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Suppressing the Twelve Prefectures of Taishan County "Evil Buddha has fallen!" In Liuyun Prefecture, Gu Yang had just led a large army to suppress the area when he received the news from Guangyang Prefecture. On this, Gu Yang''s face was filled with great joy. The existence of Evil Buddha was like a thorn in his throat, always a threat. Unfortunately, since Evil Buddha was powerful, Gu Yang found himself unable to resolve it. Now that Gu Qingfeng had made a move and killed Evil Buddha, it was tantamount to solving a big problem. Afterward, Gu Yang looked at the person in front of him and said with a slight smile, "I heard that when Evil Buddha from the Nine Curves Road was born, the Evil Suppression Bureau from the Great Xuan Dynasty also dispatched strong figures to suppress him. Unfortunately, in that battle, the Evil Suppression Bureau was disastrously defeated, and almost all the strong figures who entered the Nine Curves Road were wiped out; I wonder if it''s true?" In front of him, sat none other than the current Taishan County Prefectural Governor Taishi Yi. Upon hearing this, the latter revealed a humble expression and said, "Domineering Blade, being a master in Martial Arts, naturally cannot be matched by the mere Evil Suppression Bureau. With Domineering Blade supporting His Majesty, he will surely be able to dominate the world one day!" Hearing these words, Gu Yang''s expression did not change, but he looked deeply at Taishi Yi. After a long while, he slowly said, "Prefectural Governor''s sincerity, I have indeed noticed it. It truly comforts my heart to see you abandoning the dark and coming to light." "From today onwards, you shall be the Prefecture Governor of Qingjiang Prefecture, replacing me in managing all the affairs of Qingjiang Prefecture." "But remember, I detest chaos caused by evil spirits and dislike the harm caused by evil people. Do not disappoint me, Governor Taishi!" With these words, Taishi Yi''s heart instantly relaxed, and his face lit up with great joy. "Your subordinate thanks Your Majesty!" Prefecture Governor of Qingjiang Prefecture! Although it seemed less prestigious than his previous position as Prefectural Governor of Taishan County, it must be understood that, Gu Yang himself was just in charge of one county, Taishan County. If he himself were to remain as the Prefectural Governor of Taishan, then where would that leave the Prince of Guangyang? Thus, the position of Prefectural Governor was definitely out of the question. However, of the twelve prefectures in Taishan County, Qingjiang Prefecture was the most prosperous. In Taishi Yi''s view, getting the position of Prefecture Governor of Qingjiang was indeed a sign of favor from the other party. Prior to his defection, Taishi Yi had prepared himself for the worst-case scenario, where Gu Yang would strip him of all his powers and relegate him to a minor position to live out his remaining days. Even worse, it was questionable whether he could live to return at all. Gu Yang approached the sand table at the center of the hall. On it, Taishan County''s Twelve Prefectures had all been marked with his own flag. During this period, Gu Yang had led his army in campaigns throughout the area, and nine out of the twelve prefectures of Taishan County had fallen under his control. Now, with Taishi Yi coming to pledge allegiance under the title of Prefectural Governor, the remaining three prefectures also fell into his hands. Thus, Taishan County''s Twelve Prefectures now belonged to Gu Yang. Looking at the sand table before him, Gu Yang felt a bit dazed. There was a time, when he had spent much time and resources barely managing to cultivate a hundred thousand soldiers, lying in wait at White Stone Dao for the right moment. But with the Divine Martial Army approaching White Stone Dao, everything had drastically changed. First, Gu Yang led a hundred thousand soldiers, defeated the Divine Martial Army led by Pei Jing, and then he suppressed the entire Guangyang Prefecture with the force of thunder and declared himself king. After that, it took only a few months to completely suppress the Twelve Prefectures of Taishan County. Looking back now, Gu Yang realized that he had unconsciously come to control an entire prefecture, commanding an army of millions and having numerous formidable warriors under his command. Even the revered martial artists, who once looked down upon others, numbered in the dozens in Gu Yang''s hands. Regarding this transformation, Gu Yang was very clear. It wasn''t because of his own tremendous strength or myriad of strategies, but because he had the support of a figure revered as the current saint of martial arts behind him. "This world, ultimately respects the powerful!" Gu Yang silently mused. A supreme powerhouse could indeed change the entire world''s landscape. Looking back now, Gu Yang recognized that he had been somewhat negligent in his own cultivation. Sitting on a vast territory with abundant resources for cultivation and his own talent being decent, he had barely managed to reach the mid-level of Bone Refining. If it had been before, mid-level Bone Refining would not be considered weak. But looking at the broader Nine States, such a level of cultivation prowess was somewhat lacking. In response, Gu Yang made a decision. Now that he controlled the entirety of Taishan County, the next step would be to recuperate for a period while also enhancing his own cultivation. Not to say reaching a very high level, but at least it had to be respectable. Chapter 175: Chapter 175 Martial Arts Qi and Blood Chapter 175: Chapter 175 Martial Arts Qi and Blood "Your offspring, ''Gu Yang'', now controls the Twelve Prefectures, leading an army of over a million, and his power has greatly increased!" "Your offspring, ''Gu Yang'', has been recuperating and diligently studying Martial Arts, and his cultivation has improved!" "Your offspring, ''Gu Xuan'', has received guidance from a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist, and his cultivation has improved!" "Your offspring, ''Gu Xiu'', has received guidance from a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist, and his cultivation has improved!" "Your offspring, ''Gu Shengnan'', has undergone the Yijing Fasui with a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist, and her talents have improved!" "Your offspring, ''Gu Shengnan'', has been long immersed in Innate True Qi to refine her body, making her vitality brimful. She has passively stepped into Martial Arts and broken through to the Initial Stage of Refining Skin!" "Reward points *1!" ... Currently in seclusion at the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng''s face changed slightly as he read the contents on the information panel. Immediately, he left the Grinding Blade Hall and headed to the inner courtyard. Upon arriving, he saw Gu Shengnan being cradled by Xu Yulan, with Zhong Li beside them showing a mix of surprise and concern on his face. On seeing Gu Qingfeng arrive, both of them were visibly startled. "Husband (Father)!" "Hmm." Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, his gaze fixed on Gu Shengnan throughout. A two-year-old infant, with a chubby face that made one itch to pinch it. However, Gu Qingfeng''s concerns weren''t about that but rather about the unusual strength and vitality in the infant''s body that should not belong to a normal baby. Stepping into Martial Arts! This was unexpected for Gu Qingfeng. After all, normal children would start practicing Martial Arts at least around the age of six or seven, when their genetic foundation was slightly more stable, and they could begin cultivating. If they started too young, practicing Martial Arts recklessly could easily lead to problems. After all, an infant is weak. How could they withstand the power of Martial Arts vitality? Thus, upon seeing Gu Shengnan, Gu Qingfeng immediately took her small hand, using a faint True Qi to probe her condition. After a long moment, Gu Qingfeng''s face relaxed a bit. On the other side, Hong Ye and the other two responded, their expressions calm. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng said nothing more. Knowing well that Innate True Qi could alter the genetic qualities of a child and also allow them to start their journey in Martial Arts early to lay a solid foundation for the future, Gu Qingfeng naturally wouldn''t waste this opportunity. But Xu Yulan alone had limited power. After all, she was not only cleansing the genetic qualities of Gu Shengnan but also occasionally conditioning Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu. Even the robust True Qi of an Innate Grandmaster couldn''t withstand such consumption. Conveniently, all of Hong Ye''s group were Innate Grandmasters, so Gu Qingfeng wouldn''t waste them. Previously, the affiliations of a few Innate Grandmasters were crucial, and Gu Qingfeng would not readily expose them. But now, the news of a few more Innate Grandmasters joining the Gu Family Manor wouldn''t really disturb the waters. Or more to say, at the current level Gu Qingfeng had reached, many things were not worth his excessive concern. Even if others were aware of the secrets of Gu Family Manor, they wouldn''t dare to act on any thoughts. In the end, this world ultimately spoke with strength. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also wanted to see just what astounding performance Gu Shengnan would have if she were tempered with Innate True Qi since childhood when she formally began Martial Arts training. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng returned to Grinding Blade Hall. He spent most of his time comprehending and deducing the Longevity Skills, intending to create the Bone Refining Chapter. If not for Gu Shengnan''s matter, Gu Qingfeng wouldn''t have left seclusion. As the only progeny of the third generation of the Gu Family, Gu Qingfeng naturally took this to heart. "However, the Gu Family''s bloodline is indeed a bit sparse, when there''s time, I should have Yang''er produce more descendants for the Gu Family!" Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. The difficulty of leaving descendants at his level of cultivation was no less challenging than ascending to the heavens. Thus, for what he could not accomplish, Gu Qingfeng naturally placed his hopes on Gu Yang and the others. With Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu being too young, only Gu Yang was most suitable. Should the third generation of the Gu Family increase in number, strengthening one''s own power would be a matter of moments. Following this, Gu Qingfeng glanced at the information panel once more. Since Gu Yang unified the entire Taishan County, the frequency of updates on the information panel had decreased quite a bit. Gu Qingfeng had initially thought that Gu Yang''s occupancy of the entire Taishan County might achieve some accomplishments, yet the information panel showed little activity, which made his expectations fall through. Chapter 176: Chapter 176 Court Envoy Chapter 176: Chapter 176 Court Envoy In the aspect of achievements, Gu Qingfeng had also gained some new insights. Every achievement was triggered by a transformation in some aspect of his offspring. For example, when Gu Yang previously took control of Guangyang Prefecture and declared himself king, his identity underwent a transformation into a One Side Lord, which then enabled an achievement to be triggered. Nowadays, Gu Yang''s territory had expanded from One Prefecture to one county, yet his status as a Lord remained unchanged, and thus naturally, no achievement could be triggered. After glancing at the information panel, Gu Qingfeng continued to comprehend the Longevity Skills. In the current times, Gu Yang was continuously sending the Martial Arts of many clans into the Gu Family Manor. The entire Taishan County was under his control, with the so-called noble families and clans having no choice but to obey him. Gathering the Martial Arts of the world. That was Gu Qingfeng''s requirement. And Gu Yang certainly would not refuse. Under the commands of the Guangyang Prince, other clans, even if they were dissatisfied, did not dare to show it openly. It was simple. All those who refused to obey had already been directly annihilated. Brandishing the slaughtering blade, to extinguish all voices of dissent. Such ruthless methods, while cruel, were extraordinarily effective, silencing all opposition and leaving only submissive voices. Therefore, now inside the Grinding Blade Hall, there was an accumulation of various Martial Arts. From the supreme teachings of Masters to the superior Martial Arts, all were prominently recorded. As for the inferior and medium grade Martial Arts, Gu Qingfeng did not bother to examine or comprehend them, much less bring them into the Grinding Blade Hall. After all, Gu Qingfeng had already achieved Perfect Body Refining and stepped into the realm of an Extreme Dao Master. In his eyes, the numerous lower-level Martial Arts were no different from waste paper. Had he not needed to create the Longevity Skills, Gu Qingfeng would have hardly concerned himself even with the superior Martial Arts. With his current methods, creating Martial Arts was a matter of ease. While comprehending and deducing the Longevity Skills, Gu Qingfeng also occasionally scrutinized the drop of blood he had obtained from the Nine Curves Road. This blood contained all kinds of profound and mysterious power, which, despite being evil and strange, and could lead one to degeneration or even transform into a new Evil Spirit if rashly merged, undeniably held great opportunity within it. Gu Yang smiled confidently, evidently not too worried. Simply put, he had that confidence. As Gu Yang mentioned, this place was Taishan County, also belonging to Guangyang Prefecture. The court''s reach wasn''t qualified to extend here. However, With the sudden visitation from the court, Gu Yang was somewhat perplexed. ¡ª¡ª Front Hall. Gu Yang arrived in a white robe, his appearance handsome and his brows exuding a domineering presence uncommon among ordinary people. The person originally sitting in the hall brightened up at Gu Yang''s arrival and immediately stood up to bow respectfully. "Mr. Zhao Hai greets the Guangyang Prince!" The other party''s voice was slightly feminine and sharp, accompanied by a clean-shaven, pale face, clearly revealing his identity. Gu Yang took a seat in the main chair, while Sect Master Gu also sat to one side. Upon seeing Sect Master Gu appear, Zhao Hai''s pupils contracted imperceptibly, but he quickly returned to normal. Gu Yang looked at him and calmly said, "I hear you''re from the central state; is that true or false?" "Correct, I have indeed come from the central state. This trip is by order of His Majesty, to see the Guangyang Prince!" "The Guangyang Prince?" Gu Yang suddenly smiled, picking up a teacup to take a sip before speaking at a leisurely pace. "If I declare myself prince, in the eyes of the court I should be considered a rebel. Mr. Zhao, you call me the Guangyang Prince; aren''t you afraid that this could spread and enrage the one in the central state to blame?" Upon hearing this, Zhao Hai''s expression remained the same, and he replied with a slight smile, "The Guangyang Prince jests. Insurgent Pei Jing brought chaos to Qingyun State, causing suffering for all. The Guangyang Prince stepping forward to avert disaster has won appreciation from His Majesty. How could you be seen as a rebel?" "Furthermore, declaring oneself a prince is a trivial matter. I am here carrying the sacred edict from His Majesty. Please... please, Guangyang Prince, have a look!" Toward the end, Zhao Hai took out the edict from within his robes, intending to present it to Gu Yang, yet at the last moment, he phrased it differently. "The sacred edict?" Gu Yang appeared somewhat surprised. He then gestured with his eyes, and a guard immediately took the edict from Zhao Hai''s hand and handed it to Gu Yang. The latter unfolded the edict to read, and his previously calm expression subtly changed. At this moment, Zhao Hai said, "His Majesty acknowledges your contributions, thus conferring upon you the title of Guangyang Prince, with all of Taishan County as your fiefdom." "Furthermore, there is another edict meant for the famed Domineering Blade, Mr. Gu Qingfeng. His Majesty wishes to bestow upon Mr. Gu the title of State Preceptor of the Taixuan Dynasty, granting the honorific title of Martial Saint. Please, Guangyang Prince, pass it on to Mr. Gu!" Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Gaining Something for Nothing Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Gaining Something for Nothing Ennobling the Guangyang Prince! Bestowing the honorable position of State Preceptor! As these words were spoken. There was not much change in Gu Yang''s expression, but Gu Yun, sitting to the side, had a dramatic change in his complexion. Since ancient times. Rebellion has always been a serious crime. At the very least, it meant the extermination of one''s entire clan. But now. Gu Yang had rebelled, yet the court not only refrained from anger, but directly conferred the title of Guangyang Prince, acknowledging his status, which naturally shocked Gu Yun. However. After the initial shock. Gu Yun quickly realized why the court would act in such a way. Meanwhile. Gu Yang too accepted another imperial decree with a much softened expression as he looked toward Zhao Hai. "I thank His Majesty for the ennoblement, I shall accept this decree on behalf of my father!" Seeing Gu Yang accept the ennoblement, a smile also appeared on Zhao Hai''s face. "It pleases us that the Guangyang Prince understands His Majesty''s painstaking effort. Additionally, I have come here with another mandate from His Majesty, which is to request the State Preceptor to visit Zhongzhou!" "My father is in seclusion at the moment, and when he will emerge is beyond my knowledge. However, Mr. Zhao''s words will surely be conveyed to him once he exits seclusion. Moreover, since Mr. Zhao has traveled from afar and must be weary from his journey, why not rest at the Prince Mansion for some time before returning to Zhongzhou with the response!" Gu Yang did not directly agree to Zhao Hai''s proposal, but instead casually arranged for someone to take Zhao Hai down to rest. The latter opened his mouth to say something, but was unable to speak. After Zhao Hai had left, Gu Yang looked at the two imperial decrees in his hand and casually tossed them aside. This action. If seen by outsiders, would be considered greatly disrespectful. However, whether it was Gu Yang or Gu Yun, both appeared indifferent, as if the so-called imperial decrees were nothing more than two pieces of waste paper. "The court''s decision to send someone to bestow the title at this time definitely has a deeper purpose. Your Highness should be more cautious," Gu Yun said. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang remained calm, "I was previously uncertain about the extent of the turmoil in Zhongzhou, but now it seems the fall of the Taixuan Dynasty is but a moment away." "Now that they have sent someone to bestow the title, thinking a mere nominal position would suffice to have me serve them, is rather naive!" By the end of his statement. Gu Yang''s expression had become one of contempt. What the individual in Zhongzhou was planning, how could he not see through it? Despite his young age, Gu Yang''s experiences were incomparable to others. "A Martial Arts Grandmaster is a rarity in this world, could the Taixuan Dynasty truly possess one?" Gu Yang found it hard to believe. Gu Yun shook his head, "It''s true that Martial Arts Grandmasters are rare, but after all, the Taixuan Dynasty has ruled over the world for three thousand years, and the Nine States'' resources have been under the control of the royal family. It''s not surprising if they have been secretly cultivating such a level of power." "Even though the current Ji royal family is but a branch of the Immortal Family, Ji Family, human hearts are ever-changing." "After three thousand years of evolution, the royal family is unlikely to accept their fate as is. Now that heroes gather in the central state, the Ji Family can only watch from the sidelines. Now that they''ve sent a True Intent Master with the imperial decree, their intention is quite clear." Hearing this, Gu Yang also understood that the other party wasn''t wrong. However. He had not been involved in the situation in the central state, so even if the royal family had any plans, it didn''t affect him. Qingyun State consisted of four counties. And now, only one county had fallen into his hands. To get involved in the central state affairs, he would at least need to control an entire state''s territory. But. Gu Yang was aware of his own shallow foundations; from the uprising to now, taking over the entire Taishan County happened too quickly, without much accumulation of depth. The most important thing now was to settle down, consolidate his own forces, and then contemplate further plans. Otherwise. If he overreached, it might only lead to trouble. Thus, the matters of the central state were naturally not something Gu Yang could interfere with at present. On the contrary. The murkier the waters in the central state, the greater the benefit for him. As all focus was on the central state, Gu Yang believed he could peacefully intensify his strength in Qingyun State, waiting for the opportune moment to make a move that would decide the fate of the heavens and the earth. In the following days. Gu Yang ensured that Zhao Hai was well-fed and well-cared for, but whenever Zhao Hai wished to meet with Gu Qingfeng, he was directly rebuffed with the excuse that Gu Qingfeng was in closed-door cultivation. As for this. Zhao Hai was aware of some of Gu Yang''s thoughts, and despite his dissatisfaction, he was helpless to do anything about it. What could he do? With Gu Yun, the Sect Master of the Divine Martial Sect, presiding over the Prince Mansion, Zhao Hai was well aware that even being a True Intent Master, he wasn''t qualified to cause a scene here. Not to mention. Behind Gu Yang stood a Martial Arts Saint. Several days later, Zhao Hai could only leave with a feeling of frustration. ``` Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Mid-level Extreme Dao Master Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Mid-level Extreme Dao Master Inside Grinding Blade Hall. Deadly silent. Various Martial Arts texts were scattered all around. After a while. A smile appeared on Gu Qingfeng''s face as he looked at his attribute panel, which had undergone some changes. ... Longevity Skills (Perfection, Level 3 Longevity)! ... "Bone Refining Chapter is complete!" Gu Qingfeng''s heart didn''t fluctuate much¡ªit seemed as though creating the Bone Refining Chapter was a matter of course for him. And indeed it was. This time, Gu Yang had ordered people to bring a large number of Martial Arts texts, and combining them with previous personal cultivation, the difficulty of creating Gu Qingfeng''s Bone Refining Chapter was actually much lower than before. Now. With the completion of the Bone Refining Chapter. The Longevity Skills could be considered half-completed. With Gu Qingfeng''s current provisional idea, the Longevity Skills involved only the five realms of Body Refinement. Starting from Refining Skin and ending with Refining Organ. Now that the Bone Refining Chapter was completed, only the Marrow Cleansing Chapter and the Refining Organ Chapter remained. Then. Gu Qingfeng habitually glanced at the information panel. ... "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has been officially recognized by the court!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has perfectly completed Refining Skin, and his strength has increased!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' received guidance from Divine Martial Sect Master Gu Yun, and his cultivation has improved!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has unexpectedly received a Grandmaster''s legacy!" "Your descendant ''Gu Xuan'' has made some progress in cultivating Longevity Skills, and his strength has increased!" "Your descendant ''Gu Xiu'' has made some progress in cultivating Longevity Skills, and his strength has increased!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has taken Divine Martial Sect''s secret medicine, and his cultivation has significantly increased!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' has broken through to the late stage of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Reward points *100!" "Bone Refining Pills *100!" "Marrow Cleansing Pills *100!" "Refining Organ Pills *10!" ... When seeing that Gu Yang had successfully perfected Refining Skin, Gu Qingfeng also revealed a smile. Perfect Refining Skin. It could add one hundred years to one''s life. Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 43/3000 Realm: Extreme Dao Master Mid-level Martial Arts: Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Seven Killings Blade Skills (Slaughter True Intent Level 3), Heavenly Gang Divine Body (Undying Divine Body Level 1), Five Internal Organs Scripture (Fifth Layer, Organs Like God Level 5), Mixed Yuan Treasure Manual (Fifth Layer, Refining Organ Ironlike Level 5), Domineering Blade Slash (Perfection, Domineering Blade True Intent Level 9), Red Flame Divine Skill (Ninth Layer Perfection, Red Flame Palm Level 8), Prajnaparamita True Scripture (Thirteenth Layer Perfection, Prajnaparamita True Body Level 12), Sun and Moon Fist Scripture (Perfection, Sun and Moon Fist Intent Level 9), Wind and Thunder Blade Skill (Perfection, Wind and Thunder Blade Intent Level 3), Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Second Layer), Longevity Skills (Perfection, Longevity Level 3) Upgrade Points: 54 ... This year, Gu Qingfeng turned forty-three. He stepped into the Extreme Dao Master Mid-level in his Martial Arts realm. Mastering a Grandmaster Martial Art to Perfection had greatly enhanced Gu Qingfeng''s strength, allowing his existing realm to advance one more step. Compared to the initial stage of Extreme Dao Master, after the breakthrough to the mid-level, Gu Qingfeng could feel that the power of his blood qi was much stronger than before. At this time, The role of True Qi had considerably diminished. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng was clear about the reason. Martial Artists emphasize tempering their physical bodies, using nurturing blood qi as the main focus, while the emergence of True Qi was somewhat of a divergent path. After all, for Martial Artists, nurturing blood qi is not easy, so once reaching Perfection in Refining Organ, the number of strong individuals who could break through and achieve blood qi mastery are few and far between. Some Martial Artists, unable to break through to blood qi mastery, turned to cultivating True Qi as an alternative method to attain Grandmaster status, becoming Innate Grandmasters. However, Blood qi is still the foundation for a Martial Artist. This is why a blood qi Grandmaster is more powerful than an Innate Grandmaster. And as for Extreme Dao Masters, this is yet another transformation of a blood qi Grandmaster. It could be said, The blood qi of an Extreme Dao Master is unimaginably stronger than that of a so-called blood qi Grandmaster. "With my current cultivation at the Extreme Dao Master Mid-level, even without the power of the two Heavenly Veins, I am more than capable of suppressing Gu Yutian!" "Should I invoke the Heavenly Vein, just the power of one vein would be enough to immediately annihilate him!" A hint of sharpness flashed in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes. Unfortunately, This level of cultivation, When compared to the existence that left behind the blood, was still far from enough. But these problems were not significant. Cultivation was gradually accumulated, step by step. In the future, Gu Qingfeng undoubtedly had the confidence to confront the Nine Heavens Buddha. Before then, Gu Qingfeng would try to raise his cultivation realm as much as possible. Every breakthrough in the realm of Extreme Dao Master required considerable accumulation. Now that the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture was perfected, advancing further required too many points, so to take another step forward, it was necessary to start from different aspects. With this thought, Gu Qingfeng then set his sights on the master-level secret techniques of various sects. Chapter 179: Chapter 179 Pure Yang Body Chapter 179: Chapter 179 Pure Yang Body The Bone Refining Chapter of Longevity Skills was completed. Many top Martial Arts vanished from the attribute panel. The reason was that the Bone Refining Chapter evolved from these Martial Arts, and now that the chapter had been created, it naturally encompassed all of them. Thus, Gu Qingfeng''s attribute panel appeared much simpler. Now, there were numerous Master Martial Arts. After looking through them, Gu Qingfeng finally found a Master Martial Art that refined the physical body. Pure Yang True Body! This was a master-level secret technique of the Tianyang Sword Sect. Once mastered to Great Success, it would enhance the practitioner''s bodily vitality to an extremity of pure Yang. Though the Green Sun Skills of the Green Sun Sect could also cultivate Pure Yang Qi Blood, the difference between these two was incomparably vast, by hundreds or thousands of times. "Pure Yang bodily vitality is most effective against Evil Spirits. It is evident that the ancestors of the Tianyang Sword Sect who created this technique also intended to suppress Evil Spirits!" "Unfortunately, the later generations'' thoughts have somewhat changed!" Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. Those who slay dragons ultimately become dragons. From the existence of Pure Yang True Body alone, it was clear that initially, the Tianyang Sword Sect indeed intended to suppress Evil Spirits. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have created such a profound technique. According to the description of Pure Yang True Body, only those with a Child Body were most suitable for cultivating this secret technique. If one who is not of a Child Body practiced it, the effort would be doubled, and achieving Great Success would be difficult. Speaking of which. Gu Qingfeng was certainly no longer of a Child Body. However, having the attribute panel at his disposal, Gu Qingfeng was fearless. After reviewing all the cultivation methods and detailed introductions of Pure Yang True Body, Gu Qingfeng finally understood this secret technique thoroughly. "It seems that Pure Yang True Body needs more than just a Child Body. Its cultivation requirements are also extremely demanding. Only those with a foundation of Refining Organ Perfection can cultivate this Pure Yang True Body." Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself. Pure Yang True Body differed from other Martial Arts. It was genuinely a Master Martial Art. Like other cultivating Martial Arts, they generally started from Refining Skin, and gradually advanced to the maximum limit of the Martial Arts. However, Pure Yang True Body was not so. This Martial Art initially started from the master level, aiming for the ultimate limit of a master. Martial Artists with Refining Organ Perfection could enter the Initial Stage of Qi Blood Mastery upon beginning the cultivation of Pure Yang True Body, and upon achieving Perfection, they could reach the pinnacle of Qi Blood Mastery. Although it was a master-level secret technique, Martial Arts involving Qi Blood Mastery were undeniably more precious. He would not place all his hopes on the attribute panel, if there were Upgrade Points at hand, he would naturally use them to make a direct breakthrough. Without Upgrade Points, however, Gu Qingfeng would have to rely on his own research and cultivation. It was only when he truly started cultivating the Pure Yang True Body did he realize the difficulty of this Martial Art was indeed substantial. It might have been because Gu Qingfeng was not a Child Body, or possibly due to issues with his aptitude. But, as it stood, Gu Qingfeng was stuck in the Beginner stage of the Pure Yang True Body and was unable to progress beyond, let alone achieve Small Success. ... The next day. Gu Yi arrived. "Your subordinate pays his respects to Your Excellency!" "What is it?" In the grand hall, it was rare for Gu Qingfeng to step out of the Grinding Blade Hall and sit in the main seat. He gazed at the person before him and asked indifferently. The latter, hearing this, respectfully took out two imperial decrees and bowed to hand them to Gu Qingfeng. "These are the imperial decrees from the Taixuan Dynasty, the king has sent your subordinate to present them to Your Excellency for review!" "Imperial decrees..." Gu Qingfeng looked at the two decrees without much change in his expression, as he had long been aware of the court''s ennoblement matters. However, An ennoblement should warrant a single decree, but now the two decrees somewhat surprised Gu Qingfeng. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng took the decrees and examined them; shortly thereafter, he couldn''t help but chuckle. "Other than bringing the two decrees, did the Taixuan Dynasty''s people bring anything else?" "Nothing else." "The Taixuan Dynasty thinks they can tempt me to serve them with merely two decrees, a bit naive!" Gu Qingfeng muttered, nodding slightly, then with a surge of power in his palm, he completely shattered the decrees. The so-called positions of State Preceptor and Martial Saint were of no concern to him. Two decrees. Not a bit of benefit. Such delusions of getting him to serve the court were somewhat laughable to Gu Qingfeng. Of course, Even if the Taixuan Dynasty had offered some tangible benefits, Gu Qingfeng wouldn''t have been tempted. But what he thought was one thing, and what the Taixuan Dynasty did was another. The current actions of the court were nothing but contemptible to Gu Qingfeng. Chapter 180: Chapter 180 Half a Year Chapter 180: Chapter 180 Half a Year "The court wanted His Honor to make a trip to Central State, but His Majesty dismissed the idea using His Honor''s seclusion as an excuse," said Gu Yi. Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained calm, "The Taixuan Dynasty is setting like the sun in the west, those Immortal Sects and noble families will not let them truly continue on. Now, whoever aids the Taixuan Dynasty''s revival becomes the enemy of the Immortal Sects and noble families of the world. Given the circumstances, why should the Gu Family Manor get involved at all?" Although Gu Qingfeng did not fear the Immortal Sects and noble families, the words he had released in Guangyang Prefecture City had completely offended all the magicians across the land. But despite the offense, there was no need to get involved in the affairs of Central State now. Gu Qingfeng did not like the noble clans or sects, nor did he like the Taixuan Dynasty. If they wished to fight, he would let them. As for whether the Taixuan Dynasty would be furious over this, it seemed insignificant to Gu Qingfeng. After all, if the other party was already struggling to take care of themselves in Central State, how could they have the capacity to reach out to Guangyang Prefecture? Even if they did, should anyone dare to extend their reach to Guangyang Prefecture now, Gu Qingfeng would personally sever it. --- "Your Majesty, the Jinyi Guard has reported that Mr. Zhao was ambushed on his way back to Central State, and his whereabouts are currently unknown!" said the commander of the Jinyi Guard in a grave voice inside the Central State Imperial Study Room. The statement sent Ji Chunqiu into a fury. "Daring to ambush a court official, they really must be tired of living!" Zhao Hai had been ambushed. This truly made Ji Chunqiu angry. After all, he had spent many years cultivating Zhao Hai by his side, investing significantly to raise him to the realm of a True Intent Master. But now, Zhao Hai had been ambushed, and from any perspective, it was a direct affront to the royal family''s dignity. The so-called ''whereabouts unknown'' was a situation Ji Chunqiu understood all too well. Then, Ji Chunqiu suppressed his anger and looked towards the commander of the Jinyi Guard, asking, "Has there been any activity in Qingyun State?" "No movements," replied the commander, shaking his head. Upon hearing this, Ji Chunqiu''s eyes grew colder. "Hmph, a tiger fallen flat on the plains, they truly believe the Taixuan Dynasty is at its end!" By bestowing the rebellious title of Guangyang Prince and granting the esteemed position of State Preceptor and Martial Saint, Ji Chunqiu believed he had shown significant respect to the other party. But now it seemed the Guangyang Prince had not given him any face at all. This incident, Ji Chunqiu would remember. Since Qingyun State wished to sit on the hill and watch the tigers fight, then once he had resolved Central State''s troubles, he would take his time to settle the score. "Martial Saints of Martial Arts!" Gu Shengnan, having her physique nurtured by an Innate Grandmaster, had also made an involuntary breakthrough to the mid-level of Refining Skin. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng suspected. Perhaps when Gu Shengnan truly engaged with Martial Arts, she could step into the Blood Refining Realm. The breakthroughs of the younger generation brought Gu Qingfeng forty-two upgrade points. However, the only regret was, that over this half-year, Gu Yang''s cultivation remained at the late stage of Bone Refining, without further progress. But for such a situation, Gu Qingfeng was also resigned in his heart. It was not easy to break through the Bone Refining Realm. Strictly speaking, Gu Yang had only just broken through to the mid-level of Bone Refining a bit more than half a year ago; wanting to make another breakthrough within half a year was, of course, impossible. Even with the Divine Martial Sect''s secret elixirs that could facilitate breakthroughs, it was the same. Any secret elixir had its limitations; it was not possible to use them endlessly, for that would only damage one''s foundational strength. Elixirs rewarded by the information panel, on the other hand, did not have this concern. For this reason, Gu Qingfeng also had many elixirs that he could not use himself, such as Blood Refining Pills and Bone Refining Pills, delivered to Gu Yang and the others for their cultivation. ... "It''s almost time!" Inside the Prince Mansion, Gu Yang''s eyes were coldly determined, facing him were the many generals of what was now the Guangyang Army. Since he had proclaimed himself as a king, and the court had subsequently granted him official recognition, the title "Guangyang Prince" was legitimate and justified. Therefore, The Gu Family Army had naturally been renamed the Guangyang Army. After half a year of recuperation, supported by the land of Taishan County as a base, Gu Yang now commanded a grand army of one hundred and thirty thousand troops. Moreover, these one hundred and thirty thousand troops were not just recruits for show; half of them could be considered veterans, and although the remaining half were new troops, they had gone through rigorous training, with battle prowess far from weak. "Intelligence from the Hidden Guard reports that the rebel kings have now formed an alliance, combining forces to besiege the court. The Taixuan Dynasty is on the verge of falling apart." "And since the death of Pei Jing, Qingyun State''s various counties have been in disarray, unlikely to see the rise of a power capable of unity." "This," "is the opportunity for our Guangyang Army!" Gu Yang, looking at the people below, spoke in a calm tone, but it carried an unquestionable dominance. Having said this, Gu Yang approached the sand table, directly placing the flag of the Guangyang Army on a county, speaking in a deep voice. "Nanyang County!" "This will be the next target for our Guangyang Army!" Chapter 181: Chapter 181: If Theres Trouble, Look for Father! Chapter 181: Chapter 181: If There''s Trouble, Look for Father! Troops dispatched to Nanyang County! This had long been an idea of Gu Yang. After all, Gu Yutian had fallen in Guangyang Prefecture, yet the Tianyang Sword Sect had not been destroyed, Gu Yang always felt like he had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The Tianyang Sword Sect was not destroyed. He could not find peace in his heart. Now, troops were being dispatched to Nanyang County. Gu Yang''s goal was simple, to use this opportunity to completely annihilate the Tianyang Sword Sect, ensuring this Immortal Sect was dispersed like smoke and clouds. Others, upon hearing this, had no objections at all. With the fall of Gu Yutian, the oppressive might of the Immortal Sect seemed insignificant in their eyes. Moreover, to annihilate an Immortal Sect, such a feat would be worth boasting about for a lifetime. Thus, when they heard Gu Yang''s words, everyone agreed in their hearts. Only Gu Yun spoke solemnly, "There is no problem with Your Majesty dispatching troops to Nanyang County, but the Tianyang Sword Sect, as an Immortal Sect, has extraordinary depth, this dispatch to Nanyang County, the Tianyang Sword Sect will not sit idly by." "When Gu Yutian was alive, the Tianyang Sword Sect barely made any waves, now that Gu Yutian is dead, what does this king have to fear from them!" Gu Yang scoffed. Then, He looked at Gu Yun and said, "Divine Martial Sect is known as the foremost sect in the world, I believe its depth is not shallow, dealing with a crippled Tianyang Sword Sect shouldn''t pose any problem, right?" If it came to declaring war on the Tianyang Sword Sect, then the Divine Martial Sect would be the key main force. Gu Yun smiled confidently, "Your Majesty can rest assured, when Gu Yutian was alive, my Divine Martial Sect indeed could not do anything against the Tianyang Sword Sect. But now that Gu Yutian is dead, as long as the Tianyang Sword Sect doesn''t bring forth another Transformation Realm expert, my Divine Martial Sect should be sufficient to suppress them. The earlier reminder was just to caution Your Majesty to be mindful in case the desperate Tianyang Sword Sect makes a detrimental move against you." "I will be careful about this matter myself." Gu Yang''s expression became slightly more serious, though he was not too worried about this issue. It was simple. Not to mention the several Grandmasters from the Divine Martial Sect, among them were True Intent Masters. Even just the power of the Hidden Guard, in Gu Yang''s view, was enough. After all, the Hidden Guard consisted of eleven Innate Grandmasters, all of whom were at the level of Perfect Innate Grandmasters; their strength was formidable. As long as no one from the Transformation Realm took action, the Hidden Guard''s strength was more than enough to hold them off. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng was now doing everything possible to enhance the strength of the Hidden Guards. With Longevity Skills as the technique for Perfect Body Refining and as the foundational skill for the Hidden Guards, it couldn''t be more fitting. The Hidden Guards who trained in such techniques were unrivaled among their peers and could even easily fight across levels. Then, Gu Qingfeng also passed on four Grandmaster''s Ultimate Skills to the Hidden Guards: the Prajnaparamita Sutra, Pure Yang Scripture, Domineering Blade, and Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. Adding to that, the original Seven Killings Blade Skills and Red Flame Divine Skill. The standard cultivation for the Hidden Guards then consisted of these seven ultimate skills. Below the rank of Grandmaster, They trained in Longevity Skills and Red Flame Divine Skill. Those who reached Refining Organ Perfection and had broken through to Grandmaster were taught the Prajnaparamita Sutra and Pure Yang True Body. Particularly the latter, which allowed practitioners to cultivate to the level of a blood and qi Grandmaster. Also included were the Seven Killings Blade Skills, Domineering Blade, and Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. Without exaggeration, The Hidden Guards'' Martial Arts capabilities were now armed to the teeth. Ordinary Martial Arts were one thing, but Grandmaster-Ultimate Skills, as well as Longevity Skills involving Perfect Body Refining, were not something Gu Qingfeng wanted to reveal just yet. Even to the disciples in the Outer Hall and some in the Inner Hall, Gu Qingfeng had not passed these on. It was quite simple. Now was not the right time. But for the Hidden Guards, Gu Qingfeng had no such reservations. After all, the Hidden Guards were absolutely loyal to him; betrayal was out of the question. "Once the Longevity Skills Refining Organ Chapter is also thoroughly deduced, this Martial Arts Ultimate Skill will be truly complete. At that time, the Magicians'' control over the world can be genuinely overturned." Gu Qingfeng was calm internally. The Marrow Cleansing Chapter had been created, so the Refining Organ Chapter couldn''t be far off. Control over one county''s ultimate skills was in his hands, involving numerous Martial Arts at the Refining Organ level, and given time, Gu Qingfeng believed creating the Refining Organ Chapter wouldn''t be an issue. While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, Two days later, Gu Yi arrived. "Your subordinate pays respect to your excellency!" Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng looked at him with an indifferent gaze and slowly said, "Speak, what is it?" "The King wishes to attack Nanyang County and exterminate the Tianyang Sword Sect, but he fears that the Tianyang Sword Sect might have something up their sleeve, so he has sent me to ask your excellency to bestow the Evil Slayer Blade, to deal with the Tianyang Sword Sect!" Gu Yi said with utmost respect. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng couldn''t help but smile wryly, "I thought becoming the Guangyang Prince would make him prouder and more arrogant, but it seems he has become much more cautious now!" Chapter 182: Chapter 182 War Resurfaces Chapter 182: Chapter 182 War Resurfaces Regarding Gu Yang, how could Gu Qingfeng not understand him? The man had always been lofty and proud, holding little regard for the rest of the world in his eyes. His actions were somewhat impulsive, like Luman. But now, Gu Yang sending Gu Yi to request the Evil Slayer Blade had put Gu Qingfeng quite at ease. It showed wariness. It meant that since becoming the Guangyang Prince, Gu Yang had indeed grown a lot. After all, only by maintaining a heart of reverence could one travel further. Hearing Gu Qingfeng''s words, Gu Yi naturally bowed his head and stayed silent. Such remarks were not for a subordinate like him to interject. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng stretched out his hand, and the Evil Slayer Blade, positioned at the center of the Grinding Blade Hall, now responded to his call and landed directly into his hand. Having nurtured the Evil Slayer Blade with Blade Nourishing Skills over many years, and having it stay in the Grinding Blade Hall day and night, absorbing the True Intent and the refinement of Gu Qingfeng''s strength, this Divine Weapon had long surpassed its former self. Next, Gu Qingfeng drew the blade from its sheath, and the blood-colored blade light illuminated the Grinding Blade Hall, causing Gu Yi to shiver, feeling as if he was targeted by some terrifying thing, with all the hairs on his body standing on end. His eyes, looking at the Evil Slayer Blade, were also filled with horror. A single blade had caused such a profound sense of threat in him, showing the immense power of the Evil Slayer Blade. However, Gu Yi had already witnessed the divine might of the Evil Slayer Blade. During the battle at Beimen Pass, the blade had slain an elder from the Tianyang Sword Sect, proving its formidable strength. Under Gu Yi''s astonished gaze, Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, and a drop of golden blood shot out from the tip of his finger, embedding itself into the handle of the Evil Slayer Blade like a golden gem. In an instant, there seemed to be a flash of golden light that disappeared as quickly as it appeared on the Evil Slayer Blade. What followed was an intense and formidable pressure emanating from it. The long blade returned to its sheath. The pressure dissipated completely. With a wave of his hand, Gu Qingfeng handed the Evil Slayer Blade to Gu Yi. "Tell Yang''er, this blade holds a drop of my Essence Blood and can unleash its power three times. It can even slay Evil Spirits!" "Yes!" Gu Yi respectfully accepted the Evil Slayer Blade, which, although it was only a long blade, gave him a sense of weight as if it were heavier than a thousand jun. Immediately, Gu Yi took the Evil Slayer Blade and departed. After Gu Yi left, Gu Qingfeng continued to comprehend Martial Arts, with the powerful aura of True Intent rampant in the Grinding Blade Hall. If any Divine Weapon felt such a force of True Intent, it would tremble ever so slightly. If a cultivator capable of understanding True Intent were to step into the Grinding Blade Hall, they would discover that the Divine Weapons, under the day and night shine of Gu Qingfeng''s True Intent, were beginning to develop a bit of sentience on their own. Moreover, each Divine Weapon was emitting a terrifying aura. "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has an epiphany in battle, making his Domineering Blade Slash even more profound!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has an epiphany in battle, slightly refining his cultivation!" "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' slaughters court soldiers *1236!" "Your scion..." ... The moment Gu Yang launched the warfare, a barrage of text refreshed on the information panel. Gu Qingfeng looked at the content, yet his expression remained eerily calm. With the start of the war, slaughter was destined to continue without cessation. When he saw that Gu Yang was attacked by Innate Grandmasters, Gu Qingfeng did not feel too surprised. After all, with Gu Yang''s attack on Nanyang County, many forces'' interests were at stake, and even if they feared the Gu Family Master behind him, in such circumstances, they would fight with their backs against the wall, desperate as a cornered dog. However, Gu Qingfeng was not overly concerned. After all, Gu Yang had Hidden Guards by his side, and even if Innate Grandmasters made a move, it was difficult for them to pose a threat to him. Moreover, with the support of the Divine Martial Sect and other powerful allies, Gu Yang had already amassed a rather formidable force. Indeed. It was the support of the powerful! Ever since Gu Qingfeng killed Gu Yutian, Gu Yang''s renown had soared, and then with the Divine Martial Sect''s allegiance, his fame had reached its peak. As a result, many forces in the Martial World and Loose Cultivators began to flock to Gu Yang''s side to serve him. Therefore, even without counting the Hidden Guards, the power in Gu Yang''s hands was quite impressive. But still, the absolute loyalty of the Hidden Guards could spare many troubles. Other forces that had come to pledge allegiance, even those from the Divine Martial Sect, could not be trusted entirely. In the end, the world ultimately revolves around interests. So-called loyalty is simply a matter of not having enough chips for betrayal. In the case of the Hidden Guards, there was no need to worry about these issues. Watching the continuous stream of text on the information panel, Gu Qingfeng could tell just from what was written between the lines how fierce the war in Nanyang County had become. The scent of blood was already hitting him full in the face. However, as intense as it might be, it appeared that in this war, Gu Yang held an absolute advantage. At this rate, it would not take long for him to completely take over the entire Nanyang County. Chapter 183: Chapter 183 Gu Shentong Chapter 183: Chapter 183 Gu Shentong The ramparts were spattered with blood, and dismembered limbs and torsos were scattered everywhere, clearly indicating that a war had just taken place here, and the flames of conflict had not yet fully dissipated. "Have the identities of those three Innate Grandmasters been thoroughly investigated?" Atop the city walls, Gu Yang, his garments stained with blood, looked down at the many corpses being moved, his brows knit together with an icy expression. Assaulting Nanyang County. A million-strong army naturally could not be assembled all in one place. Therefore, This battle was fought on six fronts. Gu Yang personally led one of the contingents, penetrating deep into the heartland of Nanyang County. And the consequences of doing so were quite severe. The various forces of Nanyang County fiercely counterattacked, which made the progress of the Guangyang Army through the region incredibly difficult. Even Gu Yang, sitting in command of the central forces, had to enter the fray and kill his enemies. Now, He had forgotten just how many soldiers he had slain. The soldiers killed by Gu Yang included those from the court''s side, from other rebel armies, and from martial arts clans and sects. Among them, There were even several Innate Grandmasters who had attacked. If it weren''t for the vigilant guardians of the Hidden Guard, the assailants might have succeeded. Behind him, Gu Yi''s expression was somber, and he said in a deep voice, "The identities of the three have been clarified: one hails from the Tianyang Sword Sect, one from the Yi Family, and the last from the Moon Spirit Sect!" That individuals from Tianyang Sword Sect would make a move did not surprise Gu Yang. But upon hearing the names of the other two forces, his expression visibly grew colder. "The Yi Family... Moon Spirit Sect... I recall both of these powers have Innate Realm experts in command!" "Your Majesty is correct, according to the intelligence obtained by my Hidden Guard, the Yi Family currently has three God Fusion Realm masters, while the Moon Spirit Sect has four!" Gu Yi nodded in response. Hearing this, Gu Yang merely nodded slightly, then said, "Summon Gu Yun to me." "Understood!" ... Within moments, Gu Yun arrived upon receiving the summons. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty!" "Deputy Sect Master" was a thing of the past. Since Gu Yutian''s fall, Gu Shentong had risen from Deputy Sect Master to now being the Sect Master of Tianyang Sword Sect, managing all affairs of the sect. Below, a Tianyang Sword Sect elder spoke in a grave voice, "Sect Master, the Guangyang Army is approaching with ferocity. Gu Yang not only has a force named Hidden Guard under his command but also has the protection of Divine Martial Sect by his side. Assassinating him won''t be easy. If we cannot hold off the Guangyang Army in this battle, I fear that the millennium-long legacy of our Tianyang Sword Sect will be utterly extinguished!" "If Gu Yang won''t leave us a way out, we might as well fight them with everything we''ve got!" Others exclaimed in anger. However, someone quickly shook their head and poured cold water on the idea. "With Gu Yang commanding an army of a million and the Divine Martial Sect already having pledged allegiance to him, plus the backing of that Martial Saint conferred by the court, what could our Tianyang Sword Sect possibly muster to fight against them?" Upon hearing this, many found themselves speechless. Indeed, what could they fight with? Even at its peak, the Tianyang Sword Sect would not have been able to contend with that Martial Saint, let alone now. With the fall of Gu Yutian and a number of sect powerhouses in Guangyang Prefecture, the current strength of the Tianyang Sword Sect had significantly diminished. To truly fight Gu Yang, they would need the power to match. As Gu Shentong watched the incessant argument below, he raised his hand and silenced the crowd. The entire hall suddenly fell quiet. "Gu Yang has a deep prejudice against our Magician sects. Since his rise to power, many family sects have perished at his hands. That Martial Saint has even strictly forbidden Magicians from entering Guangyang Prefecture, which speaks volumes." "Even if we, Tianyang Sword Sect, were to now pledge allegiance to Gu Yang, it''s unlikely he would accept us, and even if he did on the surface, I fear our fate afterwards would be all too clear." "The only path before Tianyang Sword Sect is to defeat Gu Yang, using all our resources to ensure stability for Tianyang Sword Sect!" Gu Shentong''s words left the others with expressions that flickered with uncertainty, unsure of what to think. After a moment, an elder cupped his hands towards Shentong and asked, "What plans does the Sect Master have?" "Send a message to the Pei Family to cooperate with Tianyang Sword Sect''s actions. Have them send a grand army to perform blood sacrifices in the cities, assisting me in taking the final step to ascend to the Transformation Realm!" "Also, send someone to Blood Mountain Mansion to perform blood sacrifices to awaken the sealed and slumbering Evil Spirit!" "Since Gu Yang doesn''t leave us a way out, we need not hold back either. If it comes to it, we are prepared to forsake Nanyang Prefecture. As long as we live, the legacy of Tianyang Sword Sect will not be extinguished!" Gu Shentong declared coldly. Upon hearing this, all the faces in the room turned pale. Chapter 184: Chapter 184 The Talent of Guangyang Prince is Truly Terrifying Chapter 184: Chapter 184 The Talent of Guangyang Prince is Truly Terrifying In the Governor Mansion of Nanyang County. The Pei Family had also received a transmission from the Tianyang Sword Sect. Pei Sheng looked at the letter in his hands, his expression fluctuating, unclear what he was considering. Seeing this, an elder of the Pei Family couldn''t help but ask, "Family Head, what exactly does the Tianyang Sword Sect want?" "You will see soon enough!" Pei Sheng casually passed the letter around, and as each elder read its content, their expressions couldn''t help but change. A moment later, someone spoke up, "Sacrificing the lives of citizens in each city¡ªhow can such an act be justified? If this news were to be leaked, wouldn''t our Pei Family be scorned for eternity!" "Second Elder, your words are mistaken." As the other spoke, an old man shook his head in rebuttal. "Our Pei Family is now in the same boat as the Tianyang Sword Sect, and since Pei Jing perished at the hands of the Guangyang Prince, our Pei Family and Gu Yang have long been irreconcilable. Now Gu Yang is leading the Guangyang Army to invade Nanyang County, with a million-strong army that sweeps through unstoppably, nearly invincible." "If Gu Yang does capture the entirety of Nanyang County, do you, Second Elder, really think the Pei Family will still have a way to survive?" The speaker was Pei Hong, the Grand Elder of the Pei Family. Inside the Pei Family, this Grand Elder''s authority was also quite high. So, when Pei Hong spoke, many people immediately nodded in agreement. "Exactly, our Pei Family is irreconcilable with the Gu Family. How could Gu Yang possibly spare us!" "Either way, it''s a death sentence; why fear eternal scorn!" "History is written by the victors. If we can defeat Gu Yang in this battle, how things will be recorded will still be decided by our Pei Family..." Hearing the other Pei Family elders'' words, Second Elder Pei Lin''s expression changed unpredictably. He also understood. What they were saying was correct. The Pei Family and that Guangyang Prince, Gu Yang, were already irreconcilable. Even if the Pei Family wanted to stop, chances are the other party would not agree. Furthermore, such an act of putting one''s life in another''s hands was not something the Pei Family''s higher-ups could accept. Eventually. Everyone''s gaze fell upon Pei Sheng, the Family Head. As the current Family Head of the Pei Family and also the Prefectural Governor of Nanyang County, the final decision on how to act still needed to be made by him. "Then let us follow the wishes of the Tianyang Sword Sect¡ªsacrificing a batch of commoners to bring a glimmer of survival for our Pei Family is also giving their lives purpose!" Pei Sheng''s expression was cold as he made his decision. If this were before, The more opportunities Gu Yang could find, the better. At least, If he truly was endowed with Qi Fortune, it meant that even if he encountered danger, he could turn it into safety and live longer than others. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng glanced at the information panel again and continued his study of martial arts. Ever since the Marrow Cleansing Chapter of the Longevity Skills had been deduced, Gu Qingfeng had been fully committed to deducing the Refining Organ Chapter. Five Organs Like God! To refine the five internal organs to perfection was much more difficult than cultivating in other realms. However, Gu Qingfeng, after all, had achieved Perfect Body Refinement and possessed many top-notch secret techniques, so even the complex mysteries of the Refining Organ Realm were not a major issue for him. ... Nanyang County. The armies clashed. Gu Yang rose to the city wall, his long blade chopping down with the force to split Mount Hua, the terrifying Blade Intent engulfing everything like a tempest, causing a Marrow Cleansing Realm martial artist defending the city to grow terribly pale. "No¡ª" He looked terrified, wanting to resist. However, Under the overwhelming terror of the Blade Intent, the martial artist''s blood flow seized, his body almost unable to move. In the blink of an eye, The blade light appeared. By the time the long blade fell, that Marrow Cleansing Realm martial artist was completely cleaved in two. This scene, Seen by other martial artists, caused them to involuntarily gasp in shock. "Hisss!" "Master''s True Intent!" "The talents of the Guangyang King are truly terrifying¡ª" They hadn''t forgotten that despite his notorious reputation, the Guangyang King was still of a tender age. At such an age, Even comprehending ordinary True Intent was horrifying enough. Gu Yang, who directly comprehended the Master''s True Intent, could not be compared even to the so-called geniuses and demons of the Martial World from thousands of years ago. Such comprehension ability, Could only be described as defying heaven. Even Gu Yun, the Sect Master of the Number One Sect in the world, involuntarily widened his pupils when he saw Gu Yang kill a Marrow Cleansing Realm martial artist in an instant, as if he had witnessed something unbelievable. There was no helping it. The emergence of the Master''s True Intent was too shocking, and Gu Yun couldn''t help but be astounded. Chapter 185: Chapter 185 Nangong Yu Chapter 185: Chapter 185 Nangong Yu "Spare those who surrender!" Gu Yang swung his blade again, decapitating another defending commander, then bellowed furiously. Witnessing this scene, the soldiers defending the city felt their courage drain away. This battle, had never been advantageous for them; without the benefit of the city walls, they would have already been utterly defeated. Now, the formidable strength displayed by Gu Yang inevitably became the last straw breaking their mental defenses. "Clang!" Someone was the first to throw down their weapon. Instantaneously, it set off a chain reaction. Soon the second, the third, and many more followed in dropping their weapons. Seeing this, a smile had just begun to appear on Gu Yang''s face when suddenly a sinister cold aura overtook him, causing all the blood in his body to instinctively freeze, making it almost impossible to move. In Gu Yang''s line of sight, a figure appeared like a ghost. When he looked at the other, he met their icy cold eyes. "How dare you!" This scene enflamed Gu Yun with rage. He wanted to intervene, but it was completely too late. The assailant had chosen the perfect moment, moving inconceivably fast. Seeing the attacker move towards Gu Yang, Gu Yun''s eyes almost burst with anger. If Gu Yang were to die here, he could only imagine how furious Gu Qingfeng would be; by then, even the Divine Martial Sect would be hard-pressed to escape blame. The wrath of a Martial Arts Saint could unleash a cataclysmic massacre. Moreover, knowing Gu Qingfeng as he did, Gu Yun understood that the other was not a merciful person. Once such a powerful figure began a slaughter, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, Gu Yang must not die. But the assailant was too swift; Gu Yun could only watch helplessly as Gu Yang was about to be killed. However¡ª Just as the strike was about to reach him, Gu Yang heard the pleasant sound of a blade. Then, he felt his body suddenly lighten as a terrifyingly powerful Blade Intent cleaved through the heavens. "Boom¡ª" The blood-colored blade wind dominated his vision; the attacker''s pupils dilated with surprise, the cold smirk on their face turning into a look of terror. In the next moment, the blade wind dissipated. The assailant''s body split in two, falling dead on the spot. The whole event had occurred in the blink of an eye. Gu Yang would not use them lightly. After all, with the power of the Evil Slayer Blade, the next two uses could play a crucial role at critical moments. Afterwards, Gu Yang saw the defeated army that had already surrendered their weapons and called over a general. "Gather all these surrendered troops; if they are willing to join the Guangyang Army, then they can be selected based on merit. If they do not wish to join the Guangyang Army, then confiscate their weapons and disperse them directly." "Yes, Your Majesty!" The general accepted the order with a fist salute. Gu Yang had no intentions of annihilating them altogether. After all, what he wanted was the entire world, not just an empty shell. Different factions battled against each other, so bloodshed was inevitable. But now that these troops had surrendered, Gu Yang naturally couldn''t do something as dishonorable as slaughtering the surrendering soldiers. For one, Slaughtering those who surrendered would only tarnish his reputation, and that would not be conducive to his later efforts to conquer the world. Secondly, since most of these people were from Nanyang County, excessive slaughter would be detrimental to the development of Nanyang County. Therefore, For various reasons, Gu Yang showed leniency. It was best if they were willing to join the Guangyang Army; if not, they could be dispersed back home, as long as their weapons were confiscated, these people could not stir up any trouble. Furthermore, These were underlings of the rebel army, how much allegiance could they have to the rebels? As long as the leaders were executed, the others were insignificant. Half a day later, Inside the city''s government office, Gu Yang sat there, and in front of him were other military generals and people like Gu Yun and Gu Yi. At this moment, Gu Yi stepped forward and said with clasped hands, "Your Majesty, the identity of the assassin has been thoroughly investigated. He was Nangong Yu, the Commander of the Evil Suppression Bureau of Nanyang County!" "We heard that this person was a Blood Qi Master who later underwent Evil Refining to become a God Fusion Realm Magician, thus qualifying him to hold the position of Commander of the Evil Suppression Bureau of Nanyang County!" Upon hearing this, Many faces changed. The Evil Suppression Bureau of Nanyang County! This was an organization under the Taixuan Dynasty. Gu Yang didn''t have much interaction with the Evil Suppression Bureau, As by the time he took over Guangyang Prefecture and Taishan County, the personnel from the Evil Suppression Bureau had already evacuated. Originally, Gu Yang thought that the powerful individual who tried to assassinate him might have come from the Tianyang Sword Sect. But he never expected, The person would be a Commander from the Evil Suppression Bureau. A Commander of one county. Both his strength and status were remarkable. Unfortunately, Nangong Yu ultimately overestimated himself and underestimated the existence of the Evil Slayer Blade. Chapter 186: Chapter 186 Massacre of the City Chapter 186: Chapter 186 Massacre of the City "Furthermore," "According to Hidden Guard intelligence, Nangong Yu has been extremely close with the Pei Family." "Originally, when Pei Jing declared himself king and suppressed the three prefectures, it was with the support of Nangong Yu." Gu Yi''s words did not surprise Gu Yang. After all, at that time, Pei Jing''s momentum was fierce, commanding a vast army, with the court almost eradicated. For the Evil Suppression Bureau to remain in Nanyang County, the only option was to cooperate with Pei Jing. It was only after the fall of Pei Jing that the Taixuan Dynasty took the opportunity to take back control of the authority of Nanyang Prefecture. However, Even so, The court still failed to truly control the entire Nanyang County but only half of it. Gu Yun said, "In light of this, the assassination attempt on His Majesty by Nangong Yu might indeed be related to the Pei Family." "This is to be expected." Gu Yang scoffed dismissively. "With the death of Pei Jing, I already have an unending feud with the Pei Family. It would be unusual if the Pei Family made no moves at all." As for who might have instigated Nangong Yu to act, the possibility of it being the Pei Family did not surprise Gu Yang in the least. After all, If the Pei Family were behind this, then everything would make sense. The Pei Family controls Nanyang County. Even without the incident involving Pei Jing, with the Guangyang Army now invading Nanyang County, the Pei Family would not turn a blind eye. Following that, Gu Yang went on to say, "The current issue is the Tianyang Sword Sect. Keep a close watch on them through the Hidden Guard; as an Immortal Sect, Tianyang Sword Sect surely cannot sit by idly and do nothing!" Since his arrival in Nanyang County, the Tianyang Sword Sect had only sent one Master to assassinate him, then there was no further action. In Gu Yang''s view, this was unreasonable. The Tianyang Sword Sect held deep hatred for him, it was unlikely they would take such minor action. Moreover, Given the foundation of the Tianyang Sword Sect as an Immortal Sect, they couldn''t possibly only have one Master. Therefore, the quieter the Tianyang Sword Sect was, the worse the feeling it gave Gu Yang. "My subordinates have already sent people to monitor the Tianyang Sword Sect. I believe any move they make cannot escape the eyes and ears of the Hidden Guard!" Gu Yi spoke as he clasped his fist. But just as his voice fell, a Hidden Guard scout hurriedly reported. that Evil Buddha was at least on par with the peak existences of the Transformation Realm, if not stronger. Today''s Evil Spirit from Blood Mountain Mansion, even if not as strong as the Evil Buddha, was probably not far off; such an Evil Spirit''s revival would surely be a major trouble. Gu Yang''s expression was ice-cold, "It seems that the Tianyang Sword Sect is seeking mutual destruction!" "It''s just a pity that this king is not one to compromise easily; the Tianyang Sword Sect, along with the Pei Family''s acts of city slaughter, shall not be easily forgiven by me." So what if the Evil Spirit is revived. Even if the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion was more formidable, Gu Yang was fearless in his heart. This was because he had the support of Gu Qingfeng behind him. The Evil Slayer Blade he carried with him was Gu Yang''s ultimate source of confidence. Moreover, as things had progressed to this stage, both parties were already irreconcilable. At this point, even if Gu Yang harbored apprehensions, he had no choice but to go all out and exterminate the Tianyang Sword Sect and the Pei Family. "Send orders to the other armies immediately to quicken their pace, but for now, avoid the areas of the Pei Family, the Tianyang Sword Sect, and Blood Mountain Mansion." Finally, Gu Yang issued another command. The Tianyang Sword Sect, the Pei Family, and Blood Mountain Mansion were not challenges that the others could handle. Nowadays, with a million-strong army divided into several fronts, dealing with other rebel armies was not a problem, but confronting these three forces was still insufficient. In Gu Yang''s view, only he himself, leading the main army, could confront these three. "In addition, prepare immediately for my orders to attack the Tianyang Sword Sect directly!" Gu Yang said in a deep voice. Hearing this, all the generals clasped their fists and accepted their orders. Once everyone had left, Gu Yang kept Gu Yi behind. "Gu Yi, send a pigeon message immediately, informing our father of what has occurred in Nanyang County; any news, have the Hidden Guard there report back at once!" Gu Yang no longer displayed the composure he had in front of the others, his expression turning much more solemn. City massacre! The Evil Spirit sealed in Blood Mountain Mansion! All these messages were indicative of the Tianyang Sword Sect''s readiness for mutual destruction. For safety''s sake, Gu Yang had to send this message back, letting Gu Qingfeng be aware. Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Breakthrough in the Transformation Realm Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Breakthrough in the Transformation Realm Tianyang Sword Sect. Gu Shentong was soaked in a pool of water, which was as red as blood and emitted a foul, fishy smell. Around the pool, there were numerous corpses, all drained of their blood. Each face bore expressions of either horror or anger, but now they were all frozen in place. "Thump!" "Thump! Thump!" The sound of a heartbeat abruptly emerged, growing from soft to loud, making the scene even more eerie and terrifying. Beneath the skin of Gu Shentong, it seemed as if worms were wriggling. From behind him, a grotesque and sinister figure was taking form, spreading a chilling and dreadful aura. This aura enveloped the entire Tianyang Sword Sect. All the Cultivators felt as though a terrifying presence had fixed its gaze upon them, instinctively feeling a shiver run down their spines. Suddenly, the world turned dark. When everyone looked up, they saw an eerie shadow towering over the Tianyang Sword Sect, as if it were overshadowing the sun. Upon seeing this scene, a Sect Elder showed not fear but an uncontrollable joy on his face. "Evil Spirit Shadow!" "Transformation of All Things!" This was a sign of breaking through to the Transformation Realm. A being at this level had further shed their mortal body, transforming towards a higher existence. Transformation of All Things! Exactly so! Another term for it was Feather Transformation Ascension. Among Magicians around the world, the Transformation Realm was known as a ladder to eternal and undying existence; anyone who stepped into this level was considered partially removed from the mortal world. Now. Such an extraordinary phenomenon appeared. It signified that the Tianyang Sword Sect was about to produce another powerful being of the Transformation Realm. The true legacy of an Immortal Sect depended on whether it had a Transformation Realm powerhouse presiding over it. Since the ancient Gu Yutian fell, the Tianyang Sword Sect, strictly speaking, had already lost its status as an Immortal Sect. It was only because the current world was in chaos, with various forces converging in the Central Plains, that no power had dared to act rashly against the Tianyang Sword Sect. But once the overall situation in the world stabilized, or when other Sect forces freed up their hands, the Tianyang Sword Sect would likely be doomed. After all, the heritage of an Immortal Sect was coveted even by other Immortal Sects. Therefore. The Tianyang Sword Sect needed to produce a powerhouse from the Transformation Realm to safeguard its inheritance. At that moment. In the past, if that Evil Spirit hadn''t been wounded, my Tianyang Sword Sect would not have suppressed it so easily. If we could truly awaken it and fully recover its strength, perhaps even those in the Divinity Realm might not be able to suppress it!" This, Was Gu Shentong''s real confidence in dealing with Gu Qingfeng. Since Gu Yang wanted to seize Nanyang County, then he would unleash the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion to ensure both parties suffer. Even if Gu Yang retreated from Nanyang County at a critical time, it would be useless. Simple. The Evil Spirit is greedy. Particularly for Martial Artist blood, which is greatly tempting to it. Additionally, since Nanyang County is connected to Taishan County, once the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion emerges, if it slaughters the entirety of Nanyang County, then the next target would definitely be Taishan County. At that time, both sides would still have a battle. Moreover¡ª If the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion emerges, in Gu Shentong''s view, Gu Qingfeng wouldn''t just stand by. After all, once the Evil Spirit devours a large number of people''s lives and its strength transforms and grows again, the difficulty of confronting it would only increase. It can be said. This is plainly a scheme. The Evil Spirit emerges. Gu Yang, that Guangyang Prince, would be the primary target. Of course. The Tianyang Sword Sect would inevitably be implicated. But Gu Shentong had already prepared to lead the entire Tianyang Sword Sect out of Nanyang County. As long as he abandoned the sect''s foundation, even if the Nanyang County were thrown into chaos by the Evil Spirit, it would have nothing to do with him. At this stage, The Tianyang Sword Sect had no other choice. The remaining elders, hearing this, exchanged glances, each seeing determination and ruthlessness in each other''s eyes. "The Sect Master has commanded, and we shall follow. I''m just afraid the Pei Family might not be willing to go to such lengths." "Don''t worry, the Pei Family has no way out. Either they release the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion for a desperate battle, or they wait to be directly annihilated by that Guangyang Prince. Pei Sheng is a clever man; he surely understands how to act!" Gu Shentong gave a cold laugh, in his heart not worried at all that the Pei Family would refuse. Or rather, The Pei Family had long run out of options. Chapter 189: Chapter 189 I Saw a Deity! Chapter 189: Chapter 189 I Saw a Deity! "The Divine Martial Sect''s strength is formidable," Gu Yang declared, "It is only natural that this king joins them in dealing with the Tianyang Sword Sect!" Gu Yang glanced at Gu Yun and then turned to Gu Yi standing beside him. "Commander Gu, lead the Hidden Guards to the Pei Family immediately. Remember, this king''s demand is to exterminate the entire Pei Family, leaving no one alive!" "At your command!" Gu Yi bowed and accepted the order. Gu Yang was not particularly worried about whether the Hidden Guard could eliminate the Pei Family. After all, the strength of the Hidden Guard was not weak¡ªeleven Innate Grandmasters were more than enough to handle most troubles. The Pei Family had a profound heritage, true, but with Pei Jing''s demise, their strength was greatly diminished. How many powerful members could they still produce? In Gu Yang''s view, the current Pei Family could at most produce three to five Masters, which was their limit. Therefore, with the strength of the Hidden Guard, wiping out the Pei Family would be an easy task. As for the Divine Martial Sect, they were Gu Yang''s main force against the Tianyang Sword Sect. Unlike the Pei Family, the Tianyang Sword Sect truly had a profound heritage. An Immortal Sect with an unclear number of powerful members seated within¡ªinformation that even the Hidden Guard could gather on the Tianyang Sword Sect was likely incomplete in Gu Yang''s view. After all, information on an Immortal Sect was not so easily obtained. Subsequently, Gu Yang turned to his other generals. "What you must do," he instructed, "is to send troops to support us on time when both the Pei Family and the Tianyang Sword Sect are annihilated. In this battle, I am leading a few men deep into enemy grounds to eliminate both houses, and once the news leaks out, other forces might take action. To prevent a scenario of being surrounded by large armies, you must be fully prepared. Once you receive the news, you must act immediately!" "We understand!" The generals'' expressions were solemn. Seeing this, Gu Yang waved his hand, dismissing them to prepare. As others left, Gu Yang looked at Gu Yun and spoke, "Half a day ago, the Hidden Guard also sent news that there have been supernatural phenomena at the Tianyang Sword Sect, with evil spirit shadows masking the sun and sky. Does Sect Master Gu know what this might mean?" "Evil spirit shadows?" Gu Yun''s expression changed upon hearing this. "Evil spirit shadows, where all things transform. Such a phenomenon of heaven and earth occurs only when a being of the God Fusion Realm steps into the Transformation Realm. If what Your Majesty says is true, then it seems the Tianyang Sword Sect might now have a Transcended being among them!" "If it indeed was the Evil Spirit from Blood Mountain Mansion, then this Evil Spirit was not simple." "After all, this was not Blood Mountain Mansion but another mansion''s land, yet the Evil Spirit''s aura could spread this far, indicating how terrifying its strength was." "It could be said," "This was an existence that could at least rival the Evil Buddha." "And," "Gu Qingfeng was certain," "Even if this Evil Spirit had not yet broken its seal to appear in the world, it was not far off." "Otherwise," "The intensity of the Evil Spirit''s aura would not be so strong, capable of being sensed even across different lands." "Immediately," "Gu Qingfeng headed towards Blood Mountain Mansion." "With each step he took, he left an afterimage in his original spot; whenever someone witnessed this spectacle, they couldn''t help but rub their eyes believing they were seeing an illusion." "An Immortal!" "I have seen an Immortal!!" "Some commoners knelt on the ground, kowtowing in the direction of Gu Qingfeng''s departure, while others stood frozen, trembling uncontrollably." "Not just ordinary commoners, even some Martial World Martial Artists, upon seeing this technique, felt it was unbelievable, as if they really had seen an Immortal." "After all, among Martial Artists worldwide, even those with extraordinary agility could absolutely not achieve this level." "Leaving afterimages." "Just like real people." "What astonishing techniques could achieve such a feat." "Therefore," "They all thought an Immortal had manifested." "As for these occurrences, Gu Qingfeng just smiled without paying much attention." "Be it Immortal or Divine Spirit," "In his view, regardless of whether they truly existed or not, even if they did exist, they were just beings with far more powerful strengths." "Such beings, Gu Qingfeng might respect, but would never feel the need to pray to or worship." "The so-called respect," "Was merely for their wielded mighty power." "Half a day later," "Gu Qingfeng entered Blood Mountain Mansion." "At the moment he stepped into Blood Mountain Mansion, the drifting Evil Spirit aura in the air suddenly surged several times over, and the temperature in the air also dropped substantially." Chapter 190: Chapter 190: The Power That Covers an Entire Mansion Chapter 190: Chapter 190: The Power That Covers an Entire Mansion "Blood Mountain Mansion!" As Gu Qingfeng stepped into the Blood Mountain Mansion, the world before him remained the same, but within his field of vision, he could see a bizarre and terrifying phantom looming in the firmament. An eerie and chilling aura rampaged and spread, with bloodlines connecting to the phantom, creating a terrifying sight. "Array?" "Sacrifice?" Upon witnessing such a scene, Gu Qingfeng''s expression remained unchanged, only a hint of depth appeared in his eyes. The changes in the Blood Mountain Mansion were much worse than he had imagined. That bizarre and terrifying phantom was not the true body of the Evil Spirit, but merely a manifestation of the Evil Spirit''s power. However. If this Evil Spirit were to awaken. Gu Qingfeng suspected that it was an entity powerful enough to rival the Nine Curves Evil Buddha. Even more so. It might be even stronger than the Evil Buddha. "From the information provided by the Divine Martial Sect, the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion might only rival the Evil Buddha, or even be inferior, but now it seems that the intelligence from the Divine Martial Sect is not entirely accurate. However, it''s probably for the best that the Evil Spirit has not truly awakened, so the problem is not too significant." Gu Qingfeng slowly walked toward the direction of the Evil Spirit''s phantom. As he ventured deeper into the Blood Mountain Mansion, Gu Qingfeng saw the flourishing scene within the mansion, as if the natural disasters and human calamities outside had no effect here. However. The more he observed such scenes, the colder Gu Qingfeng''s expression became. Since stepping into the Extreme Dao Master Realm and breaking through to the ninth level of two True Intents, Gu Qingfeng''s naked eye could see through illusions; while the prosperous scene before him seemed fine to others. In Gu Qingfeng''s eyes, what he saw was bones scattered everywhere, piles of corpses; the entire Blood Mountain Mansion had become a true Hell. A blood sacrifice of the entire mansion! Gu Qingfeng somewhat doubted whether this was the doing of the Pei Family and the Tianyang Sword Sect, or the method of the sealed Evil Spirit. However, soon. Gu Qingfeng resolved the confusion in his heart. Simply because he saw more than a dozen corpses, clearly dressed in the attire of the Tianyang Sword Sect. It was evident. These people were from the Tianyang Sword Sect. But now their essence blood had been drained, and they had long since perished. Hence. Pei Hong fled. But Blood Mountain Mansion was vast; where could he run? Just when Pei Hong thought he might die there, he saw Gu Qingfeng''s silhouette. Although curious about why someone would appear in such a place given the current situation of Blood Mountain Mansion, at that moment, Pei Hong was grasping at straws. However. Upon Pei Hong''s arrival, Gu Qingfeng spoke, "Are you from the Pei Family?" Upon hearing this. Pei Hong faltered slightly, then nodded and said, "I am Pei Hong, the current Pei Family elder. If you could save me..." Before he could finish, Gu Qingfeng pointed a finger and Pei Hong''s head burst into a cloud of blood mist; his headless body collapsed to the ground, turning into a dry corpse within a few breaths. Killing Pei Hong. Gu Qingfeng showed no mercy. In fact. Seeing the garments on Pei Hong, he had almost confirmed the identity of a Pei Family member; his question was merely to double-check. Probably until his death, Pei Hong didn''t understand why Gu Qingfeng would attack him. Gu Qingfeng glanced at Pei Hong''s body, then looked towards the illusory shadow of the Evil Spirit in the void. As he made his move, the illusory figure of the Evil Spirit seemed to be affected, its blood-red eyes casting a gaze. At the same time, eerie whispering sounds reached Gu Qingfeng''s ears. "Kneel!" "Submit!" "I can grant you immortality..." Disdaining those words, Gu Qingfeng looked towards the illusory shadow of the Evil Spirit, his eyes flashing coldly. "Silence!" As the word fell. Gu Qingfeng threw a punch, like the Divine Brilliance Great Sun, his Qi Blood Gang Wind shattering the heavens, causing the Evil Spirit''s illusory shadow to roar in anger. Immediately thereafter, a fearsome force gathered, transforming into a blood hand that pressed down. "Smash¡ª" The two forces collided, the blood hand suddenly dispersed. The Great Sun Fist Wind struck the Evil Spirit''s illusory shadow, like water dropping into hot oil; the intense turbulence immediately caused the shadow to disperse like bubbles. The moment the shadow vanished, all bloodlines broke apart, releasing a bizarre subtle power that swirled through Blood Mountain Mansion. All prior illusory scenes vanished, revealing the most real imagery beneath. Chapter 191: Chapter 191 Sword Daoist Chapter 191: Chapter 191 Sword Daoist The Blood Mountain Mansion disaster. Instantly, it drew the attention of others. When someone saw the corpses strewn all over the Blood Mountain Mansion, their pupils involuntarily dilated, as if they had witnessed some terrifying scene. "So many corpses!" "Who on earth would dare to commit such an outrage in Blood Mountain Mansion that would provoke both heaven and man!" The onlookers were all shocked. In Nanyang County''s Twelve Prefectures, Blood Mountain Mansion was also a rather key location, extraordinary in its own right. Moreover, within Blood Mountain Mansion, there were numerous martial arts sects and noble families, but now, it seemed as if all these sects and families had vanished without a trace. However. Before these people could react to their shock, a horrific power suddenly rose from within Blood Mountain Mansion, an explosion of bizarre, evil, and all kinds of negative emotions. In an instant. The earth quaked. The heavens and earth changed color. It was as if a world-defying evil demon had been born. This terrifying power, in the blink of an eye, covered the entire Blood Mountain Mansion, and even beyond its borders, it was clearly audible. For a moment. In Nanyang County, many powerful figures from martial arts sects and noble families were disturbed and looked towards the direction of Blood Mountain Mansion, their eyes filled with horror. Some veteran powerhouses even remembered a scene from hundreds of years ago. "Blood Mountain Mansion is in turmoil, could it be that Evil Spirit has been reborn!?" "Back in the day, when the Evil Spirit caused chaos, Tianyang Sword Sect and the Evil Suppression Bureau paid a heavy price to seal it within Blood Mountain Mansion, if this Evil Spirit truly re-emerges, I fear there will be utter chaos in the world!" "Damn it..." When these strong individuals thought of the scene from hundreds of years ago, their hearts chilled. In front of such a level of Evil Spirit, even magicians were as insignificant as ants. That year, when the Evil Spirit wreaked havoc in Nanyang County and created boundless slaughter, it was not easy for the Evil Suppression Bureau and Tianyang Sword Sect to suppress and seal that Evil Spirit. ... Chongming Prefecture. Iron Sword Sect. At this moment, as if sensing something, Lv Ying, the Sect Master of Iron Sword Sect, couldn''t help but look in the direction of Blood Mountain Mansion, his eyes filled with shock. "Blood Mountain Mansion is in turmoil, Nanyang County is going to be in chaos again!" "If that Evil Spirit really is reborn, who knows how many more will die..." Lv Ying sighed. Iron Sword Sect did not wish to meddle in the conflicts and turmoils of the world; after all, the world was in great disarray now, and if Iron Sword Sect got involved, the centuries-old foundation could be destroyed in their own hands. Therefore. When the Guangyang Army invaded Nanyang County, even affecting Chongming Prefecture, Lv Ying had turned a blind eye, indifferent to it all. Of course. This was also due to fear of Gu Qingfeng. After all, everyone knew that standing behind the Guangyang Prince was a powerful being with Martial Arts Divinity, capable of rivaling the Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago. Now, seeing the change in Blood Mountain Mansion, Lv Ying could already foresee the kind of situation that would arise next. Yet. There was nothing he could do. Hearing this, The Sword Daoist furrowed his brows and looked at Lv Ying with some dissatisfaction: "When the founder of the Iron Sword Sect established our sect, the purpose was to eradicate Evil Spirits and protect peace in the region. When the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion appeared, the founder went to suppress it personally. After that battle, the founder returned with severe injuries and transcended within a hundred years due to his wounds. As his disciple, it is only right and proper for me to seek vengeance on his behalf. Moreover, the emergence of the Evil Spirit will bring disaster to the people of the world, how could I sit idly by!" The Sword Daoist''s resolute attitude left Lv Ying opening and closing his mouth, unsure of what to say. After a long while, Lv Ying finally spoke: "Now that the Guangyang Prince has taken charge of Nanyang County, and with the news of the appearance of the Evil Spirit in Blood Mountain Mansion, he will not stand by and do nothing. As long as the Martial Saint behind the Guangyang Prince makes a move, there will be a chance to suppress the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion." Saying this, Lv Ying quickly sorted out his thoughts and hastened his speech. "Therefore, there is absolutely no need for the Supreme Elder to take risks. You only need to wait for the Martial Saint to arrive, and all problems can be solved. If even the Martial Saint cannot resolve it, then there is even less necessity for the Supreme Elder to intervene!" "Martial Saint?" The Sword Daoist''s brows knitted slightly. "Who is this Martial Saint you speak of, who dares to claim the title of saint?" As he spoke, The Sword Daoist recalled numerous memories in his mind, but could not remember any strong individual who called themselves Martial Saint. After all, The title ''Martial Saint'' was not to be taken lightly. Without the corresponding strength and destiny, rashly claiming to be a saint was courting death. Lv Ying said: "This Martial Saint did not claim the title for himself. It was conferred by the court through an imperial edict, bestowing upon him the honorific title of Martial Saint..." After that, Lv Ying recounted everything about Gu Qingfeng. The more he spoke, The more severe the look of shock on the Sword Daoist''s face became. By the time Lv Ying finished speaking, the Sword Daoist''s expression was filled with emotion. "I had not expected that, in the two hundred years I was in seclusion, such an outstanding and brilliant individual would emerge in the world, slaying Gu Yutian with a single stroke. It is no wonder he earned the title of Martial Saint. His Martial Arts Cultivation may truly be comparable to the Martial Ancestor of millennia past!" "With such a powerhouse''s emergence, Martial Arts can surely be revitalized!" The Sword Daoist''s face was full of smiles. The decline of Martial Arts. This had been a long-standing issue. Since the Martial Ancestor transcended and Magicians rose, Martial Arts had gradually become less prominent. But now, with the appearance of such a powerhouse, the revitalization of Martial Arts was only a matter of time. Afterwards, The Sword Daoist looked in the direction of Blood Mountain Mansion, his smile fading as his expression turned solemn again. "According to what you said, that Martial Saint indeed has the capability to deal with the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion. However, he resides in Guangyang Prefecture, and it would take some time for him to be informed and arrive. For the Evil Spirit, increasing its strength merely requires the slaughter of living beings. If the Evil Spirit revived from Blood Mountain Mansion and no one came forward to resist, it would unquestionably lead to greater trouble. My years are quite advanced, and in this life, I likely have no chance to take that next step. Rather than fading away in obscurity, I would prefer to exert my last bit of strength to secure a glimmer of hope for the people of Nanyang County!" At this point, the Sword Daoist gestured, and a sword Qi shattered the rocks, revealing the cave dwelling within. "This is where I practiced in seclusion. Inside, there are some of my insights and some of the inheritances of the Iron Sword Sect. As the Sect Master, you should enter and see what you can gain; how much you obtain depends on your own destiny!" "As for the Iron Sect''s sword, I need it to contend with the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion. If I fall there, you can go to Blood Mountain Mansion later and retrieve this sword!" The Sword Daoist patted the hilt of the sword on his back, speaking to Lv Ying as if he were imparting his last wishes. Without waiting for Lv Ying to speak, the Sword Daoist let out a long howl, and a terrifying True Qi burst forth. In an instant, he disappeared from the spot, heading towards Blood Mountain Mansion. Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Greatly Shocked Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Greatly Shocked Left the Iron Sword Sect. Sword Daoist set off for Blood Mountain Mansion. Each step he took, his aura became more formidable. The moment Sword Daoist stepped into Blood Mountain Mansion, his aura peaked. True Intent Master! His vital energy blazed like the scorching sun! Sword Daoist''s eyes, fixed on the depths of Blood Mountain Mansion, were resolute; the battle spirit that had been dormant for hundreds of years was now stirred to its limit. Even the iron sword on his back seemed to sense this intense will to fight, trembling ceaselessly on its own. When Sword Daoist saw the scene of scattered bones throughout Blood Mountain Mansion, his expression turned even colder. "Evil spirits harm our human race, they indeed deserve death!" However, Sword Daoist also understood. The evil spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion that could directly massacre the inhabitants of a mansion probably possessed terrifying strength, which he was not capable of confronting now. Two hundred years in seclusion. Sword Daoist hadn''t truly stepped into the realm of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, he was merely a half-step Grandmaster. A half-step Grandmaster. Considered a top powerhouse in the Martial World. He could outright suppress many evil spirits. But to say he could suppress the evil spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion, Sword Daoist still had no confidence. Because he was well aware of how powerful the evil spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion was. He hadn''t taken part in the battle five hundred years ago, because he hadn''t been born yet, but his master, the founder of the Iron Sword Sect, had participated in that battle. In the end, it was the founder of the Iron Sword Sect who returned grievously wounded, then took in Sword Daoist and taught him for some years, ultimately passing away due to the incurable injuries. Knowing the strength of the Blood Mountain Mansion evil spirit, Sword Daoist had no thoughts of suppressing the evil spirit with his own power. What he intended to do was to merely buy some time. Venturing deep into Blood Mountain Mansion. The evil spirit''s presence grew increasingly intense. Sword Daoist''s expression became much more solemn. As he arrived at a mountain range, he saw all the trees had withered, the earth was cracked, and a chilling, unnatural aura pervaded the air. When Sword Daoist looked toward the fissured earth, the endless darkness within the crevices seemed like a fearsome abyss ready to devour everything. Visible amongst the blood within the fissures were corpses arranged in a bizarre fashion, their essence blood thoroughly drained. Seeing this scene, Sword Daoist''s expression was filled with fury. "Blood sacrifice!" "This is someone using the blood of the people for a sacrifice, causing the evil spirit of this place to break the seal and emerge!!" Before entering Blood Mountain Mansion, Sword Daoist had thought that the seal had weakened over time, leading to the revival of the evil spirit, but now it was clear that this was the deliberate act of someone. When he saw the clothing on some of the corpses, Sword Daoist''s eyes turned colder. "Tianyang Sword Sect... Pei Family, they have the audacity to act so recklessly!!" Although he wasn''t clear about the full story, upon seeing the clothes of people from these two houses amongst the numerous corpses, it took Sword Daoist only a moment to understand the connection. Obviously, these two families wanted to awaken the evil spirit of this place through a blood sacrifice. But as it stands, they undoubtedly bit off more than they could chew. The evil spirit was revived, and all the people from both houses were killed without exception. The remaining chains broke. Cracks appeared on the vast Golden Coffin, and a chilling, abyssal aura leaked out. In the next breath, the coffin lid shattered, a tide of force surged towards the sky, shaking the heavens. Then, a skeletal creature crawled out from the coffin, and immediately, a flood of blood-red energy madly converged, flowing into the skeleton. Following swiftly, Flesh began to regenerate. Meridians and flesh returned. In but a few breaths'' time, the skeletal creature had again formed a flesh-and-blood body, with eyes as red as blood. When it looked at Sword Daoist and Gu Qingfeng, its grotesque and ferocious face revealed a murderous expression. "Kill!" The Evil Spirit spoke in human tongue, its voice hoarse and unpleasant. As it reached out towards Sword Daoist with a mighty hand, a tumultuous mix of blood energy and cold aura filled the world, causing him to feel as if his own blood was freezing over. "You flee first, I''ll cover our retreat!" Sword Daoist''s face was filled with terror, his vigorous body and blood vibrating, dispersing the attacking cold aura with his intense blood energy. Behind him, the Iron Sword suddenly unsheathed. As he gripped the sword handle, Sword Daoist''s aura changed in an instant. "Ten Thousand Sword Skills!" Massive blood energy poured into the Iron Sword, an intense Sword Intent soared into the sky, cutting through the heavens and earth. With Sword Daoist''s slash, the powerful Sword Qi transformed into thousands of strikes that burst forth. This sword, Was the pinnacle sword technique Sword Daoist had developed after two hundred years of secluded cultivation. Even space itself showed countless fissures under this strike. "Well done!" Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. Putting other things aside, although Sword Daoist was a half-step Great Grandmaster, the power of this sword could rival that of a true Martial Arts Grandmaster. However, To say it would be enough to handle the Evil Spirit was still an understatement. Sure enough, When the power of the Ten Thousand Sword Skills clashed with the Evil Spirit''s power, it crumbled away as if it was nothing, and the overwhelming force sent Sword Daoist flying through the air. Had he not been so profoundly grounded, that strike alone would have been fatal. Even so, Sword Daoist was grievously injured, coughing up blood and staring at the Evil Spirit in utter shock. Immediately, Sword Daoist''s expression turned resolute, as if he had made a decision. "If I am to die today, I will make you pay a price!" As he spoke, Sword Daoist prepared to use his Secret Technique, ready for a last desperate fight. However, Just as Sword Daoist was about to act, the previously inactive Gu Qingfeng slowly said, "There''s no need for desperation yet, why the rush?" Upon hearing this, Sword Daoist''s expression was one of confusion. But before he could ask for clarification, he saw Gu Qingfeng throw a punch. What seemed like a simple strike made the world seem to collapse, its immense power appearing to shatter the void, with a blood energy force as dazzling as the Divine Brilliance Great Sun. All the eerie and cold aura in the air was now dissolving away, and the Evil Spirit let out a roar, with a phantom image of a blood sea emerging behind it, attempting to engulf and suppress Gu Qingfeng. In the next moment, The blood sea tore apart. The fiercely powerful punch landed squarely on the Evil Spirit, blasting its robust body away, its flesh exploding, exposing its ghastly white bones. Upon witnessing this scene, Sword Daoist stood there agape, full of disbelief. "Such blood energy...it''s truly unimaginable!!" He knew that as a Master of blood energy, his own power was considerable, but comparing his force to Gu Qingfeng''s, it was like comparing a firefly to the bright moon. And for a moment, Sword Daoist was deeply shaken. Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Level Ten True Intent Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Level Ten True Intent "Roar!" The Evil Spirit roared ferociously, releasing an even more terrifying power that swept across the void like monstrous waves. Even facing a Martial Arts Grandmaster, one would inevitably fall into darkness. However, Gu Qingfeng faced such power unflinchingly, his physical strength and blood energy exploding, stimulating the two Heavenly Veins. When the cosmic forces descended, he instantly broke through his previous limits. Extreme Dao Master Late Stage! He threw a punch. An overwhelming terrifying force tore through the heavens. At this moment, the Level Nine Sun and Moon True Intent was driven to its extreme by Gu Qingfeng. His left hand formed a fist, and his right hand sliced like a blade. The force of both True Intents appeared simultaneously. Chapter 188: Eliminate Two Families "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has taken another city, and his forces have greatly increased!" "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ was attacked by a Magician from the God Fusion Realm!" "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ used the Evil Slayer Blade to kill a Magician from the God Fusion Realm!" ... Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng glanced at the attribute panel and when he saw that it was an attack from a God Fusion Realm Magician, his eyes turned slightly cold, but soon returned to normal. "God Fusion Realm Magician... is it from the Tianyang Sword Sect or some other force?" Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself. A warrior of this caliber is rarer than an Innate Grandmaster. Any Magician from the God Fusion Realm holds a considerable status and position. Even within the Immortal Sect, beings of this level could be considered high-ranking. Therefore, the moment the information about the attack from a God Fusion Realm Magician appeared, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s first thought was of the Tianyang Sword Sect. After all, apart from the Tianyang Sword Sect, he really couldn¡¯t think of anyone else who would employ such a powerful individual for an assassination. However, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t ponder over this uncertainty for too long. As soon as a Hidden Guard came in and handed him the letter brought by pigeon, all of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s doubts were resolved. "Nangong Yu, the commander of the Evil Suppression Bureau in Nanyang County!" The presence of the Evil Suppression Bureau... It had been a while since Gu Qingfeng had heard about it. As an institution under the Taixuan Dynasty responsible for suppressing Evil Spirits, every state and prefecture had its own branch of the Evil Suppression Bureau. Originally, there was a branch in Guangyang Prefecture. But since the time Gu Yang made his move, the Evil Suppression Bureau in Guangyang Prefecture had vanished without a trace. Clearly, this was because the Guangyang Prefecture¡¯s Evil Suppression Bureau either had no confidence in confronting Gu Yang or no intention to join him, and for the sake of preserving their strength, they had withdrawn from Guangyang Prefecture. Later on, as Gu Yang annexed the entire Taishan County, all branches of the Evil Suppression Bureau in the area seemed to disappear into thin air, leaving no trace behind. As his power grew stronger, Gu Qingfeng no longer considered the affairs of the Evil Suppression Bureau to be of much importance. After all, the Evil Suppression Bureau was just one institution of the Taixuan Dynasty. Even if it was somewhat powerful, how powerful could it really be? With his own strength, Gu Qingfeng naturally had the right to disregard the existence of the Evil Suppression Bureau. Until now. When the letter from Nanyang County arrived. Gu Qingfeng began to think about the Evil Suppression Bureau again. However, with the protection of the Evil Slayer Blade, any Magician from the God Fusion Realm attempting an assassination would simply be courting death. To put it bluntly, now that the Evil Slayer Blade, carrying his own power, could even slay those from the Transformation Realm, let alone a mere Magician from the God Fusion Realm. This time, He did not make a grand show of it. However, before leaving the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng had assigned Gu Peng the responsibility for handling the affairs of the manor and had Hong Ye and others secretly guard the safety within the manor. Excluding Xu Yulan, there were several Innate Grandmasters in the Gu Family Manor now, so Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t worried about any problems arising. The Gu Family Manor was already incomparable to its former self. ... While Gu Qingfeng was leaving for Nanyang County, On the other side, The pigeon carrying messages Had already arrived first. Looking at the letter in his hand, Gu Yang showed a smile. "Good, if father is willing to take action personally, then the problems at Blood Mountain Mansion are negligible, now we just need to focus on dealing with the Tianyang Sword Sect and the Pei Family!" Having the Hidden Guard inform Gu Qingfeng about the situation in Nanyang County was also Gu Yang¡¯s way of requesting his intervention. Therefore, Now that Gu Qingfeng was willing to intervene, the anxiety that had been hanging over him finally settled. Gu Yun and the other generals, upon hearing Gu Yang¡¯s words, also showed delight. They were well aware of whom Gu Yang was referring to as ¡¯father¡¯. If he was willing to intervene, let alone just Blood Mountain Mansion, even ten Pei Families and Tianyang Sword Sects would be negligible. Gu Yun said, "Since Master Gu is willing to intervene, then the problem with the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion is negligible. What does His Majesty plan to do next?" "The Pei Family and Tianyang Sword Sect have committed massacres that provoke both heavenly and human wrath; hence, both forces are unnecessary to exist. First, we eliminate the Pei Family and Tianyang Sword Sect, which will significantly reduce the resistance we face in unifying Nanyang County." Gu Yang¡¯s expression was icy, and his intent to kill was unmistakable. The two families were definitely to be eliminated. Originally, Gu Yang planned to gradually undermine them and then wipe out both families, ensuring an infallible victory. But now, with the news of the massacre and since Gu Qingfeng was going to intervene personally, Gu Yang no longer opted for such a cautious approach. Eliminate both families. Then turn back to deal with the other forces in Nanyang County. Hearing this, Gu Yun¡¯s expression showed a slight surprise, but he soon understood Gu Yang¡¯s intentions and then nodded. "Whatever His Majesty commands, Divine Martial Sect will dedicate its full efforts!" Chapter 194: Annihilating the Pei Family The Battle of Blood Mountain Mansion. It certainly shocked the entire Nanyang County. Not long after Gu Qingfeng left Blood Mountain Mansion, others soon stepped into it. When they saw that the vast Blood Mountain Mansion had turned into a Hell, everyone was shocked to the core. "Blood Mountain Mansion is gone!" "An entire mansion has been massacred, such a ruthless method¡ª" Even those who had seen the tragic state of Blood Mountain Mansion could not help but be horrified when they truly delved deeper into it. They had thought that although some people had died in Blood Mountain Mansion this time, it was not too serious. But now it seems. That Blood Mountain Mansion¡¯s demise was more than just a few deaths. The vast Blood Mountain Mansion. Had been slaughtered to the last. An entire mansion¡¯s populace. Was not just in the tens of millions. Even in times when natural disasters were frequent, and the world was in great chaos, such a death toll would be significant enough to shake the Nine States. Especially when someone entered the mountain range where the Evil Spirit was born and saw the shattered earth and the knife marks that split the mountains, their pupils shrank sharply, and the shock on their faces could not be described in words. "Hisss, there must have been a world-shaking battle here!" "Such a formidable Blade Intent; such Blade Intent has probably broken the limit of a Master¡¯s Blade Intent!" "A Great Grandmaster¡¯s Blade Intent, this is definitely the legendary Great Grandmaster¡¯s Blade Intent..." An experienced Grandmaster powerhouse, looking at the deep knife marks embedded in the mountain range, felt a profound shock from that terrifying knife wind. Common Grandmaster Blade Intents, although fearsome, are definitely not as terrifying as the one before them. Such Blade Intent seemed immortal and indestructible, so much so that even direct gazes brought a strange sense of sting. Some tried to observe this Blade Intent up close, but before they could even approach within a hundred yards of the knife mark, they were blown away by the terrifying Blade Intent. Even more, those who could not dodge in time were bisected by this Blade Intent. This scene. Made others who wanted to comprehend the Blade Intent instinctively stop in their tracks. No helping it. The Blade Intent was terrifying. Even a Grandmaster would find it difficult to approach. To withstand such pressure of True Intent, one would either need to be a powerhouse who comprehended a Grandmaster¡¯s True Intent or possess strength comparable to a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Otherwise. There would definitely be no chance of withstanding such a Blade Intent attack. "Such Blade Intent is much more domineering than the one in Guangyang Prefecture; could it be that another peerless warrior has emerged in the world?" Some sect powerhouses looked uncertain, their eyes filled with fear when looking at the Blade Intent. The Blade Intent in Guangyang Prefecture was left by the one currently revered as Martial Saint. Now, the Blade Intent here was even more terrifying, which naturally led to much speculation. Such a warrior in Martial Arts would not arise even in ten thousand years; now, it appeared that two powers rivaling Martial Ancestor had emerged, which inevitably shook all parties. However. Soon, a powerhouse noticed something and shook his head slightly, "Although the Blade Intent here is stronger than that of Guangyang Prefecture, if you observe carefully, you¡¯ll realize that the two have much in common. In this old man¡¯s opinion, the powerhouse who left behind this Blade Intent is probably from the same source as the one in Guangyang Prefecture!" Upon hearing this. Other powerhouses also carefully sensed it and soon found that what the other party said was true. "Indeed, the Blade Intent here does originate from the same source as Guangyang Prefecture¡¯s!" "It seems that the one who left behind this Blade Intent is that Martial Saint!" "This Blade Intent is terrifying, and compared to Guangyang Prefecture, it is clearly a step higher, which shows that the Martial Saint¡¯s strength has also ascended to a higher level!" Some expressed their amazement. It hadn¡¯t been long. But that person¡¯s strength had made another breakthrough. Gu Yang¡¯s expression was icy as he hastened his pace, heading toward the Tianyang Sword Sect. ¡ª¡ª Nanyang County. Pei Family. The interior of the Pei Family was now in utter chaos, with Gu Yi and others leading the Hidden Guard elite in a ruthless massacre. "How dare these lowly Hidden Guards run rampant in my Pei Family, courting death!" A Pei Family powerhouse roared, only to be met with a chilling blade wind that forced all his words back down his throat. He hurriedly drew his sword to block, but it had no chance of withstanding the force of the strike. "Crack!" The long sword shattered. The Pei Family powerhouse was cleaved in two, his blood spilling on the spot. "Sixteenth Elder!!" Some Pei Family disciples had their eyes split with rage, gazing upon the fallen Pei Family elder with a mix of anger and fear. There were eighteen elders in the Pei Family. Even the weakest of them was at the Perfection stage of Refining Organ. Such level of powerhouses were strong contenders in the entirety of Nanyang County. However, now that a Hidden Guard powerhouse had slain the Sixteenth Elder in a single encounter, it was no wonder they were struck with fear. Just then, the Second Elder, Pei Lin, stepped forward with a fierce palm strike headed for the Hidden Guard, his face seething with murderous intent. "Daring to kill an elder of my Pei Family, pay with your life!" "Innate Grandmaster..." Gu Er remained indifferent, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes as he channeled the full might of his Innate True Qi into his saber. He unleashed a fearsome blade wind that slashed through the air like a ribbon, capable of splitting the heavens and the earth, its terrifying aura of violence struck fear into Pei Lin. Having broken through to the Innate Grandmaster realm decades ago, Pei Lin hadn¡¯t reached the Perfection stage, but his accumulation of power in this level was considerable, with his Cultivation having advanced to the Late Stage Grandmaster. Although Gu Er had slain the Sixteenth Elder with a single blow, Pei Lin still considered him insignificant. After all, there was a vast chasm between Perfection in Refining Organ and Innate Grandmaster. Should the latter strike with full force, annihilating the former could be effortless. But now, as they truly clashed, Pei Lin suddenly realized he had underestimated Gu Er. His opponent¡¯s power was not that of a mere novice in the Innate Grandmaster realm; this overwhelming True Qi even surpassed Pei Lin¡¯s decades of accumulated foundation. At their first exchange, Pei Lin found himself at a disadvantage, forced into a retreat by Gu Er¡¯s continuous attacks. Then, followed by a saber strike that ripped through the air, a spout of blood soared as Pei Lin¡¯s head was sent flying, his face still showing disbelief as he uttered his last words with difficulty. "Grandmaster Perfection..." Before he finished speaking, Pei Lin¡¯s expression froze for eternity. From that moment on, Pei Family¡¯s Second Elder, was dead! "This is bad, the Second Elder is dead!" "Could it be that heaven itself desires the end of my Pei Family!?" Seeing Pei Lin fall so quickly to Gu Er, the remaining members of the Pei Family were engulfed in fear, many harboring thoughts of fleeing, their eyes filled with despair. And at that moment, a scream rang out, drawing everyone¡¯s gaze. Pei Sheng, caught in a deadly assault by Gu Yi and two other Innate Grandmasters, was caught off guard and cleaved straight in two with a single saber strike. His body collapsed, and his blood stained the earth. This sight, obliterated the last semblance of fighting spirit within the remnants of the Pei Family. Chapter 195: Undying Blade Intent "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ sent people to exterminate the Pei Family, leaving no chicken or dog alive!" "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ led the Divine Martial Sect¡¯s experts to attack the Tianyang Sword Sect!" "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ killed 236 Martial Artists of the Refining Skin Realm!" "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ killed 178 Martial Artists of the Blood Refining Realm!" "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ killed 89 Martial Artists of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ killed 36 Martial Artists of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!" "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ killed 3 Martial Artists of the Refining Organ Realm!" "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ used the Evil Slayer Blade to kill a Magician of the Transformation Realm, sending shockwaves through the martial world!" "Your scion ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ had insights from the battles and slaughter, leading to a corresponding increase in strength!" "Your scion..." ... After returning to the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng witnessed his information panel constantly refreshing. Seeing the Pei Family¡¯s annihilation, his expression hardly changed. The Pei Family was exterminated. It was inevitable. The insignificant Pei Family. How profound could their foundation be? Even if they were led by the Prefectural Governor of Nanyang County, commanding the territory of one county, with Pei Jing¡¯s death, the Pei Family¡¯s vitality was greatly damaged. How could they now withstand the force under Gu Yang¡¯s command? Therefore. The destruction of the Pei Family wasn¡¯t surprising at all. However, when he saw that Gu Yang had used the Evil Slayer Blade to kill a Magician of the Transformation Realm, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze did waver slightly. Of course. It was just a slight fluctuation. He was fully aware of the power of the Evil Slayer Blade since he had nurtured it with Blade Nourishing Skills for many years, keeping it constantly by his side for True Intent tempering. Now, he had even left a drop of his Essence Blood in the blade, making it no problem to kill average Magicians of the Transformation Realm. However. If it were to face an expert of Gu Yutian¡¯s caliber, it would seem somewhat insufficient. But Gu Yutian had died, and for the Tianyang Sword Sect to produce another top-tier expert in the Transformation Realm was exceedingly unlikely. "After this battle, there will be no more presence of the Tianyang Sword Sect in Qingyun State!" Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was indifferent. He then took out the Jade Bottle containing the severed finger, obtained after slaying the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, that finger must be of a similar level to the drop of blood obtained earlier. As soon as the finger appeared, Gu Qingfeng noticed that it still emitted vigorous vitality, as if the severed finger was a living thing, not dead. It bore an air of divinity, filled with terrifying power. The moment Gu Qingfeng concentrated on the finger, he had a vision of a desolate and ruined world filled with countless bones. A finger pressed down from the nine heavens, crushing layers of void sky, turning all the bones and carcasses to dust. All of a sudden. A streak of blood ripped through the endless void. In an instant. The finger shattered. Blood sprayed across the sky. The vision came to an abrupt end. But. Gu Qingfeng was utterly stupefied; the bloodlight that severed the finger in the void seemed deeply etched in his mind, haunting him. When Gu Qingfeng refocused and studied the bloodlight, he finally realized what it really was. It was a blade! To be precise! It was the ultimate move wielded by a mysterious figure. That blade. Cut through the heavens and the earth. it was all but an illusion. However, the power of that one strike and the sensation of facing death head-on were now deeply imprinted in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. This was an opportunity! Also, it was incredibly dangerous! Such Blade Intent could become one¡¯s inner demon, halting any progress if faced with fear. But if one could overcome the terror of this Blade Intent, it was possible to use it to refine oneself and take a step further. It was clear. Gu Qingfeng belonged to the latter group. Despite the strength of the undying Blade Intent and the terror it brought by directly confronting death, Gu Qingfeng, who had walked this far and stained his hands with untold amounts of blood, had never feared life or death. Therefore, that undying Blade Intent, now etched deep in his mind, was transformed by Gu Qingfeng into nourishment for the Heavenly Blade, with various insights rushing to his heart, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of his initial creation of the Heavenly Blade. ... In the time that followed, Gu Qingfeng fully dedicated himself to comprehending the undying Blade Intent, only studying the Refining Organ Chapter of the Longevity Skills in his spare time. Each time his body and divine thought were annihilated by the undying Blade Intent, Gu Qingfeng gained a bit more understanding. But facing death so directly, as if even one¡¯s soul were being extinguished, was not something ordinary martial artists could endure. Once or twice might have been bearable. If it continued for an extended period, it would inevitably give rise to inner demons. While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, in Nanyang County, the current Tianyang Sword Sect had been completely reduced to ruins. Many golden coffins had appeared above the remains of the Tianyang Sword Sect, with each coffin sealing a powerful evil spirit. These evil spirits came from the Tianyang Sword Sect. After all, as an Immortal Sect, the Tianyang Sword Sect had no shortage of magicians, and Gu Yang had long made thorough preparations to prevent these evil spirits from causing chaos in the world. Thus, all the fallen strong members of the Tianyang Sword Sect were promptly suppressed by Gu Yang as soon as their evil spirits revived. In front of the shattered great hall of the Tianyang Sword Sect, there was even a severed head, with its face filled with unwillingness and disbelief, now frozen in death. This head belonged to Gu Shentong, the current Sect Master of the Tianyang Sword Sect. Using the power of the Evil Slayer Blade, Gu Yang struck him down, severing his head and sealing his revived evil spirit, completely disintegrating the Tianyang Sword Sect¡¯s top fighting force. "The Tianyang Sword Sect has ultimately fallen!" Gu Yang¡¯s expression was one of relief. The existence of an Immortal Sect always loomed over him like a mountain, and only now, with the Tianyang Sword Sect eradicated, had that weight been lifted from his heart. Just then, an informant hurriedly came to report. "Your Majesty, scouts have sent word that the various rebel armies and the court¡¯s forces are currently heading towards the Tianyang Sword Sect!" Upon hearing this, Gu Yun and other strong members of the Divine Martial Sect changed their expressions slightly. They had anticipated this situation, but still, they felt tremendous pressure when it actually occurred. Even the strongest of masters are human and have their limits; once surrounded by a chaotic army, even a master could not escape death. Seeing the change in everyone¡¯s faces, Gu Yang was much calmer. He said to the informant, "Continue to monitor the outside situation and report any changes to me immediately!" "Yes!" The informant hurried away. Afterward, Gu Yang looked at the others and issued a decisive order. "Tianyang Sword Sect is easy to defend but hard to attack. From now on, everyone will hold their position here, waiting for reinforcements to arrive!" Chapter 196 Martial Arts Grandmaster A sect¡¯s base of operations is, after all, no ordinary place. The Tianyang Sword Sect is an Immortal Sect with a heritage of ten thousand years, occupying a critical strategic position. This time, although the number of people Gu Yang brought to attack the Tianyang Sword Sect was not large, they were all top fighters. Now, defending from the mountain, even if hundreds of thousands of troops were to attack day and night, they could hold out for a while. After all. Any Grandmaster. Can be considered an adversary of ten thousand. As long as they are not exhausted. For ordinary people to surround and suppress a Grandmaster, the difficulty is imaginable. "Without my order, no one shall strike first. Each entrance of the Tianyang Sword Sect must be guarded by at least two Grandmasters. If one exhausts their strength, another shall take their place. Remember, we are not here to crush the besieging army in this battle, we just need to delay time!" Gu Yang looked at the shouting and killing at the foot of the mountain, his expression extremely calm. Under his command, there were no fewer than ten Grandmasters, along with a group of Martial Artists following him. Although their strength did not reach the Grandmaster Realm, they were at least at the Refining Organ level. Such a force. Is enough to defend for quite some time. Moreover. The Tianyang Sword Sect was also not lacking in food and water supplies, which made it even less of a problem. The location selection of any sect is meticulous; if there were problems with food and water sources, they would not have been chosen by the ancestors of the Tianyang Sword Sect. "We will follow your command!" Gu Yun and the others immediately bowed to accept the order and retreated, beginning to lead other Martial Artists in guarding every mountain pass. The entire great hall soon emptied until only Gu Yang remained. "This battle will depend on whether your siege is faster or if my reinforcements arrive sooner!" Gu Yang muttered to himself. However, though this was said, his face showed a look of full control. Before he brought people to the Tianyang Sword Sect, he had already made the corresponding preparations. Now, barring unforeseen circumstances, the Guangyang Army should be able to arrive before long. Once the Guangyang Army arrives. All problems will no longer be problems. "After this battle, there will be no more rebellious forces in Nanyang County. I shall control the land of two counties. Amongst the four counties south of Qingyun State, Nanyang County¡¯s strength is the most formidable. Controlling the territory of two counties, I will not need to concern myself with the remaining two!" Gu Yang¡¯s expression was cool. ... "Boom!" Inside the Iron Sword Sect, a powerful presence suddenly erupted, vast True Qi shaking the heavens, and terrifying nature¡¯s spiritual energy converged, forming a Divine Sword that pierced into the Azure Darkness. Everyone in the Iron Sword Sect looked up at the Spiritual Energy Divine Sword, their faces shocked. As the Sect Master, Lv Ying, was now even more jubilant. "The Supreme Elder has broken through!" "This time, our Iron Sword Sect will surely rise, surpassing its past prosperity!" Originally, when the Sword Daoist had gone to Blood Mountain Mansion, Lv Ying thought it would be a journey of no return. Unexpectedly. It didn¡¯t take long for the Sword Daoist to return to the Iron Sword Sect, and upon his return, he immediately went into seclusion. Regarding this. Lv Ying clearly understood the intent behind the seclusion. But the Sword Daoist had previously secluded himself for two hundred years without making a true breakthrough to Great Grandmaster. This time, the probability of a real breakthrough seemed low. But now. That pressure surpassing a Martial Arts Grandmaster let Lv Ying understand that the Sword Daoist had finally taken that step. It was evident. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength had reached a realm so profound it was beyond the comprehension of gods and ghosts. Therefore, even after becoming a Great Grandmaster, the Sword Daoist had no intention of becoming an enemy of Gu Qingfeng. Pondering this, the Sword Daoist changed the topic and inquired, "It is said that the Guangyang Prince has already led troops into Nanyang County, may I ask what the current situation is like?" "To inform the Supreme Elder, not long ago the Guangyang Prince dispatched troops to annihilate the Pei Family and simultaneously led powerful fighters to siege the Tianyang Sword Sect. The latest news suggests that the Tianyang Sword Sect has been destroyed, but both the court¡¯s army and various rebel forces from Nanyang County have sent troops to jointly besiege and attempt to confine him within the Tianyang Sword Sect. Currently, the whole of Nanyang County is in turmoil; various powers are being affected, yet fortunately, since the Supreme Elder has now attained the realm of Great Grandmaster, he will be able to ensure the safety of our Iron Sword Sect..." Lv Ying, without hesitation, recounted all of the events. But, as his words trailed off, he noticed that the Sword Daoist¡¯s complexion had turned somber and unpleased. "What did you say... The Guangyang Prince is under siege at the Tianyang Sword Sect?" "Indeed¡ª" Lv Ying instinctively nodded his head. Yet before his words were fully spoken, the Sword Daoist said in a grave tone, "Immediately gather all Iron Sword Sect disciples, and set out at once to rescue the Guangyang Prince at Tianyang Sword Sect!" "What do you mean by this, Supreme Elder?" Lv Ying¡¯s face changed, and confusion that he couldn¡¯t conceal filled his eyes. He didn¡¯t understand why the Iron Sword Sect would get involved in this mire at such a time. After all, the current Tianyang Sword Sect was the eye of Nanyang County¡¯s storm, with the slightest misstep potentially implicating them. Even if the Iron Sword Sect boasted a newly emerged Great Grandmaster, they ought not to get involved. "I was able to break through to Great Grandmaster thanks in no small part to that Martial Saint, and I once promised that the Iron Sword Sect would obey the Guangyang Prince. Now that the Guangyang Prince is under siege, our Iron Sword Sect cannot stand idly by." The words of the Sword Daoist caused Lv Ying¡¯s expression to change repeatedly. Watching the change in the other¡¯s demeanor, the Sword Daoist continued, "You have not truly witnessed the strength of that Martial Saint; you can¡¯t comprehend how formidable such an existence is. Even now, after my own breakthrough to Great Grandmaster, I am but an ant before him." "With such a powerhouse assisting from behind, the Guangyang Prince has a great likelihood of ascending to the throne. Nowadays, when Magicians dominate and Martial Artists are in decline, the emergence of that Martial Saint will surely bring about a revival of the Martial Arts." "It is only beneficial and harmless for our Iron Sword Sect to forge a relationship with him early on." Lv Ying fell silent at the Sword Daoist¡¯s words. He didn¡¯t expect that this Supreme Elder, having just broken through to Great Grandmaster, would speak such words. Although Gu Qingfeng¡¯s achievements were indeed astonishing, hearing it from the mouth of a Martial Arts Grandmaster was far more shocking. "Very well; I shall make a trip to the Tianyang Sword Sect first; you will follow shortly thereafter leading the disciples of the Iron Sword Sect!" The Sword Daoist didn¡¯t waste any more time, leaving immediately after giving his instructions. He had just achieved the Great Grandmaster status, and facing such news, the Sword Daoist couldn¡¯t remain idle. If the Guangyang Prince indeed perished at the Tianyang Sword Sect, and the Martial Saint was enraged, the situation could potentially lead to devastating consequences. If the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion were to be unleashed, it had the power to reduce an entire county of Nanyang to ruins. And if Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength was even more terrifying than that of Blood Mountain Mansion¡¯s Evil Spirit, then should something befall the direct heir of Guangyang within Nanyang County, the extent of the impact would be incalculable. Therefore, both in consideration of emotion and reason, the Sword Daoist had to intervene. And he dared not hesitate even for a moment, for fear that he might arrive a step too late. As the Sword Daoist departed, Lv Ying¡¯s expression shifted uncertainly, but ultimately, he gritted his teeth and decided to follow the Sword Daoist¡¯s commands. After all, the other party was the Supreme Elder of the Iron Sword Sect and the one and only Great Grandmaster of the sect; even as the Sect Master, Lv Ying could not defy him. Moreover¡ª The words spoken by the Sword Daoist seemed reasonable to Lv Ying. Without delay, Lv Ying then gave orders to gather all disciples of the Iron Sword Sect, with the exception of a necessary contingent to guard the sect, and the rest were dispatched to support Gu Yang, who was entrenched at the Tianyang Sword Sect. Chapter 197 The Complete Longevity Skills "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ slew 269 court soldiers!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ slew 786 rebel soldiers!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ was attacked by 365 rebels!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ was attacked by 296 court soldiers!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ was attacked by 6 Refining Organ Realm Martial Artists!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ gained insights during battle and slightly improved his strength!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ received guidance from a Martial Arts Grandmaster and improved his strength!" ... As Gu Qingfeng studied the Undying Blade Intent, he also watched the information on the panel refresh. At the same time, intelligence about Nanyang County was continuously sent to him by the Hidden Guard. Such as the current issue of Gu Yang being trapped in the Tianyang Sword Sect, surrounded by both the rebel forces and the court¡¯s army, Gu Qingfeng was also aware. However, he wasn¡¯t very worried. After all, not only was the Tianyang Sword Sect¡¯s location perilously strategic but under Gu Yang, there were also powerhouses from the Divine Martial Sect protecting it, blocking off any problems for a while was not an issue. Gu Yang was also prepared; currently, the Guangyang Army was continuously marching towards the Tianyang Sword Sect. He only needed to wait for the army to arrive, and all problems would be resolved easily. This was also why Gu Qingfeng did not take action personally. With Gu Yang¡¯s foundational strength, the battle was bound to be more thrilling than risky. The opponents wanted to contend for supremacy, and they must rely on their own strength to resolve issues, only in the face of insurmountable odds would Gu Qingfeng personally intervene. Meanwhile, he let Gu Yang grow independently. It¡¯s the same old saying, flowers reared in a greenhouse eventually serve little purpose. But at least so far, Gu Yang had not disappointed Gu Qingfeng. The only thing that somewhat surprised him was the emergence of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. "Grandmaster level Martial Artists are rare in the world, and furthermore, many immortal sect clans are watching in secret. Even if there really is a Grandmaster alive, they might not dare to make a public appearance. Moreover, just a mere Nanyang County, where could a Martial Arts Grandmaster come from..." This thought had just emerged when Gu Qingfeng thought of something else. If it was destined that a Martial Arts Grandmaster would emerge from Nanyang County, it had to be none other than the Sword Daoist. From the previous battle at the Blood Mountain Mansion, Gu Qingfeng could see that the Sword Daoist was only half a step away from the Grandmaster realm, which was why he bestowed the Longevity Skills. Now with a mysterious Grandmaster acting to save Gu Yang, this Grandmaster was very likely the Sword Daoist. "It seems this person is quite gifted to have taken the final half-step and ascended to Martial Arts Grandmaster so quickly!" Gu Qingfeng mused internally. Now with the emergence of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, Gu Qingfeng was even less worried. Afterward, he resumed his study of the Undying Blade Intent. The Heavenly Blade created by Gu Qingfeng in the past integrated many True Intent Blade Skills and Grandmaster¡¯s secret teachings, finally forming a top-tier Martial Arts above the Grandmaster level. But strictly speaking, the Heavenly Blade could only be considered as barely stepping into the threshold of Grandmaster level. However, now, as he further explored the Undying Blade Intent, Gu Qingfeng glimpsed a farther path ahead. "Have seen the old manor master!" Led by Gu Peng, everyone showed a look of reverence. The so-called middle and senior levels of the Gu Family Manor were either guards who had followed the Gu family from the start and gradually gained some authority with the establishment of the manor, becoming middle-ranking figures. Or they were those who had come to join the manor due to its reputation, passed the assessments and tests, confirmed their loyalty, and were also granted some authority. But strictly speaking, the true senior figures consisted only of Gu Peng himself. There was no helping it. The foundation of the Gu Family Manor was ultimately shallow, and the next generation had not yet fully grown. Among the vast Gu family, only Gu Peng, who had been granted the Gu surname, was commendable. Now, Many people looked at Gu Qingfeng with awe in their eyes. For this world-renowned old manor master, these people were naturally not strangers; their reason for joining and remaining loyal to the Gu Family Manor all this time was precisely because of his presence. Just that Gu Qingfeng mostly remained in seclusion most of the time and rarely appeared before them, so summoning them this time also aroused their excitement and curiosity. Watching the changes in everyone¡¯s expressions, Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently, "Evil Spirits run rampant across the world, Magicians cause disasters, but only our Martial Artists remain weak, ultimately because the Martial Arts of the world are flawed, preventing Martial Artists from attaining a long life!" "Having secluded myself for many years and observed the Martial Arts of the world, I have finally remedied the flaws in the Martial Arts and created the Longevity Skills, establishing a foundation for our Martial Arts." "Today, I will pass on the Longevity Skills to you all. I hope you cultivate diligently and not tarnish the reputation of the Gu Family Manor!" Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words landed in everyone¡¯s ears like a bombshell, making them seem dazed as if they couldn¡¯t believe their own ears. The flawed Martial Arts! The Longevity Skills! The information contained in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s few words had a profound impact on them. The only person who truly remained calm was Gu Peng. After all, Gu Peng had already received the incomplete Longevity Skills and was not surprised. While everyone was in shock, Gu Qingfeng emitted a terrifying True Intent from his body, suppressing the entire hall. Under the pressure of his True Intent, everyone felt their bodies trembling, their blood stagnating, and terror was written all over their faces. However, Without letting people remain in shock for long, Gu Qingfeng pointed his finger, and all the cultivation methods related to the Longevity Skills surged into everyone¡¯s minds. Including Gu Peng, everyone received the complete cultivation methods of the Longevity Skills. For a moment, A massive amount of information emerged, plunging the entire hall into an eerie silence. After a long time, Gu Peng was the first to recover. He bowed to Gu Qingfeng, "Thank you for bestowing the technique, old master. I am deeply grateful!" The complete Longevity Skills, compared to the incomplete ones he had received before, were more than ten times stronger in mystery. Even with Gu Peng¡¯s current disposition, he couldn¡¯t help but feel excited. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng handed a booklet to Gu Peng. "This is the Longevity Skills I compiled. Let this Martial Art be the foundation for the disciples of the Outer Hall. All cultivation below the Grandmaster level should primarily use the Longevity Skills." "But without my command, no one is allowed to leak the Longevity Skills, or else you know the consequences!" Gu Qingfeng said, his presence intensifying. Gu Peng took the Longevity Skills with both hands, hastily saying, "Rest assured, old master. If anyone dares to leak the secret of the Longevity Skills, I¡¯ll make sure they wish for death!" At this point, the others had also recovered. Hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, they hurriedly bowed and spoke. "Rest assured, old master! If anyone leaks the Longevity Skills, we shall not be merciful!" Chapter 198: The Heritage of the Ji Family鈥檚 Royal Family ``` The passing down of the Longevity Skills. That was the first step Gu Qingfeng had to take. This Martial Art, as the foundation of the Gu Family Manor, was already fully sufficient for current use. As the world was not yet settled, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of widely spreading this Martial Art; otherwise, if others obtained it, it might not necessarily be a good thing. However, if the world fell entirely into Gu Yang¡¯s hands, it would be a different matter. By then, if the Longevity Skills were to spread, the prestige of the Gu Family would truly soar to its peak. Gu Qingfeng had planned all these matters long ago, but everything had to be done step by step, and he knew well that hurrying was out of the question. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. With the breakthroughs of Gu Xuan and others, his Upgrade Points had already broken through to ninety-one points. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate and directly used fifty Upgrade Points to elevate his Pure Yang True Body to the Small Success stage. As the Pure Yang True Body entered the Small Success stage, a flood of memories emerged, and Gu Qingfeng¡¯s originally condensed Qi and blood became even more terrifying. Such a level of Qi and blood could suppress an Evil Spirit with just a single drop. It was just a pity that the breakthrough of the Pure Yang True Body did not advance Gu Qingfeng to the Late Stage of the Extreme Dao Master. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng was also resigned. "The Pure Yang True Body, though a Master¡¯s supreme skill, has limited use to me; each breakthrough as an Extreme Dao Master requires a sufficient depth of accumulation." "Nevertheless, Yang¡¯er needs to hasten his pace!" Gu Qingfeng had never forgotten the idea of having Gu Yang leave behind more offspring. He had already become an Extreme Dao Master, and the probability of leaving descendants in the future was even lower, so he naturally wanted Gu Yang and the others to try harder. Only with plentiful descendants could the Gu Family truly expand and strengthen. Currently, Gu Yang had already broken through to the Bone Refining Realm; should he continue to break through further, entering the Marrow Cleansing Realm or even the Refining Organ Realm, the probability of leaving behind offspring would be even lower. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng looked at Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu and harbored some thoughts, pondering whether to suppress the two¡¯s cultivation levels so they wouldn¡¯t break through too quickly. This too was an unavoidable matter. The stronger the power, the lower the real chance of leaving behind offspring. To Gu Qingfeng, this seemed like a form of implicit balance. After all, the more powerful the Martial Artist, the stronger the natural talents of their bloodline descendants tend to be. ... Returning to the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng entered seclusion to cultivate. Now, he was wholeheartedly comprehending the Undying Blade Intent. As Gu Qingfeng delved deeper into the mysteries of the fingertip, he truly understood the terror of the Undying Blade Intent, and felt that his self-created Heavenly Blade was indeed peerless among blades. The Heavenly Blade Intent it nurtured was even more supreme over all creatures. And yet, compared to the Undying Blade Intent remaining in the fingertip, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Heavenly Blade Intent still wasn¡¯t just one level lower. However, throughout this period of comprehension, Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t been without gain. At least, the originally level ten Heavenly Blade Intent had now taken a step forward, ascending to the eleventh level. Moreover, this Initial Stage Grandmaster Cultivation Technique had also advanced to the Mid-level Grandmaster Cultivation Technique. Nanyang County. The former Governor Mansion had now become the temporary Guangyang Prince Mansion. Gu Yang looked at the object delivered by the Hidden Guard and a look of joy appeared on his face. "The complete Longevity Skills!" He was currently cultivating the Longevity Skills himself, but the previous Longevity Skills were incomplete, stopping only at the Marrow Cleansing Chapter. However, the Longevity Skills brought by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s envoy now included the complete cultivation technique up to the Perfection of Refining Organ. Since becoming the Guangyang Prince, Gu Yang had been instructed by the experts of the Divine Martial Sect, and then personally taught by the Great Grandmaster of the Iron Sword Sect, making his knowledge of Martial Arts incomparable to that of the past. Therefore. With just a glance at the complete Longevity Skills, Gu Yang understood the significance of this cultivation technique. Afterward. Gu Yang called over Gu Yi and handed the technique to him. "This is the complete Longevity Skills, copy it and teach it to all the Hidden Guards for their cultivation." "Yes!" Gu Yi¡¯s expression was solemn. Then. Gu Yang paused, then added, "Also, go to the Guangyang Prefecture and bring Li to this King." He realized that it had been a long while since he last saw Zhong Li. Gu Qingfeng did not just send the Longevity Skills, he also implied that he should leave behind more progeny, and upon serious consideration, Gu Yang found Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words to be reasonable. After all, until now, he had only left behind one heir, and if he truly desired to secure his rule over the Nine States, having someone to inherit his vast enterprise was essential. Leaving behind several more heirs was ultimately not a bad thing. Moreover. Gu Yang also understood that the higher the cultivation level, the less likely one becomes able to leave progeny. If his cultivation level progressed further in the future, then when he truly wanted to leave heirs, it might no longer be possible. Upon hearing this. Gu Yi immediately accepted the order and withdrew. Subsequently, Gu Yang commanded someone to summon Gu Yun. "Your Majesty has summoned me, is there something you need?" "I¡¯ve heard that the higher a Martial Artist¡¯s cultivation, the lower the chances of leaving progeny. As the Divine Martial Sect is a top-tier sect, do you perhaps have some corresponding secret methods?" Gu Yang was somewhat indirect, but Gu Yun certainly grasped the implications. Immediately, he responded with a smile, "Such secret methods do indeed exist in our Divine Martial Sect. After all, as your Highness mentioned, the higher the realm of the Martial Artist, the less likely they can leave progeny. Therefore, many of our sect¡¯s past experts, wanting to pass on their lineage but troubled by their high realms, have researched some secret methods." "Nevertheless, every secret method has its limitations. Such methods can be effective for Martial Artists below the Grandmaster level, but for those above Grandmaster, it¡¯s all about fate and cannot be forced. However, even though the secret methods are ineffective for Grandmasters, in reality, Grandmasters can also leave progeny, it¡¯s just that the chances are much lower than ordinary people." Gu Yun¡¯s words eased Gu Yang¡¯s expression. Useful for those below Grandmaster. That was enough in his view. At that moment. Without waiting for Gu Yang to speak, Gu Yun said, "I shall have someone go to the Divine Martial Sect later and bring what your Highness requires." "Then I must thank Sect Master Gu!" Gu Yang¡¯s expression showed gratitude. ¡ª¡ª Guangyang Prefecture. Inside the Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng was still in seclusion. However, a message delivered by a Hidden Guard meant he had to temporarily interrupt his retreat. "Reporting to your honor, news from the Central Region says that the court¡¯s grand army has suffered a crushing defeat against various rebelling kings, with a million-strong force now at the gates of the Capital. Many experts from immortal sects and noble families have joined forces, intending to break through the Capital in one fell swoop and topple the Ji royal family. At a critical moment, five Great Grandmasters emerged from the Ji royal family and, with the force of Thunder, inflicted severe damage on the opposing experts, preserving the Ji royal family¡¯s lineage." In the great hall, a Hidden Guard scout reported in a solemn voice. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s usually calm demeanor showed a trace of change. ``` Chapter 199: Li Family of Desolate State "Five Great Grandmasters!" Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression flickered slightly. He was aware that the Ji Family royalty had a legacy built up over thousands of years, but he had not anticipated such depth. Five Great Grandmasters! What a concept this was. Over ten thousand years, in the Nine States, the number of Great Grandmasters who had appeared openly was not much greater than this. Now, a single Ji Family royalty wielded control over five Great Grandmasters, highlighting the terrifying extent of their resources. However, upon further thought, Gu Qingfeng felt this was to be expected. After all, the Ji Family royalty ruled over the Nine States, and even if an Immortal Family was covetously lurking in the background, it was not entirely impossible for them to have hoarded a portion of resources to cultivate a few Great Grandmasters. "But just relying on five Great Grandmasters to change the current situation doesn¡¯t seem to be that simple!" Gu Qingfeng pondered to himself. The presence of five Great Grandmasters was certainly formidable, but with many Immortal Sects and families now eyeing the Nine States, such a force attempting to reverse the tide with just five Great Grandmasters had a slim chance of actual success. However, at this point, the Ji Family royalty had no way out. Without revealing their ultimate hand, they were likely on the brink of extinction. Therefore, no matter the circumstances, these five Great Grandmasters could not remain hidden. "Continue to monitor the situation in Central State. Inform me immediately of any developments!" Gu Qingfeng ordered dispassionately. The Hidden Guard promptly acknowledged and withdrew. The emergence of five Great Grandmasters was bound to escalate the situation in Central State to a climax. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, the chaos in Central State would not last much longer. The only question, was who would be the ultimate victor. But regardless, it was highly likely that the Ji Family royalty would not be the winner. Again, that same point. The five Great Grandmasters were strong indeed. But which of these Immortal Sects lacked a profound foundation? To expect five Great Grandmasters to hold off these powerful clans and sects was nothing more than a joke. Unless, the Ji Family royalty had an even stronger legacy up their sleeve, that would be a different matter altogether. However, the current situation in Central State also seemed advantageous in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. After all, with the Ji Family royalty revealing such strength, it was bound to draw the attention of all parties, which would make Gu Yang¡¯s actions somewhat easier. When the time came for him to take charge of Qingyun State, he too would possess the qualifications to truly contend for supremacy over the world. With that thought set, Gu Qingfeng continued his cultivation in seclusion. For him, nothing was more important than enhancing his own power. ¡ª¡ª "Five Grandmasters of the Ji Family royalty... it¡¯s no wonder the Taixuan Dynasty has stood at the pinnacle of the world for three thousand years. Such a foundation was probably not even anticipated by the Ji Family themselves!" In Nanyang County, Gu Yun also felt deeply moved upon learning of this news. The Divine Martial Sect, as a top-tier sect established by the Martial Ancestor, currently had no living Martial Arts Grandmasters. Looking now at the Ji Family royalty, that could bring forth five Grandmasters at once, it was evident how severely the Divine Martial Sect had declined. Although the strength of Dan Yang County was not weak, Shi Zhen was quite confident. 800,000 troops. He himself had also broken through the limit of Refining Organ and stepped into the Grandmaster Realm. Coupled with the assistance of five Innate Grandmasters, taking down Dan Yang County was naturally not a big problem. After all, the foundation of Dan Yang County was also different from that of Nanyang County. The latter had the Immortal Sect of the Tianyang Sword Sect stationed there, while the former was not quite as strong. Moreover, now that the Guangyang Army had captured two counties in succession, its reputation was resounding, and Dan Yang County was unlikely to dare to clash head-on with the Guangyang Army, even if it had some foundation. Upon hearing this, the other generals looked on with envy. Such a great achievement was naturally enviable to them. Sensing everyone¡¯s gaze, Gu Yang paused and then his gaze fell on Jiang Mo. "This time, in attacking Chi River County, Jiang Mo, you will be the main commander, and Xue Cheng, you will be the deputy. I will also give you an army of 800,000 and five Masters to set out for battle." "There¡¯s only one requirement for this battle, and that is to take Chi River County with the fastest speed and the lowest casualties!" "Yes!" Jiang Mo and Xue Cheng both saluted with their fists, their faces filled with excitement. Especially Xue Cheng. Although he was the deputy commander, given his status as Defector General from the court, being valued in this way was enough for him in his own eyes. After appointing the main commanders for the two forces, Gu Yang passed down other commands, with only one goal in mind: to take the two counties and completely control Qingyun State. ¡ª In Zhongzhou, outside the Capital city. The army was attacking the city. The flames of war affected all sides, with countless soldiers perishing. "Boom!" The ferocious blade wind seemed capable of splitting the heaven and earth. With one slash, hundreds to thousands of soldiers exploded into clouds of blood, without even a chance to scream before falling dead on the spot. This scene caused the others to change their expressions dramatically. Atop the city wall, stood a young man in white, fluttering like a peerless war god descending upon the world, his brows filled with an indifferent chill¡ªthat was a disregard for life. "Whoever dares to approach the Capital by half a step, this will be their fate!" As soon as these words were uttered, the enemy¡¯s siege did not slow down in the slightest. Seeing this, the young man in white¡¯s expression turned cold. With a swing of his long blade, hundreds of beams of light shot out instantly, slaughtering countless enemy soldiers on the spot. Blood and limbs flew, creating an extremely horrifying scene. Just then, a voice filled with rage came through. "Ji Shendao, as a True Intent Grandmaster, what pride do you find in attacking ordinary people? Let me, your opponent, come to meet you!" The moment the words fell, the void trembled. A horrifying and chilly aura erupted, shaking the cosmos, and a hand formed of Spiritual Power suddenly pressed down towards the young man in white. "Desolate State¡¯s Li Family!" Ji Shendao¡¯s eyes went cold, torrents of True Qi poured into his long blade, followed immediately by a terrifying Blade Intent that tore through the cosmos, fiercely cleaving down towards that hand. With this one slash, it split the heaven and earth as if it could Divide Rivers and Cut Off Flow. That hand formed of Spiritual Power was completely shattered under the slash, and a middle-aged man was forced to retreat from the void, looking at Ji Shendao with a grave expression in his eyes. "Not unworthy of being the most outstanding genius of the Ji Family¡¯s royal lineage six hundred years ago, your strength is indeed remarkable!" Chapter 200 Steadily Increasing Strength "Back then, I thought you had already died a meditative death. Who could have expected that you not only stepped into the Martial Arts Grandmaster silently but even reached the realm of a True Intent Grandmaster? If it weren¡¯t for the fact that the Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune had run out, perhaps you really would have taken that final step!" Li Xuanji¡¯s eyes were cold, looking at Ji Shendao as if looking at a dead man. What of a True Intent Grandmaster! The Li Family, an Immortal Family of Desolate State, with Li Xuanji as its head, naturally had extraordinary power. Even when facing a True Intent Grandmaster, he was not the slightest bit afraid. "The Taixuan Dynasty never had any grievances with the Li Family of Desolate State. Ever since our Ji royal family assumed control, we have taken good care of Desolate State. Does Li Family Master really intend to engage with the Taixuan Dynasty in a fight to the death?" Ji Shendao gripped the Divine Blade in his hand, his eyes sparking like lightning as he looked at Li Xuanji. He didn¡¯t want to fight Li Xuanji, not because he was afraid, but because in the current situation of the Taixuan Dynasty, it was best to have fewer enemies. Of course. Ji Shendao understood. Since Li Xuanji had appeared, the possibility of the Li Family from Desolate State backing down was slim. As expected. As Ji Shendao finished speaking, Li Xuanji responded indifferently, "The grand trend of the world has its determinants, the Taixuan Dynasty conquering the world for three thousand years is already at its limit, why bother going against the heavens. If you stop now, perhaps some bloodline of the Ji royal family can still be preserved!" "This, I suspect, even you, Li Family Master, do not believe." Ji Shendao sneered, silencing Li Xuanji. Seeing the other party¡¯s silence, Ji Shendao¡¯s eyes gleamed with deadly intent, his aura, characteristic of a True Intent Grandmaster, began permeating the void quietly. "What is called the grand trend, what is going against the heavens, in the end, it¡¯s all about who has the upper hand. My Ji royal family has secured the throne for three thousand years, and it¡¯s not for anyone to manipulate. If you want to destroy the foundation of the Taixuan Dynasty, let¡¯s see if you are capable!" With these words. Ji Shendao immediately made a move. He swung down his long blade, and the concrete blade wind, as if tearing through the heavens and mountains, surged terrifyingly towards the sky. Everyone who saw this blade turn a deathly pale. Even Li Xuanji was now extremely solemn. "Hopelessly obstinate!" He uttered these words and then erupted with the power at the peak of the Transformation Realm, clashing with Ji Shendao thoroughly. Both were top contenders of the world. Although the Transformation Realm was higher than ordinary Martial Arts Grandmasters, facing a True Intent Grandmaster like Ji Shendao still did not give him much of an advantage. Thus, as soon as they clashed, the battle was extraordinarily fierce. Fight! Fight! Fight! The two figures frantically fought, terrifying currents of energy ravaging the area, anyone within a hundred yards of them was blasted apart by the force, turning into a sky of blood mist. This scene. Also made many strong warriors from the Immortal Sects narrow their eyes. "Ji Shendao¡¯s strength is indeed unfathomable, a True Intent Grandmaster, something that has not appeared in the Martial World for many years, who would have thought the Ji royal family had such a powerhouse." "Ji Shendao¡¯s strength, perhaps isn¡¯t much less than that person from Guangyang Prefecture after all!" As someone mentioned the Guangyang Prefecture, the other strong figures fell silent. The emergence of that person from the Guangyang Prefecture was completely unexpected. Immediately. A strong figure from the Taisu Sect spoke coldly, "A martial artist is ultimately just a martial artist, once the situation in the Midland stabilizes, how long can a so-called Martial Saint jump around. Even if the Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago is reborn, we still do not fear!" "Exactly, the world today is no longer what it was ten thousand years ago, in front of us Magicians, martial artists really can¡¯t make it to the stage." Other powerful figures from the Immortal Sects nodded in agreement. Right now, they hadn¡¯t made a move against Guangyang Prefecture because the situation in Midland was still unstable. But, as it stands. "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, minor advancement in cultivation!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has received a mysterious Grandmaster¡¯s inheritance!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, minor advancement in cultivation!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ commanded the unstoppable army, causing his reputation to soar!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has been attacked by warriors from the Grandmaster Realm *3!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has killed warriors from the Refining Organ Realm *6!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, minor advancement in cultivation!" ... When Gu Qingfeng saw that Gu Yang¡¯s troops attacked two counties directly, he was not too surprised. After all, given the circumstances, were he in Gu Yang¡¯s shoes, he too would seize this opportunity to capture both counties and gain complete control over Qingyun State. However, when he saw the Divine Martial Sect¡¯s secret technique, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression couldn¡¯t help but change. "Can the Divine Martial Sect really have a secret technique to increase the likelihood of having offspring?" He hadn¡¯t expected this. That the Divine Martial Sect would have such a thing. But after a second thought, Gu Qingfeng was relieved. The Divine Martial Sect had been around for thousands of years; it wasn¡¯t too strange for them to have some mysterious secret techniques left. Then again. It was just some trivial matters. Since the Iron Sword Sect submitted to the Guangyang Army, Gu Yang had shifted from receiving guidance from Gu Yun to guidance from a Great Grandmaster. This was normal, too. Gu Yun, strong as he was, was only a step away from being a Great Grandmaster and couldn¡¯t really compare with a true Great Grandmaster. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng had also seen the deep foundation of the Sword Daoist. The other party had now broken through to the realm of Martial Arts Grandmaster, a level that not just any Grandmaster could match. Receiving his guidance was indeed a great opportunity. With this progress, Gu Qingfeng believed that it wouldn¡¯t take too long for Gu Yang to reach Bone Refining Perfection. Upon further reflection. Gu Yang was only twenty-two years old and had already stepped into the late stage of Bone Refining, soon to break through to Bone Refining Perfection; his talent was indeed not bad. "The Divine Martial Sect¡¯s secret technique might be worth a look. If it proves useful for a Master, I might also be able to leave some more descendants behind!" Gu Qingfeng pondered quietly. He was now an Extreme Dao Master, and Xu Yulan had also stepped into the realm of Innate Grandmaster; the offspring from two Grandmasters would definitely not be lacking in talent. Perhaps. If there were indeed offspring left, one of them might be the most talented in the current Gu Family. Thinking this. Gu Qingfeng called over a Hidden Guard stationed at the Gu Family Manor, instructing him to send a message to Gu Yun to inquire about the Divine Martial Sect¡¯s secret techniques. The next day. No news had come from Nanyang County yet, but news from Desolate State arrived first. ... In the hall. A Hidden Guard respectfully reported, "Reporting to Your Honor, news from Desolate State has arrived¡ªLi Family Master Li Xuanji from Desolate State has taken action, along with other powerhouses, to besiege the Capital, intending to assassinate the only True Intent Grandmaster of the Ji Family royal lineage, Ji Shendao. This incident has provoked the wrath of the Ji Family¡¯s royal house, and several Great Grandmasters have taken action again. At the critical moment, Ji Shendao utilized a secret technique, sacrificing his own severe injuries to kill Li Xuanji on the spot, deterring all parties. However, according to the latest news, though Ji Shendao killed Li Xuanji, he sustained serious injuries and is now on the verge of death!" The words of the Hidden Guard startled Gu Qingfeng. Even though he had some speculations, hearing the Hidden Guard¡¯s report was still somewhat unexpected. ``` Chapter 201 You Dare to Secretly Refine Evil into Your Body! Upon learning that a True Intent Grandmaster from the Ji Family royal house could slay the Family Head of the Li Family from Desolate State, Gu Qingfeng was somewhat surprised. About the Li Family from Desolate State, Gu Qingfeng also had some understanding. The Immortal Sects and families under heaven were just a handful. The Li Family from Desolate State was one amongst these Immortal Families. The strength of the Li Family in Desolate State, strictly speaking, was not weaker than the now-destroyed Tianyang Sword Sect. The strength of that Li Family Head was by no means ordinary. Yet even such a mighty person was slain on the spot by the Ji Family¡¯s Royal True Intent Grandmaster, which showed how terrifying the opponent¡¯s strength could be. "If there¡¯s a chance, I would actually like to exchange blows with that True Intent Grandmaster, but from what I see now, it seems there isn¡¯t going to be any opportunity." Gu Qingfeng shook his head. The reason was simple. Because that True Intent Grandmaster was going to die. Even if he wasn¡¯t severely injured, there was no chance he would survive. A True Intent Grandmaster who could slay an Immortal Family Head¡ªhow could those Immortal Sects families let him live? What¡¯s more, the vital energy of a Grandmaster was something those powers coveted. Now as the massive army besieges the Capital of Central State, the destruction of the Ji Family royal house was merely a matter of time. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng continued to seclude himself for cultivation. Several days later, the Hidden Guard also delivered the secret formula from Divine Martial Sect. When Gu Qingfeng looked at the secret recipe, his expression revealed slight disappointment. "This secret formula isn¡¯t bad, it¡¯s just a pity that it¡¯s of no use to Martial Artists above the Grandmaster Realm." The Divine Martial Sect¡¯s secret formula was indeed extraordinary, but Gu Qingfeng could also see that it was almost ineffective for him at the moment. Speaking of disappointment, there certainly was some. But Gu Qingfeng quickly came to terms with it. Setting aside the matter of the secret formula, Gu Qingfeng continued to comprehend the Undying Blade Intent. ¡ª Central State, Capital, This ancient city is now thoroughly dyed red with blood, limbs severed from bodies were everywhere, corpses piled high at the city gates, emitting waves of nauseatingly strong stench of blood. At the moment, the army continued to attack the city. Several figures stood tall in the sky, looking towards the direction of the Capital, expressions cold and detached. "Ji Chunqiu, why must you desperately resist? Ji Shendao has already passed away; what does your Ji Family royal house have left to withstand us?" Master Taixuan looked towards the figure on the city wall, his eyes filled with indifference. Ji Chunqiu responded coldly, "My Taixuan Dynasty has ruled the world for three thousand years, thinking of destroying the foundation of my Ji Family royal house with your group is utterly delusional. If you want a battle, I shall accompany you to the very end. It¡¯s just that last time it was Li Xuanji who died; this time, it¡¯s probably going to be you all." Hearing the three words ¡¯Li Xuanji¡¯, a trace of dread unconsciously flashed through the eyes of the surrounding experts. That battle back then. Ji Shendao had employed a secret technique to unleash an extremely powerful strike, cutting down Li Xuanji on the spot. That scene was deeply etched into their minds. Facing that strike of Ji Shendao, no one was confident they could withstand it. Just then, Master Taixuan scoffed and said, "Ji Shendao is dead; your Ji Family royal house cannot bring out another Ji Shendao. If you think you can deceive by creating an illusion, you are far too presumptuous!" As his words fell, Seeing this, the others also did not hesitate, using their most powerful techniques together with Master Taixuan to attack Ji Chunqiu. Even with Ji Chunqiu¡¯s half-step Divinity Realm cultivation, facing the assault of many powerhouses, he felt immense pressure. However. His expression showed no fear. "Come then, as many as you are, today I shall capture all of you at once!" ¡ª In the chaotic battles of Qingyun State, a pigeon transmitted a message, swiftly delivering the news to Gu Yang¡¯s hands. Now back in the Guangyang Prince Mansion, Gu Yang was silently enhancing his strength while also commanding the central army, controlling the situation across Qingyun State. Now. The Guangyang Army had already entered Chi River and Dan Yang counties and, with the assistance of several Grandmasters, the army was unstoppable, leaving no room for resistance from the remaining court or rebel forces. At this rate, it wouldn¡¯t take long for both counties to fall under Gu Yang¡¯s control. At this moment. The pigeon delivered a message. Gu Yang opened the secret letter and his expression slightly shifted when he saw its contents. "Ji Chunqiu, half-step Divinity Realm... The Ji Family royalty has kept a deep secret!" The content of the secret letter described the current situation in Qingyun State. When he first learned that the Ji Family royalty had deployed five Martial Arts Grandmasters, Gu Yang was already a bit surprised. But to find out Ji Chunqiu himself was a half-step Divinity Realm powerhouse shocked him even more. In an instant. Gu Yang thought of the rumors of Ji Chunqiu¡¯s severe illness. Now it seemed. Those rumors were just a smoke screen released by the opposition. "If this person truly steps into the Divinity Realm, perhaps the cycle of the Dynasty¡¯s three thousand years might indeed be completely shattered!" Gu Yang muttered to himself. He was well aware of what the Divinity Realm represented, a realm truly above Martial Arts Grandmasters and the Transformation Realm, with even True Intent Grandmasters seeming insignificant before a Divinity Realm powerhouse. Yet, since ancient times, those in the Divinity Realm were few and far between. However. A half-step was still a half-step. According to the news from Qingyun State, although Ji Chunqiu was a half-step Divinity Realm powerhouse, those Immortal Sects also had profound foundations, and powerhouses from various factions converged in Qingyun State; even a half-step into the Divinity Realm was difficult to withstand. But one thing. Gu Yang was sure of. Even if the Ji Family royalty were defeated, other forces would likely suffer as well. A final counterattack from a half-step Divinity Realm powerhouse was no small matter. Afterward. Gu Yang transmitted this message back to Gu Family Manor. Such a significant event occurring in Qingyun State, Gu Yang naturally had to inform Gu Qingfeng. After doing all this. Gu Yang¡¯s expression also calmed down. He couldn¡¯t intervene in the matters of Qingyun State for now, so he focused on securing Qingyun State first. Just then. A fragrant breeze came wafting in. Gu Yang turned toward the entrance of the grand hall, his face immediately showing a gentle smile. "Li has arrived!" "My husband." Zhong Li smiled slightly. Immediately, Gu Yang pulled her into his arms and embraced her. He quite liked Zhong Li. After all, if he hadn¡¯t, he certainly wouldn¡¯t have married her. Then, Gu Yang¡¯s hand caressed Zhong Li¡¯s abdomen, as if feeling something. "I wonder if the secret recipe of the Divine Martial Sect really works..." Chapter 202: The Taixuan Dynasty is No More While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion and the Guangyang Army was capturing Qingyun State, the situation in Central State was also turbulent. For half a month. Continuous reports from Central State kept arriving in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands. Regarding the fact that Ji Chunqiu was half a step into the Divinity Realm, Gu Qingfeng felt somewhat surprised, but he quickly came to terms with it. At the same time. During this period. The text on the attribute panel was constantly refreshed. ... "Your progeny ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has received pointers from a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and his cultivation has slightly improved!" "Your progeny ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to Bone Refining Realm Perfection!" "Reward Upgrade Points*100!" "Reward Bone Refining Pill*100!" "Reward Marrow Cleansing Pill*100!" "Reward Refining Organ Pill*10!" "Your progeny ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ leads the Guangyang Army in conquering territories, greatly boosting his fame!" "Your progeny ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has been attacked by Grandmaster Realm Martial Artists*6!" "Your progeny ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has received pointers from a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and his cultivation has slightly improved!" "Your progeny..." ... When he saw that Gu Yang had broken through to Bone Refining Realm Perfection, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression did not change much. After all, Gu Yang now controlled a vast amount of resources and had been instructed by Martial Arts Grandmasters, so it was only normal for him to achieve a breakthrough. On the contrary. If Gu Yang hadn¡¯t made any progress in his cultivation, that would have been genuinely surprising. Now that Gu Yang had made a breakthrough, Gu Qingfeng used the extra hundred Upgrade Points and directly applied them to the Pure Yang True Body. In an instant. This Grandmaster-level cultivation technique was elevated by Gu Qingfeng from Small Success to Perfection in one breath. "Pure Yang True Body Perfection!" "Pure Yang Body Level Four!" "This cultivation technique is truly exceptional!" After achieving Perfection in the Pure Yang True Body, Gu Qingfeng felt the terrifying Pure Yang Qi Blood in his body and his expression showed a trace of surprise. Such power of Pure Yang Qi Blood, if cultivated by others, could transform the vital essence of a martial artist¡¯s life, making their Qi Blood far stronger than that of a common Grandmaster. From this, it was apparent. The one who created the Pure Yang True Body had extraordinary vision and strength. Unfortunately. Since it didn¡¯t induce a transformation in the martial artist¡¯s life essence, the Pure Yang True Body could only be considered a normal Grandmaster-level Martial Arts technique. At most. It was simply a more powerful Grandmaster¡¯s secret technique, not having transformed to a higher level. Even so, attaining Perfection in the Pure Yang True Body did make Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Qi Blood significantly more condensed, and even though it wasn¡¯t enough to break through to the Late Stage Extreme Dao Master, it was still more powerful than before. "To break through to the Late Stage Extreme Dao Master, I still need to accumulate a bit more!" "However, with enough Grandmaster-level secret techniques, advancing in cultivation at the Extreme Dao Master realm is not too difficult!" Gu Qingfeng pondered. Normal Grandmaster-level Martial Arts required two hundred Upgrade Points to be brought from Beginner to Perfection. Two hundred Upgrade Points isn¡¯t considered few, but also isn¡¯t too many; at the current rate, it would take about one or two years to accumulate enough. The biggest problem. Lies in the difficulty of obtaining higher-level Martial Arts; breakthroughs must be achieved using the Breakthrough method. Martial Arts Breakthrough. The consumption involved was beyond measure. Only by forging a perfect foundation within these five realms can a Martial Artist go further. Similarly. One¡¯s foundational strength also indicates the combat power of Martial Artists at the same level. Like two Martial Arts Grandmasters, if one reached Grandmaster Perfection with a flawless journey through the five realms of Body Refinement, and the other had deficiencies, the latter would naturally struggle to compete with the former. Moreover. The former could easily crush the latter. This is the fundamental difference between a strong and a weak foundation. With this thought, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attention returned to the severed finger. Now, as he delved deeper into the Undying Blade Intent contained within the finger, Gu Qingfeng gained a new understanding of the Heavenly Blade Swordsmanship he had created, and the level twelve Heavenly Blade True Intent also grew much stronger than before. Gu Qingfeng believed. As long as he had more time, the breakthrough of the Heavenly Blade True Intent should pose no problem. If the Heavenly Blade True Intent could break through to level thirteen, then Gu Qingfeng would have truly created a top-notch Grandmaster-level Blade Technique. As Gu Qingfeng immersed his thoughts into the Undying Blade Intent, a robust and domineering Blade Intent spread from him. In an instant. The entire Grinding Blade Hall was enveloped in a terrifying Blade Intent. The Evil Slayer Blade, newly returned by Gu Yang, trembled slightly under the presence of this Blade Intent, as if a mighty aura was emanating, intimidating all manner of Divine Weapons. ¡ª¡ª Zhongzhou. The Capital was breached. This place had completely turned into ruins. Countless bodies were piled here, belonging to both the court¡¯s soldiers and the rebel army¡¯s troops. At this moment. Inside the imperial palace, terrifying fluctuations erupted. After a long time. The fluctuations subsided. Only to see Ji Chunqiu, with his imperial robe soaked in blood, his authoritative eyes filled with icy killing intent, and in front of him, the mighty from numerous Immortal Sects¡¯ families gathered. Master Taixuan held the head of a Ji Family Grandmaster in one hand, his expression icy as he looked towards Ji Chunqiu. "Ji Chunqiu, you have already lost. If you willingly surrender now, I can spare a line of your Ji Family¡¯s royal blood. But if you persist in your futile resistance, the Ji Family¡¯s royal line will be utterly eradicated from this day forth." "Why waste so many words? Even in defeat, I shall make you pay the price!" Ji Chunqiu said coldly, completely unmoved by Master Taixuan¡¯s words. To be taken prisoner. That was simply impossible. Even if preserving a line of the Ji Family¡¯s blood meant nothing, as the Ji Family¡¯s royal line would undoubtedly be reduced to captives after today. If that was what it meant to preserve their bloodline, it would be better to cut off the royal lineage altogether. Upon hearing this. Master Taixuan¡¯s expression turned cold, his fingers suddenly tightened, and the Grandmaster¡¯s head burst apart instantaneously, its headless corpse collapsing to the ground. "Kill!" Witnessing this scene, killing intent erupted in Ji Chunqiu¡¯s eyes as the terrifying power associated with the Evil Spirit shook the heavens, strange and chilly spiritual energy rampant. Even his once formidable body now showed signs of cracking, seemingly on the verge of shattering. Such changes were a sign that the Evil Spirit was about to revive. To this. Ji Chunqiu did not care in the slightest. This battle, he never expected to survive. So. What did it matter if the Evil Spirit revived? Ji Chunqiu had only one thought now: to slay all the invaders and bury them with the Ji Family¡¯s royal bloodline. Seeing Ji Chunqiu advancing with that powerful aura, all the mighty ones looked solemn. Master Taixuan shouted angrily, "What are you all hesitating for, kill him, and the Taixuan Dynasty shall be no more!" As he spoke. Master Taixuan was the first to make a move, clashing with Ji Chunqiu. The other sect and family powerhouses exchanged glances and then joined the battle at the same time. Chapter 203: Pacifying Qingyun State Three days later, A piece of news spread from the Central State, shaking the entire world. Ji Chunqiu had fallen. The Taixuan Dynasty had utterly come to an end. Once this news came out, the Nine States were immediately thrown into a great uproar. Upon learning the news, Gu Yang ordered Gu Yun and other powerful beings to assist the two armies in hastening the unification of the entire Qingyun State. Meanwhile, at the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng also learned of this news. "The Ji royal family has ultimately failed!" Regarding this outcome, Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t surprised. After all, the failure of the Ji royal family was something destined. These Immortal Sects had an age-old agreement, to support a family to rule the world every three thousand years. If any power tried to break this agreement and become the ruler of the Nine States, other forces would not tolerate it. Especially after the occurrence of the prior dynasty lasting three thousand six hundred years, the various Immortal Sects were even less likely to tolerate such. Thus, the destruction of the Taixuan Dynasty was unchangeable. Unless, the Ji royal family could produce a supreme powerful being who could dominate the world. Only then, was there a possibility to change this situation. Unfortunately, the Ji royal family may have accumulated considerable depth, but they hadn¡¯t reached the step to dominate the world. Half-step into the Divinity Realm, although powerful, still changed nothing. "Now that the Taixuan Dynasty has fallen, the beacon fires of the Central State will surely escalate. It remains to be seen who can truly suppress the heroes and take charge of the Central State lands!" Gu Qingfeng looked towards the direction of the Central State, as if he could see the scenery of beacon fires rising everywhere. The fall of the Taixuan Dynasty was merely the first step of chaos. The gambles of the many Immortal Sects were the truly crucial step. The Nine States consider the Central State as the most respected. Whoever could emerge from the Central State next could probably secure dominance over the world. "Your Excellency, the Prince Mansion delivers joyful news, the princess consort is pregnant!" "Good!" Upon receiving this news, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s usually serene heart finally stirred some waves. Zhong Li was pregnant. This meant that the Gu Family could add another bloodline. At this time, Gu Qingfeng also glanced at the information panel. ... "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯s¡¯ army took down six cities in seven days, causing all rebel forces in their path to surrender!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has been guided by a Great Grandmaster, slightly improving his cultivation!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ took a Divine Martial Sect secret medicine, successfully preserving a progeny bloodline!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has been guided by a Great Grandmaster, slightly boosting his strength!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has been guided by a Great Grandmaster, enhancing his cultivation slightly!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ took a Divine Martial Sect secret medicine, slightly improving his strength!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Xuan¡¯ had his physique cleansed with Innate True Qi, slightly enhancing his cultivation!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Xiu¡¯ had his physique cleansed with Innate True Qi, slightly boosting his cultivation!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Shengnan¡¯ had her talent slightly improved after being cleansed with Innate True Qi!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has been guided by a Great Grandmaster, slightly boosting his strength!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯s¡¯ army suppressed the entire Dan Yang County, making ¡¯Guangyang Prince¡¯ a widely acclaimed name!" ... "Dan Yang County has also fallen into Yang¡¯er¡¯s hands!" Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng officially left his seclusion. He took a step into the air, and his entire being soared up, heading towards the direction of Guangyang Prefecture City. Riding the wind, this was a technique Gu Qingfeng had developed. The so-called riding the wind was actually a method of controlling one¡¯s own power and borrowing from the forces of heaven and earth. Theoretically, as long as one¡¯s True Qi and vitality were strong enough, even those at the Grandmaster Realm could briefly ride the wind. Chapter 204 - 203: Pacifying Qingyun State_2 Only masters of great strength can levitate, and the energy it consumes is extraordinary. However, for Gu Qingfeng, the energy cost of levitation was not too severe. Soon after. Gu Qingfeng had entered the prefecture. At his descent from midair, he immediately drew the astonishment of many guards at the Prince Mansion, many instinctively drew their weapons and encircled Gu Qingfeng. But it didn¡¯t take long. One guard recognized Gu Qingfeng¡¯s identity and shouted with anger, "Put away your weapons, this is Martial Saint Mr. Gu, you must not be disrespectful!" Speaking of which. The guard took two steps in three speedy strides, bowing deeply in front of Gu Qingfeng. "Subordinate Liu Feng, greets Mr. Gu!" "Hmm." Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. He could see that Liu Feng¡¯s cultivation was not weak; though not yet a Grandmaster, he was at least a high-level practitioner in the third realm of Refining Organ. At this time. Liu Feng, full of reverence, said, "Mr. Gu¡¯s arrival will be reported to His Majesty immediately, please come inside and rest a while." "Then I will trouble you." "Mr. Gu is too courteous." Liu Feng respectfully invited Gu Qingfeng into the grand hall, then promptly went to notify Gu Yang. Before long. Gu Yang hurried over. "Father has come, why didn¡¯t you inform me in advance so I could have made preparations?" "What preparations do you need?" Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly; his question caused Gu Yang to smile sheepishly. It was supposed to be a mere pleasantry, but given Gu Qingfeng¡¯s retort, Gu Yang did not know how to respond. Immediately. He smoothly changed the subject, sat down next to Gu Qingfeng, and then asked with curiosity, "Father, what brings you suddenly to the Prince Mansion?" "I heard Li Niang is with child?" Gu Qingfeng asked directly. So, I thought it might be best to return the position of manor master to Father, what do you think?" Gu Yang revealed his thoughts. This idea had been on his mind for a while. When he first assumed the role of manor master of the Gu Family Manor, he did so hoping to leverage that status to expand his influence. But plans do not always keep up with changes. Gu Yang did not expect to advance so swiftly, consolidating power to such an extent that he even declared himself a king. In this light. The position of manor master of the Gu Family Manor became optional. Still, the Gu Family Manor was the family¡¯s lifeblood; Gu Yang indeed wished for its revival, but now as Guangyang Prince, he had too many responsibilities and lacked the bandwidth to manage the affairs of the Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng nodded, "If you¡¯ve decided, then your father has no objections." The position of manor master. If Gu Yang did not want it, then it would return to him. Following this. Gu Qingfeng handed several bottles of elixirs to Gu Yang. "These are Marrow Cleansing Pills; when you break through to the Marrow Cleansing Realm, you can take these to temper your foundational strength." "Thank you, Father!" Gu Yang¡¯s face brightened. He was well aware of the miraculous effects of the elixirs from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands. Although consuming such elixirs might not lead to a breakthrough like the secret medicines of the Divine Martial Sect, they would still solidify a martial artist¡¯s foundation and constitution, offering a stronger base. Strictly speaking. This kind of elixir was much stronger than the secret medicines of the Divine Martial Sect. After all, with a sufficiently solid foundation, one could go further in the future. Not to mention. A strong foundation. It would also allow the martial artist to possess greater strength within the same realm. Gu Yang was already at Bone Refining Perfection, yet he was capable of defeating warriors in the Refining Organ Realm, thanks to his mastery of Grandmaster True Intent, and one must not overlook his own robust foundation. After giving the Marrow Cleansing Pills to Gu Yang, Gu Qingfeng did not linger too long in the mansion, and soon floated away. Subsequently. The news that Gu Yang had stepped down as manor master and the old master, Gu Qingfeng, had retaken control of the Gu Family Manor quickly spread. Chapter 205 - 203: Pacifying Qingyun State_3 However, such news did not cause much of a stir. After all, the minor changes in the Gu Family Manor were trivial compared to the current affairs in the Martial World of the Nine States. Back at the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng once again entered seclusion. ---- Days and months passed. Time flowed swiftly. Three months later, Gu Yang had officially unified the entire Qingyun State, becoming a top-tier lord, and the reputation of the Prince of Guangyang sent shockwaves across the world, drawing attention from all quarters. However, after occupying the entire Qingyun State, Gu Yang did not rush to wage war against the Central State but instead changed his previous offensive approach, focusing on the development of internal affairs. Under such circumstances, Qingyun State, after more than a decade of war, finally regained a brief peace. Likewise, Gu Yang also issued an order, offering a reward for any Evil Spirits and anomalies discovered; whoever reported the trace of such entities, upon verification, would receive a certain reward. These rewards could include silver or exceptional martial arts skills. If one could eliminate the anomalies and subdue the Evil Spirits, the reward would be even more substantial. Thus, many martial artists in the Martial World were immensely delighted. Since the rise of magicians and the decline of Martial Arts, many martial arts inheritances had been controlled by the top sects, and ordinary martial artists hardly had any opportunities for further advancement. This issue was ultimately due to a lack of martial arts. But now, Gu Yang openly offered numerous martial arts as rewards, which gave these people a glimpse of hope. Therefore, for a time, a wave of cleansing the anomalies and Evil Spirits erupted in Qingyun State. Any disclosed movements of Evil Spirits or anomalies attracted a large number of martial artists. Compared to merely reporting the trace of Evil Spirits and anomalies, the rewards for eliminating and subduing them were significantly richer. Gu Yang did not harbor any doubts. After all, a ten-month pregnancy was predictable, and it was normal for Gu Qingfeng to be able to determine the timing. "Father! You¡¯ve arrived just in time; the two children were just born, and I was hoping you would give them names!" Gu Yang immediately had someone bring the two children over. Gu Qingfeng looked at the two babies in their swaddling clothes, his expression softened somewhat, as they say, affection skips a generation; he inherently felt a sense of closeness to the two children before him. Soon, Gu Qingfeng checked them and discovered both were boys; he then gently channeled some of his True Qi into their bodies, his face revealed a smile once again. "Both children have good genetic talents, much better than yours!" Hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, Gu Yang also showed a smile. Although it was a praise for his sons, Gu Yang found it very joyful to hear. Immediately after, Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then said, "The eldest shall be named Shengxing, and the younger Shengan!" "Shengxing, Shengan... Thank you, father, for the names!" Gu Yang repeated the names, nodding his head. Prospering the country and bringing peace to the state! Indeed, as Gu Yang had hoped. Therefore, the names of the two children were decided. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng looked at the two, then flicked his fingers, and a drop of fresh blood split into two, falling into the centers of their foreheads. "This drop of blood contains a fraction of my power, enough to ensure they are invulnerable to all evil." This was not something Gu Qingfeng made up. At his level of cultivation, his blood was pure and yang; a single drop could keep all evil at bay, daring not to approach. Initially, the Evil Slayer Blade could directly slay Evil Spirits because it contained a drop of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Essence Blood. The same was true for this drop of blood. It was also a drop of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s own Essence Blood. Chapter 206 - 203: Pacifying Qingyun State_4 For Martial Artists, Essence Blood is especially precious. Even for Gu Qingfeng, with his profound cultivation, the Essence Blood he had condensed was limited. The loss of each drop of Essence Blood effectively weakened his own body and required a significant amount of time to slowly recover. If it were an ordinary person, Gu Qingfeng would not have made such a sacrifice. However, for his two newly born grandsons, he did not mind using up a drop of Essence Blood. In fact, this Essence Blood not only prevented evil spirits from invading but also had other wonderful uses, which Gu Qingfeng did not mention. Beside him, Gu Yang could also feel the immense power contained within this drop of Essence Blood and naturally understood that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s sacrifice was significant. His face immediately filled with gratitude. "Son thanks father on their behalf!" "Consider it something I, as a grandfather, am doing for them!" Gu Qingfeng shook his head. Gu Yang said, "Father has traveled from afar, why not stay at the Prince Mansion for a few days before returning?" "That sounds good." Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and did not refuse. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s face was instantly filled with joy. He immediately ordered his servants to make arrangements for Gu Qingfeng to stay at the Prince Mansion. The news that Gu Qingfeng had arrived and was staying at the Prince Mansion naturally spread. The next day, Unfortunately, although the Sword Daoist¡¯s cultivation was astonishing, in the presence of Gu Qingfeng today, it failed to make much of an impact. Just a single encounter, and the Sword Daoist was suppressed. The Martial Arts he had painstakingly cultivated over many years were trivial in front of Gu Qingfeng. Despite having anticipated this defeat, the Sword Daoist was somewhat stunned now. "Sir¡¯s cultivation profoundness is admirable!" After a long time, the Sword Daoist¡¯s gaze toward Gu Qingfeng was filled with even more reverence. Gu Qingfeng said, "To reach the level of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, your foundational cultivation is also strong. It¡¯s just that your Sword Dao True Intent does not yet reach the Grandmaster level. If you can advance further to enter the ranks of Grandmasters, your strength should further improve." "However, everyone has their own path to follow, and your path of Sword Dao is ultimately yours, somewhat different from mine. But as all paths under heaven lead to the same goal, this is the path I follow, which you may consider." After speaking, Gu Qingfeng pointed his finger, a seemingly ordinary motion. However, to the Sword Daoist, it transformed into a Sky-reaching Divine Blade. His entire spirit was involuntarily drawn into it, leaving him unable to extricate himself for a long time. ¡ª¡ª PS: Starting today, the next two chapters will be combined into one update, keeping the total content unchanged! Chapter 207 - 204: Heavenly Blade Domain, Demon Genius! Sword Daoist had left. Thanks to the guidance of Gu Qingfeng, the visitor had gained much. Not long after the Sword Daoist left, Gu Yun, the Sect Master of Divine Martial Sect, also came to visit. His purpose for visiting was simple, similar to that of Sword Daoist. He had some questions about Martial Arts as well and wished to seek guidance. Gu Yun knew that the reason Sword Daoist had managed to breakthrough to the realm of Martial Arts Grandmaster was due to Gu Qingfeng¡¯s guidance. Currently, Gu Yun was a half-step Great Grandmaster and had been stagnating at this level for many years, naturally wishing to progress further. Thus, after receiving Gu Qingfeng¡¯s consent, Gu Yun shared all his doubts about Martial Arts over the years. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng also gave answers. These problems in Martial Arts were not major issues in the eyes of Gu Qingfeng today. Leaving aside the realm of cultivation for now, just in terms of Martial Arts insight alone, Gu Qingfeng far surpassed Gu Yun. After all, he had practiced numerous Martial Arts and had created Longevity Skills related to Perfect Martial Arts, qualifying as a genuine Martial Arts Grandmaster. This "Grandmaster" referred not to strength, but to true insight. Therefore, guiding Gu Yun and solving his puzzles was an effortless task for Gu Qingfeng. Half a day later, Gu Yun came to from his introspection, looking at Gu Qingfeng with eyes filled with amazement and admiration. "Master Gu¡¯s understanding of Martial Arts is indeed beyond my reach!" he exclaimed. Many of his previous doubts were cleanly resolved, allowing Gu Yun to vaguely see the path forward to becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster. While the guidance did not suffice for Gu Yun to truly break through to Martial Arts Grandmaster, it nonetheless increased his chances of breaking through by ten percent. It should be known that a ten percent chance was hardly low. Typically for Grandmasters trying to break through to Great Grandmaster, even among a hundred half-step Great Grandmasters, it was not guaranteed that even one could take that step. Thus, That year, Gu Qingfeng was forty-six years old. After advancing to Extreme Dao Master, his appearance seemed to have frozen in time, showing hardly any traces of aging regardless of how the years passed. Instantly, with a thought, Gu Qingfeng saw a secret manual appear in his hand. Upon opening the cover, a stream of light entered directly into his mind. In that instant, a large amount of memories about Divine Transformation filled Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. This was a Grandmaster level Martial Arts combining lightness skill and body movement techniques. Honestly, such types of Martial Arts were rarely something Gu Qingfeng encountered. After all, no matter how good one¡¯s lightness skill or body movement was, in his view, they were not as useful as real strength. If one¡¯s power was strong enough, why need to flee using lightness skill. Conversely, if one could not win, possessing peerless lightness skill wouldn¡¯t necessarily enable escape. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng had always focused on practicing Martial Arts that improved his own cultivation realm, but he hadn¡¯t expected that Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough would grant him such a Perfect Level Grandmaster Martial Arts. It had to be said, as a Grandmaster Martial Arts, Divine Transformation was indeed profound. This technique contained top-level lightness skills and extremely strong body movement dodge techniques, and as Divine Transformation reached Perfection, Gu Qingfeng felt the muscles in his legs become much more refined. It was as if he had truly been practicing Divine Transformation for many years. Then, Experience tales at novelhall.Co?m Gu Qingfeng took a look at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 46/3000 Realm: Mid-level Extreme Dao Master Martial Arts: Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Prajnaparamita Sutra (thirteenth layer Perfection, Prajnaparamita True Body level twelve), Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Longevity Skills (Perfection, longevity level five), Pure Yang True Body (Perfection, Pure Yang Body level four), Heavenly Blade (Perfection, Heavenly Blade True Intent level thirteen), Blood Refining Scripture (Not entered), Divine Transformation (Perfection, Divine Speed level four) Chapter 208 - 204: Heavenly Blade Domain, Demon Genius! _2 Upgrade Points: 238 ... "Divine Speed Level 4!" Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself and then rose from the Grinding Blade Hall. With one step, he created numerous illusions within the hall, evolving into myriad forms, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion. Following that, The illusions dissipated. A smile appeared on Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face. "Not bad, Divine Transformation truly lives up to its reputation as a Grandmaster Martial Arts; this martial art indeed has its merits!" Then, Gu Qingfeng looked at the other martial arts on the attribute panel. Half a year ago, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Heavenly Blade True Intent had broken through to level thirteen. Level thirteen True Intent. That was the limit that Grandmaster True Intent could reach. If he were to break through further, it would mean breaking through the constraints of a Grandmaster and entering a higher realm. What exactly that realm entailed, Gu Qingfeng had little understanding. However, Level thirteen Heavenly Blade True Intent had once again transformed Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength. When Gu Qingfeng once more scrutinized the segment, the Undying Blade Intent within it was like a flickering candle in the wind, on the verge of being extinguished at any moment. In a barren world, A bloody blade light came slashing through the universe; this time, however, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body was not destroyed. Instead, his level thirteen Heavenly Blade True Intent fully unleashed and a Sky-reaching Divine Blade condensed out of the void. The clash of these two powerful Blade Intents seemed to completely shatter the barren world around them. A terrifying True Intent power wreaked havoc, breaking the barren world into pieces. Witnessing the creation and destruction of worlds, Experience exclusive tales on novelhall.Co?m The Heavenly Blade True Intent in Gu Qingfeng vibrated, seeming to transform into a different direction. In an instant, Throughout Gu Family Manor, and even beyond it, various weapons trembled all together. Then, as if guided by some mysterious force, they rose into the air and bowed down in the direction of Gu Family Manor. All weapons bowing down! This shook all directions! There were now some different changes. ... Heavenly Blade (Perfection, Level One Heavenly Blade Domain)! ... "Heavenly Blade Domain!" "This is the realm beyond Grandmaster True Intent!" Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was solemn. Level thirteen True Intent, the limit of a Grandmaster. But beyond level thirteen True Intent, there isn¡¯t what you¡¯d call level fourteen True Intent; instead, it transforms into a True Intent Domain. At the moment he controlled the Heavenly Blade Domain, Gu Qingfeng understood what True Intent Domain was. Once the domain was deployed, I am unrivaled. If a Martial Artist whose depth of True Intent wasn¡¯t on par with Gu Qingfeng faced him and was covered by the domain, they could be directly suppressed unless their cultivation strength was far superior to break through the domain. It could be said, The Heavenly Blade Domain was far more powerful than the Heavenly Blade True Intent, not just by a single level. Gu Qingfeng had a thought, And quickly, The Heavenly Blade Domain unfolded. It covered the entire Gu Family Manor with its force. This, Was the true range that a Level One Heavenly Blade Domain could cover. Gu Qingfeng felt a premonition that if he wished, just with a single thought, he could annihilate everyone within Gu Family Manor. At the same time, The people of Gu Family Manor also instinctively felt an emotion known as fear, as if they were being watched by some terrifying existence, yet no matter how much they investigated, they could find nothing amiss. Even Martial Artists like Gu Peng in the Grandmaster Realm found no issues. Quickly, The domain dissipated. And that feeling also faded away. "True Intent Domain is far more powerful than general True Intent, with the strength of my current Heavenly Blade Domain, even facing a regular Martial Arts Grandmaster directly, I wouldn¡¯t even need to make a move to completely annihilate them!" Gu Qingfeng slightly smiled, very satisfied with his current Heavenly Blade Domain. Chapter 209 - 204 Heavenly Blade Domain, Demon Genius!_3 The might of this technique was, by now, the strongest in his arsenal, second only to the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. The Heavenly Vein True Scripture could amplify one¡¯s strength. The Heavenly Blade Domain could suppress all enemies. Employed together, these two secret techniques left Gu Qingfeng wondering if so-called Martial Artists of the Divinity Realm could even withstand a single strike from him¡ªand that in itself was questionable. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel and began to upgrade his other Martial Arts. ... Fifty Upgrade Points! The Blood Refining Scripture advanced to the First Level! Fifty Upgrade Points! The Blood Refining Scripture advanced to the Second Level! Fifty Upgrade Points! The Blood Refining Scripture advanced to the Third Level! ... In just a short moment, Gu Qingfeng had elevated the Blood Refining Scripture from Not Entered directly to the fourth layer. At the Fourth Layer of the Blood Refining Scripture, One would be equivalent to the peak of a Master¡¯s realm. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s vitality suddenly became much more robust, yet even so, he had still not broken through to the Late Stage of the Extreme Dao Master. ... Blood Refining Scripture (Fourth Layer, Divine Blood Level Four)! ... "The Fourth Layer of the Blood Refining Scripture!" "Divine Blood Level Four!" Explore more stories at novelhall.Co?m Gu Qingfeng felt the changes brought about by the breakthrough of the Blood Refining Scripture and noticed even his already concentrated blood had undergone some subtle transformation. However, Such a transformation Was still far from achieving the regeneration by a single drop of blood as spoken of within the Blood Refining Scripture. But Seeing her reaction, Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, "If you remembered, then repeat what I just explained." "Alright..." Gu Shengnan¡¯s crisp voice responded, and immediately she recited the Longevity Skills that Gu Qingfeng had just mentioned, word for word. After reciting, Gu Shengnan looked towards Gu Qingfeng with a hint of pride. "How is it? I remembered, didn¡¯t I?" "Your memory is indeed not bad." Gu Qingfeng nodded in rare approval and then continued to explain other aspects of the Longevity Skills; afterwards, he personally demonstrated and taught Gu Shengnan to cultivate and then had her repeat it. Although Gu Shengnan was still young and new to Martial Arts cultivation, she could remember all of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s teachings after seeing them just once. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng grew increasingly content with his granddaughter. Gu Shengnan was born cleansed in the genetic roots by the Innate True Qi of a Master, and regularly soaked in various Medicine Baths; she had reached the Late Stage of the Refining Skin Realm before she even truly began studying Martial Arts. This showed that her natural talent for Martial Arts was indeed extraordinary. Now, looking at the present, Gu Shengnan also demonstrated exceptional aptitude in terms of comprehension. Gu Qingfeng was very satisfied with this. Therefore, He became even more diligent in teaching Gu Shengnan. Similarly, Gu Shengnan¡¯s performance did not disappoint Gu Qingfeng. In just three days, Gu Shengnan had reached Beginner level in the Refining Skin chapter of the Longevity Skills, and in ten days, she had reached Small Success. In two months, Gu Shengnan had cultivated the Refining Skin chapter of the Longevity Skills to Perfection, and her cultivation had also broken through to the Refining Skin Perfection realm. It should be known That the Longevity Skills are different from other Martial Arts. Such Martial Arts, which create a perfect foundation, are much more difficult to cultivate compared to other Martial Arts of the same realm, often several times more so. Even though Gu Shengnan had been cleansed in her roots with the Innate True Qi for years and had stepped into the Late Stage of Refining Skin before engaging in Martial Arts, to be able to cultivate the Longevity Skills to the realm equivalent to her own level within two months¡ªand even further step into Refining Skin Perfection¡ªcould be described as a shockingly incredible talent. She was not compared to others by Gu Qingfeng. But if compared to members of the Gu Family such as Gu Yang, or Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu, Gu Shengnan¡¯s achievements would far surpass theirs by more than just a margin. Chapter 210 - 204: Heavenly Blade Domain, Demon Genius!_4 Witnessing his granddaughter¡¯s talent, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mood was greatly lifted. For this reason, he gave all the Qi Blood Pills he had been keeping to Gu Shengnan, to further solidify her foundation. And in the fourth month of Gu Shengnan¡¯s foray into Martial Arts, she successfully reached the Beginner level of the Longevity Skills Blood Refining Chapter, and her cultivation directly broke through to the Initial Stage of the Blood Refining Realm. When this news came out, Explore new worlds at novelhall.Co?m it sent shockwaves through the entire Gu Family Manor. Many disciples from the Outer Hall and the middle ranks of the Gu Family Manor were aware that a peerless genius had emerged from their ranks; at only six years old and after four months of practicing Martial Arts, she had achieved the Initial Stage of the Blood Refining Realm. Upon hearing this, Gu Peng, the Outer Hall Master and now an Innate Grandmaster, was also stunned for quite some time. "A Blood Refining Realm before she¡¯s even seven, it seems like I really wasted decades of my life like a dog!" Gu Peng smiled bitterly. He had spent decades in Martial Arts without being able to break through the Blood Refining Realm, and if it were not for the opportunity given by Gu Qingfeng, he might have never had the chance to break through in his lifetime. Now, comparing himself to the demon-like talent of Gu Shengnan, one could imagine the blow to Gu Peng. Of course, Gu Qingfeng shook his head and spoke lightly. He was actually being somewhat modest with that remark. After all, having mastered the Heavenly Blade Domain and converged two Heavenly Veins, he doubted whether the Martial Ancestor, if reborn, could even withstand one of his strikes. But these were thoughts Gu Qingfeng did not express aloud. Xu Yulan nodded slightly at his words, not asking any further. How strong Gu Qingfeng was did not particularly concern her; being by his side was enough for everything else. In the days that followed, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s guidance for Gu Shengnan¡¯s cultivation became even more frequent. By the sixth month of her Martial Arts practice, Gu Shengnan had already broken through to the Mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm. By the tenth month, she had broken through to the Late Stage of the Blood Refining Realm. And in the eighteenth month, Gu Shengnan finally perfected the Longevity Skills Blood Refining Chapter, officially stepping into the Blood Refining Perfection level of Martial Arts Cultivation. And in that year, Gu Shengnan was only seven and a half, still half a year away from turning eight. Even with some mental preparation, when Gu Qingfeng truly witnessed this moment, he too was somewhat shaken inside. Chapter 211 - 205: Which Sword Technique is the Strongest? Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 47/3000 Realm: Mid-Level Extreme Dao Grandmaster Martial Arts: Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Prajnaparamita Sutra (Thirteenth Layer Perfection, Prajnaparamita True Body Level Twelve), Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Second Layer), Longevity Skills (Perfection, Longevity Level Five), Pure Yang True Body (Perfection, Pure Yang Body Level Four), Heavenly Blade (Perfection, Heavenly Blade Domain Level One), Blood Refining Scripture (Fourth Layer, Divine Blood Level Four), Divine Transformation (Perfection, Divine Speed Level Four) Upgrade Points: 128 "128 upgrade points!" "It seems I can enhance the Blood Refining Scripture once again!" Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. At the same time, he also tried to push the Heavenly Blade technique to its limit after breaking through the Great Grandmaster¡¯s threshold to see how many upgrade points it would require. However, upon seeing the upgrade points required for the limit-breaking, Gu Qingfeng temporarily abandoned the idea of enhancing the Heavenly Blade technique. Very simple. Breakthrough for the Heavenly Blade. Two thousand upgrade points. That¡¯s double the upgrade points required for breaking through Great Grandmaster-level martial arts. If the Heavenly Vein True Scripture were included, then the enhancement needed for the Heavenly Blade technique would rank second in terms of cost. As for the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, it sat solidly in first place. After all, the third layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture already required ten thousand upgrade points. Gu Qingfeng could hardly imagine how many upgrade points would be necessary to condense the Nine Great Heavenly Veins. It was bound to be an astronomical number. To this day, Gu Qingfeng was unclear about the exact level of the martial art Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Then, with a thought, he used one hundred upgrade points and advanced his Blood Refining Scripture from the fourth layer directly to the fifth layer. "Boom!" Billowing qi and blood boiled like a flood, and a terrifying aura emanated from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body, the powerful blood and vigor spreading to cover the vast Grinding Blade Hall. After a long while, having been known as prodigies within the Gu Family Manor from a young age, it would be embarrassing for them to be surpassed by Gu Shengnan. Therefore, they became much more diligent in their cultivation. Because of this, in just half a year, both of them had successively broken through Blood Refining Perfection and stepped into the Bone Refining Realm. ... "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Xuan¡¯ has broken through to the Initial Stage of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Reward upgrade points*30!" "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Xiu¡¯ has broken through to the Initial Stage of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Reward upgrade points*30!" ... "They¡¯ve already broken through?" Gu Qingfeng looked at the information panel, his expression slightly startled, then he shook his head with a chuckle. "It seems I¡¯ve been too relaxed in the past. With Shengnan about to break through to the Bone Refining Realm, it¡¯s put some pressure on them, but this is good. Pressure creates motivation. Otherwise, possessing such resources would be a complete waste!" Honestly, Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t expected that Gu Shengnan¡¯s shown talent would pressure Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu, but it was for the best, as the two of them feeling some pressure meant they wouldn¡¯t be as lazy as before. The next day, in the main hall of the Gu Family Manor, Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu came forward. "Greetings, Father!" "Speak, what is it?" Gu Qingfeng glanced at the two, who were now of an age to pursue learning and were significantly more robust than their peers. The two of them had a resemblance to Gu Qingfeng in their features, with three parts looking like him and seven parts resembling Xu Yulan, and they certainly weren¡¯t lacking in appearance. The difference was, Gu Xuan had an air of a fine young man in flowing white robes, while Gu Xiu had a burly strength about him, his youth not concealing a certain rare fierceness. "Father, both of us have recently broken through to the Bone Refining Realm, so we specifically came to ask for Father¡¯s guidance in learning some new martial arts!" The two traded glances, and ultimately Gu Xuan spoke. Chapter 212 - 205: Which Sword Technique is the Strongest? _2 "New martial arts?" Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised. "What do you wish to learn?" "Hearing that father was once revered in the Martial World as Domineering Blade, and that his blade skills have reached Perfection, I too wish to cultivate blade skills and hope father can grant this!" Gu Xuan stated his views without hesitation. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s reputation in the Martial World was not unfamiliar to Gu Xuan. Considering his particular fondness for blade skills, he naturally wished to receive Gu Qingfeng¡¯s True Inheritance. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t respond, but instead looked towards Gu Xiu. "And you? What do you wish to learn?" "I want to learn fist skills!" Gu Xiu said gravely. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng slightly nodded, "Regarding fist skills, your father possesses a master-level Martial Art which was once the Sect¡¯s Ultimate Skill from the Divine Fist Sect called the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture." "This fist technique, if cultivated to Perfection, can also achieve top-level True Intent, and at the same time, it can temper one¡¯s physical strength and vitality; truly it is profoundly mystical!" As soon as he spoke, Gu Qingfeng raised a hand and a majestic True Intent directly entered Gu Xiu¡¯s mind. In an instant, Gu Xiu only felt the scene before his eyes change, suddenly the sun and moon crossed the sky, an overwhelming celestial power oppressed down, and he saw an unmatched figure shaking the rivers and mountains with his fists; it could indeed be described as peerless. Following this, Before Gu Xiu could react, A flood of memories emerged, all regarding the methods of cultivating the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. A long time passed. Gu Xiu only then recovered from this flood of memories, his eyes full of astonishment. Gu Xiu naturally nodded in agreement. Then, Gu Qingfeng looked towards Gu Xuan. "You want to cultivate blade techniques; your father does have several of them, but there are only two that are master-level or above, one is Domineering Blade Battle, the other is Heavenly Blade, which one would you like to cultivate?" "May I ask father, between these two blade techniques, which one is the strongest?" Gu Xuan asked seriously. Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly, "The Domineering Blade Battle was created by a former master of the Martial World, a supreme master-level blade technique, and if cultivated to Perfection it can compete for the pinnacle just like the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. As for the Heavenly Blade, it was created by your father based on many martial arts, and it is a truly top-level blade technique. If asked which of these two blade techniques is the strongest, then Heavenly Blade is undoubtedly the strongest!" Upon hearing this, Gu Xuan didn¡¯t hesitate and said, "Son would like father to impart the Heavenly Blade technique!" "Good!" Without hesitation, Gu Qingfeng immediately pointed out a finger, and a terrifying True Intent belonging to the Heavenly Blade burst forth, instantly flooding into Gu Xuan¡¯s mind. Such strength of True Intent was more than ten times stronger than that of the Sun and Moon True Intent. A full hour passed before Gu Xuan regained consciousness from this True Intent. However, He discovered, Although he clearly received the Heavenly Blade technique, there was also an indescribable and mysterious feeling, this feeling was very mystical and made Gu Xuan somewhat uncomfortable. Seeing the confusion in the other¡¯s heart, Gu Qingfeng immediately said, "All martial arts in the world have traceable techniques, but Heavenly Blade has already left the realm of ordinary martial arts. This kind of martial arts no longer adheres to ordinary techniques and emphasizes the understanding of Martial Arts more. Your father has now left the seed of the Heavenly Blade True Intent in you; you only need to meditate day and night to have a chance to truly grasp the power of the Heavenly Blade." This, Find adventures at novelhall.Co?m Is the mystery of the martial arts above the Great Grandmaster level. Other martial arts, even those of the Great Grandmaster level, have traceable techniques and forms. Chapter 213 - 205: Which Sword Technique is the Strongest? _3 Of course. Strictly speaking, all Martial Arts reach a level where a Master starts to break free from the conventional bindings of their techniques, but they never truly take that final step. Only the Heavenly Blade, a Martial Arts that surpasses the Great Grandmaster level, is truly beyond the mundane world. It can be said that such Martial Arts cannot be described with common text, but is more often passed down through the Dao Rhythm. Upon hearing this, Gu Xuan took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Gu Qingfeng. "Thank you, Father, for granting me this technique!" "Alright, let¡¯s dispense with the formalities. I have already imparted the Martial Arts to both of you, how much you can grasp depends on your individual fortunes." Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, signaling for the two to leave. One received the Heavenly Blade inheritance, and the other the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture; both Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu left with joy in their hearts. ... "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has been training troops in secret, significantly increasing his power!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has inherited from a mysterious Master, strengthening his abilities!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, improving his Cultivation!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has slain a Blood Soul-level Evil Spirit!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has slain a Demon Soul-level Evil Spirit!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ cultivated his body with Innate True Qi, passively breaking through to the late stage of Refining Skin!" "Reward Points *5!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Shengxing¡¯ cultivated his body with Innate True Qi, passively breaking through to the late stage of Refining Skin!" "Reward Points *5!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to the mid-level of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!" "Reward Points *150!" "Reward Marrow Cleansing Pill *200!" "Reward Refining Organ Pill *100!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Xuan¡¯ has gained some understanding of the Heavenly Blade True Intent, slightly increasing his strength!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Xiu¡¯ has gained some understanding from the Master¡¯s notes, slightly increasing his strength!" "Your offspring..." ... that the original three thousand Hidden Guards, with the full support of the Gu Family Manor, were now all capable of undertaking important tasks. The weakest among these men had broken through to the Bone Refining Realm, and some of the stronger ones had directly advanced to the Marrow Cleansing Realm. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng had completely dispersed this batch of men, not only throughout Qingyun State but also hiding numerous Hidden Guards across the Nine States, continuously supplying him with information. Thus, even without leaving his home, Gu Qingfeng had the situation of the entire world within his grasp. At this moment, another report came in from the Hidden Guard. Gu Qingfeng glanced at the letter in his hand, memorizing its contents with a single look, and then the letter turned to dust and scattered. "Central State¡¯s situation should also soon become clear; the candidate supported by the Divine Sword Sect is not bad at all, managing to gain such an advantage. If nothing unexpected happens, Central State is likely to fall into the hands of that Sword King!" Sword King, the nobleman supported by the Divine Sword Sect. Now, many heroes compete in Central State, but with the Sword King¡¯s own power suppressing every force, he seemed poised to control the region. Once Central State falls into the hands of the Sword King, it would mean he effectively controlled two states, leaving no chance for other nobles to resist. Besides, with Central State¡¯s battle, all sides have exerted their full strength. Defeat in Central State, in reality, means being cut off from supreme authority. Therefore, whoever takes control of Central State has won half the battle. By consolidating forces to defeat the remaining states, one can become the lord of all under heaven. Simultaneously, Gu Qingfeng could ascertain that once the Sword King seized Central State, his next target would be Qingyun State. The reason was simple. Over the past years, each state was in turmoil, with many nobles wasting large numbers of troops in Central State, while only Gu Yang¡¯s Qingyun State had been recuperating and quietly accumulating power. If Gu Qingfeng were the Sword King, he wouldn¡¯t allow Qingyun State to continue developing. Otherwise, it¡¯s possible that at any moment, the state could be plucked by Gu Yang like a ripe peach. Chapter 214 - 205: Which Sword Technique is the Strongest? _4 ``` Therefore, once the Central State was stabilized, the target of the Sword King would inevitably become Qingyun State. With this thought settling, Gu Qingfeng once again looked toward his attribute panel. There, following Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough, the number of Upgrade Points had increased to two hundred and fifty-two, enough to raise the Blood Refining Scripture by another two layers. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate. With but a thought, two hundred Upgrade Points vanished. The Blood Refining Scripture ascended from the Fifth Layer, in one breath, to the Seventh Layer. This time, an unprecedented and vast memory emerged from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind, memories of his cultivation of the Blood Refining Scripture. A breakthrough across two layers of Martial Arts. For Gu Qingfeng, this was the assimilation of memories spanning hundreds of years. It was evident that, given Gu Qingfeng¡¯s talent, normally advancing the Blood Refining Scripture from the Fifth Layer to the Seventh Layer would also require hundreds of years. Such lengthy memories appeared in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind as if a whirlwind tour of lights. Following that, there was a surge and boiling of his physical vitality. Despite no breakthrough in the field of cultivation, the increase in his actual strength was indeed substantial. Such a change was undoubtedly satisfying to Gu Qingfeng. ¡ª¡ª Ling Province. Taisu Sect. "Reporting to the Sect Master, as of now, the Sword King is relentlessly advancing in the Central State, our army is retreating step by step. If this continues, the Spirit King fears he will be completely driven from the Central State!" A sect elder bowed, speaking with a grave expression. Years of contention, and none of the nobles supported by the Taisu Sect had gained any advantage, which naturally was not good news. After all, if one day the Sword King seized the Central State, overthrowing the Taixuan Dynasty to become the new Nine States Supreme, the Divine Sword Sect could use the three thousand years to strengthen itself. In that scenario, the Taisu Sect would likely be suppressed by the Divine Sword Sect. Master Taixuan¡¯s complexion was somber: "Indeed, the Sword King¡¯s tactics are extraordinary. If the situation is beyond salvation, have the Spirit King preserve his strength. Temporarily withdraw from the Central State and return to Ling Province to consolidate forces, then later on determine the outcome with the enemy!" If it is beyond salvation, then do not force it. In Master Taixuan¡¯s view, as long as strength is preserved, there will come a day for a turnaround. If the Spirit King was defeated and perished in the Central State, then it would be too late for the Taisu Sect to support someone else. Upon hearing this, the other sect elders nodded, expressing their agreement. But before they could open their mouths to speak, a terrifying pressure suddenly appeared, causing the complexions of everyone, including Master Taixuan, to change dramatically. ``` Chapter 215 - 206 Heavenly Gang Army "Supreme Elder!" Master Taixuan was momentarily stunned but quickly got up to pay his respects upon recognizing the identity of the visitor. Fu Zhao! The Supreme Elder of the Taisu Sect. He was also the only powerhouse of the Taisu Sect at the half-step to the Divinity Realm. However¡ª Observing Fu Zhao just emerging from seclusion, Master Taixuan appeared to realize something, and his expression grew somewhat excited. "Supreme Elder, have you broken through to the Divinity Realm now that you have emerged from seclusion?" Divinity Realm! Upon hearing these three words, the other sect elders became fervently animated. Fu Zhao¡¯s expression remained placid, "Thanks to the Sect Master bringing me the corpse of a True Intent Grandmaster, otherwise it would have taken me at least another ten years to achieve a breakthrough to the Divinity Realm!" He was only a half-step away from the Divinity Realm, yet that half-step had trapped Fu Zhao for many years. Until not long ago. When Master Taixuan came back with the corpse of a True Intent Grandmaster, Fu Zhao finally managed to use it to successfully break through. The royal family of the Ji Family was annihilated. All the Grandmasters perished. Naturally, the corpses of the warriors of this caliber were sought after by all parties. Despite this, Master Taixuan, being powerful, forcibly snatched the True Intent Grandmaster¡¯s corpse from the hands of numerous forces. Otherwise. Just as Fu Zhao himself had said. Without this True Intent Grandmaster¡¯s corpse, it would take him at least another ten years to break through to the Divinity Realm. Master Taixuan was immediately elated by the other party¡¯s affirmative response. "It¡¯s an unprecedented grand event for the Supreme Elder of the Taisu Sect to attempt the summit of the Divinity Realm!" "There¡¯s no need for further words, what is the current situation in Central State?" Fu Zhao waved his hand, heading straight into the main topic. "I shall personally visit Central State; all who resist will be slaughtered. If they are wise, I might spare their lineages. Otherwise, these forces no longer need to exist!" Fu Zhao spoke indifferently. With the breakthrough to the Divinity Realm, it was as if the Nine States of the world were all within his grasp. This level of power. Was simply incomparable to the likes of the Transformation Realm and Martial Arts Grandmasters. If he wanted. He could suppress everything. Master Taixuan nodded, "With the Supreme Elder holding these thoughts, the sect will surely support you." "However..." At this point, Master Taixuan¡¯s expression became much more solemn. "Unknown to the Supreme Elder, Qingyun State produced a supreme expert several years ago, one suspected to be on par with the legendary Martial Ancestor of ten thousand years past. This person, with a single slash, killed Gu Yutian, destroyed the Tianyang Sword Sect and is deemed to be the foremost person in Universal Martial Arts today. Even before the fall of the Taixuan Dynasty, he was conferred the title of Martial Saint. The Supreme Elder must be cautious regarding this individual!" "Martial Arts¡¯ first person?" Fu Zhao also appeared startled, having been in seclusion for many years, he hardly paid attention to affairs in the Martial World and was naturally unaware of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s existence. It was not until Master Taixuan brought it up that Fu Zhao understood that, during the years of his seclusion, another powerful figure had emerged in the world. Then. Fu Zhao coldly smiled, "What of it, being peers with the Martial Ancestor of ten thousand years ago? It¡¯s rumored that the Martial Ancestor set the stage for Universal Martial Arts, and his cultivation had broken through the limit of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, stepping into an even more profound realm. But now that I¡¯ve entered the Divinity Realm, even if the Martial Ancestor were reborn, it¡¯s not certain that I cannot deal with him. A younger generation, no matter how demonically talented, how much turmoil can he cause?" Upon learning of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s existence, murder intent arose in Fu Zhao¡¯s mind. Despite his dismissive talk about Gu Qingfeng, one who could advance Martial Arts to such an extent in just a few decades was definitely a talent that defied the heavens to an extreme extent. Such a person. Fu Zhao would certainly not let him live. Chapter 216 - 206 Heavenly Gang Army_2 Moreover, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Guangyang Army now commands an entire state. The Taisu Sect, wishing to unify the Nine States, couldn¡¯t possibly bypass Qingyun State. Fu Zhao said, "Once this old man has dealt with the matters in the central state, I will naturally make my way to Qingyun State. This world will not succumb to the rashness of mere Martial Artists!" ... Inside the Guangyang Prince Mansion. In the back garden. Gu Yang, dressed in a purple python robe, his resolute face no longer carrying the greenness of youth, now only conveyed calmness and authority. He watched the pond before him with equanimity, where dozens of Koi joyfully swam, and the lotus flowers too were in bloom, swaying gently in the wind. Behind Gu Yang, dressed in vigorous attire, Gu Yi stood there, reporting on affairs with respectful demeanor. "Reporting to Your Majesty, a Hidden Guard spy from Ling Province has informed us that Taisu Sect¡¯s Supreme Elder Fu Zhao has left seclusion and is now headed towards the central state." "Fu Zhao?" Gu Yang¡¯s expression subtly shifted upon hearing this name. "This king remembers that the Taisu Sect has a formidable figure who has been in seclusion for many years, rumored to have reached the brink of the Divinity Realm. Could it be this man?" "Indeed!" Gu Yi nodded in confirmation. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly, "Having spent many years in seclusion, Fu Zhao¡¯s purpose was to break through into the Divinity Realm. Now that he has emerged, could it be he has successfully transcended?" "Whether Fu Zhao has broken through to the Divinity Realm or not, we cannot yet confirm. Even our Hidden Guards would struggle to gather much information on such a formidable individual." Gu Yi replied respectfully. Gu Yang, naturally, was not angered by this. After all, while the Hidden Guard was capable, they certainly couldn¡¯t penetrate deep into the Taisu Sect. It was implausible to uncover the secrets of a Supreme Elder of a sect. "In that case, it is indeed very likely that he has stepped into the Divinity Realm!" A far more serious expression crossed Gu Yang¡¯s face. That was that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength may not necessarily be inferior to that Taisu Sect¡¯s Divinity Realm individual. Therefore, Even upon learning of the emergence of a Divinity Realm powerhouse within the Taisu Sect, Gu Yang was not panicked. After all¡ª Although the situation was serious, it had not yet spiraled beyond control. Immediately thereafter, Gu Yang summoned another person. "Your servant greets Your Majesty!" The man who arrived was Shi Zhen, the current general of the Guangyang Army. Although dressed in simple clothing, his steadfast square face and unyielding martial bearing could hardly be disguised, and his robust frame also contained an appalling force. "This king entrusted you with the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array; how is its progress?" Gu Yang asked the man before him. Shi Zhen bowed and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Heavenly Gang Army has now fully mastered the Heavenly Gang Divine Slaughter Array. If we encounter a frontal confrontation on the battlefield, as long as Great Grandmasters do not intervene, we are confident of surrounding and annihilating the enemy. Even if a Great Grandmaster personally takes action, the Heavenly Gang Army may struggle to kill but can certainly withstand and encircle. If the Heavenly Gang Army can bring this Array to Perfection, even a newly ascended Great Grandmaster can be slain!" Gu Yang nodded slightly upon hearing this. The Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array was a military Array he chanced upon by accident, which was designed specifically for warfare. According to the description of the Array, it required 36,000 Blood Refining Realm soldiers as its foundation and could counteract a Grandmaster Realm foe when arrayed. If cultivated to Perfection, even a Great Grandmaster at the initial level could be fought. However, This was not the ultimate limit of the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array. If it could be constructed with 36,000 Grandmasters, even the top Martial Arts Grandmasters could be challenged, perhaps even beings above the level of Great Grandmaster. Nonetheless, This was merely the conjecture of the Array¡¯s creator and not something Gu Yang fully believed. After all, just the notion of assembling 36,000 Grandmasters was daunting enough to deter most. Chapter 217 - 206: Heavenly Gang Army_3 Even though Gu Yang now controlled the entire Qingyun State, he had only tasked Shi Zhen with assembling a Heavenly Gang Army composed entirely of the Blood Refining Realm, numbering thirty-six thousand strong. This was the true elite of Qingyun State. Or rather, it was the elite of the elite. With Shi Zhen leading them, a grandmaster adept with the essence of blood and qi, and combining their might with the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array, surrounding and annihilating a True Intent Master posed no problem. That¡¯s right, Shi Zhen had already ascended to the Grandmaster Realm. Two years ago, with a lavish investment of resources and the martial arts provided by Gu Yang, Shi Zhen had successfully shattered the barrier to Refining Organ and was ennobled as a master. Moreover, this was not just any Innate Grandmaster, but a grandmaster in the blood and qi path. This was the first genuine Grandmaster Realm powerhouse that Gu Yang had cultivated. With Shi Zhen¡¯s loyalty unquestioned, it was only natural for Gu Yang to place him in command of the Heavenly Gang Army. "News from Ling Province, the Supreme Elder of Taisu Sect is suspected of breaking through, becoming the sole Divinity Realm being of this era. Now headed towards the Central Plains, once the issues there are resolved, my Qingyun State will most certainly be Taisu Sect¡¯s next target." "An army is maintained for years but used in an instant. After several years of recuperation, I hope the Heavenly Gang Army will not disappoint me in the upcoming battle!" Gu Yang said in a deep voice. His words made Shi Zhen¡¯s face jerk in response, before he solemnly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, should Taisu Sect dare to invade, the Heavenly Gang Army will fight to the last man and the last breath, never allowing them to threaten Qingyun State by even a hair¡¯s breadth!" "Go." Gu Yang waved his hand, dismissing him. He had intended to have Gu Yi relay this news back to the Gu Family Manor, but upon further thought, Gu Yang abandoned this plan. After all, he was well aware that his father¡¯s reach was vast, and it was likely that the latter had known of the news from Ling Province before himself. It was at that moment, Gu Yang sensed movement behind him, and turning around, he saw a woman walking gracefully towards him, his face immediately breaking into a warm smile. "Li, you¡¯re here!" "Is it said that the existence of the Divinity Realm can be compared with the Martial Ancestor from thousands of years ago; do you have the confidence to contend with him?" Gu Peng couldn¡¯t help but ask. Right now in Qingyun State, the one with the best chance of facing Fu Zhao was none other than the man before him. "Whether I can contend with him will only be clear after a true confrontation, but our Gu Family Manor has been established in Qingyun State for twenty years, and it won¡¯t be easy for anyone to shake our foundation; Taisu Sect alone might not be enough!" Gu Qingfeng¡¯s demeanor remained calm, showing not a trace of nervousness about the Divinity Realm. Seeing this, Gu Peng¡¯s heart relaxed. Based on his understanding of Gu Qingfeng, if the latter dared to speak with such certainty, then it meant he had confidence in suppressing Fu Zhao. With this assurance, Gu Peng had no worries. At this time, Gu Qingfeng looked at Gu Peng and asked, "Are you currently practicing the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture?" "Indeed, I have practiced the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture for many years, but it¡¯s unfortunate that I¡¯ve never truly been able to enter the threshold!" Gu Peng showed a bitter smile. The difficulty of mastering a grandmaster¡¯s martial art was far higher than he¡¯d expected; even as an Innate Grandmaster and having pondered the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture for many years, he had never grasped the true intent of a grandmaster nor could he enter the door to this martial art. For many years, Gu Peng had only touched upon the mere surface of the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. In the end, it was due to his insufficient talent. Otherwise, he would not have lingered in the Refining Skin Realm for decades. Gu Qingfeng handed a scroll from his chest to Gu Peng, saying, "This is a manual I¡¯ve written during my spare time; it contains a fraction of the true intent of the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture. If you can comprehend it, it may enable you to step into the True Intent Master realm more quickly!" "Your subordinate thanks you, Manor Master!" With a delighted expression, Gu Peng hurriedly received the master¡¯s scroll with both hands. A scroll containing the true intent of a grandmaster was certainly precious. "Go." Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, and Gu Peng respectfully withdrew. Chapter 218 - 206: Heavenly Gang Army_4 The handwritten Sun and Moon Fist Scripture could also be seen as Gu Qingfeng¡¯s impulsive idea. The world had numerous methods for preserving True Intent, with the biggest difference lying in their completeness. For example, with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current Cultivation, a casually thrown punch could leave remnants of True Intent. But. Such remnant True Intent was incomplete, making it very difficult for ordinary people to comprehend, and because of its incompleteness, it was particularly violent; those with insufficient Cultivation realm could be subject to backlash by the True Intent. In contrast. If one could completely convey True Intent using a medium, such True Intent would become much easier to comprehend. Then. There was the issue of retention time. Having a medium to convey it, the latter could preserve the True Intent longer, just as when Gu Qingfeng had obtained the Master¡¯s True Intent Map and the Master¡¯s letter from the Divine Fist Sect. Such True Intent had persisted for hundreds or even thousands of years. Find your next read at novelhall.Co?m In comparison. Whether it was the slash Gu Qingfeng delivered in Guangyang Prefecture City or the one at Blood Mountain Mansion, the True Intent left behind would not last very long. It might be ten years, or perhaps a hundred, but in the end, it would completely dissipate without a trace. That was the difference between them. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng summoned a member of the Hidden Guard. Gu Qingfeng was not going to act rashly. Fu Zhao¡¯s intention to head to Zhongzhou was clear, so there was no rush for Gu Qingfeng. After all, once the other party settled their business in Zhongzhou, the next target for the Taisu Sect would undoubtedly be Qingyun State. Before that. Gu Qingfeng would adjust his own condition, bringing himself to a peak state so as to face that Divinity Realm individual. And regardless of whether Fu Zhao could truly threaten him, out of respect for the sole Divinity Realm master in the Nine States, Gu Qingfeng would not take things lightly. A lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit. Especially when it comes to a Divinity Realm master who appears only once in thousands of years. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng returned to the Grinding Blade Hall to continue his seclusion. He had now cultivated the Blood Refining Scripture to its seventh level, but had yet to break through to the eighth. Regarding this. Gu Qingfeng, of course, hoped to reach Perfection in the Blood Refining Scripture before the war arrived. If he could perfect this top-tier Grandmaster Martial Arts technique, it would take his strength to the next level. However¡ª¡ª The difficulty of cultivating a Grandmaster Martial Arts technique was immense. To be honest, even Gu Qingfeng himself wasn¡¯t fully confident that he could cultivate the Blood Refining Scripture to the eighth level in a short time. But even if he couldn¡¯t break through, as long as his strength increased even slightly, that would be good enough. Chapter 219 - 207: The Might of the Divinity Realm Central Plain. The void trembled. A figure abruptly appeared in the sky above, overlooking the city below, causing the people within to sense the anomaly in an instant. They looked up, their expressions filled with shock. "Walking in the air!?" "This is the Capital of the Central Plain; who dares to act so recklessly!" "This is the Sword King Mansion, come down immediately¡ª" One after another, martial artists exuding powerful auras looked toward the figure in the void, their faces a mixture of surprise and anger. Walking in the air. Though this method was extraordinary, it wasn¡¯t shocking to them that much. After all, any Master Realm and above cultivator could achieve brief aerial walking if they wished. What¡¯s more. This was the Capital of the Central Plain. Ever since the Taixuan Dynasty fell, the Sword King had taken control, and the former imperial palace had become the Sword King Mansion. Now, not only were there hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers in the capital, but also many powerful individuals gathered here. Even if a Martial Arts Grandmaster were to come in person, escape would not be guaranteed. "Sword King Mansion¡ª" Fu Zhao¡¯s expression was indifferent as he looked down at the city, a trace of blood flashed in his eyes. "So many martial artists; their vital energy is truly abundant. Refining them all could completely stabilize the realm I¡¯ve just broken through, perhaps even allowing further progress!" Seeing the convergence of numerous martial artists below, Fu Zhao suddenly pressed down with his palm, terrifying Spiritual Power concentrated into a huge Hand Wind, like a collapsing mountain, instantly causing many martial artists to change their expressions drastically. "This is bad!" "Be careful!" Martial artists roared and made their moves, with Innate True Qi and fearsome vital energy erupting, trying to block Fu Zhao¡¯s strike. But unfortunately. In the presence of a Divinity Realm powerhouse, any struggle seemed futile. The terrifying force pressed down, the so-called Masters¡¯ bodies suddenly burst, turning into misty blood clouds that dissipated into the air. Forbidden Area! That which only Disaster Level Evil Spirits could condense. Experience more tales on novelhall.Co?m But. If one were to artificially condense a Forbidden Area, it would require at least a step into the Divinity Realm to do so. Now that Fu Zhao displayed the Forbidden Area technique, it naturally made everyone feel chilled to the bone. If the opponent truly was a Divinity Realm powerhouse, they feared they were all on a path to certain death. At this moment, the Sword King also had to step forward. He looked at the figure in the void, speaking humbly, "I do not know where I have offended Your Excellency, but if you speak up, I am willing to apologize!" Though the Sword King was a One Side Lord, commanding millions of soldiers, able to decide the life and death of countless civilians with a single command, he too had to bow his head in the face of this absolute power. "An offense? Hardly. The mistake, the mistake was competing against my Taisu Sect for the imperial throne!" Fu Zhao shook his head slightly, his words leaving the Sword King astonished, Clearly. He had not expected the latter to come from the Taisu Sect. But before the Sword King could speak again, Fu Zhao pointed down, and the Sword King¡¯s body also directly burst, eliminated on the spot by him. Eliminating the Sword King, For Fu Zhao, was as easy as crushing an ant. In this world where the strong reigned supreme, so-called power was just that, nothing more in the face of absolute strength. "Today, you all are going to die!" Fu Zhao¡¯s eyes glinted with murderous intent, then a terrifying pressure erupted from him. For a time, many people in the city were directly shattered by this pressure into a mist of blood. The remaining Masters and God Fusion Realm powerhouses could barely withstand this pressure. "Run!" An older Master¡¯s face showed terror, attempting to escape the range of the Forbidden Area. As for making a move against Fu Zhao, he didn¡¯t have the courage to do so. After all, beings of this level could snuff out a Grandmaster as easily as crushing an ant, and any defiance would only lead to self-destruction. Chapter 220 - 207: The Might of the Divinity Realm_2 Others, upon hearing these words, quickly came to their senses and then rushed towards the city outskirts. In the void above, Fu Zhao watched as the crowd fled, with a look of disdain on his face. Then he saw him press down with a palm, instantly killing many martial artists and magicians, and then his right hand reached out, terrifying spiritual power condensed into a palm, grasping a God Fusion Realm magician. Following that, in the horrified gaze of the other, Fu Zhao squeezed hard, and the former instantly burst into a cloud of blood mist. "Die!" With a bizarre shadow trembling behind him, Fu Zhao used his true power to strike with a palm, and the capital that had been inherited for thousands of years was blasted into pieces, leaving all the citizens and martial artists dead on the spot. Tens of millions of lives fell, and a vast amount of vital blood surged into Fu Zhao¡¯s body, making his aura climb higher and higher, becoming much stronger than before. After a long while, A smile appeared on Fu Zhao¡¯s face. "The vital blood of a Master is indeed extraordinary; this has saved me a hundred years of hard work!" Originally, he had only just entered the Divinity Realm, and his cultivation wasn¡¯t truly stable, but now, after slaughtering an entire city, with the vital blood of the city¡¯s inhabitants nurturing his body, his somewhat shaky realm was stabilized. It was no joke to save a hundred years of hard work. Thereafter, Fu Zhao looked at the capital that had been reduced to ruins, and immediately retracted the forbidden area, leaving the void. Half an hour later, Experience tales at novelhall.Co?m From a corner of the capital¡¯s ruins, sounds emerged, and a blood-soaked figure crawled out, looking in the direction Fu Zhao had left, with a face full of horror. "Divinity Realm... this is the power of the Divinity Realm!" "No, this won¡¯t do, the Taisu Sect has birthed such a powerful being, I must report back immediately¡ª" This Master powerhouse was thoroughly terrified, not daring to stay in the capital any longer, immediately heading in the opposite direction from where Fu Zhao had left. ¡ª¡ª "Reporting to Your Honor!" "An urgent message has come from the central state, please review it, Your Honor!" Within the Gu Family Manor, a Hidden Guard scout hurryingly arrived and hastily handed a sealed letter to Gu Qingfeng. The latter waved his hand, motioning for the other to leave, before opening the secret letter. Just that alone, was enough. At the same time, From this, Gu Qingfeng also understood. Fu Zhao sought to let Taisu Sect rule the world by exterminating various lords with absolute power. After such a massacre, the turmoil that once plagued the central state had been thoroughly quelled. After all, with tens of millions of heads rolling and the pressure of a Divinity Realm dominating the heavens, the other Immortal Sects and families could hardly utter a word of dissent. Unless, These Immortal Sect families also had Divinity Realm powerhouses in existence. But now¡ª After learning of Fu Zhao¡¯s actions, Gu Qingfeng felt certain that no other Immortal Sect family could possibly have a Divinity Realm powerhouse. If such a power did exist, the world would have already been in turmoil due to the Divinity Realm, and would not have waited for Fu Zhao to act unnoticed. "The situation in the central state is stable, the next target for Taisu Sect is Qingyun State!" "Then let¡¯s see if the so-called Divinity Realm can withstand my blade!" Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes turned cold; the hitherto tranquil Evil Slayer Blade trembled lightly, a vast Blade Intent emanating from it, eager to eradicate all evil under the heavens. Looking at the unusual movement of the Evil Slayer Blade, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression returned to calm. "Rest assured, the time for you to unsheathe will come soon!" As he said this, the Evil Slayer Blade immediately calmed down. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng continued his closed-door cultivation, waiting for news from the Hidden Guard. ... "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ unexpectedly obtained a Master¡¯s legacy, his foundation slightly increased!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ received pointers from a Great Grandmaster, his strength slightly improved!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ gained the blessings from an ancient strong figure, his cultivation greatly increased!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Shengnan¡¯ gained some understanding in Longevity Skills, her cultivation breaking through to the Initial Stage of Bone Refining Realm!" "Reward points *30!" "Your offspring ¡¯Gu Xuan¡¯ somewhat comprehended the Heavenly Blade True Intent, his strength greatly increased!" Chapter 221 - 207: The Might of the Divinity Realm_3 "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Xiu¡¯ has gained some insights into the ¡¯Sun and Moon Fist Scripture,¡¯ resulting in a slight increase in strength!" "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Xiu¡¯ has contemplated the master¡¯s hand-written notes and has initially grasped the ¡¯Sun and Moon True Intent!¡¯" "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Xuan¡¯ has contemplated the ¡¯Heavenly Blade True Intent¡¯ and has somewhat understood it, initially grasping the ¡¯Heavenly Blade True Intent!¡¯" "Your descendant ¡¯Gu Yang¡¯ has learned of the intelligence from Central Province and is integrating the army, wanting to battle the Taisu Sect!" "Your descendant..." ... During the time Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, the information panel was also constantly refreshing. Seeing Gu Shengnan make a breakthrough, he was not too surprised. After all, Gu Shengnan had reached Blood Refining Perfection for some time, and for ordinary people, it would naturally be impossible to break through to the Bone Refining Realm in such a short time. But. Gu Shengnan was different. Her talent could be considered the most formidable Gu Qingfeng had seen so far, and the resources of Gu Family Manor were also abundant, so it was quite normal for Gu Shengnan to make a breakthrough. "Xuan¡¯er and Xiu¡¯er having entered the Beginner level of True Intent is not bad, but to truly master the Grandmaster¡¯s True Intent, there is still a long road ahead!" Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. Beginner level of True Intent. And Grandmaster¡¯s True Intent. These were two entirely different concepts. To enter the Beginner level of True Intent, one only needed to grasp the first level of True Intent, while for the Grandmaster¡¯s True Intent, it was necessary to grasp six levels of True Intent. True Intent was difficult to comprehend, and to elevate it to the level of six levels of True Intent was even more challenging. Of course. Even so. For both of them to have grasped the first level of True Intent with their current Bone Refining Realm Cultivation, it was quite commendable. Martial Artists of the same realm. Few could control True Intent at this stage. Even. Shi Zhen immediately said, "Your Majesty can rest assured, if the Spirit King Army dares to come, I will ensure they are defeated without return!" Thirty-six thousand men of the Heavenly Gang Army, this was Shi Zhen¡¯s greatest confidence. Hearing this, the other generals also followed suit, clasping their fists. "Indeed, our Qingyun State is not something a mere Spirit King can easily manipulate!" "The Taisu Sect has been committing indiscriminate slaughter in Central Province, treating the common people like livestock and ants, such actions will certainly backfire, angering heaven and the people. If it comes to war, the people¡¯s hearts will definitely be with Your Majesty, and we have nothing to fear from such a battle!" "Our Qingyun State will not tolerate invasion; we will fight to the death!" Over the years, Gu Yang¡¯s various people-benefiting policies in Qingyun State had been witnessed by them. Combined with Fu Zhao¡¯s massacre in Central Province, if Qingyun State were to fall, they could well imagine what fate would befall them. Therefore. Upon learning that the Spirit King Army intended to attack Taishan County, no one present harbored any thoughts of retreat. However. The likes of Gu Yun and the few Sword Daoists appeared to be much more solemn. "A mere Spirit King is of little concern, but the real issue now is the Taisu Sect¡¯s Supreme Elder in the Divinity Realm. A force in the Divinity Realm can already manipulate evil spirits and form forbidden zones. Where such a zone exists, even a million-strong army would struggle to match!" The Sword Daoist spoke with a grave voice. Against such a powerful figure, to be honest, even he lacked the confidence to fight. Let alone that the Sword Daoist had just broken through to Martial Arts Grandmaster not many years ago, what could he do even as a top-tier True Intent Grandmaster? In front of a supreme being who could conjure forbidden zones, a True Intent Grandmaster was entirely insignificant. Even without having personally fought against such a high-level powerhouse, through past records on the Divinity Realm, the Sword Daoist was aware of the terrifying strength such powerhouses possessed. When they heard the words ¡¯Divinity Realm,¡¯ everyone¡¯s expressions grew solemn. Indeed. They were not afraid of the Spirit King Army. Even if the adversary controlled the lands of two provinces, so what? Qingyun State¡¯s recuperation over the years meant they possessed a ready-to-fight army of three million, many of whom were elite forces. Chapter 222 - 207: The Might of the Divinity Realm_4 Even if they were not comparable to the Heavenly Gang Army commanded by Shi Zhen, their combat power was certainly not weak. But. If they were to face a formidable adversary from the Divinity Realm, that would be a different matter entirely. After all, once the incident in Zhongzhou had been revealed, they were all too aware of the immense strength of the Divinity Realm. A single person could annihilate a city. They could easily massacre millions. In front of such beings, Masters and those in the God Fusion Realm were nothing more than slightly larger ants. Gu Yang said, "There¡¯s no need to worry about Fu Zhao¡¯s problem. I¡¯ve already sent a message back. My father will personally take action in this battle to deal with that Supreme Elder from the Taisu Sect." Upon hearing this. Everyone¡¯s expressions relaxed somewhat. Gu Yun said, "If Master Gu takes action, then Fu Zhao will definitely not be a problem." "Mr. Gu¡¯s cultivation reaches the heavens. I remember clearly the incident where he quelled the Evil Spirit from the Blood Mountain Mansion. With Mr. Gu intervening in this battle, I believe that Divinity Realm adversary won¡¯t be able to cause too much of a stir!" The Sword Daoist also nodded in deep agreement. For them, the three words Gu Qingfeng were the ultimate reassurance. With him present. Even if that Divinity Realm adversary was powerful, they were not necessarily a threat to Qingyun State. Your next chapter awaits on novelhall.Co?m As for the possibility of Gu Qingfeng being defeated, both had never considered it. Only those who had truly witnessed his strength could understand that unfathomable power. Even though the Divinity Realm was terrifying, it was not necessarily a match for him. The others also greeted Gu Qingfeng. "Greetings to Mr. Gu!" "Greetings to the venerable Martial Saint!" To this, Gu Qingfeng responded by nodding to each in turn. Afterward. He turned to Gu Yang beside him. "I heard that Taisu Sect is preparing to make a move on Qingyun State. What¡¯s the situation now?" Upon hearing these words, Gu Yang¡¯s expression turned serious as he began to speak, "The Spirit King Army is now gathered and currently advancing towards our Taishan County." "This time, the Spirit King Army numbers in the millions; it¡¯s clear they wish to use this battle to firmly establish their dominance over the Nine States!" Gu Qingfeng spoke, "With the Spirit King Army¡¯s menacing approach, does the Guangyang Army have the confidence to counter them?" "Father, rest assured, the Guangyang Army has been recuperating for several years. My underlings also number in the millions; should there be a battle, we will certainly not falter against anyone. The biggest problem at the moment is that Supreme Elder from the Taisu Sect, a formidable adversary of the Divinity Realm. For the other armies, he is essentially impossible to contend with." Gu Yang stated unequivocally. As the conversation ended. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained unchanged, "I will personally handle the matter with Fu Zhao." "With father¡¯s word, your son can be at ease." At last, a smile spread across Gu Yang¡¯s face. Although he had previously mentioned that Gu Qingfeng would take action personally, it had never been as effective as having the man himself present. In the following days. Gu Qingfeng took up residence in the Prince Mansion. While Gu Yang continued to consolidate his troops, preparing for the upcoming battle against the Spirit King. Chapter 223 - 208 Facing the Divinity Realm In the central military tent. A middle-aged man was seated in the place of honor, draped in a brocaded robe, with a prominent nose and a face sculpted as if by ax and chisel. He exuded not only bravery but also a great deal more of steadiness and regality, his gaze as piercing as if it could see into the hearts of men. The man was the Spirit King. Beneath him. The subordinate was just reporting news about Qingyun State. "Your Majesty, the Spirit King, our spies report that the Guangyang Prince has gathered an army of two million in Taishan County, with formidable momentum!" "Two million troops..." The Spirit King¡¯s eyes slightly narrowed, though his expression did not reveal much tension. According to his knowledge, the Guangyang Prince¡¯s forces ranged at most to three million, and how could the four counties of Qingyun State not have an army in reserve? So in the eyes of the Spirit King, the Prince¡¯s ability to mobilize two million was completely within expectations. Such a force, when placed among the many lords of old, was actually considered strong. After all, being able to readily assemble two million troops was no easy task. But now was different. The Masters of the Taisu Sect had taken action. Near all the lords from various places had been caught in a single swoop in the central realm. The Spirit King took advantage of this opportunity to annex the remaining forces of these lords. Now, the number of troops under his command had surged dramatically, and in this campaign against Qingyun State, he personally led an army of five million. Under this overwhelming military force, the Spirit King could only say that the advantage was his. However. He looked at the person below and asked in a deep voice, "Has there been any movement from that Martial Saint?" "According to the reports, the Martial Saint has left Gu Family Manor." "Good, keep investigating and report back!" The Spirit King waved his hand, and the man respectfully withdrew. Afterward. The Spirit King turned his gaze towards a person sitting beside him, his expression becoming much more reverent, "Supreme Elder, if all goes as expected, the Martial Saint backing the Guangyang Prince will also take action personally. To deal with such a powerful being, we may have to rely on you to handle the situation!" He himself was a True Disciple of the Taisu Sect, hence he referred to Fu Zhao with the honorary title of Supreme Elder. Datong Prefecture. Tianxiong Pass. Discover exclusive content at novelhall.Co?m Here, the war banners were fierce, and a million-strong army was stationed, their silent but suffocating aura permeating the air, creating an indescribable sense of oppression. On top of the tall and majestic city walls, Gu Qingfeng looked ahead. He saw that outside Tianxiong Pass was a plain, with a great river on one side and a vast dense forest on the other. By his side. Gu Yun was attending. "Tianxiong Pass is the gateway to the entire Datong Prefecture and a crucial location in Taishan County. The great river on the right is called Yulong River, named after an ancient legend of a true dragon¡¯s appearance. The river is rapid and wide, even warships would struggle to cross with steadiness. The left side is the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Aside from the numerous poisonous insects, it is said that there are some terrifyingly powerful Fierce Beasts within, and even Masters may not be able to safely emerge once entering. Moreover, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is vast, spanning several states. So if the Spirit King Army really does come, their only option is to directly attack Tianxiong Pass. The idea of bypassing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range or crossing Yulong River is simply unrealistic." Gu Yun spoke slowly, sharing some information he knew. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly as he looked at the bubbling waters, as if there were truly dragons stirring the winds and clouds within the water. "In ancient times, could there really have been a true dragon here?" "The stories of true dragons are purely rumors. Whether there were real dragons or not, no one can know. After all, the ancient times are now over ten thousand years away from us. With such a long passage of time, many things have been buried in the sands of time. However, in my view as a Disciple, such beings as true dragons that only exist in tales should be nothing more than fabrications by later generations!" Gu Yun shook his head. His words. Gu Qingfeng neither confirmed nor denied. Just as Gu Yun said, things from the ancient era can date back over tens of thousands of years, and it¡¯s impossible to investigate the truth of them. As for the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Gu Qingfeng did have some understanding. It was an ancient mountain range spanning several states, filled with dangers and Fierce Beasts so powerful that even Masters could barely contend with them. The rumors were likewise credible. Chapter 224 - 208 Facing the Divinity Realm_2 Then, there were the numerous odd and poisonous insects that also deterred people. As for the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, successive courts had always attached great importance to it, as occasionally powerful fierce beasts would rush out from within to cause havoc, bringing no small impact. So, Whether it was Yulong River or Ancient Beast Mountain Range, both were considered natural barriers. Also because of such barriers, the position of Tianxiong Pass had become particularly important. ... Ever since Gu Yang had led the army to station at Tianxiong Pass, almost every half hour, scouts would come to report. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Spirit King personally leads an army of five million, marching toward Taishan County!" "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Spirit King Army is only five hundred miles away from Tianxiong Pass!" "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Spirit King Army is only three hundred miles away from Tianxiong Pass!" "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Spirit King Army is only one hundred miles away from Tianxiong Pass!" One piece of news after another arrived, and Gu Yang looked toward the outside of Tianxiong Pass with a solemn expression. At this juncture, he naturally understood that this battle was not only related to the survival of Qingyun State but also to the future pattern of the Nine States. If he could win this battle, then there would no longer be any who could stand in his way in the Nine States. Likewise, If he were to lose, Then it would all be over. "Order all troops to prepare!" Gu Yang commanded in a deep voice. Inside Tianxiong Pass now were two million troops stationed, which could be considered the entire foundation of Qingyun State. With the news spreading, Everyone felt a heavy burden on their spirits. The vast expanse of Tianxiong Pass seemed to carry the sense of an approaching storm. On the other side, The Spirit King Army was also advancing. In the central army, the Spirit King rode his horse, accompanied by many powerful warriors and top experts from the Taisu Sect, including Fu Zhao. Your next journey awaits at novelhall.Co?m This battle, Gu Yang¡¯s expression remained calm, "Proceed with the plan!" He had never thought of relying solely on defending Tianxiong Pass to confront the Spirit King Army. After all, in this world where extraordinary strength was common, warfare often became much more brutal. Gates were strong, but they could not stop master level fighters. And when infantry advanced, with grandmasters hidden among them, no one could detect them. Therefore, Once a grandmaster approached the city walls and directly attacked to breach them, it was to be expected. All of this was within Gu Yang¡¯s expectations. So, Even though the gates were breached, Gu Yang was not at all worried. As expected, The moment the gates broke, a terrifying surge of vital energy erupted, solidifying into a tangible blade wind that sliced through the air. One of the enemy¡¯s grandmasters didn¡¯t even have time to react before he was split in two by the blade. Flesh burst open, Blood splattered. Shi Zhen charged out on horseback, his Yanyue Blade sweeping in all directions. As a vital blood grandmaster leading the charge, it was a fatal blow to the ordinary soldiers. Following closely behind him was the Heavenly Gang Army. Shi Zhen led the charge with thirty-six thousand Heavenly Gang troops, piercing into the enemy forces like a sharp knife, brutally tearing open the enemy¡¯s frontline infantry. Following closely, Other generals led the troops in a charge right behind. As both forces met, they immediately clashed head-on. "Kill!" Shi Zhen roared with fury, his blood boiling, and the Yanyue Blade cleaved through the air, slicing any soldier it touched in half. "Rebels, cease your arrogance!" From within the Spirit King Army, a general charged forward, his robust True Qi erupting, condensing into a terrifying blade wind that slashed down at Shi Zhen. Seeing this, Shi Zhen¡¯s expression was fearless, killing intent surging in his eyes. "Kill¡ª" As his words fell, The Yanyue Blade came crashing down with the force of splitting a mountain. With both being grandmaster realm fighters, the vital blood grandmaster prevailed. The True Qi blade wind shattered, and the opponent¡¯s face changed color. In haste, he raised his blade to block. The powerful force caused his arms to shake violently, and his palms split apart. Chapter 225 - 225 208 Facing the Divinity Realm_3 ?Chapter 225: Chapter 208 Facing the Divinity Realm_3 Chapter 225: Chapter 208 Facing the Divinity Realm_3 In a single encounter, he was wounded, causing great alarm in the heart of this Innate Grandmaster. ¡°The Heavenly Gang Army, follow me to kill!¡± Shi Zhen bellowed in rage, and it seemed as though a terrifying aura of Blood Evil Power rose from the Heavenly Gang Army, converging into his body. ?0¦Í?¦Ï.?¦Ï That moment. Shi Zhen¡¯s strength surged. The Yanyue Blade slashed down once more, and the ferocious blade wind, as bloodthirsty as ever, seemed to cleave apart the emptiness of the world. The Innate Grandmaster¡¯s face showed fear; he wanted to defend himself but it was completely ineffective. ... ¡°Rip!¡± His body was cleaved in two, and an Innate Grandmaster fell instantaneously. ¡°The Qi Blood Grandmaster!¡± In the midst of the army, Master Taixuan witnessed Shi Zhen gathering the Blood Evil aura and directly slaying an Innate Grandmaster, his eyes suddenly shooting out a cold glint. The next moment. He took a step into the void, the power belonging to a top Transformation Realm fighter erupted, and he launched an assault at Shi Zhen. To a powerful being like Master Taixuan, ordinary human flesh and blood held little effect; even the slaughter of a hundred thousand people was not as substantial as a single Qi Blood Grandmaster. Although there were quite a few Grandmasters in the Martial World, Qi Blood Grandmasters were incredibly rare. Now, having encountered a Qi Blood Grandmaster firsthand, Master Taixuan was somewhat restless. ¡°Not good!¡± Seeing Master Taixuan approaching, a terrible pressure came crashing forward, making Shi Zhen¡¯s expression turn solemn. He once again leveraged the power of the Heavenly Gang Army, and a terrifying Blood Evil aura fused in the void, creating the phantom of a peerless demon god. Eventually. This demon god phantom merged with Shi Zhen. Subsequently. The Yanyue Blade slashed down. The earth-shattering blade wind split heaven and earth, as if bisecting the firmament itself, and such a terrifying strike collided with Master Taixuan¡¯s attack, instantly unleashing a world-destroying turmoil. ¡°Boom!!¡± Both were powerhouses of their age. Upon their first encounter, they exchanged dozens of blows. ... Atop Tianxiong Pass. Gu Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calm and waveless as he watched the slaughter on the battlefield below. When he saw Shi Zhen wielding the power of Blood Evil capable of withstanding a direct hit from Master Taixuan, his expression finally showed a trace of emotion. ¡°So this is the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array?¡± Gu Qingfeng was certainly aware of the secret assembly of the Heavenly Gang Army by Gu Yang and the practice of the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array. He had just never truly witnessed such an array. Until now. On today¡¯s battlefield. Gu Qingfeng finally understood just how formidable the so-called Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array was. Shi Zhen had only just entered the realm of a Qi Blood Grandmaster, and even with the assistance of the Heavenly Gang Army, he would still be nothing more than an insignificantly larger ant in the eyes of a Transformation Realm fighter. The fact that he could withstand an attack from Master Taixuan attested to the array¡¯s power. ¡°Father, do you reckon Sword Senior could be a match for Master Taixuan?¡± Gu Yang looked solemn. Even if the Sword Daoist was a Martial Arts Grandmaster, his opponent was the Sect Master of the Taisu Sect, giving Gu Yang no choice but to worry. After all, over the years, the Sword Daoist often guided his own martial practice, making him akin to a half-mentor. Gu Qingfeng replied, ¡°Master Taixuan is among the top of the Transformation Realm, naturally stronger in cultivation than Sword Daoist. But a clash between the strong is not solely about cultivation. The strength of Sword Daoist is not as simple as what you have seen. Although, if it came to a fight to the death, it¡¯s very likely that Sword Daoist would fall, to truly kill him would not be an easy task for Master Taixuan!¡± For the two to determine a victor, it would take no short amount of time; to decide life or death would be even more difficult. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng shifted his gaze back to the Spirit King Army. There. A strange and cold aura pervaded, much more terrifying than the Evil Spirit they encountered back at Blood Mountain Mansion. Chapter 226 - 226 208 Facing the Divinity Realm_4 ?Chapter 226: Chapter 208 Facing the Divinity Realm_4 Chapter 226: Chapter 208 Facing the Divinity Realm_4 ¡°Fu Zhao!¡± Gu Qingfeng was certain, the aura must be that of the Supreme Elder from Taisu Sect. ¡°Everyone says that this person has newly entered the Divinity Realm, but now it seems, it¡¯s probably not as simple as the rumors suggest.¡± ¡°Father, are you confident?¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words made Gu Yang¡¯s expression change. Gu Qingfeng, hands behind his back, still looked calm. ¡°Fu Zhao slaughtered millions in Zhongzhou, and countless masters and martial artists fell by his hand. It¡¯s normal for his strength to have broken through. But even if Fu Zhao has broken through, he won¡¯t be able to stir up much trouble.¡± Just as Gu Qingfeng finished speaking, the Spirit King, watching the slaughtering on the battlefield, also appeared somewhat troubled. In his mind, leading his army of millions should have been able to crush the Guangyang Army with overwhelming force. ... But now, looking at the situation. Although the battle was fierce, his side had not gained any advantage. ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?¦Ï If this kept up, even if they could win, it would be a pyrrhic victory. Thinking of this, the Spirit King turned to Fu Zhao respectfully and said, ¡°The Guangyang Army is fiercely resisting. I ask the Supreme Elder to take action and break through the enemy¡¯s ranks for our army!¡± ¡°It¡¯s good, I should move around a bit as well.¡± Fu Zhao smiled slightly, blood already surfacing in the depths of his eyes. Fu Zhao sneered as if he had heard a joke, a trace of scorn appearing at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Do you really think that blocking one strike gives you the right to be presumptuous in front of me?¡± ¡°Not to mention you, even if the Martial Ancestor were resurrected today, I could slay him!¡± ¡°To kill you and assimilate your vitality, perhaps I could even advance a step furthera?€¡±¡± As he spoke, a horrifying aura burst from Fu Zhao, and in the dark, a terrifying force suppressed the void. Gu Qingfeng felt an immense pressure from the space around him, causing his body to slightly sink. ¡°Forbidden Zone!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression picked up. Fu Zhao, seeing that Gu Qingfeng did not move, sneered, ¡°In this Forbidden Zone, I am the true god. To die here would be the honor of your lifetime!¡± Immediately, Fu Zhao struck with a palm. In his view, Gu Qingfeng was now suppressed by the power of the Forbidden Zone, utterly no match for him. This palm was different from the previous ones; it was an all-out effort from Fu Zhao. Just then, an extremely strong Blade Intent suddenly burst forth, space shattered bit by bit, the so-called power of the Forbidden Zone was torn apart by the Blade Intent. Not only that, a force, more terrifying than the Forbidden Zone, spread out, reversing and suppressing towards Fu Zhao. The full force of the strike had yet to truly reach Gu Qingfeng when it was completely shredded by infinite Blade Qi. Chapter 227: 209: I, Gu Qingfeng Chapter 227: Chapter 209: I, Gu Qingfeng ¡°You¡¯ve also mastered the forbidden zone!¡± Seeing his own forbidden zone shattered, Fu Zhao looked as though he had seen something terrifying. The confidence previously etched on his face had vanished, replaced by sheer horror. After all. To break through the forbidden zone, either absolute power is required, or one forbidden zone must break another. Fu Zhao absolutely didn¡¯t believe that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength had fully overwhelmed him, enabling him to easily crush his own forbidden zone. ... Therefore, his first thought was the forbidden zone. But very quickly, Fu Zhao realized something was amiss. ¡°No, this isn¡¯t the power of the forbidden zone. Who are you¡ª¡± Fu Zhao was somewhat frantic. ¡°I am Gu Qingfeng!¡± Gu Qingfeng said calmly before his thoughts shifted, causing the Heavenly Blade Domain to sweep across all directions, and the terrifying Blade Qi rushed toward Fu Zhao like a flood. The so-called forbidden zone, in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, was similar in nature to the True Intent Domain. But the difference was, the True Intent Domain was much stronger than the so-called forbidden zone. You see, the forbidden zone, which Fu Zhao had painstakingly solidified, was effortlessly torn apart by the first-level Heavenly Blade Domain. From this, one could see the vast difference between the forbidden zone and the True Intent Domain. ¡°No matter who you are, you will die today!¡± Seeing the terrifying Blade Qi strike, Fu Zhao¡¯s expression turned fierce, his substantial Spiritual Power burst forth, and the shadow of the Evil Spirit behind him almost solidified, releasing a bizarre and chilling power that seemed capable of destroying the universe in a snap. ¡°Boom!¡± Blade Qi shattered. Fu Zhao, having stepped into the Divinity Realm, possessed power beyond that of a Martial Arts Grandmaster and the Transformation Realm; the ordinary Blade Qi of the Heavenly Blade Domain hardly posed a real threat to him. But this scene, in Fu Zhao¡¯s view, was a display of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s inadequate strength. ¡°Die!¡± Fu Zhao¡¯s eyes hardened, and he pressed down again towards Gu Qingfeng with a palm, unleashing a power so deep and terrible that space itself webbed like cracks, seemingly ready to shatter at any moment. This time Gu Qingfeng finally moved his right hand, pointing out with his finger as if a Sky-reaching blade light was splitting the heavens and earth. The power of one finger, as if it shattered the Milky Way. Such power easily dissolved Fu Zhao¡¯s strike and, with momentum unceased, it slashed towards the opponent, changing his expression. ¡°Bang¡ª¡± Fu Zhao activated his Spiritual Power to resist but in the next moment, saw the protective shield of Spiritual Power shatter, the potent force sending his body flying backwards. By the time he stabilized himself, his face was filled with shock, and he paid no mind to the blood flowing from his arm. ¡°Impossible, I have already stepped into the mid-level Divinity Realm, not even a Martial Ancestor reborn from ten thousand years ago could possibly be my opponent!¡± This time, Fu Zhao was truly shocked. He had struck with all his might, yet he could not withstand a casual strike from Gu Qingfeng. The cultivation of the Divinity Realm now seemed like a joke. Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, ¡°If this is the power of the Divinity Realm, then I have indeed overestimated you!¡± ¡°Well, there¡¯s no point in continuing this battle¡ª¡± As he finished speaking, a long blade emerged from behind Gu Qingfeng as he gripped the handle with his right hand, his dual Heavenly Veins activating, and an utterly terrifying aura erupted. The Evil Slayer Blade fell again and again. The Sky-reaching Blade Wind split the heavens and earth. Such tremendous heavenly might made it hard for anyone to harbor thoughts of resistance. Seeing the Sky-reaching Blade Wind before him, an unprecedented terrifying pressure swept over, causing terror to suddenly arise in Fu Zhao¡¯s eyes. Then, his expression turned vicious, a kind of madness faced with a desperate situation. ¡°I¡¯ve endured thousands of years of arduous cultivation to step into the Divinity Realm, what right do you, a junior, have to contend against me!¡± Fu Zhao¡¯s expression was ferocious, various bizarre patterns emerging on his body, a chilling cold air freezing the void, a sign that the Evil Spirit was about to revive. Under normal circumstances, Fu Zhao would not act so recklessly. But facing this strike from Gu Qingfeng, he had no assurances he could withstand it. The revival of the Evil Spirit was merely a possibility, there might be a chance to suppress it again afterward, but if he were to fall here, then all would be lost. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The shadow of the Evil Spirit in the void overlapped with Fu Zhao, peak Divinity Realm power striking out like a webbed space suddenly shattering. This strike was Fu Zhao¡¯s desperate gamble. The moment the two forces met, the Sky-reaching Blade Wind was unstoppable, the terrifying blade light truly seemed to split the entire sky into two. After the space shattered, the black void, like a torrent, penetrated the heavens and the earth. Fu Zhao¡¯s body also instantaneously exploded, turning into a sky-full of blood mist falling. ¡°Roar!¡± With Fu Zhao¡¯s death, the Evil Spirit inside him revived. But before the Evil Spirit could act, it was directly extinguished on the spot by the continuing Blade Wind. ¡°Boom-boom-boom¡ª¡± The strike covered a hundred miles. The sun and the moon dimmed. Once the Sky-reaching Blade Wind dissipated, only the surging black torrent remained under everyone¡¯s stunned, shocked gaze until it gradually healed completely. ... Silence! The battlefield of millions of armies was now shrouded in a deathly silence! Everyone looked towards the figure in the sky, their expressions shocked, but even more so, terrified. A strike that split a hundred miles of space wasn¡¯t something mortal power could achieve. Only the legendary Immortals could possess such power. At this moment, Seeing Fu Zhao slain by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hundred-mile strike made Master Taixuan, the sect master of the Taisu Sect, feel chills. He didn¡¯t even care about the existence of the Sword Daoist, and immediately spewed out a mouthful of blood, his whole person transformed into a long rainbow fleeing outside the battlefield. Chapter 228: 209 Lord Gu Qingfeng_2 Chapter 228: Chapter 209 Lord Gu Qingfeng_2 Blood Burning Rainbow! This was a method used only in desperate situations. Master Taixuan¡¯s speed was too fast, even the Sword Daoist couldn¡¯t intercept him in time. However, Gu Qingfeng stood in the air, looked in the direction where Master Taixuan was fleeing, and casually slashed. A terrifying blade wind broke through the air again, instantly splitting Master Taixuan in two. The Sect Master of Taisu Sect, in front of the current Gu Qingfeng, was no different from an ant. ... With the fall of Master Taixuan, the originally silent battlefield erupted into slaughter again. Shi Zhen and other generals of the Guangyang Army personally led their troops to attack the Spirit King Army, whose morale had plummeted after witnessing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s fearsome strength. At that moment, Gu Qingfeng stepped forward, heading straight towards the central army. Seeing this, the Spirit King¡¯s face changed drastically. ¡°Stop him!¡± ¡°Quick, stop him!¡± The Spirit King was usually composed, able to maintain his poise even if Mount Taishan were collapsing before him, but now, seeing Gu Qingfeng coming to kill, he could hardly keep calm. Hearing the command, many guards rushed forward to block Gu Qingfeng¡¯s path. The next moment, the Heavenly Blade Domain descended. Infinite Blade Qi whirled to kill. Whether they were Grandmasters or armored guards, all were directly slain by this blade Qi. In less than a breath, hundreds of guards were dead. The others initially wanted to step forward and intervene, but upon seeing this scene, they instinctively stopped. They looked at Gu Qingfeng as if they were seeing a ghostly deity. ¡°Are you the Spirit King?¡± Gu Qingfeng asked the middle-aged man in front of him slowly. Hearing this, the latter¡¯s expression fluctuated, but after a moment, he regained composure and took a deep breath, feigning calmness as he spoke. ¡°Worthy of being a Martial Saint personally appointed by the Taixuan Dynasty, your strength is even more terrifying than the rumors. Now that it is a matter of victors and vanquished, there¡¯s nothing much to say. I am willing to accept my loss!¡± By the end, a bitter smile appeared on the Spirit King¡¯s lips, and he also felt profoundly powerless. What use were a million soldiers? In the face of a true powerhouse, a million soldiers were as good as nothing. To tell the truth, the Spirit King was not resigned. After all, he had already defeated other lords, and if not for Gu Qingfeng¡¯s intervention, he would have surely defeated Gu Yang in this battle. The chance to unify the Nine States was right before his eyes, but now it seemed as unattainable as a chasm. ¡°Then, I shall send you on your way.¡± Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t waste words; he raised his hand and sent out a palm strike. The Spirit King and the surrounding guards exploded into a mist of blood, dying instantly on the spot. The killing of the Spirit King proceeded without any complications. In fact, in the face of absolute power, many things can be directly disregarded. With the death of the Spirit King, Gu Qingfeng stepped into the void, his terrifying aura bursting forth, pressing down all around him, followed by a loud shout. ¡°The Spirit King is dead, surrender will not be killed!¡± These words, immediately caused great turmoil within the Spirit King¡¯s ranks. Millions of soldiers spread across the area, not everyone could witness the Spirit King¡¯s death, but Gu Qingfeng¡¯s previous strike to kill Fu Zhao was so shocking that hearing this sudden declaration naturally made people lose their composure. At that moment, Gu Yang, overwhelmed with joy, immediately shouted, ¡°The Spirit King is dead, surrender will not be killed!¡± With Gu Yang¡¯s words, various shouts also came from within the ranks of the Guangyang Army. ¡°The Spirit King is dead, surrender will not be killed!¡± ¡°The Spirit King is dead, surrender will not be killed!¡± ¡°The Spirit King...¡± The furious shouts came like a tidal wave, covering most of the battlefield. Initially, many in the Spirit King Army still harbored doubts, but now, the words of the Spirit King¡¯s death invaded their minds, naturally causing them to waver. But soon, the news of the Spirit King¡¯s death became more and more severe. Coupled with the fierce offensive of the Guangyang Army, it did not take long for someone to succumb to the pressure and throw down their weapons to surrender. One surrendered, and soon there was a second and a third. ¡°I wish to surrender!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t kill me, I surrender!¡± Now that the Spirit King Army¡¯s morale had plummeted to rock bottom, as people kept dropping their weapons to surrender, this act seemed almost contagious. Seeing more people surrender, a commander loyal to the Spirit King immediately beheaded a person and roared, ¡°Anyone who disturbs the morale of the army shall be killed without mercy¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, sending a gust of wind that burst his head open. For Gu Qingfeng at this moment, Grandmaster Realm warriors could be suppressed with a raise of his hand. After killing this Grandmaster commander, Gu Qingfeng coldly surveyed the entire battlefield and shouted sternly, ¡°If anyone wishes to die, I am more than willing to oblige.¡± These words, left the commanders still loyal to the Spirit King utterly terrified. There was no helping it. The strength between the two sides was simply not on the same level. The strength they were proud of seemed like a joke in front of Gu Qingfeng, who could obliterate them with a wave of his hand. Therefore, this battle was already devoid of any suspense... ¡°You child ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ slaughtered *693 ordinary soldiers!¡± ¡°You child ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ was attacked by a warrior in the Grandmaster Realm *13 times!¡± ¡°You child ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ killed *36 warriors in the Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°You child ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ killed *127 warriors in the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°You child ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ led the troops to defeat the Spirit King, incorporating a large number of surrendering soldiers, significantly enhancing his forces!¡± ¡°You child ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ emerged completely victorious in the battle at Tianxiong Pass, greatly enhancing his prestige!¡± Inside the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng, looking at the continuously refreshing text information, felt much calmer. Three days had passed since the battle at Tianxiong Pass. Three days ago. Chapter 229: 209 Lord Gu Qingfeng_3 Chapter 229: Chapter 209 Lord Gu Qingfeng_3 Gu Qingfeng had slain Fu Zhao and Master Taixuan in the battle at Tianxiong Pass and then proceeded to eliminate the Spirit King, laying a victorious foundation for the Guangyang Army. Then, when it came to subduing the Spirit King Army, Gu Qingfeng barely intervened, directly returning to Gu Family Manor. After all, Gu Qingfeng had already addressed the most substantial resistance in the battle; the remaining issues, he believed, could be resolved by Gu Yang¡¯s capabilities. However, with millions in the Spirit King¡¯s army, it was natural that not all would genuinely surrender. Thus, ... in the recent days according to the information panel, Gu Yang had been killing relentlessly; any who did not submit were almost invariably doomed under his blade. Gu Qingfeng had no objections to this method. Upon seeing the final text in the information panel, Gu Qingfeng realized that the millions of defeated troops brought by the Spirit King had been entirely controlled by Gu Yang. ¡°Having swallowed up the Spirit King¡¯s millions-strong army, Yang¡¯er now has at least doubled his power underneath him. Now with Fu Zhao gone, no Immortal Sect in the world would dare to make a move. Thus, the Nine States are likely to truly be under the name Gu!¡± Even a man of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s calm demeanor couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit stirred at this moment. There was a time when Gu Qingfeng had never imagined the Gu Family possessing the qualification to govern the world. But now, such a scenario seemed inevitable, with the Guangyang Army bound to dominate the Nine States, simply a matter of time. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng continued his secluded cultivation. The battle with Fu Zhao had revealed to him the capabilities of the Divinity Realm, but frankly, Gu Qingfeng was somewhat disappointed. The Divinity Realm was indeed powerful, far surpassing a Martial Arts Grandmaster and even more formidable than the Evil Spirit at Blood Mountain Mansion had been. However, it was just that. The anticipated thrilling battle did not truly unfold; when Gu Qingfeng got serious, a single strike had slain Fu Zhao on the spot. But, even so, Gu Qingfeng was still keen on enhancing his own strength. After all, beyond the heavens, there are more heavens; upon acquiring that drop of mysterious blood and the severed finger, Gu Qingfeng realized that the Nine States were too confined; perhaps beyond them lay a vaster world. Whether the owner of the blood or the finger, their powers were far beyond a mere Fu Zhao. Relative to the power wielded by the Divinity Realm, it was nothing short of night and day. Thus, even after slaying Fu Zhao, Gu Qingfeng harbored no pride or complacency. ¡ª While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, the battle at Tianxiong Pass had spread like a hurricane throughout the Nine States. Everyone who heard the news was profoundly shocked, especially the major Immortal Sect families, who initially thought they had misheard upon first hearing it. But after repeatedly confirming the news, understanding that Fu Zhao really had been killed by Gu Qingfeng at Tianxiong Pass, they could finally accept this incredible piece of news. ¡°Fu Zhao is dead!¡± ¡°A towering figure of the Divinity Realm, actually fallen to a mere Martial Artist!¡± At the Ji Family of Xianzhou, the current Family Head, Ji Liuyun, upon hearing this news, also dramatically changed his usually composed demeanor. The existence of the Divinity Realm was something Ji Liuyun was overly familiar with; back in the day, the Ji Family had once produced a powerhouse of the Divinity Realm. Although that old ancestor of Divinity Realm had long passed away, his legacy still left a power that was far from what the Transformation Realm could match. Even the so-called half-step to the Divinity Realm was insignificant before the real Divinity Realm. But, exactly because he understood the strength of the Divinity Realm, Ji Liuyun knew what it meant for Gu Qingfeng to be able to slay Fu Zhao. At that time, the other Ji Family elders also looked troubled. ¡°Now that the news of Fu Zhao¡¯s death has spread throughout the world, sir Family Head, how should we act now?¡± asked a Ji Family elder solemnly. If it was the emergence of a Divinity Realm powerhouse from the Taisu Sect, the Ji Family could still accept it, but the news from Tianxiong Pass caught the Ji Family completely unprepared. The reason was simple. It was because Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t a Magician, but a Martial Artist. This wasn¡¯t just about who held sway over the Nine States; it was an issue of the status hierarchy between Magicians and Martial Artists. Furthermore, considering Gu Qingfeng¡¯s actions in Guangyang and then, Gu Yang¡¯s governance in Qingyun, their policies had been extremely unfriendly to Magicians. If Magicians were still considered supreme, it might have been fine. But now, with a Martial Artist emerging as a supreme powerhouse, the significance differed. More importantly, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s slaying of Fu Zhao implied that even if another Divinity Realm powerhouse emerged from their Ji Family, it might not be a match for him. Ji Liuyun¡¯s expression changed, and after a long pause, he finally exhaled deeply. ¡°Ever since the Martial Ancestor passed away, the world¡¯s Martial Artists have been weak for ages; now the emergence of Gu Qingfeng might just be the Heavenly Dao¡¯s cycle. Now with Fu Zhao fallen, and the Master Taixuan fallen at Qingyun, the world¡¯s great power has completely fallen into Gu Yang¡¯s hands. Even if our Ji Family were to give their all against him, it would simply be throwing an egg against a rock!¡± Ji Liuyun said these words with great reluctance, but there was nothing he could do. The fact was just so. When the news of the battle at Tianxiong Pass was released, Ji Liuyun understood that the Ji Family¡¯s significance had ended. Not just the Ji Family. But all the world¡¯s Magicians were likewise. At this time. not to mention one Ji Family, even ten Ji Families, if they were to confront Gu Qingfeng as enemies, would likely be obliterated in an instant, turned to ashes. Chapter 230: 209 Lord Gu Qingfeng_4 Chapter 230: Chapter 209 Lord Gu Qingfeng_4 At this point, Ji Liuyun paused, then said helplessly, ¡°I will personally visit Qingyun State. I believe that as long as my Ji Family is willing to bend the knee, the Guangyang Prince will not go as far as to completely annihilate us. After all, a martial artist¡¯s lifespan is limited. If we really come to blows, once the Martial Saint passes away, the consequences would not be so simple.¡± Toward the end of his statement, Ji Liuyun¡¯s eyes also became much fiercer. He did not want to suffer mutual destruction with the Gu Family, but that didn¡¯t mean the Ji Family was truly afraid of the Gu Family. After all, ... Ji Family of Xianzhou has stood for ten thousand years; their true foundation is not as simple as it seems on the surface. There are some things that, when it¡¯s time to give in, you give in; there is no need to fight to the death with the other party. Of course, the main reason is still because the lifespan of martial artists is limited. Even a powerful being like the Martial Ancestor could only last a mere two thousand years before passing away. Two thousand years is neither short nor long. As long as Gu Qingfeng passes away, in Ji Liuyun¡¯s eyes, no one else would be able to stir up any trouble. After all, to reach a level like Gu Qingfeng¡¯s in Martial Arts is something that might not happen even in ten thousand years. Martial Arts are difficult; Ji Liuyun is not worried that a second Gu Qingfeng will appear. Hearing Ji Liuyun¡¯s words, the other Ji Family elders also relaxed their expressions. Indeed. The lifespan of a magician is much longer than that of a martial artist. As long as they outlive that Martial Saint, the Ji Family will always have a chance to turn things around. ¡ª While the Ji Family of Xianzhou was making moves, the other Immortal Sects across the Nine States were taking similar actions. It was clear to anyone with eyes that the power of Gu Yang, the Guangyang Prince, had become unstoppable following the death of Fu Zhao. At this time, if one continued to be the enemy, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock. Even if the Immortal Sect families had profound foundations, it wouldn¡¯t be wise to waste them like this. Endure a moment of calm seas and gentle winds. It would suffice to simply outlast the Martial Saint. A mere two thousand years. For these Sect families with ten thousand years of heritage, it¡¯s not much at all. Meanwhile, many martial artists around the world were now flocking to Qingyun State upon hearing that Gu Qingfeng had slain Fu Zhao. Even many reclusive powerhouses could no longer sit still. Having killed Fu Zhao! What does this indicate? It indicates that magicians can no longer suppress Martial Arts. Furthermore, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s performance in this battle is enough to convince others that his Cultivation is powerful enough to be the next Martial Ancestor, perhaps even stronger than the Martial Ancestor. If one could receive some guidance from him, perhaps the path of Martial Arts would be wide open in the future. So, this is why many martial artists are heading to Qingyun State. However, they are also aware that to directly meet Gu Qingfeng, judging by their own standards, they are not yet qualified; hence, these people chose the next best thing, to join Gu Yang¡¯s ranks directly, serve him, hoping to use this opportunity to eventually meet Gu Qingfeng in person. On the other hand, Gu Yang was also rapidly disbanding the original Spirit King¡¯s forces and incorporating them into various divisions of the Guangyang Army. In just half a month¡¯s time, Gu Yang completed the expansion and reorganization of the entire army. Then, it was time to dispatch the army to the various States. With the defeat of the Spirit King, and martial artists from all over coming to pledge allegiance, Gu Yang already understood that the situation of the world was in his hands. It could be said, the battle at Tianxiong Pass, had, in fact, laid the foundation for the future of the Nine States. At such a time, Gu Yang naturally had no hesitation, and directly commanded his generals to lead the army and march to the various States. The provincial lords of each State had already been defeated in Zhongzhou. Now with the Spirit King perished, the rest of the States already had little power to resist. As for the world, Gu Yang considered it within easy reach. Chapter 231: 210: The Manor Masters Words are Evidence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!) Chapter 231: Chapter 210: The Manor Master¡¯s Words are Evidence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!) ¡°Your offspring, Gu Yang, launched an assault on Central Province, and his powerful army swept through invincibly, with few able to resist!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Yang, launched an assault on Ling Province, and his powerful army swept through invincibly, with few able to resist!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Yang, was attacked by a martial artist of the Grandmaster Realm*18!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Shengxing, was attacked by a mysterious force, but fortunately, he was protected by the essence blood of a strong individual and was not injured!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Sheng¡¯an, was attacked by a mysterious force, but fortunately, he was protected by the essence blood of a strong individual and was not injured!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Yang, managed to kill an opponent from the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ... ¡°Your offspring, Gu Yang, commanded his army to capture Nine Cities consecutively in just three days, creating tremendous momentum!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Yang, received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, slightly increasing his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Yang, unexpectedly received the inheritance of a mysterious strong individual, slightly increasing his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Yang, consumed an Ancient Elixir, greatly increasing his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Xuan, comprehended the Heavenly Blade True Intent, slightly increasing his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Xiu, comprehended the notes of a Master, slightly increasing his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring, Gu Shengnan, received guidance from a Grandmaster Realm martial artist, slightly increasing her cultivation!¡± ... Gu Qingfeng sat steadily at Gu Family Manor, also controlling the situation around the world. When he saw that Gu Yang was attacking both Central Province and Ling Province at the same time, he was not surprised. Now, having absorbed the Spirit King Army, Gu Yang¡¯s influence under his command had surged greatly. Then, looking at Central Province and Ling Province: The former had just gone through war turmoil, and its foundational strength had plummeted to rock bottom, with local sects and families unable to stop the advance of the Guangyang Army. As for Ling Province, there was even less to say. Fu Zhao had perished. Master Taixuan had also fallen at Tianxiong Pass. Taisu Sect, as the only Immortal Sect in Ling Province and the greatest obstacle for the Guangyang Army, was now like a toothless tiger with the fall of its two top experts. In this situation: What threat could Taisu Sect still pose? With a Martial Arts Grandmaster personally stationed on Gu Yang¡¯s side, along with many grandmaster experts, dealing with a crippled Taisu Sect was hardly a problem. However: When he saw that his two grandsons were attacked by mysterious forces, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression did turn cold. Mysterious attacks. Clearly, these were not happening without reason. This indicated that a strong individual was manipulating these strange occurrences. Originally, Gu Qingfeng had bequeathed a drop of his essence blood to the two young men precisely to prevent this issue. After all, times had changed. As Gu Yang¡¯s forces grew stronger, they were destined to encroach upon the interests of many. If these people couldn¡¯t deal with Gu Yang himself, it was natural for them to target those around him. As for Gu Family Manor: Even if someone gave these individuals ten times the courage, they wouldn¡¯t dare to reach into the manor, but the situation might be different at the Prince Mansion. Afterward: Gu Qingfeng called for the Hidden Guard, saying, ¡°I have heard that my two grandsons were attacked by mysterious forces. I want the Hidden Guard to find out who exactly is behind this and from which faction they come.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The Hidden Guard immediately took the order. After the other party had left, Gu Qingfeng continued his secluded cultivation. He was only one step away from achieving Perfection in the Blood-Refining Scripture, and he spent most of his time on this. As for the Heavenly Vein True Scripture and the Heavenly Blade Domain, Gu Qingfeng did not spend too much time on them at the moment. It was unavoidable. The Heavenly Vein True Scripture, being a mysterious and unfathomable Cultivation Technique, was entirely incomparable to any Great Grandmaster Martial Arts technique, Even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current vision, he found the Heavenly Vein True Scripture tremendously profound and difficult to fathom. To condense the Third Heavenly Vein was not something that could be achieved overnight. Of course: If he could successfully condense the Third Heavenly Vein, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength would also soar dramatically. After all, each Heavenly Vein could double his strength, naturally incomparable to any ordinary breakthrough in realm. Gu Qingfeng believed: The difficulty he faced now in cultivating the Heavenly Vein True Scripture was due to his insufficient realm. If he could advance his cultivation level further, perhaps the Heavenly Vein True Scripture would become much easier to practice later. The situation with the Heavenly Blade Domain was similar. This supreme technique had already broken the barrier of the Great Grandmaster, reaching a higher level. So: Breaking through the Heavenly Blade Domain was not so simple. What Gu Qingfeng needed to do now was to uplift the Blood Refining Scripture first. ¡ª¡ª Inside Guangyang Prince Mansion: The interior was now under complete martial law. Gu Yang¡¯s expression was ice-cold, with the intent to kill almost solidifying. ¡°Search!¡± ¡°Search thoroughly!¡± ¡°This Prince wants to know who dares to manipulate the strange and contrives to assassinate the Princely Heir!¡± Hearing this ice-cold voice, the head of the mansion guards trembled as he took the order. ¡°I will handle it immediately!¡± ¡°Furthermore, from today onwards, the Prince Mansion will be under complete martial law. If the previous issues reoccur, you will no longer need to serve as the head of the guards.¡± Gu Yang coldly instructed. This time: He was truly enraged. Even when high-level assassins had targeted him in the past, Gu Yang had never been so furious. But this time: Someone had attacked his son, which completely provoked Gu Yang¡¯s wrath. At a critical moment: If it weren¡¯t for the drop of essence blood his father left, which was enough to suppress the strange, the consequences would have been unimaginable. After the head of the guards had left, Gu Yang then called for a person from the Hidden Guard. ¡°Has the Hidden Guard received any news?¡± ¡°Reporting to Your Highness, so far, the Hidden Guard has not been able to ascertain the true identity of the person manipulating the strange from the shadows, but we have some clues.¡± Gu Yi respectfully said. Gu Yang looked at him, his expression still ice-cold. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Ten Thousand Soul Sect!¡± Chapter 232: 210: The Manor Masters Word is Evidence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)_2 Chapter 232: Chapter 210: The Manor Master¡¯s Word is Evidence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)_2 Gu Yi spoke the truth. Without waiting for Gu Yang to ask, he continued to speak. ¡°The Ten Thousand Soul Sect is a mysterious sect in Ling Province, rumored to be linked to the Taisu Sect. They wield some bizarre and profound secret techniques, making their reputation quite prominent in the Martial World. Now that the Guangyang Army has stepped into Ling Province, it¡¯s inevitable that they would clash with the interests of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. Their retaliation from the shadows could be explained. Of course, such odd manipulation techniques are not solely held by the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. Some Martial World Wanderers are also adept in such methods. Without concrete evidence, it is difficult to assert that this incident is the work of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect.¡± ... Upon hearing this, Gu Yang sneered immediately. ¡°This king acts without need for evidence. Since the Ten Thousand Soul Sect knows such peculiar manipulation techniques, we will strike at them first. I want you to uncover everything about the Ten Thousand Soul Sect within three days.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Yi bowed and accepted the order. After he left, the murderous intent in Gu Yang¡¯s eyes remained fierce. ¡°Ten Thousand Soul Sect!¡± ¡°This king will make the people of the world understand the consequences of opposing me!¡± It is the weak who need to rely on evidence. For the strong, their actions are the evidence themselves. Now that his scales had been touched, Gu Yang would certainly not tolerate it. Very well. The Ten Thousand Soul Sect is linked to the Taisu Sect, and they are bound to be a problem in the future. It would be better to use this opportunity to uproot the Ten Thousand Soul Sect entirely. ¡ª¡ª Less than three days passed, and Gu Yi had delivered all the intelligence on the Ten Thousand Soul Sect to Gu Yang. ¡°The Ten Thousand Soul Sect has a lineage that stretches over 5,600 years, with nine God Fusion Realm powerhouses within the sect, among which, the Sect Master, Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor, is rumored to be a half-step Transformation Realm powerhouse. He possesses the treasured Ten Thousand Soul Banner, rumored to refine extraordinary mysteries. Truly difficult to handle!¡± Nine God Fusion Realm experts! The treasured Ten Thousand Soul Banner! Gu Yang¡¯s expression shifted slightly. From this, one could see that the foundation of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect was indeed not weak. In the past, Gu Yang might not have been assured of taking on the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, but now, things were different. ¡°Pass my command, have Shi Zhen lead the Heavenly Gang Army to besiege the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. Additionally, ask Sword Senior to accompany the army. In this battle, I want the Ten Thousand Soul Sect to be wholly eradicated!¡± Gu Yang issued the order directly. No matter how powerful the Ten Thousand Soul Sect was, with thirty-six thousand Heavenly Gang Army troops and a Martial Arts Grandmaster to bolster their forces, it would not be just one Ten Thousand Soul Sect, but even two or three, that could be wiped out in a single blow. Having received the order, Gu Yi turned and withdrew at once. At the same time, in Ling Province, within the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. In the great hall, there sat an elder in a blood-colored robe, occupying the highest seat. His cheeks hollow, his cheekbones protruding high, and his eyes deep and sharp, he exuded a bone-chilling presence. This man was the Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect¡ªTen Thousand Soul Ancestor! Before him, stood an elder of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, utterly reverent. ¡°You¡¯re saying you failed?¡± Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor looked down at the person below, his gaze indifferent and voice hoarse, unsettling to those who heard it. Xu Lin said anxiously, ¡°I did not expect those two youngsters to have mysterious protections on them. Due to a momentary lapse, a blunder occurred. I hope the Sect Master will forgive me!¡± ¡°I recall you have a Floating Tomb-tier oddity at your disposal. Was it not sufficient to succeed?¡± Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor¡¯s brow furrowed. A Floating Tomb-tier oddity involved the level of Masters and True Intent Masters. Although, the oddity owned by Xu Lin had merely entered the Floating Tomb level, qualifying as an average Master, its bizarre methods and unpredictable assassinations often made it much stronger than ordinary Masters. If Gu Yang had powerful protectors by his side, Xu Lin¡¯s failure would have been one thing. But now, failing against two young children was genuinely unsatisfactory to the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor. Xu Lin forced a smile, ¡°Those two possess an incredibly stout and yang energy. As soon as my Floating Tomb-tier oddity approached, it was scorched by that force, extinguishing it on the spot.¡± As he said this, fear crept into Xu Lin¡¯s eyes, as if recalling something terrifying. This statement once again caused the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor¡¯s brow to tighten. A Floating Tomb-tier oddity, involving the strength of Masters, clearly did not need further explanation. If a top-notch expert had emerged, the defeat of a Floating Tomb-tier oddity might have been justifiable. However, now, as per Xu Lin¡¯s description, the presence of a mysterious force on both individuals that led to the immediate destruction of the Floating Tomb-tier oddity was somewhat inconceivable. ¡°Could it be a handiwork of that Martial Saint?¡± Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor thought of Gu Qingfeng, his expression growing even more somber. Regarding the Martial Saint capable of slaying Fu Zhao, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor was naturally very wary. Despite the rich foundation of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, in the eyes of such a powerful individual, they could be wiped out with a mere wave of the hand. With this in mind, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor looked towards Xu Lin and said in a deep voice, ¡°You haven¡¯t exposed your identity, have you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve acted covertly, only allowing the oddity to strike. I believe no one will notice.¡± Xu Lin voiced this with a bit more confidence. From the beginning to the end, he did not show himself personally, but only ordered the oddity to strike. Now that the oddity had fallen, there was even less evidence to prove that the incident was his doing. Hearing this, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor nodded slightly, then directly summoned a black ancient banner. Upon seeing the emergence of the black banner, Xu Lin¡¯s expression drastically changed, ¡°Ten Thousand Soul Banner...¡± However, before he could act, Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor blasted forth with a palm, instantly shattering Xu Lin¡¯s body, followed by the enveloping black mist whirling within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Oddities emerged, devouring Xu Lin¡¯s flesh and blood until nothing was left. Within moments, only a few traces of blood remained on the ground. Chapter 233: 210: The Manor Masters Word is Evidence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)_3 Chapter 233: Chapter 210: The Manor Master¡¯s Word is Evidence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)_3 As for Xu Lin¡¯s whereabouts, he had already vanished without a trace. ¡°Do not blame me, the Ancestor, for being ruthless. This matter absolutely cannot be leaked. Your death shall serve as the guarantee for our sect¡¯s lineage. I believe you wouldn¡¯t refuse!¡± The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor muttered to himself, his gaze, however, was extremely fierce. From the moment Xu Lin made his move, the outcome for the other party had already been decided. It didn¡¯t matter whether Xu Lin succeeded or not, he was to be silenced afterward. After all, should this matter be exposed, it would inevitably lead the Ten Thousand Soul Sect into a situation from which there would be no recovery. ... Only by silencing him could they ensure the message would not leak out. Just at this moment, a disciple of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect hurriedly approached. Upon seeing the bloodstains on the ground, the disciple¡¯s face turned pale, yet he then respectfully said, ¡°Sect Master, someone from the Gu Family Manor has come!¡± ¡°What¡ª¡ª¡± The originally calm expression on the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor¡¯s face changed instantly upon hearing these words. Someone from the Gu Family Manor has come! Even with his composure, he felt a tinge of panic at this moment. But soon, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor calmed down and indifferently asked, ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°The Outer Hall Master of the Gu Family Manor, Gu Peng!¡± ¡°Gu Peng... Have him wait for me in the front hall.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ... In the front hall of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. Gu Peng sat boldly, with the disciples of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect respectfully attending to him on one side, their faces full of reverence. When the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor arrived, his eyes shifted slightly upon seeing Gu Peng but soon returned to normal. ¡°I¡¯ve long heard of Master Gu¡¯s reputation. Seeing you today, indeed, the reality surpasses the rumors!¡± ¡°And you are the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor?¡± Gu Peng raised his eyebrows slightly. The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor smiled faintly: ¡°Indeed, I am. May I know why Master Gu has graced us with a visit today?¡± At this moment, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor was lowering himself extremely humbly. Gu Peng glanced at him and spoke in a detached tone: ¡°Not long ago, the Guangyang Princely Heir was attacked. Have you heard of this, sir?¡± ¡°This happened?¡± The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor looked surprised, then shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve lived in Ling Province for a long time and have not heard of this matter.¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Peng gave the other a deep look and then said, ¡°It¡¯s said the assailant possessed the ability to wield strange and eerie arts, similar to the teachings of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. Does this person have any relation with your sect?¡± ¡°Master Gu jests. There are others in the Martial World adept in the manipulation of such strange arts; the Ten Thousand Soul Sect absolutely dare not bear the brunt of such an accusation.¡± The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor spoke impassively. The moment Gu Peng spoke, he knew the other had come to confront and accuse. However, since the main culprit, Xu Lin, had already been eliminated, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor wasn¡¯t worried about the matter being exposed. Seeing the other¡¯s vehement denial, Gu Peng¡¯s eyes turned frosty. ¡°It seems you dare do but not admit, sir?¡± ¡°Master Gu, everything should be based on evidence. You claim it¡¯s the doing of my Ten Thousand Soul Sect, then may I ask if Master Gu has any proof?¡± The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor¡¯s face also turned unpleasant, his gaze toward Gu Peng turned colder. ¡°If there truly is evidence proving this matter is the work of my Ten Thousand Soul Sect, then whatever Guangyang Prince decides to do, I will certainly not utter a word of disagreement. But if there is no evidence and you arbitrarily frame and accuse us, I must say, I cannot accept that!¡± ¡°Over the years, Guangyang Prince has administered benevolent governance in Qingyun State, his armed forces are formidable. It is his destiny to vie for the position of Nine States Supreme; I hold much admiration for him. To do something like assassinating the Princely Heir, I would never consider it.¡± The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor changed his tone once more, then lightly smiled. He wasn¡¯t afraid of Gu Peng¡¯s confrontation and interrogation. Because there was no evidence. No matter how much Gu Peng said, it was futile. Seeing the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor like this, Gu Peng gave him a long look, then stood up and said, ¡°If this matter is indeed not the work of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, then there¡¯s no need for my intrusion. I will take my leave!¡± ¡°Master Gu, please take care.¡± The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor smiled slightly and then had Gu Peng escorted out. Once his figure had completely disappeared, the smile on the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor¡¯s face gradually vanished, his eyes turning cold. ¡°A mere Little Master dares to come here for an inquisition. Had it not been for your association with the Gu Family Manor, today you would have been unable to leave as you came!¡± At this point, The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor¡¯s eyes revealed a hint of bloodthirstiness. A Master Martial Artist! One who possessed rich and vigorous vital energy. If he could devour and refine that energy, it would save him decades of arduous cultivation. But regarding this matter, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor merely pondered it in his heart. Killing Gu Peng was simple. A mere Master could not stir up any waves within the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. However, the Gu Family Manor behind Gu Peng was certainly not a force that the Ten Thousand Soul Sect could provoke. This was different from the previous matter. The earlier issue was done by Xu Lin, who acted covertly. Even Guangyang Prince could not find any solid evidence. But now, Gu Peng had openly stepped into the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. If anything were to happen to him, the sect could in no way escape involvement. ... Elsewhere, Gu Peng left the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. He turned back and looked at the mountains before him with a cold glint in his eyes. In the next moment, he drew the long blade from behind his back and suddenly slashed down at the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. With one strike, the heavens and earth shattered! The terrifying force rent through the void, brutally striking down upon the gate of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. This mountain that had stood tall for an unknowable number of years crumbled utterly under this one blade. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± The mountain collapsed. The sect, silenced. Numerous disciples and elders of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, with no time to react, were completely pulverized by the force of this strike. Simultaneously, a terrifying aura burst forth from within the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, and enraged voices that carried boundless fury shook the environs. ¡°Who dares to attack the Ten Thousand Soul Sect!!¡± Chapter 234: 210: The Manor Masters Word is Evidence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)_4 Chapter 234: Chapter 210: The Manor Master¡¯s Word is Evidence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)_4 No sooner had the voice faded. The bloodied form of the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor appeared out of thin air. The Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect looked wretched, his robe soaked in blood and his left arm cleanly severed as if by a sharp blade, spilling copious amounts of fresh blood. Gazing upon the ruins of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect and the majority of the disciples fallen, the eyes of the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor turned a deep red. Then, He looked toward the entrance of the mountain gate, meeting Gu Peng¡¯s indifferent gaze. ... ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± ¡°Why did you destroy my Ten Thousand Soul Sect!¡± The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor roared in fury. Gu Peng spoke coldly, ¡°Assassinating the Princely Heir is a capital offense. By the manor master¡¯s command, eradicate the Ten Thousand Soul Sect!¡± ¡°What proof do you have!?¡± The Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor¡¯s face twisted fiercely. Gu Peng replied, ¡°The manor master¡¯s word is the proof!¡± With that said, The Evil Slayer Blade struck again. Sky-reaching Blade Wind cleaved through heaven and earth¡¯s expanse, its terrible power completely locking onto the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor who felt a frigid chill all over, his face filled with terror, already sensing the breath of death. ¡°If you want to kill me, let Gu Qingfeng come in person. You don¡¯t have the ability¡ª¡± Immediately, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor summoned the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, and a terrifying, eerie figure emerged abruptly, shrouded in surging black mist that obscured the sky, akin to the descent of a demonic god. The Ten Thousand Soul Banner was the supreme treasure of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, forged over thousands of years by successive giants of the sect before falling into the hands of the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor, it had slain countless souls to enhance the power of this precious artifact. Now unleashed, its might was enormous. ¡°Within my Ten Thousand Soul Banner, there are one hundred and eight thousand eerie beings, eighteen of the Floating Tomb class, and even a half-step Yama class eerie being that fears not even the Transformation Realm powerhouses. Today, I will devour you and strengthen my Ten Thousand Soul Banner!¡± Having torn off all pretense, the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor had nothing to hold back. Urging on the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, myriad eerie beings surged forth crazily, flooding toward Gu Peng. But in the very next breath, Sky-reaching Blade Wind descended. All the eerie beings melted away like snow in the spring sun, letting out piteous screams as they dissipated. What one hundred and eight thousand eerie beings. What eighteen Floating Tomb class eerie beings. Before this blade, they all perished. Only the half-step Yama class eerie being was now struggling desperately, attempting to withstand this sky-piercing, earth-shattering strike. However¡ª In the face of absolute power, any struggle was futile. In less than a few breaths, the half-step Yama class eerie being let out a wail and was directly slain by the blade on the spot. And that wasn¡¯t all. The blade wind¡¯s force did not stop, slamming fiercely into the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor. A powerhouse on the verge of the Transformation Realm, faced with this strike, his body suddenly exploded, leaving him with no place for burial. ¡°Boom!!¡± Rocks shattered. The mountain gate annihilated. The already shattered gate of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect was broken even more thoroughly under this blade, and the barely surviving disciples and elders also perished on the spot. Looking at the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, now reduced to complete ruins, Gu Peng¡¯s chest heaved violently, his face, too, showing a look of shock. ¡°The manor master¡¯s divine might!¡± Gu Peng was well aware of the strength of the Evil Slayer Blade. But however well he knew it, it was not as shocking as using the Evil Slayer Blade himself to annihilate the Ten Thousand Soul Sect in two strikes. After all, the Ten Thousand Soul Sect was among the top sects in Ling Province, even if not quite on par with an Immortal Sect like the Taisu Sect, it was still extraordinary, with many strong members in the sect. But now, Such a mighty sect had been extinguished by two strikes from the Evil Slayer Blade. Gu Peng understood clearly that his decimation of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect was not due to his own strength but due to the divine might of the Evil Slayer Blade. What Master. What nearly Transformation Realm. Before such power, they were all but jokes. Gu Peng glanced at the ruins of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect one last time, took the Ten Thousand Soul Banner left by the Ten Thousand Soul Ancestor, and then turned and left. Chapter 235: 211 Immortal Casting Court Chapter 235: Chapter 211 Immortal Casting Court ¡°Ten Thousand Soul Sect has been annihilated!?¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s face showed some astonishment when he received this message. He had just received orders from Gu Yang to prepare his troops to exterminate Ten Thousand Soul Sect, only to find out that before he even made a move, Ten Thousand Soul Sect had already been wiped out. The scout said respectfully, ¡°Reporting to the general, news has come that on that day, a Sky-reaching Divine Blade came slashing down from the heavens, not only destroying Ten Thousand Soul Sect but also shattering the very location of their sect¡¯s gates.¡± ¡°Sky-reaching Divine Blade¡ª¡± Hearing his subordinate¡¯s words, Shi Zhen¡¯s expression flickered slightly. ... It was as if he had thought of something. At that moment. Sword Daoist at his side spoke, ¡°Such a description, it does sound like Mr. Gu¡¯s method. In the whole world, only Mr. Gu possesses such strength to annihilate a top sect instantly.¡± ¡°Sword Senior speaks the truth!¡± Shi Zhen nodded in agreement with Sword Daoist¡¯s words. From what he could see. This matter was indeed likely the doing of Gu Qingfeng. However. To be certain of this, Shi Zhen still decided to personally visit the ruins of Ten Thousand Soul Sect. The sight he beheld was of Ten Thousand Soul Sect in ruins, mountains collapsed, with vicious and terrifying blade marks etched into the earth, exuding a chilling and dreadful Blade Intent. ¡°The aura left here is indeed very similar to that of Mr. Gu¡¯s.¡± Sword Daoist had this thought as soon as he saw the blade marks. The one who destroyed Ten Thousand Soul Sect was none other than Gu Qingfeng. On second thoughts. Sword Daoist felt this was to be expected. The Princely Heir of the Prince Mansion was the target of an assassination, doubtlessly provoking this individual¡¯s wrath; hence, it made sense that Gu Qingfeng himself would take action against Ten Thousand Soul Sect. Similarly. This also indirectly indicated. How much he valued the Princely Heir of the Prince Mansion. Otherwise. Why would Gu Qingfeng personally deal with Ten Thousand Soul Sect? After all, according to Sword Daoist¡¯s knowledge, Gu Qingfeng mostly stayed within Gu Family Manor and seldom interfered with matters of the Martial World. Every time he took action, it was always concerning the future of the Gu Family or Guangyang Prince. Thereafter. Shi Zhen relayed this news back. Learning that Gu Qingfeng had taken action to annihilate Ten Thousand Soul Sect, Gu Yang felt relieved in his heart and immediately smiled. ¡°It seems father holds dear regard for Xing¡¯er and the others!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Zhong Li also wore a smiling expression. Gu Qingfeng was willing to value his children, and naturally, Zhong Li was overjoyed. After all, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s descendants weren¡¯t limited to just Gu Yang. As a Princess Consort. Zhong Li became even more aware of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s present status and identity. Though he was nominally just the manor master of Gu Family Manor, in reality, he was the strongest individual under the heavens. Having his favor would indeed bring many advantages. At this time. Gu Yang spoke, ¡°When another year or two passes, once Xing¡¯er and the others are older and reach the age to practice Martial Arts, I plan to send them back to Gu Family Manor, to be personally instructed by father.¡± ¡°If father is willing, that would be for the best.¡± Zhong Li nodded her head, clearly harboring no thoughts of refusal. Gu Yang laughed, ¡°Rest assured, how could father refuse?¡± Gu Shengnan had been cultivating alongside Gu Qingfeng over the years, and Gu Yang had seen her progress. His own daughter, still young in age, had attained a level of Cultivation that could rival many renowned figures in the Martial World; even Gu Yang had to admit that his Cultivation was far behind hers at that age. Gu Yang had no doubt. If Gu Shengnan were given more time, her Cultivation might surpass his own. In his view, this not only reflected Gu Shengnan¡¯s innate talent but also surely included Gu Qingfeng¡¯s guidance. ¡ª ¡°Is the task completed?¡± ¡°Your subordinate has not failed his mission!¡± Gu Peng offered the Evil Slayer Blade back with both hands, and with a wave of his sleeve, Gu Qingfeng let the Evil Slayer Blade return to its place in the Grinding Blade Hall. He had ordered Gu Peng to carry the Evil Slayer Blade to annihilate Ten Thousand Soul Sect, and Gu Qingfeng had anticipated such an outcome. After all, the Evil Slayer Blade of now was no longer comparable to its past self. Nurtured day and night with Blade Nourishing Skills by Gu Qingfeng, it could not only annihilate a Ten Thousand Soul Sect but even a common Transformation Realm powerhouse could be slain by the blade. It could be said. The Evil Slayer Blade of now could no longer be considered an ordinary Divine Weapon; it had even transcended the category of Divine Weapons of the present world. At this time. Gu Peng then handed over a black ancient banner to Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands. ¡°This is the Ten Thousand Soul Sect¡¯s treasured artifact, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Please look it over, manor master!¡± ¡°Ten Thousand Soul Banner...¡± Gu Qingfeng took the black ancient banner and immediately sensed an eerie and cold aura emanating from it, which would surely freeze the blood of ordinary people upon touch, but for him, such a chilling aura was insignificant. The moment he grasped the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, he could sense its mysteries. Even though the Evil Slayer Blade had slain most of the strangeness within it. Nevertheless, a few remnants of these peculiar forces still lingered. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s consciousness entered the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, it was as if he ¡®saw¡¯ a dark misty space, within which fearsome peculiar entities came into view. The strength of these entities varied. The weaker ones were only comparable to someone in the Bone Refining Realm, while the stronger entities were no weaker than those in the Refining Organ Realm. At the same time. Gu Qingfeng also keenly spotted that these entities had some sort of connection with the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, thereby allowing the latter to easily manipulate the powerful beings. ¡°You¡¯ve done well with this matter; you may go down and rest now.¡± ¡°Yes, manor master!¡± After Gu Peng withdrew, Gu Qingfeng began to study the Ten Thousand Soul Banner anew. This treasured artifact. Made him see some rather unusual things. ¡°Ten Thousand Soul Banner!¡± ¡°Manipulating peculiar ghostly forces!¡± ¡°Such a method seems to have departed from the ordinary scope of Martial Arts; even many Magicians haven¡¯t mastered such a technique. I wonder from where Ten Thousand Soul Sect acquired the method to craft such a treasured artifact¡ª¡± Chapter 236: 211 Immortal Casting Court_2 Chapter 236: Chapter 211 Immortal Casting Court_2 Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself, his eyes flickering slightly as he gazed at the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. In the world, Martial Artists and Magicians coexist, but strictly speaking, at some level, they are also very similar. The methods used by Magicians are mostly Martial Arts as well. The difference lies in that, Magicians gather Spiritual Power within their bodies, while Martial Artists emphasize True Qi and blood vitality. However, when it comes to offensive methods, there isn¡¯t much difference between the two. ... But now, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner had shown Gu Qingfeng something extraordinary. Gu Qingfeng could have destroyed the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, but he decided to keep this treasure to study carefully. He had a premonition. The Ten Thousand Soul Banner was definitely not simple. Although possessing and manipulating such odd artifacts seemed to violate the natural order, Gu Qingfeng was never one to cling to outdated principles. Whether an artifact violated the natural order depended on whose hands it was in. Besides, Gu Qingfeng did not consider himself a man of the righteous path. Everything he did was about following a single train of thought. The so-called good and evil, Were actually not that important. As for the residual strangeness within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, Gu Qingfeng did not go out of his way to exterminate it. Sealed within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, these oddities were destined not to cause any significant disturbances. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng casually placed the Ten Thousand Soul Banner in the Grinding Blade Hall. In the next moment, The Ten Thousand Soul Banner trembled. A black mist seemed to want to spread out from it. But then, the Divine Weapons in the Grinding Blade Hall vibrated, and numerous Blade Intents were released, suppressing the black mist. In an instant, The black mist dispersed, As if it had encountered something terrifying. Following that, The sound of the Evil Slayer Blade gently humming was heard, and the Ten Thousand Soul Banner instinctively trembled, showing no further movement. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained cold. The little oddities trying to upset the balance were just a joke in his eyes. Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, there were many Divine Weapons, being refined day and night by their True Intent, and the True Intent¡¯s deadly aura was not something ordinary strangeness could withstand. Moreover, The Evil Slayer Blade was stationed there. Thus, Gu Qingfeng was not worried about how much disturbance the Ten Thousand Soul Banner could cause. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ led his army to annihilate the Taisu Sect, shaking Ling Province!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has become famous as his army passes through, and the cities of Ling Province surrender at the first sign!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ subdued and suppressed many rebel armies in Ling Province, greatly increasing his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ unexpectedly received the legacy of a mysterious powerful figure, increasing his foundation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has established treaties with various Immortal Sects and noble families!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, slightly improving his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, slightly improving his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... During the time Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, the world was also tumultuous. First, the Ten Thousand Soul Sect was eradicated. Then, generals like Shi Zhen led the army, easily flattening the entire Taisu Sect. Without Fu Zhao and Master Taixuan stationed, the Taisu Sect, even as an immortal sect with a legacy of ten thousand years, was no match for the Guangyang Army. The Heavenly Gang Army, led solely by Shi Zhen, was enough to drive the Taisu Sect to despair. Not to mention, In this battle, The Sword Daoist also participated. One Martial Arts Grandmaster and thirty-six thousand Heavenly Gang Army soldiers completely cut off the Taisu Sect¡¯s survival routes. In less than two days, The Taisu Sect was completely exterminated. Following the news of the Taisu Sect¡¯s demise being broadcasted, the various forces around the world were again shaken. Although the fall of the Taisu Sect was expected by many forces, they were still inevitably stirred when they actually heard the news. To be exact, Including the earlier Tianyang Sword Sect, One after another, two great Immortal Sects had been eradicated by Gu Yang¡¯s hands. At this moment, Many forces felt endangered. Especially in Ling Province, many self-proclaimed kings who attempted to resist the Guangyang Army had now obediently bowed down, hoping to save their lives. For these people, Gu Yang did not really wipe them out. After all, he wanted to quickly suppress the Nine States, which required setting a proper example. If all those who surrender were executed or faced retribution after the fact, how could the provincial rebel lords willingly submit? Once these rebel lords were determined to resist to the death, although they could not threaten Gu Yang himself, it would still be troublesome. Therefore, As long as they did not deliberately oppose him, Gu Yang showed leniency, although he stripped their military power, he did not engage in persecutory actions. As a result, More forces bowed their heads. In less than a month, The entire Ling Province had fallen completely under Gu Yang¡¯s control. Similarly, The progress in Zhongzhou was almost the same. It could be said, Gu Yang now dominated three provinces, commanding an army of no less than ten million. His ambition swallowed vast territories like a tiger! It was clear to anyone with discerning eyes that this world would inevitably belong to the Gu Family. Even though there were still six provinces that had not fallen into Gu Yang¡¯s hands, it was only a matter of time. After all, with control over three provinces and an army of ten million, he faced no one in the surrounding six provinces who could oppose him. Since the lords supported by various Immortal Sect families had perished, the so-called lords of the provinces were merely seizing the chaos to rebel and proclaim themselves kings, scarcely significant. Such lords, commanding an army of over one hundred thousand, were few and far between. Therefore, Led by the Ji Family of Xianzhou, the powerful figures from various Immortal Sect families gathered together and headed to Guangyang Prefecture to meet Gu Yang. Chapter 237: 211 Immortal Casting Court_3 Chapter 237: Chapter 211 Immortal Casting Court_3 Not long afterward, all the powerful figures from various forces left with displeased expressions on their faces. No one was clear about what the two sides had discussed, but after those powerful figures returned, it took less than several days for them to publicly acknowledge Gu Yang¡¯s status. Such an outcome made Gu Yang¡¯s influence grow even stronger. ... At the same time, Gu Yang also personally visited the Gu Family Manor to meet with Gu Qingfeng. ... ¡°Son pays his respects to Father!¡± Inside the grand hall of the Gu Family Manor, Gu Yang, dressed in brocaded robes with a noble air impossible to ignore, still showed a humble demeanor before Gu Qingfeng, containing all his imperial aura. Gu Qingfeng looked at the man before him with a hint of emotion. It seemed like just yesterday when he had brought him home. The little kid who used to follow behind him had now truly grown up and was set to become the overlord of the Nine States. The flurry of thoughts dissipated as Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°Take a seat and let¡¯s talk.¡± ¡°Thank you, Father!¡± Gu Yang bowed his hands in thanks and then sat down in the seat below his father. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°I heard you¡¯ve set up a treaty with those Immortal Sect families?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Gu Yang calmly admitted. ¡°Not long ago, forces led by the Ji Family from Xianzhou all came to the mansion. Their original purpose was to hope for a non-interference agreement with my Guangyang Prince Mansion. They support my accession to the throne but also need to maintain their special privileges as Immortal Sect families from the previous dynasty, which cannot be suppressed at will.¡± ¡°And how did you respond?¡± Gu Qingfeng asked, nodding slightly in approval. He wasn¡¯t surprised by the demands of these Immortal Sect families. After all, those families had always manipulated the rise and fall of dynasties from behind the scenes. The so-called dynastic rulers were merely puppets they supported. Therefore, all along, these Immortal Sect families had always been above worldly concerns, standing above royal power. But the question was that Gu Yang did not have the support of an Immortal Sect family, and whether those forces could maintain their previous status if he ascended the throne was a matter for discussion. So, it was only natural for them to come with such requests. Gu Yang scoffed, ¡°Since when has the Gu Family¡¯s world been under their control? And as for the Magicians causing chaos in the world, it would have been generous of me not to uproot these sect families entirely. Thus, I naturally did not agree to the requests of these sect families.¡± ¡°The main content of the treaty I established with them is that when the Gu Family rules the world, the root inheritance of these sect families can be retained. However, as a condition, they too cannot wantonly slaughter the common people and attempt to cultivate Evil Skills using the flesh and blood of living beings!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng looked at the man in front of him and spoke indifferently, ¡°With such a demand, as long as your father is alive, I believe they wouldn¡¯t dare refuse. But if your father were no longer around one day, I fear those sect families would become a great hidden danger.¡± ¡°I am well aware of this,¡± Gu Yang responded, ¡°But if one day I am truly able to sit in that position, why should I fear the mere sect families? Furthermore, Father, you have perfected Martial Arts, solving the problem of the short lifespan of Martial Artists. Give me time, and the path of the Magician will inevitably decline. Perhaps in less than a hundred years, Martial Arts will flourish greatly, and Magicians will be completely extinguished!¡± Gu Yang said confidently. Of course, there were also hidden dangers in doing so. Using Martial Arts to violate laws. If Martial Arts grew too powerful, it might not bode well in the future. But times change. Now, to counter the path of the Magician, only by strengthening Martial Arts is it possible; the root of the world¡¯s chaos lies in the Evil Spirits and the Magicians. Once these problems are resolved, issues thereafter will be much simpler. Furthermore, governing the world is like cooking a small fish; one can¡¯t be impatient. Gu Yang made no attempt to hide these thoughts, speaking them directly in front of Gu Qingfeng. Now, as the Guangyang Prince, Gu Yang often kept his thoughts deep within himself, and even the most faithful of his followers, or even his confidant, would not reveal them unreservedly. Only in front of Gu Qingfeng could Gu Yang truly release all the chains and shackles on his heart and speak his mind. ¡°To have such thoughts, your father is very pleased!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes were full of approval. Back then when he loosened the reins on Gu Yang, letting him grow on his own, now it seemed he had not made a mistake. Otherwise, had he insisted that Gu Yang stay inside the Gu Family Manor, it would be hard to achieve what he had today. Then, Gu Qingfeng continued, ¡°Those sect families agreed to your terms, probably because they see the worry of the short lifespan of Martial Artists. Although Martial Artists cannot live forever, as long as your father is alive for one more day, I will not tolerate their provocations. Should someone dare to break the rules, then annihilation it is.¡± This sentence came out light and breezy from Gu Qingfeng, as if wiping out an Immortal Sect family was as easy as a flip of his hand. In fact, it was indeed so. Gu Qingfeng, the world¡¯s foremost, was truly above all others. Not to mention that none of these sect families have witnessed the emergence of a Divinity Realm powerhouse now, even if there were, Gu Qingfeng could suppress them with his bare hands, naturally not allowing these forces to stir up any trouble. The reason he had not made a move directly was that these sect families were deeply rooted, and rash actions could easily lead to chaos. So, since Gu Yang had the plan of boiling the frog in warm water, Gu Qingfeng naturally did not intervene directly. ¡°Father, I have another matter I wish to consult you on during this visit!¡± At this point, Gu Yang suddenly spoke up, then took out a Jade Scroll and handed it over to Gu Qingfeng. Chapter 238: 211 Immortal Casting Court_4 Chapter 238: Chapter 211 Immortal Casting Court_4 ¡°Father, I stumbled upon this Jade Scroll in Ling Province, and it contains some bewildering information. I struggled to determine its authenticity.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Gu Qingfeng took the Jade Scroll, his expression slightly surprised. With his keen eyes, he could tell that the Jade Scroll was not ordinary. It bore a faint and mysterious aura. He examined the Jade Scroll for a moment. Gu Qingfeng attempted to infuse it with True Qi and the power of his vital essence, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea; no response was elicited. ... At that moment, Gu Yang said, ¡°The Jade Scroll requires one to press it against the forehead to access the information within.¡± Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng did as instructed. When he pressed the Jade Scroll to his forehead, a surge of information abruptly flooded out. A short while later, Gu Qingfeng had fully assimilated all the information. ¡°Immortal Casting Court!¡± Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself. This information pertained to a Cultivation Technique¡ªmore precisely, it should be called a Secret Technique. Immortal Casting Court. That was the name of this Secret Technique. According to the records, the world evaluated dynasties by their Qi Fortune, ranking them in three tiers. The lowest were the kingdoms, above which were dynasties, emperor dynasties, divine dynasties, immortal dynasties, and the highest, immortal courts. This Secret Technique detailed the method for creating an immortal court. Even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s breadth of experience, his expression slightly betrayed his shock upon encountering such a Secret Technique. Gu Yang said, ¡°The method recorded on this Jade Scroll is truly profound. This is my first encounter with it. As for the Immortal Casting Court technique it describes, I believe there is at least a seventy percent chance it is genuine.¡± ¡°If the information recorded here is indeed true, then where did this Immortal Casting Court technique originate?¡± ¡°Moreover, in the ancient times of the Nine States, could there have once been an ancient immortal court?¡± ¡°Furthermore, if an immortal court truly existed, given the current situation in the Nine States, it would be difficult to sustain an immortal court.¡± ¡°Does this imply that beyond the Nine States lies a vaster world?¡± Gu Yang expressed the deep-seated doubts that had long dwelled in his heart. Some things, he already had some conjectures. But conjectures were merely conjectures, and the truth of the matter was something Gu Yang dared not confirm. Additionally, concerning these matters, Gu Yang had not spoken to anyone else. He could not. The matter of the Immortal Casting Court was of monumental significance. Once leaked, it was unclear what kind of chaos it might provoke. Thus, Gu Yang had come to meet Gu Qingfeng. His purpose was related to the major Immortal Sects and families, but also to verify the authenticity of the Immortal Casting Court. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng pondered for a long while before slowly speaking. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, the Immortal Casting Court should be authentic, and this world is not as simple as it appears.¡± ¡°Just as there are heavens beyond our heaven, there may indeed be a vaster world beyond the Nine States.¡± ¡°However, I believe that these matters are not something you should concern yourself with at this time. Even if there is a broader world beyond the Nine States, that is a matter for the future.¡± ¡°Right now, you should focus on unifying the Nine States.¡± ¡°Moreover, according to the method of the Immortal Casting Court, amassing Qi Fortune for a dynasty greatly benefits an emperor. When you secure the Nine States one day, you could follow this method.¡± ¡°Some things, when your power has risen to a sufficient level, all problems will naturally resolve themselves.¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words eased Gu Yang¡¯s mind, dispelling the doubts and troubles that had long been suppressed in his heart. If Gu Qingfeng said there was no problem, then there surely was no mistake. With that assurance, Gu Yang need not worry so much. ¡ª PS: I got a bit too engrossed in reading novels today, hence the late update. Sorry! Chapter 239: 212: Eighteen-foot-tall Golden Body Chapter 239: Chapter 212: Eighteen-foot-tall Golden Body Gu Yang had left. The purpose of his visit was to discuss matters concerning the Immortal Sect households and the Immortal Casting Court. Having obtained the answers he wanted, he naturally had no reason to stay any longer. After all, the world was not yet at peace. Gu Yang, the Guangyang Prince, certainly did not have much spare time. ... When Gu Yang departed, Gu Qingfeng also refocused on his attribute panel. However, the attribute panel showed no changes. ¡°It seems that the Immortal Casting Court is not considered a Cultivation Technique or Martial Arts, but rather exists similar to a Secret Technique!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered quietly. Many Secret Techniques were not recorded by the attribute panel. Such a change did not surprise Gu Qingfeng too much. However, what he was truly concerned about was the emergence of the Immortal Casting Court. Such a profound and unpredictable Secret Technique could not have been created by Martial Artists of the present. And a hundred thousand years ago, before the Martial Ancestor established Martial Arts across the world, the Martial Arts of the Nine States were still in their infancy. While some people attained enlightenment of their own bodies and harnessed some extraordinary powers, they were merely able to contend against ten or even a hundred opponents. It was not until the Martial Ancestor appeared and established Martial Arts across the world that Martial Arts truly flourished. ¡°So, where exactly did that Martial Ancestor come from!¡± ¡°The existence of the Immortal Casting Court suggests that in ancient times, this world must have witnessed unimaginable glory!¡± ¡°Whether it¡¯s the earlier Heavenly Vein True Scripture or the current Immortal Casting Court, both testify to many things!¡± At this moment, the many mysteries in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s heart cleared away. The thoughts that had once been uncertain became clearer now. He could assert. The world was not as simple as it seemed. Beyond the Nine States, perhaps there was an even vaster world. Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng looked in another direction. ¡°Ancient Beast Mountain Range!¡± Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself. If one were to speak of a place within the Nine States that remained unexplored by the people of the world, it would undoubtedly be the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. This range spanned several states like a natural barrier, safeguarding all of the Nine States within. Some had speculated that beyond the Nine States lay the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and at the end of this range, there might be another world even broader than the Nine States. However, such rumors were merely treated as tales by many and did not attract much attention. Or rather, even if some took interest, it would be impossible for them to truly delve into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. After all, the range was rife with danger, and even a Master would struggle to come out alive, let alone an ordinary Martial Artist. Should someone recklessly attempt to march an army across it, the outcome would also be far from ideal. After all¡ª the Ancient Beast Mountain Range teemed with venomous insects and countless dangers, and considering its span across several states, even if millions of soldiers marched in, they would disappear like a clay ox entering the sea, barely able to stir any waves. But in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes, these so-called tales might be true. Beyond the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, perhaps there truly was an even vaster world. But as for specifics, Gu Qingfeng had no current plans to explore. The unknown often also meant peril. Until it was necessary, Gu Qingfeng naturally would not lightly venture into danger. More importantly, whether there was a broader world beyond the Ancient Beast Mountain Range or not did not affect the enhancement of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s own strength. After all¡ª For Gu Qingfeng, as long as he could peacefully develop the Gu Family and strengthen the family lineage, he would continuously receive Upgrade Points and thus enhance his strength. However, everything is relative. Gu Qingfeng might not need to explore adventurously, but that did not mean others would be willing to remain passive. Nonetheless, Gu Qingfeng would not intervene or influence these matters intentionally. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time to take a trip to Wuzhou!¡± Wuzhou housed the Divine Martial Sect, the place where the Martial Ancestor passed away; there might be some information left about the Martial Ancestor. Upon this thought, Gu Qingfeng looked again at the Immortal Casting Court. This Secret Technique warranted his close examination. Condensing a dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune into oneself was indeed profoundly extraordinary. ¡ª While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, Gu Yang, upon returning to the Guangyang Prince Mansion, continued to deploy troops vigorously, suppressing rebellions in various states. With all the major Immortal Sect families bowing their heads and with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s backing, no one could stand in the way of the advancing Guangyang Army. At the same time, Gu Yang also ordered the collection of many precious ores from across the world and invited renowned craftsmen, intending to follow the methods recorded in the Immortal Casting Court to forge a national treasure. Indeed, to establish a dynasty and condense the nation¡¯s Qi Fortune, it was essential to possess a treasure capable of bearing that Qi Fortune. Within the Immortal Casting Court was the method for crafting such treasures, and Gu Yang certainly could not afford to be careless with it. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has ordered the collection of precious ores from across the world, intending to forge a national treasure!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has sent his troops to occupy Yunshan State, brutally suppressing any resistance; within just two months, Yunshan State has fallen under control!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has made a prominent name for himself by suppressing Wuzhou!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ now commands the territories of five states, with an unstoppable momentum!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has broken through to the Mid-level Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *30!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has made some progress in understanding the Heavenly Blade True Intent and has slightly improved his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has made a breakthrough to the Mid-level Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *30!¡± Chapter 240: 212: Eighteen-foot-tall Golden Body_2 Chapter 240: Chapter 212: Eighteen-foot-tall Golden Body_2 ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Yang,¡¯ has rallied an army of five million, setting out towards Xianzhou!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ has achieved a breakthrough to the mid-level of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*30!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Yang,¡¯ obtained slight cultivation improvements with the guidance of a Great Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Yang,¡¯ consumed an Ancient Secret Medicine, achieving a breakthrough to the late stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*150!¡± ... ¡°Reward Marrow Cleansing Pills*200!¡± ¡°Reward Refining Organ Pills*100!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Shengxing,¡¯ has reached Perfection in the Refining Skin Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*10!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Shengan,¡¯ has reached Perfection in the Refining Skin Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*10!¡± ... This year, Gu Qingfeng was fifty years old. Gu Yang was twenty-nine, and already had control over a great majority of the Nine States. A year had passed. Gu Shengxing and Gu Shengan had also reached the age of Martial Arts training, and Gu Yang had sent the two directly to the Gu Family Manor. In this, Gu Qingfeng was also generous with his guidance. After all, they were his grandchildren, and he found no reason to refuse. The two, being the progeny of Gu Yang¡¯s profound cultivation and also having been tempered by masters from a young age and consuming numerous precious secret medicines to cleanse their genetic constitution, were naturally gifted in talent. Originally, even before engaging in Martial Arts training, they were both already in the late stage of the Refining Skin Realm, and after receiving teachings on the Longevity Skills from Gu Qingfeng and directions in their cultivation, it did not take long for them to step into the Perfection of the Refining Skin Realm. Moving forward, they would be able to attempt the Blood Refining Realm. Gu Qingfeng took notice of these changes. Thus, when he saw the notification in the attribute panel concerning their breakthroughs, Gu Qingfeng was not too surprised. ¡°Shengxing and Shengan have good talent, but they are still somewhat lacking compared to Shengnan!¡± Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head. Logically, since both were progeny of Gu Yang¡¯s profound legacy, they should innately possess stronger talents than Gu Shengnan. However, this was not the case. Gu Shengnan¡¯s talents were significantly stronger than theirs. This shows that not all offspring of profoundly cultivated individuals would necessarily have great talents, and likewise, the descendants of ordinary people might not have mediocre talents. These things merely concern probability issues. Of course, there was also another point. Although Gu Shengxing and Gu Shengan¡¯s talents were not as exceptional as Gu Shengnan¡¯s, they would still be considered geniuses in the outside world. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng looked at his own attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 50/3000 Realm: Late Stage Extreme Dao Master Martial Arts: Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Prajnaparamita Sutra (Thirteenth Layer, Perfection, Prajnaparamita True Body Level Twelve), Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Longevity Skills (Perfection, Longevity Level Five), Pure Yang True Body (Perfection, Pure Yang Body Level Four), Heavenly Blade (Perfection, Heavenly Blade Domain Level One), Blood Refining Scripture (Seventh Layer, Divine Blood Level Seven), Divine Transformation (Perfection, Divine Speed Level Four) Upgrade Points: 342 ... ¡°Fifty years old!¡± Gu Qingfeng felt somewhat sentimental. At fifty, one knows heaven¡¯s mandate! For ordinary people, this age signifies having lived over half a lifetime. But for him, being fifty years old did not affect him much. His vitality was abundant. His body was robust. Apart from making Gu Qingfeng seem much more mature, the traces of the years hardly left any mark on him. But this was quite normal. For ordinary people with a lifespan of less than a hundred years, fifty years might be more than half a lifetime. But for Gu Qingfeng, with a lifespan of three thousand years, fifty years was truly insignificant. Even at five hundred years old, it might not make him feel aged. Such an extended lifespan naturally had its enormous benefits. After a moment, Gu Qingfeng set aside his inner reflections and looked at the Blood Refining Scripture, immediately using the upgrade points to bring this cultivation technique to perfection. He had intended to cultivate the Blood Refining Scripture on his own, but unfortunately, while his intentions were good, reality often diverged significantly from his expectations. In this period, Gu Qingfeng had been continually practicing the Blood Refining Scripture. But unfortunately, he had never managed to bring this technique to perfection. With sufficient upgrade points available, Gu Qingfeng no longer wanted to waste any more time. As soon as he thought about it, the corresponding upgrade points vanished, and the Blood Refining Scripture was directly elevated from the seventh layer to the eighth layer, achieving the state of perfection. ¡°Boom!¡± The Blood Refining Scripture reached perfection. Gu Qingfeng only felt a terrifying and majestic surge of blood energy emerging from his body, and as the blood churned, it seemed to be undergoing some intense transformations. Rolling waves of blood energy flowed. Like rivers rushing. Gu Qingfeng could clearly sense that his strength was gradually increasing, advancing toward a higher level. But the sensation did not last long and slowly faded away. Finally. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath. ... Blood Refining Scripture (Perfection, Divine Blood Level 8)! ... ¡°The Blood Refining Scripture has finally been perfected, it¡¯s just a pity that it didn¡¯t allow me to break through to the state of Perfection of an Extreme Dao Master,¡± Gu Qingfeng looked somewhat regretful. He could clearly feel the robustness of his blood energy, as if he was just one step away from a breakthrough, seemingly needing just a bit more power to take that step. But. Almost was still not enough. Gu Qingfeng also understood that his perception was merely an illusion. What seemed like just a step away from a breakthrough was, in reality, not as simple as it felt. However. Even if his cultivation level had not advanced. Achieving perfection in the Blood Refining Scripture had still enhanced his strength. Meanwhile. Gu Qingfeng had no intention of breaking the limits of the Blood Refining Scripture, as it was already a top-tier Grandmaster¡¯s Ultimate Skill, and advancing further would mean stepping into a higher realm. That level would require two thousand upgrade points. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng decided to cultivate other martial arts. Currently, Gu Yang controlled most of the Nine States, and the martial arts he had collected were numerous, even rare Grandmaster¡¯s Ultimate Skills numbered more than a few. These martial arts. Were now stored in the Grinding Blade Hall. These martial arts included swordsmanship, fist skills, those primarily focused on nurturing True Qi, and others focused on refining the flesh and bolstering blood energy. A moment later. Gu Qingfeng finally set his sights on a martial art. The Sixteen-foot Golden Body! This was a Buddhist Ultimate Skill! Thousands of years ago, a Buddhist Grandmaster sat in meditation for three hundred years and comprehended this top-tier martial art under the Bodhi Tree. If this martial art could be cultivated to great success, one could forge a Buddha-like golden body, impervious to blades and fire, and even ensure that the body would not decay for a thousand years even after death. It could be said. The Sixteen-foot Golden Body was a martial art not inferior to the Blood Refining Scripture. Regarding the existence of Buddhism. Gu Qingfeng was also aware. Thousands of years ago. Buddhism flourished, serving as the national religion of the former dynasty. However, as the former dynasty fell and the Taixuan Dynasty rose, Buddhism was targeted for purging; many Buddhist temples were eradicated, and numerous monks perished. Until now. Buddhism still existed in the world, but it was now considered lowly and hardly reached the elegant gatherings. But regardless. Buddhism was indeed glorious in the past. At its peak, there were many top-tier experts. The Sixteen-foot Golden Body was accidentally discovered by Gu Yang in an old Buddhist site and then delivered into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands. Gu Qingfeng could only reckon that Gu Yang¡¯s possession of such ancient top-tier martial arts was due to his immense Qi Fortune. The concept of Qi Fortune. Gu Qingfeng certainly believed in it. Especially after becoming aware of the existence of the Immortal Casting Court, Gu Qingfeng became even more convinced of the reality of Qi Fortune. Gu Yang being able to inherit many mysterious legacies and find the methods of the Immortal Casting Court indicated great Qi Fortune. A good while passed. Gu Qingfeng finally committed everything about the Sixteen-foot Golden Body to memory. Subsequently. The attribute panel also displayed the records of the Sixteen-foot Golden Body. This martial art, like the Blood Refining Scripture, started at the Grandmaster level. Differently. The Sixteen-foot Golden Body remarkably had nine layers, with the eighth layer pointing directly to the peak of a Great Grandmaster, and although the ninth layer did not break through the limit of a Great Grandmaster, it subtly touched upon an even more profound realm. Before properly studying the Sixteen-foot Golden Body in-depth, Gu Qingfeng thought this martial art was equivalent to the Blood Refining Scripture. But now upon closer inspection. This martial skill was even stronger than the Blood Refining Scripture. ¡ª¡ª PS: Today I¡¯ll update four thousand words, owing two thousand words, and tomorrow I¡¯ll update eight thousand words! Chapter 241: 213: Stabilizing the Nine States Chapter 241: Chapter 213: Stabilizing the Nine States Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body First Level! Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body Second Level! Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body Third Level! Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body Fourth Level! ... In just a short moment, ... Gu Qingfeng had already broken through to the fourth level of the Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body. Fourth Level Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body. It caused some changes to his physical body, seeming to add a faint, hard-to-detect golden hue. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng flicked his right arm with his left hand, immediately producing a sound like clashing gold and iron, leaving only some extremely faint white marks on his skin that disappeared in less than a breath. ¡°The Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body truly lives up to its reputation as a unique Buddhist ultimate skill from thousands of years ago; this cultivation technique is indeed extraordinary, allowing even someone with my current cultivation realm to further strengthen my physique!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded in satisfaction. His seemingly nonchalant flick contained enough power to destroy mountains and cleave valleys. Yet such an attack left only negligible white marks on his skin, clearly showing a significant enhancement in his physical strength. One must know. This was merely the fourth level of the Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body. If one truly stepped into the Ninth Layer Perfection of the Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body, then the physical body would definitely become even stronger. Regrettably, Even the Fourth Level Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body hadn¡¯t allowed Gu Qingfeng to break through to the Late Stage of Extreme Dao Master. Since stepping into the Extreme Dao Master Realm, he had started on a completely different path. Ordinary martial arts were insufficient for Gu Qingfeng to truly break through; every step of his breakthrough depended on gradually accumulating insights from various martial arts, finally advancing step by step. However, Gu Qingfeng was not in a hurry. As long as he had enough reward points, advancing to higher levels was merely a matter of time. ¡ª¡ª In the following month, Gu Qingfeng continued practicing the Thirty-Six-Meter Golden Body, and he also taught a martial art called the Green Lotus Sword Scripture to Gu Shengnan. Green Lotus Sword Scripture! Created by a Great Grandmaster known as Green Lotus Sword Saint six thousand years ago, he once dominated the world with this swordsmanship, undoubtedly extraordinary. After the Green Lotus Sword Saint passed away, the Green Lotus Sword Scripture had been lost until it was recently acquired by Gu Yang. Coupled with Gu Shengnan¡¯s keen interest in swordsmanship, Gu Qingfeng therefore entrusted the scripture to him for study and practice. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also often gave guidance to Gu Shengnan on practicing the Green Lotus Sword Scripture. Although he was not proficient in swordsmanship, all paths in martial arts ultimately converge. Once one reaches high mastery in True Intent, observing other martial arts reveals their mysteries instantly. Even though the Green Lotus Sword Scripture was a Grandmaster¡¯s ultimate skill and much deeper than ordinary martial arts, it was completely sufficient for instructing Gu Shengnan. Meanwhile, at the same time, The situation in Nine States and the news from Gu Yang¡¯s Guangyang Army kept coming. ... ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through Desolate State!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ was attacked by Grandmaster Realm experts *36!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ reversed and slew a Grandmaster expert, advancing the Domineering Blade to Small Success!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has slain *1389 rebel soldiers!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has slain *163 Martial Artists of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has slain *13 Evil Spirits of Demon Soul Level!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has gleaned some insights from the Green Lotus Sword Scripture, slightly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has broken through the initial stage of Blood Refining!¡± ¡°Reward points *20!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Shengan¡¯ has broken through the initial stage of Blood Refining!¡± ¡°Reward points *20!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has been taught the ultimate skill of Heavenly Blade, greatly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Shengan¡¯ has been taught the ultimate skill of Heavenly Blade, greatly enhancing his strength!¡± ... Gu Qingfeng looked at the text on the information panel, his heart remained relatively calm. He, creator of the Heavenly Blade, naturally entitled the Gu Family progeny to practice it. So, Knowing that both Gu Shengxing and Gu Shengan were keen on the blade technique, Gu Qingfeng simply passed on the Heavenly Blade technique to them, whether they could successfully cultivate it remained to be seen. However, To be honest, The fact that Gu Yang could reverse and slay a Grandmaster with his Marrow Cleansing Late Stage cultivation was slightly unexpected to Gu Qingfeng. But, thinking of his mastery of the Seven-Level True Intent following the Domineering Blade¡¯s progression to Small Success, Gu Qingfeng felt reassured again. Extraordinary True Intent. The Six-Level True Intent was already beyond the reach of many Grandmasters, let alone the Seven-Level True Intent, which was even more powerful. Furthermore, although Gu Yang was in the Late Stage of Marrow Cleansing, over the years, he had been receiving many Elixirs from Gu Qingfeng to solidify his foundation. He also frequently received advice from Great Grandmasters and had many fortuitous encounters. With all this, Reversing and slaying a Grandmaster seemed not entirely impossible. A Grandmaster of incomplete martial path indeed cannot be compared to one of the Flawless Martial Arts. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Gu Yang has now destroyed sects and clans, numerous ancient sects and noble families have been exterminated, this man¡¯s ambition is evident, can our Ji Family truly just sit by and wait for death?¡± In Xianzhou, a Ji Family elder looked troubled. Seeing the Guangyang Army growing stronger daily, with half of Nine States falling, many in the Ji Family felt threatened. Although Ji Liuyun had reached an agreement with Gu Yang, the current tactics of the Guangyang Army in destroying sects and clans revealed much. Some elders even believed that such actions by Gu Yang were slowly encroaching on the Ji Family. Regarding this, Ji Liuyun responded with an indifferent expression, ¡°The current situation doesn¡¯t allow the Ji Family to turn against the Gu Family. Moreover, order the rest of the Ji Family to restrain themselves; if issues arise, the Ji Family can¡¯t protect them all. Of course, if you wish to confront the Gu Family head-on, I have no objections. Chapter 242: 213: Stabilizing the Nine States_2 Chapter 242: Chapter 213: Stabilizing the Nine States_2 ¡°But there is one condition,¡± Ji Liuyun said sternly, ¡°no one can involve the Ji Family in this, otherwise, I won¡¯t need Gu Yang to take action¡ª I will eliminate all of you myself!¡± As he finished speaking, a murderous intent flashed in Ji Liuyun¡¯s eyes, causing the other elders, who were filled with righteous indignation, to change their expressions and immediately fall silent. Seeing this, Ji Liuyun¡¯s expression eased slightly, followed by a shake of his head. ¡°Considering the mighty power of the Gu Family and the undying Martial Saint, even if the old ancestor of our Ji Family in the Divinity Realm were to be reborn, it would still be difficult to compete with him. Enduring this temporarily ensures calm waters. How many years can a mere martial artist live, after all?¡± ¡°Since our Ji Family has already established an agreement with Gu Yang, as long as the Ji Family acts according to the rules, these concerns need not worry us.¡± ... ¡°After all, if the Ji Family isn¡¯t at fault, even if Gu Yang wanted to take action, he would still need a substantial reason to do so!¡± Ji Liuyun was aware that Gu Yang wanted to establish new rules, so if the other party wanted to set rules, they had to abide by them. The Ji Family is an Immortal Family, with numerous powerful connections behind them. If Gu Yang were to annihilate the Ji Family for no reason, it would surely cause many upheavals, which wouldn¡¯t be favorable for his subsequent plans. Therefore, Ji Liuyun wasn¡¯t worried that Gu Yang would break his word. His only concern was members of the Ji Family disobeying his orders and acting covertly, which could then give Gu Yang an excuse to threaten the Ji Family itself. This was also the reason why Ji Liuyun openly issued his warning. If personal actions were to implicate the Ji Family, then he could only abandon the pawns to save the king. The power of Gu Yang was indeed unstoppable. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has annexed the territories of six states, considerably increasing his power!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has annexed the territories of seven states, considerably increasing his power!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has ordered the forging of the Nine States Tripod!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, and his cultivation has improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has achieved Perfection in the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward upgrade points *150!¡± ¡°Reward Marrow Cleansing Pills *200!¡± ¡°Reward Refining Organ Pills *100!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang,¡¯ overwhelming the world, has an army exceeding fifty million!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ unexpectedly received a legacy from a mysterious mighty figure, significantly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has gained some understanding of the Heavenly Blade True Intent, slightly improving his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has gained some understanding of the Green Lotus Sword Scripture, slightly improving her strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has achieved a breakthrough to the Mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward upgrade points *20!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has achieved a breakthrough to the Mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward upgrade points *20!¡± ... Another year passed. The Guangyang Army, commanded by Gu Yang, now nearly dominated the territory of the Nine States, with all situations looking favorable. Meanwhile, Gu Qingfeng also used the upgrade points he had acquired to advance his Golden Body directly to the sixth layer. Achieving two realm breakthroughs in one breath. Finally, he broke through from the Late Stage Extreme Dao Master to the Perfection of the Extreme Dao Master Realm. Even though Gu Qingfeng was previously only half a step away from Extreme Dao Master Perfection, when he truly broke through and stepped into the realm of Extreme Dao Master Perfection, his power still underwent a shocking transformation. Vital energy as mercury, strong enough to stabilize the galaxies! The vitality within Gu Qingfeng¡¯s physical body had transformed to an astonishing degree, and every drop of his blood contained fearsomely powerful energy. Without any exaggeration, with the vital energy Gu Qingfeng had now refined, he even suspected that a single drop of his blood could suppress a Great Grandmaster. ¡°The realm of Extreme Dao Master is finally at Perfection!¡± Feeling the changes within himself, a slight smile appeared on his face. Moving forward, he would break the limits of an Extreme Dao Master and step into even higher realms. However, what mysteries lay beyond an Extreme Dao Master, Gu Qingfeng was yet to know. After all, the journey of an Extreme Dao Master was his own path, different from other martial artists¡¯. Therefore, he had no reference point from which to start. Only by groping his way forward could he gradually unravel these mysteries. With his cultivation breakthrough, Gu Qingfeng also did something rare¡ªhe didn¡¯t continue to seclude himself in the Grinding Blade Hall but came out to spend some tender time with Xu Yulan, also guiding her in her cultivation. Xu Yulan had also been cultivating the Longevity Skills and was nearly at Perfection in the Marrow Cleansing Chapter. But to say she could break the shackles of the Grandmaster Realm and step into the realm of Great Grandmaster was still far off. After all, Xu Yulan¡¯s talents were average. Her breakthrough to Grandmaster Realm was entirely due to elixirs. Without the elixirs, with Xu Yulan¡¯s natural talent, it was questionable if she could even break through to the Bone Refining Realm now. Then, Gu Qingfeng also tested the cultivation progress of Gu Shengnan and others, and he was quite satisfied with their improvement. ... One day, within the great hall, Gu Xuan came alone. ¡°Father!¡± ¡°Is there something?¡± Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow. Gu Xuan had always been somewhat fearful of him, and it wasn¡¯t normal for him to come alone; in keeping with his usual character, he would at least bring Gu Xiu along. Gu Xuan smiled sheepishly, ¡°Indeed, nothing escapes Father¡¯s eyes. I¡¯ve come indeed because there is a matter I wish to consult with Father about.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded. Hearing this, Gu Xuan hesitated for a moment, then cupping his fists, said, ¡°Recently, my cultivation has stalled, so I wish to go out for some experience to see if I can find an opportunity for a breakthrough.¡± ¡°Experience?¡± Gu Qingfeng was momentarily taken aback, looking at him with a serious expression, then nodded. ¡°It¡¯s good that you have this thought. Staying inside Gu Family Manor all the time ultimately limits one¡¯s vision. However, going out for experience implies danger¡ªare you mentally prepared?¡± Chapter 243: 213: Stabilizing the Nine States_3 Chapter 243: Chapter 213: Stabilizing the Nine States_3 ¡°After all, within the Gu Family Manor, no one would dare harm you, but once you leave the Gu Family Manor, others might not fear your status as the Young Master of the Gu Family. In fact, because of this very status, you might even attract trouble!¡± Gu Qingfeng cautioned. Regarding this, Gu Xuan replied solemnly, ¡°I have thought it through. Although living in the Gu Family Manor is comfortable, this is not what I desire. I hope that father will grant his blessing!¡± Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng did not try to dissuade him anymore. ¡°Come with me,¡± he told Gu Xuan, and then rose to head outside the hall. Upon seeing this, Gu Xuan hurriedly followed behind Gu Qingfeng. ... It wasn¡¯t long before Gu Qingfeng brought Gu Xuan into the Grinding Blade Hall. As soon as he stepped inside, Gu Xuan immediately felt an overwhelming Blade Intent that tightened his whole body instinctually, as if some formidable entity had fixed its gaze upon him. The bit of Blade Intent he had grasped seemed pitifully weak in comparison. Gu Xuan was no stranger to the Grinding Blade Hall. However, the number of times he had truly stepped into the Grinding Blade Hall was very few. After all, it was Gu Qingfeng¡¯s place of seclusion and no one else was allowed to enter without permission. At the same time, Gu Xuan felt puzzled, not understanding why Gu Qingfeng had brought him here. ¡°In the Grinding Blade Hall, there are many Divine Weapons. Although they are not as powerful as the Evil Slayer Blade, they have been tempered with Blade Intent day and night for years. They are not ordinary weapons. Since you wish to go out into the world, find yourself a Divine Weapon here to protect your body,¡± Gu Qingfeng pointed to the numerous Divine Weapons in the hall and said. Upon hearing this, Gu Xuan¡¯s face showed a trace of excitement. He was aware of the many Divine Weapons in the Grinding Blade Hall. He just hadn¡¯t thought that he would have the opportunity to enter Grinding Blade Hall and choose one of the Divine Weapons for himself. Immediately, Gu Xuan composed himself and looked over each of the Divine Weapons in turn. With so many Divine Weapons, choosing could be a problem ¨C it made the process much more complicated. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng offered a reminder, ¡°Just like with Martial Arts, choosing a Divine Weapon also requires compatibility with oneself. You have already grasped the Heavenly Blade True Intent, why not use that True Intent to resonate with these Divine Weapons. If a Divine Weapon responds, it will surely be compatible with you.¡± ¡°Father makes sense!¡± encouraged by the reminder, Gu Xuan¡¯s eyes sparkled as if he had cleared the mists to see the sky, and he immediately activated the power of his True Intent to interact with the many Divine Weapons in the Grinding Blade Hall. Moments later, Gu Xuan¡¯s gaze settled on one particular Divine Weapon. He saw that this blade had an ancient sheath, apparently having existed for no short period. When Gu Xuan picked up the blade, he immediately felt a preordained affinity. The moment he gripped the hilt, it was as if his blood were connected. The Divine Blade unsheathed, emanating a chilling, sharp glow. ¡°What a fine blade!¡± Gu Xuan couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. Meanwhile, he also noticed two small seal script characters on the blade. Sky Blue! Divine Blade Sky Blue! Gu Qingfeng declared, ¡°The Divine Blade Sky Blue was the personal weapon of Blade Lord Bi Ruhai three thousand years ago. He wielded this blade to dominate the Martial World, defeating many powerful adversaries with his prowess just below that of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. It¡¯s rumored that in his later years, Bi Ruhai peered into the mysteries of the Martial Arts Grandmaster and became a true Martial Arts Grandmaster. However, no one knows the details for certain. This blade was discovered accidentally by the Hidden Guard and later brought back to the Gu Family Manor. Since then, Sky Blue Divine Blade has stayed in the Grinding Blade Hall, benefiting from the Blade Intent night and day. Compared to ten years ago, its divine might has grown even stronger!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words made Gu Xuan all the more fond of the Sky Blue Divine Blade. Blade Lord Bi Ruhai was a name that was extremely foreign to him. But since Gu Qingfeng had mentioned it, it surely wouldn¡¯t be wrong. This was a Divine Weapon! Moreover, it was a Divine Weapon held by someone who was suspected to be a Martial Arts Grandmaster thousands of years ago! From this, it was clear that the Sky Blue Divine Blade was extraordinary. What¡¯s more, Gu Xuan could feel the dreadful Blade Intent exuding from the weapon, which if activated, would demonstrate astounding power. Following that, Gu Qingfeng handed over a scroll with a Secret Technique to Gu Xuan. ¡°This is the Blade Nourishing Skills. You should cultivate and nurture the Sky Blue Divine Blade with it day and night, so that the Divine Weapon and your spirit become one.¡± When he finished speaking, Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, and a drop of fresh blood fell into the Sky Blue Divine Blade. As the blood merged with the blade, the aura of the weapon became even more formidable. ¡°Additionally, I have left a drop of my Essence Blood inside the Sky Blue Divine Blade. If you use the power of this Essence Blood normally, you can strike five times, even capable of slaying a Martial Arts Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Thank you, father!¡± Gu Xuan¡¯s expression was filled with gratitude, and a great sense of security washed over him. Sky Blue Divine Blade! Protection of Essence Blood! With such a failsafe, even facing a Martial Arts Grandmaster, he could leave unscathed. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng looked at his son, speaking earnestly, ¡°Remember, the human heart can sometimes be the most treacherous. If you are to travel the Martial World, you must be cautious and careful. If there is no conflict, then so be it, but if conflict does arise, you must be ruthless and leave no room for future troubles. If you show the mercy of a woman, it might end up harming yourself.¡± ¡°I understand, father!¡± ¡°That is for the best.¡± Gu Qingfeng did not continue speaking. Many things were useless to say; one could only truly understand them through personal experience. Two days later, Gu Xuan carrying the Sky Blue Divine Blade on his back, floated away from the Gu Family Manor. After Gu Xuan left, Gu Peng was the first to come and meet with Gu Qingfeng. ¡°The Second Young Master has left the Gu Family Manor!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hand that was holding the tea paused slightly, and then recovered to its original state. ¡°He should indeed go out for a while, the Gu Family Manor is ultimately too small!¡± ¡°The Second Young Master traveling alone in the Martial World will inevitably encounter danger, shall I arrange for someone to secretly follow and protect him?¡± Chapter 244: 213: Stabilizing the Nine States_4 Chapter 244: Chapter 213: Stabilizing the Nine States_4 Gu Peng suggested, saying, To tell the truth, he was also uneasy about Gu Xuan adventuring through the Martial World alone. To speak seriously, Gu Xuan was also someone Gu Peng had watched grow up, and given that he often gave pointers to Gu Xuan¡¯s cultivation, their relationship was far from ordinary. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng first wanted to shake his head, but after pondering for a moment, he changed to a different line of thought. ¡°I will handle this matter; you don¡¯t need to interfere.¡± ... ¡°Yes!¡± Hearing that Gu Qingfeng would make arrangements, Gu Peng did not say much more. As Gu Peng withdrew, Gu Qingfeng then summoned someone. ¡°Soul Stealer pays respects to the esteemed one!¡± ¡°Before Xuan¡¯er leaves the Gu Family Manor to experience the Martial World, follow behind him to protect the path. Remember, unless there is a life and death crisis, you must not truly intervene; moreover, you cannot let him know of your existence.¡± ¡°Your subordinate understands!¡± Soul Stealer¡¯s demeanor was calm as he accepted the order with a salute. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, dismissing the other party. Soul Stealer was a Death Soldier and also an Innate Grandmaster at Perfection. Although he had not truly understood the True Intent of a Master, he was not weak when compared across the Martial World. With him providing protection, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t see it as a big problem. Furthermore, in Gu Xuan¡¯s hands, the Sky Blue Divine Blade possessed the power to slay Martial Arts Grandmasters. Therefore, this adventure shouldn¡¯t present any significant problems. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has implemented many policies favorable to the people, and his reputation is increasingly widespread!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by martial artists *426!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain Refining Skin Realm martial artists *137!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain Blood Refining Realm martial artists *26!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain Bone Refining Realm martial artists *3!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain Marrow Cleansing Realm martial artists *1!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by a blood soul level apparition!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain a blood soul level apparition *1!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has gained insights amidst life and death struggles, becoming increasingly powerful!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ is beginning to make a name for himself in the Martial World!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has received pointers from a Great Grandmaster, slightly enhancing his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has unexpectedly received the legacy of a mysterious powerful being, greatly increasing his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ breaks through to the late stage of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... Since Gu Xuan left the Gu Family Manor, many pieces of text that refreshed on the information panel were about Gu Xuan himself. From the text alone, Gu Qingfeng could tell that Gu Xuan¡¯s departure from the Gu Family Manor had not been smooth sailing. In less than half a month, he had already been stained with much bloodshed. Especially the most recent time, he was attacked by hundreds of martial artists at once, and Gu Qingfeng suspected whether he had offended some sect¡¯s power, provoking a group assault. However, regarding these matters, Gu Qingfeng did not pay too much attention. After all, navigating the Martial World, how could one not experience combat? This was also a good opportunity for growth. At the same time, seeing Gu Xuan so quickly break through to the late stage of Bone Refining Realm, Gu Qingfeng understood that the departure was the right choice. Though staying within the Gu Family Manor was comfortable, it also meant missing out on many opportunities. Now, as Gu Xuan ventured out to gain experience, although fraught with great danger, his cultivation had rapidly advanced, breaking through from mid-level Bone Refining Realm to late-stage Bone Refining Realm in a short period. From Gu Yang, Gu Qingfeng had already understood something. The history of the Nine States was not as simple as recorded. This was evident through the Immortal Casting Court as well. In those unrecorded ancient times, there may have been even more glorious eras. Though those times had vanished, they surely must have left behind many opportunities. Like the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array! Like the Immortal Casting Court! Gu Qingfeng suspected that these were remnants of that era. Now, Gu Xuan had not been in the Martial World for long but was able to come across opportunities, showing that his Qi Fortune was also extraordinary. Otherwise, gaining such opportunities would not be easy. The next day, the Hidden Guards delivered some intelligence reports. These reports were, indeed, related to Gu Xuan. Although Gu Qingfeng had let him venture into the Martial World and had Soul Stealer covertly protect him, he could not truly be completely unconcerned. So, whenever Gu Xuan caused a stir in the Martial World, the Hidden Guards would promptly relay information back. Upon seeing the intelligence report this time, Gu Qingfeng understood the whole story. It was simple. As Gu Xuan walked through the Martial World, the power of his profound martial arts and the extraordinary Sky Blue Divine Blade caught the attention of some interested parties. So, there were Martial World forces that harbored malicious intent, wanting to capture Gu Xuan, force out the secrets of his lineage, and seize the Sky Blue Divine Blade. But the result was clear. This Martial World force overestimated itself and underestimated Gu Xuan. In the end, Gu Xuan, by his own strength, completely eradicated this Martial World sect. Initially, Gu Xuan wanted to spare some lives, but remembering Gu Qingfeng¡¯s instructions, he decided to eradicate the roots, leaving no future problems. ¡°Not bad!¡± ¡°It seems this brat has indeed taken my words to heart.¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled indifferently. Understanding this, Gu Xuan would then be able to avoid quite a few troubles. The affairs after, for Gu Qingfeng, life resumed as usual. However, Gu Qingfeng had assumed that when Gu Xuan went out to gain experience, Gu Xiu would also follow. Unexpectedly, the latter managed to resist the urge and continued to delve into cultivation within the Gu Family Manor, showing no intention of venturing out. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng did not force the issue. Chapter 245: 213: Stabilizing the Nine States_5 Chapter 245: Chapter 213: Stabilizing the Nine States_5 After all, whether to practice or not is entirely a personal choice, he certainly would not insist. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your Majesty, the second Young Master has now entered Ling Province!¡± Inside the Guangyang Prince Mansion, Gu Yi reported truthfully. Gu Yang slightly nodded, ¡°Continue to monitor my younger brother¡¯s whereabouts. Also, have someone secretly follow him, and ensure that no problems occur. Moreover, do not make a move unless it¡¯s absolutely necessary.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± ... Gu Yi saluted as he spoke. Upon learning that Gu Xuan had left to practice and wander the Martial World, Gu Yang immediately arranged for the Hidden Guards to secretly follow him, mainly worried that Gu Xuan, inexperienced in the world, might face some dangers. However, In the past few months, Gu Yang had found his worries to be somewhat unnecessary. Although Gu Xuan was indeed new to the Martial World, he acted prudently and with maturity. Furthermore, his strength was not weak, and even if he encountered some troubles, they were not too perilous. At this time, Gu Yi again spoke, ¡°Additionally, I¡¯ve found that there seems to be a Master secretly following the second Young Master!¡± ¡°No need to bother about that matter. If I¡¯m not mistaken, it must be Father who has secretly sent someone to protect him.¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression remained unchanged, easily surmising from where the following Master originated. Clearly, his own father was also worried about Gu Xuan practicing alone and had sent a Master to secretly follow and protect him, which was quite normal. Subsequently, Gu Yi presented other reports from various states before Gu Yang. From the many Immortal Sects and elite families bowing their heads until now, more than a year had passed. Over this year, The Guangyang Army battled across the Nine States. By now, Eight of the Nine States had fallen under control, and although the last state was not yet fully conquered, it was only a matter of time. Given the army¡¯s pressure, how much turmoil could the rebel army of a mere single state cause? ¡°Send orders to Shi Zhen, I want him to take down the last state within a month!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Yi, carrying Gu Yang¡¯s decree, withdrew. Subsequently, Gu Yang approached the main hall¡¯s strategy map. Nine States were clearly placed within it, with the Guangyang Army¡¯s flags filling nearly all, with only a tiny portion yet unconquered. ¡°Soon!¡± ¡°Not much longer before all Nine States will fall into my hands!¡± Gu Yang murmured to himself, his chest filled with lofty aspirations. Who could have expected, That in just under ten years, he would progress from leading a mere hundred thousand soldiers to this point. The Divine Martial King Pei Jing spent over a decade and failed to conquer even Qingyun State. But now, Gu Yang, in less than ten years, was about to conquer all Nine States. As for this, Gu Yang also understood where the key issue lay. The most crucial factor was due to Gu Qingfeng. If it were not for Gu Qingfeng¡¯s influence over Nine States, forcing the Immortal Sects and elite families to submit, the Guangyang Army truly wishing to suppress the Nine States and reshape the heavens would have taken at least twice as long, if not more. Nevertheless, Gu Yang had every right to be proud. Although he had smoothly progressed thanks to Gu Qingfeng¡¯s reputation, the ability to unify the states, quell the rebellion, and implement numerous benevolent policies in such a short time could not be done without proper means. Military might could suppress the world, But governing it was another matter altogether. Thinking that it wouldn¡¯t be long before he would hold all Nine States in his hands and establish a new dynasty, Gu Yang couldn¡¯t help but feel exhilarated. This was normal. For anyone, When reaching this step, it would be difficult to remain calm. ... Elsewhere, Upon receiving Gu Yang¡¯s command, Shi Zhen and the numerous generals, without any hesitation, directly lead their troops in battle. The vast army, like a fierce wind sweeping leaves, was unstoppable. What rebel army! What lords! Before such absolute power, they were but a joke. When the last rebel general was beheaded, the Nine States were thoroughly under Guangyang Army¡¯s control. And this, Took merely twenty days. Compared to the month given by Gu Qingfeng, it was reduced by one third. When the news of the Nine States¡¯ pacification spread, it quickly reached all corners of the world, and many civilians showed happy faces, genuinely delighted by this. After all, the common people suffer the most in times of war. Moreover, with Gu Yang implementing benevolent policies in recent years, his virtuous reputation was deep-rooted in people¡¯s hearts. Now knowing that the Nine States had completely fallen into Gu Yang¡¯s hands, these civilians naturally felt happy. And the many strong figures from various sects and elite families, upon hearing this news, displayed constantly changing expressions but ultimately sighed in relief, any slight disobedience fading away. The Nine States were united. From this day onwards, the Nine States would be in the hands of the Gu Family. This was the trend of the times. Even those hereditary Immortal Sects and elite families that had lasted for generations, had no power to stop this momentum. Chapter 246: 214: Establishing a Divine Martial Nation, The Surge of Upgrade Points! Chapter 246: Chapter 214: Establishing a Divine Martial Nation, The Surge of Upgrade Points! ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has subdued the Nine States, renowned throughout the world!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ desires to establish a new dynasty!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has received guidance from a Great Grandmaster, with slightly improved cultivation!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has been guided by a Great Grandmaster, with slightly enhanced strength!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by martial artists *36!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain Refining Skin Realm martial artists *18!¡± ... ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain Blood Refining Realm martial artists *9!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain Bone Refining Realm martial artists *9!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has, in life-and-death battles, deepened his understanding of the Heavenly Blade True Intent, thus enhancing his strength!¡± ... ¡°That¡¯s about it!¡± Upon seeing the information that Gu Yang had subdued the Nine States, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression clearly showed he understood. The Nine States yielded. Creating a brand-new dynasty. Gu Qingfeng could ascertain that this act would definitely trigger new achievements. When Gu Yang initially became a One Side Lord, the achievements triggered were already quite rewarding, but now stabilizing the Nine States would be even more extraordinary. Two days later. Gu Qingfeng set out for the Guangyang Prince Mansion. Within the mansion. The two met. Gu Qingfeng asked, ¡°Now that the Nine States are stabilized, when do you plan to ascend the throne and proclaim yourself Emperor, and where do you plan to establish the capital?¡± ¡°The eighth day of the ninth month is an auspicious day. On that day, my child plans to announce to heaven and earth the establishment of the dynasty, and as for the capital, I plan to make Guangyang Prefecture City the capital of the new dynasty!¡± Gu Yang spoke his mind without much hesitation. Upon hearing this. Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. ¡°That is well!¡± Though traditionally dynastic capitals have been in the Central State, it¡¯s rare to choose other locations, nothing is absolute. Although Central State is the center of the Nine States, that is due to the accumulations of past dynasties. Since Gu Yang has chosen to establish the capital at Guangyang Prefecture, it certainly poses no problem. As time passes. Qingyun State could also become the center of the Nine States. It is now July. The eighth day of the ninth month. It isn¡¯t far off. In the following period, Gu Qingfeng stayed in the Guangyang Prince Mansion, for, at this juncture, he naturally would not allow for any mishaps. During these two months. Gu Yang began arranging numerous matters. Establishing a dynasty. It is certainly not simple. ... Two months later. Within the prefecture city. Numerous forces from the Martial World, Immortal Families, and so forth, all sent powerful representatives. For a moment, the entire Guangyang Prefecture was a convergence of influential forces. However. No one caused trouble. After all, since Gu Yang intended to establish the capital in Guangyang Prefecture, heavy troops were already stationed here, and anyone attempting to cause trouble was immediately subdued on the spot. Thus. No one dared stir up trouble. Moreover. In Guangyang Prefecture, there¡¯s a truly transcendent force, the Gu Family Manor. Currently known as the world¡¯s most powerful Martial Saint, Gu Qingfeng, is the manor master of Gu Family Manor. Not to mention ordinary forces of the Martial World, even those sectarian families claiming immortality for ten thousand years would not dare offend him. So. Although Guangyang Prefecture was filled with powerful individuals and many of the Martial World, it did not cause much disturbance. ¡°The fierceness that pierces the skies!¡± ¡°The spirit swallows thousands of miles like a tiger!¡± ¡°That man¡¯s elite forces are quite remarkable¡ª¡± The speaker was the current Family Head of the Li Family from Desolate State, Li Xuankong. After Li Xuanji fell in Central State, the Li Family faced significant internal strife. Ultimately, it was Li Xuankong, emerging out of nowhere and displaying the pinnacle of Transformation Realm cultivation, who suppressed all unrest and assumed the position of the Li Family head. Now. Gu Yang wanted to ascend the throne and proclaim himself Emperor, and naturally, Li Xuankong came in person. Given the current power and dominance of the Gu Family, and considering that the Li Family from Desolate State, though an Immortal Family, had suffered heavy losses in the battle in Central State. At this time, it was crucial for Li Xuankong to foster good relationships with the Gu Family. If nothing else. At least not to offend them. Otherwise. The Li Family from Desolate State would likely also faces difficulties. At that moment. An elder from the Li Family said gravely, ¡°Judging from the banners in this military camp, it must be the Heavenly Gang Army.¡± ¡°The Heavenly Gang Army, no wonder there is such fierceness!¡± Li Xuankong¡¯s expression turned solemn upon hearing that name. The reputation of the Heavenly Gang Army. Now resounded throughout the Nine States. One of its most famed battles was when Shi Zhen personally led thirty-six thousand members of the Heavenly Gang Army and outright defeated an army of five hundred thousand, killing a top True Intent Master in the battle. This news alone firmly established the military might of the Heavenly Gang Army. It is known. In the chaos of a large battle. Ordinary martial artists can¡¯t play roles much different from common soldiers. In such a scenario, to defeat an army many times larger than oneself and to kill a top True Intent Master isn¡¯t something an ordinary person can achieve. Therefore. Since that battle. The name of the Heavenly Gang Army became widely recognized. Under the command of the Guangyang Prince, this elite army, though not large in numbers, was enough to instill fear. Later, the fact that Gu Yang could subdue the Nine States so quickly, the Heavenly Gang Army also played an indispensable role. Wherever this huge army went, opposition usually surrendered without a fight. Rare resistors were annihilated on the spot. Even with Li Xuankong¡¯s current strength, he would not want to face the Heavenly Gang Army directly. After all, even if he was confident, it would likely cost him dearly. However. What truly concerned Li Xuankong was not the Heavenly Gang Army, but the terrifying Blade Intent that oppressed the skies above the prefecture city. Ordinary martial artists might not detect such Blade Intent, only those who have comprehended True Intent could truly feel this extremely potent Blade Intent. In Li Xuankong¡¯s eyes. He saw, above the Guangyang Prefecture City, a Divine Blade spanning the void, seeming as if at any movement from him, the Blade across the void would strike down. Chapter 247: 214: Establishing a Divine Martial Nation, The Surge of Upgrade Points!_2 Chapter 247: Chapter 214: Establishing a Divine Martial Nation, The Surge of Upgrade Points!_2 Even Li Xuankong, with his cultivation at the Transformation Realm, found his heart palpitating incessantly when facing the Sky-reaching Divine Blade. ¡°Martial Saint Gu Qingfeng!¡± ¡°Without his death, who can shake the Gu Family in the slightest!¡± Li Xuankong took a deep breath, his expression seemingly calm but with an imperceptible horror. Regarding him, he genuinely feared from the bottom of his heart. ... The Guangyang Prince had reached this point due in part to his contributions. Throughout the ages, only this man had been revered as the Martial Saint. Li Xuankong did not naively believe that, relying on the Ancient Li Family¡¯s foundation, he could contend with him. After that, Li Xuankong turned to an elder of the Li Family and coldly said, ¡°Have the family members who came to Guangyang Prefecture restrain themselves. If they offend the Gu Family, I too can only clean house.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The Li Family elder nodded hurriedly upon hearing thisl. He too was aware of this Blade Intent and clearly understood Li Xuankong¡¯s concerns. ... Inside the Prince Mansion, Gu Qingfeng sat alone in a small courtyard sipping tea. Though he never left home, he was aware through his perception that many strong individuals had arrived in the prefecture. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng deliberately emitted some Blade Intent as a deterrent. He believed, that anyone of some strength could perceive such Blade Intent and would not dare any improper actions. As for those who couldn¡¯t even perceive the Blade Intent, they certainly had no qualification to stir up trouble. ... September 8th. The sacrificial altar was grandly erected. A great army stood arrayed with murderous aura soaring into the sky. ¡°Presenting Your Majesty!¡± Heralded by a eunuch, all bowed their heads as Gu Yang, clad in imperial robes woven with golden threads, wearing a black jade crown, his face resolute, his body exuding an imperious aura impossible for ordinary people to face directly. Gu Yang slowly ascended the sacrificial altar, where nine ancient tripods were positioned in a special arrangement, burning incense curling upwards, as if reaching into the Azure Darkness¡¯s Ninth Heaven. ¡°I, a commoner born, blessed by the Heavenly Dao...¡± Gu Yang opened the Sacrificial Document, his voice resonant, reaching everyone¡¯s ears. As he spoke, the entire sky above Guangyang Prefecture seemed to transform, an indescribable oppressive force suddenly appeared, causing many spectators¡¯ faces to change color. ¡°What is he trying to do?¡± Ji Liuyun¡¯s expression was faintly filled with horror. Such a heavenly phenomenon had never appeared at the inception of any past dynasty. That inexplicable oppressive force even made Ji Liuyun feel a bit terrified. Indeed. Just terrified. This feeling, as if some monumental event was about to happen. Not just Ji Liuyun felt this way. Others felt the same. And within the Prince Mansion, Gu Qingfeng looked up at the sky, seeing an immense Azure Qi converge before him, this qi seeming between reality and illusion, almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Above the Qi, Gu Qingfeng seemed to see a pair of eyes, indifferent to the extreme, as if filled with the myriad paths of the universe, and when their gazes met, an immense heavenly might pressed down. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Blade Intent soared into the sky. Then abruptly shattered in the next breath. Gu Qingfeng felt a slight sting in his eyes, forcing him to instinctively close them, and only after a long while as he reopened them, did he see they were filled with bloodshot streaks, taking a long time to return to normal. ¡°Heavenly Dao...¡± Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself, his expression extremely grave. At that moment of eye contact, an innate enlightenment arose within him; those eyes were the Heavenly Dao of this world. Such immense heavenly might, even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current cultivation realm, was somewhat unbearable. But this was normal. After all, the Heavenly Dao, governing all beings, how could it be shaken by ordinary forces? This time, Gu Qingfeng did not continue to probe the Heavenly Dao. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng looked at his information panel. The text on it was also refreshing. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ is performing a celestial sacrifice!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ recites the Sacrificial Document, drawing the attention of the Heavenly Dao!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯...¡± Lines of text refreshed. All related to Gu Yang. At this moment, the sacrifice was also coming to an end. ¡°There must be a decree from below the heavens called Divine Martial, founding the capital at Guangyang, using the Nine Tripods to stabilize the country, may the Heavenly Dao witness this!¡± As Gu Yang¡¯s Sacrificial Document neared its conclusion, with this sentence spoken aloud, the Nine States¡¯s celestial sphere suddenly vibrated as if the voice of the Heavenly Dao echoed endlessly. Terrifying Azure Qi from all directions converged, forming a Green Lotus that rooted in the sky, as if suppressing the ancient heavens. Immediately following, an enigmatic power descended into the Nine Tripods, and with that, the nine ancient tripods forged by Gu Yang¡¯s orders vibrated in unison, the tripods¡¯ shadows guarding the Green Lotus, immense heavenly might sweeping across everything. Not only that, the surging Azure Qi also at this moment, infused into Gu Yang, causing his aura to explosively increase, his cultivation seeming to be blessed by a supreme being, directly breaking through his previous barriers. Refining Organ First Realm! Refining Organ Second Realm! Refining Organ Third Realm! Refining Organ Fourth Realm! Refining Organ Fifth Realm! ... In less than ten breaths, Gu Yang had instantly stepped into the pinnacle of the Refining Organ Fifth Realm. This did not stop there. After stepping into the perfect state of the Fifth Realm, after only a brief moment, Gu Yang directly broke through the restrictions of the Fifth Realm, advancing to a higher level. Initial Stage Grandmaster! Mid-level Grandmaster! Late Stage Grandmaster! ... Until reaching the peak of the Grandmaster Realm, then did such breakthroughs barely cease. Stepping into the Grandmaster Realm. A terrifying aura burst forth from Gu Yang. At this moment, the world was shocked. Everyone who witnessed this scene, their faces filled with shock and awe, looked at Gu Yang with disbelief. Chapter 248: 214: Establishing the Divine Martial Nation, Soaring Upgrade Points!_3 Chapter 248: Chapter 214: Establishing the Divine Martial Nation, Soaring Upgrade Points!_3 The first time. They felt that things had slipped beyond their control. They thought it was merely a simple Sacrificial Ceremony, only to encounter such unexpected changes. The Green Lotus that rooted in the void of heaven and earth, the Nine Tripods that suppressed the eight desolations, and the terrifying aura of Gu Yang stepping into the peak of the Grandmaster Realm, all made the people of the Ji Family and the experts of the Immortal Sect frown wildly. Clearly, this Sacrificial Ceremony was completely different from the previous ones. ... Without mentioning other things, just the terrifying aura emitted from the Nine Tripods alone had struck fear into their hearts. Even powerhouses like Ji Liuyun and Li Xuankong, who had stepped into the Transformation Realm, faced the Nine Tripods with an indomitable illusion. No¡ª This was not an illusion. It was simply the truth. ¡°Ji Family has a profound foundation, Ji, can you discern what exactly this transformation is?¡± Li Xuankong couldn¡¯t help but look at Ji Liuyun and asked in shock. Upon hearing this, Ji Liuyun bitterly shook his head, ¡°Such transformation has never been recorded in my Ji Family; this matter is probably not as simple as we thought!¡± Originally, according to the Ji Family¡¯s plan, they were just enduring the moment until the Martial Saint passed away, and then the Gu Family would be at their mercy. But now, the situation had completely spiraled out of Ji Liuyun¡¯s control. Even if Gu Qingfeng passed away, with the terrifying power of the Nine Tripods, it would undoubtedly be enough to suppress the whole world. Any aura emitted by each ancient tripod was enough to instill fear in Ji Liuyun. If these supreme treasures were to truly unleash their hidden power, the Ji Family would probably be reduced to ashes. Not only that, under the aura of the Nine Tripods, Ji Liuyun felt an indescribable fear originating from his body. Such fear was not from him but from the Evil Spirit sealed within his flesh. That is to say, the power of the Nine Tripods was enough to inspire fear in the Evil Spirit itself. ¡°Slay the Evil Spirit!¡± Ji Liuyun thought of this possibility, his expression growing even more troubled. Gu Qingfeng possessed methods to eradicate the Evil Spirit, which Ji Liuyun was well aware of. That was also the reason why he did not completely fall out with the Gu Family. However, the power to slay the Evil Spirit had always been possessed only by Gu Qingfeng alone; as long as the latter passed away, it would be difficult for anyone from the Gu Family to reach such heights again. But now, with the appearance of the Nine Tripods. Ji Liuyun realized. Even if Gu Qingfeng passed away, above the heads of all families of the Immortal Sect, the Nine Tripods still loomed. If Ji Liuyun had known earlier that the situation would turn out this way, he would never have backed down. After all, such a change could completely alter the entire landscape of the Nine States and even the future. It would be incredibly difficult for the Ji Family to turn things around again. It¡¯s just that there are no such things as ¡®ifs¡¯ in anything. What¡¯s happened has happened, and Ji Liuyun had no way to change it. Now, he could only watch everything unfold, utterly powerless on his own. ... ¡°Evil Spirits bring chaos to the world, the weird rampant, causing suffering to the people of the Nine States; I feel deeply pained. Today, I shall use the Nine Tripods to suppress the wicked and the weird of Nine States and reshape the universe!¡± Gu Yang declared solemnly. As his words fell, the Nine Tripods quivered, then soared into the sky, with eight of them turning into streams of light entering the eight desolations. Simultaneously, above the other Eight States, ancient tripods could be seen suppressing the heaven and earth. The magnificent heavenly might descended, and all hidden Evil Spirits and weirdness looked up at the ancient tripods in the void with fear in their eyes. Some Evil Spirits that had been dormant for hundreds of years woke up, but before they could act, they were crushed into dust by the heavenly might. Scenes like this were just a glimpse of what was happening across the Nine States. Nine Tripods soared across the sky, suppressing the Nine States. Such terrifying power, akin to the Divine Brilliance Great Sun illuminating heaven and earth, cleansed all touched by Evil Spirits and weirdness, turning them completely into ash. Only those Evil Spirits hidden within the bodies of Magicians managed to barely survive. However, the Magicians also had a look of terror. They all felt a premonition: if they were to use the power of the Evil Spirits, causing signs of resurgence within them, once detected by the Nine Tripods, they would be slain on the spot. Even more so, using even a hint of Spiritual Power related to the Evil Spirits could potentially make them targets of the Nine Tripods¡¯ suppression. Under such circumstances, no one dared to take the risk. The appearance of the Nine Tripods was like a sharp blade hanging over their heads, seemingly ready to fall at any moment and take their lives. ... ¡°Dammit, what in the world is this, why would such a thing appear in the Nine States!¡± A Magician¡¯s expression was shaken as he looked at the Nine Tripods in the void, furious, but more so terrified. Yet, some Magicians suppressed the ominous premonition in their hearts, their expressions fierce and horrifying. ¡°I don¡¯t believe, just an ancient tripod really holds such divine might; destroying the city before me, I shall step into the God Fusion Realm, then with the sky wide and the earth broad, who can stop me!¡± He gazed upon the city before him, teeming with numerous citizens, whom he viewed as sustenance for his own breakthrough. Immediately, the Magician summoned his Spiritual Power, intending to directly strike and massacre all the citizens within the city. However, just as he exerted his power, the ancient cauldron in the sky trembled slightly. A divine light burst forth from the cauldron, striking the Magician in an instant. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The divine light descended. The Magician, who had one foot in the God Fusion Realm, struggled in vain and was directly obliterated on the spot. Even the Evil Spirit harbored within his body failed to fully revive before being utterly extinguished. Such scenes were not uncommon across the Nine States. After all, there were numerous Magicians, and even though Gu Yang¡¯s army suppressed the Nine States, it was nearly impossible to eliminate all the rogue Magicians. Some Magicians lay hidden, waiting for opportunities to strike, easily annihilating a village or a city, instigating boundless slaughter. By the time the army arrived, those rogue Magicians had already fled. But now, under the suppression of the Nine Tripods, all Magicians had nowhere to hide. Anyone who dared use their power to slaughter citizens would be destroyed by the Nine Tripods before they could succeed. For a time, the Nine States were thoroughly cleansed. All of this, though seemingly protracted, happened in the blink of an eye. Elsewhere, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s information panel was furiously refreshing. ... ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, established the Divine Martial Dynasty, ruled over the Nine States, and achieved ¡®Rule the World¡¯ (triggered only once)!¡± ¡°reward points*3000!¡± ¡°Reward Grandmaster Ascension Pill*10!¡± ¡°Reward Ninth-Ranked True Intent Pill*10!¡± ¡°Reward Ancient Immortal Body!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to the First Realm of Refining Organ!¡± ¡°reward points*200!¡± ¡°Reward Refining Organ Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward Golden Body Pill*10!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to the Second Realm of Refining Organ!¡± ¡°reward points*200!¡± ¡°Reward Refining Organ Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward Golden Body Pill*10!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to the Third Realm of Refining Organ!¡± ¡°reward points*200!¡± ¡°Reward Refining Organ Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward Golden Body Pill*10!¡± ... ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to the initial stage of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°reward points*300!¡± ¡°Reward Golden Body Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward True Intent Pill*10!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to the mid-level of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°reward points*300!¡± ¡°Reward Golden Body Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward True Intent Pill*10!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to the initial stage of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°reward points*300!¡± ¡°Reward Golden Body Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward True Intent Pill*10!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has reached the Perfection of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°reward points*300!¡± ¡°Reward Golden Body Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward True Intent Pill*10!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has suppressed the Nine States with the Nine Tripods, purged the Evil Spirits from the world, and his fame resounds in all directions!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang...''¡± ... The constant refresh of abundant information slightly dazzled Gu Qingfeng, whose smile grew uncontrollable. Before Gu Yang had established the kingdom, Gu Qingfeng had anticipated incredible benefits once Gu Yang had established the dynasty. But, Gu Qingfeng had never imagined the benefits would be this astonishing. A vast array of rewards. He could barely keep up. Setting aside other elixirs for a moment, solely the reward points had surged by a staggering five thousand two hundred. Three thousand from achievements. One thousand from reaching the Fifth Realm of Refining Organ. One thousand two hundred from the Grandmaster Realm. The rewards from the information panel far exceeded decades of his previous accumulations. ¡°This time, it¡¯s truly a windfall!¡± Gu Qingfeng managed to suppress the excitement in his heart. If he converted all these reward points into his own power, he dared not imagine to what astonishing level his cultivation could break through. Apart from the reward points, what truly captivated Gu Qingfeng was the so-called Ancient Immortal Body. Chapter 249: 215: The Role of National Destiny Chapter 249: Chapter 215: The Role of National Destiny Ancient Immortal Body! The oldest immortal body between heaven and earth! When Gu Qingfeng took out all the Ancient Immortal Bodies from his Item Bar, his mind was filled with only such a message. ¡°The oldest immortal body between heaven and earth?¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the drop of blood in front of him, containing an ancient aura from endless ages, completely different from the blood he obtained when he slew the Evil Buddha. Without hesitation. ... Gu Qingfeng directly swallowed the drop of blood. Once ingested, waves surged within his body instantly. Gu Qingfeng just felt an extremely powerful force cleansing his body. Blood! Bones! Vessels! And so on were all undergoing terrifying transformations. Unknown to him, from some time ago, terrifying heavenly phenomena had already appeared in the heavens, with supreme figures standing high above, mountains shaking, the void cracking, and the sun and moon turning dim. Various divine essences of the Great Dao interwoven, forming ancient totems, with a majestic heavenly power descending, causing everyone¡¯s faces to change. Previously, Gu Yang had founded the Divine Martial Dynasty, sparking heavenly phenomena, and now mysterious phenomena were emerging again, even more astounding than the national founding phenomena. Among all the people, only Gu Yang was able to maintain his composure. Holding the Qi Fortune of a dynasty. He could tell that the source of these phenomena came from within the Prince Mansion. And in the whole Prince Mansion, there was only one person who could trigger such heavenly phenomena. ¡°Father!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression was solemn. Such terrifying heavenly phenomena would never be so calmly dealt with if it were caused by others. However, these heavenly phenomena came quickly and disappeared just as swiftly. Less than half an hour later, the phenomena dissipated. But the terrifying pressure still lingered, causing unease. ... Inside the Prince Mansion. Gu Qingfeng finally regained consciousness. He was somewhat surprised by the emergence of such heavenly phenomena. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the appearance of the Ancient Immortal Body to trigger such powerful heavenly phenomena, but this also indirectly shows that the Ancient Immortal Body is indeed extraordinary!¡± Although his realm had made no breakthroughs, Gu Qingfeng could truly feel that his strength was many times stronger than before he obtained the Ancient Immortal Body. His physical body had reached a terrifying level. With a simple punch, the space in front of him cracked like a spider web. And then, the broken space gradually healed, returning to normal in a moment. ¡°Hisss!¡± Seeing this scene, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t help but take a sharp breath. Breaking the void. If he were to strike with full force, he could achieve it. But that punch just now was casual, with hardly any power used. Still, that punch was able to shatter the void. This shows the extraordinariness of the Ancient Immortal Body. In the following days, Gu Qingfeng went into seclusion within the Prince Mansion, while Gu Yang dealt with the aftermath of establishing the dynasty. After all, founding a country was just the beginning. There were still many matters to handle. Enthroning numerous officials. Stabilizing the situation in the Nine States. Since the Divine Martial Dynasty had just been established, the Nine States were all in need of revitalization, naturally requiring step-by-step management. ... ¡°Phew!¡± ¡°This is the mystery of the Ancient Immortal Body!¡± Inside the secret chamber, Gu Qingfeng exhaled deeply, his eyes gleaming. After obtaining the Ancient Immortal Body, he found that his innate genetic potential had greatly changed, while his previous cultivation had been extremely difficult, it was now completely different. Just a few days¡¯ worth of work. Gu Qingfeng felt that his cultivation of the Six-foot Golden Body had become much easier, and it would not take much time before he could break through the seventh layer himself. This had never happened before. His natural abilities were dull. Gu Qingfeng was well aware. But now, the appearance of the Ancient Immortal Body transformed his so-called dullness into an extremely powerful level. Stepping back, even without the presence of Upgrade Points, Gu Qingfeng could still reach higher levels by relying on the Ancient Immortal Body. But now, with the combination of the Ancient Immortal Body and Upgrade Points, it was hard for Gu Qingfeng to imagine how far he could go. He originally thought that the benefits brought about by Gu Yang founding the country were mainly Upgrade Points, but now it seemed that the greatest benefit was not the Upgrade Points nor the elixirs, but the final Ancient Immortal Body. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 51/3000 Realm: Extreme Dao Master Perfection Martial Arts: Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Prajnaparamita Sutra (Thirteenth Layer Perfection, Prajnaparamita True Body Level 12), Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Longevity Skills (Perfection, Longevity Level 5), Pure Yang True Body (Perfection, Pure Yang Body Level 4), Heavenly Blade (Perfection, Heavenly Blade Domain Level 1), Blood Refining Scripture (Perfection, Divine Blood Level 8), Divine Transformation (Perfection, Divine Speed Level 4), Six-foot Golden Body (Sixth Layer, Golden Body Level Six) Upgrade Points: 5302 ... ¡°Five thousand three hundred and two!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s pupils contracted when he really saw so many Upgrade Points. Five thousand three hundred Upgrade Points. If turned into his own strength, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t dare to think how far he could step. Without any hesitation, Gu Qingfeng immediately used three hundred Upgrade Points to first advance his Six-foot Golden Body to Perfection. Without delay, a memory emerged in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. At the same time, a vast blood power surged, golden divine light shimmered from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body, and the shadow of a golden bodhisattva abruptly appeared behind him, filling the vast secret room with what seemed like Buddhist chanting. Chapter 250: 215: The Role of National Destiny_2 Chapter 250: Chapter 215: The Role of National Destiny_2 The eighteen-foot golden body has reached Perfection! The Buddha¡¯s extraordinary phenomenon! If there were any followers of Buddhism here, they would undoubtedly be prostrating in worship at this moment. However, such a phenomenon paled in comparison to that of the Ancient Immortal Body, which did not last long before it slowly dissipated. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, and a flash of sharpness burst forth. ¡°The eighteen-foot golden body has reached Perfection!¡± ... He could clearly sense that, with the completion of the eighteen-foot golden body, his physical form had undergone another transformation. According to the records of the eighteen-foot golden body, once it reaches Perfection, it should be invulnerable to both water and fire. And more so. The eight-layer eighteen-foot golden body was already equivalent to the pinnacle of a Grandmaster. The nine-layer eighteen-foot golden body vaguely contained the meaning of breaking through the Grandmaster¡¯s barriers and stepping into a higher realm. Nevertheless. This was after all not a true breakthrough. At the same time. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s realm still remained at the Extreme Dao Master Perfection, without advancing further into a higher level. ¡°The eighteen-foot golden body reaching Perfection is not enough for me to break through the limit of the Extreme Dao Master; I need more and stronger Martial Arts!¡± ¡°This means a trip to the Divine Martial Sect is necessary!¡± Although Gu Qingfeng possessed some Grandmaster level Martial Arts, and with a large number of Upgrade Points, he could fully rely on quantity to break through the barrier of the Extreme Dao Master. But Gu Qingfeng suspected that the Martial Ancestor, who was possibly stronger than a Grandmaster, might have left behind Martial Arts that were beyond the Grandmaster level. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng suppressed his thoughts and looked at the other rewards this time. The Grandmaster Ascension Pill. There¡¯s no need to elaborate. Once consumed, one would achieve Grandmaster Perfection on the spot. Truth be told. Even though it wasn¡¯t the first time Gu Qingfeng had obtained an Ascension Pill, the sight of such an Elixir still unavoidably shocked him. For thousands of years. The number of Grandmasters that had appeared in the world could be counted on one¡¯s fingers. Not to mention those at the peak level of Grandmaster. Any peak Grandmaster was a true top-tier existence in the Martial World of the past, capable of contending with those in the Transformation Realm. However. The difficulty of actually reaching this level was immense. Like the Sword Daoist, whose talent was not weak, but it took him hundreds of years of secluded cultivation and almost reaching the brink of transformation before he barely took the final step and attained the Grandmaster level. But even so. After breaking through to Grandmaster all these years, the Sword Daoist was still stuck at the Initial Stage of Grandmaster, never able to advance to Mid-level. From this alone, one could see the immense difficulty of advancing in the Grandmaster Realm. But now. Gu Qingfeng held ten Grandmaster Ascension Pills in his hand, capable of instantly creating ten Grandmasters at Perfection, which showed the potency of such an Elixir. Ten Martial Arts Grandmasters. Any power that had such a force at its command could sweep across the world. Many Immortal Sect families would not necessarily be able to withstand ten Martial Arts Grandmasters. And then. It was the Nine-Layer True Intent Pill. As the name implies. By taking this Elixir, one could enter a state of enlightenment and thereby comprehend the power of True Intent at the ninth level. True Intent. Starting from the sixth level, the ninth level represents the pinnacle within the Master Realm¡¯s True Intent, and one more step beyond to the tenth level would allow entry into the threshold of Grandmaster True Intent. True Intent is difficult to comprehend. To master ninth-level True Intent is as challenging as breaking through to Martial Arts Grandmaster. It could be said. A Martial Arts Grandmaster, coupled with nine-layer True Intent, would undergo a transformation in strength, and if True Intent progressed further into the tenth layer, one could promote to True Intent Grandmaster. If one were to say. A common Grandmaster is weaker than a Transformation Realm practitioner of the same level, then a True Intent Grandmaster could be comparable to one. In a past battle of the Taixuan Dynasty. A True Intent Grandmaster emerged from the Ji Family¡¯s imperial house and brutally slew the previous Family Head of the Li Family in the Desolate State. This shows. The fearsome strength of a True Intent Grandmaster. Although the ninth-layer True Intent is not as powerful as the tenth, it is certainly not to be underestimated. ¡°Ten Grandmaster Ascension Pills and ten Nine-Layer True Intent Pills are enough to instantly create a top-tier power among Grandmasters!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty had just been established, relying solely on himself to suppress the world was ultimately insufficient. After all. A single person cannot cover it all. But if there were a few more Grandmasters, then it would be a different story. Thereafter. Gu Qingfeng looked at the other Elixirs. This time. He obtained two entirely new types of Elixirs during Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough. One was the Golden Body Pill. The other was the True Intent Pill. The former was for Grandmaster Realm Martial Artists to consume, to temper the Grandmaster True Body, strengthening their foundation, and even for those at the fifth level of Refining Organ to take, in hopes of breaking through to Blood and Qi Grandmaster. Gu Qingfeng tried consuming a Golden Body Pill and found that his physical body seemed to strengthen a bit, but the change was so minute it was almost negligible. ¡°It¡¯s useful!¡± A gleam shone in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. Even if the effects of the Golden Body Pill were weak, being useful meant it had value. By the time one accumulates to his level, every bit of growth is not so easy to come by. What¡¯s more important. The changes brought by the Golden Body Pill were not about the increase in realm but the process of accumulating one¡¯s foundation. If he took Golden Body Pills, allowing his foundation in the Extreme Dao Master Realm to become even more robust, the subsequent breakthroughs would naturally lead to a stronger transformation. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng consumed a True Intent Pill. The Golden Body Pill was meant to enhance the Grandmaster¡¯s physical body, while the True Intent Pill could help Martial Artists comprehend the power of True Intent through enlightenment. Chapter 251: 215: The Role of National Destiny_3 Chapter 251: Chapter 215: The Role of National Destiny_3 But what was different was the effect of such True Intent Pills was completely different from that of the ninth-grade Direct Ascension Pills. After all, the latter could directly allow one to master ninth-grade True Intent, while the former, although also capable of enlightening one¡¯s path, whether one could truly comprehend True Intent and breakthrough depended on one¡¯s own perception and opportunity. Regrettably, although the True Intent Pill was not bad, it had no effect after Gu Qingfeng took it. Regarding this, ... Gu Qingfeng quickly understood after a bit of thought. He had already broken free from the shackles of True Intent and stepped into the realm level, so even the best True Intent Pill could not affect him. ¡°However, though I have no use for the True Intent Pill, it could accelerate others in comprehending True Intent. People like the Sword Daoist whose True Intent is already strong, if he were to obtain the True Intent Pill, he might even have the hope of advancing to a True Intent Grandmaster!¡± ... Half a day later, Gu Qingfeng summoned the Hidden Guard. He then instructed the guard to take two Grandmaster Ascension Pills and two ninth-grade True Intent Direct Ascension Pills back to Gu Family Manor and hand them over to Xu Yulan and Gu Peng, respectively. After all, although the two of them were at the Perfection of the Grandmaster Realm, their talents were rather poor, and without other opportunities, they might never break through to the Grandmaster Realm in their lifetimes. Just right, now with elixirs in hand, Gu Qingfeng naturally wanted to enhance the strength of those around him. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng summoned another person. ¡°These are two elixirs, one can let you directly breakthrough to the peak of the Grandmaster, the other can allow you to master ninth-grade True Intent. Take them here!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Hong Ye¡¯s usually cold demeanor showed a trace of emotion, but she soon returned to normal. Without any hesitation or delay, she directly ingested both elixirs. As a Death Soldier, her loyalty to Gu Qingfeng was absolute, and she would not refuse any order he gave. Seeing Hong Ye take the two elixirs, Gu Qingfeng said nothing more. The reason he let Hong Ye take the elixirs was that people like Gu Yi had been left to Gu Yang¡¯s management, and Hong Ye often stayed by his side, with many tasks being assigned to her by Gu Qingfeng. In this way, if Hong Ye¡¯s strength could increase, handling affairs would naturally be a lot easier. No sooner had the elixirs entered her body, than Hong Ye¡¯s aura explosively burst forth. In less than a moment, she had gone from the peak of the Grandmaster Realm directly to the peak of the Grandmaster Realm. The breakthrough of a major realm was completed quickly, with the entire process being smooth and without abruptness. However, it did not stop there. After her realm breakthrough, Hong Ye closed her eyes tightly and entered a state of enlightenment while a terrifying Sword Intent arose around her, followed immediately by the appearance of a vision, as if a Green Lotus Illusion was manifesting. The Green Lotus Sword Scripture! This was the Martial Arts that Hong Ye practiced. But even for a Grandmaster¡¯s Ultimate Skill as profound and inscrutable as this, it was difficult for her with her Cultivation Realm to comprehend much. But now, with the ingestion of the ninth-grade True Intent Direct Ascension Pill, Hong Ye¡¯s understanding of the Green Lotus Sword Scripture surged, and a powerful Green Lotus Sword Intent condensed around her. This Sword Intent, although somewhat weak in front of Gu Qingfeng, was considered terrifying to others, as wielding ninth-grade True Intent was extremely formidable. When the Sword Intent appeared, many powerhouses in the city felt it as if by instinct, all of them turning towards the direction of the Prince Mansion, their eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty. ¡°What a strong Sword Intent!¡± ¡°Such Sword Intent, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s only one step away from the Grandmaster True Intent!¡± ¡°Could it be that there are other powerful practitioners hidden within the Prince Mansion?¡± Many people were shocked. The Prefecture of the past and now the Capital of the Divine Martial Dynasty, had become a gathering point for the strongest warriors from all over. Many veteran grandmasters were living here in seclusion. These grandmaster warriors, many of whom had comprehended True Intent, and some were even on the cusp of entering the True Intent Master Realm or had already become one. In terms of strength, they were not to be underestimated. Yet, the Sword Intent emanating from the Prince Mansion made these veteran powerhouses feel alarmed. With the same True Intent, the Sword Intent emitted from the mansion was undoubtedly much stronger. However, what truly shocked, was the Sword Daoist, who had just stepped into the Grandmaster Realm. He looked towards the direction of the Prince Mansion, his eyes filled with an indescribable shock. ¡°When did such a master of the Sword Dao hide in the Prince Mansion?¡± If it were Blade Intent, the Sword Daoist wouldn¡¯t be so amazed, as it¡¯s widely known that the Martial Saint was a holy figure in the blade, with comprehension in Blade Intent reaching an incomprehensible level. But, this True Intent was, oddly enough, Sword Intent. One might comprehend various True Intents, but the Sword Daoist absolutely refused to believe that someone as strong as Gu Qingfeng would possess such a powerful Sword Intent as well. The stronger the Martial Artist, the purer their pursuit. It would be impossible for someone who had reached such an unfathomable realm with the blade to simultaneously cover the path of the sword. For this reason, the Sword Daoist was incredulous. After all, since Gu Yang¡¯s enthronement, the Capital had already constructed the Imperial City, and many from the Prince Mansion had moved into the Imperial City, leaving only a very few behind. However, despite his curiosity, the Sword Daoist suppressed the urge in his heart and did not approach the Prince Mansion. After all, although few people remained in the Prince Mansion, Gu Qingfeng was certainly among them, and a rash visit by the Sword Daoist might be an offense if improperly done. The appearance of the Sword Intent was rapid, and its departure was just as quick; when the Sword Intent dissipated, everything returned to normal. Now many powerful figures knew that there was a Sword Daoist of great prowess in the Prince Mansion, prompting more wariness towards the former Prince Mansion. Chapter 252: 215: The Role of National Fortune_4 Chapter 252: Chapter 215: The Role of National Fortune_4 ¡°` ... Within the Prince Mansion. Gu Qingfeng looked at Hong Ye, whose aura had completely transformed, and slightly nodded, ¡°It seems you have successfully broken through, well done!¡± ¡°Thank you, my lord, for granting me this opportunity. I shall lay down my life for you!¡± Hong Ye knelt on one knee, and on her usually cold face, as impassive as an ice lotus in a frosty pond, a rare expression of gratitude appeared. ... Two Elixirs. Not only had they allowed her to break through to the pinnacle of the Great Grandmaster, but she had also mastered the ninth level True Intent. Naturally, Hong Ye was endlessly grateful for this. As a Death Soldier. Hong Ye had been implanted with a segment of other memories by the information panel, which made her believe she had already been following Gu Qingfeng for many years. Therefore, she did not know much about Gu Qingfeng¡¯s trump card methods. ¡°You may leave now.¡± Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, and Hong Ye returned to her usual composure, rising and retreating at once. After Hong Ye left. Gu Qingfeng then looked towards the Imperial city, finally stepping out of the Prince Mansion where he had stayed for so long. ... ¡°My son pays his respects to father!¡± Inside the Imperial city, in the Imperial Garden, Gu Yang, dressed in imperial robes, paid his respects to Gu Qingfeng with reverence. Since ascending to his position, Gu Yang¡¯s imperial bearing had become intensely more pronounced, but in front of Gu Qingfeng, his demeanor remained consistent as ever. Or rather. It was only now, having reached the pinnacle of the Master level, that Gu Yang truly felt the unfathomable depth of his father¡¯s power. Such strength, even at the pinnacle of the Masters, seemed as insignificant as ants before him. It should be noted. Gu Yang was one who had laid his foundation with the Longevity Skills, setting him apart from other Masters of the Martial World. Although at the pinnacle among Masters, he could directly suppress even the Great Grandmasters. ¡°Now that you have established the Divine Martial Dynasty with the methods of the Immortal Casting Court, what kind of techniques do you possess?¡± Gu Qingfeng asked. He had already witnessed the methods of the Immortal Casting Court and knew well that once a dynasty was forged, gathering the Qi Fortune of the land, it could employ various profound techniques. But what exactly these techniques were, Gu Qingfeng did not really know, as he had not truly delved into the practice of this Secret Technique. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang said, ¡°Now that I control the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty, I can manipulate the nation¡¯s fortune to suppress formidable enemies anywhere within the territory of the dynasty.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s simply about using the nation¡¯s fortune to suppress a locality, even the ordinary Divinity Realm would find it difficult to cause any disturbance.¡± ¡°Moreover, within the bounds of the dynasty, should a natural disaster occur, we can suppress it with the power of the nation¡¯s Qi Fortune, change the weather patterns, ensuring the people have good harvests and are untroubled by natural calamities!¡± ¡°However, such methods will consume the nation¡¯s Qi Fortune. If used too frequently, the Qi Fortune will be depleted, and once it runs out, the dynasty will be plagued with constant natural disasters and incessant human calamities. By that time, the collapse and disintegration of the Divine Martial Dynasty will not be far away!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s words prompted Gu Qingfeng to nod slightly. These consequences seemed severe, but in reality, the mystery and power of Qi Fortune were evident. Had the Taixuan Dynasty possessed such methods back then, it wouldn¡¯t have succumbed to the rebellion of the Immortal Families and sects; all disloyal elements could have been suppressed. Such power, capable of suppressing the Divinity Realm, was beyond the reach of any other forces. ¡°Additionally.¡± ¡°As the sovereign, I receive the blessing of the nation¡¯s Qi Fortune, which greatly accelerates my cultivation compared to before. Even the various officials throughout the dynasty, as long as they hold office, can receive the corresponding blessing of Qi Fortune, enjoying certain benefits!¡± As Gu Qingfeng pondered in silence, Gu Yang continued. He had established the Divine Martial Dynasty and, with the surge of Qi Fortune upon its inception, directly stepped into the pinnacle level of the Great Grandmaster. Even so. In the days that followed, Gu Yang not only solidified his realm at the pinnacle of the Great Grandmaster but also seemed to hint at further progress. Even with Gu Yang¡¯s previous talents, this level of improvement would have been impossible. It¡¯s clear that under the blessings of Qi Fortune, his cultivation talent had reached an extraordinary level. In comparison to the past. The current Gu Yang had completely surpassed his former self by several levels. ¡°` Chapter 253: 216: Poked the Fierce Beasts Nest Chapter 253: Chapter 216: Poked the Fierce Beasts¡¯ Nest Gu Qingfeng looked at Gu Yang, noticing the robust Qi Fortune around him, within which the shadow of a Green Lotus Illusion was faintly condensing above his head. Third Grade Green Lotus! This was the Qi Fortune of the Dynasty. When the Third Grade Green Lotus transformed into a Sixth Grade Green Lotus, the Dynasty could ascend to an Empire. However, a genuine ascension wasn¡¯t an overnight affair. ... For a dynasty aspiring to become an empire, the most basic aspects involved the population size, the public sentiment, plus the number of powerful individuals. There were no specific criteria for this. But to put it in one sentence. An empire was very strong. It was significantly stronger than a dynasty in all respects. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng passed a portion of elixirs directly into Gu Yang¡¯s hands. ¡°Here are four types of elixirs, which include Great Grandmaster elixirs, as well as ninth grade True Intent Pills, in addition to Golden Body Pills and True Intent Pills!¡± ¡°Great Grandmaster pills can make anyone instantly achieve the peak of Great Grandmaster, while taking a ninth grade True Intent Pill allows a Martial Artist to comprehend ninth grade True Intent.¡± ¡°The Golden Body Pill can solidify a Grandmaster¡¯s foundation. Although the True Intent Pill is not as powerful as the ninth grade True Intent Pill, it can also help Martial Artists speed up their comprehension of True Intent.¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s expression immediately changed. He didn¡¯t doubt the truthfulness of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, he was just startled by the potency of these elixirs. All along, Gu Yang had been taking the elixirs given by Gu Qingfeng, but those were merely of the same nature as the Golden Body Pill, dedicated to solidifying a Martial Artist¡¯s foundation. But now, pills that could elevate someone directly to Great Grandmaster seemed almost inconceivable. Not to mention, there were pills that could directly enable someone to comprehend ninth grade True Intent. Such elixirs, if revealed to the outside world, could drive everyone insane. Taking a deep breath, Gu Yang, looking at Gu Qingfeng, finally voiced a long-held doubt. ¡°Father, where exactly did you obtain such profound elixirs?¡± ¡°I have my own fortunes, just as you have yours,¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly and said with a light smile, not explaining too much. Hearing this, Gu Yang felt relieved. Indeed, he himself had received many fortunes. Otherwise, he couldn¡¯t have grown so rapidly. Since he could encounter fortunes, it was normal for Gu Qingfeng to have his own. Quickly, Gu Yang came to realize and looked at the many elixirs in front of him, a smile appearing on his face. ¡°Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty needs revival, and I was worried about the lack of capable individuals, with these elixirs, we can cultivate a batch of capable powerhouses!¡± The greatest problem of the Divine Martial Dynasty now was its weak foundation. The Gu family unlike other clans, didn¡¯t have thousands or even tens of thousands of years of accumulation. From the later generations of Gu Family Manor, there were only about thirty years altogether. Thirty years. How much could be accumulated in such time? Even though Gu Yang had now seized the world, those he could utilize were still somewhat lacking. Previously, behind the Taixuan Dynasty, there were the shadows of the Ji Family of Xianzhou, creating the Evil Suppression Bureau and recruiting magicians worldwide for their own use. In comparison, today¡¯s warrior state in the Nine States was in decline, although there were some who could enter the Grandmaster Realm, the majority were related to the Immortal Sect families. Real clean-background Grandmasters were actually very few. If one were to cultivate usable strong individuals by oneself, it would indeed require quite some time. But now it was different. A single pill could directly create a top-tier Great Grandmaster. In this way, the problem of manpower could indeed be resolved. ¡°However, although taking elixirs has no particular concerns, after all, it is a shortcut. Now that you have the Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune upon you, breaking through to Great Grandmaster is just a matter of time, building your foundation step by step and breaking through is much better than taking shortcuts,¡± Gu Qingfeng added a reminder at the end. Although there were no concerns with taking elixirs, he still did not want Gu Yang to directly use them to break through. After all, if Gu Yang were to take the elixirs, it would mean that when he broke through to Great Grandmaster, he would not receive any rewards from Upgrade Points. Previously, Gu Yang had also entertained the idea of using an elixir to directly reach the peak of Great Grandmaster. But now, upon hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s reminder, he also dismissed that thought. Since Gu Qingfeng said so, there must be truth in his words. Additionally, just as Gu Qingfeng mentioned, now with the Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune upon him, Gu Yang believed it would not take long for him to break through to Great Grandmaster. Not long after Gu Qingfeng left, Gu Yang secretly summoned Shi Zhen into the palace. ¡°Your servant, Shi Zhen, greets Your Majesty!¡± Shi Zhen bowed respectfully, as kneeling was not practiced in this era. Gu Yang looked at the man before him and said lightly, ¡°Rise.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± Only then did Shi Zhen straighten himself. Gu Yang began, ¡°General Shi, you¡¯ve been with me for many years, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Your servant has been following Your Majesty for ten years!¡± Shi Zhen replied without any hesitation, Gu Yang nodded in acknowledgement, ¡°A decade flies just like a flick of a finger. Over these years, I have seen all your actions, and the Divine Martial Dynasty owes much of its success today to you!¡± ¡°Your Majesty is too kind. If it weren¡¯t for Your Majesty¡¯s helping hand back then, your servant would have been just another homeless man dying on the streets. I dare not forget Your Majesty¡¯s great kindness in giving me a new life,¡± Shi Zhen hurriedly said. Seeing the somewhat frightened and earnest expression on the other¡¯s face, Gu Yang immediately smiled and handed over two elixir pills to him. Then, under Shi Zhen¡¯s puzzled gaze, Gu Yang said, ¡°These two pills, one can allow you to break through directly to the peak of Great Grandmaster, another can let you comprehend the ninth grade Grandmaster True Intent.¡± Chapter 254 216: Poked the Fierce Beasts Nest_2 "You may now be a Grandmaster, but your cultivation is indeed lacking a bit. I bestow upon you these two elixirs, only hoping that you will not disappoint Our high expectations!" This sentence caused Shi Zhen''s face to change, followed by an excited expression, gripping the elixirs in his hand even tighter. "Your Majesty, for such great kindness, your servant is willing to go through fire and water!" "These elixirs are precious; you should consume them here, and It would also be fitting for Us to act as your protector." "In that case, I shall be disrespectful." Shi Zhen didn''t decline or even hesitate; he immediately swallowed the two elixirs. Seeing him decisively consume the elixirs, Gu Yang''s face softened with an additional smile. Soon after, Gu Yang''s expression turned solemn. In his perception, Shi Zhen''s aura was climbing steadily, his rate of breakthrough comparable to when Gu Yang himself had established the kingdom. Mid-Level Grandmaster! Late-Stage Grandmaster! Peak Grandmaster! ... At the moment he reached the peak of Grandmaster, without a moment''s pause, he broke through the Grandmaster''s barrier and stepped into the realm of Great Grandmaster. In a matter of breaths, Shi Zhen had successfully broken through to the peak of Great Grandmaster. Such a formidable and terrifying presence caused even Gu Yang to be somewhat astonished. Even though he knew the efficacy of the elixirs, seeing someone break through from the initial stage of Grandmaster to the top rank of Great Grandmaster in a matter of breaths, right in front of him, was incredibly hard not to be shocked by. However, this had not yet stopped. Upon reaching the peak level of Great Grandmaster, Shi Zhen radiated an overwhelmingly powerful Blade Intent, seemingly evolving into a mountain of corpses and sea of blood, with boundless destructive power suddenly erupting. This scene alarmed many within the Imperial Palace. Gu Yang''s expression shifted slightly, and he immediately gave a firm order to the guards who had come upon hearing the news. "By Our command, seal the entire Imperial Garden. Without Our permission, none shall enter!" "Yes!" Under Gu Yang''s command, the entire Imperial Garden was sealed by the guards, and only then did he turn his attention back to Shi Zhen. "Level Nine True Intent!" Gu Yang mused to himself. Although he had already grasped the Grandmaster True Intent, he had not yet reached the level of Level Nine True Intent. Thinking this, Gu Yang also entertained the idea of consuming a Level Nine True Intent Pill. After all, Gu Qingfeng had only told him not to consume Great Grandmaster elixirs, but he hadn''t said anything about not consuming Level Nine True Intent Pills. However, this thought was temporarily suppressed by Gu Yang. Before long, the Blade Intent dissipated. Shi Zhen opened his tightly shut eyes, a trace of astonishment on his face which then turned into admiration, and he immediately bowed deeply to Gu Yang. "Thank you for Your Majesty''s gracious gift, such an opportunity is akin to being remade. Your servant shall never forget this kindness!" His expression was excited, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke. Peak of Great Grandmaster! Level Nine True Intent! These were things Shi Zhen didn''t even dare to dream of. He considered his talent for cultivation to be quite good, but he had little confidence in becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster later on. But now, one pill had advanced him to the top rank of Great Grandmaster, directly saving him hundreds of years of grueling practice; how could Shi Zhen not be overwhelmed with excitement? And there was also the Level Nine True Intent Pill, which enabled him to comprehend an extremely powerful True Intent. The cultivation of a top Great Grandmaster, the True Intent of a top Level Nine Grandmaster. With the combination of the two, Shi Zhen had now become one of the top powerhouses in the world. "You may now go and become accustomed to the strength you''ve just broken through to, and also, this matter must not be publicized!" Gu Yang said. To this, Shi Zhen respectfully obeyed the command. After Shi Zhen left, Gu Yang called over a member of the Hidden Guard and handed the two elixirs to Gu Yi. Even though he had already established the Divine Martial Dynasty, Gu Yang still had not disbanded the Hidden Guard, always considering it a force in his hand, ready to play a significant role when necessary. Even now, the Hidden Guard could secretly monitor the officials and also patrol the Nine States, proving to be of no small significance. The present Hidden Guard, with Gu Qingfeng secretly having expanded their number to three thousand, half of which were under Gu Yang''s command, with the remaining half still taking orders from the former. As for the true number of Hidden Guard, Gu Yang naturally had no clue. However, The fifteen hundred Hidden Guards under his command greatly alleviated Gu Yang''s issue with the shortage of personnel in the Hidden Guard. Originally, Gu Yang had thought about expanding the Hidden Guard further, but as the force he trusted the most, the Hidden Guard certainly could not be expanded recklessly. This matter had to be done, and it had to be done with the utmost caution. Before that, the first thing Gu Yang needed to do was to enhance Gu Yi''s strength. With a top Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist in command, the Hidden Guard could play a much bigger role. Now, two Grandmaster Realm Elixirs had already been given to Shi Zhen and Gu Yi, and Gu Yang had some ideas for the remaining five Elixirs. ¡ª¡ª "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has conferred ranks upon the officials, stabilized the world''s political landscape, and brought about a long-awaited peace to the Nine States!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has been blessed with Qi Fortune from the dynasty, greatly enhancing his talents!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has discussed the Martial Arts with a Martial Artist in the Grandmaster Realm, improving his strength!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has implemented a series of policies beneficial to the people, raising his prestige among the populace!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' has strayed into dangerous territories, attacked by Fierce Beasts *103!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' accidentally consumes Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, breaking through to the Perfection of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Reward points *30!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' has been attacked by Fierce Beasts *361!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' has been attacked by Fierce Beasts *476!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' has been attacked by powerful Fierce Beasts, and in a critical moment, resorted to using his trump card to slay them!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' has gained understanding through life and death battles, deepening his comprehension of Heavenly Blade True Intent!" ... Upon leaving the Imperial Palace and temporarily returning to the old premises of the Guangyang Prince Mansion, Gu Qingfeng flipped through the information panel, and his expression turned somewhat strange upon seeing some of the later messages. "Fierce Beasts?" "Did he stir up a hornet''s nest of Fierce Beasts?" Fierce Beasts, actually, are not commonly seen in the Nine States, simply because whenever they appear, they are immediately suppressed by the court. However, it was only after the disintegration of the Taixuan Dynasty that the problem of Fierce Beasts became more serious. But it was just slightly more serious. For Gu Xuan to have been attacked by Fierce Beasts more than several hundred times is somewhat inconceivable. Normally, it would not be possible for so many Fierce Beasts to exist within the Nine States. Unless¡ª Gu Xuan entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Gu Qingfeng thought of this, his brow furrowing slightly. "Could it be that Xuan''er really did enter the Ancient Beast Mountain Range?" The Ancient Beast Mountain Range was unpredictable, hiding too many secrets within. Since ancient times, no one has been able to truly explore and understand what exactly is inside the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Therefore, anyone aware of the existence of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range wouldn''t rashly enter it. But from the current circumstances, it seemed highly likely that Gu Xuan had entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. After all, apart from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Gu Qingfeng could not think of any other place that could harbor so many Fierce Beasts. However¡ª Upon seeing that Gu Xuan''s Cultivation had a breakthrough, Gu Qingfeng''s expression softened a bit. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng looked at the empty courtyard in front of him and then said, "Summon someone!" As soon as the words were spoken, Hong Ye''s figure appeared. "What orders does Your Excellency have?" "Immediately contact Soul Stealer, and also check on Xuan''er''s whereabouts, this matter must be addressed promptly," Gu Qingfeng instructed with a cold voice. Upon hearing this, Hong Ye respectfully retired. Watching her leave, Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head, "I hope you haven''t really entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range; otherwise, things might get quite tricky!" The Ancient Beast Mountain Range was vast. For one person to enter it was like searching for a needle in the ocean, finding their whereabouts would be extremely difficult. Don''t think that the Hidden Guard force is substantial, but in front of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, it was utterly inadequate. This, Gu Qingfeng was well aware of. After all, how could a place where not even a Grandmaster could guarantee a safe return be so simple. So, if Gu Xuan truly entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, finding him would not be an easy task. ¡ª¡ª PS: Today, I am updating with 4,000 words, owing 2,000 words. Tomorrow, I will update with 8,000! Chapter 255 255: 217: Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Martial Ancestor鈥檚 Legacy! Chapter 255: Chapter 217: Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Martial Ancestor¡¯s Legacy! ¡°This is Wuzhou!¡± Gu Qingfeng stepped into Wuzhou, feeling the dense nature¡¯s spiritual energy here with a slightly surprised expression. He discovered that the spiritual energy here was much denser than in Qingyun State. It was then that Gu Qingfeng understood why the Martial Ancestor had chosen to establish his foundation in Wuzhou. A Martial Artist¡¯s cultivation cannot do without the refining of one¡¯s body by nature¡¯s spiritual energy. ... In the early stages, it suffices to simply refine the muscles and bones using Medicine Baths and other cultivation aids. But at the Master level and beyond, attempting to break through solely by these means required an immense amount of resources. Nature¡¯s spiritual energy, however, became the preferred choice for Martial Artists. The spiritual energy in Wuzhou was at least half denser than in Qingyun State; cultivating here was naturally different from other places. However, all these were only temporary. Since Gu Yang established the Divine Martial Dynasty in Qingyun State and then set the Capital in Guangyang Prefecture, the spiritual energy of the Nine States had begun to converge towards Qingyun State. The spiritual energy in Qingyun State was already gradually rising. Unless unexpected, over time, the density of spiritual energy in Qingyun State would likely be the highest among the Nine States. Behind him, Gu Yun spoke with a respectful tone, ¡°The reason the Martial Ancestor favored Wuzhou was due to the rich spiritual energy here.¡± This trip to Wuzhou was not taken alone by Gu Qingfeng, as Gu Yun, the Sect Master of the Divine Martial Sect, also accompanied him. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly then continued on his way. The two, one after the other, headed towards the Divine Martial Sect. Gu Qingfeng did not stir much attention for this visit to the Divine Martial Sect, nor did he have a large army accompany him. Shortly after, the two entered the Divine Martial Sect. As they just entered the gate, a disciple of the Divine Martial Sect came forward; seeing Gu Yun beside him, he hurriedly bowed deeply. ¡°Disciple greets the Sect Master!¡± ¡°Hm, you may go now.¡± Gu Yun, hands clasped behind his back and pretending profundity, slightly nodded, and the disciple respectfully withdrew. Afterwards, he then looked towards Gu Qingfeng with a renewed expression of reverence. ¡°This is the Divine Martial Sect, Master Gu. Perhaps you might stay at the sect for a few days first, then the disciple could show you the items Martial Ancestor left in the sect!¡± ¡°That would be good.¡± Looking at Gu Yun¡¯s hopeful eyes, Gu Qingfeng slightly nodded. Seeing this, Gu Yun was overjoyed. He had taken great effort to invite Gu Qingfeng to visit the Divine Martial Sect and naturally did not wish for him to leave immediately. Upon receiving Gu Qingfeng¡¯s approval, Gu Yun immediately arranged accommodation for him personally. It was a courtyard in the back mountain of the Divine Martial Sect, enveloped in a serene environment, with the spiritual energy also being quite dense. Gu Yun said, ¡°This courtyard is rumored to be the residence of the Martial Ancestor before his passing. Since the Martial Ancestor¡¯s passing, no one else has been deemed worthy to reside here. However, successive Sect Masters of the Divine Martial Sect would often come here to clean. Now that Master Gu has come, you may stay here.¡± ¡°You are very thoughtful!¡± Gu Qingfeng was quite satisfied with the environment, and then, looking towards Gu Yun, who hesitated to speak, he opened his mouth to say, ¡°I see there are quite a few disciples in the Divine Martial Sect. Since I am staying here for a few days, if there are disciples with good talent, you may bring them here. I can surely give some guidance.¡± ¡°Thank you, Master Gu!¡± Gu Yun immediately expressed his gratitude. His purpose in having Gu Qingfeng stay at the Divine Martial Sect for a few days was exactly this. For a powerhouse like Gu Qingfeng, even a few words of guidance were enough for a regular Martial Artist to benefit all their life. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng did not pay too much attention. After all, he would be receiving benefits from the Divine Martial Sect, and to leave without imparting anything would be rather ungenerous. When Gu Yun left, Gu Qingfeng started to survey the courtyard. The layout of this courtyard was simple, but it had a sort of natural charm. In the courtyard, a jujube tree stood tall, its robust roots twisted like dragons, its trunk already filled with the essence of ages. Clearly, this tree had existed for an incredibly long time. Ordinarily, a jujube tree could not live for so long. As Gu Qingfeng approached the jujube tree, he saw it gently sway, emitting a faint fluctuation that left him even more astonished. ¡°Is this... about to cultivate Spiritual Wisdom?¡± ¡°No wonder... no wonder this tree has lived for so long!¡± What doesn¡¯t die becomes a demon! The jujube tree standing before him had seemingly lived for countless years and was now on the verge of cultivating Spiritual Wisdom. If the jujube tree really did develop Spiritual Wisdom, how different would that be from the legendary demons? As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s palm touched the trunk, he could clearly feel the tree slightly quivering, as if mysterious Dao Rhythms circulated upon it. At the same time, in his vision, images abruptly appeared. The courtyard remained the same! The jujube tree was still the jujube tree! The only difference was, in the image, the jujube tree was not as robust as it was now. A man in green robes sometimes spoke to it, sometimes sipped tea under it while playing a game of Go against himself, and sometimes practiced Martial Arts in the courtyard. Seasons changed from spring to autumn. Flowers bloomed and wilted. The jujube tree grew sturdier day by day, but the appearance of the man in green robes remained unchanged. But before long, white hair appeared at the temples of the man in green robes, eventually succumbing to the ravages of time as his body aged. Day after day, year after year, the young man turned old, his elderly body still repeating the activities of his youth, and then, the images faded away. A sensation known as sorrow emanated from the jujube tree. ¡°Was that man the Martial Ancestor?¡± Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself, as if talking to himself, yet also seemingly asking the jujube tree before him. Chapter 256 256: 217: The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Martial Ancestors Legacy!_2 Chapter 256: Chapter 217: The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Martial Ancestor¡¯s Legacy!_2 ¡°` Until that moment when he saw the scene, Gu Qingfeng finally understood why the jujube tree before him could be so extraordinary. The tree had followed the Martial Ancestor day and night, receiving the nourishment of his martial arts¡¯ essence, and with the rich spiritual energy of nature within the Divine Martial Sect, over time, it naturally gave birth to some miraculous phenomena. At the same time, The traces of the Martial Ancestor¡¯s Dao Rhythm were also left on the jujube tree, so if later generations could sense the Dao Rhythm within, they would behold this spectacle. However, ... One¡¯s cultivation must reach a certain level, Or else they would surely fail to find the clues. This also indirectly indicated something. The Martial Ancestor of the Divine Martial Sect was very strong, Not something those in the Divinity Realm could compare with. After all, remnants of such Dao Rhythm persisting for ten thousand years is enough to show how unfathomable such a powerful figure is. Then, Gu Qingfeng sat down under the jujube tree, just like the Martial Ancestor had done years ago, the tree swaying gently as though mysterious Dao Rhythms were diffusing from it. He closed his eyes, seemingly entering a state of enlightenment. It felt like a day, Yet also like a year. Gu Qingfeng sat motionless under the tree, but his body was enveloped in profound Dao Rhythms. The sun set in the west, And the moon hung high. When the morning sun rose in the east, Gu Qingfeng finally opened his eyes. He exhaled a breath of stale air and immediately looked at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 51/3000 Realm: Extreme Dao Master Perfection Martial Arts: Heavenly Thunder Sword Skills (Beginner), Prajnaparamita Sutra (Thirteenth Layer Perfection, Prajnaparamita True Body level twelve), Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Longevity Skills (Perfection, Longevity level five), Pure Yang True Body (Perfection, Pure Yang Body level four), Heavenly Blade (Perfection, Heavenly Blade Domain level one), Blood Refining Scripture (Perfection, Divine Blood level eight), Divine Transformation (Perfection, Divine Speed level four), 36 Chambers (Perfection, Immutable level nine), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 5032 ... ¡°Great Wilderness Fist Scripture!¡± Gu Qingfeng was calm. He knew, This was a legacy left behind by the Martial Ancestor. Great Wilderness Fist Scripture! It was a supreme martial art that shattered the barriers of a Great Grandmaster. Without exaggeration, The intricacies of this martial art were on a par with the Heavenly Blade that he had created himself. Even more so, The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture seemed a bit more profound than the Heavenly Blade. ¡°It¡¯s a pity that until now, the Divine Martial Sect hasn¡¯t had a True Intent Grandmaster emerge, and thus failed to discover the clues here. Otherwise, with this martial art, the achievements of the Divine Martial Sect would have been incomparable to what they are today!¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. Great Wilderness Fist Scripture was extremely profound, and without the realm of a True Intent Grandmaster, even if one obtained it, it would be difficult to comprehend. After all, higher-tier martial arts are not just about simple moves, but rather an embodiment of the Dao. Without a sufficiently deep comprehension of True Intent power, it is naturally difficult to cultivate the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture. It could be said, The minimum threshold to cultivate the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, was to be a True Intent Grandmaster. But the issue was, The Divine Martial Sect didn¡¯t have a single Great Grandmaster, let alone a True Intent Grandmaster. Then, Gu Qingfeng thought of something, and directly upgraded the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture. Two hundred upgrade points! Great Wilderness Fist Scripture entered! Two hundred upgrade points! Great Wilderness Fist Scripture Small Success! Two hundred upgrade points... In just a short time, Gu Qingfeng consecutively upgraded the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture from Not entered to the Perfection stage. A full-level Great Wilderness Fist Scripture. A surge of memories flooded him. At the same time, An earth-shattering Fist Intent emanated from Gu Qingfeng, forming a domain that covered the grand Divine Martial Sect. All the members of the Divine Martial Sect felt this terrifying pressure, their blood and qi becoming much sluggish. However, As quickly as the pressure arrived, it disappeared. In just a few breaths, it was gone. ... Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection, Great Wilderness Domain level four)! ... ¡°Great Wilderness Domain!¡± Gu Qingfeng now felt as though he had cultivated the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture for many years, as the martial art had truly reached a perfection pinnacle level. The only pity was, Unlike other martial arts of ordinary Masters and Great Grandmasters, the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture didn¡¯t have the effect of tempering the physical body. Otherwise, With the power of such martial arts, Gu Qingfeng could have broken through the limits of an Extreme Dao Master and reached an even higher level. Nevertheless, despite this, By truly understanding the mysteries of the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, even without making any breakthroughs, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength level had increased. To be honest, With his ongoing cultivation progress, Gu Qingfeng was no longer clear about the actual level of his strength. At that moment, Gu Yun had arrived. Behind him followed five outstanding disciples of the Divine Martial Sect. ¡°Master Gu, these individuals are the most distinguished disciples of the Divine Martial Sect!¡± Gu Yun spoke directly. He wanted to ask Gu Qingfeng about the fleeting pressure just now, but upon seeing him, Gu Yun pressed down on that thought. The one sitting in the Divine Martial Sect obviously had a close connection with the prior changes. Some things would naturally be revealed if the other party wished to speak, and asking too much could instead come off as offensive. As Gu Yun finished speaking, the five disciples saluted Gu Qingfeng with clasped hands in unison. ¡°Greetings, Mr. Gu!¡± Before coming here, Gu Yun had already informed them of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s identity, and with regards to this Martial Saint known throughout the world, they dared not show the slightest disrespect. Not only that, The way they looked at Gu Qingfeng contained awe and also an admiration for a strong figure. ¡°` Chapter 257 257: 217: The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Martial Ancestors Legacy!_3 Chapter 257: Chapter 217: The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Martial Ancestor¡¯s Legacy!_3 Martial Saint Gu Qingfeng! Today¡¯s strongest in the Nine States. It is said that he could rival the peerless existence of a Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago. In the path of Martial Arts, the man before them was truly the ultimate pinnacle. For the several disciples of the Divine Martial Sect to have the chance to truly meet such a powerful figure was, in itself, a great honor. ... Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze also fell upon the group. There were five individuals, three men and two women, all young in age, at most between twenty and twenty-five years old. At Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current state of cultivation, a single glance was all he needed to discern one¡¯s age through their bones. The weakest in cultivation among the five was also at the Perfection of the Bone Refining Realm, while the most powerful had even stepped into the Marrow Cleansing Realm. In the entire Nine States, those of such age who managed to reach this realm could be called true prodigies. From this, one could see that these individuals truly counted as the outstanding disciples of the Divine Martial Sect. ¡°At such an age, to have attained such cultivation is commendable. If there are no accidents, breaking through to Master is an inevitability, and even advancing to a Great Grandmaster is within the realm of possibilities!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded, offering some affirmation. Upon hearing his words, Gu Yun¡¯s face immediately beamed with joy. Following that, Gu Yun then said, ¡°Then this disciple will take his leave first, not to disturb Master Gu any longer.¡± ¡°You should stay as well.¡± Gu Qingfeng cast a glance at him and continued to speak, ¡°Yesterday, while I was contemplating the Dao here, I happened to gain an inheritance left by the Martial Ancestor ten thousand years ago. This is something that belongs to the Divine Martial Sect, and now I shall pass it on to you. But how much you can comprehend will entirely depend on your own fate!¡± Comprehending the Dao! Martial Ancestor¡¯s inheritance? Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words stunned Gu Yun. He had not expected that this courtyard would hold an inheritance from the Martial Ancestor. After all, generation after generation of Sect Masters had thoroughly searched this place inside and out. If there had been an inheritance from the Martial Ancestor, it should have been discovered by one of them long ago. However, Gu Yun did not dare question Gu Qingfeng¡¯s statement. Seeing the doubt on Gu Yun¡¯s face, Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°The inheritance left here is not something a True Intent Grandmaster can easily notice.¡± ¡°So, it is quite normal that your Divine Martial Sect has not discovered the inheritance here over the years.¡± A single sentence left Gu Yun feeling embarrassed. Indeed, it was somewhat embarrassing for the world¡¯s leading Martial Arts sect that not a single True Intent Grandmaster existed among them. In fact, not even a common Martial Arts Grandmaster had emerged from the Divine Martial Sect in these years. Yet, beyond the shame, Gu Yun also felt exhilarated. An inheritance left by the Martial Ancestor was unquestionably powerful. Now that Gu Qingfeng had obtained this inheritance and was willing to impart it to the Divine Martial Sect, the sect could potentially be revitalized through this heritage. Before Gu Yun could ponder too much, Gu Qingfeng raised his hand and pointed, and immediately, a mysterious Dao Rhythm entered the minds of the six people, including Gu Yun. In an instant, all of them, as if affected by an immobilization skill, instinctively shut their eyes, silently digesting the information. An hour passed, and Gu Yun was the first to come to his senses. Reflecting on the memories that had surfaced in his mind, his expression was one of excitement and gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Master Gu, for imparting your knowledge!¡± Gu Yun bowed deeply to Gu Qingfeng, his expression sincere and free from pretense. In his mind was now a set of Martial Arts named the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, which was far more mysterious than any secret technique of the Divine Martial Sect before this time. Even having received the memories about the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Gu Yun felt as if he were in a fog. This feeling led to a thought in his mind. That was, Skill in Dao! This Martial Arts that touched upon the very character of ¡°Dao¡± was not something ordinary worldly techniques could compare with. Although he had yet to comprehend any of the mysteries of the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, this was always an opportunity. If one day he could grasp even a fraction of its mysteries, he could wield immense power. For this, Gu Yun was extraordinarily grateful. After all, Martial Arts of the caliber of the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture were not something anyone would reveal lightly. If Gu Qingfeng had not mentioned it, he would never have known. But now, the other party was willing to directly leave such a technique with the Divine Martial Sect, which spoke volumes of his character. Another hour passed, and the other five disciples gradually awoke. Seeing their shocked expressions, Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture is a Martial Art that can break the limits of a Great Grandmaster, and even for True Intent Grandmasters, it is difficult to truly cultivate. However, even for ordinary Martial Artists, even if the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture cannot be truly mastered, glimpsing even a little of its mysteries can be infinitely beneficial!¡± ¡°Today I shall leave you with an additional opportunity; watch closely!¡± Gu Qingfeng moved to the center of the courtyard and seemed to throw a casual punch, causing the very void to crack abruptly. Gu Yun and the others all had their pupils dilate, staring at that void-smashing punch, their blood and qi trembling, and their bodies unable to move even slightly. To break the void! What a concept! Such terrifying power made them all feel that if even a fraction of that power were to affect them, they would be annihilated in an instant. Such terrifying power was indeed enough to drive one to despair. After a long moment, they recovered from their shock. Only then did they notice that on the ground of the courtyard, there was now a Fist Seal, as if naturally formed, filled with terrifying pressure and endless mysteries. ¡°This is some of my own comprehension of the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, now left here for you. How much you can fathom in the future will all depend on each individual¡¯s fortune. This can also be considered some compensation from me to the Divine Martial Sect for receiving the Martial Ancestor¡¯s inheritance!¡± 0 Chapter 258 217: The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Martial Ancestors Legacy!_4 Gu Qingfeng spoke calmly. "The Dao Rhythm contained within this Fist Seal certainly cannot persist for ten thousand years without fading, as the Dao Rhythm of the Martial Ancestor has. After all, the fact that the Dao Rhythm of the Martial Ancestor has remained for so long also has something to do with the presence of the jujube tree. But no matter what, it is still no problem for this Fist Seal to be preserved for a hundred years. A hundred years. How much the people of Divine Martial Sect can comprehend from it really depends on their own fortune." In Gu Qingfeng''s view, as long as the people of Divine Martial Sect were not too foolish, it was not a problem to comprehend a fraction of the profound mysteries of the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture with the aid of this Fist Seal. When the time came, whether someone in the Divine Martial Sect could truly cultivate the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture would depend on whether a True Intent Grandmaster emerged. Without the cultivation realm of a True Intent Grandmaster, it was absolutely impossible to successfully cultivate the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture. At present, within the entire Divine Martial Sect, the person with the most hope of breaking through to become a True Intent Grandmaster was actually Gu Yun. At this moment, Gu Yun was looking at the Fist Seal. Something within him was vaguely touched, as if he had brushed against something, but he couldn''t quite grasp it. However, he had a feeling, if he could grasp this bit of enlightenment, it might just be his time to break through to be a Grandmaster. "Disciple has gained some insight and needs to return for seclusion for a while; I shall take my leave first!" Gu Yun then clasped his hands in farewell and left, leaving several disciples who had followed him behind. Gu Qingfeng nodded, and then turned to the people before him. "Whatever questions you may have about Martial Arts, speak them, and I shall resolve your doubts." "Thank you, Mr. Gu!" The group was overjoyed at this, and for a moment, they stopped pondering the mysteries of the Fist Seal and the memories of the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture in their minds. For them, these things could be contemplated in the future. What was most important now was to seize this opportunity to receive Gu Qingfeng''s guidance. ... For two consecutive days, Gu Qingfeng had been giving guidance on their cultivation. For those below the level of Master, he often hit the nail on the head; with just a few words of advice, he left them feeling deeply enlightened. Two days later, Gu Qingfeng said, "You need not come tomorrow; I have already taught you everything that I need to. As for how far you can go in the future, it''s up to you." "We are profoundly grateful for your guidance these past two days and will never forget your kindness, elder!" The five people exchanged glances. While there was some disappointment in their eyes, they could only take their leave as instructed. After all, it was extremely fortunate that a powerhouse was willing to give them advice for two days; they couldn''t possibly ask for too much. Moreover, the guidance from these two days was more valuable than ten years of arduous effort. If they could fully digest these insights, they wouldn''t encounter any major bottlenecks before breaking through to become a Master. Such an opportunity was substantial, and the five of them were not greedy. Being nurtured by the Divine Martial Sect and regarded as the foundation for the future, talent was not the only requirement; one''s character and the way one conducted oneself in society were equally important. On the fourth day of his arrival at the Divine Martial Sect, Gu Yun arrived, as light as a feather. Now, he appeared slightly younger, and his aura much stronger. His robust vitality wasn''t completely contained, occasionally seeping out a bit, which was startling. "Congratulations to Sect Master Gu for comprehending the Dao and attaining the realm of Grandmaster overnight!" Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly and also offered his congratulations. He could see at a glance that Gu Yun had finally broken through the shackles of a half-step Grandmaster and truly entered the ranks of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. To be honest, Gu Qingfeng was also somewhat surprised by Gu Yun''s rapid breakthrough. This also indirectly showed that his accumulation of foundation was quite profound, otherwise how could he have attained the realm of Martial Arts Grandmaster so quickly. At his words, a smile of irrepressible joy appeared on Gu Yun''s face, but his eyes looking at Gu Qingfeng were filled with even more reverence and gratitude. "Without Master Gu''s guidance, I might have never had the chance to break through to Grandmaster in this life. Your help is as good as giving rebirth; I cannot thank you enough!" At this moment, Gu Yun felt incredibly wise for having decided to invite Gu Qingfeng to the Divine Martial Sect. If it hadn''t been for that, how could he have broken through to Grandmaster so quickly. Even though he had broken through to Grandmaster, Gu Yun didn''t feel any pride in his heart. He was well aware that even though he had entered the realm of Grandmaster, he was still just a junior in front of Gu Qingfeng. With the unfathomable strength of the other party, a mere wave of his hand could suppress him. Therefore, when Gu Yun finished speaking, he immediately handed over a wooden box he had brought with him to Gu Qingfeng. "This is something left behind by the Martial Ancestor; please take a look, Master Gu!" Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng immediately took the wooden box and opened it. A long sword, as frosty as its blade, came into view. Upon seeing the sword, Gu Qingfeng could feel its extraordinary nature. In this Divine Weapon, he seemed to sense an aura similar to that of the Evil Slayer Blade. In the wooden box, aside from the divine sword, there was also a Jade Scroll left behind. When Gu Qingfeng saw the Jade Scroll, his eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately felt a sense of de?ja? vu. This kind of Jade Scroll was not unfamiliar to Gu Qingfeng. Master Gu had once brought a Jade Scroll with him, allowing Gu Qingfeng to witness a Secret Technique called the Immortal Casting Court. Now seeing the Jade Scroll before him, Gu Qingfeng wasn''t too surprised but confirmed many of his initial guesses. At that time, Gu Yun said, "This sword is named Qingyu; it was the personal sword left behind by the Martial Ancestor. This sword contains a fraction of the Martial Ancestor''s power; it is the fundamental reason why Divine Martial Sect has been able to stand in Wuzhou for so many years." Chapter 259 217: The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, Martial Ancestors Legacy!_5 "Not long after the news of the Martial Ancestor''s passing spread, numerous forces invaded the Divine Martial Sect, intent on seizing the Martial Ancestor''s legacy," recounted Gu Yun with a bitter smile. "Later on, an ancestor of the Divine Martial Sect wielded the Green Feather Sword, killing a Martial Arts Grandmaster and deterring the various powers." "Over the tens of thousands of years that followed, top-notch warriors from Immortal Sects also invaded, but they too were slayed by the Green Feather Sword." "Regrettably, the strength left behind by the Martial Ancestor diminishes with every use of the sword. Thus, unless absolutely necessary, the Divine Martial Sect dares not to lightly invoke the power of such a sacred treasure!" By the end of the tale, Gu Yun wore a bitter smile. The Divine Martial Sect has stood for tens of thousands of years, reliant on the Divine Weapon left by the Martial Ancestor for deterrence. This comparison made the Divine Martial Sect appear somewhat incompetent. But there was no helping it; indeed, the descendants of the Divine Martial Sect were a disappointment, and there was nothing worthwhile to defend. Had it not been for the Martial Ancestor''s sword left as deterrence, the Divine Martial Sect would have perished long ago. "Indeed, this sword is extraordinary!" Gu Qingfeng nodded as he looked upon the Green Feather Sword. The power hidden within it had grown much weaker, yet it remained invincible to those below the Divinity Realm. However, It would be insufficient against a warrior in the Divinity Realm. Perhaps, in ancient times, the Green Feather Sword could have possessed the might to subdue those in the Divinity Realm, but now, its strength had significantly waned. This was to be expected. After all, this was the Martial Ancestor''s sidearm from ten thousand years ago; retaining the strength to suppress a Great Grandmaster was already an incredible feat. It only further highlighted how formidable the Martial Ancestor''s strength truly was. Thereafter, Gu Yun pointed to the Jade Scroll and said, "This Jade Scroll was left alongside the Martial Ancestor''s sword, but despite years of study by the powerful of the Divine Martial Sect, we found that placing it close to the forehead was enough to use it. Yet, the Scroll''s mighty constraints have always thwarted our strongest from unlocking them." After finishing his explanation, Gu Yun wore a resigned smile once more. The Martial Ancestor truly left behind a myriad of items, but the later generations of the Divine Martial Sect were disappointing, unable to fully claim a single one of them. Only the Green Feather Sword remained to guard the Sect. But Gu Yun could see the power within the Green Feather Sword was gradually fading, and if the Divine Martial Sect did not undergo a change, once the sword''s strength dissipated completely, the Sect would lose its most formidable deterrent. Nevertheless, Those were matters of the past. Now that he had received the teachings of the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture from Gu Qingfeng, the Divine Martial Sect had a new trump card. So long as someone within the Sect could comprehend the mysteries of the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture, it would be enough to ensure the Sect''s enduring prosperity. On the other side, Gu Qingfeng, hearing these words, placed the Jade Scroll close to his forehead, just as Gu Yun had described. Indeed, there was a prohibitive force within, obstructing descendants from investigating. Yet this prohibitive force was not very strong; with a slight surge of True Intent, Gu Qingfeng shattered the constraint completely. As the constraint dissolved, A torrent of information emerged. Despite Gu Qingfeng''s level of cultivation, it took him some time to finally quell the overwhelming influx of information. Afterwards, He looked towards Gu Yun and said, "I shall ponder over the contents herein, you may return for now." While speaking, Gu Qingfeng handed the Green Feather Sword back to Gu Yun, whereas the Jade Scroll he held had crumbled completely into powder. "Disciple shall take leave!" Recognizing that Gu Qingfeng must have obtained something from the Jade Scroll, Gu Yun refrained from asking further and respectfully departed with the wooden box containing the Green Feather Sword. Once Gu Yun had left, Gu Qingfeng sat cross-legged under the jujube tree and began to slowly digest the sudden surge of information. Time ticked away. Gu Qingfeng remained seated, motionless, save for the thick Dao Rhythm manifesting around him, enveloping the entire courtyard. This Dao Rhythm transformed the courtyard into a forbidden area, with even a Great Grandmaster struggling to truly intrude. The vast courtyard, Now returned to tranquility. Only the jujube tree swayed with the wind, exuding a subtle divine rhythm. One day! Two days! ... In the blink of an eye, Three days had passed. Throughout these three days, Gu Yun had visited more than once, but found that the place was already covered by a powerful True Intent Dao Rhythm. Even as a Great Grandmaster himself, he dared not truly step foot within. Each time Gu Yun contemplated entering, he felt a premonition in his heart, as if crossing that threshold would result in a catastrophic strike. Such a change Naturally prevented Gu Yun from acting recklessly. At the same time, He forbade anyone else from the Divine Martial Sect from carelessly stepping half a foot into the back mountain, so as not to disturb Gu Qingfeng. Upon stirring from his meditation, Gu Qingfeng''s eyes snapped open, flashing briefly with brilliance before returning to calm. "So that''s it!" "This is the legacy left behind by the Martial Ancestor!" Chapter 260 218: Ancient Desolate World, Soaring Realm! Divine Sun Sacred Land! Saint Inheritance! From the information within the Jade Scroll, Gu Qingfeng had finally understood the origin of the Martial Ancestor. The other party was named Murong Xiu, who was a True Disciple of a power known as the Divine Sun Sacred Land. As for the Divine Sun Sacred Land, it originated from the Ancient Desolate World. This so-called Ancient Desolate World was indeed the Nine States under their feet. To be precise, a corner of the Ancient Desolate World was the Nine States. Just as Gu Qingfeng had originally guessed, beyond the Nine States lay broader heavens and earth. The Nine States, along with other places, were collectively called the Ancient Desolate World. Divine Sun Sacred Land, was a major power within the Ancient Desolate World. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also understood what realm lay above that of the Great Grandmaster. Divine Transformation! Dao Palace! Saint! These three realms above the Great Grandmaster. The Divine Transformation Realm was divided into Nine Layers, and stepping into this realm, one''s blood could transform again, possessing myriad mystical abilities, such as regenerating limbs effortlessly. At his peak, Murong Xiu was a formidable being at the pinnacle of Divine Transformation Nine Layers, just one step away from stepping into the rumored Daoist Palace Realm. Back then, Murong Xiu accidentally obtained the Saint Inheritance in a certain Ancient Secret Realm, and later this news inadvertently leaked, affecting the entire Divine Sun Sacred Land. Though the Divine Sun Sacred Land was not weak and had a Daoist Palace Realm expert at its peak, regrettably, the Divine Sun Sacred Land had already declined. The strongest in the great Holy Land were just a cultivator who was half-step into the Daoist Palace Realm. Therefore, the Divine Sun Sacred Land was destroyed. Murong Xiu himself had also been severely injured. However, he managed to escape the chaotic battles by relying on his own trump cards and eventually crossed the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to enter the Nine States. Upon entering the Nine States, Murong Xiu found the Martial Arts here to be primitive and thus temporarily settled here, hoping to recover from his injuries, comprehend the Saint Inheritance, and one day return to avenge the Divine Sun Sacred Land. Unfortunately, Murong Xiu underestimated the severity of his injuries. Such injuries not only made self-healing difficult for him but also greatly reduced his lifespan. For this reason, Murong Xiu founded the Divine Martial Sect, and seeing the weakness of the Martial Arts in this world, he casually passed down some cultivation techniques. However, these cultivation techniques were merely some common cultivation techniques he obtained in the past and were not the true inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land. What remained in this Jade Scroll was the inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land. He did this also because Murong Xiu had his own considerations. After all, since the Divine Sun Sacred Land was destroyed and he was pursued, rashly passing down the inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land might expose his whereabouts. Hence, Murong Xiu kept the inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land and his own acquired Saint Inheritance all within the Jade Scroll, waiting until a true powerful being emerged from the Divine Martial Sect who could then break the seal on the Jade Scroll and inherit his legacy. The reason he set the seal at the True Intent Grandmaster level was because the spiritual energy of Nine States was relatively weak, and it was difficult for someone to cultivate up to the Grandmaster level. If someone could break through the True Intent Grandmaster level in such a place, once they left the Nine States and stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm, it would be a certainty, and even advancing further to prove the Dao Palace was also not impossible. On the contrary, if the inheritance fell into the hands of an ordinary cultivator, it would be a real waste. Indeed, it''s the cultivators! In the Ancient Desolate World, Martial Artists have a unified title, and that is cultivators. Currently, in Gu Qingfeng''s mind, he possessed two inheritances. One known as the Divine Sun Scripture! And one known as the Ancient Heavenly Blade! The former was the inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land, while the latter was the Saint Inheritance obtained by Murong Xiu. As the inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land, the Divine Sun Scripture directly pointed to the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace, a supreme technique. As for the Ancient Heavenly Blade, it was a technique touching upon the Sixth Layer of the Saint. Divine Transformation Nine Layers! Dao Palace Nine Layers! Saint Nine Layers! Each of these three realms is divided into Nine Heavenly Layers. Though the Divine Sun Scripture was not as powerful as the Ancient Heavenly Blade, as a supreme technique directly pointing to the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace, it was naturally extraordinary. "Divine Transformation Nine Heavens, I wonder at which layer of Divine Transformation my true power belongs now?" "The world is indeed vast, far more than just the mere Nine States!" Gu Qingfeng truly felt the vastness of the world, and it was more than just a fraction of land that is the Nine States. At the same time, from the Divine Sun Scripture and from the information left by Murong Xiu, Gu Qingfeng also indirectly understood something. That is, the current Martial Arts of Nine States are not incomplete Martial Arts. Rather, it''s because such Martial Arts are of low grade. In the Ancient Desolate World, there are ordinary inheritances, similar to the current inheritances of Nine States, and there are powerful inheritances that can lay a perfect foundation. Whether the foundation is perfect or not not only affects the depth of power but also affects lifespan. Leaving aside the former for the moment, regarding lifespan, as long as one steps into the Divine Transformation Realm, the discrepancy can be bridged. Regardless of the foundation of the cultivator, as long as they can break through the Divine Transformation Realm, they can gain a lifespan of five thousand years. Hence, even if one practices an ordinary inheritance, living only about eight hundred years in the Grandmaster Realm, breaking through the Divine Transformation Realm can suddenly grant a lifespan of five thousand years. However¡ª In the current Nine States, breakthroughs to the Grandmaster level are extremely difficult, let alone to the Divine Transformation Realm. Thus, for countless ages. No cultivator from Nine States has broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm. The reason for this involves both the lack of inheritance and the difficult nature of breaking through the Divine Transformation Realm. Of course, if the Nine States truly had the cultivation techniques of the Divine Transformation Realm passed down, perhaps true powerful beings could step into this realm. Chapter 261: 218: Ancient Desolate World, Rapidly Rising Realm!_2 Chapter 261: Chapter 218: Ancient Desolate World, Rapidly Rising Realm!_2 After all, over the years, the Nine States have seen some truly exceptional talents who have reached the pinnacle of being a Great Grandmaster because of their innate abilities. But due to the lack of guidance, they could not truly make a breakthrough. Those who genuinely seek to forge their own path are, after all, a very small minority. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng turned his attention back to the Divine Sun Scripture in his mind. The Divine Sun Scripture is divided into five chapters. Refining Body Chapter! Master Chapter! Grandmaster Chapter! Divine Transformation Chapter! Dao Palace Chapter! Each chapter corresponds to a realm. As Gu Qingfeng had originally thought, the five levels from Refining Skin to Refining Organ can all be considered as a single realm, which he collectively referred to as the Refining Body Realm. Now the Divine Sun Scripture did just that. Among them, the Refining Body Chapter is divided into five layers, corresponding to five realms. The Master and Grandmaster Chapters are divided into four layers, corresponding to four realms. Finally, the Divine Transformation and Dao Palace Chapters are divided into nine layers, directly pointing to the Divine Transformation Nine Heavens and Dao Palace Nine Heavens. It is worth mentioning that the Refining Body Chapter of the Divine Sun Scripture involves the aspect of Perfect Body Refining. In terms of its profound complexity, it is not at all inferior to the Longevity Skills that Gu Qingfeng had originally created. ¡°If I had obtained the Divine Sun Scripture earlier, why would I have wasted so much time creating the Longevity Skills!¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head. To create the Longevity Skills, he had spent a great deal of effort. And now, upon a glance, the Divine Sun Scripture contained the method for Perfect Body Refining. This indirectly highlighted the power of the Divine Sun Scripture. Among cultivators who were at the same level of the five Refining Body Realms, practicing a top-tier cultivation technique like the Divine Sun Scripture would naturally be far stronger than practicing ordinary techniques. Not only that. Even the cultivation techniques for the Master Chapter and Grandmaster Chapter in the Divine Sun Scripture were far more powerful than the current Master¡¯s Ultimate Skill and Grandmaster¡¯s Ultimate Skill that are circulated in the Nine States. Then came the Ancient Heavenly Blade. Such an inheritance pertaining to the Saint Realm, even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current realm, is difficult to comprehend much. It is evident that the inheritance of the Saint Realm is indeed unfathomably profound. ¡°The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture and the Divine Sun Scripture are both inheritances of the Divine Sun Sacred Land, while the Ancient Heavenly Blade is a Saint Inheritance. Although the latter is not a cultivation technique, if I can successfully practice such an ultimate skill, my strength could be elevated to a terrifying extent.¡± ¡°From the information left by Murong Xiu, it can be seen that saints are rare in the Ancient Desolate World these days; one who has entered Divine Transformation is already capable of holding sway over a region, and entering the Daoist Palace Realm grants the qualification to establish a great teaching. If one can reach the peak of the Daoist Palace Nine Heavens and step into what is called the Semi-Saint state, they might even be able to establish a Holy Land.¡± ¡°Normally speaking, only a Saint can establish a Holy Land, but as Saints become rarer, being a Semi-Saint is also barely qualified to establish a Holy Land!¡± The information left by Murong Xiu surfaced in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind, all of it pertaining to many aspects of the Ancient Desolate World. After all, Murong Xiu was well aware that the cultivators in the Nine States would not know much about the Ancient Desolate World. If someone carrying the inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land rashly left the Nine States and revealed their identity, they might very well die on the spot. Leaving behind the inheritance, Murong Xiu naturally hoped that someone could revive the Divine Sun Sacred Land. Therefore, he had left behind all the information he was aware of in the Jade Scroll. However, it is unlikely that Murong Xiu himself could have anticipated how disappointing his Divine Martial Sect would become. Over tens of thousands of years, not even one True Intent Grandmaster had emerged. If this trend continued in the Divine Martial Sect, and their inheritance persisted another thousand years without Gu Qingfeng¡¯s appearance, it is likely they would be extinguished by other powers. In that case, who knows into whose hands Murong Xiu¡¯s inheritance might fall. ¡°I cannot revival the Divine Sun Sacred Land, but I will not let such an inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land come to an end. If someone from the Divine Martial Sect can succeed in cultivation there might be a chance to fulfill your wishes!¡± Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself. No matter what, he had received Murong Xiu¡¯s inheritance and thus owed him a favor. Gu Qingfeng, with the Divine Sun Scripture in hand, did not plan to keep this cultivation method to himself. Within the vast Divine Martial Sect, the only one worthy of passing down the Divine Sun Scripture was Gu Yun. Just in time, Gu Yun had made a breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm. By passing the Divine Sun Scripture onto him, there might be a chance, even if slim, for him to possibly rejuvenate the Divine Sun Sacred Land. Although the probability was very small, it indeed existed. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng set his sights on the Divine Sun Scripture and, with a thought, began to practice this ultimate skill. ... He consumed one Upgrade Point. The Divine Sun Scripture broke through to the first level of the Refining Body Chapter. He consumed two Upgrade Points. The Divine Sun Scripture broke through to the second level of the Refining Body Chapter. ... He consumed twenty Upgrade Points. The Divine Sun Scripture broke through to the fifth level of the Refining Body Chapter. He consumed fifty Upgrade Points. The Divine Sun Scripture broke through to the first level of the Master Chapter. ... With a large number of Upgrade Points used, his previously Beginner-level Divine Sun Scripture accelerated in progress at a visible rate. With the advancement of the Divine Sun Scripture, a wealth of information also emerged in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. At the same time, the aura emanating from his body became increasingly terrifying. Master Chapter! Grandmaster Chapter! ... In less than a moment, Gu Qingfeng had practiced the Divine Sun Scripture up to the point of Perfection in the Grandmaster Chapter. Without pausing, he continued to advance further. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± When the Divine Sun Scripture entered the Divine Transformation Chapter, an immense and horrifying aura suddenly burst forth from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body. This terrifying presence seemed to suppress the eternal void, covering the entire courtyard with a fearsome power. Chapter 262: 218: Ancient Desolate World, Soaring Realms!_3 Chapter 262: Chapter 218: Ancient Desolate World, Soaring Realms!_3 ¡°` The jujube tree at the side trembled slightly, as if it were cheering joyously, or perhaps trembling in fear of something. Gu Yun, who had been waiting outside the courtyard, turned pale with fright the moment he sensed this terrifying aura. His own realm as a Great Grandmaster now seemed as insignificant as an ant. His blood quivered. Gu Yun looked horrified, a difficult-to-describe throb in his heart. ¡°Has Master Gu made another breakthrough in his cultivation?¡± ¡°What terrifying aura this is, to what realm has Master Gu stepped into?!¡± Gu Yun was astonished. But he dared not intrude. Not just because the courtyard was now covered by a frightening power that would annihilate anyone who dared to trespass on the spot. But also because Gu Yun was afraid of disturbing the other¡¯s breakthrough. ... Divine Transformation First Level! Divine Transformation Second Level! Divine Transformation Third Level! ... The aura emanating from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body climbed steadily; his ascension seemed to have no end. In an instant, The Divine Transformation Chapter of the Divine Sun Scripture was completely mastered. Then, Gu Qingfeng ascended once again. In a flash, He only felt a terrifying surge of blood strength converging in his dantian, as if something was being nurtured there, and a mysterious power spread out from his body. It quickly burst forth from the courtyard, soon enveloping the entire Divine Martial Sect. After a long while, This change dissipated. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and then glanced at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 51/6000 Realm: Dao Palace Realm First Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter First Level), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Not Entered) Upgrade Points: 1294 ... The attribute panel now looked completely different, with many previously listed cultivation techniques and martial arts having vanished, only a select few retained. Then. The traits behind them vanished as well. The grand panel. It had become much tidier. But Gu Qingfeng understood. The disappearance of traits was merely superficial; his strength had not waned in the slightest. ¡°It seems now that lower-rank martial arts I cultivate will no longer appear on the attribute panel, only those of at least Divine Transformation Realm can be displayed.¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered to himself. This had little effect on him. Whether they were displayed on the attribute panel or not did not affect his mastery of these supreme techniques. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng observed his own changes. After continuous upgrades, his cultivation had broken through all previous limits and even surpassed the limit of the Martial Ancestor, stepping into the legendary Dao Palace Realm. Having undergone the nine layers of metamorphosis in the Divine Transformation Realm and then the breakthrough into the Dao Palace Realm, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s blood strength had reached a level beyond imagination. If he were to face his former self, Gu Qingfeng thought that he only needed one finger to annihilate his past self. Such was the power of the Dao Palace Realm. At the same time, After breaking through to the Dao Palace Realm, Gu Qingfeng had also opened up the Dan Tian Dao Palace and cultivated his Primordial Spirit. The former existence, involved the power at the spiritual level. Without breaking through to the Dao Palace Realm, cultivators couldn¡¯t truly harness the power of Primordial Spirit, only relying on comprehending True Intent to enhance their spiritual power. If one¡¯s spiritual power was not strong enough, it was impossible to be an opponent of a Dao Palace Realm Cultivator. Normally, For the Dao Palace Realm to suppress the Divine Transformation Realm was a matter of ease. This level of gap, was even greater than the so-called gap between a Master and a Great Grandmaster, or even from a Great Grandmaster to the Divine Transformation Realm. ¡°However...¡± ¡°According to the records of the Divine Sun Scripture, a normal newly-advanced cultivator of the Dao Palace Realm First Layer should form a Primordial Spirit of only an inch in size, but my Primordial Spirit is now a full five inches, making it several times stronger than that of a typical Dao Palace Realm First Layer cultivator just breaking through.¡± Gu Qingfeng observed himself internally and saw that a Dao Palace had been opened within his dantian, and sitting within the Dao Palace was a five-inch-tall Primordial Spirit in the lotus position. Upon a closer look, one would find that this five-inch Primordial Spirit bore an uncanny resemblance to Gu Qingfeng himself. Five-inch Primordial Spirit. Gu Qingfeng suspected that the reason he could cultivate such a Primordial Spirit was largely due to his comprehension of many True Intents. After all, comprehending True Intent is tantamount to an indirect increase in spiritual power. Cultivating Primordial Spirit. Is also a manifestation of spiritual power. Thus, When Gu Qingfeng broke through to the Dao Palace Realm, he had cultivated a five-inch Primordial Spirit. Next, Gu Qingfeng broke his own little finger on his right hand, and blood spilled out. Within a few breaths, the bleeding stopped and buds of flesh appeared. Shortly thereafter, a new finger was formed. As the finger regenerated, Gu Qingfeng also felt a slight weakness throughout his body. However, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t pay much attention to this feeling of weakness; his face was unable to hide his smile. ¡°Limb regeneration!¡± ¡°It seems the rumors are true¡ª¡± Cultivators of the Divine Transformation Realm can indeed regenerate limbs, but ordinary cultivators at that stage cannot so easily regenerate a severed finger like that. After all, Gu Qingfeng had broken through the barriers of the Divine Transformation Realm and ascended to the level of the Dao Palace Realm. However, Regenerating limbs may be beneficial, but the consumption is no small matter. Regenerating a finger has such an effect, but if one were to lose an arm or suffer a more severe injury, even if one wanted to regenerate the limb, it would not be so straightforward. ¡°` Chapter 263: 218: Ancient Desolate World, Skyrocketing Realm!_4 Chapter 263: Chapter 218: Ancient Desolate World, Skyrocketing Realm!_4 These matters, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t further attempt. Knowing he could regenerate severed limbs was enough; further verification was unnecessary. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng looked at his severed finger before him, which still harbored a surging life essence and was filled with a not insignificant pressure. Even relying on the power of this severed finger was enough to suppress a common Divine Transformation Realm cultivator. This also indirectly demonstrated the strength of a Daoist Palace Realm cultivator. A severed finger, was able to suppress Divine Transformation. This reminded Gu Qingfeng of the severed finger he had obtained from the Evil Spirit of Blood Mountain Mansion. Yet even now, according to Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current perspective, that severed finger remained unfathomable, and while his own severed finger also held considerable strength, if not preserved with the special characteristics of a Secret Technique, over time, the power within the severed finger would also be exhausted. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng took out a Jade Bottle and placed the severed finger inside, to see if it could be of some use in the future. Then, Gu Qingfeng looked towards the jujube tree beside him. These past few days, he had been cultivating under this jujube tree and in one go had broken through to the Ninth Layer of Divine Transformation and stepped into the Daoist Palace Realm, which also imparted the tree with even more mysterious aura. On top of that, the drops of fresh blood from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s wound had been quietly absorbed by the tree, significantly increasing its spiritual nature. In this way, it would not take long for the jujube tree to genuinely cultivate Spiritual Wisdom. ¡°This time, it seems you have found an opportunity. But it¡¯s also good; I obtained the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture from you, and now you have gained an opportunity through me, the cause and effect are thus settled!¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled lightly. Hearing his words, the branches and leaves of the jujube tree rustled as if expressing gratitude or conveying something. In response, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t pay too much attention, redirecting his focus back to his attribute panel. The rest of him, had over one thousand two hundred Upgrade Points remaining. Each level in the Daoist Palace Realm required five hundred Upgrade Points to advance. If all were used to enhance the Divine Sun Scripture, he could break through to the Third Level of the Daoist Palace Realm. But¡ª Gu Qingfeng looked towards the Ancient Heavenly Blade. This Saint Inheritance was also something he desired. ¡°According to the records of the Divine Sun Scripture, even in the Daoist Palace Realm, it¡¯s important to refine the foundation. The strength of the Primordial Spirit is related to whether one can break through to the Saint Realm in the future.¡± ¡°Only by tempering the Primordial Spirit to the limit is it best to advance the Cultivation Realm.¡± ¡°My current five-inch Primordial Spirit is much stronger than other Daoist Palace Realm cultivators at the First Level, but it has not yet reached the true limit.¡± ¡°In that case, there¡¯s no need for me to rush to break through to the Second Level of the Daoist Palace just yet. First, I¡¯ll temper my Primordial Spirit to the current realm¡¯s limit and then break through; there¡¯s no harm in waiting!¡± Gu Qingfeng had a plan in mind. The simplest way to temper the Primordial Spirit was to comprehend sufficiently powerful True Intent. Such as the absolute techniques from the Saint Realm; once one enters the Beginner level, the True Intent one can master must be extremely powerful. However, when Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thoughts landed on the Ancient Heavenly Blade, he shook his head. ¡°Two thousand Upgrade Points!¡± ¡°To enhance the Ancient Heavenly Blade, I can only wait until later!¡± Gu Qingfeng knew the power of the Saint Realm Inheritance and imagined that the needed Upgrade Points for such Martial Arts wouldn¡¯t be low. But the entry requirement alone was two thousand Upgrade Points, which made Gu Qingfeng hesitant. Currently, he had less than one thousand three hundred Upgrade Points on hand; if he wanted to enhance the Ancient Heavenly Blade, he would have to accumulate more. Even so, this trip to the Divine Martial Sect had left Gu Qingfeng immensely satisfied. He had broken through his cultivation, directly overcoming several major realm barriers and entering the Daoist Palace Realm that surpassed even Martial Ancestors. Not to mention the significant increase in strength, but his lifespan had also broken through six thousand years. If he hadn¡¯t come to the Divine Martial Sect, even if Gu Qingfeng had mastered several thousand Upgrade Points, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to maximize the benefits of those points. Straightaway, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought moved, and the force covering the courtyard also abruptly dissipated. Chapter 264: 219: Soul Search Chapter 264: Chapter 219: Soul Search ¡°Disciple pays respects to Master Gu!¡± Gu Yun bowed respectfully, his gaze towards Gu Qingfeng filled with veneration. If several days ago, Gu Qingfeng had only given him a strong sense of oppression, then the Gu Qingfeng of today was like an unfathomable abyss. The mere presence of the other party standing there evoked in Gu Yun an urge to kneel in submission. Regarding this, Gu Yun¡¯s heart grew even more reverent. In front of others, he was the highly esteemed Martial Arts Grandmaster, but before Gu Qingfeng, he was truly just a younger generation. ¡°The inheritance left by the Martial Ancestor has been acquired by this seat; however, the inheritance is involved with quite a bit of karma, and if your cultivation is insufficient, you should not reveal it for the time being.¡± After Gu Qingfeng finished speaking, his Divine Thought moved, and a vast stream of information poured directly into Gu Yun¡¯s mind. Opening up the Dao Palace. Consolidating the Primordial Spirit. Teaching the cultivation technique, Gu Qingfeng kept it much simpler. With just a thought, he transmitted everything about the Divine Sun Scripture to Gu Yun. Simultaneously, Gu Qingfeng also passed on a portion of the matters concerning the Divine Sun Sacred Land and other affairs to Gu Yun, but he did not transmit the Saint Inheritance to him. A sea of information emerged, and this time it took Gu Yun even longer to digest than it had taken Gu Qingfeng. Several days later, Gu Yun opened his eyes, with a sense of being as though in a past lifetime, which quickly dissipated. ¡°Divine Sun Sacred Land!¡± ¡°Divine Sun Scripture!¡± ¡°Saint Inheritance¡ª¡± The abundance of information kept the shock in Gu Yun¡¯s heart from settling for a long time. Only now, did he understand just how vast the heavens and earth truly were. He had thought the Nine States was vast, but now it seemed that the Nine States was merely a corner of the Ancient Desolate World. Meanwhile, the profound mysteries of the Divine Sun Scripture made Gu Yun feel as if he was opening his eyes to a whole new world, his previous cultivation of the Divine Martial Sect¡¯s traditions paled in comparison to the Divine Sun Scripture, like a firefly against the bright moon. Gu Qingfeng spoke, ¡°The Saint Inheritance is of significant consequence; even if you were to obtain such inheritance with your current cultivation, it would not bring you any benefit. When the day comes that you can step into the Dao Palace Realm, you can look for this seat, and at that time, this seat will pass on the Saint Inheritance left by Murong Xiu to you!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Yun hastened to say, ¡°Master Gu, passing on the Divine Sun Scripture alone has already filled this disciple with immense satisfaction, I dare not entertain hopes for the Saint Inheritance!¡± In this matter, Gu Yun did not feign insincerity. Simply because the vast Divine Sun Sacred Land was destroyed due to the Saint Inheritance, the great Martial Ancestor had to hide in the Nine States to avoid calamity and suffered severe injuries. An existence that was once hopeful of stepping into the Dao Palace Realm eventually dimmed and passed away. It was apparent, though the Saint Inheritance was desirable, it required enough strength to wield. Without the matching power and foolishly seeking such an inheritance would bring disaster upon oneself. Regarding this, Gu Yun was clearly able to discern. Another point was, Gu Qingfeng had obtained the Divine Sun Scripture and could have chosen not to impart it to him, even erasing the very existence of the Saint Inheritance, but he had told him the truth, and Gu Yun was all the more grateful for it. Now that he had the Divine Sun Scripture, he was very content, and as for anything more, he had no such expectations. ¡°The Divine Martial Sect itself was founded by Murong Xiu, considered an extension of the Divine Sun Sacred Land, and the Divine Sun Scripture should naturally belong to your Divine Martial Sect. It is only right for this seat to pass the Divine Sun Scripture to you. The Saint Inheritance was also obtained by Murong Xiu in the past, equally considered part of the Divine Martial Sect¡¯s traditions. However, such inheritance is not something an ordinary cultivator can wield, and if passed on to you now, it would only harm you.¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head, his expression indifferent. ¡°Furthermore, the matter of Divine Sun Sacred Land is of great importance, and regarding the Divine Sun Scripture, if your cultivation is not enough, this seat suggests that you also refrain from revealing it lightly. After all, the Nine States are also within the bounds of the Ancient Desolate World; who can assure there aren¡¯t other strong existences from the Ancient Desolate World here. If this matter regarding the Saint Inheritance is leaked, it might bring about a catastrophic disaster for the Divine Martial Sect!¡± At the end, Gu Qingfeng cautioned once more. Gu Yun nodded solemnly. ¡°Master Gu¡¯s words, this disciple clearly understands!¡± ¡°That is good.¡± ... Gu Qingfeng stayed in the Divine Martial Sect for another day, then departed. Gu Yun wanted to retain him, but was declined by Gu Qingfeng. Seeing this, he did not insist any further. This time, having received guidance from Gu Qingfeng to successfully enter the realm of Martial Arts Grandmaster, and having been taught the Great Wilderness Fist Scripture as well as the Divine Sun Scripture, Gu Yun also needed time to digest these matters. But one point was crystal clear to Gu Yun¡ª that the Divine Martial Sect was about to flourish. The Great Wilderness Fist Scripture was a supreme technique for the Divine Transformation Realm! The Divine Sun Scripture was a pinnacle inheritance for the Dao Palace Realm! These two items, as long as there were no accidents, were enough to make the Divine Martial Sect emerge as one of the top forces in the Nine States. No¡ª It should be said that it would become the third top force in the Nine States. The first would naturally be the Gu Family Manor with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s presence, the second would be the current Divine Martial Dynasty, and the third would be the Divine Martial Sect. However, that was sufficient. Ten years ago, the Divine Martial Sect had the reputation of being the top sect in the world, yet walked on the verge of extinction at any moment. Today, ten years later, the Divine Martial Sect had a firm foundation to stand on. Even now, facing other Immortal Sect families, Gu Yun was not the least bit afraid. It was said that the Evil Spirit could not die. But that was only because the Martial Arts of the Nine States had been too weak before. With the Divine Sun Scripture at hand, allowing the cultivation of truly top-notch inheritances, even Evil Spirits could be vanquished. Less than two days passed, and Gu Qingfeng had already returned to the Gu Family Manor. When a cultivator entered the Divine Transformation Realm, they could truly soar and when stepping into the Dao Palace Realm, the speed became even more astonishing. Chapter 265: 219: Soul Search_2 Chapter 265: Chapter 219: Soul Search_2 ¡°Manor master!¡± After Gu Qingfeng returned to the Gu Family Manor, Gu Peng was the first to come and pay his respects. Gu Peng had already consumed the Grandmaster Ascension Pill and his cultivation broke through to the peak of the Great Grandmaster level, with the hope of reaching the Divine Transformation Realm. However, with the current fragmented inheritance of Martial Arts in the Nine States, the chance to truly break through to the Divine Transformation Realm was slim. The most likely possibility was that he would remain at the peak of the Great Grandmaster level for his entire life until his lifespan ran out. ¡°Has anything happened during this time?¡± Gu Qingfeng asked. Gu Peng shook his head, ¡°All is well now.¡± ¡°Hmm¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng slightly nodded and after watching Gu Peng for a moment, his Divine Thought moved, sending a surge of tremendous Divine Thought power into Gu Peng¡¯s mind, leaving the latter stunned on the spot. After a long while, Gu Peng finally came to his senses. ¡°Divine Sun Scripture...¡± A look of astonishment, shock, and disbelief covered his face. The information in his mind was regarding a top Martial Art called the Divine Sun Scripture, which was profound and directly pointed to a realm beyond the Great Grandmaster. Until now, Gu Peng had understood. Above the Great Grandmaster was indeed the Divine Transformation Realm. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°I bestow upon you the Divine Sun Scripture, you may cultivate this technique; perhaps one day you can break the limit of the Great Grandmaster and step into the Divine Transformation Realm. But one thing to remember, do not disclose anything about the Divine Sun Scripture, do you understand?¡± With that statement, Gu Peng¡¯s body trembled, fully alert, and after hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, he hurriedly bowed deeply. ¡°Rest assured, manor master, even in death, I will not divulge a single detail!¡± ¡°Mm, you may leave now!¡± Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, dismissing Gu Peng. He had imparted the Divine Sun Scripture to the other mainly because Gu Peng had reached the peak of the Great Grandmaster; hoping he could progress further. Of course, Gu Qingfeng did not impart the complete Divine Sun Scripture, just the cultivation methods up to the first level of Divine Transformation Realm and no more. Given Gu Peng¡¯s talent, it was questionable whether he could break through to the Divine Transformation Realm, let alone go beyond. ¡ª ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has been slightly refined under the guidance of a Great Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ unexpectedly received inheritance from a Divine Transformation Realm expert!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has improved in strength by cultivating a mysterious technique!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has been attacked by fierce beasts *1286!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has been attacked by fierce beasts *369!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was severely injured after being attacked by a powerful fierce beast!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has greatly increased his cultivation after accidentally consuming Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in a mysterious cave, breaking through to the initial stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *50!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ unexpectedly encountered a mysterious expert and was taken as a disciple!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ under the guidance of a mysterious expert, has had his strength enhanced!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has had slight comprehension during cultivation, and her cultivation has improved slightly!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has had slight comprehension during cultivation, and his cultivation has improved slightly!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengan¡¯ has had slight comprehension during cultivation, and his cultivation has improved slightly!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± Inside the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng looked at the information panel, his expression slightly changing. When he saw that Gu Yang had received inheritance from an expert of the Divine Transformation Realm, his heart was somewhat stirred. Knowing that the Nine States was part of the Ancient Desolate World, Gu Qingfeng had thought there might be experts from the Divine Transformation Realm entering the Nine States; the uncommon nature of the Immortal Casting Court also explained a lot. But conjecture was merely conjecture. Now truly seeing Gu Yang receiving inheritance from an expert of the Divine Transformation Realm, he couldn¡¯t help but feel surprised. Divine Transformation Realm inheritance! If not for Gu Qingfeng¡¯s recent visit to the Divine Martial Sect, he wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to come across such an opportunity. But Gu Yang could occasionally come across such opportunities, which showed how formidable his luck was. Originally, Gu Qingfeng wanted to find an opportunity to transmit the Divine Sun Scripture to Gu Yang, but now it seemed that Gu Yang also had his own chances. However¡ª Upon seeing the information about Gu Xuan, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression turned completely somber. At this point, he could determine... Gu Xuan must have entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Otherwise, there wouldn¡¯t be such frequent attacks from fierce beasts. The reason why the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was perilous was that it was connected not only to the Nine States but also to other parts of the Ancient Desolate World. It could be said that, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was essentially a barrier of the Nine States. It was precisely because of the existence of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range that the other areas of the Ancient Desolate World were indirectly isolated from the Nine States. These pieces of information Gu Qingfeng naturally learned from Murong Xiu. The reason Murong Xiu crossed the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, after all, was to utilize its peril to ward off those chasing him. In other words, the dangers within the Ancient Beast Mountain Range could potentially cause the downfall of even those in the Divine Transformation and Dao Palace Realms. ¡°From the information left by Murong Xiu, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the Ancient Desolate World, and it is also one of the many dangerous places of the Ancient Desolate World. The depths of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range might even harbor fierce beasts comparable to those in the Divine Transformation and Dao Palace Realms!¡± Recalling the information Murong Xiu left about the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and understanding its dangers, Gu Qingfeng realized the significant risks of entering it. However, when he saw that Gu Xuan was taken as a disciple by a mysterious expert, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Chapter 266: 219: Soul Search_3 Chapter 266: Chapter 219: Soul Search_3 Mysterious Fighter? A mysterious fighter in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range? ¡°Could it be a cultivator from outside the Nine States?¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. Indeed, if it were a cultivator from the Nine States, it was basically impossible for them to set foot in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. At that moment, Hong Ye, unseen for many days, floated in. Upon seeing her arrival, Gu Qingfeng furrowed his brows, ¡°You¡¯re injured?¡± There appeared nothing amiss with Hong Ye on the surface, but her aura was slightly chaotic, and there was a faint smell of blood. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current level of cultivation, whether she was injured could not be hidden from his observation. ¡°I have failed your high expectations!¡± Hong Ye¡¯s face was filled with shame, a pale hue barely noticeable on her cold, beautiful face. ¡°With your strength as a Great Grandmaster, the only place in the Nine States that could injure you is one. Did you enter the Ancient Beast Mountain Range?¡± Gu Qingfeng only needed to think briefly to understand much. Upon hearing this, Hong Ye gave a bitter smile, ¡°My lord ordered me to contact Soul Stealer to find the whereabouts of the Second Young Master, but according to the Hidden Guard, the Second Young Master was tracking a Martial Artist who practices Evil Skills deep into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Soul Stealer also entered with him.¡± ¡°Upon receiving this news, I naturally entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to look for both of their tracks.¡± ¡°Later on, in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, I discovered the secret signs left by Soul Stealer. Eventually, I found the heavily injured and unconscious Soul Stealer in a cave but did not see any trace of the Second Young Master. I originally wanted to take Soul Stealer out of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range first, but I was attacked by fierce beasts during the departure and got injured because I was no match!¡± As she spoke about the end, Hong Ye¡¯s brows were tightly knit, and a deep wariness flashed through her eyes. Despite her impressive cultivation and comprehension of the ninth level True Intent as a top-notch Great Grandmaster, she had been thwarted by a fierce beast, barely making it out alive from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. This level of fierce beast was also first seen by Hong Ye. She had long heard about the dangers of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, but only now did she truly understand its peril. ¡°How is Soul Stealer now that he¡¯s seriously injured?¡± ¡°The Hidden Guards are currently treating him, and for the moment there are no serious issues, although he¡¯s still unconscious.¡± ¡°Ensure he is given full medical attention, and also have the Hidden Guards gather all information related to Xuan¡¯er¡¯s entrance into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range and hand it over to me!¡± Gu Qingfeng continued, glancing at the dispirited Hong Ye. ¡°You should go and rest as well.¡± ¡°At once, my Lord!¡± Hong Ye bowed and departed. ... A day later, all news regarding Gu Xuan had made its way to Gu Qingfeng, just as Soul Stealer had woken up and relayed all he knew. The situation was simple. None other than Gu Xuan tracking a Martial Artist who practiced Evil Skills into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, with Soul Stealer following closely behind. They encountered an attack from a fierce beast, consequently, Soul Stealer intervened to fend it off and buy time for the former to escape. Subsequently, Soul Stealer was overpowered by the fierce beast, ultimately resulting in severe injuries and unconsciousness. And Gu Xuan, it seemed, was also trapped in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, then a series of events unfolded. Upon figuring out the sequence of events, Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate and headed straight for the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Half a day later, Gu Qingfeng stepped into this treacherous land feared by all cultivators of the Nine States. Upon entering the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, he saw towering trees. He felt as though he was delving deep into a primeval forest, completely isolated from the world, while nature¡¯s spiritual energy also became much richer, not something the outside world could compare to. ¡°No wonder the Ancient Beast Mountain Range breeds so many powerful fierce beasts. With the spiritual energy of this place, nurturing some powerful existences is nothing surprising!¡± Gu Qingfeng remained calm, and at the same time, his Divine Thought spread out, covering a radius of ten miles. In his Divine Thought¡¯s perception, fierce beasts fought, breaking numerous trees, and large amounts of fresh blood soaked the earth, accompanied by roars and bellowing. The next instant, Gu Qingfeng took a step and vanished from the spot. Moments later, he appeared in another place. He saw two fierce beasts laying on the ground, one beast resembling a giant ape, several meters tall, with muscular arms, a green face, and fierce tusks with an aggressive aura rushing towards him. The other fierce beast was down on all fours, covered in scales, resembling an alligator. Both fierce beasts emitted a strong aura, enough to compare with a Great Grandmaster. But at this moment, both fierce beasts were prostrating on the ground, their bodies trembling, their naturally murderous eyes filled with instinctive fear. The powerful aura emanating from Gu Qingfeng, belonging to the Daoist Palace Realm, was tremendously intimidating to the fierce beasts; their instincts to seek fortune and avoid harm kept them from moving at all. Approaching the ape-like fierce beast, Gu Qingfeng placed his palm onto its head, a powerful force of Divine Thought surged in, then he began to forcefully search its soul. In an instant, the fierce beast¡¯s body shook, but Gu Qingfeng¡¯s palm remained unmoved as if it were an unshakeable mountain, preventing any struggle. A flood of information surfaced. All the memories of this fierce beast appeared in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. Originally a regular ape, it had by chance consumed a rare and exotic fruit, then learned to ingest and expel nature¡¯s spiritual energy, stepping onto the path from a common wild beast to a fierce beast. Thereafter, by leveraging its own formidable power, the ape killed other fierce beasts and consumed their flesh and blood, gradually building up its own, eventually becoming an existence comparable to a Great Grandmaste Chapter 267: 219: Soul Search_4 Chapter 267: Chapter 219: Soul Search_4 Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head, then with a flick of his finger, the fierce monkey beast before him suddenly exploded, turning into a cloud of blood mist. Seeing its opponent dead, the beast resembling an alligator grew increasingly terrified. Following the same method, Gu Qingfeng searched the other¡¯s memories but, after sifting through them all, he found nothing about Gu Xuan and thus abandoned the idea of continuing the Soul Search. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng struck out with a palm, granting the fierce beast before him a swift end. He subdued the two fierce beasts. Gu Qingfeng continued to search for other fierce beasts His purpose was simple, to search all the other fierce beasts¡¯ memories and see if he could find any useful information. To other cultivators, once terrifying fierce beasts were now as weak as ants before Gu Qingfeng. One after another, the fierce beasts were forcibly subjected to Soul Search, and then slain right there. These fierce beasts, the weakest among them could match those in the Refining Organ Realm, and there were quite a few comparable to Masters and Great Grandmasters. Even¡ª Gu Qingfeng encountered a fierce beast comparable to the Divine Transformation Realm. Such a level of fierce beasts, if they appeared in the Nine States, could slaughter the entire Nine States. However, even a Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast was no match for Gu Qingfeng. With just one hand, he suppressed it and then forcibly searched its soul. This time, Gu Qingfeng gained some different information. In this Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast¡¯s memory, he saw many cultivators with varying levels of skills, including Masters, Great Grandmasters, and even those in the Divine Transformation Realm. However, most of the cultivators, upon encountering this Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast, became its food. After all, before such a high-level beast, Masters and Great Grandmasters were merely ants. Even more so, a revered figure who had stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm and could regenerate limbs was brutally killed by this beast and ended up as food in its stomach. ¡°These must be cultivators from beyond the Nine States!¡± Gu Qingfeng realized. A Divine Transformation Realm cultivator had never appeared in the Nine States for many thousands of years, and combined with the different attire from the Nine States, he could easily determine their origins. Clearly, though the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was dangerous, the Ancient Desolate World still had many cultivators stepping into it. After all, fierce beasts were often accompanied by opportunities. Like the top Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, if one could consume them, it might be possible to achieve instant enlightenment as a Great Grandmaster or break through to the Divine Transformation Realm. Such opportunities. No wonder they attracted people. However, also due to the multitude of fierce beasts in Ancient Beast Mountain Range blocking the way of these cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World, otherwise, the Nine States might have long been exposed to the powerhouses of the Ancient Desolate World. This Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast had lived for thousands of years, making its memories particularly extensive. Moments later, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression shifted. In the memories of the fierce beast before him, he found a middle-aged cultivator in purple robes, gliding through the air with an exceptionally strong aura, instinctively inciting fear in the Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast. And by the side of the purple-robed cultivator, Gu Qingfeng saw a familiar figure. Gu Xuan! He was sure. The memory he saw was correct. However, concerning the purple-robed cultivator and Gu Xuan, it was only a fleeting glimpse for Gu Qingfeng because facing the formidable purple-robed cultivator, the Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast dared not show itself. After finding the information he wanted, Gu Qingfeng looked at the Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast before him, directly exploded its body with a palm, then a blood-colored orb appeared in his hand. Beast Pill! This was a treasure that only a fierce beast that had reached the Divine Transformation Realm could condense from its body. Chapter 268: 220 Comprehending the Ancient Heavenly Blade Chapter 268: Chapter 220 Comprehending the Ancient Heavenly Blade ¡°Divine Transformation Realm Beast Pill!¡± ¡°If a top-tier master consumes it during their breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm, they will have a greater chance of breaking through!¡± Gu Qingfeng toyed with the Beast Pill in his hand, with bits of related information surfacing in his mind. Murong Xiu had left behind much information, essentially to ensure that people from the Divine Martial Sect, when the day came to break the seal of the Jade Scroll and obtain the inheritance he left, wouldn¡¯t make some common sense mistakes before truly leaving the Nine States for other areas of the Ancient Desolate World. Details about the Beast Pill were among the information present. Fierce Beasts at the Divine Transformation Realm could condense a Beast Pill. But at the same time, if one were to directly ingest a Beast Pill, there is a probability of forcibly assimilating the power within the pill for one¡¯s own use, thereby greatly increasing one¡¯s strength; however, there is also a chance of being backfired upon by the power of the Beast Pill, resulting in self-harm. In severe cases, it¡¯s even possible for the will of the Fierce Beast within the Beast Pill to erode one¡¯s mind, making them more bloodthirsty. After all, a Beast Pill is the essence of a Fierce Beast, naturally filled with the most primitive and violent power. On the contrary, if one could refine the Beast Pill into an elixir, that would be best. However¡ª To refine a Beast Pill into an elixir is not something just anyone can do. At the same time, the flesh and blood of Fierce Beasts also have great use for cultivators. But since each Fierce Beast is quite large, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t be bothered to personally transport them, so he simply killed them on the spot. ¡°Judging from that purple-robed cultivator, he must be one of those so-called mysterious experts.¡± ¡°From the memory of the Divine Transformation Realm Fierce Beast, this person¡¯s strength is at least at the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm and may even have stepped into the Daoist Palace Realm.¡± ¡°Otherwise, just by its aura alone, it wouldn¡¯t cause a Divine Transformation Realm Fierce Beast to not dare to act rashly.¡± The Divine Transformation Realm Fierce Beast that Gu Qingfeng casually killed should be around the third level of Divine Transformation Realm. The fact that an aura alone could deter such a beast indicates that its strength is not weak. However, judging from Gu Xuan¡¯s appearance, he didn¡¯t look coerced, and the prompt on the information panel indicated that Gu Xuan had been taken as a disciple by the other. In this case, this matter could actually be considered a stroke of luck for Gu Xuan. ¡°Well then.¡± ¡°A cultivator who¡¯s likely at the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm probably has a powerful force behind him, and for Xuan¡¯er to become his disciple may not necessarily be a bad thing.¡± Gu Qingfeng glanced at the information panel again and felt relieved. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has received guidance from a Divine Transformation Realm ninth level expert, their strength has improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has received guidance from a Divine Transformation Realm ninth level expert, their strength has improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has gained a better understanding of the Heavenly Blade swordsmanship due to guidance from a Divine Transformation Realm ninth level expert!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has had their physical body cleansed by Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, their foundation has become even more formidable!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... Now, the mysterious expert in the information panel had directly changed to the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm. This makes it clear, the term ¡®mysterious¡¯ only appears when Gu Qingfeng has not encountered the person, and the description would arise. If he were to face the person, their Cultivation Realm would be directly revealed. It¡¯s clear then, as Gu Qingfeng¡¯s own cultivation improved, the information panel had also autonomously optimized itself. Seeing the words ¡°Divine Transformation Realm ninth level¡± undoubtedly confirmed what Gu Qingfeng had been thinking. Even in the Ancient Desolate World, being at the Divine Transformation Realm qualified one as a powerful individual, and the ninth level of Divine Transformation Realm even more so. Don¡¯t look at the fact that Murong Xiu, a formidable ninth level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, was chased until he had to escape to the Nine States for refuge. But in truth, such a situation occurred, entirely because Murong Xiu carried a Saint Inheritance, which attracted the pursuit of many ancient powers. Otherwise, with Murong Xiu¡¯s cultivation at the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm, he wouldn¡¯t have been so destitute in the Ancient Desolate World. What¡¯s more important is, Murong Xiu wasn¡¯t too old when he broke through the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm. If it weren¡¯t for his unexpected severe injury and subsequent death, breaking through to the Dao Palace Realm would have been a certainty for him in the future. Murong Xiu holding sway over the Divine Sun Sacred Land in the future could have possibly restored its former glory. However, there are no ¡®ifs¡¯ in any matter. If one¡¯s strength is lacking, opportunities can often turn into disasters. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng glanced at the depths of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range; it was the direction the purple-robed cultivator and Gu Xuan had left in, but it was already several days ago. Even if he truly pursued them, it would be very difficult to locate them. Another point, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was not so simple. When Gu Qingfeng swept with his Divine Thought earlier, he sensed many formidable presences. With his current cultivation, facing such beings would also pose significant trouble. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng very decisively left. However, as he left, he also casually searched the area and collected all sorts of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which are rare in the Nine States. These items, though not useful to Gu Qingfeng, didn¡¯t mean they were useless to others. And then, Gu Qingfeng encountered two more Divine Transformation Realm Fierce Beasts. One was merely at the fifth level of the Divine Transformation Realm, and the other had stepped into the ninth level, just one step away from entering the Daoist Palace Realm. This encounter made Gu Qingfeng even more wary of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. So, Gu Qingfeng did not want to waste more time in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range and directly used his true power from the Daoist Palace Realm to slap the Divine Transformation Realm ninth level Fierce Beast to death. When Gu Qingfeng left the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, he carried with him a batch of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and three Beast Pills. One from the third level of the Divine Transformation Realm! One from the fifth level! And the last one from the ninth level! ¡ª ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The blade light was sharp and powerful, and the Blade Intent seemed capable of cutting through the void, killing a Fierce Beast that had stepped into the Refining Organ Realm on the spot. Chapter 269: 220 Understanding the Ancient Heavenly Blade_2 Chapter 269: Chapter 220 Understanding the Ancient Heavenly Blade_2 After slaying the fierce beast before him, Gu Xuan¡¯s chest heaved slightly, showing that the effort was not light. Beside him, a cultivator in purple robes nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Not bad, at such a young age you have grasped the fourth level of Blade Intent, and with the cultivation of the Initial Stage of Marrow Cleansing Realm, you even managed to slay a beast of the First Realm of Refining Organ. It seems I have not misjudged you,¡± Fu He became increasingly pleased with Gu Xuan. He had not expected that during his visit to the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, he would encounter such an exceptional talent. With Fu He¡¯s insight, it was clear that Gu Xuan was only about seventeen or eighteen years old, yet his cultivation had already reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm. In Taixu Sacred Land, cultivators who could break through to the Marrow Cleansing Realm at such an age could definitely be called geniuses. Moreover, in his conversation with Gu Xuan, Fu He discovered that the latter came from the other side of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. According to the records of Taixu Sacred Land, that was a barren area known as Nine States, where spiritual energy and other aspects could not compare to the Eastern Domain. Therefore, the value of a genius emerging from such a place was bound to be even higher. Furthermore¡ª When Fu He learned that, at such a young age, Gu Xuan had already grasped the third level of True Intent, he was overjoyed as if he had found a treasure. You see, although one¡¯s Cultivation Realm can be forcibly enhanced by Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, the comprehension of True Intent often depends on one¡¯s own aptitude. The fact that he could grasp the third level of True Intent at such an age demonstrated his extraordinary talent. The fact proved. Fu He¡¯s speculation was not wrong. With his subsequent guidance, Gu Xuan quickly came to grasp the fourth level of True Intent. Such performance. made Fu He extremely satisfied. Such a genius, if brought back to Taixu Sacred Land, would make this trip worthwhile even if there were no other gains. ¡°Master!¡± After slaying the fierce beast, Gu Xuan came to Fu He, curious about this mysterious master. Originally, when he was being chased, it was this master who saved him. Thereafter, following alongside Fu He, Gu Xuan witnessed his terrifying power, as beasts comparable to Masters and even Great Grandmasters were flicked away effortlessly. Even beasts far more formidable than the Great Grandmasters were slain on the spot by him. Such strength. Gu Xuan even saw a resemblance to Gu Qingfeng. That¡¯s why when he offered to take him as a disciple, Gu Xuan agreed so readily. After all, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was fraught with dangers; relying solely on himself might not guarantee survival, but becoming a disciple could offer much more security. ¡°Your blade technique is quite impressive, it has already glimpsed the mysterious nuances of the Divine Transformation. I wonder from whom it was learned?¡± Fu He asked. Hearing this, Gu Xuan hesitated. Seeing his hesitation, Fu He chuckled, ¡°You needn¡¯t worry so much. Taixu Sacred Land is an ancient power in the Eastern Domain, and we lack neither arts that delve into the mysteries of Divine Transformation nor techniques of the Daoist Palace Realm.¡± This statement reassured Gu Xuan. Then, he spoke, ¡°This blade technique was created by my father.¡± ¡°Created by your father!¡± Fu He appeared surprised. ¡°Unexpected that in a barren land like Nine States, there are still strong individuals capable of creating martial arts of the Divine Transformation Realm. It seems your father¡¯s cultivation is also formidable.¡± Just then, two terrifying auras suddenly erupted. Immediately afterward, two powerful figures flew through the air and disappeared from sight within moments. ¡°Master, may I ask what level of being...¡± Gu Xuan¡¯s face showed shock. In those two auras, he sensed a deep despair, as though such beings could obliterate him with a mere glance. ¡°Dao Palace!¡± Fu He¡¯s expression became extremely solemn, and upon hearing Gu Xuan¡¯s question, he uttered two words. ¡°Dao Palace!¡± Gu Xuan heard this term from Fu He for the second time. As if seeing the confusion in Gu Xuan, Fu He explained, ¡°When Saints do not emerge, beings of the Daoist Palace Realm are the top powerhouses in the Ancient Desolate World, each capable of dominating a territory. Even in Taixu Sacred Land, those who truly reach the Daoist Palace Realm are few.¡± Having said this, Fu He¡¯s face showed reverence, aspiration, and pride. The Daoist Palace Realm is powerful, but Taixu Sacred Land is not limited to a single Daoist Palace Realm powerhouse. Fu He had always aimed to break into the Daoist Palace Realm, but unfortunately, it is not easy for ordinary people to achieve this step. Even though he had reached the nine layers of the Divine Transformation Realm, he was just one step short of the Daoist Palace Realm, but taking that step required the right opportunity. In Taixu Sacred Land, many cultivators at the nine layers of Divine Transformation Realm had exhausted their lifespans without being able to break the shackles of Divine Transformation and step into the Daoist Palace Realm. ¡°There are so many powerful individuals entering the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. It appears the rumors are true, and that opportunity might indeed be within Nine States!¡± Fu He murmured to himself. Hearing his words, Gu Xuan¡¯s expression once again changed. ¡°Master, what does this opportunity have to do with Nine States?¡± As soon as he uttered these words, he instinctively had a bad feeling. Fu He looked at Gu Xuan and chose not to hide anything: ¡°Legend has it that thousands of years ago, the Divine Sun Sacred Land of the Eastern Domain had obtained a Saint Inheritance and later attracted attacks from various forces. Eventually, the Divine Sun Sacred Land was destroyed, but one True Disciple survived, carrying the inheritance of Divine Sun Sacred Land and Saint Inheritance, disappearing without a trace.¡± ¡°Since then, all forces have been searching for their whereabouts.¡± ¡°Until a few years ago, rumors emerged that that person might be hiding in Nine States, prompting many powerful individuals to enter the Ancient Beast Mountain Range in hopes of finding traces of Nine States.¡± Chapter 270: 220 Contemplating the Ancient Heavenly Blade_3 Chapter 270: Chapter 220 Contemplating the Ancient Heavenly Blade_3 ¡°It¡¯s a pity that the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is vast, and with numerous fierce beasts, no one has truly been able to traverse it and find the location of the Nine States over the years.¡± Fu He didn¡¯t ask Gu Xuan for the location of the Nine States, simply because the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was extremely easy to get lost in; even if someone came from the Nine States, they would no longer be able to find their way back now. On the other hand, Upon hearing Fu He¡¯s words, a sinking feeling had already settled in Gu Xuan¡¯s heart. He was not aware of the Saint Inheritance matter, nor had he heard of the Divine Sun Sacred Land, but one thing Gu Xuan understood most clearly. That once these strong practitioners from the Eastern Domain set foot in the Nine States, it would certainly cause serious trouble. The law of the survival of the fittest, How could Gu Xuan not understand? Even though he had always stayed at the Gu Family Manor, he was very familiar with these matters. If the Nine States had a power that could deter all parties, that would be one thing; if not, they were likely to be a soft target for anyone to squeeze. Unfortunately, Gu Yang had already established the Divine Martial Dynasty. Now, the Nine States were regarded with the Divine Martial Dynasty as the supreme authority. If the strong practitioners from the Eastern Domain really entered the Nine States, whether or not they came for the Gu Family, the Divine Martial Dynasty would be the first to bear the brunt. After hearing Fu He¡¯s words and understanding the situation in the Eastern Domain, Gu Xuan realized that even his own father was probably just a practitioner who had stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm. Given Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, facing these strong practitioners from the Eastern Domain, one could imagine the consequences. ¡°I beg my master to save the Gu Family!¡± The very first thing Gu Xuan did was to bow deeply to Fu He with a sincere expression. Fu He¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed again, and he softly said with a smile, ¡°You can rest assured, even if the Eastern Domain practitioners really do enter the Nine States, they are not necessarily going to wreak havoc wantonly.¡± However, Gu Xuan still maintained his bowing posture. Seeing this, Fu He¡¯s expression became serious as he spoke, ¡°So be it, as you are a disciple of Taixu Sacred Land, I naturally will not sit by and watch your family suffer a disaster. My Taixu Sacred Land also has some reputation in the Eastern Domain, I believe they will give me some face. However, the immediate priority is still to find the location of the Nine States first.¡± Fu He had no interest in the Saint Inheritance, not because he was untempted, but because he knew his own strength; even if he obtained the Saint Inheritance, it would be difficult to keep it. The reputation of Taixu Sacred Land might be strong, but in front of the Saint Inheritance, it would hardly deter other powers. Unless, He could bring the inheritance back to Taixu Sacred Land alive. But to Fu He, this seemed a remote possibility. This time, due to the Saint Inheritance, even the powerful ones in the Taoist Palace Realm were stirred. With him being a mere nine-layer practitioner in the Divine Transformation Realm, thinking of leaving with the Saint Inheritance under the watchful eyes of so many powerful beings was simply a pipe dream. More importantly, It wasn¡¯t just the Saint Inheritance that had attracted attention, but also the inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land itself. After all, although the Divine Sun Sacred Land had been destroyed, it could not be denied that it was once strong, and the inheritances held by such forces were naturally extraordinary. Originally, Fu Zhao had planned to meddle in this matter. But now that Gu Xuan had spoken, he could only agree. ¡ª¡ª Guangyang Prefecture. Gu Family Manor. Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng was currently in retreat, comprehending the mysteries of the Ancient Heavenly Blade. One could see the formidable aura emanating from his body, with the energy of blood and qi spreading out, as if it embodied the many forms of heaven and earth. It was as though a peerless body traversed the river of time, and as if there was an ancient Blade Intent from the barbaric era lurking within. All sorts of auras were intertwined, covering the entire Grinding Blade Hall. Many Divine Weapons, including the Evil Slayer Blade, trembled lightly. They innately feared such Blade Intent, yet there was also an ineffable joy. On the other side, A small black banner was trembling nervously, with the remaining spirits inside showing an expression of horror as if they witnessed something terrifying. In the presence of such Blade Intent, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner¡¯s strangeness had completely lost its former ferocity, as if there was a Divine Blade hanging above its head, ready to fall at any moment. However, Gu Qingfeng had long since stopped concerning himself with the outside world. Now, he was entirely focused on the Ancient Heavenly Blade. The Saint Inheritance obtained by Murong Xiu from the secret realm could only be described as profound and inscrutable. The moment Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought entered, a horrifying and ancient Blade Intent emerged. In his eyes, it was as if he traveled backward through the river of time, returning to the barbaric olden days where an invincible Saint, wielding a Divine Blade, battled against the heavens and severed the eternal sky. Even though it was just a faint shadow, it still caused palpitations. If Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t opened his Dao Palace and condensed his Primordial Spirit by now, he wouldn¡¯t even have the qualifications to directly comprehend such a profound path. As he contemplated the Ancient Heavenly Blade, An ancient aura also emerged within Gu Qingfeng¡¯s flesh. This power, Turned out to come from the Ancient Immortal Body. Even though the aura of the Ancient Heavenly Blade was extremely old, compared to the existence of the Ancient Immortal Body, it still seemed lacking. As the bloodline power of the Ancient Immortal Body manifested, what was originally arcane and difficult to understand in the divine charm of the path, now became much simpler. For a moment, All sorts of insights surged in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. ¡ª¡ª Understand! Comprehend with all his might! Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t expected, That his Ancient Immortal Body could bring about such marvelous uses. Even when comprehending a Saint¡¯s ultimate art, the Ancient Immortal Body would offer assistance. The previously abstruse and nearly impossible Ancient Heavenly Blade to begin comprehending now became much easier to understand. Grasping this change, Gu Qingfeng naturally seized the opportunity to master the mysteries of the Ancient Heavenly Blade as much as possible. Saint ultimate arts! Chapter 271: 220 Contemplating the Ancient Heavenly Blade_4 Chapter 271: Chapter 220 Contemplating the Ancient Heavenly Blade_4 Even mastering a fraction of its essence could significantly increase one¡¯s own power. Having received the information left behind by Murong Xiu, Gu Qingfeng had realized that beyond the heavens were other heavens, and the Ancient Desolate World teemed with powerful beings; even reaching the Daoist Palace Realm did not guarantee one could act with impunity. Another point. The issue with Divine Sun Sacred Land was always a hidden threat. The inheritance of the Saint was enticing. Although Murong Xiu had passed away ten thousand years ago, and the Saint¡¯s inheritance had fallen into his hands, Gu Qingfeng viewed it as a ticking time bomb. Who could guarantee that the forces that had obliterated Divine Sun Sacred Land and forced Murong Xiu to flee to the Nine States to barely survive would not discover his whereabouts hidden within the Nine States? Even though the probability was small, it was something that couldn¡¯t be completely ignored. Thus, Gu Qingfeng was intent on boosting his strength as much as possible. Daoist Palace Nine Layers! Saint Nine Layers! It was evident that the waters of the Ancient Desolate World ran extraordinarily deep. ... ¡°Your Majesty,¡± began the minister, ¡°news has come from Tianxiong Pass that fierce beasts have erupted from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range causing havoc and claiming many lives of the common people!¡± In the courtroom, a minister spoke with a grave voice. Hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s expression was cold, ¡°Shi Zhen!¡± ¡°At your service!¡± ¡°I command you to lead the Heavenly Gang Army to Tianxiong Pass immediately and suppress the fierce beasts!¡± ¡°Your servant obeys the decree!¡± Shi Zhen accepted the command with a serious demeanor. That fierce beasts roamed the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was well known, but Shi Zhen harbored no fear. After all, times had changed. Now, He had reached the pinnacle of a Great Grandmaster in his cultivation. Moreover, the capabilities of the Heavenly Gang Army under his command had also improved to varying extents, and the original Heavenly Gang Divine Slaughter formation had made significant advancements. With this, Even if he faced a being from the Divinity Realm, Shi Zhen believed he stood a chance in battle. Seeing Shi Zhen accept the command and retreat, Gu Yang looked at his other ministers and said, ¡°Recently, there have been frequent news from the Nine States of fierce beasts causing troubles, something might have changed at the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Issue my command, let people investigate as much as possible the situation in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and see what has caused the disturbance among the fierce beasts. Whoever unravels this information will be handsomely rewarded.¡± ¡°Whoever clears up this matter will be awarded ten thousand taels of silver and bestowed with a Grandmaster¡¯s Ultimate Skill!¡± With these words, The courtiers were all deeply moved. Ten thousand taels of silver! They might be indifferent to it. But the Grandmaster¡¯s Ultimate Skill, that was different. Such a level of Martial Arts, even in the court, could provoke immense desire in most. In today¡¯s world where Martial Arts were increasingly practiced, to enter the court as an official, one must possess a certain level of cultivation. Similarly, This was also Gu Yang¡¯s standard for selecting officials. Without any cultivation at all, there was simply no qualification to serve as an official in the court. Ability! Cultivation! Both were indispensable. After all, in todays world, even regular civilians with real talent and capability were hardly able to protect themselves; after all, eliminating a mere mortal was all too easy. Watching the expressions of the people below, Gu Yang paused and then said, ¡°Previously, Evil Spirits caused chaos and strange calamities, a consequence of the former dynasty¡¯s inaction and the weakness of the people. Therefore, I plan to follow in the footsteps of the Martial Ancestor from ten thousand years ago, establish academies across the Nine States, and impart Martial Arts to all. Every citizen of the Divine Martial Dynasty, aged six to eighteen, shall be eligible to join these academies to learn Martial Arts!¡± ¡°I only wish for everyone under heaven to be as mighty as a dragon!¡± With these words, Everyone was deeply stirred. Then, Gu Yang looked towards a middle-aged scholar and said, ¡°Yan Yun, you will take charge of this matter through the Imperial College, and you may also serve as the Dean of the Divine Martial Academy. I want to see branches of the Divine Martial Academy established across the Nine States within a year!¡± ¡°I shall heed Your Majesty¡¯s decree carefully!¡± Yan Yun spoke earnestly. Chapter 272: 221: Probabilistic Rewards, Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level! Chapter 272: Chapter 221: Probabilistic Rewards, Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level! Outside Tianxiong Pass. Fierce beasts were rampant. Along the way, many villages had fallen into ruins, with blood and corpses strewn everywhere. When Shi Zhen led the Heavenly Gang Army to the scene, they witnessed a savage beast, resembling a gorilla, wreaking havoc. With a fan-sized hand, it grabbed a person; under the horrified gaze of the victim, the beast¡¯s ferocious blood-filled maw snapped shut, instantly causing blood to splatter. Looking around, there were numerous bodies lying about. These bodies were from common folk as well as from the court¡¯s army. When other people attacked the beast, they couldn¡¯t even damage its fur, let alone harm it. Terror! Despair! Various emotions spread through the crowd. Just then, a furious shout rang out, ¡°Fiend, how dare you harm the people of the Divine Martial!¡± Before the voice faded, a terrifying surge of blade wind, transformed from Qi and blood, fiercely struck down towards the gorilla beast, which roared and punched violently at the blade wind. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± In an instant, fur shattered, flesh splattered. The right hand of the gorilla was dripping with blood, white bones faintly visible, its ghastly face twisted, letting out a pained roar. The newcomer, was Shi Zhen. Seeing the beast could withstand his blade, Shi Zhen¡¯s eyes remained frosty. The Yanyue Blade unleashed a fierce slaughter; his top Grandmaster¡¯s True Intent burst forth, the powerful suppression causing the gorilla to finally feel fear. Instantly, the beast, regardless of anything else, turned around to escape. The next moment, a flash of cold light swept by. The gorilla¡¯s body stiffened suddenly, then a head as big as a basin fell from its neck, blood spurted up to the sky, and a corpse several zhang in size smashed heavily onto the ground. This scene left everyone else dumbfounded where they stood, soon followed by an expression of wild joy appearing on their faces. ¡°It¡¯s dead, the fierce beast is finally dead!¡± ¡°This noble¡¯s strength is so formidable, taking down such a fierce beast with just two strikes!¡± For a while, everyone¡¯s gaze towards Shi Zhen was filled with awe. The weak revere the strong. This is an eternal truth. However, Shi Zhen¡¯s face showed little joy as he looked at the corpse of the gorilla, his brows tightly knitted. From the engagement just now, Shi Zhen could tell this was a beast comparable to a Great Grandmaster. His ease in killing it was also due to taking the initiative and inciting fear in the beast, thus allowing him to suppress it on the spot. If it were a true head-on confrontation, Shi Zhen was confident he could kill it, but it would definitely not be so easy. Half a day later, The Heavenly Gang Army finally arrived belatedly. By all accounts, the Heavenly Gang Army was naturally fast, but it was only because Shi Zhen had received the news of the beast thus came ahead. ... For the past half year, the beast problem in the Nine States had become more severe. It was as if something in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was driving all these beasts out. As a result, Gu Yang also had no choice but to issue corresponding bounty orders, not only using the court¡¯s power but also mobilizing people from various sects in the Martial World to jointly suppress the rebellious beasts. However, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was too vast, and the number of fierce beasts living inside was also numerous. Under such circumstances, even the full force of the court could only barely ease the pressure. However, some people realized while slaying these beasts that their flesh contained tremendous energy, which if consumed could enhance one¡¯s own Qi and blood, and thereby improve strength. With this, there were even more Martial Artists from the Martial World taking the initiative to hunt down the fierce beasts at the borders of the Nine States. On the other side, under the deliberate promotion by Gu Yang, the Divine Martial Academy, led by Yan Yun, was also gradually established in various places across the Nine States. Spreading Martial Arts to the World! As soon as this news came out, it caused a sensation in the Martial World. Since ancient times, heroes who practiced martial arts could potentially defy prohibitions. Even during the former dynasty, the court tried to suppress various Martial World sects lightly. Yet now, the Divine Martial Dynasty sought to emulate the ancient Martial Ancestor in spreading Martial Arts to the world, which was entirely unexpected to them! ... On this day, within the Gu Family Manor, an ancient Blade Intent suddenly surged into the sky, reaching directly into the high Azure Darkness, clearly audible within a hundred li. Every Cultivator who sensed such Blade Intent couldn¡¯t help but turn their gaze towards the direction of the Gu Family Manor, their eyes filled with shock. In front of such level of Blade Intent, both Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters were no different from ants. Such Blade Intent, continued for several days before it finally dissipated. Once this news broke out, it shocked the whole world. However, as for the external affairs, Gu Qingfeng paid no attention. Currently, his focus was entirely on himself. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has gained insights in his cultivation, and his strength has slightly improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, angered by the havoc caused by fierce beasts, dispatched powerful individuals from the court to suppress the beastly disturbances!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has established the Divine Martial Academy in the Nine States, spreading martial arts to the world, gaining immense popularity and respect!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, feeling enlightened, has broken through to the initial stage of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *500!¡± ¡°Reward True Intent Pills *100!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Blood Pills *100!¡± ¡°Reward Perfect Level Divine Transformation Realm cultivation technique ¡®Purple Extreme Dao Scripture¡¯!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Transformation Realm Death Soldiers *4!¡± ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has broken through to the Late Stage of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯, having grasped the Green Lotus Sword Scripture, has greatly enhanced his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯, receiving guidance from a powerhouse at the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, has enhanced his strength!¡± Chapter 273: 221: Probabilistic Rewards, Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level!_2 Chapter 273: Chapter 221: Probabilistic Rewards, Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level!_2 ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ has undergone training in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range and has deepened his comprehension of the Heavenly Blade True Intent amidst life-and-death battles!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ has had a breakthrough in cultivation, advancing to the mid-level of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *50!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ has been mentored by a Great Grandmaster and has had a breakthrough in cultivation, advancing to the late stage of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Shengxing,¡¯ has had a breakthrough in cultivation, advancing to the late stage of the Blood Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *20!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an,¡¯ has had a breakthrough in cultivation, advancing to the late stage of the Blood Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *20!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Shengxing,¡¯ has had a breakthrough in cultivation, achieving Perfection in the Blood Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *20!¡± ¡°Your progeny, ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an,¡¯ has had a breakthrough in cultivation, achieving Perfection in the Blood Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *20!¡± ¡°Your progeny...¡± ... ¡°Yang¡¯er has broken through to become a Great Grandmaster!¡± Gu Qingfeng, gazing at the dense array of numerous messages, was thus informed about the events that occurred during his seclusion. With his level of cultivation, he had practically reached a point where he could sustain himself entirely through fasting. Breathing in Spiritual Energy, he could maintain the daily needs of his body. Thus, since the beginning of his seclusion, Gu Qingfeng had almost completely detached from the external world. It was only now, having finally grasped the essence of the Ancient Heavenly Blade, that he realized a year had passed. This year, Gu Qingfeng was fifty-two years old, and Gu Yang was also thirty-one. Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t too surprised that the latter had so quickly achieved a breakthrough to become a Great Grandmaster. After all, Gu Yang bore the Qi Fortune of a dynasty, with the vast land of the Nine States¡¯ fortunes held firmly in his grasp¡ªa breakthrough to Great Grandmaster was only natural. Additionally, Gu Yang¡¯s fortune was quite substantial. When Gu Qingfeng first met him, he knew that Gu Yang was not far from a breakthrough, so the current result was expected. Next, there were other children. Over the course of the year, almost all of them made breakthroughs of various degrees. However, what truly caught Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attention was the impact of Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough. Looking at the past reward scenarios, Gu Qingfeng could understand that rewards such as Perfect Level Cultivation Techniques and Death Soldier rewards were matters of chance. The difference being that compared to Perfect Level Martial Arts, the chance of receiving a Death Soldier reward was even lower. Nevertheless, triggering either was not easy. For example, when Gu Yang had previously surged from the Refining Organ Realm to the peak of Master level in one go, he had not triggered any chance-based rewards. But now, as Gu Yang had broken through to become a Great Grandmaster, he had finally triggered a chance-based reward. And it was both a Perfect Level Martial Arts and a Death Soldier reward simultaneously. With a single thought from Gu Qingfeng, immediately four middle-aged cultivators appeared before him. Just like the previously awarded Death Soldiers, the newly rewarded Divine Transformation Realm Death Soldiers were all uniformly at the Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Layer, just one step away from entering the Dao Palace Realm. ¡°Greetings, Exalted One!¡± ¡°I grant you the surname Gu and name you in the honor of the flourishing of Martial Arts; your identity will be as elders in the Gu Family Manor!¡± ¡°Many thanks for the bestowed name, Exalted One!¡± ¡°Henceforth, you may refer to me simply as manor master.¡± Gu Qingfeng corrected their address, then casually transmitted the Divine Sun Scripture to the four. As an inheritance from the once Divine Sun Sacred Land, the Divine Sun Scripture was a top-notch Cultivation Technique that pointed directly to the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, and was the only technique in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s possession that could be cultivated up to the levels of the Dao Palace Realm, naturally, he intended to pass it to them. After all, the four individuals, all stepping into the Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Layer, had prospects of assaulting the Dao Palace Realm in the future; without an appropriate Cultivation Technique to match, they would have no chance of breakthrough. ¡°This is the elder identity token. If you need to supplement your knowledge on Martial Arts, you may visit the Book Collection Pavilion; if there are things you do not understand, you can seek out the Outer Hall Master Gu Peng and declare your new identities.¡± Gu Qingfeng then handed over four identity tokens to them. Nowadays, the identity tokens of the Gu Family Manor had all been replaced by Gu Qingfeng, and each token carried a trace of his True Intent spirit within it. Thus, it was to prevent anyone from forging identity tokens. This method originated from some inspiration Gu Qingfeng received from Reading Murong Xiu¡¯s leftover information. According to Murong Xiu¡¯s data, many of the identity tokens of the big powers in the Ancient Desolate World required the owner¡¯s blood to recognize, and even had corresponding Soul Tokens left within their powers. If there was an unexpected death, the Soul Token would shatter. Unfortunately, the method to craft such identity tokens and Soul Tokens was not left behind by Murong Xiu, who had only provided that information to give successors a better understanding of the big powers in the Ancient Desolate World. So, Murong Xiu naturally did not leave behind the crafting methods. Without this method, Gu Qingfeng had to settle for a lesser alternative, leaving a trace of True Intent in the identity tokens. Although not as sophisticated as those of the big powers in the Ancient Desolate World, they were still quite formidable. Despite some imperfections, they provided at least a means of identification. After sending the four away, Gu Qingfeng then took out the Purple Extreme Dao Scripture. As soon as Gu Qingfeng opened the Cultivation Technique, it transformed into a streak of light and entered his sea of consciousness. In an instant, countless memories surged forth. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s vitality boiled over, like countless rivers converging into an ocean, a terrifying torrent surging with immense force. Despite this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation did not breakthrough, yet his vitality had become all the more refined. After a long time, Gu Qingfeng exhaled a turbid breath, a faint smile on his face. ¡°Top-notch Divine Transformation Realm Cultivation Techniques; although my cultivation hasn¡¯t broken through, my strength has certainly increased a lot!¡± This was yet another advantage of his own Golden Finger. Chapter 274: 221: Probabilistic Rewards, Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level!_3 Chapter 274: Chapter 221: Probabilistic Rewards, Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level!_3 Common people, when concentrating and compressing their vital energy and blood to a certain extent, find each additional increment as difficult as ascending to heaven. However, Gu Qingfeng did not need to worry about these issues. As long as he had enough Upgrade Points, he could refine his vital energy and blood to a true limit. With the appearance of the Purple Extreme Dao Scripture, it effectively saved Gu Qingfeng a lot of painstaking effort in polishing his fundamentals and also compensated for some shortcomings of the Divine Sun Scripture in the Divine Transformation Realm. After all, powerful as the Divine Sun Scripture is, it cannot push every realm to its ultimate. Just achieving Perfect Body Refining made the Divine Sun Scripture seem extraordinary. To push realms like Master, Great Grandmaster, Divine Transformation Realm, Dao Palace Realm, and so on to their limits was an impossible task. Similarly, Even if the Divine Sun Scripture could achieve this, it would be difficult for cultivators to reach Great Success. The more extreme the cultivation technique, the more difficult it is to practice. The final push. Is the hardest to break through. With the advent of the Purple Extreme Dao Scripture, Gu Qingfeng was spared a lot of arduous efforts, and it also added another peak Divine Transformation cultivation technique to the repertoire of the Gu Family Manor. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng observed his own body internally, looking towards the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit. The Ancient Heavenly Blade breakthrough. A five-inch Primordial Spirit had grown directly to a nine-inch Primordial Spirit. Nine is the ultimate number. When the Primordial Spirit stepped into nine inches, Gu Qingfeng felt the bottleneck, as if an unseen power was suppressing and limiting further breakthroughs of the Primordial Spirit. At this moment of realization, Gu Qingfeng knew it was time for him to break through again. ... With a thought from Gu Qingfeng, five hundred Upgrade Points were consumed, and the Divine Sun Scripture instantly broke through from the first layer of the Dao Palace Chapter to the second layer. As a flood of memories emerged, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s aura surged violently, the suppressing power in his Primordial Spirit also abruptly vanished. Growth! The Primordial Spirit began to grow wildly! Ten inches! Eleven inches! Twelve inches! ... In just a moment, The Primordial Spirit had stepped into eighteen inches. But after reaching eighteen inches, the previously vanished bottleneck reappeared. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng continued to break through. Dao Palace Realm Third Layer! Dao Palace Realm Fourth Layer! ... Gu Qingfeng used up all the Upgrade Points in one go, elevating the Divine Sun Scripture directly to the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Chapter, and his cultivation level rose to the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm as well. An extremely powerful force resurrected within his body, far more than just several times stronger than when he was at the first layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Meanwhile, Due to the surge in realm, The power of his Divine Soul had drastically increased. Now, even if faced with a ninth-level Divine Transformation Realm expert, Gu Qingfeng could crush them directly with his Divine Thought. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 52/6000 Realm: Dao Palace Realm Fourth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Divine Sun Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Fourth Layer), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Beginner), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect) Upgrade Points: 534 ... ¡°Dao Palace Realm Fourth Layer!¡± ¡°Ancient Heavenly Blade Beginner!¡± For the first time, Gu Qingfeng gained a clear understanding of the Saint Inheritance. Just being a beginner in Ancient Heavenly Blade substantially increased his Divine Soul power, allowing the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit to grow and enabling his cultivation to break through to the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm in one go. While Gu Qingfeng inspected the Dan Tian Dao Palace, his Primordial Spirit had already grown to thirty-two inches. But, This was still not the limit of the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Judging by a limit of nine inches for each level, Gu Qingfeng suspected that only when his Primordial Spirit broke through to thirty-six inches could he truly touch the limit of the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm. ¡°According to the information left by Murong Xiu, the limits each layer of the Dao Palace Realm can reach represent the talent and potential of the cultivator.¡± ¡°Ordinary Dao Palace Realm cultivators, growing the Primordial Spirit by two inches per realm is already commendable, and those whose Primordial Spirit can grow to over three inches are considered geniuses.¡± ¡°If the Primordial Spirit exceeds five inches, they belong to the truly outstanding!¡± ¡°And my limit for each layer is a nine-inch Primordial Spirit, such a change must definitely be related to the Ancient Immortal Body!¡± Gu Qingfeng knew well that his genetic talent was quite ordinary, but the only possibility for his achievements now was the Ancient Immortal Body. The appearance of such an Immortal Body pushed his talent to the very top. ¡°The oldest Immortal Body between heaven and earth!¡± Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself. He realized he had yet to uncover the true mysteries of the Ancient Immortal Body, but even so, with the advantages of the Ancient Immortal Body, his foundation was unfathomably deep. Now, A thirty-two inch Primordial Spirit. Even many at the peak of the Dao Palace Realm might not possess it. To be honest, Gu Qingfeng himself was no longer clear about his own level of strength. This rapid increase in realm, Only gave Gu Qingfeng one feeling. That was, he was now terrifyingly strong. Immediately, With a thought, the Evil Slayer Blade fell directly into his hands. The blade was drawn. Cutting through his palm. Gu Qingfeng stained the blade sheath with his own fresh blood, then gradually infused it into the blade. With his current cultivation at the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, each drop of his blood contained boundless divine power. Now, as this blood merged into the Evil Slayer Blade, the Divine Weapon trembled slightly. It seemed as if a world-shaking Blade Intent was emanating from it, yet it did not leave the area of the Grinding Blade Hall. Blade Nourishing Skills! Gu Qingfeng had practiced this secret technique for decades as if it were a day. For him, The Evil Slayer Blade was no longer just a simple weapon, but a companion of his own. Chapter 275: 221: Probabilistic Rewards, Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level!_4 Chapter 275: Chapter 221: Probabilistic Rewards, Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level!_4 Over the years, constantly nurtured by his own blood, Gu Qingfeng felt that his connection with the Evil Slayer Blade had deepened further, and within this Divine Blade, it seemed as though something was about to be conceived. This feeling was not unfamiliar to Gu Qingfeng. He had felt the same way atop the jujube tree at the Divine Martial Sect. The difference was, compared to the spiritual essence of the jujube tree, the spiritual essence of the Evil Slayer Blade was significantly weaker; to truly reach the level of the jujube tree would still require time and slow nurturing. However, Time was what Gu Qingfeng least lacked now. For him, with a lifespan of six thousand years in the Dao Palace Realm, he was only fifty-two years old thus far. Compared to six thousand years, it was less than one percent. ¡ª The next day. Gu Qingfeng emerged from seclusion. As soon as he came out, Gu Peng was the first to arrive. ¡°Disciple pays respect to the manor master, congratulations on the great progress in your Divine Skill!¡± ¡°Mm, during the time of my seclusion, has anything happened?¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, and as he looked at the person before him, his Divine Thought could easily see through the entire person. The robust Qi and blood of a Great Grandmaster¡¯s peak, but not much different from a year ago, to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm, he still needed to further condense his Qi and blood to create various divine phenomena, only than could he truly break through the shackles of a Great Grandmaster and step into higher levels. But evidently, Gu Peng was still far from making a breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm. For a moment, he felt as if all his secrets were exposed, and his body instinctively shuddered, but he soon recovered. Hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s question, Gu Peng did not hesitate and immediately said respectfully, ¡°While the manor master was in seclusion, His Majesty established the Divine Martial Academy across various places in the Nine States, including one in White Stone City. However, due to a shortage of masters, orders were given for some disciples from Gu Family Manor to take positions at the White Stone Dao and other Divine Martial Academies.¡± ¡°Mm...¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He clearly understood Gu Yang¡¯s objective in spreading Martial Arts throughout the world; the Immortal Casting Court Dynasty was just a start, and to advance further into an Emperor Dynasty, it was necessary to enhance the entire dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune. And the simplest way to enhance the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune was to strengthen the overall strength of the dynasty. This ¡®overall¡¯ referred not only to the internal part of the court but also the entirety of the Martial World. Thus, establishing Divine Martial Academies and teaching Universal Martial Arts was the simplest method. However vast the Nine States were, it was difficult for the court to provide enough personnel to establish many academies, and turning to various forces in the Martial World hence became a logical step. Given that Gu Family Manor was now the largest force in the Martial World and formed the essence behind the Divine Martial Dynasty, it was only normal for Gu Yang to approach Gu Family Manor. These matters, Gu Qingfeng did not care too much about. Initially, when he established Gu Family Manor, it was just to provide a foundation for his descendants to have a place to live and establish themselves. At this moment, Gu Peng handed a Mystic Iron Box to Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Additionally, this is something His Majesty ordered to be delivered to the manor master half a year ago, but since the manor master was in seclusion, I dared not disturb you!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought moved, and the Mystic Iron Box directly left Gu Peng¡¯s hands and landed in his. The Mystic Iron Box was completely sealed, with no keyhole, but this was not an issue for Gu Qingfeng. He simply pinched it and easily broke open the Mystic Iron Box, a Jade Scroll came into view inside, along with a letter next to it bearing a few bold characters. Father¡¯s Personal Letter! From the writing, Gu Qingfeng could tell at a glance that this was Gu Yang¡¯s handwriting. Meanwhile, Gu Peng, seeing the Mystic Iron, which was difficult for even great masters to truly affect, handled by Gu Qingfeng as if it were made of paper, couldn¡¯t help but show an expression filled with even more shock and awe. Chapter 276: 222: Suppressing with a Single Finger Chapter 276: Chapter 222: Suppressing with a Single Finger The Jade Scroll contained a cultivation technique of the Divine Transformation Realm, named the Li Feng Scripture. This cultivation technique was on par with the Purple Extreme Dao Scripture, both targeting the pinnacle of the nine layers of the Divine Transformation Realm. Evidently, This was the opportunity Gu Yang had seized. The purpose of the other party delivering this technique over here was also clear as day. As soon as Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought extracted the technique from inside, the Jade Scroll dimmed slightly, but it had not yet reached the point of actual disintegration. It was thus evident, that this Jade Scroll could be inherited several more times. ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Gu Qingfeng casually put away the Jade Scroll and then asked. Gu Peng respectfully said, ¡°Your Majesty once said that the beast chaos in the Nine States is becoming increasingly severe. Although the court has stepped in to suppress it, it¡¯s merely a temporary relief for the escalating crisis. If the manor master comes out of seclusion, Your Majesty hopes the manor master can make a trip to the Capital!¡± Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng slightly nodded. ¡°I am already aware of this matter, if there¡¯s nothing else, you may take your leave!¡± ¡°This subordinate will take his leave!¡± Gu Peng respectfully withdrew. Soon after, Gu Qingfeng summoned Gu Wu and three others, and handed over a palm-sized jade box to one of them. ¡°You shall go to the palace and temporarily take orders from Gu Yang. Additionally, deliver this item into his hands.¡± ¡°This subordinate obeys!¡± Gu Wu and the others did not ask further questions and immediately accepted the order with a fist salute. After they had left, Gu Qingfeng stepped outside the hall, looking in the direction of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, his gaze slightly narrowed. ¡°Fierce beasts causing upheaval!¡± ¡°Could it be that my speculation has come true?¡± Somewhere deep within, Gu Qingfeng had a sixth sense telling him that something was about to happen. Soon, Hong Ye arrived, delivering the intelligence gathered by the Hidden Guard over this period, directly into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands. After reviewing the information, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression became enlightened. ¡°As expected, this matter isn¡¯t so simple; the rampant behavior of the fierce beasts is indeed due to someone manipulating events behind the scenes!¡± The signs of human interference behind the fierce beasts¡¯ upheaval were subtle in the Hidden Guard¡¯s reports, but after in-depth investigation, some clues were discovered. Even some Hidden Guards had ventured into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, trying to gain further understanding, but in the end, their attempts faded away like stones sinking into the sea, with no news returned. Entering the Ancient Beast Mountain Range without being able to come out, the outcome was self-evident. ¡°Continue to observe the movements of the fierce beasts.¡± Gu Qingfeng gave the instruction and then dismissed Hong Ye. ... ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ meets with the four elders of the Gu Family Manor and discovers that the four are strong practitioners of the ninth layer of Divine Transformation Realm, his heart instantly fills with joy!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ receives the jade box you entrusted to him, his confidence greatly bolstered, and he is shocked by your strength, once again marveling at your unfathomable depth!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ validates martial arts with the strong, slightly enhancing his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ consumes the True Intent Pill, his Domineering Blade technique breaks through to Great Success, and he comprehends the eighth level of True Intent!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ is attacked by fierce beasts *695!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ receives instruction on a supreme skill from a ninth layer Divine Transformation Realm expert, greatly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ fights for his life and death, his Heavenly Blade True Intent breaks through to the fifth level, slaying a Refining Organ beast of the Fifth Realm!¡± ¡°Your progeny...¡± ... The text on the information panel refreshed continuously, and Gu Qingfeng could clearly perceive that the information panel was indeed far more complete than before. Such improvements hadn¡¯t been announced, but from just reading between the lines, one could detect the differences from before. Seeing that Gu Yang had already met up with Gu Wu and the others, Gu Qingfeng could also temporarily set his mind at ease. Four practitioners of the ninth layer of Divine Transformation Realm, stepping into the peak of the ninth layer, with just one more step capable of breaking through to the Daoist Palace Realm, they possessed an even deeper foundation than the typical ninth-layer Divine Transformation powerhouse. Sending the four to the palace was precisely to have them protect Gu Yang. How Gu Yang would arrange things was entirely up to him. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng continued to meditate on the Ancient Heavenly Blade. Although he had already reached the Beginner level with this saintly skill, it was still not enough. If he could advance the Ancient Heavenly Blade further, then he would be much more at ease with the upcoming challenges. ¡ª¡ª Qingyun State. Inside a city in Guangyang Prefecture, an old man and a young man sat in a tavern, with the bustling crowd below entering their field of vision. ¡°According to the records of the Guiyuan Dynasty, the spiritual energy of the Nine States should be scarce, implying that cultivation would be on the decline. However, unexpectedly, there now exists a Qi Fortune Dynasty within the Nine States, which is somewhat surprising!¡± Han An took a sip from his teacup, then shook his head. Such a drink was indeed hard to stomach, but considering the remote and desolate nature of this place, he suppressed his distaste. As he said that, Han An¡¯s eyes flickered slightly. ¡°A Qi Fortune Dynasty that has consolidated a third-grade Green Lotus, if it employs the nation¡¯s full strength, even a ninth layer practitioner of Divine Transformation Realm can be contested. Elder Ke, are you confident about this?¡± While saying the last sentence, Han An looked at the elder before him. The man was dressed in grey, with an utterly unremarkable face¡ªif seen by others, he would only be considered as ordinary as they come. ¡°From the information obtained, the Divine Martial Dynasty was established less than two years ago, and no matter how strong its foundation, it is limited. The strongest person in the world now is called Gu Qingfeng, revered in the Nine States as the Martial Saint. Judging by his achievements, his strength should be at the Divine Transformation Realm, at most six layers deep!¡± ¡°Even if he¡¯s at the sixth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, plus a newly established dynasty, it¡¯s unlikely to pose a great threat to me!¡± Elder Ke said indifferently. In his tone, the Divine Martial Dynasty was as easy to suppress as chickens and dogs. Chapter 277: 222: Suppressing with a Single Finger_2 Chapter 277: Chapter 222: Suppressing with a Single Finger_2 This point. Elder Ke also had absolute confidence. As a royal priest of the Guiyuan Dynasty, although he had not ascended to the Daoist Palace Realm, he was superior to those of the usual Divine Transformation Realm, stepping into the half-step Daoist Palace level. Such strength. Even in the Ancient Desolate World, it was formidable. In the Nine States, such power was enough to dominate. Upon hearing this, Han An nodded slightly, ¡°Unless there is a surprise, the True Inheritor from the Divine Sun Sacred Land ten thousand years ago must be related to the Divine Martial Dynasty; otherwise, given the current situation in the Nine States, how could the Divine Martial Dynasty have the qualification to establish a Qi Fortune Dynasty.¡± ¡°Perhaps, that Saint Inheritance might also have fallen into the hands of the Divine Martial Dynasty.¡± ¡°Once we capture the leader of the Divine Martial Dynasty and force a Soul Search, my Guiyuan Dynasty can seize the Saint Inheritance ahead of others.¡± In the end. A cold smile had already appeared on Han An¡¯s face. The reason he understood the Nine States so well was because of what he learned from the Soul Search. The rise of the Divine Martial Dynasty was abrupt. Han An could spot the anomaly at a glance. Ten thousand years ago, the martial arts of the Nine States declined, but ever since that mysterious Martial Ancestor appeared and spread martial arts across the world, the martial arts of the Nine States gradually flourished again. This time point coincided exactly with the destruction of the Divine Sun Sacred Land. Thus. Comparing the two, many things had been deduced. Originally. Han An planned to visit the Divine Martial Sect. But now, instead of wasting time going to the Divine Martial Sect, it seemed better to go directly to the Divine Martial Capital. ¡°At the moment, Elder Ke, with his Beast Taming Skills, has enabled the fierce beasts of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to locate the Nine States; my Guiyuan Dynasty is one step ahead, but now that many cultivators have entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, it would be troublesome if other cultivators also locate the Nine States.¡± Han An¡¯s expression became much more solemn, his gaze fixed on the numerous forces coveting the Saint Inheritance. If Elder Ke hadn¡¯t mastered the Beast Taming Skills and driven many fierce beasts to search for the Nine States in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, he wouldn¡¯t have found this place so quickly. But with many powerful beings in the Ancient Desolate World, who could guarantee that other cultivators wouldn¡¯t have the means to find the Nine States? One step ahead. Always one step ahead. Han An did not want to waste any more time. Upon hearing this, Elder Ke also nodded, ¡°The Sixth Prince is right; let¡¯s go directly to the Divine Martial Capital!¡± The two stepped into the air and immediately flew towards the direction of the Divine Martial Capital. This scene. Caused all the onlookers to be utterly shocked. At the same time. The Hidden Guards quickly relayed this message back at top speed. ¡ª¡ª In less than half a day. The two entered the Capital. Looking at the bustling scene in front of him, Han An¡¯s eyes flashed with disdain, ¡°The grand Capital, having only a mere few Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters, shows the weakness of the Divine Martial Dynasty.¡± While speaking. Han An looked towards the direction of the imperial palace. That was where the Qi Fortune was most abundant. Hearing this, Elder Ke shook his head, ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty naturally cannot compare with the Guiyuan Dynasty due to its shallow foundations.¡± Afterward. They headed straight toward the imperial palace. As they were about to enter the imperial city, guards stopped them. Before the guards could actually interrogate them, Elder Ke¡¯s gaze turned icy and a terrifying aura erupted, the guards didn¡¯t even have time to scream before their bodies explosively disintegrated. Blood splattered. Such a commotion immediately alarmed the imperial city guards. ¡°Who dares strike at the imperial city!¡± ¡°Rebellious traitors should be executed!¡± A large number of imperial city guards appeared, led by several Grandmasters. Seeing the blood and corpses on the ground, as well as Han An and his companion, the leading Grandmaster¡¯s eyes turned frosty. ¡°Take them alive!¡± One of the Grandmasters waved his hand and numerous guards attacked the two. ¡°Ants daring to lay hands on this prince!¡± Han An sneered dismissively, and before Elder Ke could make a move, Han An casually swatted out a palm, unleashing a world-destroying force, instantly bursting apart over a hundred guards, killing them on the spot. Such a scene caused the pupils of the leading Grandmasters to constrict. ¡°This person is ruthless, do not hold back, capture him first!¡± One Grandmaster shouted angrily, charging at Han An first. However, faced with this full-strength attack from a Grandmaster level, Han An simply sneered in contempt. Following that. Han An extended his right hand, his fingers grasped the air, and the Grandmaster¡¯s face instantly turned red, his body suddenly constricted as if caught by an invisible giant hand. ¡°Bang!¡± With a forceful squeeze of Han An¡¯s fingers, the Grandmaster¡¯s body also burst open, blood and flesh scattering everywhere. ¡°Grandmasters, merely ants!¡± A sickly smile appeared on Han An¡¯s face, taking pleasure in slaughtering the weak. The remaining Grandmasters about to make their moves went pale upon seeing this. Killing a Grandmaster single-handedly. Even a typical Great Grandmaster might not be able to do so. No wonder! The two had the courage to barge into the imperial city. ¡°Who exactly are you!¡± One of the Grandmasters forcibly calmed himself and demanded sternly from Han An. Han An stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze disdainful as he spoke, ¡°I am the Sixth Prince of the Guiyuan Dynasty. Have Gu Yang come to meet me promptly, otherwise, I will annihilate your Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Guiyuan Dynasty! Hearing this name, several Grandmasters looked uncertain, as it was very unfamiliar to them. But Han An¡¯s disrespectful words incensed them. Just then. A terrifying aura burst forth from within the imperial palace, followed by a chilling voice. ¡°Arrogant villain, how dare you utter such insolence here, showing disrespect to His Majesty, this crime warrants death!¡± Chapter 278: 222 Suppression with One Finger_3 Chapter 278: Chapter 222 Suppression with One Finger_3 The conversation ended. Suddenly, terrifying Hand Wind power explosively pressed down, an extremely fierce force even caused the space to fracture like a spider web, as if it would completely shatter at any moment. This attack made Han An¡¯s expression change. Even the composed Elder Ke behind him appeared somber. ¡°You shall not harm the Sixth Prince!¡± With a step forward, his right hand also launched a palm strike, colliding with the other Hand Wind. The clash shattered the space with a thunderous crack, rolling Qi Waves sweeping across, forcing everyone to retreat. ¡°Sixth Level of God Transformation Realm!¡± Elder Ke, looking at Gu Wu who had appeared, was slightly surprised. From the previously gathered Soul Search information, the strongest in the Divine Martial Dynasty should be the one revered as Martial Saint, Gu Qingfeng, who Elder Ke recognized. More importantly, from calculated strength, that Martial Saint should not surpass the Sixth Level of God Transformation Realm. But now, the man before him was a Ninth Level God Transformation Realm powerhouse, which was unexpected for Elder Ke. Meanwhile, Han An¡¯s expression also slightly changed. ¡°Ninth Level God Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°How could such a minor Divine Martial Dynasty possess such a powerful figure?¡± Even within the Guiyuan Dynasty, Ninth Level of God Transformation Realm cultivators were scarce. Currently, a Ninth Level God Transformation Realm emerging from the Divine Martial Dynasty was certainly unexpected for Han An. On the other side, Elder Ke quickly regained his composure, his aura of a Half-step Dao Palace permeating. ¡°A Ninth Level God Transformation Realm is indeed strong, but still falls short before me. My Guiyuan Dynasty even has Dao Palace Realm powerhouses in place. I came here under orders, wishing to meet with Emperor Gu!¡± Though Elder Ke did not fear confronting a Ninth Level God Transformation Realm powerhouse, he also didn¡¯t want to truly break with him, so he straightforwardly clarified his own power, even bringing up the backing of Guiyuan Dynasty to intimidate the opposition. A simple logic. Here lies the Divine Martial Dynasty, where the Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune itself is formidable, and now with a Ninth Level God Transformation Realm powerhouse, even a Half-step Dao Palace would find it challenging. Thus, Elder Ke thought, if matters could be resolved peacefully, that would be the best. Of course¡ª This was all because of Gu Wu¡¯s arrival. If not for this Ninth Level God Transformation Realm powerhouse stepping in, Elder Ke wouldn¡¯t have wasted his breath. Upon hearing this, Gu Wu¡¯s expression turned cold: ¡°This place belongs to the Divine Martial Dynasty, it¡¯s not for the Guiyuan Dynasty to recklessly interfere, you provoke murder before the imperial city today, if you know what¡¯s good for you, surrender yourselves.¡± ¡°How audacious, a mere dynasty dares to be so presumptuous!¡± Elder Ke laughed furiously, his gaze towards Gu Wu now filled with chilly murderous intent. He didn¡¯t want to clash with Gu Wu, but he also didn¡¯t fear a battle. ¡°Since you refuse to face favor when offered, then let me suppress you first¡ª¡± Just when Elder Ke was about to act, within the imperial city, several powerful auras burst forth, causing his facial expression to stiffen, his pupils to involuntarily widen, his eyes filled with disbelief. ¡°Four Ninth Level God Transformation Realm figures!¡± ¡°Impossible¡ª¡± Upon seeing Gu Dao and others appear, Elder Ke suddenly broke into a sweat. Four Ninth Level God Transformation Realm figures! This was completely unexpected by him. If it were just Gu Wu alone, Elder Ke was confident he could handle it, but with four Ninth Level God Transformation Realm figures, that changed everything. After all. Half-step Dao Palace Realm is also within the scope of God Transformation Realm. This level, even if one is half a step into the Dao Palace Realm, hasn¡¯t truly broken through successfully, the power is greater than an average Ninth Level God Transformation Realm, but not by much. Thus, When Gu Wu and three others appeared, Elder Ke understood that the situation was somewhat beyond his control. Beside him, Han An, who initially acted arrogantly, now also changed his expression drastically. He understood. This time, he probably was in big trouble. At this moment, Gu Wu and the others had already taken action, pressing towards Elder Ke, facing a Half-step Dao Palace Realm powerhouse without any underestimation. Seeing the three attack, Elder Ke¡¯s vitality and energy explosively erupted, his originally aged body now giving the impression of a vigorous middle-aged man, raising his hand a Divine Sword appeared, the radiant Sword Wind tearing the void. On another side, Gu Long had already made a move towards Han An. With Ninth Level God Transformation Realm cultivation against a Sixth-level cultivator like Han An, it was completely under control. Even if the latter had some tricks, it could not stir up any waves. Seeing that Han An was about to be completely suppressed, his expression turned fierce, he directly crushed a Jade Talisman. ¡°Boom!¡± A colossal illusory figure appeared abruptly, an abyss-like terrifying aura burst forth, pressing a palm towards Gu Long, such an overwhelmingly strong force made the latter¡¯s expression turn solemn. The aura that burst from this illusory figure stepped into the Ninth Level of God Transformation Realm, even stronger than a regular Ninth Level. At the moment the illusory figure appeared, Han An didn¡¯t dare linger, heading straight towards the outskirts of the Capital. Just then, Within the imperial city, An ancient cauldron suddenly appeared, pressing down towards Han An. ¡°Ancient Weapon!¡± Han An¡¯s expression changed as he immediately summoned a Divine Spear from his storage ring, colliding with the ancient cauldron. Two treasures clashed, releasing terrifying fluctuations. The next moment, The ancient cauldron was repelled. Han An¡¯s retreating figure also paused. Before he could make his next move, Gu Yang arrived, crossing through the air, his hand opening a Jade box, from which a severed finger was presented, pressing towards Han An. Merely a severed finger, yet now in Han An¡¯s eyes, it seemed to occupy his entire field of vision, a majestic heavenly might-like aura pressing down, causing his complexion to drastically change. Chapter 279: 222 Suppression with One Finger_4 Chapter 279: Chapter 222 Suppression with One Finger_4 ¡°Dao Palace Remnant Body!¡± Han An never imagined that the mere Divine Martial Dynasty not only had four Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers powerhouses presiding but also held a remnant body of the Daoist Palace Realm in hand. Once one¡¯s cultivation had reached the level of the Daoist Palace Realm, even a mere fragment of a body could wield astonishing might. What¡¯s more, the severed finger before him made Han An feel a breath of terror to the extreme. Such a breath, was even more powerful than some of the Dao Palace Realm masters of the Guiyuan Dynasty. Clearly, this severed finger did not simply come from an ordinary Dao Palace Realm master. As the severed finger descended oppressively, Han An could no longer care for anything else, he pushed his lifeblood and strength to the limit. His Divine Spear pierced through nothingness with a cold gleam, trying to block this terrifying strike. But alas, in the face of absolute power, all struggles were in vain. It was just an exchange. The cold gleam shattered. Comparable to ancient weapons, the treasured Divine Spear also suddenly broke apart. A powerful force blasted onto Han An¡¯s body, sending him flying instantly, vomiting blood profusely, he was severely injured. Seeing Gu Yang about to make another move to crush him, Han An could no longer care for his dignity, his expression filled with terror as he spoke. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me!! I am the Sixth Prince of the Guiyuan Dynasty¡ª¡± Hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s expression flickered slightly, and then the severed finger was placed back into the jade box. Looking at the severed finger again, it appeared much paler than before, and the fresh blood on it seemed somewhat dried up. This revealed, that the power of the severed finger could not be used recklessly. Even so, seeing the severed finger suppress a Divine Transformation Realm powerhouse before him, shock stirred within Gu Yang¡¯s heart. He knew that the severed finger came from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body, and he was even more aware that Divine Transformation Realm powerhouses could regrow severed limbs. However, Gu Yang had never imagined, that a severed finger of Gu Qingfeng would possess such divine might. This indicated, just how inscrutable his father¡¯s strength truly was. All this time, every time Gu Yang thought he could see through Gu Qingfeng, the latter would exhibit an even more terrifying foundation. Just like not long ago, when Gu Family Manor brought out four elders who had stepped into the Nine Layers of the Divine Transformation Realm. And just like now, a severed finger suppressed a Divine Transformation Realm powerhouse. However, Gu Yang quickly suppressed the myriad thoughts in his heart, then turned towards Gu Long and said, ¡°I¡¯ll trouble Elder Gu Long to suppress this man first.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Long obeyed the command, and then approached Han An, directly suppressing all of Han An¡¯s lifeblood and strength. Facing such a predicament, Han An dared not resist at all. What a joke. In the current situation, cooperating might afford a glimmer of a chance at life, but resistance would undoubtedly lead to a dead end. What truly made Han An despair was the piece of the Dao Palace Realm severed finger in Gu Yang¡¯s hand. Did the presence of such a treasure in the opponent¡¯s hand indicate that behind the Divine Martial Dynasty, there was also a powerful Dao Palace Realm master presiding? If that were indeed the case, the situation would become even more troublesome. Just when Han An was captured, Elder Ke, under the combined attack of Gu Wu and the other two, was also forced into a continuous retreat. However, as a powerhouse of half-step Dao Palace Realm, it was not easy to directly defeat him. At once, Gu Yang had Gu Long join in as well, to help suppress Elder Ke. With Gu Long¡¯s participation, it became the last straw that broke the camel¡¯s back. Faced with the joint force of four Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers powerhouses, even a half-step Dao Palace Realm powerhouse would find it hard to withstand. Shortly after, Elder Ke was gravely injured by a palm strike from Gu Wu and then had all his cultivation sealed, he collapsed onto the ground. Seeing Elder Ke defeated and captured, Han An¡¯s expression grew even more desperate. Chapter 280: 223 Taoist Palace Restriction Chapter 280: Chapter 223 Taoist Palace Restriction ¡°Your Excellency, your subordinate has a matter to report!¡± Outside the Grinding Blade Hall, a voice rang out. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, a fleeting and fearsome glint of Blade Intent flashed and disappeared. ¡°Come in.¡± As his words fell. The tightly shut doors of the Grinding Blade Hall swung open as though moved by an invisible hand. Hong Ye walked in from outside. ¡°Reporting to Your Excellency, this is news from the Imperial Palace. Please review it.¡± As she spoke, she respectfully presented a sealed secret message with both hands. Gu Qingfeng opened the message and glanced at it, his gaze shifting slightly. Then. He turned his attention to the information panel. ... ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang,¡¯ encountered an invading enemy and subdued a Sixth Level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator with a single severed finger!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang,¡¯ subdued a member of the Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang,¡¯...¡± ... ¡°Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± Gu Qingfeng muttered under his breath. Seeing Gu Yang subdue a Sixth Level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator using a severed finger, Gu Qingfeng immediately understood the source of that power. Although that severed finger was something Gu Qingfeng left behind when he had just stepped into the Dao Palace Realm, a level incomparable to his current state. Even so. That severed finger still carried the divine might of the Dao Palace. Suppressing a Sixth Level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, naturally, was nothing remarkable. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng left the Grinding Blade Hall and headed for the Imperial City. In less than half a day. Gu Qingfeng arrived at the Imperial City. Gu Yang came to see him immediately. ¡°Your son greets Father!¡± ¡°I heard cultivators from beyond the Nine States have invaded. Where are they now?¡± Gu Qingfeng asked directly. Gu Yang replied, ¡°I have imprisoned them all in the Heavenly Prison and waited for Father¡¯s arrival to interrogate them!¡± Gu Yang was well aware that getting such powerful individuals to speak the truth would not be easy. For that reason, he called for Gu Qingfeng, hoping his father possessed methods to make them talk. More importantly. The two individuals, Han An and his associate, were linked to a force called the Guiyuan Dynasty, so Gu Yang dared not act carelessly. Qi Fortune Dynasties! They were forces far above ordinary dynasties. Now, as the ruler of a dynasty, Gu Yang fully understood the immense power that came with controlling a dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune. And if a dynasty was so powerful. Then an imperial dynasty. Was even more terrifying. ¡ª¡ª The dim Heavenly Prison was filled with the damp scent of moss and mildew. Gu Qingfeng and Gu Yang entered the prison, with no guards following behind them. ¡°This Heavenly Prison has nine levels in total. The first five levels hold common criminals, while the remaining four are reserved for Masters and stronger cultivators.¡± ¡°Currently, those two are temporarily imprisoned in the ninth level of the Heavenly Prison, which is entirely constructed from Mystic Iron. Even if a Great Grandmaster exerted their full power, they would barely stand a chance of escaping.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator being imprisoned, as long as their cultivation isn¡¯t fully restored, they too can be suppressed!¡± Entering the prison, Gu Yang patiently explained to Gu Qingfeng. The construction of this Heavenly Prison had taken extensive effort on Gu Yang¡¯s part. The Mystic Iron used in the ninth level of the prison was a rare treasure of the Nine States. Common folk who obtained even a small amount would meld it into their weapons, creating a Divine Weapon that could slice through steel like butter. Such was the value of Mystic Iron. Were it not for Gu Yang¡¯s current position as ruler of the Nine States, it would have been impossible to accumulate enough Mystic Iron to construct the ninth level of this prison. When the two entered the ninth level, the area was as bright as day. In two adjacent cells. Were an elderly man and a younger man, both imprisoned. The two were covered in blood and grime, their clavicles pierced through with iron hooks. Yet, the wounds did not leak fresh blood. Upon hearing movement. The elderly man, Elder Ke, who was leaning against the corner, opened his murky eyes. Looking at Gu Yang, he sneered coldly and spoke. ¡°I advise you to be sensible and release us. The Guiyuan Dynasty is not a force you can afford to provoke. Even if your Divine Martial Dynasty has Dao Palace Realm experts in its ranks, so what?¡± ¡°The Guiyuan Dynasty is full of strong cultivators. Just its Dao Palace Realm experts alone number no less than a full hand.¡± ¡°Moreover, we each have Soul Tokens left in the Guiyuan Dynasty. If we were to die, the dynasty would be alerted at once.¡± ¡°By the time the dynasty¡¯s forces arrive at the Nine States, it will be too late for you to regret it!¡± Even now, Elder Ke remained composed, using the reputation of the Guiyuan Dynasty as his shield. In his eyes, Gu Yang¡¯s hesitation to kill him must have stemmed from fear of the Guiyuan Dynasty, thus refraining from rash actions. After all, even in the Eastern Domain, the Guiyuan Dynasty stood as an unparalleled power. To them, the Divine Martial Dynasty was insignificant. However. Faced with Elder Ke¡¯s words, Gu Yang¡¯s expression remained indifferent. ¡°I will give you one last chance. Tell me your purpose here and reveal everything about the Guiyuan Dynasty, and perhaps I will spare your life.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Elder Ke snorted coldly, refusing to answer. Seeing this. Gu Yang¡¯s expression instantly darkened, and he turned to Gu Qingfeng. ¡°This man is a Half-step Dao Palace Realm expert of the Guiyuan Dynasty. Unfortunately, he is too tight-lipped. I¡¯ll have to trouble Father to handle this matter.¡± Hearing Gu Yang¡¯s words, Elder Ke finally glanced at Gu Qingfeng, suspicion flashing across his face. ¡°You are the Martial Saint Gu Qingfeng?¡± That name. Was one Elder Ke knew well. Yet, in his calculations, this figure should only be a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator. Had Gu Yang not mentioned it, Elder Ke might have mistaken him for an ordinary man. At that thought. Elder Ke¡¯s heart trembled. Even with his cultivation sealed, no mere Divine Transformation Realm cultivator should be able to conceal themselves from him. Yet, he couldn¡¯t discern Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength. That was deeply unsettling. Chapter 281: 223 Daoist Palace Restriction_2 Chapter 281: Chapter 223 Daoist Palace Restriction_2 ¡°It seems you¡¯ve heard of my existence,¡± Gu Qingfeng slowly approached Elder Ke and calmly looked at him. In response, Elder Ke was again silent. Gu Qingfeng shook his head, ¡°Judging by your appearance, even if I were to ask, you would be unwilling to speak. So be it. Since you don¡¯t wish to talk, let me take a look for myself!¡± ¡°You want to Soul Search!¡± As if Elder Ke had suddenly realized something, his expression drastically changed, and then he let out a sneer of contempt. ¡°You think you can Soul Search me, a mere pipe dream¡ª¡ª¡± However, Before Elder Ke could finish speaking, Gu Qingfeng already unleashed a terrifying Divine Thought force, forcibly intruding into the other¡¯s sea of consciousness. At that moment, Elder Ke¡¯s face drastically changed, and his eyes filled with horror. ¡°Dao Palace¡ª¡ª¡± He barely spat out two words before his expression turned dull. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng ruthlessly searched through the other¡¯s memories and quickly found a considerable amount of information. Unfortunately, the man before him was a cultivator just short of the Taoist Palace Realm, and although he hadn¡¯t truly opened the Dao Palace to cultivate the Primordial Spirit, his Divine Thought was indeed formidable. In addition, the man had lived for thousands of years, and his memories were extremely lengthy. Even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current abilities, it was difficult to sift through all his memories. Nevertheless, Despite this, Gu Qingfeng still obtained the information he wanted. ¡°Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± ¡°Royal Cult Worship!¡± ¡°Beast Taming Skills...Saint Inheritance!¡± Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself, his gaze toward the other becoming clear. In Elder Ke¡¯s memories, the Guiyuan Dynasty was founded by a Semi-Saint powerhouse a hundred thousand years ago. Since then, The strength of the Guiyuan Dynasty had gradually become more formidable. As of now, Although the Guiyuan Dynasty did not have a Semi-Saint overseeing it, it boasted several strong individuals at the Dao Palace Realm, among them Emperor Han, who presided over the Guiyuan Dynasty, was a powerful cultivator at the pinnacle of the Ninth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm. As long as nothing unexpected led to his fall, he had a high probability of stepping into the Half-Saint Realm in the future. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also came to understand how Elder Ke and his companion had managed to find the Nine States. The two knew Beast Taming Skills, commanding a large number of Fierce Beasts to traverse the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and then based on the information these creatures brought back, they found the location of the Nine States. It had to be said, Such a method indeed surprised Gu Qingfeng. It also incidentally explained why lately the troubles caused by the Fierce Beasts in the Nine States had been increasingly severe. As for their purpose, it was just as Gu Qingfeng had guessed¡ªthey were after the Saint Inheritance. Even for a top-tier power like the Guiyuan Dynasty, which once had a Semi-Saint in its midst, the Saint Inheritance was highly valued. With the Saint Inheritance versus without it, the difference in strength was akin to heaven and earth. When Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought receded, Elder Ke¡¯s face was pale, and his gaze toward the other was a mix of terror and ridicule. ¡°Now that you are aware of the strength of my Guiyuan Dynasty, if you release us, there is still room for negotiation. Otherwise, you are on a path to certain death¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°Bang!¡± Before Elder Ke could finish speaking, Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, causing Elder Ke¡¯s head to explode and his death was instantaneous on the spot. A cultivator at the level of Divine Transformation Realm could regenerate limbs, true, but they couldn¡¯t regenerate a head after it was gone. ¡°Elder Ke!!¡± When Han An, who was in a nearby cell, saw the headless corpse, his inner terror could no longer be contained, and as he looked at Gu Qingfeng again, his face was filled with fear. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me!¡± ¡°I am the Sixth Prince of the Guiyuan Dynasty, if you kill me, my imperial father will not let you off!¡± Seeing that Gu Qingfeng did not reply but instead came directly to his cell, Han An grew increasingly frightened. ¡°I will talk!¡± ¡°I am willing to say anything, just don¡¯t kill me... don¡¯t...¡± During his pleas, A warm flow began to spill from between Han An¡¯s legs, as the Sixth Prince from the Guiyuan Dynasty had been utterly terror-stricken. ¡°I still trust what I see for myself,¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head, and then proceeded to use his skills to Soul Search. Searching Han An¡¯s memories was much easier than searching Elder Ke¡¯s, given the significant difference in their realms. The former was only at the Sixth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, and the latter had already stepped into the threshold of the Taoist Palace Realm. Soon, Han An¡¯s memories were thoroughly searched. Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to focus on searching for the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s Cultivation Techniques, suddenly, a massive Divine Thought forcefully appeared. ¡°Who dares to pry into the inheritance of my Guiyuan Dynasty, seeking death!¡± The Divine Thought exploded. Such a formidable presence was enough to crush any ordinary Dao Palace Realm cultivator. But to this, Gu Qingfeng responded with a cold look in his eyes, retaliating with his Divine Thought to suppress. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± The two forces collided, with the intruding Divine Thought easily shattered. But as the Divine Thought was suppressed, Han An¡¯s head also exploded, ending any semblance of life. ¡°What a pity!¡± Seeing Han An dead, Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head in regret. As a top-notch power, one that had once fostered a Semi-Saint, the inheritance of the Guiyuan Dynasty was not to be underestimated, and it was possibly even stronger than the inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land. As the Sixth Prince of the Guiyuan Dynasty, Han An likely possessed the complete inheritance of his dynasty. Unfortunately, In the deepest part of his consciousness, there was a restriction placed by a strong cultivator. If someone attempted to probe and search for their inheritance memories, this restriction would activate. Such a restriction would either kill the intruder, or if unable to do so, would wipe out the carrier to prevent the leakage of the dynasty¡¯s inheritance. Remembering that vast Divine Thought, with its imperious and domineering aura, Gu Qingfeng suspected that it belonged to Emperor Han of the Guiyuan Dynasty. Chapter 282: 223 Taoist Palace Restriction_3 Chapter 282: Chapter 223 Taoist Palace Restriction_3 A practitioner of the Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer, a top-tier powerhouse. However, though Emperor Han was powerful, the only thing he had left on Han An was a fraction of his Divine Thought, naturally incapable of rivaling Gu Qingfeng. ¡°The Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer doesn¡¯t seem as strong as I imagined!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze flickered slightly before returning to normal. Gu Yang, looking at the deceased Han An, couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Father, what were the results of the Soul Search?¡± ¡°It¡¯s almost done. I originally wanted to obtain the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s inheritance from this boy, but unfortunately his sea of consciousness had Taoist Palace Restrictions. If someone attempted to Soul Search, it would trigger such restrictions.¡± Gu Qingfeng mentioned with a hint of regret. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s expression became somewhat solemn; then he turned and ordered the prison guard following him, ¡°Clean up these bodies!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The guard promptly took the command. ¡ª In the Ancient Desolate World, in the Eastern Domain, within the Guiyuan Dynasty, upon the royal court, a middle-aged emperor sat solemnly upon the throne, his black eyes as deep as an abyss, his brows exuding the imperious aura of a ruler. ¡°Uh...¡± While Emperor Han was listening to the reports of his ministers, his brow suddenly furrowed, and then a bone-chilling murderous intent burst forth from his eyes. ¡°Who dares to spy on the inheritance of my Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± Before his words even finished, an overwhelmingly domineering presence burst forth, pressuring the entire grand hall. All the ministers¡¯ faces changed drastically; under that oppressive might, they instinctively knelt to the ground, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. Shortly after, Emperor Han realized his loss of composure, the aura on his body quickly retracted, and the ministers finally breathed a sigh of relief, struggling to their feet from the ground. Then, an elder minister stepped forward and asked, ¡°May I ask why Your Majesty is so enraged?¡± ¡°The inheritance restriction on the Sixth Prince has been triggered!¡± Emperor Han uttered, and upon hearing this, the ministers¡¯ expressions changed again. They naturally understood what the inheritance restriction mentioned by Emperor Han meant; when it was triggered, it signified that someone had attempted a Soul Search. At this moment, after his initial fury had passed, Emperor Han was pondering who could have acted. After all, although Han An was not very strong, he had the protection of the royal tutelage, with Elder Ke one step into the Taoist Palace Realm, a force not to be underestimated. Moreover, Han An had life-preserving trump cards given by the royal family. Normally speaking, even if he encountered danger, escaping should not have been a problem. What¡¯s more, Han An was backed by the Guiyuan Dynasty; no other forces could possibly be unaware of this. Immediately, Emperor Han thought of something. At this moment, a guard hurried in and said to Emperor Han with a bow, ¡°Reporting to Your Majesty, Elder Ke and the Sixth Prince¡¯s Soul Tokens have shattered!¡± Upon these words, the entire court was shocked. Shattered Soul Tokens meant that the person who had left them had fallen. If only a royal tutelage had fallen, it might have been acceptable, but now a Prince had died, and the consequences would naturally be extraordinary. However, Emperor Han was not as furious as expected; when he knew that someone attempted a Soul Search intending to seize the dynasty¡¯s inheritance, he had already anticipated Han An¡¯s end. Clearly, the other party was now completely breaking face with the Guiyuan Dynasty. ¡°Dismiss the court!¡± Emperor Han said coldly, directly announcing the end of the session. The ministers dared not say more and could only bow and retreat, except for one who stood still in his spot. Once everyone had left, Emperor Han looked at the person in front of him and said, ¡°An¡¯er was acting on my command to enter the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to seek the trace of the Saint Inheritance. Now that he and Elder Ke have fallen, it is very likely related to the Saint Inheritance.¡± ¡°Go immediately with the Divine Emperor Army to the Ancient Beast Mountain Range; you must bring back the Saint Inheritance. Furthermore, find out who killed An¡¯er.¡± ¡°Anyone who dares to oppose my Guiyuan Dynasty only has one path: death!¡± As he spoke to the end, Emperor Han¡¯s face was filled with murderous resolve. He had many progenies, so the loss of a Sixth Prince would not cause Emperor Han such fury. What really angered Emperor Han was that the other party was slapping the face of the Guiyuan Dynasty and possibly involving the Saint Inheritance. These two things were what Emperor Han truly valued. The person before him was a great general of the Guiyuan Dynasty named Ji Meng. His cultivation had long entered the Taoist Palace Realm Seventh Layer, considered one of the top powerhouses in the Guiyuan Dynasty, with his command over the hundred thousand troops of the Divine Emperor Army being extraordinary. Now that Emperor Han was sending Ji Meng with the Divine Emperor Army into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, it indicated the seriousness of the matter. ¡°Your servant obeys the decree!¡± Ji Meng accepted the order with a bow. ... Returning to the royal palace, Gu Qingfeng informed Gu Yang of all the information obtained from the Soul Search. ¡°The strength of the Guiyuan Dynasty is not weak; it is one of the top dynasties in the Eastern Domain, founded ten thousand years ago by a Semi-Saint. After the fall of that Semi-Saint, the strength of the Guiyuan Dynasty did not decline much. The current ruler of the Guiyuan Dynasty is a practitioner of the Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer.¡± ¡°Just as the elder said, they both left Soul Tokens in the Guiyuan Dynasty; now that the two have fallen, the Guiyuan Dynasty must have received the news by now.¡± These words made Gu Yang¡¯s expression turn exceedingly grave. The Taoist Palace Realm was a level above the Divine Transformation Realm, and the Ninth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm was nearly stepping into the Saint Realm. Such powerhouses undoubtedly exerted great pressure on Gu Yang. ¡°What is the purpose of the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s visit here?¡± Gu Yang voiced his doubt. Gu Qingfeng casually replied, ¡°They¡¯re here simply to obtain the Saint Inheritance.¡± Afterward, Gu Qingfeng talked about the Divine Martial Sect and Murong Xiu. Only at this moment did Gu Yang truly understand the intentions of the Guiyuan Dynasty and the challenges the Divine Martial Dynasty would face in the days to come. Chapter 283: 223 Taoist Palace Restriction_4 Chapter 283: Chapter 223 Taoist Palace Restriction_4 If we don¡¯t count Gu Qingfeng and those four Gu Family Manor elders, it could be said that the Divine Martial Dynasty didn¡¯t have a single Divine Transformation Realm expert. Even including those four elders of the Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Layer, they seemed somewhat insignificant in front of the Dao Palace Realm. Furthermore, the Guiyuan Dynasty had even more powerful individuals sitting in the Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer. With this in mind, Gu Yang couldn¡¯t help but look towards Gu Qingfeng and ask, ¡°Father, what exactly is your cultivation level now, and if the Guiyuan Dynasty were to invade, how confident are you?¡± ¡°Just temporarily regard me as in the Dao Palace Realm, but as long as no Saint comes forward, there should be no major issues.¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment, perhaps revealing a bit of his own strength. To tell the truth, although he was currently only at the Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level, his profound foundation was unmatched by anyone else at that level. Judging from the restrictions in Han An¡¯s sea of consciousness, it seemed that there were not as many powerful individuals at the Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer as he had imagined. Therefore, if he really faced an opponent from the Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer, Gu Qingfeng would still have the confidence to fight. This statement greatly relieved Gu Yang, and his gaze towards Gu Qingfeng was filled with admiration. As long as no Saint intervened, there would be no major issues. Wouldn¡¯t that mean that even if the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer expert personally came, it wouldn¡¯t be much of a problem? Taking a deep breath, Gu Yang said, ¡°With father¡¯s words, I am reassured. Since they are coming for the Saint Inheritance, the two from the Guiyuan Dynasty are just the beginning. Next, I will order people to thoroughly search all regions and closely monitor the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. If any more experts from the Eastern Domain arrive, the court should know immediately.¡± ¡°Additionally¡ª¡± ¡°I think White Stone Dao is ultimately too small. How about I find a place within the Capital as the foundation for Gu Family Manor?¡± Before Gu Qingfeng could answer, Gu Yang continued with a bitter smile. ¡°I am not afraid of father¡¯s ridicule, but with the current situation, the court ultimately lacks powerful figures to oversee it. If father could stay in the Capital, I believe many troubles could be avoided. Of course, if father is unwilling, I naturally would not force him.¡± Despite saying this, the intense longing in Gu Yang¡¯s eyes made it clear to Gu Qingfeng that he had no option to refuse. However, for him, whether Gu Family Manor was in White Stone Dao or the Capital didn¡¯t make much of a difference. ¡°Alright, since you¡¯ve asked, I will agree to your request.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded in assent under the expectant gaze of the other. With these words, Gu Yang was immediately overjoyed. ¡°Great, then father can first rest inside the Imperial Palace. I will immediately start arranging for Gu Family Manor to relocate here. There are many places within the Capital now; does father have a preference for the new location of Gu Family Manor?¡± ¡°You take care of the arrangements.¡± Gu Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively, not paying much mind to these matters. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang didn¡¯t hesitate, first arranging for Gu Qingfeng to rest and then tirelessly sending people to find a suitable location for the new Gu Family Manor. Subsequently, the situation in White Stone Dao was also being handled in parallel. Gu Family Manor had been deeply rooted in White Stone Dao for decades, accumulating a solid foundation. Naturally, relocation would not be simple. But with the aid of the court¡¯s resources mobilized by Gu Yang, these matters became much simpler. In less than ten days, the vast Gu Family Manor had completely relocated to the Capital. The former Guangyang Prince Mansion was now razed and rebuilt by Gu Yang as the new Gu Family Manor. As soon as this news broke, the entire Capital was shaken. On the day when Gu Family Manor reopened, officials from all sides along with powers from the Martial World came to visit. Gu Qingfeng did not appear to receive them, leaving the handling to Gu Peng while he himself focused on closed-door cultivation, continuing to meditate on the Ancient Heavenly Blade. Chapter 284: 224 Strong Soul (Happy National Day!) Chapter 284: Chapter 224 Strong Soul (Happy National Day!) ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ ordered surveillance over the Ancient Beast Mountain Range and concurrently conducted thorough investigations within the Nine States, to prevent unidentified numbers from infiltrating!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ studied the Beast Taming Scripture and gained some insights!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ acquired guidance from a Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers cultivator and his cultivation improved!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ cultivated the Green Lotus Sword Scripture and gained some understanding, slightly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ cultivated the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture and gained some understanding, slightly enhancing his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ received a legacy left by a mysterious yet powerful entity, and his strength improved!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ received guidance from remnants of a strong soul, and his cultivation improved!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ took an Ancient Elixir and made a significant breakthrough in cultivation, advancing to Bone Refining Perfection!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ took an Ancient Elixir and made a significant breakthrough in cultivation, advancing to the Initial Stage of Marrow Cleansing!¡± ¡°Reward points *50!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ took an Ancient Elixir and made a significant breakthrough in cultivation, advancing to the Mid-level Stage of Marrow Cleansing!¡± ¡°Reward points *50!¡± ... ¡°Mysterious legacy!¡± ¡°Remnants of a strong soul?¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the text appearing on the information panel, his expression slightly peculiar. After relocating from Gu Family Manor to the Capital, Gu Xiu began his journey of outside training. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng also did not stop him. He only repeatedly cautioned Gu Xiu not to venture into the Ancient Beast Mountain, as the dangers within were abundant, and even a moment of carelessness could lead to his demise. Regarding this, Gu Xiu nodded in agreement. However, what Gu Qingfeng found unexpected was that it hadn¡¯t been long since Gu Xiu left the Gu Family Manor, and he had already encountered extraordinary opportunities and apparently, even gained an old grandfather by his side. A remnant of a strong soul! Such a thing was all too familiar. First with Gu Yang, then with Gu Xuan, and now with Gu Xiu, Gu Qingfeng found himself lost in thought. He realized, his descendants seemed to possess good Qi Fortune. However, this was also favorable. Their laissez-faire style of upbringing allowed for more unpredictability. Like in Gu Xiu¡¯s case, his Cultivation Realm could have been lagging behind Gu Xuan by several levels, yet one single Ancient Elixir bridged all these gaps. If Gu Xiu had continued his cultivation within the Gu Family Manor, it would have been debatable whether he could have achieved Bone Refining Perfection at the current moment, let alone stepping into the Marrow Cleansing Realm. ¡°Speaking of which, it¡¯s about time Xuan¡¯er and Xiu¡¯er considered marriage and having children to extend the Gu Family bloodline...¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then shook his head. ¡°Well, the blessings for the descendants are their own; such matters should not be forced.¡± ¡°Continuing the bloodline must rely on the oldest.¡± Gu Yang, now the ruler of the Nine States, fathered three offspring. With his current status and position, it was destined that he would continue to expand the family lineage. So, these matters, Gu Qingfeng believed, were understood by Gu Yang without needing to be spelled out. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng shifted his attention back to the Ancient Heavenly Blade. This divine skill passed down by the Saint was indeed mysteriously profound, and although Gu Qingfeng had entered its beginner levels, advancing further was not so simple. To upgrade the Ancient Heavenly Blade using reward points would require a full two thousand points. For Gu Qingfeng now, two thousand points were quite a lot. However, now with Gu Yang and others having grown, each advancement in their respective realms could bring in a substantial amount of reward points, incomparable to the past. Similar to Gu Yang¡¯s other progeny, a breakthrough at Blood Refining Realm used to yield only twenty points, but a breakthrough in Marrow Cleansing Realm now yielded fifty points. Such an increase was already more than a double fold. Then again, it was time for Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough. When he advanced to the Grandmaster Realm, one could yield three hundred points at once, and now advancing to the Grandmaster Realm directly yielded five hundred points. If Gu Yang moved from the initial stage of Grandmaster Realm to the peak, he could garner a total of two thousand points. Looking at it this way, the necessity of two thousand points to upgrade a divine skill once seemed not so daunting. Furthermore, more importantly, once Gu Yang broke through the barrier of Grandmaster and stepped into Divine Transformation Realm or even higher levels, the reward points provided would only increase. This, was the advantage of the first progeny. ... ¡°Elder, is the Ancient Desolate World truly teeming with powerful beings?¡± In a certain tavern, Gu Xiu sat alone at a table laden with wine and dishes, yet his attention was on the ring in his hand. Within this ring lay the remnant soul of the being known as Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Hearing this, Emperor Extreme Great Saint spoke gravely, ¡°The Ancient Desolate World is divided into Five Domains, numerous top-tier sects and noble families abound, packed with powerhouses, unimaginable to you.¡± ¡°In your Nine States, achieving Grandmaster is already exceedingly rare, yet in the past within the Southern Domain, the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land I founded regarded Grandmasters merely as basic disciples.¡± Hearing his words, a shock ran through Gu Xiu¡¯s heart. The Five Domains of the Ancient Desolate World! Emperor Extreme Sacred Land! From the mere few words of Emperor Extreme Great Saint, Gu Xiu seemed to glimpse a vast expanse of heaven and earth. Then, curious, Gu Xiu asked, ¡°Since Elder is a powerhouse of the Southern Domain, why then appear in the Nine States?¡± Hearing this question, Emperor Extreme Great Saint fell silent for a short while. After a long pause, he slowly replied, ¡°Actually, the Nine States are not as simple as you think; it is rumored that in the most ancient of times, this place once gave rise to a supreme force. Chapter 285: 224 Strong Soul (Happy National Day!)_2 Chapter 285: Chapter 224 Strong Soul (Happy National Day!)_2 This force originated from the Nine States, overwhelming the entire Ancient Desolate World. But afterward, due to unknown reasons, this faction collapsed overnight, even the veins of the Nine States were broken, leading to a decline in nature¡¯s spiritual energy here, and thereby gradually to its downfall.¡± ¡°At first, many powerful beings from other domains entered the Nine States, hoping to find the inheritance of that supreme force. In the end, they all returned without success, and as time went by, the Nine States gradually faded from the view of the Ancient Desolate World.¡± Gu Xiu, hearing this, couldn¡¯t help but feel slightly astonished. ¡°Is there such a history with the Nine States? And why did the senior fall here?¡± Gu Xiu voiced the puzzlement in his mind. With the power of an Emperor Extreme Great Saint, one shouldn¡¯t have fallen in the Nine States. After all, from what the Emperor Extreme Great Saint said, he had some understanding of the cultivation system beyond Great Grandmaster. Above the Great Grandmaster lies Divine Transformation, above Divine Transformation is Dao Palace, above Dao Palace are the Saints, and as for the Great Saints, they are the supreme beings above the Saints. Such beings¡¯ power is imaginable. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint said with a bitter smile, ¡°Back then, when I entered the Nine States, I was seeking a breakthrough opportunity, but unexpectedly, I triggered the prohibition left by the supreme force of the past, subsequently suffering a heavy blow that caused my downfall. If not for this treasure that protected my body, preserving a sliver of my soul in slumber, I would have likely perished long ago.¡± ¡°Now, although I have preserved my lingering soul with secret techniques, now that I have awakened, I cannot sustain myself for many more years.¡± ¡°If you cannot find a way for me to consolidate a physical body, within a millennium or two, I will completely dissipate between heaven and earth.¡± With that said, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint let out a sigh. In his prime, he was already at the pinnacle of the Great Saints, hoping to further his achievements, but he ended up falling here. To speak the truth, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint also had some regrets. If he had not entered the Nine States, with his innate talent, he might have already succeeded in transcending realms, and wouldn¡¯t have come to such a state. But regret is useless now. A Great Saint Realm cultivator can live for eight thousand years. When he fell, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had already lived for six thousand years, and later with secret techniques, he sealed himself, thus unaffected by the passage of years. However, now that he has awakened, the seal will naturally dissolve, and if he cannot consolidate a physical body and make a breakthrough, he will reach the end of his lifespan after a millennium or two. ¡°With the inheritance bestowed upon me by the senior, I shall do my utmost.¡± Gu Xiu said. Upon hearing this, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint spoke again, ¡°The Nine States were indeed strong in those days, but that is a matter of ancient times; now the decline of the Nine States is a fact. With your talents, staying here would be a waste. I established a Holy Land in the Southern Domain thirty thousand years ago; you can carry my token to the Southern Domain, and if you can enter the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, it will save you much trouble.¡± In the end, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint gave a reminder. ¡°Eh... Can the forces established by the senior thirty thousand years ago still exist?¡± ¡°Hmph, the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land that I founded back then was a top-tier force in the Southern Domain. Even though I fell in the Nine States, with the foundation of the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, passing down the inheritance for several hundred thousand years would be an easy task. You must not assume that my downfall signifies weakness; in reality, in each era, not many can reach the Great Saint Realm. Now that the great Dao has not revealed itself, it¡¯s feared that there are no Saints in the Ancient Desolate World, let alone the Great Saint Realm!¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint laughed in anger at Gu Xiu¡¯s underestimation. Curious about this display of anger, Gu Xiu was at a loss for words but then asked curiously, ¡°What does the senior mean by ¡®the great Dao has not revealed itself¡¯?¡± ¡°In the Ancient Desolate World, every ten thousand years, the great Dao will gradually manifest, and with the manifestation of the great Dao, it represents the true peak of the era. In the era when the great Dao manifests, cultivation will become much easier than before. Dao Palace may enter the Saint Realm, Saints may step into the Great Saint Realm, and Great Saints may even seek out the path ahead, climbing the peak step by step, perhaps even achieving immortality!¡± Toward the end, when mentioning immortality, the voice of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint became fervent. ¡°Immortality!?¡± ¡°Could there truly be immortals in this world?¡± Gu Xiu couldn¡¯t help but ask. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s tone returned to normal, slightly melancholic, ¡°Whether there truly are immortals in the world, no one knows. However, it is said that the disappearance of that supreme force from the Nine States is related to immortality. But throughout the ages, whether there really were beings who stepped onto the path of immortality, seizing the chance to become an immortal, is also unclear to me. But since there are rumors of immortals, they probably do exist!¡± Achieving immortality! It was the lifelong pursuit of the strong in the Ancient Desolate World. If becoming immortal was a falsehood, why would these strong characters doggedly seek it? Subsequently, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s tone changed as he said, ¡°When the Great Dao manifests, it signifies an era of great strife¡ªa time when the era reaches its pinnacle but also marks the beginning of the decline of the next era. When the Great Dao conceals itself, the Heavenly Dao becomes obscure, making it much more difficult for cultivators to practice and make breakthroughs. Even for those with astonishing talent who reach the peak of the Taoist Palace Realm, it¡¯s very hard to be sanctified in this era!¡± ¡°One must know, an era spans thirteen thousand years, with ten thousand years being the End of Dharma, and three thousand years of prosperity. For the prodigies born at the beginning of the End of Dharma era, waiting for that prosperous period of three thousand years is undeniably a challenging task. Even a cultivator of the Nine Layers of the Taoist Palace Realm has but a mere lifespan of six thousand years!¡± The words of Emperor Extreme Great Saint suddenly helped Gu Xiu understand the sorrow of these prodigies. The End of Dharma era. Hard to be sanctified. Clearly talents of extreme brilliance and inverse to heaven, they would have been expected to be sanctified in the three thousand years of the great strife era, but eventually, they had to sit and fade away in disappointment. For these prodigies, this was indeed somewhat tragic. Gu Xiu said, ¡°Then does senior know whether the present age is the End of Dharma era, or does it belong to the era of great strife?¡± ¡°Currently, as the Great Dao has not appeared, it should be within the End of Dharma era.¡± Hearing Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s words, Gu Xiu¡¯s heart sank slightly. Subsequently, The other party added another comment. ¡°However, although the Great Dao has not yet manifested, there are already some slight fluctuations. If this seat is not mistaken, it should now be the end of the End of Dharma era. Perhaps in another one or two thousand years, we may truly enter the era of great strife!¡± ¡°Speaking of which, you, lad, are also quite fortunate. With your talent, if you can endure until the era of great strife, you will undoubtedly shine brilliantly!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint was quite optimistic about Gu Xiu, who had an excellent aptitude and was a perfect fit for his own inheritance. With his aptitude, it would not be a problem to be sanctified in the future, and he might even take a step further and enter the Great Saint Realm. Of course, As for higher realms, In the view of Emperor Extreme Great Saint, there was not much chance. However, In the Five Domains of the Ancient Desolate World, there have been few strong ones since ancient times who could truly be sanctified, and those who broke through the limits of Saints to achieve the rank of Great Saint were even rarer. ¡°Cultivation is about taking one step ahead and staying ahead. The Nine States are ultimately too small. At your current age in the Nine States, you haven¡¯t even completed the fifth realm of Body Refinement. If you were in the Southern Domain, at your age, the real prodigies would have already stepped into the Grandmaster Realm or even the Great Grandmaster Realm. Some demons have even challenged the Divine Transformation Realm.¡± ¡°Therefore, this seat believes that you should immediately go to the Southern Domain, return to the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land first, and then obtain some opportunities from the secret realms I have left behind. It shouldn¡¯t be difficult for you to enter the Dao Palace Realm before the era of great strife arrives.¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s words caused Gu Xiu to fall into contemplation. After a long while, He finally showed a resolute expression. ¡°Senior speaks reasonably. However, leaving the Nine States is a matter of great importance. I do not know when I will be able to return if I go to the Southern Domain this time. I need to return home first to bid farewell to my parents.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint nodded. In the end, he reminded him once more. ¡°However, regarding my existence, you must not easily reveal it, not even to your parents. You must understand that the inheritance of a Great Saint involves too much. If one day you go to the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, you should not let anyone know about this matter before you become a Saint.¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Xiu nodded slightly. He understood the concerns of Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Subsequently, Gu Xiu then threw down a Silver Tael and immediately floated away. ¡ª¡ª PS: Previously, when Gu Yang broke through to the Great Grandmaster level, only three hundred Upgrade Points were given (a typo); now it¡¯s changed to five hundred Upgrade Points for breaking through the Great Grandmaster level. Also, I¡¯m taking it easy for the National Day and updating four thousand words today. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll resume with six thousand words updates! Chapter 286: 225: The Shock of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint Chapter 286: Chapter 225: The Shock of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint ¡°I¡¯ve come to pay my respects to Father!¡± Inside the main hall of the Gu Family Manor, Gu Xiu respectfully greeted Gu Qingfeng. In the presence of his own father, he always felt an instinctive fear and dared not act recklessly. Regarding this, Gu Xiu simply believed it to be a natural suppression exerted by a father¡¯s bloodline over his son. ¡°I see you¡¯ve returned, having reached the mid-level of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. It seems you¡¯ve had your fair share of opportunities lately!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded in satisfaction, as if he had just learned of the other¡¯s breakthrough. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze measured Gu Xiu, and when he noticed the black ring on his left hand, his eyebrows slightly raised, and then quickly returned to normal. At this moment, Gu Xiu said, ¡°I plan to go out for a period of training and it might take a long time before I can return, so I came back this time to bid farewell to Father.¡± ¡°Flowers in a greenhouse must eventually withstand wind and rain. You¡¯ve managed to achieve multiple breakthroughs in your cultivation in just a short time away from home, which shows that staying at home all the time is not beneficial for your cultivation. However, your mother has missed you for a long time. Since you¡¯re back, spend a couple of days with her before you leave.¡± Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, about to shoo him away, when something suddenly came to mind and he tossed a jade box over. ¡°This contains something I¡¯ve prepared for you. If you encounter danger, channel your vital energy and strength into it, and you¡¯ll be able to vanquish powerful foes.¡± ¡°Thank you, Father!¡± Gu Xiu looked at the jade box in his hand with curiosity but still took the item with him. ¡°Strong soul remnants...¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze deepened. He had just felt a faint yet terrifying aura emanating from Gu Xiu, which must be the strong soul mentioned in the information panel. As for the level of this powerful remnant soul, Gu Qingfeng was currently unaware. The last time he learned about the cultivation realm of the man in purple was because he caught a glimpse of the man in the memories of fierce beasts. But now, having seen only the treasure in which the soul resided without actually encountering the soul, Gu Qingfeng could not be certain if the information panel would reveal any more details. However, the cultivation realm of that remnant soul must not be weak. After all, it was well hidden; if Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t reached the fourth level of the Dao Palace Realm and hadn¡¯t significantly enhanced his Divine Thought strength, he would have found it difficult to truly detect that presence. But since Gu Xiu didn¡¯t speak of it, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t deliberately expose him. As for Gu Xiu¡¯s claim of leaving to train for a while, Gu Qingfeng suspected that he might be planning to leave the Nine States. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng also had no intention of stopping him. ¡ª As night fell, in the bedroom, Gu Xiu opened the jade box left by Gu Qingfeng and immediately his pupils constricted. Inside the box, there was a severed finger, which lay there in quiet repose. The cut of the severed finger was fresh, blood seeming to slowly circulate as if it had just been cut off. What¡¯s more, the finger emitted a powerful aura, its formidable might significantly slowing Gu Xiu¡¯s breathing. ¡°This is what your father left for you. This severed finger is extraordinary. Even an average cultivator in the Dao Palace Realm, when facing it, could be directly suppressed!¡± At this moment, the voice of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint slowly emerged. Hearing his words, Gu Xiu¡¯s expression changed: ¡°Senior means to say, this severed finger can suppress strong cultivators at the Dao Palace Realm?¡± What is the Dao Palace Realm? Of course, Gu Xiu was very clear about it. According to Emperor Extreme Great Saint, in this current End of Dharma Era, the Dao Palace Realm is almost equivalent to the peak of strength in the Ancient Desolate World. Any Dao Palace Realm cultivator holds a not insignificant position in the Ancient Desolate World. Moreover, that is a realm even above the Divine Transformation Realm. Although Gu Xiu had never personally witnessed a Dao Palace Realm cultivator, he could understand the fearsome nature of this realm from the few remarks made by the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Yet, such formidable beings could be directly suppressed by the finger before him. Such a discovery couldn¡¯t help but shock Gu Xiu. At this time, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s voice also became solemn, even somewhat astonished. ¡°Your father is no simple man. If I¡¯m not mistaken, he may have already detected my presence. According to your previous statements, your father is just a cultivator at the Divine Transformation Realm. However, now it seems he¡¯s more than just that simple. Even ordinary Dao Palace Realm cultivators would likely be easily killed in his presence!¡± ¡°The cultivation he possesses is not exceptionally strong, but his Divine Thought is incredible to an unimaginable extent, and his vital energy is robust to a shocking degree.¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not wrong, when the great era of contention arrives one day, your father could become a Saint in an instant, stepping into the Great Saint Realm is just a matter of time!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint was genuinely shocked. In his era, Emperor Extreme Great Saint had seen too many exceptional prodigies and powerful beings. There were beings that, at the Divine Transformation Realm, could cut down those at the Dao Palace Realm, and Semi-Saints who could stand shoulder to shoulder with actual Saints. However, he had never seen a prodigy like Gu Qingfeng before. With Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s own level of cultivation and perspective, he could tell that Gu Qingfeng was currently at the fourth level of the Dao Palace Realm. But such overwhelming vital energy and divine soul almost made Emperor Extreme Great Saint mistaken him for a Semi-Saint before him. Dao Palace fourth level! Comparable to a Semi-Saint! Words like ¡®defying the heavens¡¯ were the only descriptions that fit. If he reached the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm and even aspired to the Half-Saint Realm, it would seemingly be an easy matter to overturn Saints. Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s words caused Gu Xiu to stand dumbfounded. He asked in disbelief: ¡°Senior, is my father truly that strong?¡± ¡°Very strong!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint gave an affirmative evaluation. Chapter 287: 225 Emperor Extreme Great Saints Shock_2 Chapter 287: Chapter 225 Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s Shock_2 ¡°With your father¡¯s current strength, placed in the Ancient Desolate World, he probably belongs to the very top echelons. Without any Saints, there are perhaps only a handful who could rival him.¡± ¡°I originally thought your talent was strong enough, but upon seeing your father¡¯s presence, I now understand the saying, ¡®Like father, like son.''¡± ¡°Your future accomplishments will definitely not be low, but as for your father¡¯s achievements, even I cannot readily predict them!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint exclaimed. Now, barely a thousand or two thousand years before the great era of strife, considering his current cultivation, there will absolutely be no problem when the time comes. This era. He is bound to shine brilliantly. However. Emperor Extreme Great Saint also felt relieved. Now retaining only a Strong Soul, if he could establish a good relationship with the offspring of such a strong cultivator, reconstructing his physical body would become much easier in the future. While Emperor Extreme Great Saint was pondering this, Gu Xiu¡¯s mind was deeply shaken, struggling to recover from the former¡¯s words. It was inevitable. Whomever knew of their own father¡¯s cultivation reaching the top tier of the world today would be shocked. All along. Gu Xiu had believed that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s limit was merely the Divine Transformation Realm. The decline of the Nine States. According to Emperor Extreme Great Saint, in such a context, reaching the Divine Transformation Realm is already difficult, and truly aspiring to conquer the Dao Palace is as hard as ascending to heaven. However. His own father was not only contesting the Dao Palace but also likely a top existence comparable to a Semi-Saint. Subsequently. Gu Xiu looked at the severed finger in the jade box before him, his expression slightly stunned. ¡°So, does this mean this severed finger also comes from my father?¡± ¡°Cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm can regenerate limbs, many of the geniuses in the Ancient Desolate World¡¯s factions have such Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to protect their bodies. However, remnants of such strong cultivators are rarely seen. After all, the higher the cultivator¡¯s cultivation, the less they are able to be incomplete, and even though they can regenerate limbs, the newly grown incomplete bodies can¡¯t compare with the original. Take this severed finger, for instance, the amount of time it would take to refine a newly grown finger to its peak condition is not short.¡± ¡°For the strong, time is of utmost importance, hence they would not easily harm their bodies unless absolutely necessary.¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s words made Gu Xiu¡¯s expression clear up, and his heart also felt somewhat moved. His own father appeared strict, but he genuinely cared for him as well. Having known he was about to leave, thus leaving this severed finger to protect him. However. Even though he knew Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation was formidable, being a top strong cultivator in the current End of Dharma Era, Gu Xiu still wanted to leave the Nine States and venture into the Five Domains. Simply because according to Emperor Extreme Great Saint, the Spiritual Energy in the Nine States was sparse, and if one were to cultivate there for a long duration, ultimately, they couldn¡¯t compare with the outside world. Although he didn¡¯t understand how Gu Qingfeng had managed to reach such heights within the Nine States, Gu Xiu realized he probably didn¡¯t have the qualifications to compare with his own father. Additionally. His own father was a strong cultivator comparable to a Semi-Saint, and his own son, currently not even having completed the fifth stage of Body Refinement, would seem somewhat embarrassing if known. Thus. After staying in the Gu Family Manor for two days, and amidst the reluctant and concerned look of Xu Yulan, Gu Xiu embarked on his journey to the Five Domains. ... ¡°Reporting to your honor, the third Young Master has now left the Capital heading directly towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range!¡± Half a day later, Hong Ye came to report. Gu Qingfeng nodded, ¡°You needn¡¯t follow Xiu¡¯er¡¯s movements anymore, pay close attention to others emerging from the Ancient Beast Mountain.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Hong Ye took the command and withdrew. Looking at the hall before him, Gu Qingfeng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly shook his head and chuckled. ¡°The child is ultimately grown up!¡± Next. He glanced at the information panel. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has received guidance from a Great Saint Realm Nine Layers Strong Soul, slightly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by Fierce Beasts*69!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ slayed a Refining Organ second layer Fierce Beast!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by Fierce Beasts*367!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has received guidance from a Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers cultivator, improving his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ accidentally consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, slightly boosting his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has pondered the Divine Transformation Realm Cultivation Technique and slightly improved in strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯...¡± ... ¡°Great Saint Realm Nine Layers!¡± Gu Qingfeng instinctively narrowed his eyes when he saw the first line of information, as if encountering something incredible. He was aware that the Strong Soul in Gu Xiu was no simple matter, almost being able to elude his own Divine Thought perception, naturally not far off. What Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t expected was that the Strong Soul on him belonged to a Great Saint Realm Nine Layers strong cultivator. Above a Saint. Lies a Great Saint! In the messages left by Murong Xiu, Saints were already terribly terrifying, able to establish an eternal Holy Land, while those in the Great Saint Realm above Saints, their strength could only be imagined. ¡°A Great Saint Realm¡¯s Strong Soul!¡± ¡°Xiu¡¯er has such an opportunity, his future accomplishments are likely not small¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself, comparing the opportunity Gu Xiu received to Gu Xuan¡¯s, which seemed somewhat lacking. After all, the latter only had a Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers cultivator by his side. Of course. The Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers was actually also strong. But compared to a Great Saint Realm Nine Layers strong cultivator, it seemed inadequate. Even though that Great Saint Realm Nine Layers was only a Strong Soul, it was incomparable to a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator. Additionally. Having a top Great Saint¡¯s Strong Soul in the Nine States was also somewhat intriguing. Chapter 288: 225: The Shock of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint_3 Chapter 288: Chapter 225: The Shock of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint_3 Gu Qingfeng was somewhat curious; was this Great Saint a cultivator native to the Nine States or an outsider? If an outsider, how could they have perished in the Nine States? But thinking of some information collected recently, Gu Qingfeng suppressed some of the thoughts in his mind. At present, the Nine States were indeed full of secrets. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ learned of an outsider cultivator causing trouble in the Nine States and was outraged, immediately dispatching powerhouses to suppress them!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ increased the defensive measures at the Nine States border to stabilize the populace!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ vigorously developed the Divine Martial Academy to enhance the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ unexpectedly obtained Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which after consumption, somewhat improved his talent!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ in a life-and-death struggle, gained deeper understanding of the Heavenly Blade swordsmanship, breaking through to the sixth level of Heavenly Blade True Intent!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ inadvertently encountering an attack by a Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast, later used a severed finger to suppress and kill the beast!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ discovered a mature Spiritual Medicine at the site where the Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast perished!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ after consuming the Spiritual Medicine, saw a significant increase in his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ advanced to the later stages of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *50!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ achieved Perfection in the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *50!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by a fierce beast *1369 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has entered the Eastern Domain!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by cultivators *2369 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by cultivators in the Grandmaster Realm *19 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by cultivators in the Great Grandmaster Realm *6 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, later using a severed finger to suppress and kill them!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, every now and then, he observed changes on the information panel, always keeping abreast of the younger generation¡¯s movements. At first, the text appearing on the information panel was quite normal. But since Gu Xiu entered the Eastern Domain, it was as if he had poked a hole in some power¡¯s nest, frequently suffering attacks from numerous cultivators, including those of both Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster Realms, and even cultivators from the Divine Transformation Realm had intervened. From more than two thousand recorded attacks, Gu Qingfeng could understand just how dire the circumstances his son faced were. ¡°Dare to lay hands on my son; don¡¯t let me find out who it is, otherwise I will surely pay a visit to settle the score!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes became slightly cold. Although it appeared that Gu Xiu, despite the numerous attacks, had not sustained any harm, and the only Divine Transformation Realm powerhouse who made a move was suppressed by his severed finger, seeing his own son bullied, it was impossible for Gu Qingfeng not to be furious. It¡¯s just that the Eastern Domain was separated by the Ancient Beast Mountain Range; otherwise, Gu Qingfeng would certainly make a trip to the Eastern Domain. However, Gu Xiu had the remnant soul of a top-tier Great Saint on him, as well as protective measures left by him, so there shouldn¡¯t be much of a problem. With this in mind, Gu Qingfeng was somewhat calmer. Enduring some hardships can also be beneficial. As for settling the score, there would be opportunities in the future. During this time, more and more cultivators from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range emerged and stepped into the Nine States, subsequently causing quite a disturbance. To these outsider cultivators, the cultivators of the Nine States seemed weak; they could start conflicts and slaughter at will, even to the extent that some cultivators massacred hundreds of thousands of civilians just to refine a certain treasure. In response, the Divine Martial Dynasty was naturally outraged. Gu Yang immediately had Gu Wu and four others set out to all regions, to suppress all troublemakers without exception. With four Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers powerhouses taking action, the arrogance of the outsider cultivators was greatly reduced. Nobody expected that the seemingly weak Nine States could have four Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers powerhouses as protectors. In the face of such force, the other cultivators naturally did not wish to erupt into conflict with the court. In this way, the Nine States somewhat regained peace. However, these cultivators lurking within the Nine States were ultimately a hidden danger. Gu Qingfeng was aware of these matters. However, seeing that Gu Yang was able to stabilize the situation for the time being, he had not truly intervened. ... On this day, an abnormal celestial phenomenon occurred. In the skies above Qingyun State, a terrifying heavenly phenomenon suddenly appeared, with what seemed like an overwhelming presence standing tall in the heavens and divine light piercing the sky, turning night into day. Such terrifying celestial phenomena, spread far and wide, appeared as though the people of an entire state could see them clearly. Inside the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng was also alarmed by this anomaly. He gazed into the void ahead where the immense figure stood in the sky, the dreadful aura emanating from it enough to cause even Gu Qingfeng to feel a tremor in his spirit. ¡°Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°No... at least at the Semi-Saint level, and possibly even a true Saint!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes grew solemn. The aura of this figure was particularly terrifying, indicating how powerful it was before it had perished. And in the memories left by Murong Xiu, such celestial phenomena usually accompanied the emergence of secret realms¡¯ legacies. Now, with such celestial phenomena appearing, it was clear it aligned with the information left by Murong Xiu. Not only in Murong Xiu¡¯s memories, but also in the memories of Han An and Elder Ke, there was related information. It can be said, that with the information left by Murong Xiu, as well as Soul Searching the two from the Guiyuan Dynasty, even while remaining in the Nine States, Gu Qingfeng was as familiar with the outside world as the back of his own hand. Without delay, Gu Qingfeng stepped into the void and rose, pausing amidst the emptiness. His gaze turned toward the direction of the anomaly, and only then did he truly perceive where the phenomenon was occurring. Chapter 289 225: The Shock of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint_4 "Outside of Tianxiong Pass!" Gu Qingfeng''s gaze flickered slightly. And within his line of sight, there were already numerous cultivators heading toward Tianxiong Pass. These cultivators, Included those native to the Nine States, as well as cultivators from outside. It was evident, The heaven and earth phenomenon occurring outside of Tianxiong Pass had truly caused quite the stir. Next breath, Gu Qingfeng stepped into the royal palace, and met with Gu Yang. "Father!" At this moment, Gu Yang was also alarmed by the heaven and earth phenomenon, and upon seeing Gu Qingfeng arriving, his solemn expression finally eased a bit. Gu Qingfeng said, "The heaven and earth phenomenon is likely related to the secret realm inheritance, and outside Tianxiong Pass is also the opportunity left by ancient strong practitioners, you should take people to Tianxiong Pass for an exploration." "I understand!" Upon hearing the words ''secret realm inheritance,'' Gu Yang''s expression also heated up a bit. He had reached this point also because he had come across many such opportunities. Now that such a heaven and earth phenomenon had appeared, the fortuity that would emerge was imaginable, and Gu Yang naturally did not want to miss such an opportunity. Afterward, Gu Yang said, "Now that the heaven and earth phenomenon has emerged, Tianxiong Pass will likely be affected. I ask you, Father, to go to Tianxiong Pass ahead of us to hold the situation and prevent external cultivators from harming our Divine Martial citizens!" "Agreed." Gu Qingfeng nodded, and then departed, soaring through the sky. Watching Gu Qingfeng leave, Gu Yang immediately mobilized the court''s strong practitioners, leading his people toward Tianxiong Pass. ... "An anomaly born from heaven!" "A great opportunity must have come to this world!" Fu He, who was in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, was startled upon seeing such a heaven and earth phenomenon, and without delay, he led Gu Xuan toward that place. Although Fu He did not have much interest in Saint Inheritance, it did not mean he was completely unmoved by the prospect of opportunity. One must know, Fu He had now stepped into the Nine Layers of the Divine Transformation Realm, which was almost his limit. To break through the shackles of the Nine Layers of the Divine Transformation Realm and truly enter the Daoist Palace Realm would need an immense opportunity. At this moment, The opportunity had emerged. Observing the heaven and earth anomaly, such an anomaly must at least involve the Dao Palace level or even higher. Naturally, Fu He did not want to miss it. Elsewhere, A middle-aged cultivator stood suspended in the air, watching the direction of the heaven and earth phenomenon, his calm expression finally undergoing some change, his eyes becoming much more fervent. "Such an aura is at least that of a Semi-Saint, or perhaps it could reach the true level of a Saint." "In that case, even if I can''t find the Saint Inheritance from the hands of the Divine Sun Sacred Land from the past, acquiring this opportunity would make my journey worthwhile!" Xi Yu was somewhat excited in his heart. He was a strong practitioner of the Daoist Palace Realm, and elder of a top Holy Land, but that did not mean he was unmoved by these opportunities. Not to mention the chance of a Saint opportunity, Even the emergence of a Semi-Saint opportunity would attract the attention of many strong practitioners. Having entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range long ago, Xi Yu had not reaped much. Now that he had witnessed such an opportunity emerge, how could he turn a blind eye? While Xi Yu was making his way to the location of the heaven and earth phenomenon, other strong practitioners within the Ancient Beast Mountain Range were doing the same. Once entering the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, It was like sinking into a quagmire, where finding a way out was not an easy task. Therefore, When the heaven and earth phenomenon appeared, it was like a lighthouse in the sea, a beacon in the darkness, guiding the way; all cultivators rushed toward the direction of the anomaly, like moths to a flame. Simply from the aura within the phantom shadow of the anomaly, the vast majority of cultivators understood that this emerging opportunity was not simple. In the face of such an opportunity, many cultivators even put the task of seeking the Saint Inheritance aside, for the time being. Whether the Saint Inheritance could be found was filled with uncertainty. After all, with eons separating them, searching for it would not be easy. But the opportunity that had now emerged was a tangible event, and the cultivators were very clear about what was more important. Chapter 290: 226 Is This Your Father? Chapter 290: Chapter 226 Is This Your Father? Within the bounds of a county town, blood clouds covered the heavens and earth, leaving many cultivators and common folk alike with expressions of utter panic on their faces. ¡°Who dares cause trouble here? Do you not fear the court¡¯s punishment?!¡± Su Guangdao bellowed angrily. He was the official in charge of managing the city, and upon seeing the appearance of the blood clouds, his heart instinctively filled with unease. However. Despite the unease in his heart, Su Guangdao did not show fear. As his voice fell, in the void above, a figure clad in blood-red suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The figure had the face of a middle-aged man, but with a sinister smile. ¡°Hehehe, you should all consider it the honor of a lifetime to serve as nourishment for my Blood Banner. A mere regional dynasty dares to threaten me? I suspect none of you have even heard the name of the Blood Cloud Ancestor!¡± The Blood Cloud Ancestor said with disdain, looking at Su Guangdao with a contemptuous gaze. A cultivator in the Fifth Realm of Refining Organ, in his eyes, was no different from an ant. Using his Divine Thought to sense his surroundings, he found that there were quite a few cultivators in the county, but the highest cultivation among them was merely at the Refining Organ Realm, making them no different than ants to the Blood Cloud Ancestor. At this moment. Some of the cultivators from outside Xing¡¯an County changed their expressions slightly upon hearing his words and seeing the blood clouds in the void. ¡°The Blood Cloud Ancestor!¡± ¡°He¡¯s actually come here!¡± ¡°Hiss, we never anticipated that such a celestial phenomenon would attract him here; it looks like a lot of people are going to die¡ª¡± Many cultivators spoke of the Blood Cloud Ancestor with expressions filled with dread, as if he was some fearsome being. Elsewhere, Fu He and Gu Xuan arrived on the scene as well. When Gu Xuan heard what the Blood Cloud Ancestor and the other cultivators were discussing, he couldn¡¯t help but turn to ask his mentor, ¡°May I ask Master, who is this Blood Cloud Ancestor?¡± ¡°The Blood Cloud Ancestor is a Loose Cultivator from the Eastern Domain. His notoriety is notorious, and it is rumored that he has already stepped into the Third Level of Taoist Palace Realm. His cultivation is formidable, Moreover, this man is known for being brutal in his actions, cultivating a technique known as the Blood Cloud Demon Skill, which often involves the massacre of ordinary cultivators, thus incurring the wrath of both heaven and people. There was an occasion when a Holy Land mobilized several strong cultivators from the Taoist Palace Realm to surround and kill the Blood Cloud Ancestor, but they all failed to capture him. His appearance here likely spells doom for the citizens of this city!¡± Fu He gazed at the now blood-cloud-covered Xing¡¯an County, shaking his head slightly as if he had already foreseen the fate of these commoners. It¡¯s no surprise Fu He thought this way. After all, any cultivator at the level of the Taoist Palace Realm is an extremely fearsome being, let alone the Blood Cloud Ancestor who is at the Third Level, much stronger than the average Dao Palace Realm cultivator. Upon hearing this, Gu Xuan¡¯s face turned rather ugly. The world today belonged to the Gu Family, and now the Blood Cloud Ancestor¡¯s intention to slaughter the court¡¯s populace was a direct affront to the Gu Family¡¯s dignity. For a moment. Gu Xuan wanted to take forceful action. However, Fu He saw his disciple¡¯s intentions and stepped forward to stop him, ¡°The strength of the Blood Cloud Ancestor is not simple, and he acts without restraint. If you do not act, relying on the status of a disciple from the Taixu Sacred Land, he will still have some reservations. But if you truly enrage him, then even the Taixu Sacred Land will not be able to protect you!¡± Fu He said gravely. ¡°You must understand that once dead, you are dead. Even if the Taixu Sacred Land avenges you afterward and slays the Blood Cloud Ancestor, you will not come back to life. ¡®It¡¯s better to keep a low profile to survive and fight another day,¡¯ this is another lesson I have taught you!¡± Every prodigy is proud at heart. This point, Fu He certainly understood. But in Fu He¡¯s view, when it¡¯s time to endure, one must endure. History has shown that many powerful beings have gradually reached the pinnacle in exactly this way. Hearing this, Gu Xuan clenched his fists in silence, his eyes filled with a murderous intent towards the Blood Cloud Ancestor, yet he felt powerless. Just as Fu He said, with his current strength, challenging the Blood Cloud Ancestor was like throwing an egg against a rock, utterly futile. At that moment, The Blood Cloud Ancestor seemed to sense something and his cold gaze fell on Gu Xuan, his expression slightly ferocious. ¡°Young one, do you have some grievances with me?¡± he said. As his words fell, a terrifying aura crushed down towards Gu Xuan. Fu He stepped forward, blocking Gu Xuan and bowed his hand towards the Blood Cloud Ancestor, ¡°Please calm your anger, Elder Blood Cloud. The young one is ignorant; I hope you can give face to the Taixu Sacred Land!¡± ¡°The Taixu Sacred Land... Hehehe!¡± The Blood Cloud Ancestor looked at Fu He, his eyes betraying a chilling murderous intent, yet as if suddenly remembering something, he eventually withdrew his gaze. A Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers like Fu He, he did not take seriously. But as for the Taixu Sacred Land behind him, the Blood Cloud Ancestor had to give some face. His survival up to this day was due to his understanding of whom he could offend and whom he could not. As a Holy Land, The Taixu Sacred Land was also amongst the top forces in the Eastern Domain. One should note. Not all Holy Lands are at the same level. Some Holy Lands have only had Saints at the helm, while some have produced Great Saints, and even more powerful beings. At this moment, the others listening to Fu He¡¯s words looked at him with a degree of wariness in their eyes. ¡°Who would have thought that people from the Taixu Sacred Land would also be here!¡± ¡°Thirty thousand years ago, the Taixu Sacred Land produced a Great Saint-level powerhouse who shook the entire Eastern Domain; such a force indeed has an unfathomable foundation...¡± Chapter 291: 226 Is This Your Father?_2 Chapter 291: Chapter 226 Is This Your Father?_2 Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s heritage was ancient, and in almost every era, Saints emerged. Thirty thousand years ago, a top-tier Great Saint stepped forth from Taixu Sacred Land, which was a testament to their strength. Beside, Gu Xuan listened to the other cultivators¡¯ words and finally understood the true status of Taixu Sacred Land in the Eastern Domain. On the other side. Blood Cloud Ancestor¡¯s cold gaze fell upon Xing¡¯an County, and his terrifying power descended suddenly, intending to refine all the people of the city. Seeing Blood Cloud Ancestor make his move, Su Guangdao¡¯s complexion changed, and he immediately brought out his official seal, his robust Qi Fortune erupting and transforming into a green barrier that protected the entire Xing¡¯an County. ¡°Hmph, the mere Qi Fortune of a county¡¯s dynasty also dares to obstruct me, ridiculous!¡± Blood Cloud Ancestor dismissed the effort with contempt, and in a snap, blood light bombarded the green barrier, causing it to shatter bit by bit. In an instant. Su Guangdao was recoiled upon, his complexion immediately turning deathly pale. He looked at Blood Cloud Ancestor with desperation in his eyes. ¡°Could it really be that heaven wants to destroy my Xing¡¯an County!?¡± Using Qi Fortune to protect a county was Su Guangdao¡¯s utmost measure. Normally. With such a measure, even if a Master attacked, Su Guangdao could have the confidence to block them. Unfortunately. The person making a move was a being of the Dao Palace Realm. A power that could suppress Masters was like nothing in front of such a formidable entity. ¡°Destroy!¡± Blood Cloud Ancestor manipulated his Seal Skills, and just as the blood cloud was about to descend completely, a strong premonition of danger surged in his heart, as if some terrible event was about to happen. The complexion of Blood Cloud Ancestor changed, and in an instant, he saw a green-robed cultivator step into the void, and the vast blood cloud dispersed in an instant. ¡°Who are you¡ª¡± Blood Cloud Ancestor¡¯s expression grew grave, the emergence of this cultivator in front of him presenting a great threat. ¡°I am Gu Qingfeng, anyone who dares to cause chaos shall be executed!¡± With those words from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mouth, he swept his hand down in a palm strike, and terrifying strength shattered layers of space, like the collapse of the heavens, causing great horror in Blood Cloud Ancestor¡¯s heart. Gu Qingfeng! He had just arrived in the Nine States and naturally did not know much. But as the other party made their move, Blood Cloud Ancestor understood that the strength of the newcomer was terrifying, and if he did not exert all his strength, he would surely perish here. He would die! Thinking of this possibility, Blood Cloud Ancestor could not care about anything else and immediately brought out a Blood Banner, the ferocious blood cloud surging mightily, as if it could corrupt the entire heaven and earth. However. Such power was like paper mache in front of Gu Qingfeng, whose Hand Wind crushed down and wiped out all the blood clouds, shaking the Blood Banner vigorously, then it shattered under Blood Cloud Ancestor¡¯s horrified gaze. ¡°No¡ª¡± Blood Cloud Ancestor was terrified beyond belief. He had cultivated the Blood Banner for thousands of years, elevating it to the rank of ancient weaponry, yet now it was destroyed by the palm of this unknown cultivator, how could Blood Cloud Ancestor not be terrified. Not caring for the heartache of the Blood Banner¡¯s destruction, Blood Cloud Ancestor turned and fled. Gu Qingfeng, with his left hand behind him, transformed his right hand into a blade and slashed towards the fleeing figure of Blood Cloud Ancestor. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± A seemingly simple action followed by a terrifying Heavenly Blade cutting through a hundred miles of void, Blood Cloud Ancestor¡¯s form halted momentarily, and in the next breath, he was completely bisected, his body falling to the ground. A long time passed. The shattered void gradually healed back to its original state. ... Silence! The entire scene was dead silent! Everyone looked towards the green-robed figure in the void as if they had seen some terrifying entity. ¡°Blood... Blood Cloud Ancestor is dead!¡± ¡°Two moves to kill Blood Cloud Ancestor, this person¡¯s strength is terrifying!!¡± ¡°Who could have imagined that Blood Cloud Ancestor, who had dominated the Eastern Domain for years, would fall in a place like the Nine States... Gu Qingfeng, this name does sound familiar!¡± ¡°Hehe, how could it not be familiar? This is the Martial Saint of the Nine States, known as the number one powerhouse¡ª¡± Everyone was shocked by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, and some cultivators who had just come to the Nine States found the name Gu Qingfeng quite unfamiliar. But to those cultivators who had ventured into the Nine States earlier, this name was not strange at all. Martial Saint Gu Qingfeng! The number one powerhouse of the Nine States! Before Gu Qingfeng truly made a move, these cultivators from the Eastern Domain always thought that he was just a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, and did not pay much attention. The reason they feared the Divine Martial Dynasty was that the Divine Martial Dynasty had four Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layer powerhouses stationed there. If not for the existence of those four Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layer powerhouses, the Divine Martial Dynasty would have already been overturned by them. But until now, These cultivators only realized how naive they had been. This Martial Saint, Was simply not an ordinary Divine Transformation Realm cultivator. To kill the Blood Cloud Ancestor with just two moves, as easily as crushing an ant, such strength was difficult even for an average Dao Palace Realm Sixth Layer powerhouse to achieve. Clearly, The strength of the opponent, Was at least at the Tao Palace Realm Seventh Layer, and possibly even higher. Such strength, let alone in the small plot of land known as the Nine States, even in the Eastern Domain, was truly considered top-notch. After all, It is now the End of Dharma Era. When Saints do not appear, The Dao Palace Realm represents the highest echelon of cultivators. And those who truly enter the Tao Palace Realm Seventh Layer and above are even scarcer. No one expected that a Divine Martial Dynasty could produce a powerhouse suspected to be above the Tao Palace Realm Seventh Layer. For a moment, When everyone looked at Gu Qingfeng, their faces were filled with wariness and fear. In this era of respect for the strong, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power already instilled fear in them. ¡°Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer!¡± ¡°This person is at least a Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer powerhouse!¡± On the other side, Xi Yu looked at Gu Qingfeng with eyes full of shock. Others might not truly understand the terror of Gu Qingfeng, but as an elder of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land and a powerhouse who had stepped into the Dao Palace Realm Sixth Layer, At the moment Gu Qingfeng made his move, Xi Yu could acutely feel that terrifying power. This level of power, Xi Yu had only felt from one person before, which was the Saint Master of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land, a top-notch powerhouse who had stepped into the Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer. In an instant, Xi Yu suppressed all the many thoughts in his heart, even the intention to compete for the Saint Inheritance of the Divine Sun Sacred Land was directly pushed down. What a joke, With a powerhouse comparable to the Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer in person, even if the Saint Inheritance was extraordinary, no one would dare to make a reckless move. After all, such a level of powerhouse could be called the strongest beneath a Saint, and in an era where Saints do not appear, truly few could contend against them. Even if one steps back, What if there is another powerhouse of the same level? Nobody would tear apart relations with such a powerhouse just for a Saint Inheritance. It¡¯s the same old story, The risks of such actions outweigh the benefits. Originally, the Divine Sun Sacred Land was destroyed because it had declined and lacked powerful figures to deter other forces; hence, acquiring the Saint Inheritance led to their own doom. But the Divine Martial Dynasty was different. Even if this force announced to the world, making other forces aware that they held a Saint Inheritance, not a single one would dare to act rashly. This is the impact of strength. Just like the Purple Cloud Sacred Land and the Taixu Sacred Land, and other Ancient Sacred Lands, all have Saint Level inheritances, even up to the Great Saint Level, yet who would covet them? To put it plainly, It¡¯s because the strength of the two Sacred Lands is strong enough to deter all sides. At present, In Xi Yu¡¯s view, With a strong figure like Gu Qingfeng stationed within the Divine Martial Dynasty, they possessed the qualifications to control the Saint Inheritance. While the crowd had varying thoughts, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained indifferent, and his majestic voice reached every cultivator¡¯s ears. ¡°This seat cares not whence you come, or what your purpose is here, but if you harbor the slightest notion of harming the citizens of my Divine Martial Dynasty, this will be your fate!¡± This statement, Could be said to leave no face for all the cultivators present, Yet no one found it objectionable. Only Fu He looked stunned, turning to Gu Xuan beside him, he asked in a tone of disbelief, ¡°Is this your father?¡± Chapter 292 227 Yin Yang Sacred Land "Divine Transformation Realm?" "Is that all?" Fu He felt as if he were living in a dream, as the Blood Cloud Ancestor, who had roamed the Eastern Domain for many years, was forcefully slain on the spot without any chance to resist. Such power. Even within Taixu Sacred Land, it was considered top-tier. Always. Fu He had believed Gu Qingfeng to be just a cultivator of the Divine Transformation Realm, having learned of Gu Qingfeng''s battle record from Gu Xuan and thus had some understanding of his strength. More importantly. Gu Qingfeng wasn''t very old. Compared to other cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm in the Eastern Domain who typically practiced for hundreds or even thousands of years, this person had only practiced for a mere few decades. Being able to step into the Divine Transformation Realm in just a few decades was already quite astonishing. Even in the Eastern Domain, only a few demons could achieve this. However¡ª Now someone was telling him that Gu Qingfeng was not in the Divine Transformation Realm, but was a top-tier Dao Palace Realm expert. How could this not shock Fu He? Not just Fu He was shocked. Even Gu Xuan next to him was dumbfounded. He had never expected. That his own father''s strength was hidden so deeply. Defeating a Third Level Dao Palace Realm expert in two moves had truly opened Gu Xuan''s eyes. At this time. Fu He shook his head and wryly smiled. "It seems your previous concerns were unnecessary. With your father''s strength, even if the Saint Inheritance truly is in his hands, I fear no one would dare covet it." Just then. Gu Qingfeng suddenly looked over, and under their mutual gaze, Fu He felt a terrifying pressure emerge suddenly, as if a mighty Heavenly Blade was slashing down, instinctively making him want to turn and run. Fortunately. Gu Qingfeng merely glanced and then withdrew his gaze. In that instant. Fu He''s back was soaked with sweat, and his awe for Gu Qingfeng intensified. Just one look had made him feel as if he could have fallen right then and there. Clearly. If this person wanted to kill him, it would probably just be a thought away. Such a powerhouse. Inspired awe in Fu He. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng landed in Xing''an County, the terrifying pressure that dominated the void had dissipated, but all the external cultivators felt as if a great mountain weighed upon their hearts, making it nearly impossible for them to breathe. The scene of the Blood Cloud Ancestor''s fall was deeply engraved in their minds. Having such a powerhouse stationed here naturally deterred the other cultivators from making rash moves. ... Xing''an County. Inside the government office. The county magistrate, Su Guangdao, stood in front of Gu Qingfeng with a face full of respect, bowing deeply. "This official has seen Mr. Gu. Thanks to Mr. Gu''s intervention, our Xing''an County was saved from disaster." Regarding Gu Qingfeng''s act of directly killing the Blood Cloud Ancestor, Su Guangdao felt even more reverence. The power of the Blood Cloud Ancestor was something Su Guangdao witnessed, as not even using Xing''an County''s Qi Fortune could withstand a single strike from him. If it weren''t for Gu Qingfeng''s appearance, Xing''an County might now be utterly devastated. This point. Su Guangdao did not doubt at all. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty had only been established not long ago. Su Guangdao could not forget the chaotic situation during the last years of the great dynasty, when magicians and evil spirits wreaked havoc and city slaughters were common. It wasn''t until Emperor Gu of the Divine Martial Dynasty established his rule, refining the Nine Tripods to suppress the Nine States, that he managed to exterminate the world''s evil spirits and even made the magicians vanish entirely. Thus. If Gu Qingfeng hadn''t appeared. Then the fate of Xing''an County would be all too clear. "You did very well!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the person before him, his expression also somewhat pleased. A cultivator at the fifth level of Refining Organ having the courage to face a Dao Palace Realm expert outright was a bravery not many possessed. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, and two bottles of elixir appeared before Su Guangdao. "These two types of elixirs, one being Refining Organ Pill, can aid you in cultivating your organs. Although you have already stepped into the fifth level of Refining Organ, your organ refining is not yet perfect. The other is the Golden Body Pill, which should be used by Grandmasters, but with your current cultivation, you can barely consume it. This pill can help you refine your physical body and blood qi, helping you step into the Grandmaster Realm more quickly." "This official thanks Mr. Gu immensely!" Su Guangdao''s face overflowed with excitement, clutching the two bottles of elixir tightly, his joy clearly visible. Breaking through to Grandmaster! This had always been his long-standing wish. However. Even now, with the Divine Martial Dynasty promoting martial arts throughout the land, and as a court official, he could access many cultivation techniques and knowledge previously hard to obtain, truly stepping into the Grandmaster Realm was not so easy. Especially with this incident involving the Blood Cloud Ancestor, it made Su Guangdao realize his own weaknesses more clearly. Being at the fifth level of Refining Organ. In previous times, such a level could establish a school and possess a notable status in the Martial World. After all, in that era, when martial arts were in decline, not many cultivators were able to step into the Grandmaster Realm, so reaching the fifth level of Refining Organ was extraordinary. But now, as the court promotes martial arts throughout the land and martial arts are gradually flourishing, this visit by external experts has shown Su Guangdao how vast the world is. In this way. The cultivation of the fifth level of Refining Organ seemed somewhat insufficient. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng then asked, "What cultivation technique are you currently practicing?" "Reporting to the elder, this official is currently practicing Mysterious Thunder True Skill!" Su Guangdao stated truthfully. "This is a cultivation technique at the Grandmaster level. If practiced to perfection, you can reach the peak of the Grandmaster Realm. Unfortunately, this official is dull-witted, and I have not yet been able to break through the Grandmaster Realm." Chapter 293: 227 Yin Yang Sacred Land_2 Chapter 293: Chapter 227 Yin Yang Sacred Land_2 ¡°Understood.¡± Gu Xuan¡¯s face also showed some embarrassment. On the other hand, Gu Qingfeng, hearing the name of the Mysterious Thunder True Skill, also nodded slightly. He had heard of this Cultivation Technique. To be precise, the Gu Family Manor indeed had a record of this Grandmaster Cultivation Technique. Since the establishment of the Divine Martial Dynasty, Gu Yang had implemented a series of strong-nation policies, where officials were granted corresponding Cultivation Techniques based on their official positions, aura realms, and achievements. For example, as Su Guangdao was the magistrate of Xing¡¯an County, he was granted a Grandmaster Cultivation Technique. Suppose, one day, Su Guangdao were to break through to the Grandmaster Realm and had commendable achievements in Xing¡¯an County over the years, then, if the court¡¯s assessment found no errors, he could be directly granted a Great Grandmaster Cultivation Technique. Such practices had also been discussed with Gu Qingfeng by Gu Yang and were truly implemented after gaining the latter¡¯s approval. Suddenly, Gu Qingfeng sent a Divine Thought into Su Guangdao¡¯s mind, causing the latter to be stunned on the spot, barely able to digest the abruptly received information after a long time. ¡°Today, I bestow upon you the Purple Extreme Dao Scripture, a technique that points directly to the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm. I hope you cultivate it well. Also, you can cultivate this technique alone; without my permission, you absolutely must not pass it on to others. If you violate this, I will not let you off lightly!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression turned stern as he spoke coldly. Su Guangdao hurriedly replied, ¡°I understand, Senior. The technique gifted by Senior; even in death, I shall never reveal it!¡± Su Guangdao naturally understood the importance of the Purple Extreme Dao Scripture. A technique that points directly to the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm. In all the Nine States, probably very few cultivators truly had access to it. Now that the court had already announced the realms beyond the Great Grandmaster, Su Guangdao was naturally aware of what the Divine Transformation Realm was. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng gestured for Su Guangdao to leave, and the latter complied. Bestowing the Purple Extreme Dao Scripture on Su Guangdao, Gu Qingfeng also had his own thoughts. It was the same old saying. Nowadays, the Divine Martial Dynasty had too few usable powerful figures. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, Su Guangdao¡¯s actions were quite good, at least worth cultivating. Moreover, given his age, Su Guangdao had reached the Fifth Realm of Refining Organ, which meant his talent was not too bad. Awarding the Purple Extreme Dao Scripture, Gu Qingfeng was curious to see how far this talented individual from Xing¡¯an County could go. ¡°Perhaps one day, this person might indeed surprise me!¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. Before long, a yamen runner entered the Inner Hall and respectfully said to Gu Qingfeng, ¡°Mr. Gu, Prince Qing is requesting an audience in the yamen!¡± Prince Qing naturally referred to Gu Xuan. After Gu Yang ascended the throne, both Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu were conferred the title of Prince, with Gu Xuan being Prince Qing and Gu Xiu as Prince Yun, combining their titles into the term ¡®Qingyun.¡¯ Only Gu Qingfeng, on whom Gu Yang did not know how to confer a title, had given up the idea after consulting with him. ¡°Let them in.¡± With a sweep of his Divine Thought, Gu Qingfeng saw Gu Xuan and Fu He outside the yamen and said indifferently. Upon hearing this, the yamen runner bowed and retreated. Soon, the two stepped into the Inner Hall. Gu Xuan immediately bowed to Gu Qingfeng, ¡°Greetings, Father!¡± Fu He, standing aside, did not dare to be presumptuous and cupped his hands, saying, ¡°Elder Fu He of Taixu Sacred Land, greetings, Senior!¡± At that moment, before Gu Qingfeng could speak, Gu Xuan quickly explained, ¡°Father, I have taken Senior Fu as my teacher.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s a strong figure from Taixu Sacred Land; I have long heard of it. It¡¯s an honor for this unworthy descendant of mine to be taken under Mr. Fu¡¯s wing.¡± Gu Qingfeng replied with a slight smile and cupped his hands back at Fu He. As for Fu He, his impression was also favorable. Had it not been for Fu He¡¯s intercession, maybe Gu Xuan would not have had the chance to survive his journey out of Ancient Beast Mountain Range. At this statement, Fu He hastily said, ¡°You flatter me too much.¡± Facing a Dao Palace Realm powerhouse, how could Fu He dare to act recklessly? It would have been a different case if it were an ordinary Dao Palace Realm practitioner, but this person before him was one who had killed the Blood Cloud Ancestor within two moves. Even if Fu He had tenfold the courage, he would not dare to act audaciously. Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, ¡°Since Xuan¡¯er has taken you as his master, there¡¯s no need for formalities like ¡®senior¡¯¡ªlet¡¯s speak as equals.¡± ¡°Ah, then as per your word!¡± Fu He quickly corrected himself. Gu Qingfeng gave a light smile and said, ¡°Speaking of which, I felt an instant connection with Mr. Fu.¡± At this point, he glanced at Gu Xuan beside him, his expression turning stern, ¡°You can leave us now.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Xuan dared not utter another word and hastily left. He had ventured out on a training journey but carelessly entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, undoubtedly causing many troubles. Therefore, upon meeting Gu Qingfeng, Gu Xuan was also somewhat uneasy. Now that Gu Qingfeng had spoken, he naturally did not dare to linger. In case he really angered Gu Qingfeng, being beaten up in front of Fu He was also a possibility. After all, Gu Qingfeng had beaten him quite a number of times before. So, from a young age, Gu Xuan had always been rather fearful of Gu Qingfeng. Of course, he was not the only one afraid. Gu Xiu felt the same. Once Gu Xuan had left, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face once again became smiling, and he addressed Fu He. ¡°Mr. Fu has come from the Eastern Domain, and since I am not very familiar with it, I hope you can enlighten me on some matters!¡± ¡°Please speak freely, if I am aware of the details, I shall hide nothing.¡± Fu He quickly responded, his expression serious. Building a good relationship with such a powerhouse could only bring benefits. Therefore, when Gu Qingfeng had questions to ask, Fu He would not refuse. On that note, Gu Qingfeng unreservedly inquired about many matters concerning the Ancient Desolate World, covering a broad range of topics. The reason for these inquiries was that although Gu Qingfeng had access to information left by Murong Xiu and memories from Elder Ke and others, his understanding of the Ancient Desolate World was still not comprehensive. And to all of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s questions, Fu He was an open book, exhaustively answering everything he knew. Meanwhile, as the conversation progressed, Fu He also directly sought advice on some cultivation matters, and Gu Qingfeng was unreserved in his guidance. With his current level, offering guidance to a Divine Transformation Realm ninth-layer cultivator was an effortless task. For a while, the exchange was pleasant for both host and guest. Gu Qingfeng obtained the information he wanted, and Fu He received guidance that vaguely revealed the path forward. For the latter, he had been stuck in the Divine Transformation Realm for a long time without breaking through. Now, with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s guidance, though he hadn¡¯t taken that next step, he had saved a great deal of hardship. Finally, Fu He shook his head with a bitter smile. ¡°Initially, Xuan¡¯er asked me to come to the Nine States fearing that the matters concerning Divine Sun Sacred Land would implicate the Gu Family, but now it seems he was overly worried.¡± ¡°With Mr. Gu here, even if the inheritance from the Divine Sun Sacred Land surfaced, I doubt anyone would dare to make a rash move.¡± This wasn¡¯t just lavish praise from Fu He; it was indeed the reality. An inheritance from a saint might be appealing, but it depends on who holds it. In the hands of a top Dao Palace Realm powerhouse, even if other forces knew about the inheritance, they would not dare to make a move. ¡°Speaking of which, I heard that the true culprit behind the destruction of Divine Sun Sacred Land was a force named Yin Yang Sacred Land. How much do you know about Yin Yang Sacred Land?¡± Gu Qingfeng asked. With this statement, he implicitly acknowledged that the inheritance from Divine Sun Sacred Land and that of the saint had both fallen into his hands. In response, Fu He¡¯s face showed no change as he promptly answered. ¡°Yin Yang Sacred Land is a force that appeared tens of thousands of years ago. Twenty thousand years ago, a saint emerged from this Holy Land during the End of Dharma Era, and it is suspected that the saint passed away in meditation, leading to a significant decrease in the strength of Yin Yang Sacred Land.¡± ¡°However, even so, Yin Yang Sacred Land still has five Dao Palace Realm powerhouses, among them, the Yin Yang Saint Master is also a challenger within the Dao Palace Realm¡¯s ninth layer!¡± Chapter 294: 228 Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint Chapter 294: Chapter 228 Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint Listening to Fu He¡¯s words, Gu Qingfeng remained calm, showing no hint of emotional change. After a long pause, He finally replied with a faint smile, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Fu, for the information, I am deeply grateful!¡± Immediately after, Gu Qingfeng changed the subject. ¡°Nowadays, outside Tianxiong Pass, mystical phenomena are emerging, suggesting that a secret realm shall soon open. Since Mr. Fu has come, why not stay at the prefectural office for a while and await the moment?¡± ¡°Then I thank you, Mr. Gu!¡± Fu He did not decline; he had come with the purpose of finding out if the emerging secret realm presented an opportunity for his own breakthrough in the Taoist Palace Realm. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng had someone arrange accommodations for Fu He. In the following days, The mystical phenomena in heaven and earth grew more and more intense. It was not only visible in the Nine States and the Ancient Beast Mountain Range but even cultivators in the Eastern Domain detected such disturbances. For a time, Guangyang Prefecture was teeming with powerhouses. Among them, The majority of these strong individuals had entered Tianxiong Pass, quietly waiting for their chance. Three days later, Gu Yang also led his army to the scene. However, This time Gu Yang did not bring a large military force but simply the Heavenly Gang Army. After all, the most elite force of the Divine Martial Dynasty currently was the Heavenly Gang Army. In this period, Gu Yang had Shi Zhen reorganize the Heavenly Gang Army, ensuring that the weakest of the thirty-six thousand soldiers were at least in the Marrow Cleansing Realm, while the strongest could even step into the Grandmaster Realm. With Shi Zhen, a top Great Grandmaster, leading the army and once the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array was formed, even cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm would pose no challenge. Therefore, When Gu Yang led the Heavenly Gang Army, it immediately drew considerable attention. ¡°This military force is quite remarkable; although their cultivation is a little lacking, such a murderous aura can only be truly honed on the battlefield!¡± ¡°I heard that the Divine Martial Dynasty has only been established for a mere year, and before its establishment, martial practice in the Nine States was in decline, with Great Grandmasters being quite rare. It is indeed unusual for Emperor Gu to amass such power in such a short time.¡± Many cultivators nodded privately in approval of the elite Heavenly Gang Army; of course, this was merely appreciation. After all, in the Eastern Domain, such an army would not be considered top-tier, but in places like the Nine States, it was indeed impressive enough to turn heads. ¡°Heh, the Nine States are not as simple as they appear on the surface; don¡¯t forget how Blood Cloud Ancestor met his end!¡± A cultivator sneered, and upon hearing these words, everyone¡¯s expressions stiffened before becoming grave. They realized that the Nine States were actually not weak. Even if martial practice seemed feeble on the surface, top experts in the Tao Palace Realm were hidden in the shadows. Those who arrived later learned from other cultivators that top experts in the Tao Palace Realm resided in the Nine States, who had taken down Blood Cloud Ancestor with just two moves. Afterward, Another cultivator scoffed: ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the Guiyuan Dynasty lost a prince here, and Ji Meng has led the Divine Emperor Army of a hundred thousand into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, reportedly with a Semi-Saint artifact in tow, planning to burst directly through the Beast Mountain Range. Once the Guiyuan Dynasty arrives, things are likely to get interesting!¡± Guiyuan Dynasty! Semi-Saint artifact! Upon hearing these words, the other cultivators couldn¡¯t help but gasp. In an era without Saints, the Guiyuan Dynasty was naturally one of the top forces, and they had heard of Ji Meng¡¯s reputation as well, a powerful being in the Seventh Layer of the Tao Palace Realm. ¡°It is said that eight hundred years ago, the Guiyuan Dynasty clashed with an ancient Holy Land, and Ji Meng led the Divine Emperor Army, encircling and killing a top expert in the Ninth Layer of the Tao Palace Realm. Since that battle, the Divine Emperor Army¡¯s reputation has soared. It¡¯s unexpected that, for a mere prince, the Guiyuan Dynasty would allow the Divine Emperor Army to mobilize!¡± ¡°Hmph, avenging the prince may be a ruse; the true aim might be the Saint Inheritance from the old Divine Sun Sacred Land.¡± Regardless of the intentions of the Guiyuan Dynasty, upon hearing the news that Ji Meng had led the hundred thousand Divine Emperor Army, carrying a Semi-Saint artifact to shatter the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, many cultivators were inwardly shaken. However, Some cultivators eagerly anticipated the outcome. When two tigers fight, one is sure to get injured. While the Divine Martial Dynasty was indeed a newly established dynasty, it had top Tao Palace Realm experts at its helm, but the deep reserves of the Guiyuan Dynasty were also no simple matter. A battle between the two could present an opportunity to benefit as the third party. ... At this moment, Gu Yang had already led his army into Xing¡¯an County. He was well aware of the incident with Blood Cloud Ancestor. When he learned that Gu Qingfeng had slain Blood Cloud Ancestor, Gu Yang was shocked at first, but quickly recovered. He was somewhat aware of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, so while killing a Third Level Tao Palace Realm expert was surprising, it quickly became something he could accept. Within the prefectural office, Gu Yang, looking at Gu Yi before him, spoke, ¡°Have the Hidden Guard closely monitor every movement in Guangyang Prefecture, and remember not to reveal themselves.¡± The Hidden Guard was a sharp sword in his hand, but their overall strength was not too formidable. If they encountered external powerhouses, it would be difficult for them to escape unscathed. ¡°As you command!¡± Gu Yi bowed and accepted the order, then retreated. Afterward, Gu Yang had someone bring Gu Xuan to him, and the two had a long conversation. From Gu Xuan¡¯s recount, Gu Yang gained a clearer picture of what had transpired during this period. After all, when Gu Xuan had disappeared without a trace from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Gu Yang had secretly dispatched people to search for him, but sadly, only a few of those who entered the Ancient Beast Mountain range managed to return. Chapter 295 228 Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint_2 Even if a few people barely made it out alive, they brought back no useful information. So, Gu Yang had no choice but to abandon the plan to continue the search. "You were also fortunate to be taken in by the Taixu Sacred Land, and speaking of which, the third brother has also gone to the external world." In the end, Gu Yang added another sentence. Gu Xuan was slightly stunned upon hearing this, "The third brother also went to the external world?" He hadn''t expected that. He had returned, while Gu Xiu had left. Gu Yang nodded, "Father once said the third brother has a great opportunity; leaving the Nine States is not a bad thing. Who knows, the next time we see the third brother, he might have become a powerful entity!" Honestly, Gu Yang wasn''t worried about Gu Xiu. After all, Gu Qingfeng had given his approval, which meant there shouldn''t be any problems. Gu Xuan''s expression flickered upon hearing this, but he didn''t press on with more questions. "Alright, since you''ve come back with difficulty, stay for a few more days before talking about leaving." "Yes!" ¡ª¡ª In the blink of an eye, another three days passed. Over these three days, The strange phenomena in heaven and earth had intensified, and more and more powerful entities arrived. Just at this moment, Menacing aura soared to the sky. Many cultivators were startled by this aura and all looked in one direction, only to see that the leader was a middle-aged cultivator, wearing battle armor, towering and with a resolute face. Behind him, stood an army of a hundred thousand armored elite soldiers. If one looked carefully, they would notice that the armor of this vast army bore traces of blood, far from dry, indicating they had just recently gone through a gruesome battle. Now, as the hundred thousand armored forces appeared, the scene fell into a deathly silence, the invisible killing intent made cultivators aware of the army''s approach deeply alarmed. "The people from the Guiyuan Dynasty have arrived!" "Ji Meng actually led the Divine Emperor Army of a hundred thousand to break through the Ancient Beast Mountain Range!" Any cultivator who understood the perils of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range inhaled deeply at this moment. As one of the most ancient mountain ranges in the Ancient Desolate World, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was home to numerous powerful fierce beasts. Among them, beasts strong enough to enter the Divine Transformation Realm and even the Dao Palace Realm¡ªwhile not found everywhere¡ªwere certainly not few. There was also a rumor. In the deepest parts of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, fearsome beasts on par with Saints lay dormant. Although this rumor was unconfirmed, it sufficed to demonstrate the terror of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Even cultivators in the Dao Palace Realm would proceed with utmost caution when crossing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range; an encounter with a fierce beast might easily lead to disaster. For a target as large as the Divine Emperor Army of a hundred thousand to stride directly into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range would inevitably awaken many fierce beasts. This could be gleaned from the fresh blood on the soldiers'' armor, a testament to the scale of conflict they''d faced. However, despite that, the appearance of the hundred thousand strong army here, clearly demonstrated the terrifying might of the Divine Emperor Army. Atop the city walls of Xing''an County, Gu Yang also looked in the direction of the Divine Emperor Army with solemnity and a bit of fervor. "The Guiyuan Dynasty is indeed a top force in the Eastern Domain; the Divine Emperor Army truly represents the elite of the elite!" Gu Yang couldn''t help but lament inwardly. He could see that the cultivation of the weakest among the arrived Divine Emperor Army was at least at the Great Grandmaster level. Indeed. Great Grandmaster. In the past, a Great Grandmaster in the Nine States was among the strongest; even now, those who truly reached the Grandmaster Realm were few and far between. Yet, within the Divine Emperor Army, a Great Grandmaster was just an ordinary foot soldier. Even if all in the Divine Emperor Army were Great Grandmasters, that would mean a full hundred thousand Great Grandmasters. But the problem is, as the Guiyuan Dynasty''s elites, the Divine Emperor Army could hardly consist only of Great Grandmasters. At this moment, Ji Meng stepped into the void, a terrifying aura erupting from him that caused the weather to change and the heavens to tremble. "The fall of the Sixth Prince of my Guiyuan Dynasty occurred here; the Divine Martial Dynasty must give an explanation!" Before coming to the Nine States, Ji Meng had already received some information, knowing that Han An and his companion had entered the Capital and then were suppressed by the powerhouses of the Divine Martial Dynasty. There was no doubt, the fall of Han An must certainly be tied to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Thus, Ji Meng now appeared completely ready to seek an explanation by force. As his voice fell, that terrifying might belonging to the Taoist Palace Realm was already rolling towards Xing''an County to crush it. All the cultivators of the Divine Martial Dynasty had changed their expressions at this moment, deeply feeling the insignificance under such a presence. "Buzz!" The sudden sound of a blade singing rang out, and then one could see nature''s spiritual energy transforming into a Heavenly Blade that swiftly slashed down, dispersing all the incoming momentum in an instant, with the spiritual energy blade relentlessly slashing towards Ji Meng. The latter''s expression changed slightly as he hurled a punch with his right hand, colliding with the spiritual energy blade. "Boom¡ª" The Heavenly Blade shattered, Ji Meng who stood in the void took a step back, his fist also showing signs of cracking, but immediately returned to its original state, something the others did not notice. "Taoist Palace Realm pinnacle!" Ji Meng''s expression grew serious, as from the strike exchanged from afar, he had already admitted defeat. The one who could defeat him from afar must definitely be a top contender of the Taoist Palace Realm with Nine Layers. However, Ji Meng did not fear in his heart. After all, this mission was not just carried out by him alone, but was also supported by a hundred thousand troops from the Divine Emperor Army. If he truly were to fight with all his might, even a top Taoist Palace could be quelled. At this moment, Gu Yang stood with his hands behind his back, looking towards Ji Meng with eyes full of indifference, "The people from the Guiyuan Dynasty dare to attack the Capital, which is to court self-destruction. I have not yet sought an explanation from the Guiyuan Dynasty, yet you have taken the initiative to come and seek justice!" "A mere Great Grandmaster, also dares to speak such big words before me." Ji Meng''s expression turned cold, and he was about to crush Gu Yang on the spot with a raise of his hand. In response to this, Gu Yang stood fearlessly. With Gu Qingfeng backing him up, he naturally did not fear a Ji Meng. Just as a clash was about to erupt between the two, the void trembled, divine light soared into the sky and transformed into a towering figure, the ancient desolate aura permeated the heavens, instinctively drawing the sideways glance of all cultivators. "This aura!" Inside the government office, Gu Qingfeng paused his tea-drinking action, and then turned towards a certain direction, his gaze piercing through all obstacles as if to see that towering figure. "A Saint!" "Or perhaps a Great Saint!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression shifted. Such an ancient desolate aura was extremely terrifying, making his divine soul and vitality instinctively shiver, as if experiencing immense pressure. Even with his current Cultivation Realm, even facing a top contender in the Taoist Palace Realm wouldn''t give him such a feeling. Now, it was merely a mere phantom, yet it commanded such presence, revealing how fearsome the opponent would have been in their prime. Now, the majestic figure in the void slowly spoke, its authoritative voice reaching the ears of every cultivator. "I am the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, I leave behind a secret legacy today, all who are below the Taoist Palace Realm may enter!" As the voice faded, the phantom of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint disappeared, and the terrifying power turned into bronze gates, appearing outside Tianxiong Pass. In an instant, all the strong ones were agitated, and when they looked towards the bronze gates, their faces were full of greed and shock. "The Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, could it be the very same from five hundred thousand years ago!!" "It was said that this very Great Saint was at the pinnacle, an existence that dominated the Ancient Desolate World fifty thousand years ago, and now this Great Saint has left a legacy in the Nine States!" "It''s said that before the ancient times, when the Nine States was thriving at its peak, there was an unsurpassed power that emerged to dominate the Ancient Desolate World, and when that power suddenly disappeared, many strong ones from the Five Domains entered this domain, hoping to find the legacy left behind. The arrival of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint here might very well be related to that!" Regardless, the legacy left by a Great Saint at the pinnacle is enough to stir the hearts of all cultivators. If the Sacred Legacy obtained from the Divine Sun Sacred Land in the past only concerned some powers with many strong and ancient backings not paying much attention to it, now the emergence of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint''s legacy is a completely different matter. One is a Saint Inheritance! The other is a Great Saint Inheritance! Moreover, the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint was a top contender among the Great Saints, having reached the Great Saint Ninth Layer, with cultivation that could manipulate the fundamental laws of nature, and obtaining such a legacy would surely skyrocket one''s destiny. Even many powers that have previously produced cultivators who reached the Great Saint Realm or even above, upon learning of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint''s legacy, would inevitably not be able to stay seated. After all, the benefits of obtaining a Great Saint legacy go without saying. Chapter 296: 229: Consecutive Breakthroughs Chapter 296: Chapter 229: Consecutive Breakthroughs Right away. Many cultivators were hastily rushing towards the entrance of the secret realm. There were strong practitioners from the Daoist Palace Realm who were unwilling to give up, intending to forcefully enter the secret realm; however, the moment they were about to step into the secret realm, an overwhelming pressure of saintly power suddenly descended. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± That Daoist Palace Realm practitioner didn¡¯t even have time to react before being directly crushed by this force. This scene. It made all the other strong practitioners who planned to force their way into the secret realm turn pale. The Great Saint Secret Realm! It indeed was not something they could shake. Even though the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint had fallen many years ago, the power left behind was still enough to annihilate all Daoist Palace Realm cultivators. Therefore. Many Daoist Palace Realm cultivators, although reluctant, could only suppress the impulse in their hearts. The inheritance of the Great Saint was desirable. But you needed to be alive to claim it. ¡°Mr. Gu, I¡¯ll be taking my leave first!¡± Fu He said as he cupped his hands in farewell. Now that the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint¡¯s secret realm was open only to cultivators below the Daoist Palace Realm, Fu He understood that his opportunity had come. As a Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers cultivator, he naturally wouldn¡¯t be considered among the top practitioners present, but once he entered the Great Saint Secret Realm, that would change. Right now, with the opening of the Great Saint Secret Realm in the Nine States, even if the news spread, it would still take time for the powerhouses from various forces to arrive. Moreover. Nobody knew. How long the entrance to the Great Saint Secret Realm would remain open. Therefore. Fu He certainly wouldn¡¯t miss this opportunity. Gu Qingfeng slightly nodded, ¡°Then, I wish Mr. Fu all the best!¡± ¡°Thank you for your auspicious words!¡± Fu He laughed loudly, then stepped into the Great Saint Secret Realm. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng turned to Gu Yang and Gu Xiu beside him, saying, ¡°This Great Saint Secret Realm only allows entry to those in the Daoist Palace Realm, which can be considered an opportunity; you may consider whether to enter. If you do, I will provide you with protective measures.¡± An inheritance left by a top Great Saint was indeed something that even Gu Qingfeng himself was somewhat tempted by. Regrettably. He didn¡¯t want to directly encounter the power of the prohibitions left by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint for the time being. From the scene where the Daoist Palace Realm practitioner was just annihilated, it was evident that the power of the prohibitions left by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint was strong, and it was feared that even a real Saint intervening might not be able to forcefully enter. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng naturally wouldn¡¯t take the risk. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°I intend to enter the Great Saint Secret Realm!¡± The reason for doing so was because Gu Yang had his own considerations. The existence of the Nine States was no longer a secret, and after today, the Divine Martial Dynasty was destined to enter the view of the Ancient Desolate World¡¯s Five Domains. Although the Nine States had the Ancient Beast Mountain Range as a barrier, it couldn¡¯t stop strong practitioners. One only needed to look at the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s army of one hundred thousand, which swept through and blasted open the entire Ancient Beast Mountain Range, to see this. The dangers inside were indeed there, but they wouldn¡¯t count for much in the eyes of top practitioners. Having witnessed the strength of the external powerhouses, Gu Yang was naturally eager to improve his own cultivation. Grandmaster Initial Stage. If we don¡¯t count the Gu Family Manor, such a cultivation level was already considered top-notch in the Nine States. But compared to the entire Ancient Desolate World, a Grandmaster was simply not enough. You see. Of the hundred thousand Divine Emperor Army troops, even the weakest was a Grandmaster. ¡°Take out what your father originally gave you.¡± Gu Qingfeng instructed. Gu Yang knew what the other party was referring to, and immediately took out the jade box. Gu Qingfeng opened the jade box, inside which was one of his own severed fingers. However, the power inside had already weakened substantially. Instantly. Gu Qingfeng forced out a drop of his own essence blood and merged it into the severed finger, and in an instant, the finger once again became plump and full, and a terrifying pressure radiated from it. ¡°I have infused my drop of essence blood into it; below the realm of Dao Palace, as long as there¡¯s no supreme treasure for protection, I believe it can suppress them. Carry it with you inside. If it¡¯s untenable... never mind, you surely understand better than I do how to make a choice.¡± Gu Qingfeng was going to offer Gu Yang a word or two of caution, but suddenly realized his eldest son was now a king in his own right, and it seemed there was nothing worth cautioning him about. At this moment, Gu Xuan hesitated for a moment and then cupped his hands, saying, ¡°I, too, would like to try entering...¡± When he spoke these words, Gu Xuan didn¡¯t have much confidence. After all, he was only at the Marrow Cleansing Realm Mid-level and had not perfected his Body Refinement to the fifth level; in front of these practitioners who were mostly Grandmasters and Divine Transformation Realm, he was no different from an ant. However. The opportunity of the Great Saint was right in front of him, and he wouldn¡¯t feel content if he didn¡¯t enter. As Gu Xuan¡¯s voice fell, Gu Qingfeng reached out into the air, and instantly, a streak of light shot from the manor, arriving in his hand within a single breath. ¡°Take the Evil Slayer Blade with you on this journey; if you encounter any danger, this blade will surely protect you!¡± Gu Qingfeng handed the Evil Slayer Blade to Gu Xuan, who, upon hearing this, suddenly became overjoyed. ¡°Thank you, Father!¡± Gu Xuan was well aware of the strength of the Evil Slayer Blade. What mattered more. Having been in Fu He¡¯s company, Gu Xuan understood some of the issues with cultivation; weapons that powerful practitioners consecrated over many years could contain supreme divine power. His own father, whose power was on par with top Daoist Palace Realm practitioners, consecrated the Divine Blade day and night, and it was indeed no ordinary item. Soon after. The two entered the Great Saint Secret Realm. At the same time. Gu Qingfeng also ordered Gu Wu and two others to enter the secret realm. This time. Gu Yang only brought Gu Wu and Gu Dao with him, leaving the remaining two to hold down the Capital, should any other unforeseen events arise. Chapter 297: 229: Consecutive Breakthroughs_2 Chapter 297: Chapter 229: Consecutive Breakthroughs_2 As for the others from the Divine Martial Dynasty, such as Shi Zhen and his subordinate Heavenly Gang Army, they had no intention of entering the Great Saint Secret Realm. After all, Shi Zhen was clear about his own situation. Although Shi Zhen had taken elixirs and successfully reached the peak of Great Grandmaster, among those who had entered the Great Saint Secret Realm, a Great Grandmaster was nothing more than an ant-like figure. Moreover, He did not have the precious protective means given to the likes of Gu Yang by Gu Qingfeng, so rashly entering would likely mean there was no chance of coming out alive. ... ¡°You will lead thirty thousand men inside!¡± Elsewhere, Ji Meng looked to several deputy generals at the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm beside him and spoke. The opening of the Great Saint Secret Realm was naturally an opportunity the Guiyuan Dynasty could not miss. However, with the prohibition of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint in place, Ji Meng could not enter himself, so he only had the choice to send the Divine Emperor Army in to seek fortune. Nevertheless, To prevent all of the Divine Emperor Army from entering and leaving his side vulnerable, Ji Meng only allowed thirty thousand of them to go in, while the remaining seventy thousand were to stay and guard the area. In this way, Even if a top Taoist Palace Realm expert took action, with these seventy thousand men, Ji Meng would also have the ability to fight. Moreover, Carrying a Semi-Saint artifact of the Guiyuan Dynasty, if he really put forth all his strength, he was confident he could even suppress a top Taoist Palace expert. Thinking this, Ji Meng glanced in the direction of the Divine Martial Dynasty and met eyes with Gu Qingfeng. Seeing the indifferent expression of the latter, Ji Meng¡¯s gaze turned colder. Now was not the time to erupt in conflict; after the matters of the Great Saint Secret Realm were settled, there would be time to settle scores with the opposition. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has entered the Great Saint Secret Realm!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has entered the Great Saint Secret Realm!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ is attacked by fierce beasts *136!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ slays a third-level Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ slays an eighth-level Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ slays a second-level Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ obtains Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, slightly improving natural talent after consumption!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ is attacked by fierce beasts *356!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ slays a sixth-level Divine Transformation Realm fierce beast!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ is attacked by an eighth-level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ slays an eighth-level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ consumes a mysterious elixir and breaks through to the Marrow Cleansing Realm Late Stage!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *50!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... While other cultivators entered the Great Saint Secret Realm one after another, Gu Qingfeng also skillfully opened the attribute panel, looking at the text on it. The moment the two entered, a dense flood of messages refreshed on the attribute panel, causing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression to shift slightly. Clearly, The Great Saint Secret Realm was rife with fierce beasts, or else Gu Yang and the others would not encounter so many beast attacks just upon entering. However, Seeing that they had slain fierce beasts of the Divine Transformation Realm, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s heart was put at ease. With the methods he had left for their protection, there should be no large issue. Of course, Any secret realm has its dangers. How they would fare would depend on their personal fortune. Still, seeing that Gu Xuan had so rapidly made a breakthrough to the Marrow Cleansing Realm Late Stage, Gu Qingfeng was somewhat satisfied. Secret realms are fraught with peril, But they also offer no small amount of opportunities. Next, It would be seen how far the two of them could go. ... Elsewhere, Inside the Great Saint Secret Realm, Gu Xuan sat cross-legged, his aura turbulent and boiling, with many slain fierce beasts and other cultivators¡¯ corpses fallen around him. Without exception, these beasts and cultivators¡¯ corpses all had neat wounds as if they had been cleanly bisected by a sharp divine weapon, with the undying Blade Intent still lingering on them. The Evil Slayer Blade stood to one side, endlessly emanating Blade Qi, as if guarding him on both sides. After a long while, Gu Xuan opened his eyes, exhaling deeply. ¡°Phew, I have finally reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm Late Stage!¡± Afterwards, He looked at the many corpses on the ground, his expression unchanged. Just dead people, after all. Gu Xuan was not seeing this for the first time. In the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, he could not remember exactly how many fierce beasts he had killed, and even before entering the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Gu Xuan¡¯s hands had already been stained with blood. Therefore, for the act of killing, Gu Xuan bore little psychological burden in his heart. What¡¯s more, those cultivators he had slain were all coveting the power of the Evil Slayer Blade, seeking to seize the treasure, only to be directly counter-killed by the blade. Upon entering the Great Saint Secret Realm, Gu Xuan found himself completely separated from Gu Yang. Before he could get a clear look at his surroundings, many fierce beasts attacked him. Having no choice, Gu Xuan could only utilize the power of the Evil Slayer Blade. This Divine Blade did not disappoint him; even the beasts from the Divine Transformation Realm, as formidable as they were, could not withstand the edge of the Divine Blade and were directly killed on the battlefield. But as a result, some of the cultivators who had also entered set their sights on such a treasure. What happened next, naturally, does not need much explanation. After counter-killing those cultivators, Gu Xuan habitually searched the corpses, looting the storage bags they carried and found many items, among which he discovered elixirs that could help in his own cultivation. Having been with Fu He for a long time, Gu Xuan understood these elixirs well. Of course, if he could not understand an elixir, he would not rashly consume it. Afterward, Gu Xuan glanced at his surroundings and immediately took out the remaining elixirs, starting to consume them to break through. The Great Saint Secret Realm was treacherous. Merely having a late-stage Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivation was not enough. Now that so many fierce beasts and cultivators had fallen here, although the smell of blood might attract even stronger beasts, the remnants of their aura could also deter ordinary ones. Therefore, Gu Xuan took the opportunity to break through. ... ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to Perfection of Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*50!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the first level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*80!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the second level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*80!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the third level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*80!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the fourth level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*80!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the fifth level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*80!¡± ... In a short amount of time, Gu Qingfeng watched as Gu Xuan¡¯s cultivation soared, from the late stage of Marrow Cleansing Realm, he took a huge leap to the perfect state of the fifth layer of Refining Organ Realm, noticeably moved. He had not expected that Gu Xuan, having only entered the Great Saint Secret Realm not long before, would break through so much. Counting the previous breakthrough, Gu Xuan had provided a total of five hundred upgrade points in one breath. Just the breakthrough to the fifth layer of Refining Organ Realm had given four hundred upgrade points, let alone the previous ones. With this in mind, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t help but glance at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 52/6000 Realm: Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Fourth Level), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Beginner), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Li Feng True Scripture (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 1264 ... ¡°The upgrade points have reached over twelve hundred, continue to accumulate a bit more, and I can make another breakthrough with the Ancient Heavenly Blade. Once the Ancient Heavenly Blade breaks through, even if my cultivation remains at the fourth level of Dao Palace Realm, my strength could undergo a qualitative transformation!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered to himself. The great skills of a Saint are powerful; once a breakthrough is made, the benefits are clear and obvious. With this in mind, Gu Qingfeng looked again at the entrance of the secret realm before him. If the inheritance of a Saint was so sought after, what would it be like to obtain the inheritance of a Great Saint? Chapter 298 230 Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body In the Great Saint Secret Realm. Before a certain palace, two cultivators stood in confrontation. "Youngster, hand over the elixir in your possession, and this seat might spare your life. Otherwise, even if you have an ancient weapon to protect you, you won''t escape death!" Qu Peng looked at Gu Xuan standing before him, his face a mixture of greed, disdain, and a hint of fear towards the Evil Slayer Blade. To him, a cultivator at the Fifth Layer of Refining Organ Realm was no more than an ant. However¡ª It was this very ant who had obtained a bottle of elixir from the palace before them, which was what made Qu Peng''s heart race. After all, this was a secret realm left by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, and the elixirs within the palace were certainly his legacy. It is known¡ª That with the passing of hundreds of thousands of years, many elixirs had turned to dust with time. Only those that remained were truly extraordinary. If it were any other cultivator of the Refining Organ Realm, Qu Peng would not have wasted words and would have already made a move to snatch it. But¡ª Qu Peng looked at the Evil Slayer Blade carried by Gu Xuan, and his gaze was filled with apprehension. He had personally witnessed a powerhouse at the Nine Layers of Divine Transformation Realm being slain by this blade. Thus, he had great fear of the power of this Divine Weapon. Upon hearing this. Gu Xuan''s expression was cold, "Fortunes of the secret realm are up to fate; there''s no way I would hand over the elixir. I do not wish to engage in a battle with you. Leave now and we can both be at peace, otherwise, the blade in my hand might not be so impotent!" Upon these words, Qu Peng''s expression flickered unpredictably. The next moment. His greed completely overtook his apprehension, and with a step forward, he suddenly summoned an ancient tower and pressed it down fiercely towards Gu Xuan. "So what if you have an ancient weapon, truly think this seat has no means?!" "Given a chance to live yet you refuse, so bring upon your own death¡ª" Qu Peng''s expression was ferocious, as if he had already witnessed the scene of Gu Xuan being crushed by himself. Seeing the ancient tower pressing down with terrifying suppressive force, Gu Xuan''s blood seemed to stagnate, but at that moment, a powerful and magnificent Blade Intent unexpectedly burst forth from behind him. The next breath. The Divine Blade was unsheathed. The cold and terrifying blade wind cut through the void, and the ancient tower shattered to pieces. The unrelenting force swept over, causing Qu Peng''s expression to drastically change. "This is not an ancient weapon... half... half-Saint''s will..." Qu Peng tried to flee, but under the coverage of the blade wind, he couldn''t escape in time and could only watch as the Divine Blade came slashing down. At the last moment, Qu Peng, on the contrary, became calm and looked at Gu Xuan with eyes full of resentment. "Younger, even if I die, you will pay a price¡ª" Before he could finish. Qu Peng was split in two by the Evil Slayer Blade. However. No joy appeared on Gu Xuan''s face, for he noticed that before his death, Qu Peng seemed to have executed some Secret Technique, leaving a strange pattern on the back of his own hand. This pattern, like a maggot in one''s bones, could not be removed. "It seems I have drawn the attention of the forces behind Qu Peng!" Gu Xuan''s brows were slightly furrowed but then relaxed. At this point, worrying further was unnecessary. Given the situation just now, even if he had given up the elixir, Qu Peng would not have spared him. So. One of them was destined to survive. As for what to do after killing Qu Peng, that could be decided later. "Better leave this place first!" Gu Xuan immediately turned and left. Before long. Other cultivators arrived upon hearing the commotion. When they saw the horrific traces on the ground, their pupils shrank, and then they saw Qu Peng''s bisected corpse. "This is a True Disciple of Yuhua Sacred Land!" "Hiss, who would have thought that he would die here." "It is said that this person was the offspring of a Daoist Palace Realm Peak Master from Yuhua Sacred Land; now that he''s dead here, there''s likely going to be quite a drama..." Many cultivators recognized Qu Peng''s identity. After all, as a True Disciple of Yuhua Sacred Land, he had entered the Ninth Layer of Divine Transformation Realm at a young age, and it was a certainty that he would step into the Dao Palace Realm in the future. In a period of great contention, he was seen as one who could aspire to become a saint. Thus¡ª Qu Peng had a reputation as a prodigy in the Eastern Domain. Nobody expected that he would die here. However¡ª The death of the descendant of a Dao Palace Realm here would undoubtedly cause significant upheaval once the news spread. ... Yuhua Sacred Land. Inside a palace, a black-robed elder was meditating with closed eyes. Suddenly, his eyes opened sharply, and beneath his thick brows, a pair of eyes as sharp as a hawk''s shone, while a hint of coldness flashed across his gaunt cheeks. "What has happened, why would I all of a sudden have such an ominous premonition?" Qu Huadao''s brows furrowed, and his expression became slightly ugly. Right then¡ª A Sword Peak Disciple hurried in from the outside, looking flustered. "Peak Master, there''s big trouble..." "What causes such panic!" Qu Huadao''s expression chilled further, and a terrifying aura emanated from him, weighing down on the shoulders of the disciple, whose panic seemed to subside a bit. Then¡ª The disciple swallowed hard and began to speak stutteringly. "Qu... Qu Peng brother... brother''s Soul Token has sh... shattered!" Upon these words¡ª A terrible force suddenly erupted, and Qu Huadao appeared instantly in front of the disciple, grasping his neck, his face filled with rage. "What did you say?" "Qu... Qu Peng brother..." The disciple''s face turned red, his eyes filled with terror, and he struggled to speak. Chapter 299: 230 Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body_2 Chapter 299: Chapter 230 Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body_2 With his next breath, he felt a looseness around his neck. When he looked again at the great hall, Qu Huadao had vanished without a trace. A moment later, a terrifyingly formidable aura erupted from within Sword Peak, shaking the entire Yuhua Sacred Land. Each Peak Master and elder was startled by this aura, and they all turned their gaze in the direction of Sword Peak. ¡°What madness is Qu Huadao up to this time?¡± ¡°Hiss, such Sword Intent, it seems his cultivation has improved considerably. I fear he is not far from stepping into the Semi-Saint realm¡ª¡± Some of the mighty figures frowned deeply, while other cultivators were shocked by the strength Qu Huadao displayed. The Nine Peaks of Yuhua Sacred Land. The strength of Sword Peak has always been at the forefront. As the Peak Master of Sword Peak, Qu Huadao¡¯s strength was, of course, extraordinary. At this moment, within the great hall where the Soul Tokens were stored, the Soul Token belonging to Qu Peng had completely shattered. Qu Peng¡¯s face twisted with distortion, his eyes filled with a cold murderous intent. ¡°Who, who exactly killed my son!¡± ¡°If it comes to light, I will ensure you have no burial place in death!!¡± Qu Huadao¡¯s expression turned ferocious. At his level of cultivation, siring a true heir was no small feat. Even though the Ancient Desolate World had certain secret methods to conceive offspring, such methods were of limited effect for those with deep cultivation. Thus, ever since Qu Peng was born, Qu Huadao had always held him in the palm of his hand, treating him delicately, and he was responsive to all of his son¡¯s needs. Qu Peng had managed to step into the Ninth Layer of the God Transformation Realm at a young age, gaining a reputation as a prodigy in the Eastern Domain. Apart from his own talent, it was also due to Qu Huadao¡¯s no-expense-spared cultivation. But now, Qu Peng was gone. All of Qu Huadao¡¯s years of persistence had turned to ashes. Such an intense contrast in fortunes, how could it not enrage the Sword Peak Master? At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared. Upon seeing the newcomer, Qu Huadao¡¯s fierce countenance softened somewhat, and he addressed the newcomer with a cupped-fist salute. ¡°I pay my respects to the Saint Master!¡± ¡°News has arrived that a Great Saint Secret Realm has appeared in the Nine States. You will go on behalf of the Sacred Land to investigate.¡± The Yuhua Saint Master spoke indifferently. Upon hearing this, Qu Huadao nodded, ¡°No problem.¡± As his words fell, the figure of the Yuhua Saint Master also vanished. After the other party left, Qu Huadao¡¯s face once more turned ferocious. ¡°Nine States... Peng¡¯er, you can rest assured, your father will never let any of the culprits go, and I will uproot even the powers behind them!!¡± Qu Huadao was well aware of Qu Peng¡¯s trip to the Nine States. To facilitate his son¡¯s mission, he even gave him an ancient weapon that he cultivated for many years. Normally, with Qu Peng¡¯s Ninth Layer of the God Transformation Realm cultivation and an ancient weapon for protection, even if someone from the Daoist Palace Realm made a move against him, he should be able to escape unscathed. But Qu Huadao could not care less about these things now. Immediately, he left Yuhua Sacred Land and headed towards the Nine States. When Qu Huadao left, at Feather Peak, the Yuhua Saint Master stood with his hands behind his back, watching his retreating figure with an indifferent expression, as if his emotions remained unchanged. Behind him, an elder spoke up, ¡°Saint Master, aren¡¯t you worried that by sending Qu Peak Master to the Nine States, he might actually obtain the Great Saint Inheritance?¡± ¡°The ambition of Sword Peak has become clear as day. Should Qu Huadao obtain the Great Saint Inheritance, it would definitely threaten the orthodoxy of Feather Peak¡¯s position in the Holy Land!¡± The elder¡¯s concern was not unfounded. The Nine Peaks of Yuhua Sacred Land were headed by Feather Peak. But the Nine Peaks were not truly harmonious, there were continuous struggles, both overt and covert. Over the years, as Qu Huadao stepped into the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace, Sword Peak¡¯s influence increased, and so did his ambitions. The Yuhua Saint Master stated calmly, ¡°The Nine States are not so simple; that supreme power from the ancient times originated from the Nine States. Although that power faded away later, throughout the epochs, many powerful beings have entered the Nine States in search of traces of that power.¡± ¡°However, of the many cultivators who stepped into the Nine States, how many have truly come out.¡± ¡°There are great terrors within the Nine States!¡± ¡°The inheritance of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint has now appeared, and whether Sword Peak can obtain it is another question. Moreover, according to recent news, a top-notch powerhouse has emerged in the Nine States, which has been declining for many years. ¡°So for now, let¡¯s wait and see how things unfold.¡± The Yuhua Saint Master also had his own plans. At his position, he was well aware that the Nine States were not as simple as they seemed. Over the past years, it wasn¡¯t that no saints or Great Saints had entered the Nine States, but even those of such powerful stature could risk falling there should they be careless. Therefore, any power that is clear about the past history of the Nine States held deep superstitions about this opportunity. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has taken an Ancient Elixir, his genetic constitution has been tempered, cultivating a Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, and his talent has greatly improved!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯s cultivation has broken through to the initial stage of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*120!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯s cultivation has broken through to the mid-level of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*120!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯s cultivation has broken through to the late stage of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*120!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and his cultivation has broken through to the mid-level of the Great Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*500!¡± ¡°Reward True Intent Pills*100!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Blood Pills*100!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ was attacked by cultivators from the Divine Transformation Realm*3!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has slain a cultivator at the First Level of the Divine Transformation Realm*2!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has slain a cultivator at the Second Level of the Divine Transformation Realm*1!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ accidentally obtained a Great Saint Treasure left by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, and his strength surged!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by fierce beasts*96!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by fierce beasts*129!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by fierce beasts*896!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ accidentally obtained the Great Saint Inheritance!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was carelessly ambushed by a cultivator, and was severely injured!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain a cultivator at the Sixth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Your descendant¡ª¡ª¡± ... Gu Qingfeng looked at the prompts on the attribute panel, his expression shifting slightly. A Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body! Great Saint Treasure! Great Saint Inheritance! The gains of the two Gu Yangs were somewhat unexpected to Gu Qingfeng. But after a moment¡¯s thought, He felt reassured in his heart. The secret realm inheritance itself was a matter of fate and opportunity, and since Gu Yang was a man of great Qi Fortune, it was normal for him to gain such opportunities in the Great Saint Secret Realm. Being Gu Yang¡¯s brother, it was natural for Gu Xuan to carry great Qi Fortune as well. Otherwise, It would have been impossible for him to step into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range with a cultivation below Grandmaster Realm, not only to come out alive but also to become a disciple of a Holy Land. In short. Both men were blessed with Qi Fortune. However, The so-called Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body did catch Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attention. Divine Body! From the information left by Murong Xiu and the memories of the two from the Guiyuan Dynasty, Gu Qingfeng knew that in the Ancient Desolate World some geniuses and demons naturally nurtured certain powerful constitutions. Any cultivator born with a powerful constitution had an unlimited future. However, Such constitutions are generally innate, like Gu Xuan, who had cultivated an Acquired Divine Body by consuming elixirs; in the details known to Gu Qingfeng, this was very rare. Also, The prefix ¡°Fake¡± before the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body suggested it was different from a true Divine Body. But even so, being able to cultivate some sort of Divine Body was still considered remarkable. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his own attribute panel, and as the two¡¯s cultivation broke through, the Upgrade Points he had accumulated had also broken through the two thousand mark. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng glanced in other directions and then returned to his mansion to prepare to seclude himself for a breakthrough. Although the rapid accumulation of Upgrade Points did not require any seclusion, the breakthrough of the Ancient Heavenly Blade might cause some disturbance, and Gu Qingfeng naturally wanted to make the appropriate preparations. Chapter 300: 231: Tao Palace Realm Fifth Level Chapter 300: Chapter 231: Tao Palace Realm Fifth Level Inside the government residence. Gu Qingfeng, using the power of his Divine Soul, set up layer upon layer of prohibitions to ensure that his breakthrough would not trigger any anomalies. Then, he calmed his mind and turned his attention to his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 52/6000 Realm: Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Fourth Layer), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Beginner), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng True Scripture (Not Entered) Upgrade Points: 2124 ... ¡°Upgrade!¡± Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate at all and directly chose to upgrade the Ancient Heavenly Blade. Immediately, two thousand upgrade points were consumed. A wealth of memories abruptly surfaced in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind, as if he had comprehended and practiced the Ancient Heavenly Blade for countless years; the vast and ancient Blade Intent spread out from him. However, because of the Divine Soul restrictions and Gu Qingfeng¡¯s deliberate control, the Blade Intent did not truly rush out of the government residence. At the same time, the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit was also growing. In less than a moment, the Primordial Spirit had reached the limit of thirty-six inches. Shortly after, Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, an aura of vicissitude surfaced, and then dissipated again. Afterward, he inspected his own Dao Palace, a smile appearing on his face. ¡°Primordial Spirit at thirty-six inches, it seems this is the limit for my Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level for now, but it¡¯s certainly not the limit for Small Success Ancient Heavenly Blade. When I later have enough upgrade points, I could certainly leap straight into the Dao Palace Realm Sixth Level in one breath!¡± This point, Gu Qingfeng had no doubts. Originally, when he entered the Ancient Heavenly Blade, it allowed him to break through from the Dao Palace Realm First Level to the Fourth Level in one go. Now that the Ancient Heavenly Blade had reached Small Success, breaking through from the Dao Palace Realm Fourth Level to the Sixth Level was only reasonable. You must understand, the True Intent power born within the Ancient Heavenly Blade at Small Success, was far stronger than at the Beginner stage. ... In the following days, Gu Qingfeng stayed in the government residence, overseeing the overall situation. As time passed, more and more powerful figures arrived. However, on the tenth day of the Great Saint Secret Realm¡¯s opening, the entrance was closed. Although the gateway still stood there, it no longer permitted any cultivators to enter. A Divine Transformation Realm cultivator tried to force his way in, but as soon as he took half a step forward, he was directly killed on the spot by the power of the Great Saint. With this, other cultivators who wanted to enter had no choice but to stop in their tracks. Only then did they remember, this was a secret realm left behind by a fallen Great Saint; even a Dao Palace Realm cultivator forcing an entry would meet with death and the dissolution of their Dao, let alone a mere Divine Transformation Realm cultivator. Regarding this, many Divine Transformation Realm cultivators who had just arrived beat their chests and stamped their feet in frustration, filled with regret inside. It was a close call. They were nearly able to enter the Great Saint Secret Realm. But that¡¯s how opportunity works, a fine line makes a world of difference between heaven and earth. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has been attacked by a cultivator*215!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has been attacked by a cultivator*365!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has been sneak attacked by a Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Level cultivator, severely injured, activating the power of the Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, breakthrough to Perfection!¡± ¡°Reward points*120!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ fights against those on higher realm, battling a Mid-level Grandmaster Realm cultivator!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ fights against those on higher realm, battling a Late Stage Grandmaster Realm cultivator!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ slays a Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Level cultivator!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has an epiphany on life and death during battle, stepping into the seventh level of Heavenly Blade True Intent!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ is severely injured!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ once again triggers the power of the Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, breakthrough to the Initial Stage of Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has been attacked by a cultivator*688!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ slays a Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Level cultivator!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ consumes Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, breakthrough to the Late Stage Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*500!¡± ¡°Reward True Intent Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Blood Pill*100!¡± ... Gu Qingfeng looked at the information panel with a slight frown. Ever since Gu Xuan and Gu Yang obtained the opportunity from the Great Saint, the frequency of attacks they suffered had increased significantly. However, The only good news, was that both of them did not encounter any major problems amid such sieges. Gu Xuan was severely injured numerous times, but ultimately, he overcame and stood up again ¨C not only did he not die, but he also made a breakthrough in his cultivation. As for the effects of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, Gu Qingfeng now also had some guesses. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng took another look at his attribute panel and saw that the few hundred upgrade points remaining had surged to over nine hundred. Immediately, he upgraded his cultivation directly to the Fifth Level of the Dao Palace Realm. A majestic power revived within Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body, the strength of his vital blood far stronger than when he was at the Fourth Level of the Dao Palace Realm. Observing the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit, it had now grown directly from thirty-six inches to forty-five inches. At this level, It was already the limit for the Fifth Level of the Dao Palace Realm. ¡°As expected!¡± ¡°The Small Success Ancient Heavenly Blade supports my breakthrough to the Dao Palace Realm Sixth Level with no problem!¡± Gu Qingfeng mused secretly. Afterward, a smile spread across his face again. After breaking through to the Fifth Level of the Dao Palace Realm, his strength had increased significantly; handling cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World would now be much easier. After all, The inheritance of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint had fallen into the hands of Gu Xuan. Once the secret realm was over, Gu Xuan was bound to become the target of all. At this time, Gu Qingfeng certainly needed to enhance his strength as much as possible, in order to deal with the subsequent problems. Chapter 301 231: Tao Palace Realm Fifth Level_2 "I, your father, have put a lot of effort into you two. If you could be more capable, you should break through a few more realms, ideally using the opportunity from the secret realm to step directly into the Divine Transformation Realm!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the information panel, murmuring to himself. Great Saint Secret Realm. Inside a certain desolate mountain. Both Gu Yang and Gu Xuan were in blood-stained clothes, and they looked somewhat disheveled. At that moment. Gu Yang was guarding on one side, while Gu Xuan was sitting cross-legged, apparently recovering from his injuries. After a long while. Gu Xuan opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and his originally pale complexion had become much rosier. "Thank you, Big Brother, for protecting me." "The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body is indeed mysterious; with such injuries, you have recovered so quickly." Gu Yang looked at Gu Xuan, who had now fully recovered, his expression somewhat emotional. He had recently obtained a Great Saint Treasure left by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint and was then pursued by other cultivators. Using the Great Saint Treasure and a contingency plan left by Gu Qingfeng, Gu Yang fought while retreating. Finally. He encountered Gu Xuan, who was also being chased. For a while. The two of them fled together. Half a day ago. They were surrounded by hundreds of cultivators, including dozens from the Divine Transformation Realm. Despite their numerous tactics, their cultivation was too weak, and Gu Xuan was severely injured by one of the Divine Transformation Realm powerhouses. At the crucial moment. The Evil Slayer Blade erupted with terrifying divine power, finally creating a bloody path for them. Then. Gu Yang followed the guidance of the Great Saint Treasure into this desolate mountain. This mountain seemed ordinary, but it was filled with the Great Saint Dao Rhythm, the former meditation ground of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint. If one entered without guidance, it was easy to trigger the Great Saint Dao Rhythm and be instantly killed. It was by relying on the Dao Rhythm of this desolate mountain that the two had a chance to catch their breath. Afterward. Gu Yang protected Gu Xuan while he healed. Seeing Gu Xuan, who had completely recovered from his injuries in less than half a day, one can imagine the shock in his heart. After all, given the severity of the injuries, if it were an ordinary cultivator, they might not die but would certainly be on the verge of death, unable to recover quickly without a long period of recuperation. Gu Xuan smiled and said, "The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body emphasizes rebirth from nirvana. If severely injured, as long as one can hold a breath, one can recover in ways beyond ordinary, and there''s even a chance to breakthrough in cultivation." "Sadly..." "What I possess is a cultivated Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, not a true Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. The phoenix blood within me is limited and cannot compare to the true Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body!" At the end, Gu Xuan also sighed. The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body is strong! He had a profound experience of that. But unfortunately, the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body he possessed was merely a Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body created by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, far inferior to the true Divine Body. Later. Gu Xuan looked outside the desolate mountain, his expression somewhat solemn. "Big brother, do you think this place can stop those cultivators?" Now that his cultivation had broken through, he sensed that many cultivators were attacking the desolate mountain. Gu Xuan was unsure if this desolate mountain could hold off those cultivators. Gu Yang''s expression remained calm. "This place was guided to me by the Divine Phoenix Tower, the former site where the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint meditated. There is residual Great Saint Dao Rhythm here. Even though it has been worn down by the years, I believe the residual Dao Rhythm here is not something ordinary cultivators can contend against." "Additionally¡ª" "If the Great Saint Dao Rhythm here really cannot stop these cultivators, then we will make other plans!" Gu Yang said lightly. Compared to Gu Xuan, he was much more composed in handling matters, even now, surrounded by numerous cultivators on the desolate mountain, without any panic. The reason he could be so calm was not only because Gu Yang had long been accustomed to high positions but also due to another reason. That was because the Great Saint Secret Realm was about to close. Every cultivator who entered the Great Saint Secret Realm received a message left by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, knowing the secret realm would only be open for a month. After a month. All cultivators still in the Great Saint Secret Realm would be directly kicked out. Gu Yang calculated the time; it had been about twenty days since they entered the Great Saint Secret Realm. Once this had happened, the two of them only needed to endure for ten more days before they could leave the Great Saint Secret Realm. Of course, even if they really left the Great Saint Secret Realm, things wouldn''t be so simple. Now that the Great Saint Treasure and the inheritance had fallen into the hands of the two brothers, once the Great Saint Secret Realm ended, this news would definitely spread. But at this point, there was no room for maneuver. So, Gu Yang was even less likely to panic. Hearing this, Gu Xuan relaxed a bit. Just then, the void trembled. Various divine lights surged towards the barren mountain, hammering down fiercely, and in an instant, Dao Rhythms rose within the barren mountain, blocking all divine lights from the outside. The collision of two forces caused the void to distort violently. Such a huge fluctuation also made the faces of Gu Yang and his companion change. "Divine Weapon!" "It seems they have realized that the Great Saint Secret Realm is about to end and want to completely trap us here!" Gu Yang''s expression darkened. Now, he naturally understood the reason for the Divine Weapon. It was a divine weapon refined by Dao Palace Realm powerhouses, and any ancient weapon contained terrifying power. If a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator possessed a divine weapon, it would be easy to kill powerful enemies across realms. At the same time, if the divine might of an ancient weapon were unleashed at all costs, it could even display an attack comparable to that of the Dao Palace Realm. For cultivators in the Ancient Desolate World, any ancient weapon was incredibly precious and not something ordinary cultivators could possess. But now, among the cultivators who had entered the Great Saint Secret Realm, there were some top forces'' geniuses. These cultivators possessing divine weapons for protection was nothing unusual. At this moment, from within Gu Yang''s Dantian, an ancient tower abruptly shot out, and in a blink of an eye, it was above the barren mountain. The next moment, overwhelming heavenly might spread out, falling into the barren mountain and merging with the various Dao Rhythms. In an instant, the Dao Rhythmic divine might of the barren mountain surged greatly. All the divine lights that bombarded were directly shattered by a terrifying pressure, revealing the shapes of various divine weapons. Following that, one could see numerous ancient weapons appearing densely packed with cracks, and then under the watchful eyes of all, these ancient weapons all shattered. "Boom¡ª" The ancient weapons exploded, turning into countless fragments scattering in all directions. "No!!" Outside the barren mountain, many cultivators turned pale, watching the shattered ancient weapons, feeling as if their hearts were being carved by a knife. They had never expected that the Divine Phoenix Tower would suddenly appear and, aided by the Dao Rhythms of the barren mountain, shatter many ancient weapons. Even if they were the geniuses of various forces, the loss of a divine weapon here was painful enough. "Destroying my Shangguan Family''s ancient weapon, these two indeed deserve to die!" A purple-robed youth looked at the shattered ancient weapons, his handsome face twisting into a vicious expression, his eyes filled with murderous intent. At the same time, when looking at the Divine Phoenix Tower in the void, greed flashed in the purple-robed youth''s eyes. "Great Saint Treasure!" "Such a treasure should belong to me!" Shangguan Yu felt a surge of impulsiveness within him, wanting to directly seize the Divine Phoenix Tower. After all, such a Great Saint Treasure, even the Saint Family like the Shangguan Family, did not possess. If he could obtain a Great Saint Treasure for his protection, when the era of great contention arrived, achieving sainthood would undoubtedly be no problem. Even more, there was a possibility of stepping into the Great Saint Realm, becoming an existence comparable to the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint. With this thought, Shangguan Yu glanced at the cultivators in other directions and immediately said to the Divine Transformation Realm cultivator of the Shangguan Family beside him, "Let the other cultivators step into the barren mountain, and must find a way to enter it. If they are unwilling, then there''s no need for them to stay alive!" Shangguan Yu''s expression was cold. Hearing this, the strong cultivators of the Shangguan Family immediately complied and went towards the Loose Cultivators. This action, naturally, caused quite a disturbance. But under the name of the Saint Family and the coercion of the many strong members of the Shangguan Family, some Loose Cultivators reluctantly stepped onto the barren mountain, and at the same time, great resentment towards the Shangguan Family arose in their hearts. Chapter 302 232: What is the Yuhua Sacred Land? The moment these cultivators set foot into the desolate mountain, a terrifying Great Saint Dao Rhythm descended with overwhelming force. None of the cultivators could react in time, their bodies violently exploded, flesh and blood spraying everywhere. This scene. Caused Shangguan Yu''s expression to change. Then, A chill flashed in his eyes. "Continue!" Just then, A loose cultivator shouted angrily, "This desolate mountain possesses the Great Saint Dao Rhythm and is fundamentally impervious to approach. Could it be that the Saint Family simply regards human life as worthless?" Right after this person finished speaking, a monstrous force descended upon him. Shangguan Yu struck with a palm, ruthlessly executing the cultivator on the spot. Afterward, He looked around coldly, his features twisted ferociously. "How dare you ants insult the Saint Family, you still may find a slim chance of survival upon entering the desolate mountain, but if you refuse, your death is certain right now!" "I''ll give you three breaths to consider!" Shangguan Yu''s words made the other loose cultivators'' faces turn ugly, but looking around at the Shangguan Family''s powerful cultivators, and considering Shangguan Yu''s strength, these loose cultivators could only swallow their humiliation and steel themselves to blaze through the desolate mountain. There was no choice. They were far too weak compared to the Shangguan Family. Not to mention others, Shangguan Yu alone was more than enough to wipe them out completely. On the contrary, Entering the desolate mountain, there was at least a thread of survival. As the Shangguan Family forced the loose cultivators into the desolate mountain, cultivators from other powers did the same, many loose cultivators now regretting coming here to join in the commotion; otherwise, they wouldn''t have ended up in such a dire situation. Inside the desolate mountain, Gu Yang watched the scene of the various forces using loose cultivators to scout the way, his expression cold and detached. "To think of using the lives of ordinary cultivators to erode the Dao Rhythm of the desolate mountain is truly naive. The Great Saint Dao Rhythm cannot simply be erased by some Divine Transformation Realm cultivators!" Even if the Great Saint Dao Rhythm of the desolate mountain was already extremely weak, such remnant rhythms were still unequivocally beyond the reach of mere cultivators of the Divine Transformation Realm. Moreover, The Dao Rhythm of the desolate mountain was further suppressed by the Divine Phoenix Tower; such a Great Saint Treasure, even if Gu Yang couldn''t harness much of its divine might, was sufficient to suppress everything. Therefore, Gu Yang wasn''t the least bit worried about their chances to advance through the desolate mountain. As he watched one loose cultivator after another being crushed by the Dao Rhythm and dying from body explosions, he sat cross-legged, silently meditating and cultivating the Dao Rhythm of this place. For Gu Yang, the Dao Rhythm here was extremely powerful and yet abstruse; gaining even the slightest insight could greatly advance his strength. More importantly, Inside the Great Saint Secret Realm, he had also obtained some elixirs and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures which he hadn''t had the time to consume earlier; now he could digest them together, striving for a breakthrough in strength before the end of the Great Saint Secret Realm. ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' used a Great Saint Treasure to tap into the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint''s ancient place of retreat''s Dao Rhythm, slaying many cultivators!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' comprehended the Great Saint Dao Rhythm, vastly enhancing his strength!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' broke through to level nine of Heavenly Blade True Intent, his strength slightly enhanced!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' broke through to level ten of Heavenly Blade True Intent, his strength vastly enhanced!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' broke through to level eleven of Heavenly Blade True Intent, his strength vastly enhanced!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' broke through to level twelve of Heavenly Blade True Intent, his strength vastly enhanced!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' broke through to level thirteen of Heavenly Blade True Intent, his strength vastly enhanced!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' has achieved a breakthrough to Grandmaster Realm Perfection!" "Reward 500 Upgrade Points!" "Reward 100 True Intent Pills!" "Reward 100 Divine Blood Pills!" ... "Grandmaster Perfection!" "It seems this trip to the Great Saint Secret Realm was indeed worthwhile!" Gu Qingfeng, upon witnessing Gu Yang''s breakthrough, a faint smile appeared on his face. When Gu Yang entered the Great Saint Secret Realm, he was merely at the Grandmaster Initial Stage. In less than a month, his cultivation improved by leaps and bounds, stepping directly into Grandmaster Perfection. If he could advance one more step, he could enter the Divine Transformation Realm. Moreover, Gu Yang''s Heavenly Blade True Intent had broken through directly to level thirteen. That was the very limit of the Grandmaster True Intent. If the thirteenth-level True Intent could breakthrough again, it would form a domain. Now, Gu Qingfeng clearly understood, Even in the Ancient Desolate World, the number of Divine Transformation Realm cultivators who truly mastered a domain was extremely limited; any such cultivator who controlled a domain was a powerhouse at this level. Right now, Gu Yang was only one step away from forming a domain. If he had been in the Nine States, it would have taken him over ten years of arduous training to break through to this realm; it would be downright impossible without it. But now, In less than a month, He had saved the ten years of hard work ordinarily required. "Yang''er has broken through. It''s time for my breakthrough as well!" Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. With a mere thought, he directly broke through to the Dao Palace Realm Sixth Level. Now, Gu Qingfeng was accustomed to the surge in cultivation that came with a realm advancement, so he suppressed this influx quite easily. He turned his attention to the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit, which had now grown to forty-nine inches. Forty-nine inches of Primordial Spirit, Wasn''t the limit of the Dao Palace Realm Sixth Level. Merely because the Small Success level of the Ancient Heavenly Blade could only elevate the Primordial Spirit to this point. However, In Gu Qingfeng''s view, this was already sufficient. Now having broken through to the Dao Palace Realm Sixth Level, when it came to strength, he was not just twice as strong as when he was at the Fourth Level of the same realm. With that thought, Gu Qingfeng directed his Divine Thought outside Xing''an County, ''viewing'' the cultivators of the outside world. He also wanted to use these cultivators to test the level of his strength after his breakthrough. Chapter 303: 232 What is Yuhua Sacred Land? _2 Chapter 303: Chapter 232 What is Yuhua Sacred Land? _2 However, Gu Qingfeng soon suppressed that thought. There were plenty of opportunities to test his strength, and there was no need to startle the snake by hitting the grass at the moment. At this moment, the void trembled. A powerful being was stepping through the void. An overwhelming heavenly might swept over everything like monstrous waves, causing all cultivators to change their expressions. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Space shattered. A black-robed elder appeared expressionlessly. Upon seeing the newcomer, many cultivators changed their expressions. ¡°Qu Huadao!¡± ¡°Yuhua Sacred Land¡¯s Sword Peak Master, why has he come here!¡± These cultivators all showed changing expressions, clearly feeling immense pressure from Qu Huadao¡¯s arrival. ¡°It¡¯s said that among the cultivators entering the Great Saint Secret Realm this time, there was a descendant of this Sword Peak Master, but looking at the situation now, something must have gone wrong¡ª¡± At that time, a cultivator began to speak. However, before he could finish his words, Qu Huadao followed the voice and looked over with a gaze as sharp as a hawk¡¯s, and a terrifying sword intent blasted towards the speaker. ¡°No...¡± That cultivator¡¯s face drastically changed, and he wanted to beg for mercy, but it was already too late. In an instant, the sword intent struck. This cultivator, who had half-stepped into the Dao Palace Realm, exploded on the spot and perished instantly. ¡°Hissss¡ª¡± Many cultivators couldn¡¯t help but draw a breath of cold air upon seeing such a scene. Killing a half-Dao Palace Realm cultivator in one glance, such strength was simply terrifying. Even Ji Meng narrowed his eyes and his expression turned very grave. ¡°Even if this Sword Peak Master hasn¡¯t stepped into the Half-Saint Realm, he must be very close!¡± Even he felt unsure facing such a powerful being. After all, both being in the Ninth Layer of Dao Palace Realm, there was a difference in strength between them. Clearly, Qu Huadao belonged to the top powerhouses of the Dao Palace Realm¡¯s Ninth Layer, just one step away from the legendary Half-Saint Realm. Although a Half-Saint is not a real Saint, but still being associated with the word ¡®saint,¡¯ such level of powerhouse, in this End of Dharma Era, belonged to the true pinnacle. However, Half-Saints are rare. In the Ancient Desolate World, Half-Saint level powerhouses are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, and now, among the many cultivators present, Qu Huadao¡¯s strength was obviously the strongest. ¡°My descendant perished in the Great Saint Secret Realm; let it not be known who moved against him, otherwise this matter will not be easily settled!¡± Qu Huadao coldly looked at the cultivators present and ominously said. These words gave no face to the other cultivators, causing many powerful forces to silently fume. However, thinking of Qu Huadao¡¯s strength, they forcibly suppressed their anger. Clearly, due to the loss of his offspring, he was somewhat mad, and it wouldn¡¯t be good to tear face with him. Now all factions only hoped that it wasn¡¯t their descendants who had killed his, as this matter would be difficult to settle otherwise. Time passed. Several more days went by quickly. This day, the bronze gates trembled violently, divine light surged like auspicious clouds lighting up the earth. All cultivators who saw this scene felt their expressions stir. ¡°The Great Saint Secret Realm is about to end!¡± ¡°Who knows who has obtained the inheritance of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint this time!¡± Some Dao Palace Realm powerhouses were now secretly preparing, as they could not enter the Great Saint Secret Realm themselves, and this was the only chance to obtain the Great Saint Inheritance. Quickly, they saw numerous lights bursting out from the bronze gates, and upon closer inspection, each light was enveloping a cultivator. In less than a moment. All cultivators who were still alive within the secret realm were ejected by the power of the realm. ¡°Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint¡¯s inheritance and the Great Saint Treasure are all in the hands of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Suddenly, as Shangguan Yu emerged from the secret realm, he bellowed, causing all the strong cultivators present to be momentarily stunned before they turned their blazing gazes toward Gu Yang and the others. When Shangguan Yu announced that the Great Saint inheritance and the Great Saint Treasure were in the possession of the two, these powerful cultivators did not fully believe him. However, soon other cultivators who had emerged from the secret realm corroborated his words. ¡°Indeed, the opportunity left by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint has been seized by the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°That Emperor Gu, relying on the Great Saint Treasure, activated the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint¡¯s Dao Rhythm and slaughtered many cultivators. He is truly vile and despicable!¡± As cultivators spoke, they looked toward the Divine Martial Dynasty with faces filled with resentment. If they couldn¡¯t obtain the Great Saint inheritance, then they certainly wouldn¡¯t allow the Divine Martial Dynasty to possess it either. Many ordinary cultivators wanted to use this opportunity to drag the Divine Martial Dynasty into trouble, while top-tier powers like Shangguan Yu intended to thoroughly stir up chaos and profit from it. ¡°Hand over the Great Saint inheritance and I will spare your lives!¡± Immediately, a cultivator from the Taoist Palace Realm took action, reaching out with a mighty hand toward Gu Yang and the others, causing Gu Yang¡¯s face to pale. Even though he had recently advanced to the Grandmaster Perfection Cultivation Realm, he was no match in front of such high-level powerhouses. However¡ª Just as the strike was about to land, a chilling voice came through. ¡°Dare to strike in my presence? Seek death!¡± As the voice fell, the void shattered. A terrifying surge of vital energy transformed into a colossal hand that collided with the Taoist Palace Realm powerhouse. ¡°Bang!¡± The Taoist Palace Realm cultivator¡¯s right arm burst open, and the vital energy hand continued to crush him inexorably, hammering fiercely into him under his terrified gaze. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Under this terrifying power, the assaulting Taoist Palace Realm cultivator¡¯s body exploded, turning into a cloud of blood mist and vanishing in an instant. From the initiation of the attack by the Taoist Palace Realm cultivator to his demise, it took less than a breath¡¯s time. Seeing the opponent reduced to nothing more than a slap, leaving no bones behind, many cultivators shivered, and their initial fervor cooled drastically. It was only at this moment, they remembered that the Divine Martial Dynasty was not some soft persimmon to be squashed, as there was a top-tier Taoist Palace Realm powerhouse backing them. While everyone was briefly intimidated, Qu Huadao¡¯s cold gaze fell upon Gu Xuan. ¡°Young man, why do you bear the mark of Yuhua Sacred Land on your body? Could it be that you are the murderer of my son!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Xuan¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he forced himself to respond calmly, ¡°I do not know what you are talking about.¡± ¡°Ha! The ignorance does not matter, once I capture you and perform a Soul Search, everything will become clear.¡± Qu Huadao sneered menacingly, stepping forward. His withered right hand shattered multiple layers of the void, reaching directly toward Gu Xuan. The next moment, the void vibrated. A cultivator clad in blue robes suddenly appeared in front of Gu Xuan. Then, he also struck out with a palm. When their palms collided, destructive fluctuations emanated instantly, annihilating layers of space. Qu Huadao¡¯s body shook, and he involuntarily took a step back, while observing the blue-robed cultivator, who remained unmoved ¨C the superiority between them clear after just one exchange. ¡°Who are you, daring to interfere with the affairs of Yuhua Sacred Land? Are you seeking enmity with Yuhua Sacred Land?¡± Qu Huadao¡¯s expression was stern, his gaze filled with chilling murderous intent and a trace of barely perceptible dread. He felt some pressure from the cultivator in front of him. ¡°I am Gu Qingfeng!¡± Facing such interrogation, Gu Qingfeng responded indifferently, then his face revealed a cold smile. ¡°As for the so-called Yuhua Sacred Land, what is that supposed to be? It¡¯s hardly worth my concern!¡± ¡°How dare you insult Yuhua Sacred Land, seek death!¡± Hearing this, Qu Huadao immediately flew into a rage, any ounce of fear vanishing from his mind. Subsequently, a terrifying power rose from him. Sword Intent soared toward the heavens, as if an emperor ruling the world. Qu Huadao¡¯s expression was domineering, his eyes brimming with a murderous look at Gu Qingfeng. ¡°You seek death, I will certainly grant it!¡± Chapter 304: 233: Defeating Qu Huadao Chapter 304: Chapter 233: Defeating Qu Huadao The words had scarcely left his lips. Qu Huadao had already made a fearsome move. He brought forth a Divine Sword and directed the nature¡¯s Spiritual Energy from a hundred miles to converge upon him, the once gentle nature¡¯s Spiritual Energy now transformed into extraordinarily terrifying Sword Qi. ¡°Destroy!¡± With a slash of his sword, Qu Huadao overturned the void within a hundred miles as if billions of Sword Qi barraged down, seeking to utterly crush Gu Qingfeng on the spot. However, Gu Qingfeng stood with one hand behind his back, reaching out with his right hand, as his fingers grasped at the air. Then, he clenched his palm forcefully. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The hundred-mile spread of Sword Qi explosively shattered, and a mist of blood burst forth from Qu Huadao¡¯s body, his black clothes already soaked in fresh blood, presenting an utterly disheveled appearance. ¡°Pfft!¡± Qu Haudao spat out blood, and when he looked at Gu Qingfeng again, his eyes no longer held a trace of arrogance or murderous intent, only boundless terror. ¡°Semi... Semi-Saint!!¡± ¡°It¡¯s impossible, the Nine States have long declined, how could a Semi-Saint emerge!!!¡± Qu Huadao felt nearly driven to madness. He had thought he could easily suppress the cultivator before him, yet he now faced a Semi-Saint, whose might, even among Semi-Saints, surely belonged to the very pinnacle. Semi-Saint! Hearing Qu Huadao¡¯s words, all the cultivators present drastically changed their expressions. They found it hard to believe that a mere Divine Martial Dynasty could produce a Semi-Saint. Yet, seeing Qu Huadao, a top cultivator of the Dao Palace, nearly suppressed with just one hand by Gu Qingfeng, such strength seemed possible only for a Semi-Saint. For a moment, many forces extinguished the notion in their hearts of vying for the Great Saint Inheritance. After all, with a Semi-Saint present in an age without Saints, this represented a truly top-tier powerhouse. To try and take the inheritance from such a being was by no means simple. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng remained silent, merely throwing a punch at Qu Huadao. When one¡¯s cultivation reached his level, even a simple punch contained dreadful divine might. The extreme force changed the complexion of the Sword Peak Master from Yuhua Sacred Land. ¡°Do you dare kill me¡ª¡± Qu Huadao had never imagined, that Gu Qingfeng would truly dare to make a killing blow against him, knowing he was a Peak Master of Yuhua Sacred Land with revered status. Even if the one before him was a Semi-Saint, Yuhua Sacred Land was not without Semi-Saints. Moreover, with tens of thousands of years of inheritance, Yuhua Sacred Land¡¯s foundation was unfathomably deep. Therefore, for Gu Qingfeng to dare to make a killing move now was utterly unexpected for Qu Huadao. However, as an old and powerful being, Qu Huadao unleashed his life¡¯s blood and power in an instant as Gu Qingfeng made his move, laying the Ancient Blade Wind flat across the void with a tangible Sword Wind fiercely slashing forth. ¡°Rumble!!¡± As the two forces collided, Sword Wind shattered under Qu Huadao¡¯s shocked gaze. The unrestrained force recoiled upon him, causing him to spit out another mouthful of fresh blood. ¡°You cannot kill me... I am the Sword Peak Master of Yuhua Sacred Land. If you kill me, Yuhua Sacred Land will never let you off!!¡± Qu Huadao was truly frightened now; there were few in the world who did not fear death, all the more someone who had cultivated to his degree. However, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained indifferent. ¡°What is Yuhua Sacred Land to me? Anyone who dares to raise a hand against my Gu Family deserves death!¡± With those words, Gu Qingfeng made a chopping motion with his hand, targeting Qu Huadao, who wore a ferocious expression, unleashing the most powerful strike of his life, no longer sparing his energy or blood. Since Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t offer him a way out, Qu Huadao naturally wouldn¡¯t sit still and wait for death. In the next instant, the Ancient Blade Wind was seen slicing through heaven and earth, all Sword Qi dissipating into nothingness against its power, Qu Huadao¡¯s body hanging in the air stiffened, then it blasted apart. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Flesh and blood scattered. A top Dao Palace cultivator had fallen on the spot. Witnessing this, all cultivators fell silent. If Gu Qingfeng¡¯s previous suppression of Blood Cloud Ancestor and annihilation of another Dao Palace cultivator only shocked a portion of the cultivators, then his now unstoppable killing of Qu Huadao had intimidated everyone. After all, unlike ordinary cultivators, Qu Huadao was the Sword Peak Master from Yuhua Sacred Land, a pinnacle powerhouse who had stepped into the Ninth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm. Gu Qingfeng, suppressing such a powerhouse, had truly entered the Half-Saint Realm. At this time, it was Ji Meng¡¯s turn to fall silent. This time, although nearly half of the thirty thousand Divine Emperor Army had been lost, the survivors had all achieved various degrees of cultivation breakthroughs. In theory, the overall power of the Divine Emperor Army should have risen, not fallen. With Ji Meng¡¯s estimation, the Divine Emperor Army should now be leading the charge to slay Gu Qingfeng and topple the Divine Martial Dynasty. But now, the fall of Yuhua Sacred Land¡¯s Sword Peak Master happened right before his eyes. This left Ji Meng in a difficult position. The Divine Emperor Army was strong indeed, capable of encircling and slaying top Dao Palace cultivators, but facing a Semi-Saint Realm powerhouse was another matter entirely. Even if he came bearing a Semi-Saint artifact, whether he could match a Semi-Saint was in question. After all, a Semi-Saint artifact was just the weapon of an ancient Semi-Saint. Even if it contained the might of a Semi-Saint, how could it be truly compared with a living Semi-Saint? At this time, a powerful figure from the Shangguan Family stepped forward and spoke coldly, ¡°Even if you¡¯re a Semi-Saint, you can¡¯t monopolize the Great Saint Inheritance. In the opinion of this old man, why don¡¯t you take out the Great Saint Inheritance and let us all comprehend it together?¡± ¡°Exactly, the Elder Shangguan Hongtian speaks wisely. The Divine Martial Dynasty trying to monopolize the inheritance alone is rather domineering. In my view, it¡¯s better to share the inheritance!¡± Chapter 305: 233 Burst Qu Huadao_2 Chapter 305: Chapter 233 Burst Qu Huadao_2 Xi Yu also spoke. With the Shangguan Family taking the lead and the backing of Purple Cloud Sacred Land, other wavering cultivators were once again overtaken by greed, all voicing their desire to jointly comprehend the Great Saint Inheritance. Seeing this situation, Shangguan Hongtian couldn¡¯t help but smirk inwardly. This was the effect he wanted. As a member of the Saint Family, Shangguan Hongtian naturally did not fear a Semi-Saint, but with many forces present, the Shangguan Family couldn¡¯t possibly face such power alone. Therefore, he spoke to manipulate everyone¡¯s emotions and pressure the opposition. If Gu Qingfeng agreed, that would be the best case, and the Shangguan Family could obtain the Great Saint Inheritance, but if the other party disagreed, then the matter would be much simpler. With the strength of the powerhouses present, besieging a Semi-Saint was no big issue. Thinking this, Shangguan Hongtian looked at Gu Qingfeng with a playful gaze, wanting to see how he would respond. Facing the crowd¡¯s coercion, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes turned fierce, and he directly punched a Daoist Palace Realm Cultivator, blowing up his body. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Blood splattered. Many cultivators couldn¡¯t dodge in time, their bodies splashed with a lot of blood. ¡°This is my answer!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was ferocious, his eyes filled with murderous intent. ¡°Whoever wants the Great Saint Inheritance, just step forward. If you can kill me, the Great Saint Inheritance is yours, but if your strength is insufficient and you die by my hands, blame no one else!¡± ¡°Now!¡± ¡°I only want to kill you, or be killed by you!¡± As these words were pronounced, the scene suddenly silenced. No one expected that this Semi-Saint of the Divine Martial Dynasty would be so uncompromising, undeterred even in the face of many powerhouses. At this moment, Seeing the others intimidated, Shangguan Hongtian immediately shouted angrily, ¡°What of a Semi-Saint? If he¡¯s not a Saint, he is ultimately just an ant. Today, I shall see if this Semi-Saint can withstand the Holy Weapon of my Shangguan Family!¡± As his words fell, Shangguan Hongtian opened the ancient box on his back, and an ancient mirror flew out, its saintly power filling the void, seemingly suppressing the heavens and the earth. ¡°The Flame Sun Mirror!¡± ¡°This was the treasure of the Flame Sun Saint from the past. I didn¡¯t expect the Shangguan Family would bring such a Holy Weapon!¡± Many cultivators were shocked, looking at the ancient mirror in the void with horror in their eyes. On the other side, ¡°Holy Weapon!¡± Gu Qingfeng slightly squinted his eyes. Although this dazzling Saintly Power was not as oppressive as that of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, it was still no trivial matter. Just then, he heard Fu He¡¯s voice in his ear. ¡°Mr. Gu, the Flame Sun Mirror was a treasure possessed by the Flame Sun Saint of the Shangguan Family. This Holy Weapon has unfathomable divine power. Over ten thousand years ago, it directly suppressed an ancient Semi-Saint who attacked the Shangguan Family. Such a treasure should not be underestimated; please be cautious!¡± This was a telepathic message. Such a method was easy even for a normal Master, and even more so for a Divine Transformation Realm Cultivator. At this time, Gu Yang also called out the Divine Phoenix Tower. ¡°Father, this is the treasure of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint. It¡¯s difficult for me to bring out its true power. It¡¯s better to let Father use it!¡± As the Divine Phoenix Tower appeared, it immediately drew the attention of many powerhouses. A Great Saint Weapon! This was a treasure that only a cultivator of the Great Saint Realm could refine. Moreover, Not every Great Saint could possess a Great Saint Weapon. Even more so, The Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint was a top-tier Great Saint, and it was rumored that he was only a step away from achieving the status of a Saint King. Such a treasure was indeed highly coveted. Under such circumstances, how could Shangguan Hongtian give Gu Qingfeng the chance to control the Divine Phoenix Tower? He saw him channel all his energy and blood power into the Flame Sun Mirror, causing the Holy Weapon to shine brilliantly. Following closely, terrifying flames swept across the sky, engulfing Gu Qingfeng. This strike was enough to incinerate the void. The temperature around them rose to a terrifying degree in an instant. Many cultivators were retreating in fear of being affected by the power of the holy weapon, only Gu Qingfeng stood firm and fearless. ¡°To deal with a mere holy weapon, there¡¯s no need to use a Great Saint Weapon. Just relax.¡± Gu Qingfeng said calmly, and then with a wave of his hand, the Evil Slayer Blade fell directly into his grasp. The moment he grasped the handle, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s aura completely transformed. In the next instant, the long blade was unsheathed, and a blood-colored blade light slashed through heaven and earth. Following that, a terrifying Spiritual Energy gathered, forming an Ancient Heavenly Blade. ¡°Slash!¡± Gu Qingfeng uttered a word, and the Evil Slayer Blade fiercely chopped down. This was his first real use of the Saint¡¯s ultimate technique. As the small-perfected Ancient Heavenly Blade slashed down, heaven and earth seemed to collapse, the void was annihilated, and everything turned into nothingness. The flames powerful enough to incinerate the void were completely shattered by this strike. Terrifying blade winds fiercely struck, and the Flame Sun Mirror, sensing a great threat, revealed an ancient figure stepping out, its saintly power suddenly surging. The figure suppressed the falling void with a finger, completely obliterating the relentless strike. Seeing the figure appear, Shangguan Hongtian¡¯s expression was both shocked and delighted. ¡°Flame Sun Saint!¡± He was delighted because the power left in the Flame Sun Mirror by the Flame Sun Saint had manifested. A Saint stepping forward could suppress everything. He was shocked because such power was not infinite; once the Saint power was exhausted, the Flame Sun Mirror would be just an ordinary Holy Weapon, no longer as divine as before. Of course, even an ordinary Holy Weapon was still incredibly powerful. But the problem was, such Holy Weapon power was ultimately not as strong as the power of the Flame Sun Saint. Now, the appearance of the Saint phantom made all the cultivators show their reverence. A Saint! Even if it was just a phantom, it was not something other cultivators could contend against. In the face of such saintly power, even top Daoist Palace Realm experts wouldn¡¯t dare entertain the thought of opposing it. On the side of the Divine Martial Dynasty, Fu He looked at the appearance of the Saint phantom and showed a look of despair. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± ¡°The power left by the Flame Sun Saint has been activated, and now that the Saint phantom has appeared, with a Holy Weapon in hand, I fear that even a true Saint arriving in person might not be a match!¡± Fu He¡¯s words caused Gu Yang and the others to change expressions. Gu Xuan couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Master, what do you mean by this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s simple. Now that the power of the Flame Sun Saint has manifested, with a Holy Weapon in hand, it¡¯s essentially equivalent to a real Saint!¡± Fu He took a deep breath and said directly. This was the heritage of the Saint Family. Even if no Saints were born in this era, they could still wield power comparable to a Saint with the help of a treasure. Such level of power, even Taixu Sacred Land must treat it carefully. After all, although Taixu Sacred Land was an ancient sacred land with a profound heritage, facing a Saint would still cost a great deal. Thinking of this, Fu He looked at Gu Qingfeng with a hint of pity. Such a powerful being, capable of stepping into the Half-Saint Realm in this era, would definitely be able to become a Saint in the future. Unfortunately, it now appeared that he was destined to fall here. Gu Yang looked troubled: ¡°If I were to give the Divine Phoenix Tower to my father, could he contend against this Flame Sun Saint?¡± ¡°No!¡± Fu He shook his head. ¡°Holy Weapons have spirits, and Great Saint Weapons are the same. Only the person recognized by It can truly harness the power of a Great Saint Weapon. Mr. Gu is not the owner recognized by the Divine Phoenix Tower, so naturally, it would be difficult to mobilize the power of this treasure. Moreover, the Divine Phoenix Tower already acknowledges you as its master. If you were to forcibly sever your connection with the Divine Phoenix Tower, then you would also suffer severe backlash.¡± ¡°Unfortunately, your current cultivation is too weak. If you could step into the Divine Transformation Realm, perhaps you might have a chance to harness a fraction of the Great Saint Weapon¡¯s power and suppress the Flame Sun Mirror!¡± Hearing this, Gu Yang clenched his fists tightly, his face full of frustration. At this moment, he deeply felt the weakness of his own power. What good was Grandmaster Perfection when even wielding a Great Saint Weapon was nothing but an ant in front of a true powerhouse? Chapter 306: 234: Slaying the Saint Chapter 306: Chapter 234: Slaying the Saint ¡°Saint!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the figure in the void, the overflowing Saintly Power boiling his blood. In his eyes, there was no fear, only intense fighting spirit. He, too, wanted to witness the strength of a Saint in the Ancient Desolate World, and how formidable such an existence really was. At that moment. Shangguan Hongtian respectfully bowed to the Flame Sun Saint, ¡°A strong enemy has come to invade, please, Saint, strike down this thief!¡± ¡°Granted!¡± The Flame Sun Saint uttered a single word, void of any emotion. Instantly. The Flame Sun Saint grasped the Flame Sun Mirror and struck with a Destructive Divine Light that pierced through the multiple layers of the void, bearing down on Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Today, let this Lord see just how much strength the so-called Saints truly possess!¡± Gu Qingfeng laughed loudly, the Evil Slayer Blade emanating a cold gleam as terrifying blood energy surged to the skies, akin to the Divine Brilliance Great Sun, striking fear into those who witnessed it. As the Divine Light descended, he swung his blade fiercely. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Terrifying blade winds shattered the void, actually splitting the Destructive Divine Light directly. The unstoppable blade light continued towards the Flame Sun Saint, who countered with a punch, the two forces negating each other. However. At the moment the blade light dissipated, Gu Qingfeng stepped forward, his overwhelming Blade Intent breaking through the heavens, his boundless power concentrating within him and transforming into the Ancient Heavenly Blade as he struck once more at the Flame Sun Saint. At this moment. A hint of emotion finally appeared on the expressionless face of the Flame Sun Saint. Soon after. The Flame Sun Saint wielded the Flame Sun Mirror, the surging flames engulfing heaven and earth, as if the Great Sun Golden Crow were born from the flames, spreading its wings and soaring, endless true fire spreading everywhere. ¡°This is the Great Sun Golden Crow!¡± ¡°Rumor has it that the Flame Sun Mirror was forged by the Flame Sun Saint in the image of the legendary Golden Crow Divine Mirror. Now it seems, the rumors were indeed true!¡± ¡°Such divine might is probably enough to suppress an ordinary Saint!¡± ¡°Gu Qingfeng is also no simple matter; even when the Flame Sun Saint¡¯s power manifested, it still couldn¡¯t suppress him outright, truly terrifying¡ª¡± All the onlookers watched in shock as the two figures clashed in the void. The power of the Flame Sun Saint was no surprise to them. After all, although the Saint had perished, the power left in the Holy Weapon was on par with a true Saint. But. The strength displayed by Gu Qingfeng was what truly astounded the other powerful beings. They had originally thought Gu Qingfeng to be merely a Semi-Saint, but now it seemed his power was not so simple. Otherwise. How could he possibly be battling a Saint wielding the Flame Sun Mirror? Bear in mind. A Saint possessing a Holy Weapon was the pinnacle of Saints. As long as the power left in the Flame Sun Mirror by the Flame Sun Saint wasn¡¯t exhausted, the foe would always be equivalent to a true Saint. In this era without Saints, such a being could sweep through everything. Thus. Gu Qingfeng being able to fight the Flame Sun Saint was indeed astounding. ... Boom! Rumbling!! In the void, the Flame Sun Saint holding the Flame Sun Mirror unleashed beams of intense solar Divine Light, as if igniting the entire space, the burning terror flames capable of turning any Cultivator below the Saint level to ashes. However. Faced with such an attack, Gu Qingfeng was not at a disadvantage; his vast blood energy like an ocean, his strong Blade Intent slashing through everything. No matter how terrifying the Flame Sun Saint¡¯s attack, it never affected him in the slightest. A moment later. Disappointment crossed Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face. ¡°So, this is the power of a Saint; it seems I overestimated the so-called Saint!¡± As his words fell. Gu Qingfeng abruptly came to a halt, while the Flame Sun Saint also happened to wield the Flame Sun Mirror, a Great Sun Golden Crow, formed from terrifying flames, charging at him. The Golden Crow was not yet upon him. But the heat wave was already engulfing him. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face was expressionless, his gaze indifferent as he watched the Great Sun Golden Crow approach. ¡°It¡¯s time to end this!¡± Before his voice faded, he stepped out, all his blood energy pouring into the Evil Slayer Blade, and in the sky, the shadow of the Supreme Heavenly Blade manifested, eventually merging as one with Gu Qingfeng. With one slash. An eternity was extinguished! The Great Sun Golden Crow was first impacted, its body torn apart by the blade wind, dissipating into the sky as divine flames. But after killing the Great Sun Golden Crow, the momentum of the slash continued toward the Flame Sun Saint. The latter¡¯s complexion changed and he had to wield the Flame Sun Mirror to defend. The next breath. The long blade had already fiercely struck the Flame Sun Mirror. ¡°Crack!¡± A crisp sound echoed. The Holy Weapon, treasured by Saints, showed dense cracks, barely lasting a few breaths before shattering thunderously. The Holy Weapon shattered. The shadow of the Flame Sun Saint was obliterated. The unspent slash entered the depths of the void, as if splitting the entire Ancient Beast Mountain Range, the earth shattered, mountains collapsed, countless Fierce Beasts buried directly. ¡°No...it¡¯s impossible, how could the Flame Sun Saint lose!!!¡± Witnessing the Flame Sun Mirror¡¯s destruction and the Flame Sun Saint¡¯s shadow dissipating, Shangguan Hongtian¡¯s face turned pale, disbelief in his eyes. What did he see? The Flame Sun Saint had lost! Even the Flame Sun Mirror had shattered! You must understand. The Shangguan Family¡¯s status as a Saint Family, enduring through the years, was because they had a Holy Weapon as their foundation. Without the Holy Weapon, the Shangguan Family might have been destroyed long ago. After all. When the Flame Sun Saint was alive, the Shangguan Family had offended many forces; later when the Saint passed away, leaving behind the Holy Weapon to guard the family, that kept them deterred. Chapter 307 234: Slaying the Saint_2 If the Holy Weapon were to be lost, then the Shangguan Family could no longer be called a Saint Family. At the same time, Many enemies from the past would likely take the opportunity to kick the Shangguan Family while they were down. That kind of situation was absolutely not what Shangguan Hongtian wanted to see. If he could have foreseen today''s situation, then Shangguan Hongtian would have never used the Holy Weapon. However, Before Shangguan Hongtian could regret for long, a cold murderous intent fell upon him, causing his body to instinctively shiver as he followed it and met Gu Qingfeng''s indifferent gaze. "Wait, you can''t kill me..." Shangguan Hongtian''s heart trembled, and the fear of death instantly overwhelmed all his thoughts, but before he could finish speaking, Gu Qingfeng had already brought down his blade directly. In an instant, This elder from the Shangguan Family, who had stepped into the Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer, had his blood splattered on the spot. After slaying the Shangguan Family elder, Gu Qingfeng didn''t stop moving; a single slash transformed into myriad Blade Qi, enveloping all the cultivators of the Shangguan Family within it. Just then, a divine light surged on Shangguan Yu''s body, and a phantom emerged from him. "Fellow Taoist, this is my Shangguan Family..." But before the phantom could finish speaking, it was directly annihilated by the Blade Qi on the spot. Among those also annihilated were Shangguan Yu and other Shangguan Family cultivators. With one slash, All Shangguan Family cultivators died on the spot. Looking at the mutilated corpses of the Shangguan Family cultivators, a single thought emerged in the minds of the other cultivators. The Shangguan Family was finished! This battle not only did the Shangguan Family lose a powerful Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer expert, but even their family''s Holy Weapon was shattered. The so-called foundation of the Saint Family was by this point all but depleted. A Saint Family without much of the Saints'' foundation, the consequences it would bring were self-evident. Even though the Shangguan Family still had powerful figures in place, they had offended many forces; in the past, the deterrence of the Holy Weapon meant there wouldn''t be any problems, but now without the Holy Weapon''s presence, the outcome was uncertain. "Saint!" "This person is not a Semi-Saint, but a Saint!!" Xi Yu''s heart was filled with shock, and he also felt a sense of relief. Luckily, he had not managed to make a move, otherwise, he feared he would also have fallen. Just as Xi Yu was thinking this, he heard a cold voice entering his ears. "Do you also covet the Great Saint Inheritance of my Gu Family?" "No... I didn''t..." Xi Yu, meeting Gu Qingfeng''s cold gaze, trembled inside, hastily trying to explain himself, but Gu Qingfeng didn''t give him any chance. A punch was thrown. Xi Yu, who was at the Tao Palace Realm Sixth Layer, was instantly blown apart. After slaying Xi Yu, Gu Qingfeng took a step forward, his terrifying Blade Intent domain spreading out, with infinite Blade Qi cutting through the void, slashing towards the other cultivators. In a moment, Dozens of cultivators were slaughtered on the spot. "We have not laid hands on the Gu Family, please spare us, elder!!" A Tao Palace Realm powerhouse, his face filled with terror, cast aside his dignity to beg for mercy. However, The only response he got was a fist. "Boom!" The Tao Palace Realm cultivator''s body exploded, and he was utterly annihilated. Gu Qingfeng slowly retracted his fist, his expression cold as he said, "I said today, either you die, or I die!" "But as it seems now, the one who is alive is me!" "As for you¡ª" "There is no longer any need for you to live!" As Gu Qingfeng''s words fell, terrifying Blade Qi swept through everything in an instant, leaving neither the Tao Palace Realm cultivators nor the Divine Transformation Realm cultivators any chance of survival. Their bodies exploded. Blood stained the ground. The remaining cultivators witnessed this scene, their souls trembling with fear. They could no longer care about any Great Saint Inheritance, and without looking back, they rushed towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Seeing a cultivator escaping from the range of his Blade Intent, Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, and Gang Qi tore through the void, directly blasting the head of a Taoist Palace Realm cultivator. Immediately after, the headless corpse plummeted from midair. ... Slaughter! Indiscriminate slaughter! Gu Qingfeng spared none of the cultivators who had previously spoken up, wanting to share the Great Saint Inheritance with Gu Xuan, killing them all on the spot. Not only that, but he also straightforwardly annihilated all the other cultivators from their factions to eliminate future troubles. In no time, before Xing''an County had turned into a Hell. "..." Fu He, watching the bloody spectacle unfold, couldn''t help but show a look of terror on his face. He had never imagined that Gu Qingfeng''s strength would be so terrifying that he could even blast apart the Holy Weapon of the Shangguan Family. It''s known, Only a Saint can blast apart a Holy Weapon. That is to say, Gu Qingfeng must be a Saint. Even if he had not reached the Saint level, he at least possessed the strength of a Saint. In this era, such a level of existence could be considered invincible. At this moment, the killing continued. Gu Qingfeng walked slowly towards the camp of the Guiyuan Dynasty, looking at Ji Meng and the hundred thousand Divine Emperor Army before him, he remained silent, and with just a thought, endless Blade Qi swept towards the Divine Emperor Army, intending to slaughter them. "Form up!" Ji Meng roared, his aura surging. His realm, initially at the Tao Palace Realm Seventh Layer, now, connected with the Divine Emperor Army''s energy, instantly reached a level comparable to the Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer. Facing the onslaught of Blade Qi, Ji Meng swung his spear, shattering all incoming attacks. Just then, Gu Qingfeng wielded his long blade and slashed down, his formidable power tearing through space, causing Ji Meng''s brow to twitch violently, forcing him to raise his spear in defense. In an instant, the spear shattered. A line of blood appeared on Ji Meng''s forehead, spreading rapidly across his body, and in the next moment, his torso split in two, with blood and viscera spilling onto the ground. After killing Ji Meng, Gu Qingfeng remained expressionless and with a palm strike, the bodies of many Divine Emperor Army soldiers burst apart. A few breaths later, all the slaughter came to a halt. The ground was drenched in blood, countless mutilated corpses were sprawled about, with dismembered limbs scattered everywhere, and in just a short while, over a hundred thousand people had perished. Amidst this mountain of corpses and sea of blood, only a figure in green, spotless and unaffected by the dust of battle, stood in stark contrast to the cruel scene around. However, not all cultivators had been completely slaughtered. A scant few managed to survive. As they looked upon Gu Qingfeng''s retreating figure, their faces were filled with terror. Some even trembled so much that their legs shook, with yellow liquid trickling down their trousers. When Gu Qingfeng''s gaze turned in their direction, it instantly turned their faces ashen, and some of them shivered uncontrollably. "Saint... Please... spare our lives!!" One Tiaoist Palace Realm Cultivator shamefully knelt down immediately, and seeing this, the other cultivators instinctively followed suit, kneeling down as well. Concern for face was insignificant in the face of life and death. Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently, "Rest assured, gentlemen, I am not a person who delights in killing. As long as you are not my enemy, I will not strike you down. Although you have come from the Five Domains, the Nine States is also part of the Ancient Desolate World. You are welcome here. However, I do not wish for anyone to cause chaos in the Nine States. Otherwise, this will be the end for you." "Exactly, what the Saint says is true!" "We have no ill intentions towards the Nine States!" Hearing Gu Qingfeng''s willingness to spare them, the cultivators immediately relaxed their tense spirits, feeling the luck of having survived a catastrophe. Then, a cultivator stood up and bowed to Gu Qingfeng, "I shall take my leave first!" Having said that, the person hurried towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, clearly in a rush to flee. As one left and seeing that Gu Qingfeng truly did not act, the other cultivators quickly followed suit, desperately fleeing¡ªas if the Nine States harbored some savage beast that chose its victims and was in hot pursuit, not daring to linger even a half-step. Chapter 308: 235 Fu Hes Proposal Chapter 308: Chapter 235 Fu He¡¯s Proposal In Xing¡¯an County, all was peaceful. In stark contrast to the bloody scene outside the county. Within the government office, Gu Yang asked, ¡°Father, there are tens of thousands of cultivators¡¯ corpses outside the city. How should we handle this?¡± ¡°As for this matter, I do have some ideas!¡± Before Gu Qingfeng could speak, Fu He spoke first. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng turned to look at him. ¡°If Mr. Fu has any insights, feel free to speak.¡± ¡°As everyone knows, the spiritual energy in the Nine States is weak nowadays, far worse than the other Five Domains of the Ancient Desolate World. In ancient times, the spiritual energy in the Nine States was reportedly very abundant, which is why a supreme power emerged from it. Later, the weakening of the spiritual energy in the Nine States must also be related to that power.¡± Fu He briefly discussed some history of the Nine States before going to the crux of the matter. ¡°In my opinion, if the Divine Martial Dynasty wants to grow stronger, the problem of the Nine States¡¯ spiritual energy must be improved. As cultivators refine ourselves with nature¡¯s spiritual energy, we are essentially walking sources of Spiritual Energy. Especially those cultivators who have stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm or higher, each drop of their blood is not only filled with various divine peculiarities but also contains a large amount of nature¡¯s spiritual energy.¡± ¡°Therefore, instead of leaving the corpses outside the city, why not bury them across the Nine States? Using the cultivators¡¯ flesh and blood to nourish the Spirit Veins of the Nine States might restore some of the spiritual energy!¡± Fu He shared his opinion. Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes lit up. When he looked at Fu He again, his face was filled with a smile. ¡°Mr. Fu indeed woke me from a dream with that remark. Now that the spiritual energy in the Nine States is weak, these cultivators who wanted to bring chaos to the Nine States could be used by burying their bodies into the Spirit Veins, thus making full use of them!¡± In this battle, Gu Qingfeng eradicated over a hundred thousand cultivators. Among them, the weakest were at the Great Grandmaster level, and many had stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm, not to mention those who had reached the Daoist Palace Realm. One should know, Any single Daoist Palace Realm could match hundreds, even thousands, of cultivators from the Divine Transformation Realm. Especially top figures in the Daoist Palace Realm like Shangguan Hongtian and Qu Huadao, the essence of their flesh and blood was extremely astonishing. If the remains of these cultivators were buried in the Nine States, their power could nourish the Spirit Veins and indeed hold the hope of restoring the spiritual energy. Not to revert to the ancient levels, but at least it would significantly increase the present quantity of spiritual energy. The biggest difference between the Nine States and the other Five Domains of the Ancient Desolate World lies in the concentration of spiritual energy. As long as we can keep up in terms of spiritual energy, the overall strength of the Nine States can also increase. If Gu Qingfeng was just the leader of some force in the Nine States, he wouldn¡¯t think so much for the Nine States, but now that Gu Yang has established the Divine Martial Dynasty, ruling the entire Nine States, In that case, Even if not for himself, Gu Qingfeng had to consider for his son. Afterward, He looked at Gu Yang beside him. ¡°Proceed as Mr. Fu suggested, gather all the cultivators¡¯ bodies outside the city, and bury them in the Spirit Veins of the Nine States.¡± ¡°I understand, Father!¡± Gu Yang nodded. Since there was a way to enhance the spiritual energy of the Nine States, he naturally would not miss out. Indeed, This battle, also made Gu Yang truly realize his own insignificance, or rather the frailness of the entire Divine Martial Dynasty. If it weren¡¯t for his father exhibiting power akin to a Saint, the entire Divine Martial Dynasty would probably have been obliterated in an instant. Therefore, Now having the opportunity to enhance the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty, Gu Yang naturally would not let it pass. Meanwhile, as Gu Yang took charge and assigned people to handle the situation outside the city, Fu He had another private encounter with Gu Qingfeng. At this moment, Fu He looked hesitant, as if he had something to say but was unsure how to begin. Seeing his hesitance, Gu Qingfeng smiled lightly, ¡°Mr. Fu, feel free to speak your mind.¡± After hesitating for a long while, Fu He cautiously asked, ¡°May I ask if you, Mr. Gu, have already stepped into the Saint Realm?¡± ¡°I am not a Saint,¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head. Hearing this response, Fu He¡¯s expression relaxed a bit and then turned into one of utmost reverence. ¡°Mr. Gu has not yet proven himself as a Saint, yet you could shatter the Holy Weapon of the Shangguan Family and even vanquish the incarnation of the Flame Sun Saint. Such strength is truly admirable!¡± Not a Saint! But possessing strength comparable to a Saint! Such a mighty figure will surely become a Saint in the future, and once he does, he might become an invincible Saint. Thinking that he had the chance to be acquainted with such a strong figure, Fu He felt secretly thrilled. Then, Fu He¡¯s expression became serious again, as he reminded, ¡°Mr. Gu, you have slain many cultivators from various forces this time, and this will certainly spread. Although Mr. Gu¡¯s strength is formidable, enough to match a Saint, for the top forces, they too possess Saintly methods, even the legacy of a Great Saint. If you make enemies with these forces, Mr. Gu, you should still be cautious!¡± Honestly, Fu He hadn¡¯t expected Gu Qingfeng to act so decisively and ruthlessly¡ªanything short of agreement led to death. Chapter 309: 235 Fu Hes Proposal_2 Chapter 309: Chapter 235 Fu He¡¯s Proposal_2 ¡°After all, the Taixu Sacred Land has stood in the Eastern Domain for hundreds of thousands of years, and its foundation is quite strong. Once Mr. Gu enters Taixu Sacred Land, I believe that other forces, even if they want to make a move, will have to weigh their options!¡± Fu He suggested. The reason why he made such a suggestion was that he had his own thoughts. For someone like Gu Qingfeng, who is destined to become a saint in the future, if he could be brought into Taixu Sacred Land, the benefits would naturally be self-evident. As the saying goes, it is easy to add flowers to brocade but hard to send charcoal in snowy weather. Right now, the other party had not truly become a saint. If Taixu Sacred Land could offer protection, then, in the future, they could expect a generous return. ¡°Regarding joining Taixu Sacred Land, I will have to consider it further and will give Mr. Fu a reply later!¡± ¡°That¡¯s also fine.¡± Fu He heard the hint of meaning in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, but since the other party did not speak in absolutes, he took it as if he had not heard anything specific. Afterward, Fu He handed over a jade token to Gu Qingfeng. ¡°This is my Communication Jade Token, Mr. Gu can contact me with it in the future if you have any thoughts!¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Gu Qingfeng accepted the Communication Jade Token. Although it was his first time truly interacting with such an object, he had a good understanding of Communication Jade Tokens from the memories of his past Soul Searches. ¡ª¡ª Three days later, Fu He left. Also departing was Gu Xuan. After all, Gu Xuan had taken Fu He as his master, and now that Fu He was leaving, he naturally had to leave with him. Of course, there were several other reasons for this. The first reason was that Gu Qingfeng was well aware that he had offended many forces. Sending Gu Xuan to Taixu Sacred Land was also a form of indirect protection. If anything truly happened to the Gu Family or the Divine Martial Dynasty, at least the Gu Family would have a line of blood left behind. Then again, the Nine States was ultimately too small. Rather than Gu Xuan staying here, it was better for him to go to Taixu Sacred Land, where he could grow even faster. In the eyes of outsiders, with Gu Qingfeng, a powerful being comparable to a saint, personally instructing him, it should be more beneficial than taking refuge in other forces. But Gu Qingfeng knew very well that the foundation of Taixu Sacred Land was extraordinary, and even with his personal guidance, it wouldn¡¯t necessarily be better than Gu Xuan going to Taixu Sacred Land. Some people are naturally restless. And it had been shown that after Gu Xuan left the Gu Family Manor, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, indicating that leaving was much better for him than staying in the Nine States. However, before leaving, Gu Xuan did duplicate a portion of the inheritance from the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint. This so-called inheritance was in fact a cultivation technique called the Nirvana Dao Scripture, as well as a divine skill called the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill. Among them, the Nirvana Dao Scripture was a top-notch inheritance that directly aimed at the Great Saint Ninth Layer. But the problem was, to cultivate the Nirvana Dao Scripture, one must possess the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Essentially, it was a cultivation technique created specifically for the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Naturally, Gu Qingfeng did not have the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body; he possessed the Ancient Immortal Body. Regarding the Ancient Immortal Body, Gu Qingfeng also did not know much, only understanding that it was one of the oldest divine bodies in the world. But whether or not the Ancient Immortal Body could cultivate the Nirvana Dao Scripture was, frankly, something Gu Qingfeng did not know. ¡°However¡ª¡± ¡°Even if I do not have the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, if I use Upgrade Points to forcibly enhance and break through, perhaps I could successfully cultivate the Nirvana Dao Scripture!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. Compared to the Divine Sun Scripture, the Nirvana Dao Scripture was undoubtedly much more powerful. Whether it was the upper limit or the strength that could be cultivated at each stage, the power of the Nirvana Dao Scripture was not something the Divine Sun Scripture could compare with. Therefore, if he could switch to cultivating the Nirvana Dao Scripture, Gu Qingfeng would naturally be willing. Then, there was the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill. It was an unparalleled skill created by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, which, strictly speaking, should be considered a Divine Skill. Not only the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill was considered a Divine Skill, but even the Ancient Heavenly Blade, once cultivated by Gu Qingfeng, was actually a type of Divine Skill. The reason being that at this level of supreme skill, it had long since transcended the confines of mere moves and favored the divine skills that are closer to Dao. So, such supreme skills could indeed be called divine skills. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 52/6000 Realm: Taoist Palace Realm, Sixth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Divine Sun Scripture (Taoist Palace Chapter, Fourth Layer), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Small Success), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Not entered), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 444 ... After Gu Qingfeng had reviewed both the divine skills of the cultivation techniques, he looked at his attribute panel, and there it clearly showed the Nirvana Dao Scripture and the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill. Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face, ¡°Indeed, it works!¡± He had worried that the attribute panel might not include them, and if not, he would have no way to improve. But now, the attribute panel had recorded the inheritance of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, meaning he could use his upgrade points to elevate these two supreme skills. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng began to try and cultivate the Nirvana Dao Scripture. The Nirvana Dao Scripture was divided into seven parts: Refining Body Chapter, Master Chapter, Grandmaster Chapter, Divine Transformation Chapter, Dao Palace Chapter, Saint Chapter, and finally, the Great Saint Chapter. Be it the Divine Sun Scripture or the current Nirvana Dao Scripture, one could see that in the Five Domains of the Ancient Desolate World, the five realms of body refinement were always treated as a whole, without being overly detailed in division. In contrast, the Martial Arts of the Nine States initially distinguished the five realms of body refinement individually. The reason for this was because the practice of cultivation in the Nine States had declined, and it was unlikely for ordinary people to complete the five realms of Refining Organ, hence Murong Xiu made the distinction. At the same time, as the five realms of body refinement were a phase for polishing the foundation, so none of the layers included had any subdivisions. Upon entering the first level, one was in the Refining Skin Realm; on reaching the second level, one entered the Blood Refining Realm. Accordingly, when Gu Qingfeng was upgrading, he didn¡¯t need to advance through beginning, middle, late, and perfection stages of Refining Skin as he had done before. Not only was the Nirvana Dao Scripture like this, but so was the previously mentioned Divine Sun Scripture. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, this situation probably arose due to the completeness of the martial arts. The more complete the martial arts, the lower the consumption required for elevation; on the other hand, the more the martial arts were incomplete, the higher the consumption required for upgrading. This was akin to the Breaking limits of Martial Arts. In previous times, the Martial Arts of the Nine States were incomplete, making each progression complicated. The current Divine Sun Scripture and Nirvana Dao Scripture, however, tended towards perfection and thus did not have this issue. Of course, whether this was actually the case, Gu Qingfeng could not be sure; it was merely his conjecture. However, Gu Qingfeng did not immediately begin cultivating the Nirvana Dao Scripture. The reason being that he currently had only over four hundred upgrade points. Even if he used them all on the Nirvana Dao Scripture, at most it would allow him to step into the realm of Grandmaster. No matter how extraordinary the Nirvana Dao Scripture was, merely cultivating it to the Grandmaster level wouldn¡¯t raise his power by much. So, it was natural that Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t squander them wastefully. At this time, Gu Yang had also come in from outside. ¡°Father, I have arranged for the corpses of all cultivators to be transported to the Spirit Vein locations throughout the Nine States, to be buried there and enhance the foundation of the Nine States.¡± ¡°That¡¯s for the best. In addition, these corpses must be strictly guarded and must not fall into the hands of magicians.¡± Gu Qingfeng issued a reminder. Although the magicians of the Nine States were silent, they had not truly exterminated. If the corpses of the strong from Divine Transformation Realm and Daoist Palace Realm were obtained by magicians, they would certainly bring a lot of trouble. Although Gu Qingfeng was not afraid of these troubles, he loathed them. Gu Yang said, ¡°This matter has already been handled properly by the people I dispatched; they will not let those magicians find an opportunity to seize the corpses.¡± Speaking of this, Gu Yang hesitated for a moment, then his Divine Thought moved, and he summoned the Divine Phoenix Tower from his Dantian. ¡°This Great Saint Treasure is a complete waste in my possession. Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty has offended many enemies, in my view, it would be most appropriate to keep this item in father¡¯s hands!¡± Chapter 310: 236: A Familiar Sinister Presence Chapter 310: Chapter 236: A Familiar Sinister Presence Great Saint Weapon! Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze fell on the Divine Phoenix Tower, and he could discern the terrifying aura contained within it. To be frank, it was impossible for Gu Qingfeng not to be tempted by such a treasured artifact. Like the Shangguan Family, merely deploying a Holy Weapon could grant power equivalent to a Saint. If the power of a Great Saint Weapon were to be fully activated, then the divine might would only become more terrifying. However, when Gu Qingfeng looked at the Divine Phoenix Tower, he could faintly sense the artifact¡¯s resistance. It was evident that such treasured artifacts were not meant to be wielded by just anyone. ¡°You being able to wield the Divine Phoenix Tower signifies that this treasured artifact recognizes you. Keep in mind that Divine Weapons are sentient. Having such a treasure to protect your path, you should be able to go much further in the future!¡± ¡°Therefore, keep this treasured artifact for yourself, there¡¯s no need to give it to me.¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head and refused. The resistance of the Divine Phoenix Tower indicated that it did not recognize him. After all, as a father, how could he covet his son¡¯s belongings? Seeing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s refusal, Gu Yang then produced a black ring. ¡°This is something that the child obtained from the Great Saint Secret Realm. If I am not mistaken, it should be a storage ring, though regrettably, there are prohibition spells on it, not something ordinary cultivators can disturb. Consider it a token of filial respect from a child to his father!¡± ¡°Storage ring¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the black ring in front of him, his eyebrows slightly raised, then he smiled and accepted it. He could tell that Gu Yang truly wanted to do something for him, so Gu Qingfeng did not refuse the goodwill. As expected, when Gu Qingfeng accepted the black ring, a smile appeared on Gu Yang¡¯s face. ¡°Now that the court¡¯s foundation is weak, the child plans to establish an institution specifically to recruit and nurture rising talents from various Martial Arts Academies, to enrich the court¡¯s foundation.¡± Finally, Gu Yang added, Gu Qingfeng: ¡°You can make these decisions on your own; after all, the Divine Martial Dynasty is ultimately your foundation.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡ª After Gu Yang had left, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attention returned to the black ring in front of him, just as Gu Yang had mentioned, it was indeed equipped with strong prohibitions. Such prohibitions, even after many years, remained incredibly powerful. Gu Qingfeng held the black ring, his Dao Palace Primordial Spirit vibrated, and a massive force of Divine Thought erupted from within him, fiercely striking the black ring. The ring trembled. Many prohibitions were now revealed, evolving infinite Dao Rhythms, and then they shattered bit by bit. At the moment the ring shattered, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought saw the scene inside. There was a space of about a hundred feet inside, comparable to a palace, but there were only three items placed there. A bronze cauldron! A blood-stained stone! And a Jade Talisman! Gu Qingfeng directly imprinted his Divine Thought onto the black ring, and immediately a message emerged. ¡°Heavenly Cloud Ring!¡± This was the name of the storage ring. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng took the three items out of the Heavenly Cloud Ring. First, it was the ancient cauldron. The cauldron, cast in bronze, had designs of clouds that occasionally evolved into thunder, filled with rich Dao Rhythms and emitting a powerful aura. Upon seeing this ancient cauldron, Gu Qingfeng understood immediately that it was a Holy Weapon. The aura emanating from it was even three measures stronger than the Flame Sun Mirror of the Shangguan Family. ¡°Holy Weapon!¡± ¡°Could it be that the one who left behind the Heavenly Cloud Ring was a Great Saint!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes flickered. Those who could wield Holy Weapons were most likely Great Saints, and judging from the prohibitions on the Heavenly Cloud Ring, it was still incredibly powerful even after all these years. It was only because Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current Divine Soul power was strong enough that he could easily break the prohibitions of the Heavenly Cloud Ring. If it were any other Tiaoist Palace Realm Cultivator, it would be nearly impossible to break the prohibitions of the Heavenly Cloud Ring. In light of this, Gu Qingfeng once again marveled at Gu Yang¡¯s Qi Fortune. The other party indeed had immense Qi Fortune. Having entered the Great Saint Secret Realm, not only had he obtained a Great Saint Weapon, but he had also gained a chance left by a Saint. Gu Qingfeng even suspected that if Gu Xuan had not also entered, the inheritance of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint might very well have fallen into Gu Yang¡¯s hands. Of course, this was not to say that Gu Xuan¡¯s Qi Fortune was definitely stronger than Gu Yang¡¯s. When both had immense Qi Fortune, some opportunities must be seized. But it was undeniable, both their Qi Fortunes were strong. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have been able to take the two greatest opportunities in the Great Saint Secret Realm right under the watchful eyes of many powerful beings. Keep in mind, before entering the Secret Realm, one was only in the Marrow Cleansing Realm, and the other was merely a Great Grandmaster. Even when they emerged from the Secret Realm, they were still only two Great Grandmasters. And then, Gu Qingfeng turned his attention to the remaining Jade Talisman. The talisman was stained with blood, and as soon as Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought entered it, a voice suddenly came to his ears. ¡°My name is Tianyun, by the time you hear these words, I have already perished, Nine States harboring ominous...opportunity...great opportunity, entering the Nine States...seeking eternal life...¡± The voice started normally, but it became somewhat panicked towards the end, before regaining its previous calmness. However, within such calmness, Gu Qingfeng sensed an unusual undertone. Ominous! Great opportunity! Gu Qingfeng looked at the blood-stained Jade Talisman in front of him, as if something on it had come to life, a strange and chilly aura suddenly erupted, and he felt as though he had fallen into boundless darkness. Chapter 311: 236: A Familiar Sinister Presence_2 Chapter 311: Chapter 236: A Familiar Sinister Presence_2 With the next breath, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Blood Qi Power exploded forth, terrifying to the extreme like the Divine Brilliance Great Sun, dispelling all the eerie and cold aura. Immediately thereafter, came a strange and ghastly roar. When the darkness cleared and Gu Qingfeng looked towards the Jade Talisman again, he found the fresh blood had vanished without a trace. ¡°Evil Spirit¡ª¡± ¡°An Evil Spirit powerful enough to ensnare a Saint!¡± Gu Qingfeng crushed the Jade Talisman in his hand, yet his expression was unprecedentedly solemn. Ever since he achieved Perfect Body Refining and his life transformed, Gu Qingfeng had not taken the so-called Evil Spirits to heart. Especially after Gu Yang established the Divine Martial Dynasty and forged the Nine Tripods to suppress the Nine States, all Evil Spirits had completely vanished without a trace. But now, Gu Qingfeng realized that the situation was not so simple. The blood in the Jade Talisman was not ordinary blood, but teemed with the power of an Evil Spirit. Indeed. It was an Evil Spirit! For such a power, Gu Qingfeng was naturally not unfamiliar. He originally thought that Evil Spirits were merely base and vile things, but now it seemed they were not so simple. The Heavenly Cloud Saint who left the Heavenly Cloud Ring might have perished at the hands of an Evil Spirit. Even, Gu Qingfeng doubted whether the one who left behind the Jade Talisman was truly the Heavenly Cloud Saint; that in itself was questionable. ¡°An Evil Spirit capable of causing the fall of a Saint, there must be a great secret within the Nine States!¡± Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath, then turned to look at the blood-stained ore. He tried using his own Blood Qi Power on the rock, but instead of triggering the chill and eerie power from before, a brilliant Saintly Power burst forth. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng concluded that the blood within the ore was not from an Evil Spirit, but from a Saint. A stone tainted with Holy Blood! Gu Qingfeng believed that this stone was definitely not as simple as it seemed. Otherwise, why would it be collected inside the Heavenly Cloud Ring by the Heavenly Cloud Saint? And then, there was the ancient cauldron. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought touched upon this Holy Weapon, it triggered a fierce resistance, waves of oppressive might flooding over him like a tide. ¡°Resistance!¡± ¡°Alive Saints do not frighten me, let alone a mere Holy Weapon!¡± Gu Qingfeng scoffed, followed then by a Divine Thought far exceeding the Daoist Palace Realm, pressing down on the ancient cauldron, under such absolute power even the Holy Weapon could barely make a ripple. In an instant, the cauldron trembled with a mournful wail, as if a living being were unwilling to submit. But under the absolute suppression of force, the cauldron¡¯s resistance was almost futile. While pressing down with Divine Thought, Gu Qingfeng also clenched his right fist, striking the cauldron with sufficient power to shatter mountains and ravage rivers, causing this Holy Weapon to tremble violently. Boom! Boom! Boom! Each punch was infused with terrifying Blood Qi, enough to burst any cultivator within the Daoist Palace Realm, and under such ferocious onslaught, the cauldron quivered all the more. The resistance that was once strong, was now suddenly much diminished. Seizing this opportunity, Gu Qingfeng directly imprinted his own Divine Soul Mark onto the cauldron, and the previous struggles and resistance instantly disappeared. With the next breath, the information about the cauldron surfaced in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. ¡°Cloud Thunder Cauldron!¡± This was the name of the Holy Weapon. All Holy Weapons have their own ranks, but ultimately, only the cultivator wielding the Holy Weapon can determine its strength. Even those just entering the Saint Realm or the peak Saint potentates leave Holy Weapons that are essentially the same in nature. Of course, the power of the Saint concealed within the Holy Weapon does differ. At this moment, As Gu Qingfeng controlled the Cloud Thunder Cauldron, he finally felt the vast power contained within the Holy Weapon. He tried to stimulate it with his Blood Qi, and immediately a towering Saintly Power erupted. Such Saintly Power, was more than double the strength of the Saintly Power that the Cloud Thunder Cauldron had emitted on its own. ¡°If I had this Cloud Thunder Cauldron in hand, I suspect the battle with the Flame Sun Saint would not have wasted so much time!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s lips curled into a smile. The power of the Holy Weapon indeed had not disappointed him, it had certainly increased his overall strength by thirty percent. One must know, A thirty percent increase in strength was not a small number. With this Holy Weapon in hand, even if other Holy Lands came with Great Saint Weapons, Gu Qingfeng was confident of putting up a fight. After all¡ª Nowadays, no Saints emerge. The strongest forces other powers could deploy were only Semi-Saints. Ever since the battle with the Flame Sun Saint, Gu Qingfeng had realized that, although he was in the Daoist Palace Realm, he already possessed a foundation of strength comparable to a true Saint. A Saint wielding a Holy Weapon and exerting its full power could naturally not be weaker than a Semi-Saint with a Great Saint Weapon. Moreover, Not everyone was capable of activating a Great Saint Weapon. After taking control of the Cloud Thunder Cauldron, Gu Qingfeng found that if one¡¯s cultivation was not sufficient, forcibly activating the power of a Holy Weapon would require the cultivator to blood sacrifice to the Holy Weapon. Simply put, To activate even a fraction of the Holy Weapon¡¯s power, one needed to be at least in the Daoist Palace Realm. If one was below the Daoist Palace Realm and wanted to activate the power of a Holy Weapon, they would have to make a blood sacrifice of their own body. Similarly, The usage threshold for a Great Saint Weapon was at least a Saint; anyone less than a Saint would find it difficult to truly unleash the mighty power of a Great Saint Weapon. Although a Great Saint Weapon was indeed incredibly powerful and could easily suppress many cultivators, without truly activating its internal power, it would naturally not be simple to subdue a Saint. Therefore, If there was no Saint wielding a Great Saint Weapon, it would require a Daoist Palace Realm cultivator¡¯s blood sacrifice instead. Hence, Now that Gu Qingfeng possessed strength on par with a Saint and had the Holy Weapon Cloud Thunder Cauldron in hand, he was in an invincible position, in a certain sense. The premise was, No real Saints were born. If a Saint came wielding a Great Saint Weapon, that would be a different story. Of course, There was another method to use Holy and Great Saint Weapons, which was to directly stimulate the Divine Thoughts left within them by Saints, as with the Flame Sun Mirror. But, The power of the Divine Thoughts left behind by any strong cultivator was limited, and this was the foundational heritage of all the major powers. Of course, That said again. As long as it was not a Saint wielding a Great Saint Weapon, if it were any other Semi-Saint with a Great Saint Weapon, Gu Qingfeng would not fear it. ¡°It¡¯s just a pity that the Flame Sun Mirror was shattered. Otherwise, if I took the Holy Weapon from the Shangguan Family, I would have two Holy Weapons in my hands!¡± ¡°With that, my foundation would be even stronger...¡± Gu Qingfeng thought about the shattered Flame Sun Mirror with some regret. But in that situation, it was impossible for him not to give his all. If he hadn¡¯t given it his all, he might have been the one to fall. Thus, Shattering the Flame Sun Mirror was a necessary action. If he had been at the peak of the Daoist Palace Realm and could easily suppress the Divine Thoughts of the Flame Sun Saint, Gu Qingfeng would have certainly taken the Flame Sun Mirror for his own use. Even if he didn¡¯t use it himself, leaving it for his descendants would not be a bad idea, after all, no one would complain about having too many Holy Weapons. Subsequently, With a thought from Gu Qingfeng, the Cloud Thunder Cauldron vanished, reappearing in an instant within the Dan Tian Dao Palace. He had a premonition that with a mere thought, he could summon the Cloud Thunder Cauldron forth. Such mystery, Left Gu Qingfeng even more astonished. By comparison, The Evil Slayer Blade, which he had nurtured and refined for many years, could not enter his Dantian like the Cloud Thunder Cauldron. Clearly, To have such a capability, one would need at least a Holy Weapon. As for the Evil Slayer Blade, in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, the blade should be considered on the level of an ancient weapon given the years he nurtured it, though this also depended on who wielded it. If it fell into someone else¡¯s hands, the Evil Slayer Blade would just be akin to an ancient weapon. But if wielded by Gu Qingfeng, he could surely use the Evil Slayer Blade to shatter the Flame Sun Mirror. ¡°If there¡¯s a chance, I could perhaps reforge the Evil Slayer Blade. If this Divine Weapon could ascend to a Holy Weapon, the role it could truly play would definitely be far stronger than the Cloud Thunder Cauldron!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered secretly. Chapter 312: 237 Difficult Situation Chapter 312: Chapter 237 Difficult Situation ¡°Your Majesty, these are the shards of the Flame Sun Mirror that I have collected!¡± Inside the palace, Gu Yi, holding a box forged from gold, respectfully presented it to Gu Yang. Upon opening the box, several shards quietly lay inside, among which three were larger, and the remaining five smaller. However, even as shards, Gu Yang could feel the formidable, saintly pressure they emanated. ¡°This matter has been handled well by you, this shard of the Holy Weapon will be granted to you.¡± Gu Yang handed one of the larger Holy Weapon shards directly to Gu Yi, who was immensely grateful. Holy Weapon shard. Even though it was a broken Holy Weapon, it still contained terrifying divine power. For ordinary cultivators, such Holy Weapon shards could still play a significant role. That was the reason. Gu Yang wanted to collect numerous Holy Weapon shards. After the explosion of the Flame Sun Mirror outside Xing¡¯an County, Gu Yang had secretly ordered people to collect the Holy Weapon shards; unfortunately, the Flame Sun Mirror had been scattered far and wide, coveted by many. Thus, until now, Gu Yang had less than ten shards in his possession. However. Although there were fewer than ten shards. Due to varying sizes of the shards, Gu Yang now virtually controlled one-third of the Flame Sun Mirror. If there were an expert in Artifact Refining, perhaps all the shards could be reforged and the Flame Sun Mirror completely restored. But. Finding such a master of artifact refining was no easy task today, not to mention, restoring the Flame Sun Mirror would likely come at a great cost. Moreover, possessing the Divine Phoenix Tower, Gu Yang naturally had no plans to reforge the Flame Sun Mirror. ¡°Furthermore, I need Hidden Guards to walk among the Nine States Martial Arts Academy and discreetly observe the talented cultivators in their training, then investigate their backgrounds and gauge their loyalty to the court. If their backgrounds are clean and they are loyal to the court, compile a list and deliver it to my hands!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Yi nodded. ¡°Moreover¡ª¡± Gu Yang pondered for a moment, his expression turning stern as he looked outside the Imperial Study Room. ¡°Find a way to get a group of people into the five domains of the Ancient Desolate World; I want firsthand information on everything about the control of the Ancient Desolate World. I will send with them a royal court attendant!¡± Royal court attendant. Of course, he referred to people like Gu Wu. These individuals, originally elders from Gu Family Manor, now served the court, hence Gu Yang had granted them the status of royal court attendants. Gu Family Manor is Gu Family Manor! The Divine Martial Dynasty is the Divine Martial Dynasty! Although the two were closely linked, in certain matters, they naturally could not be conflated. Now, with many powerhouses from the Eastern Domain stepping into the Nine States and many fierce beasts of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range being slain, the dangerous nature of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was naturally much reduced. Moreover, having a powerhouse at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm leading the team, crossing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range would not be an issue. This needed to be done. Given that Nine States was now exposed to other forces of the Ancient Desolate World, even if the Divine Martial Dynasty did nothing, there would likely be repercussions from these forces. Therefore. Gu Yang was naturally making preparations beforehand. ¡°Subordinate receives the decree!¡± Gu Yi clasped his fists to accept the command. Gu Yang said, ¡°Lastly, take those storage rings and bags collected from the Eastern Domain cultivators, and have any with restrictions sent to Gu Family Manor for my father to break the restrictions! The rest without restrictions should be brought directly to me.¡± Many powerful individuals fell during the battle in Xing¡¯an County, including those from the Dao Palace and Divine Transformation Realms, some of whose storage bags and rings retained some restrictions. These restrictions varied in strength, so Gu Yang simply had all brought to Gu Qingfeng. Regardless of the severity of the restrictions, with his father¡¯s power, breaking them would not be an issue. Upon hearing this, Gu Yi duly acknowledged the command. In less than half a day, he had delivered a batch of over a thousand storage bags and rings directly to Gu Yang. Though only cultivators at the Dao Palace Realm could nurture a Primordial Spirit, simply comprehending True Intent allowed one to initially grasp the power of Divine Thought, thus opening these items was an effortless task. After a long time, A smile could not be hidden on Gu Yang¡¯s face. ¡°Very well, with such a batch of items, my Divine Martial Dynasty shall surely flourish!¡± He was genuinely excited. Among thousands of storage bags and rings were no fewer than five hundred doors of Cultivation Techniques, and, excluding some repeated ones, the variety was enough to surpass a hundred. The biggest problem for the Divine Martial Dynasty was the lack of cultivation paths, with truly top-tier Cultivation Techniques being extremely rare. So far, Gu Yang himself only had the Lei Feng Scripture, along with the Divine Sun Scripture created by Gu Qingfeng. The former was a Cultivation Technique for the Divine Transformation Realm, while the latter aimed directly at the Dao Palace Realm. For an ordinary power, having a Cultivation Technique that targeted the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm would be sufficient for inheritance. But for a dynasty, that was quite inadequate. After all, not everyone could match the same Cultivation Technique. An ordinary power could choose disciples to cultivate, but a dynasty needed to spread martial prowess across the land, reflecting over all the people of Nine States, thus Cultivation Techniques had always been a shortcoming of the Divine Martial Dynasty. But now it was different. This time, a multitude of Cultivation Techniques was collected, including thirty that reached the Divine Transformation Realm and nine that entered the Dao Palace Realm. Chapter 313 237 Difficult Situation_2 The remaining cultivation techniques were all at least at the level of a Great Grandmaster, and there were none below that level. This was quite normal. After all, anyone who could traverse the Ancient Beast Mountain Range and step into the Nine States was not a true weakling; being a Great Grandmaster was already a basic level of cultivation. With such a batch of cultivation techniques, Gu Yang believed that the cultivation path in the Nine States would definitely be rejuvenated. What''s more important, right now this wasn''t all of the harvest. Once all the items at Gu Family Manor were decoded and the restrictions lifted, the number of cultivation techniques held by the court would certainly increase. At that time, the Divine Martial Dynasty would naturally not lack cultivation techniques. Besides that, what concerned Gu Yang more were, apart from the cultivation technique inheritances, things like ordinary divine weapons and heavenly materials and earthly treasures, as well as elixirs and so forth, which were quite abundant. These items could directly enhance the overall strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty in the short term. After all, the cultivation of techniques required time. Yet, heavenly materials and earthly treasures, as well as elixirs and other cultivation methods, could take effect shortly after use, and divine weapons need not be mentioned, as possessing them could enhance one''s strength. However, these divine weapons were at most Dao Artifacts used in the Divine Transformation Realm, and there were none of the ancient weapons crafted in the Dao Palace Realm. But still, the old saying goes, given the current scarcity in the Divine Martial Dynasty, these items were indeed like sending charcoal in snowy weather. ¡ª¡ª On the other side, the Hidden Guards also sent a large number of storage rings and storage bags to Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng, seeing the items piled up like a small mountain before him, noticed that there were at least several thousand just at a glance. "This lad really doesn''t see himself as an outsider!" Gu Qingfeng shook his head with a wry smile and then did not refuse but directly used his Divine Thought to break the restrictions on them, and then had the Hidden Guards take everything back to the court. To him, restrictions left by saints were not an obstacle, let alone the mere restrictions from the Divine Transformation Realm and the Dao Palace Realm. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng took out the jade bottle filled with fresh blood and the finger sealed with gold. Seeing these two items again, Gu Qingfeng''s expression grew even more solemn. The terrifying pressure they emitted was enough to demonstrate that they were out of the ordinary. In the past, Gu Qingfeng''s perspective was limited, and he only felt that both were unfathomable, but what exactly they were, he could not definitively say. Even now. Although Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation was on par with saints, he still couldn''t determine the original owner''s exact level. Whether it was the drop of blood or the severed finger, the aura they emitted was much more terrifying than that of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint. That is to say, the mysterious existence that left these two items was at least a powerhouse above a Great Saint. As for how much stronger than a Great Saint, Gu Qingfeng did not know for the time being. After a long while, Gu Qingfeng solemnly stored these two items away. Since he couldn''t figure them out, he would wait until his cultivation was more profound. He believed that as long as his strength continued to improve, all the mists of mystery would eventually disperse before him. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng was not in a hurry. Then, he looked at the information panel, where new text had refreshed. ¡ª¡ª "Your offspring ''Gu Xiu'' has been attacked by a cultivator *1369!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xiu'' has been attacked by a cultivator *3666!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xiu'' is critically injured but narrowly escaped!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' acquired a large number of cultivation technique inheritances, spreading martial prowess throughout the world, significantly increasing his force''s foundation!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' consumed heavenly materials and earthly treasures, his cultivation slightly improved!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' consumed a mysterious elixir, his cultivation slightly improved!" "Your offspring ''Gu Yang'' cultivated a mysterious inheritance, his strength slightly improved!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' became a True Disciple at the Taixu Sacred Land!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xuan'' received guidance from a powerhouse at the Taixu Sacred Land, his cultivation improved!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xiu,'' gravely wounded and near death, broke through and received guidance from the remnant soul of a Nine Layers Great Saint Realm, his cultivation breaking through to the first level of the Refining Organ Realm!" "Reward points *80!" "Your offspring..." ... "Refining Organ Realm, First Level!" Gu Qingfeng''s brow furrowed deeply. Gu Xiu had broken through, but Gu Qingfeng didn''t feel much joy in his heart. Right now, the situation of his son seemed to have become even more difficult. This point... could be seen from the number of times Gu Xiu was attacked. In a short span of time, he had been attacked no less than a thousand times, and had even been seriously injured, which demonstrated the severity of the issues he faced. Now, Gu Qingfeng certainly felt confident enough to step into the Ancient Desolate World, with the Cloud Thunder Cauldron in hand and strength comparable to that of a Saint; he might not be able to dominate the Five Domains, but he was more than capable of suppressing a territory. In such circumstances, Gu Qingfeng naturally thought about leaving the Ancient Desolate World to bring Gu Xiu back. But the problem was, the Ancient Desolate World was enormous. Even just a corner of the Eastern Domain was many times larger than the Nine States. Finding one person was far from easy. Thinking about this, Gu Qingfeng called for Hong Ye. "What are your orders, my lord?" The other party asked with respectful demeanor. With a sweep of his sleeve, Gu Qingfeng sent a Divine Blade flying up from the Grinding Blade Hall, landing in front of Hong Ye; he then flicked his finger, and a drop of fresh blood merged into the blade. Instantly, a terrifying aura burst forth from the Divine Blade. Following that, Gu Qingfeng used the power of his Divine Thought to set up a restriction, forcibly suppressing the aura. "This blade contains a drop of my blood; it has three opportunities to strike, and its power is comparable to an ordinary ancient weapon, capable of slaying anyone below the Daoist Palace Realm." "You will carry this blade leading a group of Hidden Guards to the Eastern Domain, then find a way to establish a foothold there and gather information regarding the Third Young Master!" Gu Qingfeng ordered. Hong Ye''s expression remained unchanged as he respectfully took the Divine Blade, then bowed deeply. "I will do my utmost to not fail your high expectations!" "Go!" Gu Qingfeng motioned with his hand, and Hong Ye bowed again before turning to leave. After Hong Ye left, Gu Qingfeng also looked toward the direction of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. This natural barrier had now become less important. After all, many cultivators had entered the Nine States, and with the existence of Communication Jade Tokens, the existence of the Nine States had long been exposed. Gu Qingfeng believed, that the cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World coming to the Nine States would continue unabated. Whether it was out of curiosity about the Divine Martial Dynasty or a desire for the opportunities in the Nine States, it was bound to attract numerous cultivators. One could say, from the moment the Great Saint Secret Realm emerged, it was destined that the Divine Martial Dynasty would truly border the Ancient Desolate World. The difference was, if the Divine Martial Dynasty were really just an ordinary dynasty, once it was exposed to the cultivators of the Ancient Desolate World, it was bound to bring a calamity of annihilation to the dynasty. After all, in this world where the strong are revered, so-called rules can be trampled at will. Even the laws of a dynasty must be based on sufficiently strong power. The Divine Martial Dynasty has its own laws, but the issue is, if there is not enough power to support it, who would adhere to the Divine Martial Dynasty''s laws? Therefore, if the Divine Martial Dynasty were really just an ordinary dynasty, when other cultivators set foot in the Nine States and wanted to overturn it, it would be an easy task. However¡ª these were all just assumptions. In fact, since the battle at Xing''an County, where Gu Qingfeng demonstrated his sufficient strength, he was sending a signal to the outside world. The Divine Martial Dynasty might be a dynasty, but it was not a soft persimmon to be squashed at will; if one entered the Nine States wishing to engage in unrestrained actions, they would have to see if they really had the strength to do so. This was also another reason why Gu Qingfeng slaughtered other cultivators. It was both to eradicate the roots and to tell the cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World that the Divine Martial Dynasty not only had top-tier powerhouses at its helm but was also ruthless in its methods. If they really caused trouble, those people would meet the same fate. In this way, even if there really were cultivators entering the Nine States later on, Gu Qingfeng believed it would not cause too much turmoil. And this, was also a necessary process for the Divine Martial Dynasty to integrate into the Ancient Desolate World. Chapter 314: 238: Semi-Saint Chapter 314: Chapter 238: Semi-Saint ¡°The Soul Token has shattered!¡± In the Yuhua Sacred Land, an elder hurriedly approached the Yuhua Saint Master and said. Upon hearing this, the latter¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, ¡°What Soul Token has shattered?¡± ¡°The Sword Peak Master¡¯s Soul Token has shattered!¡± The elder steadied his thoughts before continuing. Upon this statement, the countenance of Yuhua Saint Master changed instantly. ¡°Qu Peak Master is dead?¡± ¡°Indeed¡ª¡± The elder was about to say something more but discovered that the Yuhua Saint Master had already vanished from sight. Within the Soul Hall of Sword Peak, Yuhua Saint Master appeared here. He looked up at the shattered Soul Token above, his expression as dark as still waters. ¡°Qu Huadao has actually died!¡± ¡°Who exactly was it that could slay Qu Huadao? Could it be that the Nine States truly harbors some misfortune¡ª¡± Although Yuhua Saint Master had intended to send Qu Huadao to scout the Nine States, he had never expected the other to fall there. After all, this Sword Peak Master was already a top-notch powerhouse who had stepped into the Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer. In terms of cultivation, he was only one level lower than himself. A being of such caliber? was considered among the finest even across the entire Eastern Domain, yet now had fallen in the Nine States, naturally, Yuhua Saint Master was startled. Immediately, Yuhua Saint Master summoned many elders of the Holy Land, disclosed the news of Qu Huadao¡¯s demise, and then dispatched some cultivators to the Nine States to investigate. Even with Qu Huadao fallen, useful information had to be obtained. However, in less than five days, news regarding the Nine States had completely spread. ¡°Shattered the Flame Sun Mirror!¡± ¡°Slaughtered the Flame Sun Saint!¡± ¡°The Nine States have been barren for ages, when did such a powerful being emerge...¡± Yuhua Saint Master, looking at the intelligence in his hands, also showed a trace of horror. Even if Yuhua Saint Master himself made a move, he would not be certain of shattering a Holy Weapon or vanquishing the Divine Thought of a Saint. If it was simply suppressing a Divine Thought of a Saint, that would be another matter. But, the Divine Thought of this Saint wielded a Holy Weapon in hand, tantamount to a true living Saint. Even with his confidence, Yuhua Saint Master did not possess the strength to contend against such an existence. Upon receiving this message, Yuhua Saint Master¡¯s first reaction was that it must be false. But as the news spread, the Shangguan Family was attacked immediately, with many powerful beings falling. The grand Saint Family was showing signs of decline, which was sufficient to illustrate everything. The Nine States! Now, there exists a living Saint! ¡°Who would have thought that old coot Qu Huadao would perish in the Nine States,¡± according to the message, ¡°if not a true Saint, then that being from the Nine States is not far off. Now that a Peak Master from my Yuhua Sacred Land has fallen, if we don¡¯t make a stand, I fear others will look down upon Yuhua Sacred Land!¡± The speaker was a robust-looking middle-aged cultivator with a booming voice, which made many furrow their brows, although no objections were voiced. Simply because the speaker was Nan Kuang, the current Blade Peak Master of Yuhua Sacred Land, a powerful being in the Taoist Palace Realm Eighth Layer. Though in terms of realm, Nan Kuang was one level below Qu Huadao, when it came to true combat power, he might not be much weaker than the fallen Sword Peak Master. At this time, Artifact Peak Master Red Sun slowly said, ¡°Peak Master Nan, your words are not quite right. The reputation of Yuhua Sacred Land is important, indeed, but facing an existence comparable to a Saint, what price must Yuhua Sacred Land pay to contend?¡± ¡°To speak frankly, who amongst us could bear a Holy Weapon to go forth? I fear they would meet the same fate as the Shangguan Family. If we were to mobilize a Great Saint Weapon, I believe subduing this person would not be troublesome.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°To mobilize a Great Saint Weapon, without a Saint to wield it, a blood sacrifice is inevitable. A price so steep, merely to slay one being, does not bode well for the long-term interests of Yuhua Sacred Land.¡± In Red Sun¡¯s view, paying such a high price for a moment¡¯s breath was not worth it. With these words, the other Peak Masters nodded slightly in agreement. ¡°As Master Red Sun has said, Qu Peak Master has perished, so be it. If the aggressor was a Taoist Palace Realm being, or even a Semi-Saint, Yuhua Sacred Land would not let them off easily. But for an existence on par with a Saint, why should Yuhua Sacred Land be the one to stick its neck out? To my knowledge, the cultivators who have fallen by this being¡¯s hand are no fewer than a hundred thousand, and many Great Families of the Holy Lands have lost their prodigies. Hence, I believe it¡¯s better for us to wait and see, to observe how the other forces react!¡± One after another, the Peak Masters expressed their viewpoints. Apart from Nan Kuang, the others did not wish to clash with the Divine Martial Dynasty at this time. The reason was simple. The strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty was too formidable, so formidable that they did not want to face it head-on. A Saint and a Semi-Saint are only a word apart, but the difference between them is like heaven and earth. If it were a Semi-Saint, Yuhua Sacred Land would certainly not let it go. But if it¡¯s a Saint, that¡¯s another matter altogether. When everyone had spoken, Yuhua Saint Master said indifferently, ¡°Since all Peak Masters believe that it¡¯s not suitable for the Sacred Land to intervene for now, let¡¯s wait and see. It is now the final phase of the End of Dharma Era; it has been eight thousand five hundred years since the end of the last great war. In another fifteen hundred years, a great epoch shall descend once more. At this crucial time, if Yuhua Sacred Land were to clash with a Saint, the hassle would be significant!¡± With these words, It was clear what stance Yuhua Sacred Land had taken. Nan Kuang¡¯s brow was tightly knitted, ¡°What if the Divine Martial Dynasty refuses to let the matter rest, what shall we do then?¡± ¡°Then we fight!¡± Yuhua Saint Master sneered. ¡°Although the Sacred Land does not seek trouble, it is certainly not afraid of it. If the Divine Martial Dynasty dares to come forth, then we will activate the Great Saint Weapon and directly annihilate them!¡± Chapter 315: 238 Semi-Saint_2 Chapter 315: Chapter 238 Semi-Saint_2 Yuhua Saint Master, though he did not want to confront a Saint face-to-face, if a Saint really were to come knocking, Yuhua Sacred Land was not afraid. As a top power that had produced a Great Saint thirty thousand years ago, the foundation of Yuhua Sacred Land was very strong. After all, compared to other top powers that had produced Great Saints, the biggest advantage of Yuhua Sacred Land was that the Great Saint had emerged only thirty thousand years ago. Thirty thousand years. That was not enough time to fully use up all the heritage left by the Great Saint. By comparison. Some top powers that had produced Strong Saints in the Great Saint Realm tens of thousands of years ago had already almost exhausted their heritage, with only Great Saint Weapons maintaining their status. Such forces. Naturally, could not be compared to Yuhua Sacred Land. However, nothing is absolute, there are some ancient powers that can maintain their former glory, with Saints and even Great Saints emerging every few eras. But such high-level forces, throughout the whole Eastern Domain and even the entire Ancient Desolate World, were very few. Therefore. Yuhua Sacred Land indeed had the capital to be proud. In the eyes of the Yuhua Saint Master, the Holy Land did not wish to move against a Saint, but it definitely would not fear a Saint. ¡ª¡ª Guiyuan Dynasty. Now, the court was enveloped in a gloom. Not to mention the hundred thousand Divine Emperor Army buried in the Nine States, even the Semi-Saint Artifact that went with them was lost in Nine States, which was undoubtedly a cataclysmic blow to the Guiyuan Dynasty. Created by a Semi-Saint ten thousand years ago, the greatest figures the Guiyuan Dynasty had produced in those ten thousand years were Semi-Saints. Throughout. Three Semi-Saints had emerged from the Guiyuan Dynasty. Alas. None of the three Semi-Saints managed to become a Saint, and they all fell for various reasons, leaving behind three Semi-Saint Artifacts as the dynasty¡¯s heritage. Now, the loss of a Semi-Saint Artifact meant a severe blow to the Guiyuan Dynasty. An even more crucial point was. According to news from the Nine States, that Divine Martial Dynasty actually had a Saint emerge. This was not simple. In other words. The Guiyuan Dynasty had offended a Saint. Thinking of this. Emperor Han was already startled into a cold sweat. At this moment. A minister respectfully said, ¡°Your Majesty, now that the Divine Martial Dynasty has a Saint, our Guiyuan Dynasty should not break off relations with them, in my opinion, we should seek peace!¡± ¡°Our Guiyuan Dynasty has been established for a hundred thousand years, when have we ever needed to seek peace with a mere small kingdom, even if the Divine Martial Dynasty has a Saint, the Nine States battle led to the fall of over a hundred thousand cultivators, among them many scions of Holy Lands and noble families. Whether that Saint from the Divine Martial Dynasty can even survive is a question, what is there for our Guiyuan Dynasty to fear!¡± A military officer loudly objected, not agreeing at all with the suggestion of peace. Immediately. Other ministers also began to express their opinions. ¡°In my view, we should prioritize peace!¡± ¡°In my opinion, both peace and war are unfavorable to our Guiyuan Dynasty, I think we should wait and see, waiting for the situation to change!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, with so many forces offended by that Saint of the Divine Martial Dynasty, why should our Guiyuan Dynasty be the one to stick our necks out, in my view, it¡¯s better to just observe from the sidelines.¡± The ministers each expressed their views, one after another. After a moment. Emperor Han raised his hand, and the originally noisy scene suddenly quieted down. ¡°Let us wait and see what happens with the Divine Martial Dynasty, and see how other forces react before we make plans!¡± Emperor Han clearly understood that if the Guiyuan Dynasty were to clash with the Divine Martial Dynasty now, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock. Even if the Guiyuan Dynasty had been established for a hundred thousand years, and the Divine Martial Dynasty for just a few years, it was the same. A Saint. Could suppress a hundred thousand years of the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s accumulation. This was not a joke. The Guiyuan Dynasty hadn¡¯t produced a Saint in a hundred thousand years, but the Divine Martial Dynasty had one, which already gave them an absolute advantage. Not just the Guiyuan Dynasty, many ancient powers nowadays might not be as strong as the Divine Martial Dynasty. Alive, a Saint signifies absolute confidence. Had Emperor Han known that there had been a power in the Divine Martial Dynasty comparable to a Saint, he surely would not have allowed Ji Meng to lead the Divine Emperor Army into the Nine States. What did the death of a mere Prince matter? In comparison to the ten thousand years¡¯ foundation of the Guiyuan Dynasty, it was completely negligible. But now, The situation had reached this stage. Emperor Han was aware that the face-off between both powers had become overt. At this time, the Guiyuan Dynasty found itself in a difficult dilemma. In Emperor Han¡¯s view, even if the Guiyuan Dynasty wanted peace, the Divine Martial Dynasty might not agree. As for attacking again, the Guiyuan Dynasty simply did not have the strength. So, Emperor Han decided to play it cool and watch the changes before acting. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty had now offended many forces, and whether that Saint could survive was a question. The longer the Guiyuan Dynasty could delay this matter, the more advantageous it would be. ¡°Additionally¡ª¡± ¡°In another thousand or two years, a great era will descend. In this coming era, our Guiyuan Dynasty must produce a Saint. If we were to erupt in conflict with the Divine Martial Dynasty at this juncture, the loss of too many powerful individuals would indeed be more detrimental than beneficial!¡± At the end of his statement, Emperor Han added another sentence. As the sound of his voice fell, a surge of Saintly Power suddenly emanated from him. Although this Saintly Power was not as overpowering as that of a true Saint, it still shocked the courtiers. ¡°Your Majesty has already stepped into the Half-Saint Realm!¡± Some courtiers were astounded. Emperor Han¡¯s expression was one of lofty pride, ¡°In this coming great era, I shall surely become a Saint!¡± As the words were spoken, The courtiers were all visibly invigorated. Half-Saint! They had always thought that Emperor Han was merely at the Ninth Layer of the Daoist Palace Realm, but to their surprise, he had already stepped into the Half-Saint Realm. With this development, Emperor Han had become the fourth Half-Saint of the Guiyuan Dynasty. As the great era was only a thousand or two years away, once it descended, the ascension of this Saint who perceived the Dao was virtually a certainty. The previous three Half-Saints of the Guiyuan Dynasty had either not lived to see the great era arrive or were of advanced age upon its arrival, thus they failed to break through. Now, Emperor Han had entered the Half-Saint Realm, and given his not so old age, the potential for his becoming a Saint was foreseeable. ¡°With Your Majesty presiding over the Guiyuan Dynasty, it will surely flourish!¡± ¡°The rise to an Emperor Dynasty is also within sight!¡± The courtiers were understandably excited. If the Guiyuan Dynasty really could produce a Saint, their own status and position would rise accordingly. Having a Saint presiding over the Dynasty versus not having one, those were two entirely different concepts. To put it bluntly, even if one day Emperor Han should fall, the foundation of sainthood he left behind would still be sufficient to uphold the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s legacy. Seeing the reaction of the people, Emperor Han¡¯s lips curved in a smile; this was the effect he had desired. Similarly, This was also why Emperor Han did not want to openly break with the Divine Martial Dynasty at the current time. He was already at the Half-Saint Realm, and when the great era arrived, he would directly become a Saint. Therefore, At such a crucial time, it was only natural that Emperor Han would not choose to directly confront a Saint. Even though in this era, it was unlikely for that individual from the Divine Martial Dynasty to become a Saint, their combat prowess was heavenly, enough to rival one at the Saint Realm. What difference did that make from a true Saint? Therefore, Emperor Han was waiting, Waiting for his opportunity to become a Saint. Once he could step into the Saint Realm, even if the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s peer to a Saint also entered the Saint Realm, Emperor Han would not fear in the slightest. Equal as Saints, who could say who would be inferior to whom? But until then, Emperor Han had to admit that with his current cultivation in the Half-Saint Realm, it was indeed not possible for him to be an opponent of a power comparable to a Saint. While the Guiyuan Dynasty chose to observe from the sidelines, other powers also turned their eyes toward the Nine States. The birth of a power comparable to a Saint, and the fact that he had slaughtered many cultivators in the Eastern Domain¡ªeither piece of news was enough to draw the gaze of many forces. They wanted to see, those top forces whose geniuses had been slain by the Divine Martial Dynasty, what their reactions would be. Chapter 316: 239: Changes in the Information Panel Chapter 316: Chapter 239: Changes in the Information Panel Mountains soared into the clouds, enveloped by the celestial mist, with palaces and pavilions intermittently visible as if concealed amongst the peaks. Pavilions and halls too would appear, merging into the landscape. Occasionally, cultivators could be seen traversing the skies, akin to deities among men. This place was none other than the Taixu Sacred Land. One of the Ancient Sacred Lands in the Eastern Domain of the Ancient Desolate World. Ninth Peak. Within a certain True Inheritor Mansion, Gu Xuan sat cross-legged, quietly inhaling and exhaling nature¡¯s spiritual energy, using its power to temper his bodily physique. His essence blood surged like a torrent, creating an illusion of a heavenly phoenix emerging behind him, its divine aura suppressing everything. However. Because this was a True Inheritor Mansion with Array formations obstructing it, such an aura did not truly escape. After a long while. Gu Xuan opened his eyes, and all phenomena vanished. ¡°The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body is indeed extraordinary. My cultivation speed now is many times faster than before. With this progress, breaking through to Mid-level Great Grandmaster won¡¯t take long,¡± Gu Xuan thought. Gu had always considered his cultivation speed not slow, but it couldn¡¯t compare to his current pace. Nowadays, his cultivation allowed him to increasingly understand the strength of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Moreover. Since entering the Taixu Sacred Land, Gu Xuan had come to understand what a Divine Body really was. Anyone possessing a Divine Body was bound to achieve immeasurable greatness. However, Divine Bodies were innate, and it was extremely rare for one to be formed through acquired means. Regarding this. Gu Xuan held even greater respect for the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint. Although he hadn¡¯t enabled him to possess a complete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, to cultivate even an incomplete one was no small feat. Indeed! The presence of these so-called Fake Heavenly Phoenix Divine Bodies was a result of the incompleteness of a Divine Body. Fu He was also aware of the fact that he possessed a Fragmented Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Only, unfortunately. Even with the resources of Taixu Sacred Land, there was no Phoenix Essence Blood, a treasure so defiant of heaven, otherwise, there might have been a chance to secure a complete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body for Gu Xuan. After all, the significance of a Divine Body to an ancient sacred land was self-evident. Especially now, as the great era was approaching, if they could produce a Divine Body, they could at least become a Saint when the great era arrived. However. That was just the minimum standard for a Divine Body. Any Divine Body, unless unexpectedly destroyed, would face no problem advancing into the Great Saint Realm and might even progress further. Thus. If Taixu Sacred Land truly possessed Phoenix Essence Blood, with Gu Xuan¡¯s Fragmented Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, there actually were real hopes of obtaining it. But sadly, Taixu Sacred Land did not. Just then. Gu Xuan felt a slight vibration from the storage ring containing the mansion token. He opened it and stepped out of the mansion, seeing a young cultivator pacing outside the Array formation of the mansion. Subsequently. Gu Xuan used the token to open the Array. ¡°Master Gu!¡± ¡°Chen, what brings you here?¡± Gu Xuan¡¯s expression shifted slightly. The person before him was an Inner Sect Disciple from the Ninth Peak. Although he had joined the sect earlier than him, due to his status as a True Disciple, the latter addressed him as ¡°senior.¡± Chen Li spoke, ¡°Master Gu, I have gathered the information you asked for. It seems that the forces of the Eastern Domain are somewhat fearful of that individual from the Nine States, so there¡¯s no motion at present.¡± As he spoke this. Chen Li¡¯s expression became even more respectful towards Gu Xuan. Both were disciples of Taixu Sacred Land, but let alone Gu being a True Disciple and himself merely an Inner Sect Disciple, their statuses were already unequal. Not to mention that behind Gu stood a being on par with a Saint, which was enough reason for Chen Li to curry favor. Now in the Eastern Domain, who didn¡¯t know that an impoverished realm of the Nine States had a dynasty emerge, backed by a powerhouse equivalent to a Saint. If he could leave a good impression in Gu¡¯s heart, it would greatly benefit his future cultivation. Ultimately. The cultivation world was not all about fighting; interpersonal connections were equally crucial. ¡°This effort is much appreciated, Chen!¡± Gu relaxed visibly upon receiving the news, then he handed a bottle of Elixir to him. ¡°Senior, this is too much. These efforts... they are what I should...¡± Chen tried to refuse, but Gu, feigning seriousness, said, ¡°Chen, you have been running around for me these past few days. How could I, as your senior, turn a blind eye? If you don¡¯t accept it, I might not dare to ask for your help in the future.¡± ¡°Since you¡¯ve put it that way, as a junior, I shall duly obey!¡± Chen happily accepted the Elixir. This was another benefit of working for a True Disciple; not only could he form a connection, but the other party was also generous. A single bottle of Elixir was extremely precious to an Inner Sect Disciple. ¡°I hope you will continue to keep an eye on the happenings in the Nine States, Chen. Inform me immediately of any changes.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, senior. I¡¯ll keep a close watch!¡± Chen tapped his chest as he spoke. Afterward. Chen left with a smile, holding the Elixir. Shortly after Chen¡¯s departure, the Communication Jade Token in Gu¡¯s hand vibrated. He then left the mansion and headed towards a certain direction in the Ninth Peak. Along the way. Gu encountered many Inner Sect Disciples of the Ninth Peak; some had higher cultivation levels than Gu, but they all greeted him respectfully upon seeing him. Within the Ninth Peak, the status between True Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples was vastly different. Normally. To become a True Disciple, one must at least advance to the Divine Transformation Realm. But Gu Xuan was different. He possessed a Fragmented Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, and this alone was enough for the Ninth Peak to confer him the status of True Disciple, not to mention a being on par with a Saint standing behind him. Chapter 317: 239: Changes in the Information Panel_2 Chapter 317: Chapter 239: Changes in the Information Panel_2 In this cultivation world that both values background and talent, it was no trouble for Gu Xuan to become the True Disciple of the Ninth Peak. Shortly after. Gu Xuan arrived at the Elder¡¯s Cave Mansion and met with Fu He. ¡°Disciple pays respects to Master!¡± ¡°You have come!¡± Fu He¡¯s mouth had a hint of a smile, and his mood was evidently very good. ¡°You have been in Taixu Sacred Land for several days. Previously, this seat was breaking through in seclusion and had no time to guide your cultivation. Today, you have come here. If you have any doubts about cultivation, feel free to speak up, and this seat will surely provide you with answers!¡± ¡°Could it be that Master has already broken through to the Dao Palace Realm?¡± Gu Xuan looked startled. Fu He smiled and said, ¡°Exactly!¡± This was the fundamental reason for his good mood. Stuck at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm for many years, Fu He had been unable to gain any progress, until later, when he had the opportunity to enter the Great Saint Secret Realm. Only after returning to seclude himself in Taixu Sacred Land did he finally break through. Strictly speaking. The Elders of Taixu Sacred Land should at least be in the Dao Palace Realm. As the Elder of the Ninth Peak, Fu He¡¯s original cultivation was only at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, which was somewhat unworthy of the name. It was only because of his special relationship with the Ninth Peak that he was able to hold an Elder¡¯s position. Because of this. Quite a few Elders had their private reservations. But now that he had broken through to the Dao Palace Realm himself, the previous issues naturally ceased to exist. This was another reason why Fu He cared so much about the breakthrough. ¡ª¡ª Divine Martial Dynasty. Guangyang Prefecture. Inside Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng was looking at the information panel and found that it had become somewhat different. The information panel had evidently been divided into two interfaces without him knowing when. Child Character Interface! Death Soldier Interface! Gu Qingfeng first opened the Child Character Interface and saw that the textual information was not much different from before. ... ¡°Your child character, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ has entered Taixu Sacred Land and become a True Disciple of the Ninth Peak of Taixu Sacred Land!¡± ¡°Your child character, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ has received guidance from a Dao Palace Realm First Layer cultivator and made slight progress in cultivation!¡± ¡°Your child character, ¡®Gu Yang,¡¯ has diligently secluded himself for cultivation practice and made slight progress in cultivation!¡± ¡°Your child character, ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ has been attacked by cultivators *495!¡± ¡°Your child character, ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ has been attacked by cultivators *766!¡± ¡°Your child character, ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ has been severely injured and, through a breakthrough after the downfall, has significantly improved his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your child character, ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ has been attacked by cultivators...¡± ... When he saw the familiar information panel, the corner of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mouth twitched slightly. In his view. The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body should have been given to Gu Xiu. Regarding the problems faced by this son of his, Gu Qingfeng had no solution for the time being. He could only hope that the Great Saint¡¯s Remnant Soul would be somewhat effective. Afterwards. Gu Qingfeng switched to the Death Soldier Interface. Just as he thought, the information displayed in the Death Soldier Interface was related to all the Death Soldiers he had acquired from the system. ... ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Hong Ye,¡¯ has led other Death Soldiers into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Hong Ye,¡¯ has been attacked by Fierce Beasts *96!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Liu San,¡¯ has been attacked by Fierce Beasts and has been severely wounded!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Liu San,¡¯ has succumbed to his severe injuries and died!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Hong Ye,¡¯ has slain Fierce Beasts at the Grandmaster Realm *10!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Gu Wu,¡¯ has been ordered to proceed to the Eastern Domain of the Ancient Wilderness!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Gu Wu,¡¯ has been attacked by Fierce Beasts *137!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Hong Ye,¡¯ has entered the Eastern Domain, was attacked by a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, and later aggressively killed in retaliation!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier, ¡®Gu Shiqi,¡¯ has broken through to the Initial Stage of the Grandmaster Realm after consuming Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ... Having seen the textual information on the Death Soldier Interface, Gu Qingfeng was somewhat satisfied with the functional changes to the information panel. Although. Death Soldiers breaking through, won¡¯t bring any Upgrade Points for themselves. But. From this information panel, Gu Qingfeng could also grasp much more information. A very simple principle. Gu Qingfeng currently only has a few children, and the information provided by these few offspring is ultimately limited. By contrast, the number of Death Soldiers is truly substantial. Up to now. Gu Qingfeng had acquired more than three thousand Death Soldiers; even if a part of them had been lost over the years, at least two thousand were still there. Some of these men obeyed Gu Yang, while others followed his commands. Nowadays, Gu Qingfeng only needed to glean from the information panel to be aware of many matters. In this way, even if he didn¡¯t step out of the Gu Family Manor, he could still control many things. After all¡ª Numerous Death Soldiers scattered out, enough to cover quite a bit of territory. More importantly. Gu Qingfeng believed that he would inevitably acquire even more Death Soldiers in the future, and with that, the information in his hands would only increase. ¡°Gu Wu was ordered to head to the Eastern Domain, it seems that the court also wants to get a piece of the Ancient Desolate World!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression flickered slightly as he read one of the lines of information. Gu Yang¡¯s approach, in his view, was quite normal. Now that the Nine States were exposed under the scrutiny of the Ancient Desolate World, the Divine Martial Dynasty naturally needed to understand the Ancient Desolate World further. With Gu Wu¡¯s Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers cultivation leading the team, crossing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was no issue. Although the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was perilous, it had already been forcefully crossed by many cultivators from the Eastern Domain. Now, even if dangers still lurked, they wouldn¡¯t be too numerous. Moreover, with Gu Wu¡¯s strength at the Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers, he could handle any trouble with ease. Just then. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Communication Jade Token in his hand vibrated, conveying a message from Hong Ye. ¡°Reporting to the honored one, your subordinates have already entered the Eastern Domain of the Ancient Desolate World, three hundred Hidden Guards suffered thirty-six casualties!¡± ¡°Proceed with the plan!¡± Gu Qingfeng replied. These Communication Jade Tokens, he had obtained from other cultivators. Normally, each Communication Jade Token would have a specific restriction placed on it, making it hard for outsiders to use. But these restrictions were like nothing in front of Gu Qingfeng; he easily altered them, turning these tokens that belonged to other forces fully to his advantage. By doing so. Gu Qingfeng also made it convenient to contact Hong Ye and the others later on. In fact. Even without Hong Ye messaging him, Gu Qingfeng could be made aware, through the information panel, that they had already entered the Eastern Domain. Three hundred people. Thirty-six casualties. This loss was within Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expectations. After all, the overall strength of the Hidden Guards was not very strong; many were only at the Refining Organ Realm, and there were very few who could break through to the Master level, not to mention a Great Grandmaster. Up till now, among the Hidden Guards, only a few who Gu Qingfeng had initially raised through elixirs were at the Great Grandmaster level; beyond those, there weren¡¯t any others. Therefore. Even with Hong Ye, a Great Grandmaster herself, leading the team, and carrying a consumable ancient weapon, it was impossible to cross the Ancient Beast Mountain Range without any casualties. Now. It remained to be seen whether Hong Ye could really gain a foothold in the Eastern Domain. Although a Great Grandmaster¡¯s cultivation was average in the Eastern Domain, Hong Ye, having led the Hidden Guards for so many years, was not lacking in methods, and Gu Qingfeng had quite a favorable view of her. ¡ª In the blink of an eye. A month had passed. Throughout this month. Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, cultivating and comprehending the Ancient Heavenly Blade, while also paying attention to the activity on the information panel and contacting Hong Ye several times. He had thought that the perishing of over a hundred thousand cultivators in the Nine States would drive all the factions mad, even to the point of sparing no expense, bringing Holy Weapons and Great Saint Weapons to overturn the Divine Martial Dynasty directly. But the result. Gu Qingfeng found that he had been somewhat presumptuous. He had both overestimated the determination of these powers and underestimated the deterrent effect of his own battle achievements. According to the news from Hong Ye, the reputation of the Divine Martial Dynasty had now resonated throughout the Ancient Wilderness, and his own reputation, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s, was the same. Knowing the Divine Martial Dynasty had a powerhouse on par with a Saint in residence, all the factions hesitated to approach, even the top Holy Lands such as Yuhua Sacred Land showed no significant actions. Such a situation was exactly what Gu Qingfeng was pleased to see. Chapter 318: 240 Heavenly Patrol Guard Chapter 318: Chapter 240 Heavenly Patrol Guard ¡°I seem to have underestimated the existence of Saints after all,¡± ¡°Although I have not truly ascended to sainthood, my strength is not half a bit inferior to that of a real Saint. In this End of Dharma Era, an existence that stands shoulder to shoulder with Saints is something even those ancient Holy Lands would be wary of!¡± From this incident, Gu Qingfeng once again refreshed his understanding of Saints. In an era of great contention, Saints were powerful beings capable of founding Holy Lands and passing down legacies through the ages. Now that the End of Dharma Era has arrived and Saints no longer manifest, the strongest ones are the Semi-Saints. The appearance of a powerful entity at the Saint Level intimidating all sides seems not that hard to understand. Originally, Gu Qingfeng had prepared himself to deal with the various forces of the Ancient Desolate World. After all, he had buried more than a hundred thousand Cultivators in the Nine States, and although a hundred thousand of those Cultivators came from the Guiyuan Dynasty, the remaining few hailed from numerous other forces. Among them, Places like Yuhua Sacred Land and Purple Cloud Sacred Land all have significant foundations. As a result, All parties have ceased their displays of power. Gu Qingfeng understood. It was the deterrence of his own strength that had caused this. If the Great Era were to arise and Saints Level powerhouses would continuously emerge, such a situation would naturally not continue. ¡°However¡ª¡± ¡°When that time comes, what could Saints possibly amount to in my eyes!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, time was precious for other forces, just as it was for him. Now, at the age of thirty, he had already stepped into the sixth layer of the Daoist Palace Realm. Given one or two thousand years, Gu Qingfeng had confidence in advancing to the Saint Realm, and even higher realms. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng continued his seclusion, contemplating the Ancient Heavenly Blade. ... ¡°This place is the Nine States!¡± ¡°The spiritual energy of heaven and earth here may not compare to the Eastern Domain, but it¡¯s not as barren as I had imagined!¡± Inside the Capital of Guangyang Prefecture, a young Cultivator looked at the bustling scene before him, his expression filled with surprise. A middle-aged Cultivator beside him said sternly, ¡°The spiritual energy in the Nine States was indeed meager, but it¡¯s said that the Divine Martial Dynasty buried more than a hundred thousand Cultivators into the Spirit Veins all over the Nine States, shaping the scene we see today!¡± Upon hearing these words, Several young men and women all had stiffened expressions, and fear appeared on many of their faces. The burial of more than a hundred thousand Cultivators. Creating the current spiritual environment of the Nine States. Such methods were indeed shocking to hear. Seeing their reactions, the middle-aged Cultivator continued: ¡°Remember, the Divine Martial Dynasty is different from other places. Although this force is only a dynasty, it has an existence that rivals Saints at its core. If you offend the people of the Divine Martial Dynasty without cause, even your sects might not be able to protect you!¡± The last sentence was delivered with extreme severity. The notoriety of the Divine Martial Dynasty had spread far and wide, with a suspected Saint Level powerhouse presiding over it, even the top powers did not wish to offend. Nevertheless, Many Cultivators still came to the Divine Martial Dynasty. It was because, not long ago, a Great Saint Secret Realm emerged, and rumors about the Nine States were unearthed by numerous Cultivators. Many Cultivators realized that, in ancient times, the Nine States had once produced an unparalleled power which disappeared overnight, leaving behind countless secret realms and opportunities. Throughout the ages, Many top-tier powerhouses from the Ancient Desolate World ventured into the Nine States, seeking to uncover the hidden opportunities. At the same time, some of these powerhouses, for various reasons, also indirectly passed down their legacies in the Nine States. The recent Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint Secret Realm was one such instance. Thus, Many Cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World wished to come to the Nine States to seek the so-called opportunities. Then, There was the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range was dangerous, but likewise, it was a place where Cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World came to temper themselves. This ancient mountain range nurtured many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, all of which were required for cultivation. Therefore, many Cultivators stepped into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to train and then, by chance, crossed the range and entered the Nine States. Under various reasons, The number of future Cultivators in the Nine States also gradually increased. However, No one dared to cause trouble in the Nine States. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty suppressed everything, and in the background was an existence comparable to the Saint Level. To dare cause mischief here was to invite an early death. ... ¡°Your Majesty, there are no less than tens of thousands of Cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World who have entered the Nine States. Up to now, the one with the highest Cultivation is a Cultivator at the sixth layer of the Daoist Palace Realm!¡± Inside the Imperial Study Room, Gu Yi reported respectfully, presenting all the information collected by the Hidden Guard. Gu Yang was reviewing memorials, and after affixing the final seal, he massaged his brow, his expression somewhat relaxed. ¡°None of these people caused any trouble, right?¡± ¡°Most of the Cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World are well-behaved, but there are still a very few who do not abide by the law, causing some disturbances. However, they were promptly suppressed.¡± ¡°Hmph, from today onwards, all those who cause trouble shall be thrown into the Heavenly Prison, and those with severe offenses shall be executed on the spot.¡± Gu Yang¡¯s eyes suddenly chilled when he heard this; as the ruler of the Divine Martial Dynasty, he naturally would not tolerate troublemakers. ¡°Moreover¡ª¡± ¡°Regarding the talent from various Martial Arts Academies that I asked you to keep an eye on before, how is that going?¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Yi took out a list from his storage ring and respectfully placed it on the desk. ¡°Reporting to Your Majesty, this is the list of information collected by the Hidden Guard. Please review it!¡± ¡°Um...¡± Gu Yang¡¯s gaze fell on the list; it was filled with many names, as well as their places of origin and other details, all meticulously recorded. Chapter 319 240 Heavenly Patrol Guard_2 A moment later. Gu Yang said, "Bring this person to see Us." "Yes!" ¡ª Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, a terrifying aura flashed for an instant. "Three months have passed!" "Although the Ancient Heavenly Blade has progressed, to achieve Great Success, it still cannot be done in a short time!" The more he comprehended. Gu Qingfeng felt the power of the Ancient Heavenly Blade even more. If this inheritance of the Saint could achieve Great Success or even Perfection, Gu Qingfeng believed, even without breaking through his own cultivation, he could directly slay the Flame Sun Saint upon facing him again. At the same time. A Perfect Level Ancient Heavenly Blade would also be enough to support him reaching the peak of the Dao Palace Realm. However. To refine the Ancient Heavenly Blade to Perfection without using upgrade points was easier said than done. After all, the Saint''s ultimate skills were inherently profound and mysterious, and there were many powers in the ancient desolate world with the inheritance of Saints, but very few were truly able to master the Saint''s ultimate skills. As for cultivating a Saint''s ultimate skill to its peak, one can imagine the difficulty. The thought settled. Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 53/6000 Realm: Sixth Level of the Dao Palace Realm Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Sixth Layer of Dao Palace Chapter), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Small Success), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Li Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Not entered), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 664 ... "Over five hundred upgrade points are not enough, we still need to wait some time to enhance the Ancient Heavenly Blade!" Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. Strictly speaking. He had only gained a little over a hundred upgrade points in three months. After all, he originally had five hundred upgrade points, which shows that the growth of upgrade points wasn''t fast over these three months. But even so, in Gu Qingfeng''s view, it was enough. Compared to the past, this rate of growth in upgrade points was quite good. After all. It isn''t simple for younger generations and descendants to make continuous breakthroughs. Ultimately. The bloodline of the Gu Family was still not numerous. All things considered. The descendants'' bloodline of the Gu Family only had seven individuals. But these were only temporary, as long as the Gu Family was given enough time, their bloodline would surely grow significantly. Then. Gu Qingfeng turned to his information panel. Since the upgrade points increased, it meant that these past three months, someone had made a breakthrough. ... "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' integrated the talents of the Martial Arts Academy, established the Heavenly Patrol Guard, patrolled on behalf of heaven, and purified the universe!" "Your descendant ''Gu Yang'' received guidance from a Divine Transformation Realm Cultivator, slightly advancing in strength!" "Your descendant ''Gu Shengxing'' broke through the initial stage of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Reward upgrade points *30!" "Your descendant ''Gu Sheng''an'' broke through the initial stage of the Bone Refining Realm!" "Reward upgrade points *30!" "Your descendant ''Gu Sheng''an'' slightly comprehended the Heavenly Blade techniques, Heavenly Blade True Intent broke through to level two!" "Your descendant ''Gu Shengnan'' fell into enlightenment, Green Lotus Sword Scripture broke through to level five True Intent, greatly enhancing her strength!" "Your descendant ''Gu Xuan'' received guidance from a Daoist Palace Realm Cultivator, slightly advancing in cultivation!" "Your descendant ''Gu Xiu'' was attacked by cultivators *1326!" "Your descendant ''Gu Xiu'' was attacked by cultivators *749!" ... "Your descendant ''Gu Xiu'' was severely injured!" "Your descendant ''Gu Xiu'' was reborn after destruction, breaking through to the second layer of the Refining Organ Realm in a life-and-death struggle!" "Reward points*80!" "Your offspring ''Gu Xiu'' has made a breakthrough in the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture, comprehending the sixth level of True Intent, and significantly boosting his strength!" "Your offspring..." ... "Heavenly Patrol Guard!" Upon seeing this name, Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. Currently, Gu Yang had Hidden Guards gathering intelligence and monitoring all parties, but this was not enough. On the surface, there was also a need for a force to deter the world. Clearly, The Heavenly Patrol Guard was such an organization. Selecting geniuses from martial academies across the world to form Heavenly Patrol Guard was hardly a problem. If they were to choose members from other Martial World sects or recruit loose cultivators, their backgrounds weren''t necessarily clean. But, It was different with martial academies. The Divine Martial Academy was specially established by the Divine Martial Dynasty, and citizens of the Nine States could enter the academy to cultivate once they reached a certain age. Through multiple rounds of selection, those with less talent were eliminated and the best were selected, then they were indoctrinally educated. Most of the talents trained in this way were quite loyal to the court. Selecting highly loyal geniuses from these individuals to join the Heavenly Patrol Guard as a sharp sword for the court was only reasonable. However, Gu Qingfeng was also aware. Making the Heavenly Patrol Guard truly strong wasn''t something that could be done overnight. After all, the saying remained. The foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty was too weak. Even forming the Heavenly Patrol Guard, expecting immediate results within a short time was not that simple. "However¡ª" "Last time, over a hundred thousand cultivators fell; their resources fell into the court''s hands. If all these resources were utilized for the Heavenly Patrol Guard, there is some possibility of nurturing strong warriors!" Gu Qingfeng''s thoughts stirred. Last time, over a hundreds thousand cultivators had fallen, leaving behind many things. Among them, the storage rings opened by Gu Qingfeng contained a number of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Although these treasures had little use for someone at his realm, for the average cultivator, they were truly top-tier treasures. Consuming them, advancing in cultivation was not a major issue. Not to mention producing a Taoist Palace Realm warrior, but producing a group of Grandmasters was certainly feasible. If lucky, it might even be possible to nurture some Divine Transformation Realm cultivators. Of course, Advancing to the Divine Transformation Realm wasn''t so easy. If Body Refinement In Five Realms, Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster represented a watershed each, then the Great Grandmaster to Divine Transformation represented a major watershed. It''s said that cultivators in the Grandmaster Realm already had extraordinary power, but in fact, only in the Divine Transformation Realm do cultivators truly transcend their mortal bodies and advance towards transcendence. After all, cultivators at this realm could regenerate limbs, a feat not comparable to cultivators of other realms. Although now the Divine Martial Dynasty is considered interfaced with the Five Domains, which many strong outsiders throng into Jiuzhou, being able to reach the Great Grandmaster Realm is somewhat commendable. As for Divine Transformation Realm cultivators, they still relied on time to gradually accumulate more. Higher realms like the Dao Palace, needless to mention. In Gu Qingfeng''s view, the timing of the Divine Martial Dynasty''s emergence was quite perfect. The great era hadn''t arrived but it was the end of the End of Dharma, allowing for one to two thousand years of time for consolidation and development. As long as his overt strength as a saint remained unproblematic, the Divine Martial Dynasty was unshakeable. Then again, It was about Gu Xiu. In these past three months, Gu Qingfeng had hardly checked the attribute panel, so the accumulated information was dense, mostly relating to Gu Xiu. It seemed Gu Xiu was constantly navigating between assaults and injuries, and up until now, Gu Qingfeng was unclear about the trouble he had caused. Hong Ye led the Hidden Guards to settle in the Eastern Domain, covertly creating a small faction, secretly gathering information about Gu Xiu. Unfortunately, Three months had passed. Yet, there was still no news from Gu Xiu. Regarding this, Hong Ye suspected that Gu Xiu might no longer be in the Eastern Domain, but somewhere else. Unfortunately, the Ancient Desolate World''s Five Domains were simply too vast, with the Hidden Guards'' current strength, rooting in the Eastern Domain was already difficult, let alone extending reach to other domains. After all, the history of the Ancient Desolate World was long-standing, and the Five Domains were immensely vast, with the Eastern Domain alone possessing many top powers, backed by figures like Saints and Great Saints. The Eastern Domain was so, And the other four domains were not inferior. Some domains even had overall strength far more formidable than the Eastern Domain. Under such circumstances, extending the Hidden Guards'' reach to other places was naturally not so simple. Chapter 320: 241: Emissary from the Dynasty Chapter 320: Chapter 241: Emissary from the Dynasty ¡°Divine Envoy Xie Yanfeng pays his respects to Emperor Gu!¡± In the royal court, a middle-aged cultivator faced Emperor Gu Yang, seated upon the imperial throne, and performed a respectful bow with a reverent demeanor. The gaze of the other ministers was now squarely focused on the visitor. Given the numerous foreign cultivators now present in the Nine States, the people of the royal court were far from ignorant about the matters of the Ancient Desolate World, especially concerning a major power like the Divine Wind Dynasty, which had produced several Saints over the generations. What baffled them, however, was why the Divine Wind Dynasty would send someone. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty had no relation to the Divine Wind Dynasty. Among the tens of thousands of cultivators buried within the Nine States, none were from the Divine Wind Dynasty. Therefore, the current arrival from the Divine Wind Dynasty was intriguing. Atop the throne, Gu Yang looked down at the man below. When Xie Yanfeng arrived, an Imperial Confidant quietly transmitted a message informing him that the person before him was at least a Daoist Palace Realm powerhouse. In the past, facing a Daoist Palace Realm powerhouse directly, Gu Yang certainly had no confidence. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty was weak, and even tapping into the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune had little chance of suppressing a Daoist Palace Realm opponent. Furthermore, Xie Yanfeng was likely not just an ordinary Daoist Palace Realm cultivator. But now, Gu Yang had the Divine Phoenix Tower in hand. Although he could not wield much of the Great Saint Weapon¡¯s divine might, he believed he could temporarily fend off an attack from a Daoist Palace Realm adversary. Additionally, the Gu Family Manor was located within the Capital. Should the other party truly dare mount an assassination, the man before him most certainly would not live to leave the Capital. For several reasons, Gu Yang faced a Daoist Palace Realm figure with full confidence, his demeanor calm and composed. ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty has never had ties with the Divine Wind Dynasty. For what pressing matter does the Divine Wind Dynasty send someone this time?¡± he inquired. ¡°Our Emperor has long admired the renown of the Divine Martial Dynasty and has always yearned to meet Emperor Gu. Therefore, he has sent me to foster relations between our two nations. Additionally, this is a congratulatory gift my Emperor specifically tasked me to bring. I hope Emperor Gu will kindly accept it.¡± As his words fell, Xie Yanfeng produced a storage ring. With a glance from Gu Yang, a eunuch at his side approached the other man, took the storage ring, and then passed it to Gu Yang. The latter¡¯s Divine Thought probed into the storage ring, his expression subtly shifting. He saw numerous blood-red stones within the ring, items with which Gu Yang was familiar. Divine Blood Stones! A substance mined from Spirit Stone veins. Since they were blood-red throughout, as though forged from fresh blood, they were named Divine Blood Stones. Gu Yang understood that not only were Divine Blood Stones a true currency in the Ancient Desolate World, but cultivators could also refine them to enhance their Cultivation. The last time he searched so many storage pouches and rings during his sect¡¯s defense, Gu Yang found just over a thousand catties of inferior-grade Divine Blood Stones. From this fact alone, it was clear how precious Divine Blood Stones were. Now, this storage ring contained nearly three thousand catties of inferior-grade Divine Blood Stones. Seeing this, Gu Yang¡¯s expression softened a good deal: ¡°When Divine Envoy Xie returns, please convey my thanks to Emperor Yang.¡± ¡°Your words will surely be relayed to His Majesty upon my return. Furthermore, I am here on a mission with another matter to discuss with Emperor Gu.¡± Xie Yanfeng smiled slightly and then got straight to the point. ¡°What matter?¡± asked Gu Yang. ¡°The Divine Wind Dynasty wishes to establish a Transmission Array in the Nine States, enabling our two nations to exchange what we need. The materials required for the construction of the Transmission Array will all be provided by our Divine Wind Dynasty. May I inquire if Emperor Gu would agree to this?¡± Xie Yanfeng at that moment revealed his true intention. Establish a Transmission Array! Allow each other¡¯s entry! Gu Yang did not respond immediately but fell into deep thought. He had not anticipated that this would be the visitor¡¯s aim. Once a Transmission Array was set up, people from the Divine Wind Dynasty could directly enter the Nine States through it, and similarly, those from the Nine States could step directly into the Divine Wind Dynasty. Previously, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range served as a barrier, blocking most cultivators from entering the Nine States, but if a Transmission Array were established, the barrier would become virtually ineffective. Although the Ancient Beast Mountain Range¡¯s usefulness had already diminished greatly, it was still a barrier; without it, the number of cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World arriving in the Divine Martial Dynasty would potentially increase tenfold or a hundredfold. After pondering for a moment, Gu Yang said, ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty is newly established, and there is much to be rebuilt. The Nine States have yet to find true stability, so perhaps the matter of the Transmission Array can be postponed for now. Let¡¯s revisit this at a later date!¡± Upon hearing this, Xie Yanfeng¡¯s expression shifted before he finally bowed and replied, ¡°In that case, I will return and report back.¡± ¡°No hurry, Divine Envoy Xie has just arrived in the Nine States. Why not stay a few days and experience the culture and customs of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Then I thank Emperor Gu for his gracious invitation!¡± Xie Yanfeng did not decline. ... ¡°Personage from the Divine Wind Dynasty has come!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the report from a Hidden Guard in his hand, his expression showing a hint of movement. He was familiar with the Divine Wind Dynasty, an ancient monarchy founded by a Saint in the Eastern Domain eighty thousand years ago, from which a Saint would emerge every ten to twenty thousand years. As such, the inheritance and foundations of the Divine Wind Dynasty were extraordinary. But. Upon seeing the purpose of the Divine Wind Dynasty¡¯s visit, brilliance flashed in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. Establish a Transmission Array! However, seeing Gu Yang¡¯s refusal, Gu Qingfeng inwardly nodded in understanding. Once a Transmission Array was established, it would signify that whatever little function the Ancient Beast Mountain Range had left would vanish entirely, and cultivators from the Divine Wind Dynasty would be able to freely step into the Nine States. Chapter 321: 241: People from the Dynasty_2 Chapter 321: Chapter 241: People from the Dynasty_2 The Divine Martial Dynasty had a shallow foundation, and a large number of cultivators were pouring into the Nine States. This was not necessarily a good thing. Therefore, Gu Yang refused. Which was perfectly normal. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng glanced at the information panel, and there seemed to be no significant changes. Then, Gu Qingfeng took out a jade scroll, his Divine Thought entered it, and related information immediately appeared. Artifact Refining Technique! This was a method for forging Divine Weapons. Gu Qingfeng wanted to reforge the Evil Slayer Blade, so naturally, he needed to study the artifact refining methods. Although the Evil Slayer Blade had already been promoted to an ancient weapon, its foundation was too weak; it was just a weapon forged from ordinary materials. In the eyes of ordinary people, such a weapon could be called a Divine Weapon, but in the Cultivation World, even a Master would not regard such a weapon. The reason the Evil Slayer Blade had transformed to this extent was entirely because Gu Qingfeng nourished it with his own blood energy, supplemented by the Blade Nourishing Skills and gradually tempered it. However, Every Divine Weapon has its limits. Like the Evil Slayer Blade, being promoted to an ancient weapon was already its end. To go further and become a true Holy Weapon, it must be recast in a furnace. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng was studying methods related to artifact refining. These past few days, he had not continued practicing the Ancient Heavenly Blade; instead, he had invested all his heart and soul into artifact refining, familiarizing himself with many refining materials of the Ancient Desolate World. Like the blood-stained ore he had obtained from the Heavenly Cloud Ring, Gu Qingfeng also understood what it was. Tai Chu Immortal Ore! It was an ancient ore produced in the Tai Chu Ancient Land. Regarding the Tai Chu Ancient Land, Gu Qingfeng also had some understanding. Ever since Hong Ye led the Hidden Guard into the Eastern Domain and secretly established a faction, he had been covertly gathering all information about the Eastern Domain. Among them, Was the existence of the Tai Chu Ancient Land. It was rumored that the Tai Chu Ancient Land had eerie dangers and great opportunities; even a Saint might not be able to exit alive after entering. Thus, cultivators of the Eastern Domain were quite wary of the Tai Chu Ancient Land. After clarifying the origin of the Tai Chu Immortal Ore, Gu Qingfeng once again admired that Heavenly Cloud Saint who had managed to delve deep into the Tai Chu Ancient Land and come out alive; his strength was indeed extraordinary. ¡°Normally, the Tai Chu Immortal Ore alone would be more than enough even for creating a Great Saint Weapon. If I use this ore as the foundation to reforge the Evil Slayer Blade, it will surely greatly enhance its essence!¡± ¡°If I can gather a few more materials, I could directly attempt to forge a Great Saint Weapon, even just the embryo of one would suffice!¡± Gu Qingfeng reviewed the information about artifact refining in his mind; to forge a genuine Great Saint Weapon, solely relying on a piece of Tai Chu Immortal Ore was not enough. Every Divine Weapon contains the divine might of heaven and earth, ultimately because it contains the most powerful Divine Patterns. Just like a Holy Weapon, which contains the Divine Patterns of a Saint, and therefore can exhibit supreme divine power. When Gu Qingfeng drew out the Evil Slayer Blade again, he looked at the mysterious patterns in the blade. These were developed during the nourishing of the Evil Slayer Blade. Previously, Gu Qingfeng did not understand what these patterns were, but now he knew; they were Divine Patterns. To be precise, They were Dao Palace Divine Patterns. Because it carried Divine Patterns, the Evil Slayer Blade was considered an ancient weapon. The difference was, These Divine Patterns were not forged by human hands but were autonomously nurtured during the process of Gu Qingfeng nourishing it with his own blood energy. There are two types of Divine Patterns. The first type is nurtured by a strong person using their own blood energy; over time, it might nurture Divine Patterns. The second type is when a top Artifact Refiner possesses powerful Divine Patterns and engraves the corresponding Divine Patterns into the Divine Weapon during forging. ¡°Blade Nourishing Skills are a method for nurturing Divine Patterns, and such a method is rare in the Nine States, but looking at the entire Ancient Desolate World, it¡¯s not considered a particularly astonishing technique!¡± With his current perspective, Gu Qingfeng, looking back at the Blade Nourishing Skills, realized this Secret Technique was not rare in the Ancient Desolate World. When his gaze fell on the Evil Slayer Blade again, the Dao Palace Divine Patterns on it represented the blade¡¯s current limit of what it could carry. If it truly tried to forcibly carry the Divine Patterns of a Saint, then there would only be one outcome: it would not withstand the power of the Saint¡¯s Divine Patterns and would shatter directly. ¡°The Tai Chu Immortal Ore is just one part; we still need to obtain Heavenly One Divine Gold to neutralize the power of the Tai Chu Immortal Ore. Combining the two, we should be able to reforge the Evil Slayer Blade!¡± ¡°Additionally,¡± ¡°It is to find a place with Earth Fire capable of simultaneously melting Tai Chu Immortal Ore and Heavenly One Divine Gold, otherwise, forging them into a Divine Weapon is not so simple!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. Whether it was Tai Chu Immortal Ore or Heavenly One Divine Gold, both were treasured materials needed for crafting Great Saint Weapons, and ordinary Mortal Fire could not possibly melt such entities. If one were to use Mortal Fire to smelt, it would probably take ten thousand years to slightly affect the Tai Chu Immortal Ore. However. The latter is simpler. The only problem. Is how to find Heavenly One Divine Gold. After all, such materials, crucial for crafting Great Saint Weapons, cannot be obtained through ordinary means; even buying them from other powers would require an exorbitantly high price. You see. Ordinary transactions require gold and silver, But transactions in the Cultivation World require Divine Blood Stones. Currently, although the Nine States are graced with Spirit Veins, the number of Divine Blood Stones that can truly be mined is limited. Furthermore. If a vein¡¯s Divine Blood Stones are over-mined, it will inevitably damage the foundation of the Spirit Vein and significantly reduce the output of Spiritual Energy. Currently the Spiritual Energy of the Nine States is mediocre, and weakening it further would likely quickly revert it to its original state. ¡°Finding Heavenly One Divine Gold is a problem!¡± ¡°Now I can only slowly gather information about Heavenly One Divine Gold!¡± Thinking this, Gu Qingfeng sent a message to Hong Ye, instructing him to pay attention to news regarding Heavenly One Divine Gold and then sent a Hidden Guard to the palace to inform Gu Yang that he needed Heavenly One Divine Gold, asking the Divine Martial Dynasty to help keep an eye out as well. ... Meanwhile. Not long after the Divine Wind Dynasty arrived, other powers also sent their envoys one after another, sharing the same goal as the Divine Wind Dynasty to establish Transmission Arrays in the Nine States for mutual communication. Regarding this. Gu Yang strictly refused. In his view, establishing a Transmission Array at this time would bring more harm than good to the Divine Martial Dynasty. If too many Cultivators flooded into the Nine States, the Divine Martial Dynasty would basically be unable to control it. At that time. The world would inevitably be disrupted. After all, the Nine States are vast, and relying solely on Gu Qingfeng is hardly sufficient to handle everything. Moreover, although the Heavenly Patrol Guard has been established, its strength is limited due to the short time frame. Even if Gu Yang spared no expense to enhance the capabilities of the Heavenly Patrol Guard, to this date, there are only ten Great Grandmasters, and as for cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm, there currently are none. After all, stepping into the Divine Transformation Realm is not so easy. Even those selected by Gu Yang for the Heavenly Patrol Guard, although geniuses from the Nine States, still need time to break through. Currently, there are already several traces of Cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World in the Nine States, and they are barely maintaining the situation with the power of the Hidden Guard and the Heavenly Patrol Guard. If a Transmission Array were to be established, this barely maintained situation would inevitably collapse. For various reasons. Gu Yang could not possibly agree to the establishment of a Transmission Array. Of course. If one day the power of the Divine Martial Dynasty were to advance further and have enough foundation to stabilize the situation in the Nine States, then establishing a Transmission Array would be inevitable. Whether it is for mutual communication or truly contending for supremacy in the Ancient Desolate World, These things are inseparable from the Transmission Array. There¡¯s no way around it. The Ancient Desolate World is too vast. Without a Transmission Array, relying solely on Cultivators themselves, even someone in the Daoist Palace Realm would find it quite troublesome to traverse the entire Eastern Domain, not to mention the entire Ancient Desolate World. Inside the Imperial Study Room. Gu Yang finished reviewing memorials and looked towards the Imperial Seal beside him. When Gu Yang infused his Qi and blood into the Imperial Seal, a Green Lotus Illusion appeared. Compared to when it first started, the third-grade Green Lotus had now become much more solid. Chapter 322: 242 Heavenly Martial Sect Chapter 322: Chapter 242 Heavenly Martial Sect ¡°It¡¯s close!¡± ¡°Given some more time for consolidation and accumulation, the Divine Martial Dynasty should be able to ascend to become the Divine Martial Empire!¡± Gu Yang looked at the Three Grade Green Lotus, which had become much more solid than when the Divine Martial Dynasty was first established. It naturally had become much stronger. The dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune, the Three Grade Green Lotus. Such Qi Fortune can, at most, be on par with cultivators of the Divine Transformation Realm. In other words, Even if one uses the Qi Fortune of an entire country for suppression, a dynasty can only suppress cultivators of the Divine Transformation Realm at most. However, Once it steps into the ranks of an empire, Even the weakest national Qi Fortune would be able to suppress the Daoist Palace Realm, and truly powerful empires can even suppress Saints. In the current End of Dharma Era, where Saints are a rarity, some empires with profound foundations are virtually invincible. Take the Divine Wind Dynasty that arrived not long ago, for example; Gu Yang suspects that this ancient empire¡¯s Qi Fortune could vie with Saints. As for the Guiyuan Dynasty, it is much weaker than the Divine Wind Dynasty. Although it¡¯s said, The Guiyuan Dynasty has lasted for a hundred thousand years, much older than the Divine Wind Dynasty. But the problem lies in the fact that, Over the course of a hundred thousand years, the Guiyuan Dynasty has only produced a few Semi-Saints, whereas the Divine Wind Dynasty has produced five Saints over eighty thousand years. In terms of foundation, the former is naturally incomparable to the latter. Now, What Gu Yang has been doing is laying the groundwork for the subsequent ascension of the empire. The Divine Martial Academy has been established in the Nine States and has begun to yield preliminary results over the years. But to truly become the foundation of the court, it still requires some time to settle. At this time, A slightly sharp voice came from outside the Imperial Study Room. ¡°Reporting to Your Majesty, the Commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard from Nanyue Mountain requests an audience!¡± ¡°Let him in.¡± Gu Yang said slowly, and then he saw a man push open the door of the Imperial Study Room and enter, taking three steps in two before kneeling on one knee and cupping his hands. ¡°Your subordinate Nanyue Mountain pays respects to Your Majesty!¡± ¡°Rise.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± Nanyue Mountain then stood up straight. Gu Yang looked at the person before him. Despite being young, his face was devoid of any childishness, and his brow carried a hint of a stern aura. ¡°How are things in the Nine States now?¡± ¡°Reporting to Your Majesty, the Heavenly Patrol Guard was ordered to patrol the Nine States. The majority of the troublemaking cultivators from the Ancient Desolate World have been directly suppressed, but there are still a very few cultivators who have escaped. With the current strength of the Heavenly Patrol Guard, it¡¯s no problem to encircle and suppress a Great Grandmaster, but if we go up against cultivators of the Divine Transformation Realm or above, we¡¯re outmatched!¡± Nanyue Mountain showed a bitter smile. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang remained expressionless. The Heavenly Patrol Guard was established only a few months ago. Its strength naturally couldn¡¯t be very formidable. Nanyue Mountain, once a prodigy of Divine Martial Academy, had entered the path of Martial Arts only a few years ago and already stepped into the Bone Refining Realm. With such talent, as long as he doesn¡¯t fall unexpectedly, he would at the very least reach the Divine Transformation Realm, and there was even the possibility of entering the Daoist Palace Realm. Moreover, since he was from a good background and extremely loyal to the court, Gu Yang had then brought him into the court as a Commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard. To enhance Nanyue Mountain¡¯s strength, Gu Yang had also given him the remaining Grandmaster Ascension Pills, allowing him to directly ascend to the peak realm of a Great Grandmaster in one go. Even though he was at the peak of the Great Grandmaster level and mastered the ninth level of True Intent, he was still no match in front of a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator. ¡°The Heavenly Patrol Guard is newly established, so it¡¯s normal for its strength to be insufficient. From your observation, how many people in the Heavenly Patrol Guard have a hopeful chance to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm in the future?¡± ¡°Currently, the Heavenly Patrol Guard has three thousand members. Looking ahead, at most, only about a hundred have a chance to breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± Nanyue Mountain shook his head slightly, his expression somewhat helpless. Entering the Divine Transformation Realm was no easy feat. Even though the individuals of the Heavenly Patrol Guard are geniuses selected from various Martial Arts Academies, there are different levels of geniuses. For most so-called geniuses, it would already be good if they could break through to Great Grandmaster in the future. To truly step into Divine Transformation Realm was certainly not that simple. This was still thanks to the abundance of resources provided by the Divine Martial Dynasty and the rise of nature¡¯s Spiritual Energy. If it had been in the past, many would merely be potential Grandmasters. ¡°Breaking through to Divine Transformation Realm isn¡¯t easy, but as the Commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard, the cultivation of Great Grandmaster¡¯s peak is indeed insufficient.¡± Gu Yang said this and casually tossed a storage bag to the other party. ¡°What¡¯s in here are things I have prepared for you. Three hundred jin of inferior grade Divine Blood Stone, and three bottles of Divine Blood Pills. Strive to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm with the greatest speed!¡± ¡°This subordinate will certainly live up to Your Majesty¡¯s expectations!¡± Nanyue Mountain clutched the storage bag tightly, his face full of gratitude. Divine Blood Stone! Divine Blood Pill! Both of these items were treasures that the Heavenly Patrol Guard couldn¡¯t truly come into contact with much. Even for a cultivator at the peak of the Great Grandmaster like Nanyue Mountain, a month¡¯s salary would only be a mere five jin of inferior grade Divine Blood Stone and one Divine Blood Pill. Of the use of Divine Blood Stones, Nanyue Mountain was certainly very clear. This is the primary resource for cultivators of the Divine Transformation Realm to cultivate. If cultivators at the peak of the Great Grandmaster realm could refine Divine Blood Stones, they could accelerate their breakthrough into the Divine Transformation Realm. Chapter 323: 242 Heavenly Martial Sect_2 Chapter 323: Chapter 242 Heavenly Martial Sect_2 And then, came the Divine Blood Elixir. The efficacy of such an elixir was even more precious than that of the Divine Blood Stone. Therefore, when Gu Yang bestowed such an array of resources, the gratitude of Nanyue Mountain was boundless. ¡°Alright, go and cultivate well, strive to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm quickly!¡± ¡°This subordinate shall take his leave!¡± Nanyue Mountain bowed and took three steps back before turning to leave. Gu Yang watched the retreating figure, shaking his head slightly, ¡°The time of the Heavenly Patrol Guard is indeed too short, if there had been decades for development, how could it be in such a state!¡± Cultivation was not something achieved overnight, but rather something that required a cyclic and gradual approach. An elixir like the Grandmaster Ascension Pill that could directly propel one to the peak of the Grandmaster rank was exceedingly rare. Even Gu Yang had never heard of such an elixir from any other cultivators of the Ancient Desolate World. For this reason, Gu Yang also tried to inquire with Gu Qingfeng to see if there were any more of these elixirs in existence, but the answer he got was, tragically, no. This answer, did not arouse any suspicion from Gu Yang. After all, such a heaven-defying elixir was destined to be scarce in number. So, without the Direct Ascension Pill, the only way for Gu Yang to develop the Heavenly Patrol Guard was to go step by step, at most slightly tilting the court¡¯s resources to accelerate the growth of the Heavenly Patrol Guard. At the same time, in order to truly control the Heavenly Patrol Guard, Gu Yang even assigned two Hidden Guards as deputy commanders. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t trust Nanyue Mountain, but that one had to always be prepared for any eventuality. The Heavenly Patrol Guard was a sharp blade in the hands of the court, and Gu Yang did not wish for the day when the blade he had painstakingly nurtured would wound himself. Therefore, the Heavenly Patrol Guard was fated never to dominate alone. If asked who Gu Yang trusted more between Nanyue Mountain and the Hidden Guard, truth be told, Gu Yang inclined more toward the latter. ... ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Li Changfeng¡¯ has been promoted, and become the deputy commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Shen Xinghai¡¯ has been promoted, and become the deputy commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Shishiliu¡¯ unexpectedly acquired Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, greatly advancing his cultivation, and breaking through to the Initial Stage of the Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Shen Zhongyi¡¯ was attacked by cultivators *16!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Shen Zhongyi¡¯ killed several in retaliation but was gravely injured and broke out of an encirclement!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Liu Yuan¡¯ accidentally entered a perilous area and perished at the jaws of Fierce Beasts!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Hong Ye¡¯ assassinated a Late Stage Grandmaster cultivator!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ established the Heavenly Martial Sect!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯ fortuitously found the cave dwelling of an ancient powerhouse, obtaining a mysterious legacy!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ... While Gu Yang was secretly developing the Heavenly Patrol Guard and Hidden Guard, Gu Qingfeng also saw the many changes amongst the Death Soldiers of the Hidden Guard on the information panel. Some Hidden Guards unexpectedly acquired Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, making significant progress in their cultivation, while others perished due to various reasons. What¡¯s more, some directly entered the ancient caves, obtaining tremendous opportunities. Observing the information, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t help but mull over it silently. ¡°It seems these Death Soldiers obtained from the system are not only to be kept in hand for cultivation; letting them all disperse could actually lead to quite a few surprises!¡± Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t had such a direct sensation before. But since the information panel had divided into two sections, this sensation had become much more intuitive. The whereabouts of each Death Soldier, as well as the opportunities they came across or certain changes they brought, were all reflected on the information panel. Three thousand Death Soldiers of the Hidden Guard. If all were concentrated together, they¡¯d be nothing more than a group of cultivators with decent talent. But if they were dispersed, it was the potential for limitless possibilities. You must understand. All Death Soldiers were wholeheartedly loyal to Gu Qingfeng, with one hundred percent fidelity. There was absolutely no possibility of betrayal. In this way, even if some Death Soldiers became stronger than himself in the future, Gu Qingfeng would not worry about them posing a threat. On the contrary, among so many Death Soldiers, who could guarantee that one of them carried greater Qi Fortune? If by chance someone encountered an incredible stroke of luck, they might become a top-notch power. Although this probability was very low, if the number was high enough, anything was possible. This cultivator named Gu Yu had entered an ancient cave dwelling left by a former cultivator and received the legacy of a powerful being. ¡°Heavenly Martial Sect, it seems the court wants to establish its own sect in the Eastern Domain as a base of power!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at Gu Wu forming the Heavenly Martial Sect, his eyes exhibiting an imperceptible fluctuation. There were benefits to creating a sect. Moreover, with Gu Wu¡¯s cultivation at the Nine Layers of the Divine Transformation Realm, he certainly qualified to establish a sect in the Eastern Domain. After all, in this era without Saints, a Semi-Saint was considered a top power. Many so-called Holy Lands in reality didn¡¯t have a Semi-Saint. They only had Daoist Palace Realm Cultivators. Even weaker Holy Lands didn¡¯t have Daoist Palace Realm Cultivators at all. Just like the now-destroyed Divine Sun Sacred Land, which only had a cultivator at the threshold of the Daoist Palace Realm. Therefore, reaching the Nine Layers of the Divine Transformation Realm already made one a formidable presence. Given this, there was no problem with founding a sect. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng glanced again at the information panel for his offspring. There wasn¡¯t much change, except that Gu Xiu was still in dire straits, constantly under attack by numerous cultivators every few days, for reasons unknown. Having reviewed all the information panels, Gu Qingfeng continued to study the methods of Artifact Refining. ¡ª¡ª In the Ancient Desolate World, in the Eastern Domain, within Heavenly Martial Mountain, one could see temples and halls everywhere, and at the mountain gate stood a stone stele several zhang high, inscribed by hand with several large characters. Heavenly Martial Sect! ¡°This place is rich with nature¡¯s spiritual energy, establishing the Heavenly Martial Sect here will allow us to make steady progress!¡± Gu Wu wore a broad Daoist robe, decorated with elaborate landscapes that seemed to reflect rivers and mountains. His demeanor was steady, already displaying the bearing of a sect leader. On this trip, Gu Wu followed Gu Yang¡¯s orders, leading a group of Hidden Guards to the Eastern Domain, secretly establishing a foothold as the eyes and ears of the Divine Martial Dynasty in the Eastern Domain, while also delivering necessary resources. After all, the Nine States were barren, and even though nature¡¯s spiritual energy had largely recovered, Nine States¡¯ resources for cultivation could not compare to other parts of the Ancient Desolate World. Hence, the resources of the Eastern Domain were needed by the court. Gu Wu looked at the gathering of sect elder members before him, all of whom had previously been members of the Hidden Guard, but now had the additional identity of being the Heavenly Martial Sect¡¯s upper echelon for concealment. The place for the Heavenly Martial Sect had been occupied by bandits, but not long ago, Gu Wu led the Hidden Guard and took it by force, renaming it to Heavenly Martial Mountain, and casually established the sect known as the Heavenly Martial Sect. The reason for founding the sect here was also the result of Gu Wu¡¯s thorough investigation. Around Heavenly Martial Mountain, there were many smaller sects, but overall, their strength wasn¡¯t too formidable. Some of the stronger sects had Divine Transformation Realm Cultivators at the helm, while some of the weaker ones were led by Grandmasters. Also, because of the numerous and complex forces in the area, establishing the Heavenly Martial Sect here could lead to some attention, but it was enough to conceal identities. Another important point was that the local powers were not too strong. With Gu Wu¡¯s Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers cultivation level, if any issue arose, he could suppress the situation. For various reasons, Gu Wu indeed needed to establish a sect foundation here. After a short pause, Gu Wu declared, ¡°The Heavenly Martial Sect is now established. Spread the word, the Heavenly Martial Sect will have a grand opening in one month, and anyone below the age of sixteen is welcome to come.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± All the upper-level members of the Heavenly Martial Sect bowed and accepted the command. ¡°Go!¡± ¡°This time, the Heavenly Martial Sect has officially laid down its foundation!¡± Gu Wu¡¯s grand gesture was met with a fierce excitement on his face. It was true that he served the Divine Martial Dynasty, but now that he had created his own sect, Gu Wu had invested much of himself. Of course, he hoped the Heavenly Martial Sect would thrive. Chapter 324: 243 Jingyun Prefecture Chapter 324: Chapter 243 Jingyun Prefecture The emergence of the Heavenly Martial Sect. For the entire Eastern Domain, it had not stirred up any waves, but for the region around a thousand miles from the Heavenly Martial Sect, the appearance of a new sect naturally drew the attention of many. Upon discovering the existence of the Heavenly Martial Sect, many sect powers were astonished. ¡°When did a Heavenly Martial Sect appear here?¡± ¡°Heavenly Martial Mountain... I¡¯ve never even heard of it!¡± The Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect was shocked. At this time, an elder from below spoke up to remind him: ¡°It is said that Heavenly Martial Mountain was originally known as Black Wind Mountain, occupied by Black Wind Village. Later, a powerful figure destroyed Black Wind Village, wiped out that gang of bandits, and hence renamed it Heavenly Martial Mountain, where a sect was even established.¡± ¡°Black Wind Village...¡± The Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect¡¯s expression changed. ¡°This seat remembers that the leader of Black Wind Village was a cultivator at the seventh level of the Divine Transformation Realm. Furthermore, the strength of the remaining members was also not weak. Such a force being completely eradicated by the Heavenly Martial Sect suggests this sect is not so simple!¡± Black Wind Village was quite infamous within tens of thousands of miles. After all, having a strong cultivator at the seventh level of the Divine Transformation Realm was a considerable strength that ranked among all other sects. Just like the Qingfeng Sect, where the strongest was its own Sect Master, who was merely a cultivator at the fifth level of the Divine Transformation Realm. Even if Qingfeng Sect had some depth, in terms of true strength, it was probably comparable to Black Wind Village, perhaps even slightly inferior. Thus, after learning that Black Wind Village had been annihilated, the Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect was somewhat shocked. A dragon crossing the river! This was the first thought that crossed his mind. Otherwise, why would the other party directly target Black Wind Village? Now that Black Wind Village was destroyed, it indicated that the strength of the Heavenly Martial Sect was much stronger than that of Black Wind Village. At this moment, an elder from Qingfeng Sect quietly asked, ¡°Sect Master, do we need to pay them a visit?¡± ¡°Go, why not go!¡± The Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect laughed. ¡°Now that Yunshan Sect is held in high regard within ten thousand miles around Jingyun Prefecture and is rumored to be on the verge of breaking through to the Daoist Palace Realm with intentions to unify the entire Jingyun Prefecture, the Heavenly Martial Sect, as a rapidly rising force, may bring some variables.¡± Towards the end, the expression of the Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect had become much more solemn. The Eastern Domain had one hundred and eight states. One state had three thousand six hundred prefectures. Jingyun Prefecture was just one of the lesser-known prefectures in Blood Sun State and was not very powerful. But where there are people, there is the Martial World. Even though Jingyun Prefecture is small, it still spans tens of thousands of miles and houses many sects, among which Yunshan Sect is the most powerful. Originally, even if Yunshan Sect was strong, the gap between it and other sects wasn¡¯t that large. After all, at most everyone only had Divine Transformation Realm cultivators, and how much stronger could they get? But the problem is, over the years, Yunshan Sect¡¯s foundation had become increasingly robust, and there were even rumors that a powerful cultivator from Yunshan Sect was making a push towards the Daoist Palace Realm. Among a group of Divine Transformation Realm sects in Jingyun Prefecture, suddenly having a Daoist Palace Realm cultivator emerge would lead to noticeable consequences that any discerning person could see. Added to that, Yunshan Sect has always harbored ambitions to dominate Jingyun Prefecture, naturally causing great concern for Qingfeng Sect. Although, if all the forces of Jingyun Prefecture could unite, handling Yunshan Sect wouldn¡¯t be a big problem. But the problem lies in whether all the forces would truly unite. Everyone is afraid of ending up benefitting another party, much like loose sand. Now, an entity named Heavenly Martial Sect had suddenly emerged in Jingyun Prefecture, which indeed caught the attention of the Qingfeng Sect¡¯s Sect Master. After all, being able to annihilate Black Wind Village indicated that the Heavenly Martial Sect likely had a cultivator of at least the eighth level of the Divine Transformation Realm, perhaps even possessing the ninth level. Such a force, Qingfeng Sect naturally wanted to be on good terms with. ¡°In a month, the Heavenly Martial Sect will hold a grand opening ceremony, and Qingfeng Sect will directly go to present congratulations. Even if we cannot befriend the Heavenly Martial Sect, at least we would not want to leave a good impression!¡± ¡°With the current unstable situation in Jingyun Prefecture, if Qingfeng Sect is not careful, this lineage of thousands of years might even end in my hands!¡± The Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect sighed. ... The news of the Heavenly Martial Sect¡¯s grand opening ceremony naturally caught the attention of the entire Jingyun Prefecture. If it was just an ordinary sect emerging, it wouldn¡¯t have been a big deal. But the issue was, the Heavenly Martial Sect had risen to prominence by stepping over Black Wind Village, which naturally made things different. What does this represent! It represented the strong power of the Heavenly Martial Sect. Thus, now all forces naturally turned their attention to the Heavenly Martial Sect. In this moment, inside the sect, an elder disguised as a Hidden Guard respectfully addressed the main seat¡¯s Gu Wu. ¡°Sect Master, many cultivators are secretly monitoring our sect from the outside, and some likely intend to harm the Heavenly Martial Sect!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry about this, everything is within my expectations.¡± Gu Wu smiled calmly. When he decided to subdue Black Wind Village and then establish the Heavenly Martial Sect, Gu Wu had already considered the current situation. But the Eastern Domain had one hundred and eight states, Blood Sun State was just an ordinary one, and the three thousand six hundred prefectures within Blood Sun State, with Jingyun Prefecture being particularly inconspicuous. Even if the establishment of the Heavenly Martial Sect caused disturbance in Jingyun Prefecture, it was only on this small piece of land, unlikely to attract the attention of real major forces. Thus, the real trouble the Heavenly Martial Sect had to resolve came from Jingyun Prefecture. ¡°Sect Master, you asked us to gather information on Jingyun Prefecture, how is the situation now?¡± Chapter 325 243 Jingyun Prefecture_2 "Reporting to the Sect Master, there are thirteen sects in Jingyun Prefecture that house cultivators of the Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers, with the Yunshan Sect being the most prestigious. According to the information that has come to us, within the Yunshan Sect, there are twenty-three cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm, two of whom have reached the Nine Layers, and only one who is half-step into the Dao Palace Realm, that is the Sect Master of Yunshan Sect, Fu Shan!" This elder from the Heavenly Martial Sect did not hesitate and reported all the information he had gathered directly to Gu Wu. "It is said that Fu Shan has been at the half-step Dao Palace Realm for a hundred years and is now attempting to break through to the Dao Palace Realm. Moreover, Yunshan Sect is ambitious and has a tremendous desire to unify Jingyun Prefecture. If Fu Shan successfully breaks through, I fear that in the future, Jingyun Prefecture will regard Yunshan Sect as the supreme authority!" Upon hearing this, Gu Wu''s expression remained unchanged, pondering something. After a long while, he finally opened his eyes, his expression slightly emotional. "In that case, Yunshan Sect is indeed troublesome, with twenty-three Divine Transformation cultivators, two of whom have stepped into the Nine Layers of Divine Transformation, and one half-step Dao Palace powerhouse. Such a small Yunshan Sect is not weak at all!" Regarding this, Gu Wu became increasingly aware of the weakness of the Divine Martial Dynasty. It was only because Gu Qingfeng was present that the Divine Martial Dynasty could withstand the various powers from the Ancient Desolate World. Without him, the Divine Martial Dynasty would likely have long been divided and exhausted by the various forces. After all, strictly speaking, the power of the Divine Martial Dynasty is inferior to a single Yunshan Sect. However, the difference is, the Yunshan Sect is in the insignificant Jingyun Prefecture, but the area of the Divine Martial Dynasty in the Nine States is completely different. Fortunately, the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty may be weak, but at least there is a peerless powerhouse like Gu Qingfeng to solve many problems. But now, the strength of Yunshan Sect was putting some pressure on Gu Wu. Twenty-three Divine Transformation cultivators, with two stepping into the Nine Layers of Divine Transformation and one reaching half-step Dao Palace Realm. Such a force was not something the Heavenly Martial Sect could contend with. Immediately, Gu Wu took out a Communication Jade Token to relay this matter back to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Then, he looked at the elder in front of him and said, "I have already relayed this matter back to the court, and I believe His Majesty will have a solution. Continue to closely monitor the sects, especially Yunshan Sect. Delve deeper to see if there are any hidden forces." Gu Wu still trusted the intelligence capabilities of these high-ranking figures of the Heavenly Martial Sect. After all, these men all hailed from the Hidden Guard and were adept at intelligence gathering. After issuing his instructions, Gu Wu began to close himself off for cultivation. He had eliminated Black Wind Village, bringing a portion of resources back to the Divine Martial Dynasty, while also allowing Gu Yang to keep the remaining resources to establish the foundation of the Heavenly Martial Sect. Currently, Gu Wu planned to use this batch of resources to see if he could break through to the Dao Palace Realm. If he could enter the Dao Palace Realm, then the matter of Yunshan Sect would be no problem at all, but even if he could only enter half-step Dao Palace Realm, it would still be somewhat acceptable. ¡ª¡ª "Son has come to see Father!" Outside Grinding Blade Hall, a voice came, and Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes. Without making any moves, the tightly closed doors of Grinding Blade Hall opened. Outside, Gu Yang''s expression remained unchanged as he slowly walked inside. "Greetings, Father!" He bowed to Gu Qingfeng. Gu Qingfeng calmly said, "You are not handling affairs at the court today, what brings you here?" As he spoke, Gu Qingfeng skillfully opened the information panel, glanced at the offspring column without observing any significant changes, and then looked at the Death Soldier column. ... "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Wu'' plans to open the gates of the Heavenly Martial Sect wide in a month, recruiting disciples to expand the sect''s power!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Wu'' has reported on the forces of various sects in Jingyun Prefecture, feeling the inadequacy of his own strength, and has specially sought aid from the court!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Wu'' is in seclusion for cultivation, seeking to break through to the Daoist Palace Realm!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Wu'' is in seclusion for cultivation, his cultivation has slightly increased!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Wu'' is in seclusion for cultivation, his cultivation has slightly increased!" "Your Death Soldier..." ... Unlike the information on progeny, messages about Death Soldiers were numerous, but Gu Qingfeng quickly found the information he needed. Among the many messages, only the Heavenly Martial Sect founded by Gu Wu seemed worthy of Gu Yang''s personal attention. As expected. Just as Gu Qingfeng began to form some guesses in his mind, Gu Yang spoke directly. "I dispatched Gu Wu and some Hidden Guards to the Eastern Domain. Now he has established a sect there in Jingyun Prefecture of Blood Sun State, named the Heavenly Martial Sect." "Although Jingyun Prefecture is not large, there are numerous sects there. One sect, called Yunshan Sect, has considerable strength, with twenty-three cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm, two of whom are at the ninth layer, and one at a half-step to the Daoist Palace Realm." "Gu Wu is worried that Yunshan Sect may pose a threat to the Heavenly Martial Sect, thus he sent a message asking for help." "However, the current state of our court is such, that dealing with a half-step to the Daoist Palace Realm might prove insufficient. Moreover, no one can ensure whether the Sect Master of Yunshan Sect has already taken the final half-step to become a genuine Daoist Palace Realm master." "Therefore, after much thought, I believe only father can resolve this matter." After Gu Yang finished speaking, Gu Qingfeng gestured with his hand, and a Divine Weapon fell into his grasp from within Grinding Blade Hall. "This blade is called Azure Darkness, originally an ancient weapon. With Gu Wu''s strength, activating the power of this ancient weapon is enough to kill anyone below the Daoist Palace Realm!" As he spoke. Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, and a drop of fresh blood merged into the Azure Darkness Blade. "I''ve left a drop of my blood in this blade. If activated during a critical moment, it can greatly enhance the power of the ancient weapon. Even if a newly emerged Daoist Palace Realm master strikes, I believe killing them will not be a problem!" As an ancient weapon, the Azure Darkness Blade inherently contains the majesty of the Daoist Palace. Now, combined with Gu Qingfeng''s blood, killing an ordinary Daoist Palace is not an overstatement. Naturally, the blade is not owned by Gu Qingfeng; it was a treasure from among the many strong beings he had slain. Yet, with the fall of its former owner, the ancient weapon naturally entered Grinding Blade Hall. "Thank you, father!" Gu Yang took the Azure Darkness Blade, certainly feeling the immense power within the blade. With this blade, the issue of Yunshan Sect was no longer a concern. Gu Qingfeng added a reminder, "Remember, the blood I left only has one chance to be used against a Daoist Palace Realm. Do not use it unless it''s absolutely necessary." "Your son understands!" Gu Yang nodded, then left with the Azure Darkness Blade. After his departure, Gu Qingfeng looked once more at the information panel. His expression was calm. "If the issue with Yunshan Sect can be resolved, the Heavenly Martial Sect might use this opportunity to dominate Jingyun Prefecture outright. Within the thirty thousand plus prefectures of the hundred eight states, Jingyun Prefecture is indeed trivial. However, relatively speaking, if the Heavenly Martial Sect can truly control Jingyun Prefecture, the subsequent benefits for the Divine Martial Dynasty are not negligible." Gu Qingfeng pondered silently. Even if Jingyun Prefecture is small, it is still part of the Eastern Domain. The resources it contains cannot be matched by those in the Nine States currently. If the Heavenly Martial Sect can dominate Jingyun Prefecture, it can be used as a foundation, continuously supplying resources to the Divine Martial Dynasty. With the support of one prefecture''s resources, the strengthening of the Divine Martial Dynasty could be significantly hastened. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng closed his eyes and continued cultivating the Ancient Heavenly Blade. He had almost mastered the technique of artifact refining, just waiting for actual practice now. Since refining a Great Saint Weapon Embryo does not require carving a Great Saint Divine Pattern, the requirements for artifact refining were not too high. After figuring out some key techniques, Gu Qingfeng felt it was pointless to continue pondering. Instead of wasting time, it was better to continue cultivating the Ancient Heavenly Blade. If the Ancient Heavenly Blade could make a breakthrough, it would be the most significant enhancement to his own strength. Meanwhile, when Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion making his breakthrough, Gu Yang returned to the palace and immediately had Gu Dao come. He handed the Azure Darkness Blade over to him, instructing him to take it to Jingyun Prefecture and pass it to Gu Wu. The reason for assigning Gu Dao was because crossing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was not without risk, and having a Divine Transformation Realm ninth layer cultivator personally take charge would ensure nothing went wrong. Chapter 326: 244: Ready to Kill at Any Disagreement Chapter 326: Chapter 244: Ready to Kill at Any Disagreement Ten days later, Gu Dao stepped into the Heavenly Martial Sect and at the same time handed over the Azure Darkness Blade to Gu Wu. ¡°With this Divine Weapon in hand, the sects of Jingyun Prefecture are nothing to worry about!¡± Gu Wu burst into laughter, having known the power of the Azure Darkness Blade, he had no fear of the sects in Jingyun Prefecture. Even if it were the Yunshan Sect, so what? Not to mention that the Sect Master of Yunshan Sect was only half a step into the Daoist Palace Realm, even if the opponent really broke through to the Daoist Palace Realm, Gu Wu was not afraid in his heart. It must be known that the Azure Darkness Blade was not merely a common ancient weapon, it also contained a drop of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s blood. Such an existence was comparable to a Saint, and that drop of blood could rightly be called Holy Blood. It must be known. A drop of blood from someone in the Divine Transformation Realm contained tremendous power, capable even of shattering mountains, hence a Saint¡¯s blood had the power to destroy stars and vanquish myriad formidable foes. Though Gu Qingfeng was not a Saint, with his strength, he was no less than a true Saint, and his blood was naturally comparable to Holy Blood. Even through the blade¡¯s sheath, Gu Wu could feel the terrifying aura that the drop of blood emanated. If truly activated, vanquishing the Daoist Palace would be an effortless task. With this in mind, Gu Wu was not worried that Yunshan Sect wouldn¡¯t take action; rather, he was more concerned that they wouldn¡¯t make a move. Should Yunshan Sect indeed take action, he would be able to vanquish them with the Azure Darkness Blade and thereby intimidate the other sect forces, consolidating the position of the Heavenly Martial Sect in one fell swoop. On the contrary, If Yunshan Sect made no move, and Heavenly Martial Sect struck first against Yunshan Sect, it might potentially provoke a backlash from other sect forces. The order of events and having a justified cause were extremely important. Such is human nature. Gu Wu was very clear about these matters. ¡°The Heavenly Martial Sect now has the chance to dominate Jingyun Prefecture, which makes me quite envious!¡± Gu Dao, watching Gu Wu who now stood as a Sect Master, showed an envious expression on his face. The glory of being a Sect Master, how could he not harbor thoughts about it. But. He obeyed the Divine Martial Dynasty, and without orders from either Gu Yang or Gu Qingfeng, Gu Dao dared not make decisions carelessly. Hearing this, Gu Wu smiled and said, ¡°The greatest opportunity lies at His Majesty¡¯s side. Currently, it may seem that I am in a favorable position, but Jingyun Prefecture is just one inconspicuous prefecture among the 3,600 in the Blood Sun State, hardly noteworthy. Conversely, by serving at His Majesty¡¯s side, one might find a chance to breakthrough to the Daoist Palace Realm one day.¡± This statement, Gu Wu made truthfully. Gu Qingfeng currently highly valued Gu Yang, and by serving diligently at that emperor¡¯s side, the odds of receiving such opportunities in the future were significant. Gu Dao heard this and nodded slightly, then said, ¡°You make sense. Now that the Azure Darkness Blade is delivered, I shall return to report.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good, and this batch of resources is what the Heavenly Martial Sect has gathered during this time; take them back to His Majesty as well,¡± Gu Wu took out several storage bags that had been prepared earlier and handed them to Gu Dao. Compared to storage rings, storage bags were somewhat cheaper, and up to now, the Heavenly Martial Sect didn¡¯t possess many storage rings. These resources were originally meant to be sent by someone later, but since Gu Dao had come, it was most appropriate for him to take them back. After all, with his Divine Transformation Nine Layers cultivation, he could ensure nothing would go wrong. As for asking Gu Dao to stay and help him suppress the Yunshan Sect together, Gu Wu did not speak out. Because he was well aware, without orders from either Gu Yang or Gu Qingfeng, even if he asked, Gu Dao would likely not agree. Moreover, With the Azure Darkness Blade in hand, Gu Wu now had plenty of confidence. ¡ª Soon. Several more days passed. That day, the gates of the Heavenly Martial Sect were wide open. Those who came to join the sect were ceaseless. The Heavenly Martial Sect, known for annihilating Black Wind Village, was enough to attest to the sect¡¯s strength. Across the entire Jingyun Prefecture, with its numerous forces, few could match the Heavenly Martial Sect. Some families with only ordinary cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm, and some clans with just Great Grandmasters or Great Grandmasters, all had members coming to join, seeking to connect with the sect. The family forces in Jingyun Prefecture were like a complex intricate web, with many weaker forces trying every means to have their talented disciples join the various major sects, so that even if they encountered trouble, they would have powerful support. At the very least, they could leverage that connection. For an influence like the Heavenly Martial Sect, with at least cultivators of Divine Transformation Eight Layers presiding, it naturally became the top choice for many. ¡°This is the Heavenly Martial Sect, truly extraordinary!¡± ¡°It¡¯s said that Heavenly Martial Mountain was originally called Black Wind Mountain and was where Black Wind Village was sited before the Sect Master of Heavenly Martial Sect personally eliminated it, renaming it Heavenly Martial Mountain, thus establishing the Heavenly Martial Sect there.¡± ¡°Black Wind Village was a significant force; I didn¡¯t expect that they too would face a day of being uprooted!¡± ¡°Hmph, many of my family members fell at the hands of Black Wind Village; now, the Heavenly Martial Sect has avenged us¡ª¡± Looking at the pavilions, towers, and numerous halls before them, many cultivators showed a reverent expression. In just a short month, the Heavenly Martial Sect had created such a place, clearly demonstrating its profound background. Many youths fantasized and aspired to one day join the Heavenly Martial Sect. With such a powerful backing, their future achievements were bound to be significant. Even if their innate talent was average, they could still go further. Just like a cultivator, whose natural talent normally allowed only reaching up to Great Grandmaster, but by joining a major sect and gaining access to resources, there was the possibility of achieving Divine Transformation. Chapter 327: 244 When Words Fail, Murder Speaks_2 Chapter 327: Chapter 244 When Words Fail, Murder Speaks_2 Just at that moment, I saw cultivators flying through the air. ¡°Hearing that the Heavenly Martial Sect is opening their mountain gates wide, Xuanxuzi from the Qingfeng Sect has specially come to offer congratulations!¡± A Taoist had just alighted in front of the gate and spoke out loud. Upon these words, the crowd burst into commotion, and many looked towards Xuanxuzi with faces full of reverence. ¡°The Heavenly Martial Sect has quite the clout, I never expected the Sect Master of the Qingfeng Sect to come in person!¡± ¡°I heard that the Qingfeng Sect was founded thousands of years ago, with a heritage that¡¯s extraordinary. Xuanxuzi is even a powerhouse who¡¯s reached the Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Level.¡± Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Level. This was already considered to be very powerful in Jingyun Prefecture. Moreover, given that the Qingfeng Sect had been established for thousands of years, its reputation was naturally not small. No one had expected that the Qingfeng Sect would send someone, and that it would be the Sect Master himself. ¡°Sect Master Xuanxuzi, I apologize for not greeting you from afar!¡± Gu Wu had also appeared and greeted Xuanxuzi with a chuckle. He naturally had gathered information about the Qingfeng Sect. ¡°I¡¯ve seen Sect Master Gu!¡± Xuanxuzi also politely clasped his fists. The moment he saw Gu Wu, he felt the tremendous vitality contained within the latter¡¯s body, applying great pressure on him. Because of this, Xuanxuzi regarded Sect Master Gu even more highly. Such pressure could not come from someone who was merely at the eighth level of the Divine Transformation Realm, which meant the other party must undoubtedly be a top powerhouse who had stepped into the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm. Such an existence, by the standards of Jingyun Prefecture, could easily rank among the top ten. For this reason, Xuanxuzi understood more clearly that his trip here had not been in vain. Soon, before he could continue conversing with Gu Wu, he saw a powerful aura descending, with another great figure arriving through the air. ¡°Yang He from the Red River Sect has come to offer congratulations!¡± ¡°Qingyangzi from the Three Suns Sect has come to offer congratulations!¡± ¡°Xia Yunchuan from the Heavenly Seal Mountain has come to offer congratulations...¡± One after another, the powerhouses who arrived to offer congratulations made the other cultivators¡¯ faces change repeatedly. The Red River Sect! The Three Suns Sect! Heavenly Seal Mountain! These were all powerful sects of Jingyun Prefecture. Among them, the Three Suns Sect and Heavenly Seal Mountain were even more powerful than the Qingfeng Sect. Sect Master Qingyangzi from the Three Suns Sect was a cultivator at the seventh level of the Divine Transformation Realm, while Master Xia Yunchuan from Heavenly Seal Mountain was an existence at the eighth level. More importantly, Heavenly Seal Mountain had a powerhouse at the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm. In terms of overall strength, Heavenly Seal Mountain could easily be ranked among the top ten of Jingyun Prefecture. This was genuinely one of Jingyun Prefecture¡¯s top sects, not something the Qingfeng Sect or Red River Sect could compare to. Even Xuanxuzi and Yang He turned much more respectful when they saw Xia Yunchuan. ¡°So Master Xia has arrived!¡± ¡°Long time no see, Master Xia seems even more distinguished than before!¡± ¡°Heh heh, you two have also changed quite a bit.¡± Xia Yunchuan had the appearance of a middle-aged scholar, always wearing a gentle smile, without the solemnity that one might expect from an eighth-level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, instead seeming approachable. But nobody would nai?vely believe that the other party was truly so amiable. After all, anyone capable of leading a force ranked among Jingyun Prefecture¡¯s top ten couldn¡¯t be that simple. ¡°Master Xia!¡± Gu Wu also clasped his fists towards Xia Yunchuan, a cultivator at the eighth level of the Divine Transformation Realm was naturally someone he took seriously. Xia Yunchuan glanced at Gu Wu, a sharp light flashing briefly in his eyes, ¡°Meeting Sect Master Gu in person is better than hearing of your deeds. Black Wind Village has been wreaking havoc in Jingyun Prefecture for many years, yet no one was able to handle them. Now that Sect Master Gu has eradicated Black Wind Village, it can be said you¡¯ve opened up a bright vista for everyone!¡± ¡°Ha ha, Master Xia is too kind.¡± To the goodwill released by Xia Yunchuan, Gu Wu responded with goodwill of his own. Subsequently. Gu Wu pointed to the already arranged venue with a row of empty seats at the top, initially reserved for the high-ranking members of Heavenly Martial Sect; now, naturally, it was for everyone to take their places. ¡°This time, the Heavenly Martial Sect is recruiting disciples, and it¡¯s an honor for our sect to have you all here. Please take your seats first and, after this event concludes, I will ensure that you are all properly entertained.¡± ¡°That sounds good. I, too, am curious to see what kind of prodigies will join the Heavenly Martial Sect.¡± Xia Yunchuan smiled and took his seat first, followed by Xuanxuzi and others who also sat down in turn. Seeing this. Gu Wu did not delay and immediately began the disciple recruitment process. The so-called recruitment was actually the method of bone touching to check the quality of one¡¯s genetics; only those with the proper qualifications would pass the first screening and become a disciple of the Heavenly Martial Sect. Then. It was a test of one¡¯s temperament, further refining the categorization of genetics to pinpoint those prime for focused cultivation. The whole process went very smoothly. Gu Wu sat at the primary seat, his demeanor calm, showing no hint of happiness or anger. He was waiting. Waiting for the arrival of Yunshan Sect. Gu Wu had originally thought that Yunshan Sect would come from the start, but now that the disciple recruitment was nearly over and there was still no sign of them, it surprised him. If Yunshan Sect did not come, that would be somewhat troublesome. However. Just as Gu Wu was contemplating this, suddenly an extremely terrifying presence descended, causing the complexions of all cultivators to shift, and even the subtle smile on Xia Yunchuan¡¯s face had disappeared. Only on Gu Wu¡¯s face, there was a faint smile added. ¡°They¡¯ve arrived!¡± As his thought settled, he saw dozens of cultivators arriving through the air, each with an aura that had reached the Divine Transformation Realm. Leading them was a middle-aged cultivator with an eagle-eyed and wolf-like appearance, his sharp eyes making it hard for others to meet his gaze. Upon seeing the newcomers, Xia Yunchuan and others all looked grim. ¡°Fu Shan!¡± At this moment. Fu Shan gave Gu Wu a slight bow, his smile all skin-deep as he said, ¡°The Heavenly Martial Sect has grandly opened its doors, and Yunshan Sect has arrived a bit late. I hope Sect Leader Gu won¡¯t take offense.¡± ¡°Sect Leader Fu¡¯s presence is a great joy to me; how could I possibly find fault!¡± Gu Wu too smiled faintly, though he remained polite in his words, he did not show any sign of getting up from his seat. Seeing this. Fu Shan¡¯s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, showing a hint of displeasure. Just then, an elder from Yunshan Sect behind him rebuked angrily, ¡°Our Sect Leader of Yunshan Sect has personally arrived, and this is how Heavenly Martial Sect shows its disrespect?¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± Gu Wu¡¯s smile receded, his gaze intently fixed on the other person. Without any fear, the latter proudly said, ¡°My name is Wen Hu, an elder of Yunshan Sect¡ª¡± Before Wen Hu could finish speaking, terrifying flashes of blade light suddenly cleaved through the air, and in an instant, his body was split in two halves, blood splattering across Heavenly Martial Sect. The sudden turn of events changed the expressions of everyone. It wasn¡¯t just Fu Shan who was taken by surprise; even Xia Yunchuan and others had not expected it at all, staring at the perpetrator, Gu Wu, with a somewhat stunned expression. What¡¯s going on? A fight breaking out without further ado? More importantly. Wen Hu was a cultivator at the Fifth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, yet he was cut down by Gu Wu in a single encounter. Even if there was the suspicion of striking first for advantage, it was still enough to shock them. But soon. They came to their senses. Wen Hu was dead. Yunshan Sect would certainly not let this matter rest. The various sects had come this time intending to familiarize themselves with the Heavenly Martial Sect, seeking future opportunities to ally against Yunshan Sect, but certainly not to tear their faces with Yunshan Sect right away. It can be said. That with Gu Wu¡¯s action, he had caught everyone off guard. ¡°We¡¯ve gone mad!!¡± Even Xuanxuzi was now inwardly exclaiming, his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Gu Wu. He had never imagined the Sect Master of Heavenly Martial Sect to be so rigid in his actions, resorting to killing over a disagreement. Now that an elder from Yunshan Sect had fallen, it was clear without thinking that Yunshan Sect would not let this go easily. If a conflict truly erupted between the two sides, Xuanxuzi felt that if he openly supported the Heavenly Martial Sect, then the millennia-old foundation of Qingfeng Sect might well be completely lost. ¡°Boom!¡± It wasn¡¯t until Wen Hu¡¯s demise that Fu Shan reacted, a terrifying murderous intent erupting from him, his eyes staring fixedly at Gu Wu, the intent to kill distinctly unmasked. ¡°Sect Leader Gu kills an elder of Yunshan Sect; if there is no explanation given, today¡¯s events will hardly end peacefully.¡± Chapter 328 245 Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture "Impossible to resolve?" "That''s right, don''t resolve it!" Gu Wu smiled coldly, showing no respect to Fu Shan. "This is my Heavenly Martial Sect, all our sects are gathered here, and he, a mere elder, dares to overstep his bounds and question me. If the rules of Yunshan Sect are not followed, I will teach him the rules. Otherwise, if this spreads, it will disgrace Yunshan Sect. Now that I am cleaning house on behalf of Sect Leader Fu, instead of being grateful, he dares to blame me; what kind of reasoning is that!" His words made Fu Shan''s face darken like still water. He had indeed come to find an excuse to trouble the Heavenly Martial Sect. But unexpectedly, the Heavenly Martial Sect didn''t play by the usual rules. With just one disagreement, they had directly killed Wen Hu. Fu Shan looked grim: "Very well, it seems that the Heavenly Martial Sect truly does not regard Yunshan Sect highly!" "Since that''s the case, let me see if the Heavenly Martial Sect''s strength is as formidable as the rumors suggest¡ª" Even having witnessed Gu Wu killing Wen Hu with a single strike, Fu Shan showed no fear; as he finished speaking, a terrifying aura burst forth from him. Suppressing the void, all the cultivators felt a terrifying pressure descend, congealing their blood and energy. "Dao... Dao Palace!!" Xia Yunchuan''s pupils suddenly narrowed, and the calm expression on his face had long since disappeared, replaced by one of horror. He hadn''t expected that Fu Shan had actually taken that final step and become a Daoist Palace Realm expert. Half-step Dao Palace and Dao Palace might seem separated by only a few words, but the difference between them was immeasurable. Strictly speaking, half-step Dao Palace was still within the Divine Transformation Realm, while Dao Palace Realm experts could cultivate a Dao Palace Primordial Spirit in their Dantian, elevating their strength to another level. Such experts could be considered of the Saint Master level. Many declining Holy Lands had Saint Masters whose cultivation was merely at this level. Moreover, the declining Holy Lands mentioned here were truly those that had produced Saints, not just mere Semi-Saints or the peak of Dao Palace. Not only did Xia Yunchuan feel a tremor in his soul, Xuanxuzi and the others also looked uneasy. To put it harshly, all of them together could hardly contend against a single Dao Palace Realm expert. At this moment, many cultivators were utterly shocked. They understood. The Heavenly Martial Sect was finished! With Fu Shan having ascended to the Dao Palace Realm, even if Heavenly Martial Sect was strong, it couldn''t possibly be his opponent. Seeing the change in everyone''s expressions, Fu Shan felt very satisfied; this was the effect he wanted. In fact, he had already broken through to the Dao Palace Realm a month ago, but Fu Shan had kept it a secret, waiting until now when the Heavenly Martial Sect was recruiting disciples to make his move. The purpose of doing so was naturally to serve as a sharp warning. To eradicate the newly risen power of the Heavenly Martial Sect and then use it to intimidate the other forces in Jingyun Prefecture. The only thing Fu Shan hadn''t anticipated was the decisiveness of the Heavenly Martial Sect; a moment''s oversight had led to the fall of a Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Level elder from Yunshan Sect. However, these were not important. As long as he destroyed Heavenly Martial Sect and unified Jingyun Prefecture, sacrificing some people was worth it. "Heavenly Martial Sect has killed our Yunshan Sect elder without cause; this karma can only be repaid with blood!" Fu Shan''s lips curled into a cold smile; when he looked at Gu Wu, the terrifying Dao Palace pressure was already bearing down on him. He wanted to see a look of terror on the other''s face. But to Fu Shan''s surprise, Gu Wu''s expression remained unchanged from beginning to end. No¡ª To be precise, he was only slightly surprised at first, then returned to normal. This made Fu Shan''s previously confident demeanor suddenly seem insufficient. At that moment, a powerful Blade Intent rose from the Azure Darkness Blade, completely neutralizing the pressure of the Dao Palace Realm; Gu Wu''s gaze towards Fu Shan was filled with cold indifference. "Is the Dao Palace Realm so strong?" "Is it worthy to demand a blood debt from my Heavenly Martial Sect?" As soon as these words came out, Fu Shan immediately became enraged; his gaze towards Gu Wu was filled with murderous intent, but when he looked at the Azure Darkness Blade, greed also emerged. "Ancient weapon!" "So this is your confidence!" "Do you really think that with an ancient weapon, you can truly be my opponent?" "Today, I will show you what the Dao Palace Realm is!" Now Fu Shan had decided not only to annihilate the Heavenly Martial Sect but also to seize the ancient weapon from Gu Wu''s hands. An ancient weapon. This was a treasure not all Dao Palace Realm cultivators could possess. If he got it, his strength would surely rise to another level. After all, a Dao Palace Realm cultivator with an ancient weapon is a completely different concept from one without. In Fu Shan''s view, the Azure Darkness Blade in Gu Wu''s hands was like a pearl covered in dust. Such a treasure could only be truly useful in his own hands. The moment his words fell, Fu Shan struck fiercely; his punch shattered the void, the overwhelming power shaking the heavens, and a supreme Dao Palace emerged, as if suppressing the universe. The divine might of the Dao Palace Realm. At this moment, it was undeniably displayed. The extremely powerful Primordial Spirit energy made everyone''s thoughts slow down, and cultivators with weaker cultivation couldn''t help but tremble. "How about Dao Palace; today, I indeed plan to cut down a Dao Palace!" Chapter 329: 245 Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture_2 Chapter 329: Chapter 245 Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture_2 Gu Wu¡¯s expression was cold and stern. Even with the shocking phenomenon of the Daoist Palace Realm, he harbored no fear. With a single step, the Azure Darkness Blade was already ferociously unsheathed. The Divine Blade was drawn. The fresh blood power left behind by Gu Qingfeng was thoroughly stimulated. A dazzling heavenly might erupted forth, as if a supreme figure emerged from the Divine Blade. Immediately after, a Supreme Blade Intent cut through the universe, rendering all surging Qi and blood, all supreme Daoist Palaces powerless against it. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The Qi and blood dissipated. The Daoist Palace collapsed. All the divine might of the Daoist Palace crumbled away at that moment. Fu Shan¡¯s body halted briefly, then burst apart, his flesh and blood scattering across the sky. This scene enlarged the pupils of everyone present, as if they had witnessed something inconceivable. ¡°Sect... Sect Master is dead!!¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s impossible. The Sect Master is a strong figure of the Daoist Palace Realm. How could he fall so easily!!!?¡± The numerous cultivators of Yunshan Sect were now experiencing a drastic change in expression, their eyes filled with a sentiment called terror as they looked towards Gu Wu. Fu Shan was dead! And he was slain in a single encounter! This was something they had never imagined. Just a second ago, Fu Shan was still powerful and overwhelming, seemingly about to suppress everything with the Daoist Palace Realm. Yet in the next second, he was cleaved by a single strike. With this one strike, Gu Wu had not only slain Fu Shan but had also shattered all the pride of Yunshan Sect. At that moment, Gu Wu swung his blade again, instantly slaying an elder of Yunshan Sect on the spot. At this time, the other elders of Yunshan Sect finally reacted, no longer caring for anything else, and began frantically fleeing through the air. But how could Gu Wu let them escape? With the Azure Darkness Blade in hand, the power of the ancient weapon was like a dimensional strike against Divine Transformation Realm cultivators. Each swing of his blade could directly slay an elder of Yunshan Sect. In less than a moment, all who had come from Yunshan Sect were executed on the spot. ¡°Xu Xuan, Elder!¡± ¡°Sect Master, what are your orders?¡± A beautiful woman in palace attire stepped forward. Gu Wu said, ¡°From now on, you are responsible for recruiting disciples. The other sect elders will follow me to Yunshan Sect. From today on, I want no existence of Yunshan Sect within Jingyun Prefecture!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Xu Xuan nodded in acknowledgment. Afterwards, Gu Wu looked at Xia Yunchuan and the others, who were filled with shock, and said indifferently, ¡°Gentlemen, today¡¯s matter is a grudge between Heavenly Martial Sect and Yunshan Sect. If there have been any discourtesies, once this matter is settled, I personally will visit to offer my apologies!¡± ¡°Hehe, Sect Leader Gu jests, urgency demands extraordinary measures, we all understand!¡± ¡°Yunshan Sect has always been domineering. It is fortunate for Jingyun Prefecture that Heavenly Martial Sect is able to eliminate it.¡± ¡°I wish Sect Leader Gu a triumphant success¡ª¡± Hearing this, cultivators from various forces hurriedly offered their smiles, not showing the slightest hint of pretense. It was a joke. They had all witnessed the scene just now. The Sect Master of Yunshan Sect, a veritable strong figure of the Daoist Palace Realm, could not withstand a single strike from Gu Wu and was slain on the spot. Such strength was terrifying to behold. Now who would dare to speak ill of Heavenly Martial Sect? As Gu Wu led the other Heavenly Martial Sect elders away, Xia Yunchuan sighed. ¡°From today on, the sky of Jingyun Prefecture is likely to change!¡± A fierce dragon crossing the river! This was the true metaphor of a fierce dragon crossing the river! Xia Yunchuan originally wanted to test the strength of Heavenly Martial Sect, to see if he could ally with them against Yunshan Sect. But now, he realized he thought too much. The power of Heavenly Martial Sect was beyond his imagination. Even though Xia Yunchuan knew that Gu Wu was able to slay Fu Shan because of the ancient weapon in his hand. Regardless of the reason, the other had the strength to slay someone of the Daoist Palace Realm, and that was an ironclad fact. Just like many Saintly forces: with no living Saints, they could still deter all sides and maintain their supreme status with a single Holy Weapon. Therefore, A sufficiently powerful treasure was equivalent to a cultivator in the same realm. Obviously, In Xia Yunchuan¡¯s view, the Azure Darkness Blade, capable of instantly killing a Daoist Palace Realm cultivator, evidenced that the might of this ancient weapon was much stronger than that of an average Daoist Palace Realm. Xia Yunchuan could never have imagined that the Azure Darkness Blade was able to slay Fu Shan mainly because Gu Qingfeng had left behind a drop of blood. Hearing Xia Yunchuan¡¯s words, the others also fell silent. Indeed! Great changes were coming to Jingyun Prefecture. The fact that the Yunshan Sect had been exterminated was irreversible. However. There wasn¡¯t a trace of joy on these cultivators¡¯ faces. The Yunshan Sect was gone, true, but now there was the Heavenly Martial Sect, which was even more fearsome. If the Heavenly Martial Sect harbored the same ambitions as the Yunshan Sect, how could they possibly stand against it? ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ consumed an Ancient Elixir, and his cultivation has greatly advanced!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ consumed a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has greatly advanced!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ received guidance from a Daoist Palace Realm Cultivator, and his strength has improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ consumed a mysterious elixir, breaking through to the Perfection of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*30!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by cultivators*2269!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by cultivators*3551!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has broken through to the third layer of the Refining Organ Realm amidst life and death struggles!¡± ¡°Reward points*80!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has gained new insights into the Sun and Moon Fist Scripture while engaging in a battle of life and death, breaking through to the seventh level of the Sun and Moon True Intent!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has fought a cultivator at the Initial Stage of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ received guidance from the remnants of a Great Saint Realm¡¯s Nine Layers soul, obtaining the Great Saint Inheritance ¡®Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture¡¯!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ received guidance from the remnants of a Great Saint Realm¡¯s Nine Layers soul, obtaining the Great Saint Inheritance ¡®Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist¡¯!¡± ¡°Your offspring¡ª¡ª¡± ... ¡°Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture!¡± ¡°Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist!¡± While Gu Qingfeng was practicing the Ancient Heavenly Blade, he opened the information panel and glanced at it. Gu Shengnan¡¯s breakthrough didn¡¯t surprise him, but it was only Gu Xiu¡¯s changes that piqued his interest. After all, Gu Yang had obtained quite a bit from the Great Saint Secret Realm, so it was normal for Gu Shengnan, as his offspring, to receive some cultivation resources. Now that Gu Shengnan was thirteen years old and had reached the Perfection of the Bone Refining Realm, her accomplishment was not considered astonishing. After all, in the Ancient Desolate World, supreme geniuses from top forces received numerous resources from birth, and even before they began true cultivation, they completed all five stages of Body Refinement. Once they started on the path of cultivation, they would directly achieve the Grandmaster Realm. By the age of twelve or thirteen, they could step into the Great Grandmaster. So. Gu Shengnan reaching Perfection of the Bone Refining Realm at the age of thirteen was indeed not extraordinary. However. This didn¡¯t mean that Gu Shengnan wasn¡¯t a match for those monstrous geniuses. After all, everyone¡¯s starting point and the environment in which they grow up relate to their progress, but for true prodigies and monstrous geniuses, the initial starting point doesn¡¯t really matter in the end. Of course. For cultivators with average talent, that would be a different story. Therefore. Gu Shengnan¡¯s breakthrough seemed normal to Gu Qingfeng, but it was Gu Xiu¡¯s changes that truly caught his attention. Great Saint Inheritance! Gu Qingfeng currently only mastered one. Looking again at Gu Xiu. He had already mastered two Great Saint-level inheritances. ¡°Could Xiu¡¯er¡¯s current situation be related to the Great Saint Inheritance?¡± Gu Qingfeng wondered to himself. Gu Xiu, a mere Refining Organ Realm cultivator, logically shouldn¡¯t have caused such a stir, but when it involved the Great Saint Inheritance, that would make sense. After all, when Murong Xiu obtained the Saint Inheritance back then, it had obliterated the vast Divine Sun Sacred Land. One Saint Inheritance had already caused such a major shock; if a Great Saint Inheritance emerged, its impact was naturally imaginable. However. For now. Gu Xiu seemed to have narrowly escaped danger. Amidst the encirclement of numerous cultivators, he had not only survived but his strength had incrementally improved¡ªindeed, that was good news. Chapter 330: 244 Demon Realm Chapter 330: Chapter 244 Demon Realm Afterward, Gu Qingfeng looked at the Death Soldier information panel. ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯ has consumed the Ancient Elixir, greatly improved his cultivation, and broke through to the Master¡¯s Perfection!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯ has consumed the Ancient Elixir, greatly improved his cultivation, and broke through to the Grandmaster Initial Stage!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯...¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯ has consumed the Ancient Elixir, greatly improved his cultivation, and broke through to the First Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ has accidentally entered the Demon Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ was attacked by demons *36!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ was attacked by demons *366!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ was attacked by demons *1219!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ was gravely injured, accidentally receiving a legacy left by an ancient powerful being!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ has refined a Demon Core, breaking through to the Grandmaster Initial Stage!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ used the power of the Azure Darkness Blade to slay the Sect Master of Yunshan Sect, Fu Shan!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ has annihilated Yunshan Sect!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ founded Heavenly Martial Sect, which became renowned throughout Jingyun Prefecture. The power of the divine weapon deterred various forces from acting rashly!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ... The Death Soldier information panel revealed much more information than the Child information panel. Seeing Gu Wu use the Azure Darkness Blade to slay Fu Shan, the Sect Master, and then annihilate the entire Yunshan Sect, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained very calm. With the power of the Azure Darkness Blade, annihilating a Yunshan Sect was naturally not a problem. Moreover, he had left a drop of blood in the blade to ensure it could be driven to its maximum potential. In this case, even if Fu Shan was a newly ascended Dao Palace, he couldn¡¯t possibly withstand such divine weapon¡¯s power. Unless¡ª Yunshan Sect also had a divine weapon of its own. Unfortunately, according to the message from the Hidden Guard, Yunshan Sect possessed no such divine weapon. So, the annihilation of Yunshan Sect was destined from the moment Gu Qingfeng wielded the Azure Darkness Blade. ¡°Yunshan Sect has been destroyed; Heavenly Martial Sect has thoroughly established its footing in Jingyun Prefecture!¡± ¡°In an Eastern Domain where hundreds of thousands of prefectures exist, who would care about a small Jingyun Prefecture? Even if other powers truly become aware of Heavenly Martial Sect¡¯s backing power, they wouldn¡¯t necessarily take immediate action!¡± Not knowing the foundation behind Heavenly Martial Sect, other top forces naturally wouldn¡¯t notice this small sect. On the contrary, if they knew that behind Heavenly Martial Sect stood the Divine Martial Dynasty, they would most likely not dare to make rash moves. One Divine Martial Dynasty doesn¡¯t matter, but Gu Qingfeng knows his presence alone is enough to deter many forces. Of course, nothing is absolute. If the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s intent to infiltrate the Eastern Domain were to leak, not all forces would necessarily stay indifferent. So, quietly controlling Jingyun Prefecture is naturally the best thing. However¡ª What Gu Qingfeng was most concerned about was the matter regarding the Demon Realm. ¡°Demon Realm!¡± ¡°This is indeed unheard of!¡± ¡°Gu Sishiqi was among the first batch of Death Soldiers, although his cultivation shouldn¡¯t have been too strong, being able to break through to Grandmaster in such a short time shows that the Demon Core seems to be quite extraordinary!¡± Gu Qingfeng frowned deeply, sensing something unusual about the emergence of the Demon Realm. Obviously, this Demon Realm was not simple. But reviewing the information left by Murong Xiu and the memories of other cultivators Soul Searched, there was no record of the Demon Realm. Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng then transmitted a message to Hong Ye, instructing her to inquire about news of the Demon Realm. ¡ª In a secluded valley, a figure in red, with a good figure, wearing a mask resembling a fierce ghost suddenly moved, her red lips slightly pursed, then looking down at the people below. ¡°From today onwards, you all will fully investigate news concerning the Demon Realm, and report any intelligence immediately!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Everyone bowed to accept the order. At this time, another person bowed and said, ¡°Sect Master, someone just placed an order, targeting an Outer Disciple of Yuhua Sacred Land. Should we proceed?¡± ¡°Regardless of the identity, as long as they seek Netherworld Pavilion, we cannot shut them out. However, if the target is a cultivator of Divine Transformation Realm or above, we need to put it on hold!¡± Hong Ye spoke in a clear, cold voice. She established a killer organization, called Netherworld Pavilion, naturally to make a name in the Eastern Domain, attracting more cultivators to join, thus gaining control of more intelligence. However, Hong Ye was aware that the current Netherworld Pavilion was still weak, hence rejecting all orders involving cultivators of Divine Transformation Realm and above. Only orders involving cultivators below the Divine Transformation Realm were accepted by Netherworld Pavilion without refusal. Whether they were disciples of a Holy Land or a noble family, Netherworld Pavilion didn¡¯t need to concern itself. This was because all the senior members of Netherworld Pavilion were from Hidden Guard, a hundred percent loyal, with absolutely no possibility of betrayal. At the same time, Netherworld Pavilion had secretly recruited many cultivators as its peripheral forces. As a result, Netherworld Pavilion had established many branches, and this place, being the true foundation, was only known to the true senior members of Netherworld Pavilion. The rest, simply had no right to know. Thus, even if it offended some Holy Land noble families, at most it would lose some peripheral forces of Netherworld Pavilion, not affecting its true foundation. This way. Chapter 331 244 Demon Realm_2 Hong Ye was not afraid. ... In a certain city, an ordinary-looking cultivator was sitting inside an inn, drinking while surreptitiously observing his surroundings, as if he was always on the alert for any unexpected developments. "Master, do you really think there''s something here that can awaken the Undying Divine Body?" Gu Xiu was observing his surroundings while secretly communicating with Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Upon hearing this, Emperor Extreme Great Saint said, "To awaken the Undying Divine Body, the Heavenly Spirit Spring is indeed essential. Once we get our hands on the Heavenly Spirit Spring, and then acquire the Nine Death Immortal Grass, we will have all that is needed to awaken the Undying Divine Body. Once the Undying Divine Body is awakened, one can achieve true rebirth from a drop of blood, and a single drop of Essence Blood can ensure one''s immortality. Should the Undying Divine Body reach Great Success, any drop of blood could regenerate, and by then, one would be close to true indestructibility!" Emperor Extreme Great Saint''s tone also carried a hint of excitement. "In the ancient times, there was once an Undying Divine Body at Great Success that battled a powerhouse of the Emperor Realm while only being at the Quasi-Emperor Realm. Its survival was due to the immortal characteristics of the Undying Divine Body. It is said that this Undying Divine Body eventually perished from the exhaustion of its lifespan because it was never able to step into the Emperor Realm." These words shook Gu Xiu to his core. Immortality! Battling Emperors! Originally, Gu Xiu had followed the instructions of Emperor Extreme Great Saint and headed to Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, intending to use its resources to reconstruct his body. But unexpectedly, Emperor Extreme Sacred Land had already long been destroyed. Furthermore, because Gu Xiu inquired about the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, his whereabouts were exposed, drawing attention from many forces, especially since the ring he wore was a Saint Master ring from the former Emperor Extreme Sacred Land. With this, many forces believed Gu Xiu to be a remnant of Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, likely carrying Great Saint Inheritance. A pursuit thus unfolded. Fortunately, with Emperor Extreme Great Saint''s guidance, Gu Xiu managed to escape from hopeless situations numerous times, and due to the serious injuries he sustained repeatedly, Emperor Extreme Great Saint noticed some clues. Therefore, Emperor Extreme Great Saint deduced that Gu Xiu might possess the rumored Undying Divine Body. For this reason, Emperor Extreme Great Saint specially used a top-grade Holy Land artifact designed to test one''s qualifications on Gu Xiu and finally confirmed that he indeed possessed the Undying Divine Body. However, it was an Undying Divine Body that had not yet been awakened. Upon learning this, Emperor Extreme Great Saint was tremendously excited. A Divine Body, and specifically one hailed as the defy-the-heavens Undying Divine Body¡ªif he could awaken such a Divine Body, one day he could at least step into the Quasi-Emperor Realm. Moreover, the Undying Divine Body at the Quasi-Emperor level was incomparable to an ordinary Quasi Emperor. After all, in ancient times, there was a Quasi Emperor endowed with the Undying Divine Body who fought a true Emperor. It could be said, once the Undying Divine Body stepped into the Quasi-Emperor Realm, it was almost equivalent to a Great Emperor. At that time, rebuilding Emperor Extreme Sacred Land and reconstructing one''s body would be easy tasks. To know, even at the peak of his past, Emperor Extreme Great Saint only reached the ninth layer of the Great Saint Realm and was unable to progress further, let alone aspire to the Quasi-Emperor Realm. So upon learning of this, Emperor Extreme Great Saint straightaway took him as his disciple and imparted all of his own inheritance without reserve. "With your talent, as long as you awaken the Undying Divine Body, surpassing your father is only a matter of time!" In the end, Emperor Extreme Great Saint added another sentence. Hearing this, a sharp light burst forth in Gu Xiu''s eyes. Surpassing his father! This has always been his dream. But the strength of Gu Qingfeng was like a great mountain that one could only look up to. Learning that he possessed an Undying Divine Body and could one day become even stronger than his father, Gu Xiu felt some excitement in his heart. "But the Heavenly Spirit Spring is so important, it won''t be easy for us to get our hands on it," Gu Xiu mused to himself. After all, the Heavenly Spirit Spring was something that awakened the Undying Divine Body. No matter what, it was destined to be extraordinary. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint said, "If the Heavenly Spirit Spring is not used by someone with the Undying Divine Body, it is merely something that refines the Divine Soul. It certainly is beneficial to someone in the Daoist Palace Realm. However, auctioning such an item is all about money. With what I have left for you, obtaining the Heavenly Spirit Spring will be more than sufficient. But remember, once you get the Heavenly Spirit Spring, you must leave at once. After all, a cultivator from the Daoist Palace Realm could not possibly overlook such an item." At this point, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint paused briefly before continuing. "Of course, you can also choose to temporarily give up on the Heavenly Spirit Spring and devise a plan to seize it later when your cultivation has advanced, because with your current level of cultivation, even with my help, it won''t be easy to escape the covetous eyes of those in the Daoist Palace Realm." "My mentor once told me that cultivation is like sailing against the current: if you don''t advance, you fall back. If I miss this opportunity, I don''t know when I''ll be able to obtain the Heavenly Spirit Spring again. Being a step behind at first means being behind at every step. This time, no matter what, I must get the Heavenly Spirit Spring and strive to awaken the Undying Divine Body as soon as possible!" "And then¡ª" "It''s time to settle the score with those forces!" A cold light flashed in Gu Xiu''s eyes and then disappeared just as quickly. He had never been a generous person. Having been besieged countless times over the Great Saint Inheritance and barely surviving, it was impossible for Gu Xiu not to feel angry. The problem was, those forces were all very powerful, and even the weakest were sects with cultivators at the Divine Transformation Realm. With his current cultivation at the third layer of Refining Organ, he was far from their equal. Even with his solid foundation and inheritance from the Great Saint, he could only fight against Grandmasters at most. As for battling stronger cultivators, it simply wasn''t possible for the time being. Seeing Gu Xiu''s determination, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint was quite pleased. "For now, find a place to settle down. I will instruct you myself in the art of making the Five Internal Organs Divine Pill. Your foundation is solid now, so even stepping directly into the fifth and perfect layer of Refining Organ won''t be a problem. Then you can make a break for the Grandmaster Realm and start practicing the Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist!" "This ultimate technique is something I created back in the day. Once you master it, you can easily eliminate a Great Grandmaster, even from the Grandmaster Realm," said Gu Xiu, nodding in agreement. Afterward, he didn''t stay there for long. He left a Spirit Stone behind and then turned to leave. In the Ancient Desolate World, gold and silver were not the main currency¡ªSpirit Stones and Divine Blood Stones were. But Divine Blood Stones were precious and usually circulated among cultivators above the Divine Transformation Realm. For the rest of the cultivators, Spirit Stones were the main currency. Then, posing as a Loose Cultivator, Gu Xiu temporarily rented a secluded courtyard. Following methods taught by the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, he set up various protective arrays and restrictions around the courtyard. While these arrays and restrictions could not truly stop a powerful enemy, if anyone touched them, Gu Xiu would be alerted immediately. Afterward, Gu Xiu took out the prepared items. At that moment, a soft light emerged from the ring in his hand, and a majestic yet ethereal figure slowly appeared before Gu Xiu. It was the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. The figure said to Gu Xiu, "Currently, I exist only as a remnant soul. To make the Five Internal Organs Divine Pill, I must use your body." "Then I will be bothering my mentor!" Gu Xiu nodded. After, the remnant soul of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint descended upon Gu Xiu, changing his aura in an instant. His expression became stern, and his eyes took on an imposing, authoritative look that they didn''t commonly have. "Watch closely. This is the method for refining the Five Internal Organs Divine Pill. A powerful cultivator must also be an outstanding alchemist. If you depend on others for everything, you will be constrained by them!" ''Gu Xiu'' began to speak slowly, and with a wave of his sleeve, intense flames rose out of thin air, heating the Pill Furnace to a bright red. Next, he methodically added the appropriate Spiritual Medicines and began the process of making the Five Internal Organs Divine Pill. Chapter 332: 245 Heavenly Net Demon General Chapter 332: Chapter 245 Heavenly Net Demon General With his body controlled by the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, Gu Xiu¡¯s current state was indeed mysterious. He felt like a bystander while simultaneously seeming to be personally engaged in alchemy. The former him knew nothing about alchemy. But now, watching the Emperor Extreme Great Saint manipulate his body to refine elixirs, many profound insights flooded his mind. Such a sensation was as if he had studied the art of alchemy for many years. After a long time, the fierce flames dissipated. The temperature in the room remained scorching, but the Emperor Extreme Great Saint paid no attention, simply gesturing and lifting the lid off the Pill Furnace, releasing several elixirs. ¡°Five elixirs achieved, and the quality of each has entered the Divine Pill tier. It seems my alchemy skills haven¡¯t declined much over the years!¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint said with a satisfied smile, then continued. ¡°Every grade of elixir is divided into four tiers of quality, namely Spirit Pill, Profound Pill, Divine Pill, and Holy Pill.¡± ¡°The better the quality of the elixir, the fewer poisonous impurities it contains. For instance, Spirit Pills have at least fifty percent poison, Profound Pills thirty percent, Divine Pills ten percent, and the ultimate Holy Pills are free from any poisonous impurities!¡± ¡°The more poison an elixir contains, the less you should consume at once. Otherwise, the accumulation of poison could result in severe consequences. Also, more time is needed to expel the impurities. Therefore, higher-tier elixirs of the same grade are definitely better!¡± Having said this, Gu Xiu¡¯s body jolted as the Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s remnant soul returned to the ring. Now in control of his body again, Gu Xiu looked at the five Five Internal Organs Divine Pills in his hand. A pure fragrance wafted, causing his blood and energy to stir slightly. ¡°A single Five Internal Organs Divine Pill can refine an organ. Five should perfect the process. However, a typical Refining Organ Realm Cultivator would need quite some time to assimilate one pill. But assimilating a Divine Pill of the Five Internal Organs Divine Pills shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s voice reached him, and without hesitation, Gu Xiu began to swallow and assimilate the power of the Divine Pills. The Third Realm of Refining Organ was far too weak for him. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has taken a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the Fourth Realm of Refining Organ!¡± ¡°Reward points *80!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has taken a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the Fifth Realm of Refining Organ!¡± ¡°Reward points *80!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has taken a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the Grandmaster Realm Initial Stage!¡± ¡°Reward points *120!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has taken a mysterious elixir, and his cultivation has broken through to the Grandmaster Realm Perfection!¡± ¡°Reward points *120!¡± ... ¡°Grandmaster Perfection!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression shifted slightly when he saw the information on the attribute panel. He had not expected Gu Xiu¡¯s cultivation to soar so suddenly, advancing from the Third Realm of Refining Organ to the pinnacle of the Grandmaster Realm. After a series of breakthroughs, Gu Qingfeng earned more than six hundred Upgrade Points, and together with the existing points, he now had over fourteen hundred. ¡°Almost there!¡± ¡°With less than six hundred more Upgrade Points, I can break through to Great Success with the Ancient Heavenly Blade!¡± Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. Then. He continued to meditate with closed eyes. Meanwhile. Every few days, Gu Qingfeng would peek at the attribute panel, keeping an eye on changes. Gu Xiu¡¯s sudden cultivation breakthrough gave him the premonition that things were not that simple. Sure enough. Several days later. Gu Qingfeng found new text refreshes on the attribute panel. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by Cultivators *3257!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has gained insight into the Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist during combat, vanquishing a Cultivator at the peak of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has slain Cultivators *366!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been ambushed by a Tiaoist Palace Realm Cultivator but, fortunately, with the help of the Great Saint¡¯s Remnant Soul, managed to severely injure the attacker and escape!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by Cultivators *2963!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by Cultivators *6698!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... The frequency of attacks on Gu Xiu this time was higher than ever before. From the text alone, Gu Qingfeng could see the peril. Immediately. He instructed the Netherworld Pavilion and the Heavenly Martial Sect to intensify their search efforts for Gu Xiu while gathering information about the Demon Realm. Since there was no movement in the Eastern Domain, Gu Xiu must be in some other domain. At that moment. The Communication Jade Token inside the storage ring began to vibrate. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought entered it and to his surprise, found it was Hong Ye who had gathered information about the Demon Realm. After a long while. Gu Qingfeng put down the Communication Jade Token, his expression somewhat grave. ¡°So this is the Demon Realm!¡± According to the Communication Jade Token, the Demon Realm was an ancient world outside of the Ancient Desolate World, and it had waged war on the Ancient Desolate World countless years ago. The flesh and blood of the human beings from the Ancient Desolate World greatly attracted the Demons of the Demon Realm; cultivating with human flesh and blood could lead to rapid advancement. Similarly. The Demon Cores from the Demon Realm were also greatly beneficial for human Cultivators. Therefore. In that ancient era, the Demon Realm and the Ancient Desolate World often broke out into wars ¨C sometimes it was the Ancient Desolate World invading the Demon Realm, and other times it was the opposite. Each conflict between the two realms impacted the entire Ancient Desolate World, causing countless Cultivators to perish. A hundred thousand years ago. A massive invasion by the Demon Realm nearly obliterated the entire Eastern Domain, inflicting heavy losses on many ancient powers. It wasn¡¯t until a Great Emperor emerged from the Central Region that the Demon Realm was thoroughly repelled. Chapter 333: 245 Heavenly Net Demon General_2 Chapter 333: Chapter 245 Heavenly Net Demon General_2 But that battle, the Ancient Desolate World¡¯s Eastern Domain suffered heavy losses. This was the fundamental reason why the Eastern Domain had somewhat declined. ¡°One hundred thousand years ago, the Great Emperor of the Central Domain not only repelled the Demon Realm but also led the powerhouses of the Ancient Desolate World into the Demon Realm, causing ancient beings within the Demon Realm to awaken. A fierce battle erupted, and the forces of the Ancient Desolate World then retreated.¡± ¡°It is evident that the foundation of the Demon Realm should not be underestimated¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression shifted slightly. Great Emperor! This was almost the pinnacle of cultivation in the Ancient Desolate World. The battle from a hundred thousand years ago had been obscured by the passage of time, leaving few cultivators aware of it; only some ancient powers with long histories possessed records of that battle. And in some ancient secret realms and ruins, traces of that battle might remain. Netherworld Pavilion had discovered information about the Demon Realm from a declining family. ¡°Gu Sishiqi could enter the Demon Realm, which indicates that there is still an entrance from the Eastern Domain to the Demon Realm. Whether this entrance is a remnant from one hundred thousand years ago or appeared after that battle is unknown.¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered deeply. However, after figuring out the matter concerning the Demon Realm, he didn¡¯t plan to pay much attention to it for the time being. The foundation of the Demon Realm was unfathomable; even with a Great Emperor personally intervening, he could not annihilate the Demon Realm but was forced to withdraw instead. It was clear that there must be beings in the Demon Realm on par with a Great Emperor. The involvement of such a high-caliber powerhouse, if it occurred, would surely be no trivial matter. Thus, in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, Gu Sishiqi, who ventured deeply into the Demon Realm, was very unlikely to return alive. ¡°In that case, I can only hope that he can hold on longer in the Demon Realm and perhaps yield some useful information for me!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought and then looked at the Death Soldier panel once again. ... ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ suffers attack by a Demon*13698!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ suffers attack by a Demon*23654!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ slays a Demon*2663!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ slays a Demon*3661!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ is critically injured, uses an Ancient Inheritance to escape at a crucial moment!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ refines a Demon Core, making a progression in cultivation!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ refines a Demon Core, making a progression in cultivation!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ refines a Demon Core, breaking through to the Mid-level Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ... In the following days, Gu Qingfeng continuously observed the Death Soldier panel, originally thinking that Gu Sishiqi, merely an Initial Stage Grandmaster, could not last long in the Demon Realm. Unexpectedly, not only did he survive in the Demon Realm, but he also achieved a breakthrough in his cultivation. Just by observing the frequency at which Gu Sishiqi was attacked, Gu Qingfeng knew that the situation in the Demon Realm was indeed very arduous. Still, Gu Qingfeng was curious about the Ancient Inheritance Gu Sishiqi had obtained. ¡°Ancient Inheritance!¡± ¡°If things go as expected, it should be related to the powerful beings who had ventured into the Demon Realm in the past!¡± With this thought, Gu Qingfeng calmed down. He wanted to see. Just how long this Death Soldier could last in the Demon Realm. ¡ª A blood-colored sun illuminated heaven and earth. Scorched earth! Withered trees! The entire land seemed filled with the aura of death. Within a barren mountain, a young man¡¯s robe was stained with blood, yet his aura remained robust and stable. A blood-covered inner core was thrown into his mouth, which he then fully refined. Waves of energy surged, continually impacting his body. After a long time, this energy gradually subsided. Afterward, he swallowed a new inner core. One! Two! Having ingested a hundred inner cores, the young man¡¯s body violently shuddered, and his cultivation surged, achieving a breakthrough. ¡°Late Stage Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Demon Cores are indeed superb supplements!¡± Gu Sishiqi¡¯s face revealed a touch of joy. Before entering the Demon Realm, he was merely at the peak of the Grandmaster Realm, but now, having been in the Demon Realm for just a short period, he had broken through to the Late Stage Grandmaster Realm in one go. For cultivators, the effects of the Demon Cores were terrifying. However, Demon Cores could not be refined recklessly, as they contained demonic nature, and excessive consumption made it easy for one to be tainted by the demonic nature and turned into a new demon. But Gu Sishiqi was different; he had acquired an Ancient Inheritance that included a Secret Technique known as the Demon Refinement Skills, which sole purpose was to eliminate the demonic nature in Demon Cores, allowing cultivators to quickly refine the power of the cores. After that, there were top-tier inheritances named the Great Sun Immortal Scripture and the Six Demon Slaying Techniques. The Great Sun Immortal Scripture was a top-tier Cultivation Technique pointing beyond the Great Saint towards the Saint King Realm, left behind by a powerhouse known as the Great Sun Saint King. Earlier, because Gu Sishiqi mistakenly entered the Demon Realm and was pursued by demons, he stumbled into a cave dwelling left by the Great Sun Saint King and thus acquired the latter¡¯s inheritance. As for the latter part, the Six Demon Slaying Techniques, it was a supreme skill created by the Great Sun Saint King. At that moment, Gu Sishiqi looked outside the cave, his expression suddenly turning cold. ¡°They¡¯ve caught up so quickly, it seems these cursed creatures indeed have a keen sense of smell!¡± Without hesitation, Gu Sishiqi immediately left the cave. Not long after he left the desolate hill, he saw a demon, with four arms and a face like an asura, tearing through space. ¡°Human, you cannot escape. Give up the inheritance on you, and perhaps I may grant you a quick death!¡± ¡°Heavenly Net Demon General!¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, Gu Sishiqi¡¯s eyes turned cold. He was, of course, familiar with this figure. The so-called Demon General was a title in the Demon Realm; only cultivators who had stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm could be called Demon Generals. The Heavenly Net Demon General in front of him was a Third Level Divine Transformation Realm powerhouse from the Black Soul Sect; Gu Sishiqi had been previously ambushed by him, suffering severe injuries. In a critical moment, if it were not for Gu Sishiqi employing a life-saving trump card left by the Great Sun Saint King, he might have already fallen by the opponent¡¯s hands. But now, encountering the Heavenly Net Demon General again, Gu Sishiqi did not choose to flee. The last time he was severely injured by him was because he had just entered the Grandmaster Realm, but now, having refined many Demon Cores, his cultivation had already broken through to the Late Stage of the Grandmaster Realm. Even without stepping into the Divine Transformation Realm, Gu Sishiqi felt confident in battle. Seeing the opponent strike first, the Heavenly Net Demon General grinned wickedly. ¡°A mere Grandmaster ant dares to resist, courting death!¡± As his words fell, a terrifying surge of blood energy erupted from the Heavenly Net Demon General, his four arms shaking the void, pressing down on Gu Sishiqi. However¡ª To prevent killing him instantly, the Heavenly Net Demon General had also held back some of his strength. Yet, in the next instant, the Heavenly Net Demon General¡¯s face changed. He saw Gu Sishiqi punch forth, his blood energy as magnificent as the rising sun, the extremely fierce power actually blasting one of his arms to pieces. Flesh exploded. Bones shattered. The intense pain twisted the Heavenly Net Demon General¡¯s face, his eyes filled with disbelief. ¡°Impossible...In such a short time, how could your strength have grown this strong¡ª¡± Faced with the Heavenly Net Demon General¡¯s questioning, Gu Sishiqi remained cold and unresponsive, unleashing the power of the Six Demon Slaying Techniques through fists, palms, fingers, claws, legs¡ªevery terrifying force vented, aiming to completely annihilate his opponent on the spot. The Heavenly Net Demon General, having lost the initiative, struggled to counter Gu Sishiqi¡¯s fierce attacks, almost unable to resist. Flesh shattered! An arm broke! When Gu Sishiqi¡¯s final leg whip swung out, the Heavenly Net Demon General¡¯s several meters tall body was directly blasted by this force, a rain of blood falling, definitively dead on the spot. Immediately after, Gu Sishiqi grabbed a blood-stained Demon Core, not lingering a moment longer, vanishing with a flash. Chapter 334 246 Ancient Transfer Array "The Heavenly Net Demon General is dead!" Soon, other demons arrived, stepping through the air, and upon seeing the Heavenly Net Demon General''s mutilated corpse, all their faces were dark and ugly. A demon coldly said, "It is said that the human is just a mere Great Grandmaster, how could he possibly be a match for the Heavenly Net Demon General!" To compare Great Grandmasters with Demon Generals of the Divine Transformation Realm was to compare two entirely different concepts. In front of a Demon General of the Divine Transformation Realm, so-called Great Grandmasters were nothing more but slightly larger ants. But now, the Heavenly Net Demon General had fallen, an outcome completely beyond their expectations. Afterward, another female demon said, "With the death of the Heavenly Net Demon General, that human must surely have a secret, and the fact that a human has appeared in the Demon Realm indicates that there must be an entrance to the Ancient Desolate World within. If we could find this entrance, we could re-enter the Ancient Desolate World!" As the words fell, a flash of greed swiftly passed through the cold eyes of the female demon. Humans! In the records of the demon race, they were truly considered a great tonic. Their flesh and blood, if consumed, could greatly accelerate one''s cultivation. In past wars with the Ancient Desolate World, there were demons who consumed a large number of humans and eventually broke through step by step to become Dao Palace Demon Marshals, Saintly Demon Lords, and even Great Demons comparable to Great Saints. The battle a hundred thousand years ago, though the Demon Realm suffered a heavy loss, after a hundred thousand years of recovery, the Demon Realm had long since restored its strength. Today, all sides in the Demon Realm were scheming in the dark, preparing to find opportunities for another invasion into the Ancient Desolate World. The appearance of a human in the Demon Realm meant there must be a hidden entrance connecting to the Ancient Desolate World. By capturing this human, they would essentially control the channel to the Ancient Desolate World. The thought of the myriad humans in the Ancient Desolate World excited the demons. This opportunity, must not be missed! ¡ª Elsewhere, Gu Sishiqi had already escaped to a different location. The Demon Realm was vast. According to the information left by the Great Sun Saint King, Gu Sishiqi knew that the expanse of the Demon Realm was no less than that of the Ancient Desolate World, an extremely ancient existence. Demons, were the offspring born from this world. Even though he had slain the Heavenly Net Demon General, Gu Sishiqi was not naive enough to think he could stand against the entire Demon Realm. Now that he had obtained the Heavenly Net Demon General''s inner core, Gu Sishiqi naturally needed to find a place to refine it. In the present situation, with demons lurking everywhere, danger could come at any moment. Only by strengthening himself as much as possible could he hope to live and return. "The Eastern Domain has an entrance to the Demon Realm, which could lead to a resurgence of demons at any moment. Although the Divine Martial Dynasty is situated in the Nine States, if demons step into the Ancient Desolate World, the Nine States will inevitably be affected. This matter must be reported to the court!" Gu Sishiqi thought this to himself. But the problem was, the entrance he used last time to enter the Demon Realm was a perilous place; the fact that he had managed to leave alive was utterly due to fortuitous coincidence. If he were to enter again at this time, it would almost certainly be a death sentence. Moreover, given the current movements of the demons, Gu Sishiqi did not have the confidence to conceal his tracks. If his actions exposed the entrance, the consequences would only be more severe. Therefore, with these concerns in mind, Gu Sishiqi decided to lie low in the Demon Realm and quietly improve his strength before anything else. As for the Communication Jade Token, it could not travel between two worlds. Nevertheless, although the Demon Realm was fraught with danger, it was also filled with opportunities. If he could seize this chance, Gu Sishiqi was confident he could go farther. After all, he was well aware of his own talents. Under normal circumstances, breaking through to Great Grandmaster was almost his limit. Although there was a chance to ascend to the Divine Transformation Realm, it was not high. As for advancing further to the Daoist Palace Realm, the hope was truly slim. But now, in the Demon Realm, Gu Sishiqi saw the hope of advancing further. In a short time, he had already broken through to the Late Stage of Great Grandmaster. Now, if he could refine the Heavenly Net Demon General''s inner core, reaching the pinnacle of Great Grandmaster would be a certainty. To put it bluntly, as long as there were enough Demon Cores, regardless of the Divine Transformation Realm or even the Dao Palace Realm and higher realms, Gu Sishiqi had ambitions to strive for them. In half a day''s work, Gu Sishiqi had taken refuge in a secret cave, and began to refine the inner core of the Heavenly Net Demon General. For him, danger could arrive at any moment. Therefore, Gu Sishiqi naturally seized the opportunity to maximize the improvement of his own strength. Once the inner core entered his stomach, a terrifying and violent energy burst forth. The Heavenly Net Demon General''s unwillingness and resentment surfaced within the core, and an overwhelming demonic nature seemed about to completely devour Gu Sishiqi''s mind and soul. Anticipating such changes, Gu Sishiqi activated the power of the Demon Refinement Skills, his qi and blood working like grinding stones to slowly crush all the demonic nature. "No¡ª" The Heavenly Net Demon General''s lingering will, full of unwillingness and horror, sought to flee but was without any means to do so. Ultimately, The Heavenly Net Demon General was utterly obliterated. Subsequently, the immense Demon Core collapsed, liberating the terrifying energy within it without any restraint. Seeing this, Gu Sishiqi seized the opportunity to practice the Great Sun Immortal Scripture, aiming to suppress and refine all that energy to advance his cultivation. His blood roared like rivers and his bones and meridians vibrated. Gu Sishiqi''s skin turned a bright red as if placed inside a high-temperature furnace. Moreover, an immense vitality emanated, covering the entire cave. Chapter 335: 246 Ancient Transfer Array_2 Chapter 335: Chapter 246 Ancient Transfer Array_2 ¡°Boom!¡± Gu Sishiqi¡¯s body shivered, and faintly, the sound of tidal waves could be heard. Moments later, everything gradually calmed down. He opened his eyes. A burst of turbid air was expelled. ¡°Grandmaster Perfection!¡± ¡°Truly worthy of a Demon General¡¯s core!¡± Joy appeared on Gu Sishiqi¡¯s face, tinged with a trace of regret. The energy from the Demon Core could not be completely refined; after all, it was not energy cultivated personally. Hence, swallowing and refining a Demon Core, most of the energy would dissipate, with only a small part being absorbed by the Cultivator. Otherwise, With the inner core of a Heavenly Net Demon General, who was at the Third Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, this energy could have elevated Gu Sishiqi directly to the Divine Transformation Realm, rather than stopping at Grandmaster Perfection. Nonetheless, even so, Gu Sishiqi was quite satisfied. Grandmaster Perfection! Just one step away from stepping into the Divine Transformation Realm. He could already feel the eager stirring of his vital essence. This was a sign that his vital essence was about to transform and step into the Divine Transformation Realm. Should nothing unexpected happen, Gu Sishiqi was confident that he could break through to the Divine Transformation Realm within three months if he secluded himself. ¡°Just three months is simply too long!¡± ¡°The Demons have their unique tracking methods; if I really were to stay here for three months, I¡¯m afraid I would be besieged by the Demons before breaking through to the Divine Transformation Realm. The most urgent priority is to hunt other Demons for a breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± Gu Sishiqi took a deep breath, having made his decision. Though it is true that normally, swallowing a Demon Core to increase one¡¯s Cultivation too quickly can lead to an unstable foundation, Gu Sishiqi saw these issues as non-issues. What does an unstable foundation matter? If there¡¯s a chance in the future, one can slowly strengthen the foundation. As long as one¡¯s Cultivation level increases, everything becomes possible. Moreover, In the midst of battling with Demons, Gu Sishiqi also found that the slight instability in his foundation caused by swallowing Demon Cores was becoming solid again. Therefore, the unstable foundation resulting from swallowing Demon Cores was not a major problem. Subsequent battles with the Demons would naturally stabilize the foundation during combat. To slay Demons, seize their cores, then refine the core¡¯s power to break through in Cultivation, and afterward fight Demons to stabilize the foundation¡ªthis could be seen as a virtuous cycle. Of course, There are risks to everything. If one were to encounter a powerful Demon, one might just end up as its snack. It could be said that, Now in the Demon Realm, there are both risks and opportunities. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ has killed a Demon at the Third Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ has refined a Demon Core, with his Cultivation breaking through to Grandmaster Realm Perfection!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Qishi¡¯er¡¯ has carelessly entered an ancient secret realm, activated a powerful prohibition, and died on the spot!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Liu Shisan¡¯ was ambushed and killed on the spot by a Cultivator in the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Shen Zhongyi¡¯ has gained insight in a life-and-death battle and has slightly improved!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Hong Ye¡¯ covertly assassinated a martial artist at the peak of the Great Grandmaster level, raising the reputation of the Netherworld Pavilion!¡± ... When Gu Qingfeng regularly checked the information panel and saw Gu Sishiqi make another breakthrough into the peak of Great Grandmaster in such a short time, his gaze shifted slightly. ¡°Another breakthrough in such a short time; it seems the Demon Realm indeed has great opportunities!¡± Even though Gu Qingfeng was clear about the effects of the Demon Core, seeing Gu Sishiqi break through so quickly still shocked him. How long had it been? The other party had made another breakthrough. If Gu Sishiqi were allowed to continue growing, Gu Qingfeng suspected that breaking through the Dao Palace Realm would only be a matter of time. ¡°This way, the many Hidden Guards dispersed out could really bring me some surprises, yet... Those with substantial Qi Fortune like Gu Sishiqi are few and far between. Most, unfortunately, die due to various accidents.¡± Gu Qingfeng, looking at the information about other Death Soldiers, realized that those like Gu Sishiqi, who thrive in the Demon Realm, were indeed rare. Most others either perished in secret realms or fell to other powerful beings. This was quite normal. After all, the Ancient Desolate World is so vast; there is no order among Cultivators, and everything is determined by strength. The law of the jungle! The strong control the fate of the weak; this is an everyday affair. The so-called rules and order are established based on the notion of equality of parties; otherwise, these things are equivalent to non-existence. ¡°Three thousand Hidden Guards is just too few, I wonder when I will be able to get more Hidden Guards; if their numbers could increase significantly and spread throughout the entire Ancient Desolate World, they would be bound to bring me a surprise someday!¡± Gu Qingfeng mused to himself. Sadly, The Hidden Guards are not something he can obtain whenever he wishes; it all depends on whether Gu Yang¡¯s subsequent breakthroughs will trigger the reward of the Death Soldiers again. ¡°The likelihood of triggering additional rewards for minor realm breakthroughs is low; if it¡¯s a major realm breakthrough, this likelihood increases substantially.¡± ¡°Yang¡¯er is now at the peak of the Great Grandmaster level; one more breakthrough will take him to the Divine Transformation Realm. Now it¡¯s just a matter of when he can achieve this breakthrough!¡± The leap from the Great Grandmaster to the Divine Transformation Realm is significant, and Gu Qingfeng has a premonition that Gu Yang¡¯s next breakthrough would surely bring surprises to him. Regardless of the difficulty of the breakthrough from the peak of the Great Grandmaster to the Divine Transformation Realm, with Gu Yang¡¯s talent and opportunities, it would not take too long for him to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm. Furthermore, Gu Yang also has his own opportunities. ... Several days later. Gu Qingfeng glanced at the offspring information panel, his pupils slightly contracting. Chapter 336: 246 Ancient Transfer Array_3 Chapter 336: Chapter 246 Ancient Transfer Array_3 ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ activated the Ancient Transfer Array and mistakenly entered the Demon Realm!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons *1669!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons *3369!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ slew demons *681!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ slew demons *1128!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was severely injured by an attack from a Divine Transformation Realm demon!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu,¡¯ relying on the remnant soul of a Great Saint Ninth Layer, counter-killed a Divine Transformation Realm demon and forcibly refined its Demon Core, breaking through to the initial stage of the Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Reward points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has broken through to the mid-level Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Reward points *200!¡± ... ¡°Demon Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression changed. He had not expected that right after Gu Sishiqi entered the Demon Realm, now Gu Xiu had also stepped into the Demon Realm. This alone indicated that the number of entrances to the Demon Realm within the Ancient Desolate World was far more than just one. Originally¡ª Gu Qingfeng wanted to find out exactly where Gu Xiu was and then personally retrieve him back to the Nine States. But unexpectedly, before he could find out the details, Gu Xiu had already entered the Demon Realm, which took Gu Qingfeng by surprise. Once in the Demon Realm, it was not going to be easy for him to intervene. More importantly, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t locate the Ancient Transfer Array. Otherwise, even if he found the entrance to the Demon Realm, it would still be difficult to find Gu Xiu. After all, the Demon Realm was enormous, not much smaller than the Ancient Desolate World itself. To seek a single person¡¯s whereabouts in the Demon Realm was no simple matter. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng sent out the news, instructing the Netherworld Pavilion and the Heavenly Martial Sect to investigate information about the Ancient Transfer Array and clarify where Gu Xiu had entered the Demon Realm. After taking these steps, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his own attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 53/6000 Realm: Dao Palace Realm Sixth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Sixth Layer), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Small Success), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Li Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Not entered), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 1814 ... In a short time, his upgrade points had surged to eighteen hundred, and with just over a hundred more points, he would be able to enhance the Ancient Heavenly Blade to Great Success. During this time, Gu Qingfeng was also comprehending the Ancient Heavenly Blade, with deeper insights into this saintly art. He had a premonition that he might not need to use upgrade points to break through to Great Success with the Ancient Heavenly Blade. Then he could directly use the points afterward to cultivate it to Perfection. But whether that would be the case still depended on the progress of his comprehension. If it would take too long to reach Great Success with the Ancient Heavenly Blade, Gu Qingfeng would certainly prioritize using upgrade points. ... Southern Domain. In a secluded valley, a number of Dao Palace Realm powerhouses had gathered, staring at the Ancient Transfer Array in front of them with grim faces. ¡°This is a one-time use transfer array, and it is extremely ancient. Where it leads to is not yet known. The only possibility is repairing the array, but such an old array is almost impossible to fix!¡± The man who spoke was a cultivator dressed in green. His words were taken without doubt by the others. For he was Liu Ruofeng, an elder of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land and a powerhouse challenging the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm who was also profoundly skilled in the array dao path. The difficulty expressed by him made many cultivators uncomfortable. Wang Family elder Wang Xuan looked distressed, ¡°Is there really no way at all?¡± ¡°This array is ancient. The cultivators who laid it down were at least sixth rank Array Dao Masters. Without equal-level proficiency, there is no possibility of repair.¡± Liu Ruofeng shook his head slightly. Upon hearing this, Wang Xuan¡¯s heart sank once more. Sixth Rank Array Dao Master! Such beings were comparable to Saints. Moreover, the status of a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master was even higher than that of a Saint. After all, many top Holy Lands and Saint Families would have protective arrays in place, and setting up such arrays naturally required the services of an Array Dao Master. Then again, if given enough time, an Array Dao Master could lay multiple arrays and easily kill a Saint. Therefore, a Dao Master of the same rank is naturally not comparable to a cultivator of the same realm. But equally, becoming an Array Dao Master is not at all easy. ¡°Sixth Rank Array Dao Masters are almost extinct in this era, and even I am far from that level!¡± Liu Ruofeng sighed. The rank of Sixth Rank Array Dao Master was a realm he had always been pursuing. Unfortunately, breaking through in the Array Dao path was not easy, the difficulty even greater than breaking through from the Dao Palace Realm to become a Saint. ¡°That means that the remnant of the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land has escaped to the heavens!¡± The speaker was Zhou Muyang, an elder of the Zhou Family from the Southern Domain, also a powerhouse at the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Zhou Family of the Southern Domain was an exceedingly ancient Saint Family, with not just one Saint walking out from its lineage. Upon learning of a remnant of the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land appearing and possibly in possession of the inheritance of the ancient Emperor Extreme Great Saint, the Zhou Family immediately dispatched powerhouses in pursuit. They thought that capturing a mere Little Master cultivator would be easy. However, the remnant of the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land had many cards up their sleeve, allowing someone with just the cultivation of a Little Master to escape multiple times. Chapter 337 246 Ancient Transfer Array_4 Especially during that recent Heavenly Spirit Spring auction, when Zhou Muyang took action himself, but still let the other party escape. That battle made Zhou Muyang certain that the former Emperor Extreme Great Saint hadn''t perished but left a remnant soul in that cultivator, enabling a Master to escape from a Daoist Palace Realm powerhouse. "Let''s not forget," he said, "that the Emperor Extreme Great Saint did not truly fall. Although now only a Remnant Soul remains, the methods of a Great Saint are by no means ordinary. If we really let this go unchecked, when a Great Saint returns one day, I fear we will all face reckoning!" Zhou Muyang looked at the other cultivators present and spoke a truth that made everyone feel despair. A Great Saint Realm powerhouse! Even if only a Remnant Soul remained, its profound strength was absolutely not to be underestimated. This point could be seen from the battle just before. If they had known earlier that the Emperor Extreme Great Saint hadn''t died, they might not have laid hands on that Master cultivator, but on second thought, this possibility seemed slim. After all, the temptation of the Great Saint Inheritance was too great; a Great Saint''s Remnant Soul was not enough to deter them. So now knowing that the Emperor Extreme Great Saint was not dead, the matter of seizing the Great Saint Inheritance became secondary. The real issue was how to completely suppress that Ancient Great Saint. Otherwise when the day came that the Emperor Extreme Great Saint truly returned to his peak, who could stand in his way? Even the Zhou Family, with its profound strength and history of producing several Saints, could not confidently say they could confront a Great Saint. Upon hearing this, Liu Ruofeng''s expression turned ice-cold: "Elder Zhou is right. When the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land was destroyed, many of us here were involved, to varying degrees. Just this fact alone means we''re already standing in opposition to the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Now we''ve taken action, coveting the inheritance that was left behind. Such deep grudges can only be resolved with life and death." "At present, this Ancient Transfer Array cannot be easily repaired, so we should first disperse our forces to pursue the fugitive, and only make a decision once we locate him!" As Liu Ruofeng spoke, the others nodded in agreement. Given the current situation, that was all they could do. Who would have expected that there was an Ancient Transfer Array hidden here, and a one-time use one at that? If they had known earlier, they might have called upon their forces'' Holy Weapons to personally suppress the enemy. After all, while a Master might not necessitate the use of a Holy Weapon, the Remnant Soul of a Great Saint certainly justified it. Unfortunately the Remnant Soul of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had concealed itself too well, and they had only learned of its existence during the previous battle. If they had known sooner, all factions would have directly used the Holy Weapons to suppress. There is no medicine for regret in this world. Now, given the circumstances, all the forces could only issue a manhunt. The Southern Domain was so vast, they held a glimmer of hope that this one-time Transmission Array hadn''t teleported far, and even if Gu Xiu had left, he would still be within the bounds of the Southern Domain. Otherwise the Ancient Desolate World was so expansive. If the other party was intent on hiding, finding them would be akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, an arduous task. "Hmph!" Zhou Muyang stared at the broken Ancient Transfer Array and, with a cold snort, tore through the void and left. "I take my leave!" Wang Xuan had no desire to stay any longer, said these words offhandedly, and then left as well. One by one, the cultivators departed, and in a short while, the vast valley was left with only the people from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. Looking at the Transmission Array before him for a long time, Liu Ruofeng sighed. "Let''s go!" Chapter 338: 247: Adding Two More Children Chapter 338: Chapter 247: Adding Two More Children ¡°Boom!¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s fist exploded a demon¡¯s head, then he skillfully extracted its Demon Core before swiftly departing. The whole process was done without any hesitation. Ever since Gu Xiu had mistakenly entered the Demon Realm, from his initial shock to being ambushed by demons later, he had become quite familiar with them. Among their traits, the most notable was their acute sense of smell. Once a scent lingered, it would be easily detected by demons. Moreover, the longer one stayed, the stronger the residual scent would be. Therefore, Gu Xiu naturally dared not linger. However, before leaving, Gu Xiu casually threw a talisman that completely scattered the traces of scent he had left. Not long after his departure, other demons arrived and upon seeing the corpse of their kin, their expressions instantly turned gloomy. ¡°Damn humans, I will tear you to pieces!!¡± With that said, the demon tried to sense the direction in which Gu Xiu had fled. But after a while, its expression grew uglier. ¡°There¡¯s no residual scent, it seems this person is also extremely familiar with the Demon Realm¡ª¡± ... ¡°Sigh!¡± Elsewhere, Gu Xiu, having escaped the demon chase, relaxed his tense spirits and took a long breath. ¡°Master, how shall we depart from the Demon Realm now?¡± ¡°To leave the Demon Realm, we must look for another Transmission Array!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s voice also carried some helplessness. He had never expected that the Ancient Transfer Array in the Southern Domain would lead to the Demon Realm. That Array had been discovered by Emperor Extreme Great Saint before his death. Since the Ancient Transfer Array was a one-time use array, Emperor Extreme Great Saint was not clear where it led, so he temporarily preserved it and placed restrictions to prevent others from discovering it. Over time, Emperor Extreme Great Saint had forgotten about it. Until recently, Gu Xiu¡¯s whereabouts were accidentally revealed after he obtained the Heavenly Spirit Spring, attracting the encirclement of other cultivators, and Emperor Extreme Great Saint remembered this place, guiding Gu Xiu there. All this time, Emperor Extreme Great Saint had thought the Array might connect to a secret realm, potentially dangerous or a place of great opportunity. But he never imagined that the Ancient Transfer Array would lead to the Demon Realm. Had he known it was the Demon Realm, Emperor Extreme Great Saint definitely would not have allowed Gu Xiu to enter. After all, he knew all too well the might of the Demon Realm, being an Ancient Great Saint. ¡°Master, how much do you know about the Demon Realm?¡± Gu Xiu couldn¡¯t help asking. Emperor Extreme Great Saint said, ¡°The Demon Realm is extremely ancient, comparable to the Ancient Desolate World. In my era, demons were not considered rare; they often entered the Ancient Desolate World from the Demon Realm, wantonly slaughtering living beings. And in the Ancient Desolate World, human powerhouses also entered the Demon Realm and seized Demon Cores.¡± ¡°Such wars between the two realms were truly to the death!¡± ¡°Yet, for some reason, in this era, demons seem quite rare; if it were my time, wars between demons and humans would be commonplace.¡± Having said this, Emperor Extreme Great Saint paused, then continued. ¡°However, your entry into the Demon Realm is not entirely a bad thing. Are you aware that you are still missing one thing to awaken your Undying Divine Body?¡± ¡°Do you mean the Nine Death Immortal Grass is in the Demon Realm, Master?¡± Gu Xiu looked slightly stunned, then quickly understood Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s meaning. The latter nodded, ¡°Correct, the Nine Death Immortal Grass is indeed in the Demon Realm, to be precise, only the land marked by an Emperor¡¯s fall could possibly nurture it. But any site marked by an Emperor¡¯s fall is extremely perilous; to venture deep and find the Nine Death Immortal Grass is no easy task.¡± ¡°As far as I know, there is a place marked by an Emperor¡¯s fall in the Demon Realm. Twenty thousand years ago, there was a young seedling of the Nine Death Immortal Grass, and calculating the time, it should have matured by now!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint stated calmly. Twenty thousand years ago, during the war era between humans and demons, Emperor Extreme Great Saint, being a human Great Saint, had naturally entered the Demon Realm and even ventured into the land marked by an Emperor¡¯s fall. There, he saw the Nine Death Immortal Grass. But at that time, the Nine Death Immortal Grass was not many years out of its nurturing stage and would have been of no use if taken; thus, he let the Divine Medicine grow, planning to return for it later if the opportunity arose. What Emperor Extreme Great Saint had not expected was that he would later die in the Nine States, surviving only as a residual spirit. ¡°The land marked by an Emperor¡¯s fall!¡± This was the first time Gu Xiu had heard of this name. Emperor Extreme Great Saint explained, ¡°The land marked by an Emperor¡¯s fall is also known as the forbidden zone of life. Any Great Emperor standing at the zenith of heavens and earth would, upon their fall, foster calamity. Thus, the land marked by an Emperor¡¯s fall is known as the forbidden zone of life, and any living being who recklessly ventures into this area might perish there.¡± ¡°Even saints or inhabitants of the Great Saint Realm, if they risk venturing deeply into the forbidden zone of life, may not be able to return.¡± ¡°You are currently only a Great Grandmaster, not yet qualified to enter the forbidden zone of life. Although the Demon Realm is perilous now, the Demon Cores therein are also treasures for cultivation. In the past, the human race waged war with the Demon Realm not only to resist the invasion but also for the Demon Cores. Such cores contain the essence of a demon¡¯s lifetime of energy; when cultivators refine them, it¡¯s akin to consuming top-tier Elixirs, allowing one¡¯s cultivation to advance rapidly.¡± ¡°The only issue is, just as Elixirs have Elixir toxicity, Demon Cores also have demonic nature, and if one directly consumes a Demon Core, a large part of the energy will be lost, but if it can be refined into an Elixir, the energy of the Demon Core can be retained to the greatest extent.¡± Chapter 339: 247: Two More Offspring Added_2 Chapter 339: Chapter 247: Two More Offspring Added_2 ¡°Unfortunately, refining a Demon Core into an elixir isn¡¯t so easy,¡± the Emperor Extreme Great Saint said, bringing Gu Xiu some relief. He had already experienced the effects of the Demon Core. He had only been at the peak of the Grandmaster Realm before, but after taking the Demon Core for a short time, he had broken through to the mid-level of the Great Grandmaster Realm. At this rate, if he continued to slay demons and seize their cores, Gu Xiu¡¯s breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm and the Daoist Palace Realm would simply be a matter of time. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint said, ¡°Since the Ancient Desolate World has a one-time Transmission Array, then the Demon Realm must have such arrays as well. As long as we find such arrays, there is naturally a chance to leave the Demon Realm.¡± Hearing this, Gu Xiu fell silent for a moment, then found a place to refine the Demon Core first. The Demon Realm was so vast; it wasn¡¯t easy to find a Transmission Array leading to the Ancient Desolate World. After all, even if they truly found an Ancient Transfer Array, whether it led to the Ancient Desolate World was another question. ... Time flew by. Seasons changed. That year, Gu Qingfeng was fifty-five years old. For the past two years, the Nine States had grown increasingly stable under the rule of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Qingfeng spent most of his time in secluded cultivation within the Grinding Blade Hall, silently comprehending the Ancient Heavenly Blade. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has had an epiphany in cultivation, and his cultivation has improved slightly!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has governed his people well, and his reputation has further deepened in their hearts!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has broken through to the initial stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *50!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has gained some understanding of the Green Lotus Sword Scripture while out on an adventure, breaking through to the fifth level of the Green Lotus Sword Intent!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has broken through to the mid-level of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *30!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has broken through to the mid-level of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *30!¡± ¡°You have a new offspring!¡± ¡°You name them Gu Shengqing!¡± ¡°You have a new offspring!¡± ¡°You name them Gu Shengxi!¡± ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has gained a growing reputation in the Taixu Sacred Land, with his Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body having no opponents in the same realm!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has broken through to the mid-level of the Great Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has had a realization in battle while out on an adventure, breaking through to the late stage of the Great Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by demons *13659!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has consumed a Demon Core, breaking through to the late stage of the Great Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has consumed a Demon Core, breaking through to the peak of the Great Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has had an epiphany amidst slaughter, deepening his mastery of the Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist, greatly advancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by demons *23651!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by demons *29612!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ has made a breakthrough in cultivating the Divine Sun Scripture, becoming more skilled in his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Chang¡¯ has failed his breakthrough to the Daoist Palace Realm, suffering a backlash, resulting in serious injuries and a great decline in strength!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Hong Ye¡¯ has accidentally come upon a fortuitous opportunity, breaking through to the First Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ has been attacked by demons *55648!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ has consumed and refined a Demon Core, breaking through to the First Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ has been attacked by a Nine Layers Demon General of the Divine Transformation Realm, suffering serious injuries!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Shishiliu¡¯ has wandered into a dangerous place, suffered heavy injuries, and was on the verge of falling below the Great Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ... For the past two years, Gu Qingfeng had been regularly monitoring the attribute panel, keeping an eye on the changes in the Gu Family¡¯s offspring and the many Death Soldiers. In that time, the cultivation of both Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu had seen rapid progress. In comparison, Gu Xiu was actually a cut above the rest. Although Gu Xuan became a True Disciple after being accepted into Taixu Sacred Land and, because of possessing the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, received considerable attention and resources from the Sacred Land for cultivation, Gu Xiu also received guidance from the fragmented spirit of a Great Saint Ninth Layer and was in the perilous Demon Realm, where he found opportunities of his own. Thus, Gu Xiu¡¯s rate of breakthrough, strictly speaking, was three parts faster than Gu Xuan¡¯s. Then, there was Gu Yang, who in these two years had taken many concubines and successfully fathered two children. This outcome was naturally pleasing to Gu Qingfeng. For the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline to flourish, Gu Qingfeng believed, still depended on Gu Yang. With one brother becoming a True Inheritor of Taixu Sacred Land and the other trapped in the Demon Realm, the prospect of marriage and progeny was far from easy for Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu. In contrast, Gu Yang, as the current Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty, naturally needed a plentiful bloodline to inherit the vast empire, which made the three palaces and six courtyards, the three thousand concubines, indispensable. Although Gu Yang was not one to be indulged in beauty, he still took a number of concubines upon the suggestion of many ministers. As for Zhong Li, she had been named Empress a year ago, in charge of the inner palace. Unfortunately, Gu Yang¡¯s cultivation had already reached the peak of the Grandmaster Realm, and although the Ancient Desolate World had its own secret techniques to increase the likelihood of producing heirs, the higher one¡¯s cultivation, the lower the probability of having children. Therefore, the best course of action to expand the family bloodline would be to marry and produce offspring before reaching the Grandmaster Realm. Of course, even Grandmasters or Great Grandmasters could still hope to have offspring, only with a slightly lower probability. Like Gu Yang, who had only added two by now. However, even so, Gu Qingfeng was quite satisfied. The addition of two granddaughters was another step in the growth and expansion of the Gu Family. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his own attribute panel. Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 55/6000 Realm: Daoist Palace Realm Sixth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Sixth Layer), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Small Success), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Li Feng Scripture (Not Entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Not Entered), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not Entered) Upgrade Points: 2724 ¡°Two thousand seven hundred twenty-four upgrade points should be enough to advance the Ancient Heavenly Blade.¡± Although Gu Qingfeng was thinking along these lines, he did not have the immediate impulse to break through. Because, over these past two years, Gu Qingfeng had gained some insight into the Ancient Heavenly Blade, and he had already faintly touched the barrier to the Great Success of the skill. If he could cultivate the Ancient Heavenly Blade to Great Success on his own, then he could save two thousand upgrade points. At that time, the extra two thousand upgrade points could be used to cultivate the Ancient Heavenly Blade to Perfection. If it were an urgent situation, Gu Qingfeng naturally would not hold back, but considering that the Divine Martial Dynasty was not in trouble at the moment and he himself had no formidable enemies, there was no need to rush. So, what Gu Qingfeng needed to do now was to enter seclusion to strive for the Great Success of the Ancient Heavenly Blade. In the time to come, Gu Qingfeng would be completely in closed-door cultivation, instructing Gu Peng not to let anyone disturb him, unless the Divine Martial Dynasty was at a life-and-death moment. After giving the order, Gu Qingfeng went into seclusion. The massive gates of Grinding Blade Hall were tightly shut, a terrifying Blade Intent permeated within, preventing anyone from truly getting close. ¡°Father has gone into seclusion again?¡± The news of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s seclusion was immediately brought to the attention of Gu Yang. Gu Yang was already accustomed to Gu Qingfeng¡¯s seclusions. However, like now, when the other party went into complete seclusion, it was something Gu Yang seldom saw. He had a premonition. When Gu Qingfeng emerged from seclusion this time, his strength would likely have a great breakthrough. With this thought, Gu Yang¡¯s face showed a faint smile, ¡°This is good. The stronger Father becomes, the more stable the foundation of my Divine Martial Dynasty will be. Speaking of which, I have been at the Great Grandmaster Realm for some time now. Now that Father has entered seclusion, it¡¯s time for me to find the opportunity to break through the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± From Great Grandmaster to Divine Transformation Realm was a major transformation. Being the ruler of an empire with merely a Great Grandmaster¡¯s cultivation was indeed not enough. However, advancing to the Divine Transformation Realm was not easy; even with Gu Yang¡¯s decent talent and having the Qi Fortune of ruling over a kingdom, to truly step into this realm would still require a significant period of accumulation. Just then, a voice came from outside the Imperial Study Room. ¡°Your Majesty, your servant Gu Yi requests an audience!¡± Chapter 340: 248: Astonishing Reward Chapter 340: Chapter 248: Astonishing Reward ¡°What is it?¡± Gu Yang looked at the person before him and asked indifferently. Gu Yi bowed and said, ¡°Reporting to Your Majesty, the Hidden Guard has already gathered news about Prince Yun!¡± ¡°Speak!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression changed suddenly, and he asked urgently. It had been several years since Gu Xiu left the Nine States, and two years ago, Gu Qingfeng had asked the court to look for Gu Xiu¡¯s whereabouts. At first, Gu Yang did not care too much, merely thinking that Gu Xiu had left home for a while and that Gu Qingfeng missed him. However, as the Hidden Guard delved deeper without any trace of Gu Xiu, Gu Yang realized things were not so simple. After all, these past years, the Divine Martial Dynasty seemed to be peacefully isolated, without any intention to meddle with the Ancient Desolate World, but secretly, the Divine Martial Dynasty had already sent many people deep into the Eastern Domain to establish an intelligence network. To investigate one person¡¯s whereabouts and find not even a trace was impossible. Now that there was news about Gu Xiu, Gu Yang certainly could not be indifferent. Gu Yi said, ¡°Years ago, Prince Yun once appeared in Emperor Extreme Mountain in the Southern Domain, which was the former site of the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land. After the decline of the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, it was annihilated by numerous forces. Not long after Prince Yun¡¯s appearance on Emperor Extreme Mountain, he was besieged by other cultivators, suspected of possessing the legacy of Emperor Extreme Great Saint.¡± ¡°Two years ago, a great battle erupted outside Heavenly Star City. Prince Yun was encircled by several Daoist Palace Realm experts, and later it was said that the remnant soul of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint manifested, using Prince Yun¡¯s body to escape.¡± ¡°Not long after, Prince Yun entered an Ancient Transfer Array and then vanished without a trace!¡± As Gu Yi¡¯s words fell, a terrifying killing intent enveloped the entire Imperial Study Room; Gu Yang¡¯s face was authoritative and his expression icy, with a chilling intention to kill in his eyes. ¡°Is it clear which forces took action against Prince Yun?¡± ¡°Countless forces have acted against Prince Yun, but the leaders were from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, the Zhou Family of the Southern Domain, and the Wang Family of the Southern Domain, among others. Here is all the intelligence on these forces, for Your Majesty¡¯s perusal!¡± Gu Yi presented all the well-organized intelligence reports before Gu Yang. The latter examined them for a long time, his face growing increasingly detached. ¡°The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land... Zhou Family of the Southern Domain!¡± ¡°Humph, do they really think they can bully the people of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Among the hundreds of forces involved in the encirclement of Gu Yang, there were certainly major forces with Dao Palace Realm experts in residence, such as the Zhou Family and the Wang Family, which both belonged to the Saint Families. And more notably, Unlike the Shangguan Family, which only produced a single Saint, Both the Zhou Family and the Wang Family had seen several Saints emerge over the years. As for the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, It was an ancient force that had existed for a full six hundred thousand years. A hundred thousand years ago, The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land produced an invincible Saint King who swept across the Southern Domain, and its prestige reached its peak. But after the Saint King¡¯s demise, the strength of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land plummeted. Nevertheless, A starving camel is still larger than a horse. The profound heritage of the today¡¯s Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was not to be underestimated. After all, it has only been a mere hundred thousand years since the Saint King passed away, and its heritage had not been wholly exhausted. Furthermore, over the subsequent hundred thousand years, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had continuously produced several Saints. Ten thousand years ago, The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land also had a top-notch existence who stepped into the half-step Great Saint Realm. If that half-step Great Saint could have attained the Great Saint Realm, he would have restored the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land to its former glory. Alas, he failed to break through in the end. ... ¡°The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± ¡°This force is indeed not to be underestimated¡ª¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression was solemn. Compared to the depth of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, the current Divine Martial Dynasty was far behind. The difference between the two lay in the accumulation of time. With a history of six hundred thousand years, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land produced many powerful beings, each contributing to the heritage of the Holy Land. Over the long passage of time, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had naturally become exceedingly formidable. In truth, There were many such existences like the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land throughout the Ancient Desolate World. Some forces had even existed for over a million years, with unfathomably deep roots, nearly immovable. Furthermore¡ª What most concerned Gu Yang was the remnant soul of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. He did not know whether Gu Xiu had been possessed; if indeed he had, the consequences would be severe. Originally, Gu Yang wanted to inform Gu Qingfeng immediately, but considering the latter was presently in seclusion, evidently attempting to break through to a higher realm, he suppressed the urge. More importantly, now that Gu Xiu¡¯s whereabouts were unknown, telling him would change nothing. ¡°Command the Hidden Guard to search fully for Prince Yun¡¯s whereabouts; any news must be reported to me immediately. Moreover, my father is in seclusion; make sure the Hidden Guard does not disturb him!¡± Gu Yang ordered in a deep voice. Hearing this, Gu Yi naturally bowed and accepted the order. Subsequently, Gu Yang announced his own seclusion. As for matters in court, unless there was an emergency, they would be temporarily handled by the various ministers. If there were truly a difficult decision, he would then come forward to resolve it. ¡ª The vast Divine Martial Dynasty now seemed to have returned to calm. The monarch in seclusion, The court operating in an orderly fashion. The Heavenly Patrol Guard patrolled the Nine States, with any cultivator violating the laws of the court being directly suppressed. Worth mentioning was that The current commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard, a prodigy from Nanyue Mountain, broke through the Great Grandmaster Realm¡¯s barrier in just a few years with the help of the court¡¯s resources and advanced to become a Divine Transformation cultivator. Chapter 341: 248: Astonishing Reward_2 Chapter 341: Chapter 248: Astonishing Reward_2 It could be said that, aside from Gu Qingfeng, the breakthrough at Nanyue Mountain represented the first true Divine Transformation Realm cultivator in the Nine States. The Hidden Guards and Death Soldiers that Gu Qingfeng commanded, strictly speaking, weren¡¯t considered native cultivators of the Nine States. Since Nanyue Mountain¡¯s breakthrough, the strength of the Heavenly Patrol Guard had surged significantly. Having a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator at the helm as opposed to not having one, those were two entirely different concepts. Furthermore, with the court-awarded treasures in Nanyue Mountain¡¯s possession and the superior cultivation techniques he practiced, his true strength was on par with cultivators at the second or third level of the Divine Transformation Realm. And so, the reputation of the Heavenly Patrol Guard had also been growing by the day. One day, the Capital was shaken. An terrifyingly powerful Blade Intent soared into the sky, akin to a blazing sun illuminating the world; every cultivator in Guangyang Prefecture instinctively looked up at the sky, shock apparent on their faces. ¡°Such a terrifying Blade Intent, could there be such a strong person in the Nine States!?¡± Cultivators at the Divine Transformation Realm trembled in their hearts, their blood and strength quivering instinctively, as if targeted by some dreadful entity. The profundity of such Blade Intent, so fearsome as if a mere fraction of its presence could effortlessly annihilate oneself. It was hard to imagine. What kind of formidable person could wield such terrifying power. However, there were also cultivators who had witnessed the battle at Tianxiong Pass and, upon perceiving such Blade Intent, couldn¡¯t help but be reminded of that moment. Without a doubt, in the entire Guangyang Prefecture, there could only be one person capable of such Blade Intent. ¡°Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng!¡± ¡°His strength has become even more terrifying!¡± Some cultivators looked on in horror. Ever since Gu Qingfeng made a name for himself in the Ancient Desolate World, his past deeds were unearthed. Speaking of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s former title as Martial Saint, naturally, it couldn¡¯t be acknowledged by the cultivators of the Ancient Desolate World. After all, throughout history, the number of powerful beings in the Ancient Desolate World had been countless, and even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s shocking strength, he was not yet at the level to be honored as Martial Saint. So, the title of Domineering Blade once again entered people¡¯s view. Coupled with the terrifying Blade Dao demonstrated by Gu Qingfeng in the past, he naturally deserved the title of Domineering Blade. ¡°My father has made a breakthrough!¡± Gu Yang, who was in the midst of a retreat trying to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm, was suddenly stimulated by such Blade Intent, and the barrier that was so nearly breached instantly shattered. Boom! His blood underwent a transformation. The terrifying power of his vitality evolved toward the Divine Transformation Realm, every drop of blood seemingly imbued with supreme divine might. After a long while, this power finally subsided. Gu Yang, feeling the changes within his body, couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°This is the power of the Divine Transformation Realm, indeed incomparable to a Great Grandmaster!¡± Before his breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm, his strength alone could suppress an average Divine Transformation cultivator. Now that he had made the breakthrough, even the most common Divine Transformation cultivators were no match for him. Moreover, following the breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm, Gu Yang also noticed that the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty seemed to have solidified quite a bit. It was a virtuous cycle. An increase in the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty could benefit Gu Yang, the Emperor, thereby accelerating his cultivation pace, but simultaneously, if Gu Yang made a breakthrough, it could also indirectly heighten the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune. After all, as the Emperor, Gu Yang¡¯s very existence was quite significant to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Thus, it was no surprise to Gu Yang that the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune was changing. However, to transform into a royal dynasty, the Divine Martial Dynasty still had a long way to go. No kingdom could rely solely on having a few top-notch powerhouses; only when the strength of a nation¡¯s citizens progressed could it truly join the ranks of a royal dynasty. And so, even among powers with practitioners at the Daoist Palace Realm at the helm, dynasties often tended to be much stronger than some sects or Holy Lands. Now that he had made a breakthrough, Gu Yang was naturally in high spirits. He left the secret chamber and looked in the direction of the Gu Family Manor. Blade Intent piercing the heavens. Just like the sun spanning the sky. If it were not for Gu Qingfeng¡¯s breakthrough and the stimulation of his powerful Blade Intent, Gu Yang would have needed more time to achieve his own breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm. Cultivation was truly such; prizing both talent and opportunity. ¡°My father¡¯s breakthrough this time must signify a leap in his strength, but just how far has Father progressed?¡± Gu Yang murmured to himself, unsure of the extent of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, as he always felt there was more to it. Whenever he thought he had grasped his father¡¯s true capabilities, he would realize that it was only the tip of the iceberg. Such an unfathomable level of strength not only filled Gu Yang with awe but also gave him a great sense of security. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s rise to its current state was inseparable from the support of Gu Qingfeng. ... After a long while. The Blade Intent gradually weakened. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, his gaze was like two Divine Blades slashing through the void, causing the entire Grinding Blade Hall to shake violently, and all the Divine Weapons bowed their heads in submission, as if they were sentient beings. For a moment. Gu Qingfeng let out a breath, a rare smile appeared on his face. ¡°Ancient Heavenly Blade Great Success!¡± ¡°This retreat has indeed brought significant gains.¡± With the breakthrough to Great Success of the Ancient Heavenly Blade, it meant that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s own realm could make further breakthroughs, saving him two thousand Upgrade Points in the process. One must know that two thousand Upgrade Points were not a small sum, if used for a breakthrough in realm, they could allow him to reach the peak of the Tiaoist Palace Realm at Tenth Level. Then. Gu Qingfeng skillfully opened his attribute panel, and the information that met his eyes greatly lifted his spirits. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ stimulated by the Ancient Heavenly Blade Intent, has had a breakthrough in cultivation to the First Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *700!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Blood Pill *100!¡± ¡°Reward Nourishing God Pill *100!¡± ¡°Reward Death Soldiers (top-grade geniuses) *3000!¡± ¡°Reward Great Saint Weapon ¡®Divine Emperor Tripod¡¯!¡± ... ¡°Three thousand Death Soldiers!¡± ¡°Great Saint Weapon!!¡± Gu Qingfeng had not expected that this breakthrough of Gu Yang would actually bring him another batch of Death Soldiers. Moreover. This batch of Death Soldiers, like the last batch, fell into the category of top-grade geniuses. Now that the Nine States bordered the Ancient Desolate World, the ceiling for top-grade geniuses had been completely removed, and talents of such caliber could, barring accidents, at least step into the Divine Transformation Realm in the future. As for whether they could break through to the Dao Palace Realm and even the higher Saint Realm, that depended on their individual fortunes. After all, to cultivate to such a level relying solely on talent was difficult; it was more about seizing fortune. The Ancient Desolate World was not short of examples where some with ordinary talent, due to various fortunes, ultimately became top powerhouses. Thus. Talent only determined the lower limit, but it absolutely did not limit the upper potential. But no matter what, three thousand top-grade talented Death Soldiers significantly supplemented the manpower Gu Qingfeng had been lacking. With such a group scattered across the Ancient Desolate World, even if only one-tenth of them could break through the Dao Palace Realm, it would still be an extremely fearsome force. And furthermore. Who could guarantee, among these people, there were no strong individuals who could attain Saint through their own cultivation. As long as there were enough Death Soldiers, there would always be a chance for surprises. However. Compared to three thousand Death Soldiers. What truly caught Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attention was another reward given by the attribute panel. A Great Saint Weapon! With a thought from Gu Qingfeng, an ancient tripod appeared before him. The ancient tripod seemed to be cast from bronze, with divine radiance and Dao Rhythm diffusing from it, as if it was evolving the myriad aspects of heaven and earth, spreading a terrifying pressure that seemed to suppress the eternal void. This was the Divine Emperor Tripod! Gu Qingfeng performed the blood rite to recognize it as his own, imprinting his Divine Soul Mark on it. The entire process faced no obstruction, and the Divine Emperor Tripod showed no struggle, as if it willingly submitted. After the recognition. Gu Qingfeng held the Divine Emperor Tripod and could feel the terrifying power contained within this treasure. Such power was many times stronger than that of the Holy Weapon, the Cloud Thunder Cauldron. ¡°This is a Great Saint Weapon!!¡± Before obtaining a Great Saint Weapon, Gu Qingfeng could not truly comprehend the strength of such treasures. But now. Controlling the Divine Emperor Tripod. Gu Qingfeng finally understood the terror of such a treasure. With a Great Saint Weapon in hand, he had a premonition that even if a true Saint emerged, he might easily suppress them. Then. Gu Qingfeng placed the Divine Emperor Tripod into his Dan Tian Dao Palace. When the Divine Emperor Tripod entered the Dan Tian, the Holy Weapon Cloud Thunder Cauldron trembled slightly, as if it felt fear. Following that. Gu Qingfeng looked towards his attribute panel. ... PS: I¡¯ve been busier these past few days with finishing up some house renovations, so the updates have been a bit late. Updates will return to normal in the next two days! Chapter 342: 249: Semi-Saint Cultivation Chapter 342: Chapter 249: Semi-Saint Cultivation Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 56/6000 Realm: Daoist Palace Realm Eighth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Divine Sun Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Fourth Layer), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Great Success), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng True Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Not entered), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 3424 ... More than three thousand four hundred upgrade points. Ancient Heavenly Blade reached great success. Without hesitation, Gu Qingfeng directly upgraded the Ancient Heavenly Blade to perfection. A flood of memories emerged, and the supreme inheritance of saints finally unfolded before Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. In an instant, a fierce and supremely ancient Blade Intent barely rose before it vanished without a trace. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s aura was contained within him, but within his star-like eyes, it seemed as though endless Blade Qi was being nurtured and born; if any cultivator dared meet his gaze, they would be wounded by the Blade Qi. However, this Blade Qi did not maintain for too long before Gu Qingfeng retracted it. Following the perfection of the Ancient Heavenly Blade, Gu Qingfeng then upgraded the Divine Sun Scripture. ... Consuming five hundred upgrade points, Divine Sun Scripture breaks through to the Dao Palace Chapter Seventh Layer! Consuming five hundred upgrade points, Divine Sun Scripture breaks through to the Daoist Palace Realm Eighth Layer! ... In a short amount of time, Gu Qingfeng upgraded the Divine Sun Scripture by two layers, breaking through directly from the Daoist Palace Realm Sixth Layer to the Daoist Palace Realm Eighth Layer. As his cultivation advanced, the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit within his Dantian also grew to seventy-two inches. Seventy-two-inch Dao Palace Primordial Spirit! That is the limit Gu Qingfeng at the Daoist Palace Realm Eighth Layer could accommodate. He had a premonition that this Primordial Spirit was not his limit. If he could break through to a higher level, he would be able to further grow his Primordial Spirit. ¡°The power of the Daoist Palace Realm Eighth Layer is twice as strong as when I was at the Sixth Layer; coupled with the perfection of the Ancient Heavenly Blade, I wonder to what extent my current strength has grown!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered privately. But one thing he could be certain of: If he faced the Holy Weapon of the Shangguan Family again, Gu Qingfeng would easily suppress it. That is to say, his current strength was at least stronger than that of an ordinary Saint. Whether he could contend with a real Great Saint using a Great Saint Weapon, Gu Qingfeng was unsure for the time being. After all, he had not yet truly encountered a powerhouse of the Great Saint Realm. However, just by sensing the terrify aura of the Great Saint Weapon, if it really came to battle, Gu Qingfeng felt he would hardly be an opponent. But this was normal. He was currently only at the Daoist Palace Realm Eighth Layer and had not even stepped into the Saint Realm, let alone the Great Saint Realm. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng noticed that the upgrade points on his attribute panel were moving again. The original four hundred plus upgrade points had directly broken through to a thousand points. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in a secret realm, breaking through to the late stage of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in a secret realm, breaking through to the peak of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengqing¡¯ has consumed a secret medicine to temper their physique, improving their talent, passively breaking through to the initial stage of the Refining Skin Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *1!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxi¡¯ has consumed a secret medicine to temper their physique, improving their talent, passively breaking through to the initial stage of the Refining Skin Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *1!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengqing¡¯...¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxi¡¯ has consumed a secret medicine to temper their physique, improving their talent, passively breaking through to the initial stage of the Blood Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *20!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has slain 69 Fierce Beasts!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has gained sudden insight into themselves during combat, breaking through to the mid-level of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *50!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has broken through to the late stage of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *30!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has broken through to the late stage of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points *30!¡± ... A series of breakthroughs caught Gu Qingfeng somewhat by surprise. Immediately, a smile appeared on his face. ¡°The advantages of the strengthening Gu Family bloodline are becoming more and more apparent; I originally thought that it would still take some time to accumulate and break through to the Daoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer, but it seems I¡¯ve encountered such good fortunes.¡± The offspring seemed to have agreed to a collective breakthrough, causing a short burst in the increase of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s upgrade points. In this moment, Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate and instantly allocated all the upgrade points to his own cultivation. Instantly, his cultivation soared once again. His cultivation from the Daoist Palace Realm Eighth Layer broke through in one breath to the Daoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer. Terrifying Blood Qi surged like furious waves within his physique, enveloping the entire Grinding Blade Hall with an extremely terrifying Blood Qi Power; Divine Weapons trembled, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner emerged with rolling black fog, as if something sinister was emitting mournful wails. Blood Qi Power is a great supplement for the sinister, but if it¡¯s too strong, it becomes deadly poison. At present, the Blood Qi Power unconsciously emanated by Gu Qingfeng after breaking through to the Daoist Palace Realm Tenth Layer caused the sinister beings within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner to disintegrate rapidly. Even with the Ten Thousand Soul Banner as a shelter, it could not completely block the penetration of such power. In just a few breaths, it seemed like all the sinister beings within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner would be completely wiped out. At that moment, Gu Qingfeng pulled back all the radiated Blood Qi into his body, and the remaining sinister beings within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner shrank into a corner, their gazes toward the outside world filled with fear. At this point, Gu Qingfeng paid no attention to these beings, focusing instead on himself. Chapter 343: 249 Semi-Saint Cultivation_2 Chapter 343: Chapter 249 Semi-Saint Cultivation_2 Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer! It meant that he had reached the peak at this level. ¡°The so-called Semi-Saint is actually just the Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer. It¡¯s just that those with a profound accumulation at the Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer are distinct from the common cultivators at this same layer, thus they can be called Semi-Saints.¡± ¡°Now that I have broken through to the Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer, I can also be considered a cultivator at the Half-Saint Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng introspected his Dan Tian Dao Palace, only to see his Primordial Spirit had grown to eighty-one inches. The eighty-one-inch Primordial Spirit lurking in the Dao Palace seemed to resonate with the physical body¡¯s blood qi, but there was an indescribable barrier as if obstructing the fusion of the two. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression changed subtly, and suddenly he attained some enlightenment. ¡°This is why the End of Dharma Era makes it difficult for Saints to emerge from heaven and earth!¡± ¡°To authenticate as a Saint, one must merge the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit with the physical body, transforming them into one entity, and subsequently enhance one¡¯s blood qi and Divine Thought immensely to command the power of heaven and earth. Only such a powerhouse can be termed a Saint!¡± What is a Saint? Gu Qingfeng was of course clear. After all, he had obtained the Nirvana Dao Scripture that directly pointed to the peak of the Great Saints, which described the methods of authenticating as a Saint and the mysteries of the Saint Realm. However, different Cultivation Techniques had their differences when authenticating as Saints. For instance, the authentication as a Saint within the Nirvana Dao Scripture required the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, without which truly successful cultivation was practically impossible. Nonetheless. Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t pay too much attention to the restrictive requirements of the Nirvana Dao Scripture. After all, the Nirvana Dao Scripture has its constraints, and he, Gu Qingfeng, also has his own advantages. So. Looking at the remaining Upgrade Points, Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate to invest all of them into the Nirvana Dao Scripture. ... ¡°Consuming one Upgrade Point, Nirvana Dao Scripture First Level cultivation successful!¡± ¡°Consuming two Upgrade Points, Nirvana Dao Scripture Second Level cultivation successful!¡± ¡°Consuming...¡± ... Before long. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s aura permeated, and the memories related to the Nirvana Dao Scripture emerged in his mind. In that long memory, he saw his arduous cultivation of the Nirvana Dao Scripture, which seemed impossible without the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, making the cultivation of this technique genuinely unattainable. However. Reliant on his own enlightenment, Gu Qingfeng had, with several times the effort, forcibly cultivated the Nirvana Dao Scripture to the beginner level and then steadily advanced. This prolonged period could be a hundred years or even a thousand years, but how long exactly was unclear, even to Gu Qingfeng himself. When the surge of memory subsided, he unawares had cultivated the Nirvana Dao Scripture to the standard of the Grandmaster Second Level. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 56/6000 Realm: Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfection), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Grandmaster Second Level), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 72 ... ¡°The Grandmaster Second Level, although it steps into the Divine Transformation Realm, has also subtly enhanced my strength!¡± ¡°If I truly break through Nirvana Dao Scripture to the Saint Realm, I¡¯m curious, whether the suppression of heaven and earth in the End of Dharma Era can be broken¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at his attribute panel, lost in thought for a moment. By stepping into the Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer and touching the so-called Half-Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng finally understood why no Saints emerged in this era. End of Dharma Era. Heaven and earth naturally impose suppression. Even the most astonishingly talented individuals find it hard to overcome the suppression of heaven and earth to achieve the Saint Realm. Nevertheless. The attribute panel obviously did not fall into this category. Gu Qingfeng believed that if he had enough Upgrade Points, he might be able to authenticate as a Saint in the End of Dharma Era. But to become a Saint, a significant number of Upgrade Points were needed. When the Divine Sun Scripture reached Perfection, Gu Qingfeng had also tried to Breakthrough, only to realize it required a full twenty thousand Upgrade Points. Calculating at ten times the consumption for a Breakthrough, it implied that each level¡¯s advancement in the Saint Realm would require two thousand Upgrade Points. This consumption. Was four times that of the Dao Palace Realm. Additionally¡ª The Nirvana Dao Scripture is currently at the Grandmaster Realm, and if I want to elevate this cultivation technique to the Dao Palace Realm as well, it would require several thousand upgrade points at the very least. Then comes the assault on the Saint Realm. Gu Qingfeng conservatively estimated that he would need about ten thousand upgrade points to truly achieve a breakthrough. Ten thousand upgrade points was no small number. So far, the total upgrade points that Gu Qingfeng had genuinely obtained amounted to just over ten thousand. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng redirected his attention back to his own body. The Nirvana Dao Scripture of the Grandmaster Realm brought limited changes to his current state. But even so, it was evident that the Nirvana Dao Scripture was much more powerful than the Divine Sun Scripture. After all, the former was, in the end, a cultivation technique that directly pointed to the pinnacle of Great Saints. Every single level it established laid a foundation that ordinary cultivation techniques could not match. Of course, this was not to say that the Divine Sun Scripture was weak, but that the Nirvana Dao Scripture was simply too strong. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng spent several days to thoroughly research his current state and then reached out to grab the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Now, the eerie aura within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner had reduced to the freezing point; when Gu Qingfeng¡¯s divine thought entered it, he found that only a few oddities remained. The remaining strange entities had been almost entirely dissolved by the recently absorbed vitality. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression shifted slightly, and then with a flick of his finger, a drop of his weak vital blood fell into the banner. In an instant, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner trembled. Several oddities, as if they had seen some supreme delicacy, immediately overcame their inherent fear and lunged at the drop of vital blood. In a flash, these few oddities had divided and consumed all the vital blood. In less than a moment, the aura on the oddities became more solid, and they had indeed broken through to the Master level; if classified according to the old Nine States division, they should be called Floating Tomb-level strange entities. However, the classification of oddities in the Nine States only went up to Yama, which is also the Grandmaster level. Thus, instead of calling Master level oddities Floating Tombs, Gu Qingfeng preferred to use the conventional term. ¡°Three Master-level oddities, although not exactly influential, could prove to be a significant help in the future if cultivated properly!¡± ¡°Additionally, even I can¡¯t fully see through the Ten Thousand Soul Banner now; I fear its origins are not simple.¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the Ten Thousand Soul Banner in his hand, and with his cultivation breakthrough and a broadened perspective, he could sense that this treasure was not as simple as he had initially thought. At least with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current level of cultivation, he could not deduce any clues about the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Furthermore, when Gu Qingfeng tried to infuse his power into the banner, he could not destroy this precious artifact. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng became even more convinced that the Ten Thousand Soul Banner was no ordinary item. With his current Semi-Saint cultivation, and a formidable strength far surpassing that of a Semi-Saint, he could shatter a Holy Weapon, yet he was helpless against the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. From this, it could be seen that this treasure was extraordinary. Thinking of the ancient secrets of the Nine States, Gu Qingfeng had reasons to suspect that the Ten Thousand Soul Banner might also have an unusual origin. After studying the Ten Thousand Soul Banner for a while, Gu Qingfeng tossed it into the Heavenly Cloud Ring. This treasure¡ª he planned to carry with him. Perhaps at some time, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner could play a role. As for leaving it in the Grinding Blade Hall, that would simply be allowing a treasure to gather dust. After all, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner was different from other Divine Weapons; others could withstand the tempering by the Blade Intent here, but clearly, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner was not suitable. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng stood up to leave his retreat. The door of the Grinding Blade Hall, closed for over a year, opened; then Gu Qingfeng¡¯s divine thought spread out, instantly covering the entire Gu Family Manor. Shortly after, with one step, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s figure had disappeared in front of the Grinding Blade Hall. Chapter 344: 250: How Can My Gu Family People Be Bullied By Others! Chapter 344: Chapter 250: How Can My Gu Family People Be Bullied By Others! ¡°Congratulations, manor master, on the great success of your Divine Skill!¡± Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, Gu Peng immediately kowtowed, his face filled with a smiling expression and words of flattery. The spectacle of the Blade Intent illuminating the sky had not escaped Gu Peng¡¯s eyes. Clearly, Gu Qingfeng had made another breakthrough in his strength. When the manor master was younger, he could already vanquish a Saint¡¯s Divine Thought; now that his cultivation had advanced further, exactly how powerful he had become was something even Gu Peng did not know. But one thing, Gu Peng understood clearly. That was, the stronger Gu Qingfeng became, the more stable the Gu Family Manor would be. Having stayed at the Gu Family Manor for decades, though not of the Gu family bloodline, Gu Peng had come to consider himself fully a part of the Gu family. Thus, Gu Peng naturally hoped that the Gu Family Manor would become increasingly prosperous. ¡°You haven¡¯t made much progress in your cultivation over these years, have you perhaps been slacking?¡± Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow as he looked at Gu Peng, able to see through everything about him. Upon hearing this, Gu Peng laughed bitterly, ¡°My talents are dull; if the manor master hadn¡¯t given me opportunities, I might not have even broken through to become a Grandmaster, let alone achieve the Great Grandmaster status I have now. As for progressing further, I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s unlikely.¡± Gu Peng was well aware of his own circumstances; his talents were quite mundane, and his breakthrough to Great Grandmaster had been due to consuming elixirs. Gu Peng had reached the peak of the Great Grandmaster for many years, but had never managed to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm, precisely for this reason. Without significant opportunities, he might remain at this realm for his entire life. But frankly speaking, Gu Peng was already quite satisfied. After all, cultivators at the Great Grandmaster realm within a complete cultivation system could live for four thousand years. For Gu Peng, such a lifespan was unimaginable. Four thousand years of life. To a mortal, this was akin to eternal life. Certainly, achieving the Divine Transformation Realm would grant him a lifespan of five thousand years. However, thinking about reaching that realm was something Gu Peng didn¡¯t dare to contemplate just yet. After all, four thousand years was already quite a lengthy time. To this date, Gu Peng was not even a hundred years old. Looking at the man who had followed him for so many years, Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, then flicked his finger, merging a droplet of his blood into Gu Peng¡¯s body. ¡°This droplet of my blood, you can refine it slowly on your own; I believe it should help you break through to the Divine Transformation Realm without a problem.¡± Gu Peng looked shocked, then immediately kowtowed. ¡°Thank you, manor master!!!¡± That droplet of blood, sealed within his body by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s special techniques, contained an immense power, even if sealed. If Gu Peng could slowly dissipate the power within the blood, breaking through to the Divine Transformation Realm would definitely not be an issue. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng did not say much more. Such methods of aiding others¡¯ breakthroughs, in fact, were somewhat akin to helping the shoots grow by pulling on them and could easily lead to unstable foundations, making further breakthroughs even more difficult. However, to Gu Qingfeng, these risks were immaterial for Gu Peng. Given the latter¡¯s talents, unless something unexpected occurred, it would be highly unlikely for him to reach the Divine Transformation Realm even in thousands of years. Such a level of breakthrough couldn¡¯t simply be achieved by time alone. Otherwise, with the long lifespan of a Great Grandmaster, cultivators in the Ancient Desolate World would generally be of the Divine Transformation Realm. In reality, such breakthroughs also depend greatly on innate talent and opportunities. Thus, since Gu Peng had no hope of reaching the Divine Transformation Realm initially, having one such opportunity for breakthrough now was certainly not a bad thing. The only regret was that this time, Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough did not trigger the Direct Ascension Pill that leads directly to the ninth layer of Divine Transformation Realm; otherwise, it could¡¯ve allowed Gu Peng to step directly into the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm without worrying about unstable foundations. Then, after Gu Peng left, Gu Qingfeng went to the back mountain of the Gu Family Manor and released the three thousand newly acquired Death Soldiers. These three thousand individuals were all sixteen-year-old boys and girls. For these three thousand, Gu Qingfeng had no special arrangements. After granting them the status of Hidden Guards, he let them act freely. Those who wished to stay within the Gu Family Manor to cultivate could do so; those who did not wish to stay could freely go to any place to find their own opportunities. However, prior to this, Gu Qingfeng had also transmitted a Cultivation Technique that directed one toward the Daoist Palace Realm to all. Having a Cultivation Technique was ultimately a good thing. Watching everyone disperse, Gu Qingfeng thought to himself, ¡°I wonder how many of these people can reach the Daoist Palace Realm, and how many can become Saints in the future!¡± Three thousand people represented three thousand hopes. However, it was certain that some of them would not be able to make it to the end. The Ancient Desolate World is perilous, filled with all sorts of dangers at every moment; even those in the Daoist Palace Realm could falter, let alone ordinary people. But these were not things Gu Qingfeng could intervene in anymore; he had done what he needed to do, and the rest would depend on their own opportunities. ... Half a day later, a representative from the court arrived. Gu Yi respectfully said to Gu Qingfeng, ¡°This subordinate greets the revered one, Your Majesty would like to invite you to the palace, there are urgent matters to discuss!¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡± Gu Qingfeng also wanted to see Gu Yang, especially since the latter had made a breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm, and he had yet to meet him. Additionally, he wanted to see his two granddaughters. Although Gu Sheng¡¯an and Gu Shengxing were not currently at the Gu Family Manor, they had their own mansions within the Capital. However, due to their young age, they were staying inside the palace. Chapter 345: 250: How Can My Gu Family People Be Bullied By Others!_2 Chapter 345: Chapter 250: How Can My Gu Family People Be Bullied By Others!_2 Everyone says that grandparents have a special affection for their grandchildren, and Gu Qingfeng is certainly fond of his two granddaughters. Very good. Gu Qingfeng then entered the imperial palace, guided by the eunuch, and arrived at the Imperial Study Room. ¡°I¡¯ve seen Father!¡± Gu Yang had been waiting for a long time. Gu Qingfeng glanced at him and then nodded, ¡°Not bad, your vitality is abundant, and your foundation is solid. It seems that your breakthrough into the Divine Transformation Realm has left your foundation well polished.¡± ¡°Thanks to Father¡¯s guidance, otherwise the breakthrough would not have been so easy!¡± Gu Yang shook his head and smiled wryly. ¡°My Cultivation in front of Father is not worth mentioning at all.¡± He wasn¡¯t lying with those words. Over the years, Gu Yang would often ask Gu Qingfeng for advice on cultivation matters, which is why he was able to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm so quickly. Without Gu Qingfeng¡¯s guidance, Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough would not have happened so rapidly. After all¡ª It had only been a few years since Gu Yang stepped into the peak of the Great Grandmaster realm. It¡¯s something not everyone could achieve in just a few years. If one had entered certain ancient secret realms and received resource inheritances, then a rapid advancement in Cultivation would be normal. But for someone like Gu Yang, who had been staying inside the imperial palace, although he did not lack normal cultivation resources, breaking through so quickly would not have been possible. In the Ancient Desolate World, there were plenty of the so-called geniuses and demons. These beings at the peak of Great Grandmaster would often spend a decade or even longer before managing to break through. Therefore. The Divine Transformation Realm is also a watershed. Only the Cultivators who step into this level can be considered strong in the Ancient Desolate World. Now that Gu Yang had broken through in a short time, and with his vitality so stable, it was enough to prove that his foundation was solid, extraordinary to compare with others. At this moment. Gu Yang couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Dare I ask if Father has achieved sanctification now?¡± ¡°Sanctification?¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head. ¡°This era does not allow sanctification!¡± ¡°Not allow sanctification?¡± Gu Yang looked astonished. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°When you truly reach the peak of the Dao Palace Realm, you will naturally understand. The End of Dharma Era has its own rules of heaven and earth suppressing us, and ordinary people cannot become Saints. Otherwise, the current Ancient Desolate World wouldn¡¯t be devoid of Saints. If I have to say, I should currently be considered a Semi-Saint.¡± ¡°However¡ª¡± ¡°Although I have not become a Saint, I believe that suppressing an ordinary Saint should not be a problem.¡± Gu Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back and smiled. If during the time when he was at the Eighth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm, Gu Qingfeng had no confidence in contending against a Great Saint, now that he had stepped into the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm and reached the realm of Semi-Saint, even if a Great Saint emerged, he was confident enough to test his strength against them. Semi-Saint! Gu Yang was startled, then he quickly understood. He had heard why there were no Saints emerging in this End of Dharma Era, but he hadn¡¯t delved deeply into it. Now he understood why from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, the era lacked Saints. Afterward. Gu Yang took a deep breath and spoke seriously, ¡°I summoned Father here because the Hidden Guard has collected some news about my third brother.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Gu Qingfeng showed a flicker of interest. Gu Xiu? He glanced at the attribute panel; currently, Gu Xiu was still struggling in the Demon Realm. He wasn¡¯t aware that the Hidden Guard¡¯s reach had extended into the Demon Realm. Although there were indeed Hidden Guards trapped in the Demon Realm, thus far none had made it out, and it was impossible to send messages across two worlds with the Communication Jade Token. ¡°This is the intelligence collected by the Hidden Guard; I ask Father to please look it over!¡± Gu Yang handed over the prepared material to Gu Qingfeng, who looked it over and then his expression slightly darkened. ¡°Third Brother has now entered the Ancient Transfer Array and has disappeared without a trace. Moreover, the lingering spirit of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, I do not know if it plans to harm Third Brother, but we must find him to be certain.¡± ¡°However, when various powers in the Southern Domain joined forces to besiege the third brother, the Divine Martial Dynasty cannot simply sit idly by!¡± ¡°But since this matter is highly complex, I dare not make decisions on my own, so I have to wait for father to finish his meditation before making a decision!¡± Looking at Gu Qingfeng¡¯s somber expression, Gu Yang spoke. If it were just him by himself, he would certainly have by now rushed to the Southern Domain, even if he couldn¡¯t confront those top forces there, he would still cause them considerable trouble. But. Now, Gu Yang was not alone; behind him stood the Divine Martial Dynasty, with billions of people from the Nine States. Under such circumstances, Gu Yang also dared not make unauthorised decisions. Upon learning of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s return, he immediately asked for his help with consultations. After a while. Gu Qingfeng put down what he was holding and said indifferently, ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about the remnant soul of that Emperor Extreme Great Saint; he will not harm Xiu¡¯er, instead, it is an opportunity for Xiu¡¯er himself.¡± Upon hearing this. Gu Yang looked visibly relieved. As long as there were no issues with the remnant soul of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, everything else could be discussed. Gu Yang held no doubt about Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words. He knew that if his father dared say so, he certainly had confidence. ¡°However¡ª¡± ¡°Those Southern Domain forces that participated in the siege against Xiu¡¯er, they cannot be let off so easily, for people of the Gu Family are not to be bullied!¡± By the end of his statement, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes were shooting out a cold brilliance. If it were a confrontation of equal realms, he would have nothing to say. But. The powers of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land and others in the Southern Domain, they attacked a single Gu Xiu, even deploying warriors from the Daoist Palace Realm. If it weren¡¯t for that Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s secret assistance, Gu Xiu¡¯s grave might already be three meters tall. As a father, how could Gu Qingfeng remain indifferent? Previously, not knowing Gu Xiu¡¯s whereabouts, he stood pat. But now, knowing that the Southern Domain powers were the instigators, Gu Qingfeng naturally couldn¡¯t remain without reaction. Gu Yang said, ¡°Father, how do you plan to act? If we are to deploy troops to the Southern Domain, the Divine Martial Dynasty shall do so with all its might!¡± ¡°I will take care of the affairs of the Southern Domain myself. The foundations of the Divine Martial Dynasty are too shallow at the moment, and sending troops there is unlikely to achieve much. Furthermore, any loss of our forces would only delay our ascension to a dynasty!¡± ¡°And now the world is just settled, rashly starting a war could easily lead to public discontent.¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head, refusing. He could feel that the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty was changing, and if nothing unexpected happened, a bit more time would cement the ascension to a dynasty. The ascension of a dynasty holds great significance. If the dynasty were to ascend, it could then gather a vast fortune of qi. If a power has abundant Qi Fortune, it means blessing the people. Whether it is cultivation or the chance to foster prodigies, it is much easier than for ordinary powers. This is also why many cultivators vie to join major powers. However. The fortunes of sects cannot be compared to that of dynasties. Similarly. To solidify the fortunes of a dynasty is not an easy task. After all, with many people under a dynasty, any natural disaster or misfortune could unsettle the public and shake the Qi Fortune. It can be said. Managing a dynasty is far more difficult than managing a sect or a holy land. Of course, there is another factor: not all powers can find ways to gather the Qi Fortune of many people, and to establish a dynasty or even an empire, one must have the means to gather the Qi Fortune of the masses. Just like the Immortal Casting Court which Gu Yang acquired previously, it is such a means. Thus. Seeing that the Divine Martial Dynasty is close to becoming an empire, Gu Qingfeng naturally does not want Gu Yang to thoughtlessly erode their Qi Fortune. He had a premonition. If the Divine Martial Dynasty were to ascend to an empire, he might also receive rewards from the attribute panel. Then again. The Divine Martial Dynasty is simply too weak now. There are just a few Divine Transformation Realm powerhouses, like little cats and kittens, and apart from Gu Qingfeng himself, there is not even a single cultivator of the Dao Palace Realm. With such a foundation, sending troops to the Southern Domain would only result in unnecessary deaths and injuries. Now was a good time. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation had made a breakthrough, and he was eager to see how much his strength had changed after ascending to Semi-Saint. Chapter 346: 251 Fu Shenjun Chapter 346: Chapter 251 Fu Shenjun ¡°Which force does Father plan to move against first?¡± Gu Yang asked. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was indifferent, ¡°Which force is the strongest?¡± ¡°The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was founded six hundred thousand years ago, and a hundred thousand years ago there emerged a Saint King Realm powerhouse who surpassed the Great Saint. In terms of foundational strength, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land is presumably the strongest.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ll target the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± Gu Qingfeng spoke in a nonchalant tone. Gu Yang¡¯s expression turned serious, ¡°The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land has the backing of the Saint King, if we truly act against the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, does Father have confidence?¡± ¡°Among the many forces that have made their move in the Southern Domain, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land is the strongest. If we resolve the issue with the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, there would be no subsequent troubles. If we were to act against other forces, it would hardly serve as a deterrent.¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head; if the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land is the strongest, then naturally he would have to target the strongest first. Having dealt with the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, the matters that followed would be very simple. Seeing Gu Qingfeng so resolute, Gu Yang did not oppose any further. ¡°Alright, I will handle the affairs of the Southern Domain myself. You just stay in the Nine States.¡± As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s voice fell, his figure disappeared from the Imperial Study Room. From beginning to end, Gu Yang never noticed how exactly Gu Qingfeng disappeared, as if the other party was only an illusory phantom. Seeing this, Gu Yang¡¯s reverence for Gu Qingfeng grew even deeper. Afterward, He summoned the Nanyue Mountain, ordering the Heavenly Patrol Guard to intensify their surveillance of the Nine States. He also summoned Gu Yi and commanded the Hidden Guard to closely watch for news from the Southern Domain. Gu Yang was well aware that with Gu Qingfeng personally taking action, huge waves would surely be stirred. The existence of the Divine Martial Dynasty was already extremely sensitive, with countless eyes watching over it. Now that Gu Qingfeng was stepping in, there was bound to be some disturbance. Speaking bluntly, if anything unexpected happened to Gu Qingfeng, the Divine Martial Dynasty was destined for turmoil, and its destruction could happen in the blink of an eye. ... Brilliant rainbows of light Sliced through the sky. Having broken through to the Ninth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm and stepped into the Half-Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s speed of flying through the air had become unimaginably faster than before. To other Cultivators, all they saw was a rainbow streaking across the sky like a flash of light, almost unable to capture his figure. ¡°Bang!¡± As Gu Qingfeng entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, a giant bird-like Fierce Beast swooped down upon him, but in the next breath its body exploded, turning into a shower of blood raining down. A Fierce Beast comparable to the Dao Palace Realm had perished just like that in an instant. This scene Made some cultivators training in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range constrict their pupils in shock. ¡°Hisss, what was that thing that instantly killed a Dao Palace Realm Fierce Beast!¡± ¡°Terrifying... There¡¯s a terrifying presence in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range!!¡± ¡°Retreat, retreat quickly¡ª¡± These cultivators all had looks of terror and quickly left the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Joking aside, A Dao Palace Realm Fierce Beast was killed in a single encounter, and they couldn¡¯t even see who the person taking action was. This meant that the one who acted must have strength that absolutely crushed the ordinary Dao Palace Realm, or it was even possible that they had already stepped into the Half-Saint level. More importantly, They had no idea whether the one who acted was human or a Fierce Beast. If it was a Half-Saint Realm Fierce Beast, then they were all going to die. Therefore, They dare not linger. Elsewhere, Gu Qingfeng had already left the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. As he stepped into the Eastern Domain, he immediately felt an even more majestic nature¡¯s spiritual energy rushing toward him. ¡°With such nature¡¯s spiritual energy, it¡¯s several times denser than in the Nine States, no wonder there are so many powerhouses in the Eastern Domain, such an environment is truly blessed!¡± Gu Qingfeng enjoyed the spiritual energy here; with every breath, his qi and blood seemed to be faintly boiling, even now the Nine States could not compare to the Eastern Domain. But, Despite the abundant spiritual energy in the Eastern Domain, there was none flowing toward the Nine States. It was as if the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was a barrier, completely isolating all the spiritual energy of the Eastern Domain. However, Gu Qingfeng did not delve too deeply into this. It was not a major issue that the Nine States lacked nature¡¯s spiritual energy; it could be gradually improved upon later. ¡°Just right!¡± ¡°I can use the people from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land to bolster the spiritual energy of the Nine States!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes chilled slightly, and soon he casually stopped a cultivator, inquiring about the location of nearby cities. The cultivator who was stopped didn¡¯t want to answer, but when Gu Qingfeng showed a bit of his strength, the other party gave out the answer outright, even kindly indicated the direction. For this, Gu Qingfeng tossed them a Divine Blood Stone and then departed. ¡°This Divine Blood Stone weighs at least two pounds, I didn¡¯t expect such a reward just for answering a question; I wonder where that powerful person came from!¡± That cultivator treasured the Divine Blood Stone in hand and hastily stowed it in his storage bag. The Divine Blood Stone was precious. Two pounds of Divine Blood Stone was not a small amount to an average person. At the same time, He felt fortunate that he was smart enough to answer Gu Qingfeng¡¯s question truthfully, otherwise, forget the Divine Blood Stone, he might have had to pay with his life. After all, a person who could casually toss out two pounds of Divine Blood Stone must have no simple status or strength. In the Cultivation World, the slaughter of the weak by the strong was nothing unusual. The so-called order Actually didn¡¯t exist at all. Or you could say, The strong were the order. Along the way, Gu Qingfeng did not continue to travel as a rainbow, as it was his first time entering the Eastern Domain, and he was somewhat curious. ... Half a day later, With a flick of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s finger, a cultivator¡¯s head burst open; a column of blood spurted out, and then there was no sound at all. At the same time, There were already a dozen bodies lying on the ground. ¡°The chaos in the Eastern Domain is even worse than the Nine States was back in the day!¡± Chapter 347: 251 Fu Shenjun_2 Chapter 347: Chapter 251 Fu Shenjun_2 Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. He couldn¡¯t deny it. The Eastern Domain was indeed a flourishing ground for cultivation, with countless powerful cultivators, but as the saying goes, ¡°When one carries a weapon, the intent to kill arises.¡± With so many cultivators and without corresponding order to restrain them, they naturally followed their own desires. Killing! Combat! These were very common occurrences. For instance, along Gu Qingfeng¡¯s journey, he encountered numerous cultivators attempting to rob and kill him, but all were dealt with by him. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also understood. Why, after people like Gu Xuan entered the Eastern Domain, they were attacked by cultivators so frequently. For ordinary loose cultivators to survive in the cultivation world was extraordinarily difficult. Only those cultivators from major forces, with powerful backers supporting them, could live a bit more comfortably. Shortly after, Gu Qingfeng slowly walked away. Moments after he departed, other cultivators arrived at the scene. Staring at the multitude of corpses on the ground, these cultivators¡¯ faces were filled with shock. ¡°Hiss, to kill a cultivator of the Divine Transformation Realm in the blink of an eye, I¡¯m afraid this is a mighty figure capable of contending for the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Such a powerhouse is not to be provoked!¡± All the cultivators silently marked Gu Qingfeng as someone not to be trifled with. A powerful being of the Dao Palace Realm held the position equivalent to a Sect Leader in some holy lands, possessing the authority over the life and death of many cultivators; how could ordinary people dare to provoke them recklessly. To be truthful, The reason why one becomes a robbery cultivator is generally because they are neither strong in power nor high in talent. If one is strong enough, they could establish their own sect, rightfully harvest other cultivators, and there would be no need to personally take risks and face death at every turn as a robbery cultivator. If one¡¯s talent is strong enough, they could also join the great sects and gain their protection. In summary, Unless absolutely necessary, who would wish to become a robbery cultivator? Of course, There are also those who are naturally inclined to live as robbery cultivators, but they are exceedingly rare. ... Taixu Sacred Land. Ninth Peak. The cultivating Fu He suddenly opened his eyes and pulled out a Communication Jade Token from his storage ring, and after a moment, his expression shook. ¡°He¡¯s come to the Eastern Domain!¡± Immediately, Fu He came out of his seclusion. Inside the grand hall of the Ninth Peak, Fu He bowed to the person above him and said, ¡°Father, news has come that the one from the Divine Martial Dynasty has entered the Eastern Domain and has stepped into Taixu City!¡± ¡°How many times have I told you that you should address me as Peak Master within the Ninth Peak!¡± Fu Shenjun¡¯s eyes flickered, seeming to radiate divine light, and an immense pressure bore down, causing Fu He¡¯s body to tremble. Although he had entered the Dao Palace Realm, the person in front of him was a mighty figure of the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, not just the Peak Master of the Ninth Peak but also the strongest existence within the entire Fu Family. ¡°I understand, Father,¡± Fu He replied indifferently, and seeing this, Peak Master Fu shook his head slightly. ¡°Are you talking about Domineering Blade?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, a disciple has sent a message that Gu Qingfeng has appeared in Taixu City, although his purpose here is unknown,¡± Fu He said, his expression becoming serious. Peak Master Fu¡¯s face remained unchanged: ¡°I heard that Domineering Blade once shattered the Flame Sun Mirror of the Shangguan World and slaughtered a divine thought of a Saint. Although he has not entered the Saint Realm, his strength is comparable to that of a Saint. Such a powerful figure, this seat would indeed like to meet.¡± ¡°Moreover, it¡¯s said that the descendant possesses the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Could it be that he has come for the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body?¡± Peak Master Fu¡¯s line of questioning turned in this new direction. The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body of the Ninth Peak was, of course, not unknown to Peak Master Fu. After all, a Divine Body Is a rarity even in the vast Ancient Desolate World. Although Gu Xuan¡¯s Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body was not a complete one, even a fragmentary Divine Body was no ordinary thing. Now that the coming age of great strife was imminent, if Taixu Sacred Land wanted to regain its former glory, it had to be secured by top talents. Therefore, In these years, Peak Master Fu had also collected Phoenix Essence Blood, using it to refine the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Regrettably, Phoenix Essence Blood was precious, And naturally, it was not so easily gathered. Until now, Taixu Sacred Land has had no news of Phoenix Essence Blood. ¡°Gu Xuan is undergoing a trial and is not in Taixu Sacred Land.¡± Fu He shook his head. Fu Shenjun said, ¡°Since the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body is not here, then let me go and meet him!¡± Fu Shenjun was also curious about Gu Qingfeng. After all, he naturally wanted to meet someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with a Saint. ... ¡°Taixu City!¡± ¡°The order here is maintained by Taixu Sacred Land, so it¡¯s not so chaotic!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the bustling city before him, which seemed like a different world from the outside. It¡¯s apparent, the deterrence from Taixu Sacred Land here is enough to maintain the order of a city. Just then, a strong oppressive force suddenly appeared from the void, causing many cultivators¡¯ expressions to change. When they saw who was coming, their demeanor instantly shifted. ¡°This is the Ninth Peak¡¯s Peak Master!¡± ¡°Rumors say this figure is a powerhouse challenging the Ninth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm, who would have thought they would grace this place with their presence!?¡± Many cultivators recognized Fu Shenjun at that moment. The Nine Peaks of Taixu Sacred Land, with each Peak Master being a Dao Palace Realm powerhouse, possessed extraordinary strength. Who in Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s territory wouldn¡¯t recognize such beings? Yet, the Peak Masters of the Nine Peaks usually stayed within Taixu Sacred Land and rarely revealed themselves before the saints. The appearance of Fu Shenjun, therefore, surprised many. At that moment, without paying any attention to the others, Fu Shenjun descended in front of Gu Qingfeng and said with a greet, ¡°I am Fu Shenjun, greetings to Mr. Gu!¡± ¡°So, it¡¯s Peak Master Fu.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, meeting Fu Shenjun for the first time, but not feeling unfamiliar with his appearance. After all, since Gu Xuan joined Taixu Sacred Land, Gu Qingfeng would not be clueless about Taixu Sacred Land. Gu Qingfeng had already grasped information about Taixu Sacred Land. ¡°This is not a place for talking, perhaps Mr. Gu would join me elsewhere to continue our discussion.¡± ¡°That would be good!¡± Gu Qingfeng did not refuse. The two of them, one after the other, turned into rainbow lights and vanished. After Fu Shenjun had left, the other cultivators dared to speak up. ¡°Who is this person to cause Peak Master Fu to be so courteous!?¡± ¡°Though there are many powerful individuals with the surname ¡®Gu¡¯ in the Eastern Domain, none are known to be treated so by the Ninth Peak¡¯s Peak Master.¡± The cultivators recalled what they had just witnessed, their expressions a mix of shock and uncertainty. Suddenly, someone said, ¡°It might not be possible for a strong individual with the surname ¡®Gu¡¯ from the Eastern Domain to merit a personal reception by the Ninth Peak¡¯s Peak Master, but what if they¡¯re not from the Eastern Domain?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget, there are those with the surname ¡®Gu¡¯ from the Nine States!¡± Upon hearing this, The scene fell into a brief silence. Soon after, the majority of cultivators had a sudden shift in expression. The Gu from the Nine States! Undoubtedly, it referred to the Divine Martial Dynasty. And the one who could have the Ninth Peak¡¯s Peak Master come in person, there could only be one person who qualified. That would be Gu Qingfeng, the Domineering Blade, the most powerful entity in the Nine States and recognized in the Ancient Desolate World as a supreme being capable of rivalling a Saint. Since a certain battle several years ago, the name Gu Qingfeng had been fearsome in the Eastern Domain. In an era where Saints were scarce, one who could utterly destroy a Holy Weapon and slay the Divine Thought of a Saint was truly astonishing. However, Gu Qingfeng had always stayed within the Nine States, never once stepping into the Eastern Domain, and all these cultivators had instinctively forgotten his existence. But now, with the reminder from other cultivators, they suddenly came to their senses. ¡°Indeed, if it was that person from the Nine States, it would make sense for Peak Master Fu to be there!¡± ¡°Who would have thought he would step into the Eastern Domain.¡± ¡°It¡¯s said that the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body of Taixu Sacred Land came from the Gu Family, this person¡¯s presence here, I fear may be related to that Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body!¡± When mentioning the presence of Gu Qingfeng, all cultivators showed an air of awe and respect. A being capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with a Saint, who would dare act rashly. Quickly, the news that the Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng, the most powerful individual from the Nine States, might have appeared in Taixu City, quickly spread. All forces that learned of this news were internally shaken and sent people to Taixu City to investigate the veracity of this information. Chapter 348: 252: The Depth of the Holy Land Chapter 348: Chapter 252: The Depth of the Holy Land In the City Lord Mansion. Fu Shenjun and Gu Qingfeng took their seats respectively. The original manager of Taixu City, actually an elder of the Taixu Sacred Land, now merely sat at a lower position. There was no helping it. Fu Shenjun was a being of the Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer and also the Peak Master of the Ninth Peak, holding a revered status, second only to the Saint Master of the Taixu Sacred Land. As for the other person, although not from Taixu Sacred Land, he was a peerless powerhouse, suspected to be on par with Saints. Regarding this, a mere ordinary elder of Taixu Sacred Land was naturally nothing significant. ¡°Mr. Gu¡¯s reputation had reached me long before, but seeing you today, I know the rumors don¡¯t lie!¡± Fu Shenjun smiled slightly, his words quite polite towards Gu Qingfeng. Before he saw Gu Qingfeng, he had some doubts about the strength of this Number One Powerhouse of the Nine States. But after actually meeting Gu Qingfeng, Fu Shenjun understood the rumors were true. In his eyes, Gu Qingfeng now seemed like an unfathomable abyss, as if his ordinary flesh concealed a terrifying power capable of destroying heaven and earth. Fu Shenjun was certain. If he were to fight with this man, he would undoubtedly be defeated. Regarding this outcome, it was both shocking and yet expected to Fu Shenjun. After all, this was someone with the achievements of exploding Holy Weapons. ¡°Mr. Fu, you flatter me too much!¡± Gu Qingfeng was polite in his response. ¡°Mr. Fu¡¯s cultivation is profound, perhaps only a step away from the Half-Saint Realm. When the era of great contention arrives, there will surely be a place among the Saints for Mr. Fu!¡± This point, Gu Qingfeng did not lie about. With his current eyesight, he could tell that the cultivation and energy of Fu Shenjun before him were significantly stronger than that of an ordinary Ninth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm. More importantly, as Gu Qingfeng understood, this person was not very old. At least, when the era of great contention arrived, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. With his talent and foundation, there was a considerable hope for him to become a Saint in that era. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words brought a few more smiles to Fu Shenjun¡¯s face, ¡°Such kind words from Mr. Gu, I shall take to heart. May I ask if Mr. Gu has come to Taixu City to meet Gu Xuan?¡± ¡°That is one of the reasons.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, but from his information panel, he could tell that Gu Xuan was currently not in Taixu Sacred Land. As expected. At Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, Fu Shenjun¡¯s expression turned regretful, ¡°Gu Xuan and other Taixu Sacred Land disciples are currently training in a secret realm, and it will be difficult for them to return anytime soon. If possible, Mr. Gu could accompany me to the Ninth Peak of Taixu Sacred Land and stay there while waiting for Gu Xuan¡¯s return.¡± Facing such a powerhouse, Fu Shenjun naturally hoped to draw him into Taixu Sacred Land. Although, Gu Qingfeng was a powerhouse of the Nine States, and his progeny had even established the Divine Martial Dynasty, but who said, he couldn¡¯t join another force. Many talents from smaller forces often try by all means to join larger forces, which is a common thing. Of course, trying to get Gu Qingfeng to join Taixu Sacred Land was an impossible matter. After all, with his level of cultivation, there was no one in Taixu Sacred Land who was qualified to instruct him. But if he could be made a Guest Elder or even an elder, that would also establish a connection. However, facing Fu Shenjun¡¯s invitation, Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, ¡°I appreciate your kind intentions, Mr. Fu, but I have other matters to attend to on this trip and am afraid I cannot head to Taixu Sacred Land.¡± Upon hearing this, Fu Shenjun¡¯s expression changed slightly, ¡°May I ask what matters Mr. Gu has? Although Taixu Sacred Land is not the most profound, it still has some foundation in the Eastern Domain. If needed, Taixu Sacred Land can also lend a hand!¡± ¡°This is a matter of conflict between my Gu Family and the forces of the Southern Domain, it would be inappropriate to involve Taixu Sacred Land.¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head in rejection. However, when he mentioned the forces of the Southern Domain, Fu Shenjun¡¯s expression changed repeatedly. The Ninth Peak¡¯s Peak Master hadn¡¯t expected the Gu Family to be involved with the Southern Domain forces. Seemingly seeing the confusion on Fu Shenjun¡¯s face, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t hide anything and simply stated, ¡°My inept third son was surrounded and attacked by many forces in the Southern Domain, then stepped into an Ancient Transfer Array and his whereabouts became unknown,so as a father, I naturally cannot sit by and do nothing.¡± ¡°How courageous, which forces dared to lay hands on Mr. Gu¡¯s son!¡± Fu Shenjun¡¯s expression turned stern, seeming to be quite angered by the issue. Gu Qingfeng continued, ¡°There were many forces that took action, with the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land as the enemy, which is why I am here to borrow the Transmission Array of Taixu City and make a trip to the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± ¡°Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± Upon hearing this name, Fu Shenjun¡¯s expression became much more solemn. ¡°Does Mr. Gu plan to take action against the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°The foundation of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land is profound; a Saint King Realm powerhouse emerged from there a hundred thousand years ago. Although that Saint King has surely perished, their foundation remains. I do not mean to underestimate Mr. Gu, but the foundation of these ancient sacred lands is not as simple as it appears on the surface. If Mr. Gu really intends to take action, please think thrice!¡± Having learned that Gu Qingfeng intended to make a move against the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, Fu Shenjun no longer showed his earlier anger. His expression serious, he voiced his opinion. Gu Qingfeng asked, ¡°Does Mr. Fu perhaps know something?¡± Upon hearing this, Fu Shenjun pondered for a moment, then slowly began to speak. ¡°Well, since Gu Xuan is a True Disciple of my Ninth Peak and Mr. Gu is somewhat related to the Ninth Peak, there¡¯s no need for me to hide certain secrets.¡± Chapter 349: 252 Holy Land Heritage_2 Chapter 349: Chapter 252 Holy Land Heritage_2 At that point, Peak Master Fu looked at Gu Qingfeng with a serious expression. ¡°Mr. Gu, do you think that ancient sacred places like Taixu Sacred Land, which have been inherited for tens of millions of years, rely on what to ensure their legacy is unbroken?¡± ¡°Please enlighten me, Mr. Fu!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression had also turned a lot more solemn. He understood. He might be able to learn some secrets next. Although the Hidden Guards had already infiltrated the Ancient Wilderness, most of the information they obtained was just superficial. It was not so easy to delve into the deeper secrets. Peak Master Fu said, ¡°All ancient powers that have been inherited for many years actually have their own foundations. For Taixu Sacred Land, it is actually because there are living Saints!¡± ¡°Saints!?¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression slightly changed. ¡°As far as I know, in this era, Saints should not be appearing!¡± ¡°Mr. Gu is right. In this era, Saints indeed should not be appearing, but what if these Saints are not powerhouses of this era?¡± Peak Master Fu countered with a question, causing Gu Qingfeng to fall into deep thought. Immediately, Peak Master Fu continued, ¡°Any ancient sacred place actually possesses techniques to seal itself. Any powerful individuals whose lives are not yet ended can seal themselves, waiting for the right moment.¡± ¡°Normally, the powerful individuals worthy of being sealed are at least at the Saint Realm.¡± ¡°However, there are also some exceptional talents and demons, who, due to the wrong timing of their birth, will have their forces spend a tremendous cost to seal them, waiting for a prosperous era of great strife to emerge and then compete.¡± ¡°However, this method of sealing also has its drawback, that once sealed, it is very difficult to take action again. If one forcibly awakens and acts, resealing oneself will require an even greater price.¡± ¡°Taixu Sacred Land has Saints in slumber, and the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, being a tradition even older, must have even more Saints in slumber; perhaps even a Great Saint could emerge. Mr. Gu¡¯s strength is indeed extraordinary, but if you were to face a Great Saint, it¡¯s not certain that you could emerge unscathed.¡± ¡°Therefore, if you¡¯re considering taking action against the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, you must think thrice!¡± Peak Master Fu naturally did not hope that Gu Qingfeng would fall at the hands of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, after all, that would have no benefit for Taixu Sacred Land. A living Gu Qingfeng was far more important than a dead Gu Qingfeng. Now that the era of great strife was soon to arrive, for Taixu Sacred Land to return to its peak, it must gather all the forces it can. Otherwise, when that time comes, Taixu Sacred Land might not gain any advantage. Despite the ancient heritage and slumbering Saints of Taixu Sacred Land, Saints are not uncommon in the era of great strife, and even heaven-defying demons can step into the Great Saint Realm or even higher into the Saint King Realm. So, Peak Master Fu naturally did not hope for Gu Qingfeng to go to the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land to meet his demise. Exactly! It would be a death sentence! In Peak Master Fu¡¯s view, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current course was tantamount to seeking his own destruction. But considering the other¡¯s dignity, he was rather tactful in his words. ¡°Thank you for your kind intentions, Mr. Fu, but I have already considered this matter. Although Gu Xiu has failed me, he is still my offspring, and I cannot let others bully him.¡± ¡°After this matter is resolved, I will definitely come to visit Mr. Fu at Taixu Sacred Land!¡± Regarding Peak Master Fu¡¯s good intentions, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of backing down; he merely wanted to understand the strength of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land from the other party. Seeing the determination in Gu Qingfeng, Peak Master Fu found it inappropriate to argue further. After talking for a short while longer, Gu Qingfeng rose and took his leave. After Gu Qingfeng departed, Peak Master Fu returned directly to Taixu Sacred Land and met with the Saint Master of Taixu Sacred Land. After Peak Master Fu relayed everything, Taixu Saint Master Yan Lingyun¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised. ¡°Peak Master Fu, having met that Domineering Blade, what is your opinion of his strength?¡± ¡°Unfathomable!¡± Peak Master Fu used only four words to describe. Finally, he added one more line. ¡°If that person survives, when the great era of strife arrives, he will definitely not just stop at the Saint Realm!¡± ¡°Given Peak Master Fu¡¯s assessment, this person indeed seems extraordinary.¡± Yan Lingyun nodded slightly. He did not doubt Fu Shenjun¡¯s judgment; since he could declare someone ¡°unfathomably deep,¡± it indicated remarkable strength. Afterward, Yan Lingyun said, ¡°It¡¯s a pity that Taixu Sacred Land ultimately does not compare to Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, especially since the demons wreaked havoc in the past, causing substantial loss to the Holy Land. Now, although there are Saints who have sealed themselves, that too represents the last of our reserves. Moreover, these slumbering Saints have little life left. If we forcefully awaken them, it¡¯s uncertain whether they can sustain until the era of great strife arrives.¡± Yan Lingyun understood Fu Shenjun¡¯s intention, which was merely to have Taixu Sacred Land intervene, or at least save Gu Qingfeng¡¯s life. But as the Saint Master of the Holy Land, Yan Lingyun had to consider more comprehensive issues. Undeniably, since a descendant of the Gu Family had joined Taixu Sacred Land, the relationship between the two was relatively close. Moreover, considering both Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current strength and potential, it was worth an investment from Taixu Sacred Land. However, if it could affect the foundation of the Holy Land, that warranted careful consideration. On this matter, Fu Shenjun was also very clear. His purpose for coming was only to inform Yan Lingyun of this matter and then wait for his decision. After a long moment, Yan Lingyun said, ¡°Even if the Saints cannot be awakened, I shall take the Taixu Ancient Mirror to the Southern Domain. You shall accompany me!¡± ¡°Taixu Ancient Mirror!¡± Upon hearing this, Fu Shenjun was instantly shocked. The Taixu Ancient Mirror was the sacred treasure of Taixu Sacred Land, a Great Saint Weapon left behind by ancient Saints, not to be used lightly. Now that Yan Lingyun was willing to use the Great Saint Weapon, he evidently had high hopes for Gu Qingfeng¡¯s future. ... Mountains majestic as if supporting the heavens, with overlapping peaks and jade-like structures seen intermittently. Occasionally, mythical beasts and birds gathered, and cultivators vanished in arcs of rainbow light. This place, was the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. An ancient force in the Southern Domain of the Ancient Desolate World. On this day, the void suddenly collapsed and shattered, a terrifying palm pressed down towards Ancient Desolate Sacred Land as if to completely erase it. At the same time, a divine light erupted within the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, forming an elliptical barrier that enveloped the entire land. When the palm struck the barrier, it visibly shook violently, and under the astonished gaze of many cultivators, dense cracks emerged, quickly spreading everywhere. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± When the cracks reached a certain critical point, the barrier explosively shattered. ¡°Who dares to cause trouble in my Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± Following the shattering of the barrier, a dozen immensely powerful auras burst forth from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. Saints tore through the void to appear, their eyes filled with anger and shock when they looked towards the heavens. The protective array of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, being of Saint Level, couldn¡¯t be disturbed in the slightest without intervention from beings at least of the Saint Realm. Now that the array had been instantly broken, these mighty ones were naturally shocked. During that moment, the void shattered. A figure in green robes slowly emerged. ¡°Who are you, and why do you cause trouble in my Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± Taixu Saint Master Qi Jun looked towards the cultivator before him, his expression icy, but he did not immediately attack. This was because the person before him felt unfathomably deep, coupled with breaking the Holy Land¡¯s array in a single encounter, filled Qi Jun with deep wariness. Gu Qingfeng, with his hands behind his back, said indifferently, ¡°I am Gu Qingfeng!¡± Upon hearing this name, a shadow of doubt crossed Qi Jun¡¯s face, which promptly turned into realization; his gaze towards Gu Qingfeng became even more solemn. ¡°You are Gu Qingfeng!¡± ¡°My Ancient Desolate Sacred Land has no grievances with the Divine Martial Dynasty. Your sudden arrival and the breaking of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land¡¯s array, what exactly are your intentions?¡± ¡°If you cannot provide an explanation, this matter can hardly be resolved peacefully!¡± Chapter 350: 253: Just a Great Saint Weapon, who doesnt have one? Chapter 350: Chapter 253: Just a Great Saint Weapon, who doesn¡¯t have one? ¡°No grudges?¡± Gu Qingfeng looked coldly toward the Ancient Desolate Saint Master standing before him, as a terrifying oppressiveness burst forth from him, rolling down towards the other person. ¡°My son, Gu Xiu, fell victim to your greed over his Great Saint Inheritance. You didn¡¯t hesitate to dispatch numerous strongmen to encircle him, leaving him missing to this day. With such a karma, do you dare tell me there are no grudges?¡± Upon hearing this, Qi Jun¡¯s complexion instantly transformed. He was naturally aware of the matter regarding the Great Saint Inheritance. The pursuit by the strongmen from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was indeed orchestrated by Qi Jun. But he never expected that the remnant of the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land would be the offspring of the person before him. Immediately, Qi Jun realized, there was no easy resolution to this situation. If the individual before him were merely a common Taoist Palace Realm cultivator or even a Half-Saint, Qi Jun could afford to disregard him. But¡ª The individual before him was an existence comparable to a Saint. With that said, Qi Jun could no longer turn a blind eye. Instantly, Qi Jun¡¯s expression flitted, and with a cupped fist salute towards Gu Qingfeng, he said, ¡°I am not fully aware of the ins and outs of this matter, and there must be some misunderstanding. If possible, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land is willing to offer compensation!¡± ¡°Compensation!?¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes brimmed with murderous intent. ¡°It¡¯s simple. As long as those who struck my son commit suicide here, then I can let this matter slide!¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible, please consider another request!¡± Qi Jun swiftly rejected, even before Gu Qingfeng finished speaking. Kidding. If the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land were to do such a thing, how could they face other powers in the Southern Domain? ¡°Since we can¡¯t come to an agreement, there¡¯s nothing more to say, and I¡¯d like to see for myself the depth of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± Gu Qingfeng took a step forward, his terrifying Blade Intent shooting straight into the sky, as two divine lights burst forth from his eyes, suddenly tearing open the void before him, causing Qi Jun¡¯s face to drastically change. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Qi Jun immediately summoned his Blood Qi Power, which swept across everything, a fist roaring out to collide with those two divine lights. In the blink of an eye, Blood Qi shattered. Qi Jun¡¯s arm burst apart, overwhelmed by a vast force, flinging him aside instantaneously. This scene made everyone from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land stiffen their faces. What did they see? The Half-Saint of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, unable to withstand the opponent¡¯s mere glance, was severely injured at the first encounter. However, before the strong men from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land could register their shock, Gu Qingfeng raised his hand and a palm pressed down, his enormous Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer Blood Qi Power shattered multiple layers of space, instantly causing the bodies of two Tao Palace Realm powerhouses to explode and fall dead on the spot. ¡°Kill him!¡± ¡°Everyone, join forces¡ª¡± At this time, the other strong men from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land finally reacted, their faces filled with rage, all charging toward Gu Qingfeng. Towards this, Gu Qingfeng appeared indifferent, as though many of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land¡¯s strong men were inconsequential in his eyes. He even refrained from using the Evil Slayer Blade, each strike resulting in the fall of a Tao Palace Realm grandee. In mere moments, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had already lost a total of seven to eight Tao Palace Realm grandees, their bloodied remains scattering from the sky. ¡°Is his strength truly so terrifying!?¡± ¡°So many Tao Palace Realm elders from the Sacred Land, and yet none are a match for him!¡± Many disciples from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, now looking up into the void, wore faces filled with utter horror. What did they see? The normally supreme, seemingly invincible Tao Palace Realm magnates were now being slaughtered at will, without any chance of resistance. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power plunged these disciples from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land into despair. ... In the void, there were also many powerhouses who noticed the commotion at the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, directing their gazes there, their hearts also filled with astonishment at the scene. ¡°Who exactly is this person, to dare to slaughter so wildly in the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!?¡± ¡°Bare-handedly subduing Tao Palace Realm magnates, could it be that he is a Saint?¡± Many Tao Palace Realm strong men were shocked, their gazes toward Gu Qingfeng inadvertently filled with more fear. In this End of Dharma Era, Saints do not appear. Tao Palace is honored. Therefore, cultivators from the Tao Palace Realm can also be called magnates. Many ancient powers¡¯ Sect Leaders are but strong men at this level. It can be said, that the status of any Tao Palace Realm individual is extraordinary, their strength more than enough to rank among the top in the Ancient Desolate World. But now such powerful beings are being suppressed at will, such strength, perhaps even a Half-Saint Realm power might not be capable of achieving. Soon, someone recognized Gu Qingfeng¡¯s identity. ¡°It¡¯s him... Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng!!¡± ¡°What!? This person is Gu Qingfeng?¡± Upon hearing this name, all powerhouses changed their expressions. Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng! The strongest in the Nine States! If it were merely the title of the strongest in the Nine States, naturally, it wouldn¡¯t be known this far in the Southern Domain. But the problem is, this strongest in the Nine States is also suspected to be an existence on par with a Saint. In this current End of Dharma Era, the ability to produce a strong man comparable to a Saint is not just noteworthy in the Southern Domain, but all five domains of the Ancient Desolate World talk of his reputation. But regarding Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power, many non-Eastern Domain strong men harbored doubts. But now, having witnessed Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power with their own eyes, all such doubts completely vanished. Kidding. Bare-handedly subduing Tao Palace Realm. Completely overpowering the strong men of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, without the might of someone on par with a Saint, how could he achieve such a feat? Chapter 351: 253: Just a Great Saint Weapon, Who Doesnt Have One?_2 Chapter 351: Chapter 253: Just a Great Saint Weapon, Who Doesn¡¯t Have One?_2 And in another part of the void, The recent arrival, Yan Lingyun, and Fu Shenjun, upon witnessing the scene at the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, couldn¡¯t help but exchange glances, both seeing shock in each other¡¯s eyes. ¡°It seems we have both underestimated him. Indeed, there are those who possess strength on par with a Saint¡¯s without having ascended to sainthood!¡± ¡°This person¡¯s Divine Skills are astonishing. If no Saint emerges, I fear there will hardly be anyone who can match him.¡± Yan Lingyun¡¯s expression was tinged with emotion, and he too was profoundly shaken by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength. Hearing about it is one thing. Witnessing it firsthand is quite another. However, Yan Lingyun still didn¡¯t believe that Gu Qingfeng possessed the power to sweep through the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. After all, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was even more ancient than Taixu Sacred Land, with an unfathomable heritage amassed within. It certainly was not something an ordinary cultivator could disturb. But for now, Yan Lingyun had not revealed himself, as he also wanted to see just where Gu Qingfeng¡¯s limits lay. Beside him, Fu Shenjun¡¯s eyes burned with fervor. The sight of Gu Qingfeng slaughtering in all directions stirred his own desire for battle. But to directly confront an ancient Holy Land... truth be told, Fu Shenjun didn¡¯t possess such confidence. ... ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Once again, Ancient Desolate Saint Master Qi Jun was struck by Gu Qingfeng, with half his body being erased, relying on the formidable vitality of a Half-Saint to cling to life. But even so, he was gravely wounded. Witnessing this, Qi Jun bellowed, ¡°Summon the Holy Weapon!¡± As his words fell, A divine radiance sliced through the void, and a Divine Sword unexpectedly appeared. Then Qi Jun grabbed the hilt, poured his lifeblood and strength into it, fully unleashing the Holy Weapon¡¯s power. Rumbling sounds filled the air! Majestic Saintly Power flooded the heavens and earth. At this moment, Qi Jun felt an incredible surge of power. With a Holy Weapon in hand, he felt he could even contend with a Saint. Originally, he had not wanted to use a Holy Weapon, as even to the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, each Holy Weapon was particularly precious. Any problem that might arise would be a great loss for the Holy Land. But now, Qi Jun had no choice but to resort to a Holy Weapon. With the Holy Weapon in hand, Combined with the cultivation of the Half-Saint Realm. Now, Qi Jun felt he had a chance in battle even if a Saint appeared. However, Facing such a sword imbued with a Saint¡¯s strength, Gu Qingfeng did not dodge or evade. He transformed into a Heavenly Blade, overwhelming in his might, and launched himself towards Qi Jun. ¡°Boom!¡± Two streaks of light collided, and Gu Qingfeng¡¯s punch, as if embodying the epitome of force, struck directly upon the Divine Sword. ¡°Splat¡ª¡± Flesh shattered. Even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current physical stature, he was unable to truly withstand the edge of the Holy Weapon. With the shattering of flesh, golden bones within were revealed. Yet, No joy appeared on Qi Jun¡¯s face, for within his sight, the Divine Sword rapidly developed cracks, and in the next breath, the entire Holy Weapon shattered with a loud bang. ¡°Crash¡ª¡± With the destruction of the Holy Weapon, overwhelming power surged forth, causing Qi Jun to cough up blood and stagger back. When he looked at Gu Qingfeng again, his eyes were full of disbelief. ¡°To shatter a Holy Weapon with bare hands is impossible. How can your strength be so great¡ª¡± Qi Jun was truly frightened. When he looked at Gu Qingfeng, it was as though he was seeing something inconceivable. When the news from the Nine States had come about Gu Qingfeng shattering a Holy Weapon, it was because he borrowed the power of another Divine Weapon to succeed. But now, Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t relied on any external force, but used his own flesh and blood to directly destroy a Holy Weapon. Even a Saint in person might not be able to do such a thing. The vision of this moment, left the powerhouses of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land feeling as if they had plummeted into an ice pit. ¡°No... impossible!!¡± ¡°To shatter a Holy Weapon with bare hands, even a Saint might not be capable, how can your physical body be so incredibly strong!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fake, it must be fake!!¡± The cultivators from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land within the Daoist Palace Realm were all dumbstruck, witnessing a scene they found impossible to believe despite seeing it with their own eyes. There was no helping it. For such a scene was too shockingly extraordinary. To contend against a Holy Weapon with a mere flesh and blood body. What sort of heaven-defying existence was this? ¡°There¡¯s nothing impossible. Today, your Ancient Desolate Sacred Land shall be annihilated!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face was filled with murderous intent, and the injuries on his fist had already healed instantaneously. He blasted out a punch, preparing to utterly suppress Qi Jun on the spot. Upon seeing this. Qi Jun immediately bellowed. ¡°Great Saint Weapon!¡± ¡°Use the Great Saint Weapon now!!¡± The moment his words ended, an ancient and vast aura emerged from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, and a bloodstained bronze war spear suddenly appeared, emitting an unsurpassable Saintly Power as if to suppress all things in the world. The punch that Gu Qingfeng had previously struck down was directly blocked by the bronze war spear. That punch, capable of shattering Holy Weapons, landed on the bronze war spear, only causing it to quiver violently, yet without leaving a single mark of fragmentation. At the moment when the bronze Divine Spear appeared, Qi Jun, along with all the elders of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, simultaneously spat out mouthfuls of Essence Blood, integrating it into this treasured weapon. Instantly. The Saintly Power of the bronze war spear surged violently, as if a towering figure strode out from the void. ... ¡°This is the God Slaying Spear!!¡± The moment the bronze war spear appeared, Fu Shenjun¡¯s face changed drastically. The God Slaying Spear! The treasured weapon of the God Slaying Great Saint from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land of bygone days. ¡°It is said that the God Slaying Spear once drank deeply of the blood of many Great Saints. In the past, the God Slaying Great Saint contended with the Saint King. Though he ultimately fell and perished, this Great Saint Weapon was also stained with the Saint King¡¯s blood. This Saint King blood, through countless years, has not been diminished, lending an extra threefold might to this Great Saint Weapon¡¯s divine power!¡± Fu Shenjun thought of the records concerning the God Slaying Spear, his eyes filled with a cautious look. Such a treasured weapon. Even if a Saint himself were to come, he would still be left in defeat. Now. The only one capable of contending with the God Slaying Spear was the Taixu Ancient Mirror from the Taixu Sacred Land. Both are Great Saint Weapons. The Taixu Ancient Mirror was in no way inferior to the God Slaying Spear. Yan Lingyun¡¯s expression was also extremely grave now, his aura faintly linked with the Taixu Ancient Mirror, ready to activate the Great Saint Weapon at any necessary moment, to first take Gu Qingfeng away. On the other side. Within the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. ¡°In the face of a foreign invader, Qi Jun, the current Saint Master of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, implores the God Slaying Great Saint to take action and slay the enemy!¡± Qi Jun bowed deeply to that figure, and as he spoke, he coughed up several mouthfuls of fresh blood. His aura was like a flickering candle in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment. ¡°Granted!¡± There was a sudden emergence of a great Dao heavenly sound, and then that towering figure grasped the God Slaying Spear, launching an attack towards Gu Qingfeng. Crack¡ª The firmament collapsed. Countless spaces shattered into chaos, as if earth, water, fire, and wind were derived anew. The magnificent divine might enveloped the land, causing all the observing cultivators to feel a chill in their hearts, their blood stagnant, almost unable to move. This sensation caused the cultivators¡¯ complexions to turn to sheer horror. The majesty of a Great Saint! Terrifying indeed! Many had never truly witnessed the majesty of a Great Saint in their entire lives. Even if there were records in the scriptures, it was never as intense as the firsthand experience. At this moment Gu Qingfeng stood still in the void, but in their eyes, he was already as good as dead. A fully activated Great Saint Weapon was not something that a mere cultivator, who had not entered the realm of Saints, could withstand. To speak unpleasantly. Even if a Saint himself were to come, the hope of withstanding a blow from a Great Saint Weapon was nothing but wishful thinking. Only the most pinnacle of Saints might have the chance to survive under this blow. Just when everyone believed Gu Qingfeng to be undoubtedly doomed, his body suddenly moved. Looking at the bronze war spear that came into his sight, the un-dried blood seemed to reflect scenes from the past when it was stained with the Saint King¡¯s blood. ¡°Just a Great Saint Weapon, who doesn¡¯t have one?¡± Gu Qingfeng chuckled, and with a move of his Divine Thought, the previously hidden Divine Emperor Tripod unexpectedly appeared from within his Dan Tian Dao Palace. As Gu Qingfeng channeled his entire strength and blood into it, the terrifying Saintly Power hidden within the Divine Emperor Tripod also completely exploded forth. Chapter 352: 254: The Ancient City of Life Chapter 352: Chapter 254: The Ancient City of Life This was the first time Gu Qingfeng had truly activated the power within the Great Saint Weapon after obtaining the Divine Emperor Tripod. When he truly activated this treasure, what kind of power was truly hidden within it? ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The moment the Divine Emperor Tripod was activated, an imposing figure seemed to materialize out of the void, holding an ancient tripod in his hand, pressing down on the world with the might of an unparalleled being. The very next moment, The Divine Emperor Tripod collided with the God Slaying Spear. ¡°Boom!!!¡± The two treasures clashed. Instantly, a cataclysmic force erupted, capable of destroying heaven and earth. The God Slaying Spear let out a mournful cry, as it was directly suppressed by the Divine Emperor Tripod, and the phantom that initially held the tripod dispersed abruptly. In a single encounter, The God Slaying Spear was defeated. There was no other way around it. Although the God Slaying Spear was a treasure no weaker than the Divine Emperor Tripod, the ones activating it were merely a group of Taoist Palace Realm Cultivators from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land¡ªhow could they compare with Gu Qingfeng? If both were unmastered Great Saint Weapons, then the Divine Emperor Tripod might not necessarily have been able to do anything to the God Slaying Spear. However, Now that the God Slaying Spear was without a master, while Gu Qingfeng controlled the Divine Emperor Tripod, suppressing the former was naturally an easy feat. As Gu Qingfeng reached out his large hand, he wanted to completely suppress the God Slaying Spear, which sensed something was wrong and vibrated wildly and frantically, emitting sharp and icy bursts of light, seemingly trying to resist. But unfortunately, In the face of absolute power, all resistance appeared to be in vain. ¡°Saint Master, we are going!!¡± Seeing the God Slaying Spear about to be suppressed, the faces of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land side changed drastically, several Taoist Palace Realm powers with resolute expressions directly chose to sacrifice themselves, their terrifying Essence Blood flowing into the spear. ¡°Buzz¡ª¡± With the nourishment of a large amount of Essence Blood, the God Slaying Spear¡¯s sharpness surged violently, instantly breaking free from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s suppressive control and unleashing a formidable power not inferior to the Divine Emperor Tripod¡¯s. Upon seeing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face remained cold. ¡°I¡¯d like to see just how many of you there are to sacrifice!¡± ¡°Suppress for me¡ª¡± The Divine Emperor Tripod¡¯s divine might surged, brutally striking down on the God Slaying Spear, once again suppressing the revived power of the Great Saint Weapon. Witnessing this scene, Qi Jun¡¯s eyes were filled with rage. At this moment, He regretted deeply. If he had known earlier that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength was so terrifying, he absolutely would not have chosen to confront him head-on. Even if it was at the cost of the Holy Land¡¯s face, it would have been worth it. After all, even if the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land were able to repel the enemy after this battle, it would likely be gravely weakened. A significant number of Taoist Palace Realm powerhouses would fall. Not to mention the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, even other forces that were older and more powerful could not easily bear such a loss. In the end, Whether it was during the End of Dharma Era or a time of great contention, Taoist Palace Realm cultivators were the true backbone of a power. The End of Dharma needs no mention, where no Saints emerge, and the Dao Palaces are honored. If it were a time of great contention, Taoist Palace Realm powerhouses would still be equally important, since more strong cultivators at this level would increase the likelihood of Saints emerging. At this moment, Seeing Gu Qingfeng suppress the God Slaying Spear, Qi Jun knew that the matter had reached this point, and the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land must use their true foundation, no matter the great cost. Immediately, Qi Jun crushed a Jade Talisman. Following that, A terrifying aura suddenly rose from the forbidden ground of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, and an ancient city emerged from the earth, standing tall in the void. The ancient city was filled with a desolate, ancient aura, its marks of age not worn away, while upon its emergence, an abyssal and terrifying presence permeated the void. Just then, Fu Shenjun¡¯s voice came through to Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Mr. Gu, this is the City of Life, the place where ancient powerhouses sealed themselves. Now that the City of Life has appeared, I fear an ancient being from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land is about to be resurrected. Even though sealed for many years, their strength is not to be underestimated!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He looked toward the City of Life in front of him, which was filled with an ancient and decaying aura. ¡°Buzz¡ª¡± The City of Life shook, a hand stretching out from within, as if wielding the infinite power of the universe, pressing down on Gu Qingfeng. Space crumbled! The sun and the moon lost their light! The power behind this strike had already surpassed the level of the Dao Palace Realm, even breaking through the limits of the Saint Realm. Facing this palm, Gu Qingfeng felt the hairs on his body stand on end, and the power of blood and qi in his body boiled suddenly. ¡°Fight!¡± Gu Qingfeng roared angrily, his right fist thundering out to collide with that hand. Boom¡ª A world-shattering disturbance spread in all directions, and then Gu Qingfeng was seen shaking, involuntarily taking several steps back. At this moment, A voice of surprise emanated from within the City of Life. ¡°To withstand a palm from me without being a Saint, your strength is indeed impressive. Now leave, and I shall pretend this never happened!¡± The power sleeping within the ancient city did not show itself but spoke through the City of Life to Gu Qingfeng. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng said coldly, ¡°If you want me to leave, you¡¯ll have to see if you have the ability to make it so. Hiding in the City of Life shows no skill¡ªcome out and battle me!¡± With those words, He drew the Evil Slayer Blade. With this strike, Gu Qingfeng activated the Ancient Heavenly Blade to its utmost limit. The blade moved, And it seemed as though the yin and yang of heaven and earth had been completely split apart. The blade struck, shattering a hundred miles of void, its bloody blade wind harshly cleaving towards the City of Life. The latter summoned a divine light, trying to block the force of the attack. Chapter 353: 254: The Ancient City of Life_2 Chapter 353: Chapter 254: The Ancient City of Life_2 But unfortunately, In front of the blood-red blade wind, any attempt to block it was insignificant. In less than a breath, The divine light vanished. The blood-red blade wind fiercely slashed onto the Ancient City of Life, causing the ancient city to shatter with a loud boom. With the shattering of the Ancient City of Life, as if some terrifying seal had been unlocked, a vast ancient aura revived, sweeping across the entire world in an instant. A middle-aged cultivator in white robes slowly emerged from the void; his eyes were as profound as stars, and although his appearance seemed young, he exuded an aura of age and decay. With each step he took, Spiritual Energy formed into lotus blossoms beneath his feet, and all manner of celestial phenomena emerged, with supreme Saintly Power dominating the universe. ¡°You¡¯re quite good; if you don¡¯t die, reaching the Great Saint Realm in the future is just a matter of time. What a pity¡ª¡± The white-robed cultivator looked at Gu Qingfeng, his gaze filled with both regret and a cold intent to kill. Such a demon. Had he not awakened, it might have been fine, but now that he had, he absolutely could not be allowed to live. After all, with the Ancient City of Life shattered, he surely had to do something for the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. At this moment, Qi Jun spoke in a respectful voice, ¡°Now that the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land is under attack by powerful foes, with many cultivators slaughtered, I beseech Great Saint Xuan Yu to take action and avenge the fallen cultivators of the Sacred Land!¡± ¡°Are you the current Saint Master of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land?¡± The white-robed cultivator, who was also Great Saint Xuan Yu, gazed down at Qi Jun with a slight frown; he could clearly see that the one below was on his last legs. Not to mention the severe depletion of essence blood, the injuries on his body were also severe; if it weren¡¯t for the powerful life force of a Semi-Saint, he would have long been a dead man. ¡°Yes, Junior is!¡± Qi Jun nodded in response. Immediately, Great Saint Xuan Yu flicked his finger, and a gentle stream of vitality entered Qi Jun¡¯s body, stabilizing his previously collapsing physique almost instantly. ¡°Many thanks, Great Saint Xuan Yu!¡± Qi Jun was full of gratitude, and at the same time, he was astonished by the techniques of a Great Saint Realm powerhouse, understanding very well the severity of his injuries. Even with Spirit Pills and wondrous medicine in hand, there was no certainty of recovery. However, Great Saint Xuan Yu simply bestowed a surge of vital energy, thoroughly stabilizing his condition. Although he wasn¡¯t completely healed, he was at least no longer in mortal danger. At that moment, Great Saint Xuan Yu turned his attention back to Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Leave your name; you deserve to be remembered by me!¡± ¡°Why waste so many words¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at Great Saint Xuan Yu before him, his chest boiling with the urge to fight, and a cold murderous light shone in his eyes. ¡°I haven¡¯t truly faced off with a Great Saint yet. Let me witness for myself the prowess of a Great Saint Realm powerhouse!¡± ¡°You will witness it.¡± Great Saint Xuan Yu reached out his hand, and the God Slaying Spear fell into his grasp. ¡°Remember!¡± ¡°The one killing you today is Xuan Yu¡ªof the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land¡ª¡± Before the words could finish, Great Saint Xuan Yu had already made his move, the God Slaying Spear unleashing terrifying power, with blood-red light filling the sky, the destructive force within it now fully erupting. Such power was utterly different from when the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had previously wielded the God Slaying Spear. A terrifying feeling welled up from the depths of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s heart, but it did not make him fear; instead, his fighting spirit grew even more intense, as if something within his bloodline was about to fully awaken. ¡°Battle!¡± The Divine Emperor Tripod pressed heavily upon the void, both Great Saint Weapons unleashing their terrifying power. As they collided, the space for ten thousand miles around shattered, the massive shockwaves spreading in all directions, forcing even Tiaoist Palace Realm Cultivators to retreat. ¡°Thrilling!¡± ¡°Again!!¡± Gu Qingfeng laughed out loud, his left hand wielding the Divine Emperor Tripod, and his right hand the Evil Slayer Blade. He multitasked, pushing both precious artifacts to their limits. On the other side, Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s face was composed and calm, the God Slaying Spear below silently delivering death, with cold lights flashing, each beam of force enough to easily quell Dao Palace Great Powers, even those at the Saint Realm level. ... As the two engaged in combat, such terrible fluctuations could be said to have rocked the entire Southern Domain, with many powerful figures who heard the news turning their attention to the battle in the void. ¡°This is Great Saint Xuan Yu of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land from thirty thousand years ago; who would have thought he hadn¡¯t fallen!¡± ¡°And who is the other person, actually able to contend with Great Saint Xuan Yu without falling short!?¡± ¡°Hiss, could this person also be a powerhouse of the Great Saint Realm?¡± Many cultivators from the Southern Domain recognized the identity of Great Saint Xuan Yu at first glance, after all, the other party was a powerhouse of the Great Saint Realm from thirty thousand years ago. Even though he had sealed himself in slumber, many forces still had records of him. By comparison, they were truly puzzled about Gu Qingfeng. However, it didn¡¯t take long for other cultivators to reveal Gu Qingfeng¡¯s identity. Instantly, all the powerhouses were shocked. Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s Gu Qingfeng! A cultivator who had not yet truly ascended as a Saint, yet could contend with a Great Saint, how could they not be astonished? Not only were other cultivators shocked, but the cultivators from both Taixu Sacred Land and Ancient Desolate Sacred Land were also incredulous as they watched the battle between Gu Qingfeng and Great Saint Xuan Yu. ¡°Peak Master Fu, are you sure this person has not stepped into the Saint Realm?¡± Yan Lingyun turned her head to look at Fu Shenjun beside her, her voice filled with disbelief. Hearing this, Fu Shenjun could not help but give a bitter smile, ¡°Whether he has become a Saint or not, can¡¯t the Saint Master see for himself?¡± ¡°...¡± This time, it was Yan Lingyun¡¯s turn to be silent. How could she not discern whether one was a Saint or not? A strong person of the Saint Realm could master the powers of heaven and earth, which was the main feature after becoming a Saint, and also why Saints could dominate over those of the Dao Palace Realm. So any Saint, even the weakest, could easily suppress a cultivator of the Daoist Palace Realm. But now, Gu Qingfeng had not become a Saint, yet he could fight on equal footing with Great Saint Xuan Yu, such strength naturally left Yan Lingyun shocked. Even in ancient times, there were prodigies defying the heavens, but very few could achieve this. Watching Gu Qingfeng become stronger the more he fought, Fu Shenjun seemed to think of something. ¡°Does Saint Master think, that Mr. Gu also possesses some kind of Divine Body?¡± ¡°It¡¯s possible...¡± Yan Lingyun nodded slightly. If not for possessing a monstrous Divine Body, how could one achieve this? But the problem is, even if it¡¯s a Divine Body genius, so what? Throughout ancient and modern times, it¡¯s not that there haven¡¯t been Divine Bodies born, but never has it been heard that any Divine Body could defy the heavens to this extent, being able to contend with Saints while still in the Daoist Palace Realm. For a moment, Yan Lingyun¡¯s mind flashed through the names of many Divine Bodies, but none could match Gu Qingfeng. Indeed, there are Divine Bodies known for growing stronger as they fight, such as the legendary Fighting Saint Body, Overlord Divine Body, and so on, all top-notch Divine Bodies that grow stronger through combat. But. Even such Divine Bodies, powerful as they may be, have their limits. Therefore, Yan Lingyun was also uncertain about which Divine Body Gu Qingfeng possessed. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The Divine Emperor Tripod shattered the void, a terrifying force struck fiercely upon the God Slaying Spear, the recoil made Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s palm split open, and his figure couldn¡¯t help but step back. This was the first time Great Saint Xuan Yu had been forced to retreat in this battle. Now, even the face of this Ancient Great Saint showed shock. ¡°What kind of Divine Body do you possess!!?¡± What he thought was an ant easy to crush, turned out to be a fierce tiger; even with Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s temperament, he now couldn¡¯t suppress the sense of absurdity. As for Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s shock, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was only filled with killing intent. ¡°If this is the strength of the Great Saint Realm, then today, there is no need for the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land to exist!¡± Fighting till now, Gu Qingfeng also felt a power in his flesh beginning to awaken, and this power was from the Ancient Immortal Body. All this time, the Ancient Immortal Body had not manifested much of its mystique. Until this battle. Gu Qingfeng truly unearthed the potential of the Ancient Immortal Body. As the Ancient Immortal Body awakened, Gu Qingfeng swung the most pinnacle blade in his history, a terrifying slaughter force enveloped the heaven and earth, the blood-colored blade wind tore through the sky, reflecting in Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s eyes. Chapter 354: 255: Five Saints Chapter 354: Chapter 255: Five Saints ¡°I will die!!¡± This thought sprang into Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s mind, finding it somewhat absurd and laughable. To think that he, an Ancient Great Saint, would feel the breath of death in front of a Semi-Saint. But¡ª Great Saint Xuan Yu understood. This feeling wasn¡¯t wrong. The cultivator before him had sky-reaching battle prowess; such an existence, if ever he became a Saint or even stepped into the Great Saint Realm, would surely become a nightmare for the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. Therefore, Facing the slashing blade, Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s eyes turned resolute, and terrifying vital blood power surged into the God Slaying Spear, driving the power of this Great Saint Weapon to its limit. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The collision of the two forces caused the light of heaven and earth to suddenly dim. All cultivators widened their eyes, wanting to see the scene clearly, and some even boldly used their Divine Thought to sense, but the Divine Thoughts that had just extended out were instantly shattered. Instantly, Many cultivators let out pained screams. Divine Thought was severed. Such intense pain naturally wasn¡¯t something ordinary people could endure. After a moment, The light reappeared. Gu Qingfeng was seen with his robe stained with blood, his chest pierced by the God Slaying Spear, looking at Great Saint Xuan Yu, who appeared ethereal like an exiled immortal. ¡°Victorious... Great Saint Xuan Yu has won!!¡± When all the cultivators of Ancient Desolate Sacred Land saw this scene, smiles involuntarily appeared on their faces. They won! The battle was ultimately won by Great Saint Xuan Yu! At the same time, Many elders of the sacred lands heaved a sigh of relief. For them, not being afraid of a heaven-defying powerhouse like Gu Qingfeng would be a lie. Such an existence, even before attaining sainthood, was already fearsome, and if he were to become a Saint one day, it would be even more terrifying. Fortunately, Now Gu Qingfeng was dead. The threat was naturally gone. As the Saint Lord of Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, Qi Jun also revealed a smile, but soon, the expression on his face stiffened. There in the void, Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s brow suddenly showed a line of blood, then his body split in two in full view, directly falling from the void. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng, who seemed already dead, grabbed the God Slaying Spear in his chest, forcefully pulling it out, as blood sprayed liberally, revealing a slightly morbid smile on his face. ¡°Indeed, a powerhouse of the Great Saint Realm is tough to deal with!¡± ¡°Unfortunately, in the end, it is I who have won¡ª¡± The physical injuries brought out a long-absent zeal for battle in Gu Qingfeng, making this fight the most exhilarating one he had fought. Undeniably, Great Saint Xuan Yu¡¯s strength was indeed terrifying. Such a powerful figure was the strongest opponent Gu Qingfeng had ever encountered, second to none. Even the Divine Thoughts of Flame Sun Saint couldn¡¯t compare in front of him. Likewise, This was also the most severe injury Gu Qingfeng had ever suffered. The last time he faced such a crisis was when he first came to this world, battling Shangguan Jiang amid the blood mist. But unlike that time, Shangguan Jiang was merely the weakest Magician, whereas the current Great Saint Xuan Yu was a peerless powerhouse on the verge of the Great Saint Realm. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng threw the God Slaying Spear into the Divine Emperor Tripod, forcibly suppressing this Great Saint Weapon. Then, Gu Qingfeng took various elixirs, and his injuries visibly healed at a visible rate. The elixir he had taken was the Divine Blood Pill, mainly used to refine the vital blood of cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm, not really effective for healing. But presently, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s main problem was severe vital blood loss, taking Divine Blood Pills also indirectly healed his injuries. At this moment, Everyone looking at the falling corpse in the void had their faces turn blank, as if witnessing something unbelievable. Dead! A Great Saint had died like this!? In an era without Saints appearing, a Great Saint was a truly invincible powerhouse; any Great Saint had the qualifications to create a millennia-old sacred land. Many so-called ancient sacred lands might not even have a Great Saint¡¯s background. Moreover, Another important point was, The one who slayed Great Saint Xuan Yu wasn¡¯t another Great Saint but a cultivator who hadn¡¯t yet stepped into sainthood. This made it all the more shocking. In the void, The two from Taixu Sacred Land were now silent. Yan Lingyun silently put away the Taixu Ancient Mirror. He realized, His worries were somewhat unnecessary. The strength of Gu Qingfeng, the Gu Family Master, could only be described as defying the heavens. Beside him, Fu Shenjun opened his mouth, unsure of what to say for a moment. ... On another side, In the void, Gu Qingfeng looked down on Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land with a cold voice, ¡°It seems a Great Saint is insufficient to save your Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land, if you have any trump cards left, feel free to use them. Otherwise, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t have the chance anymore.¡± With these words, Qi Jun¡¯s blank expression shifted slightly, he suddenly took a deep breath, stepped forward and bowed deeply towards Gu Qingfeng. ¡°This battle, Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land admits defeat, all of Gu Family Master¡¯s previous demands can be agreed to, now we only hope that Gu Family Master can spare us, granting Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land a way to survive!¡± At this moment, Qi Jun regretted deeply. If he¡¯d known how fearsome Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength was, he would never have clung to any sense of honor; he would have handed over Liu Ruofeng and the others and appeased the matter directly. As a result, Due to seeking to maintain their sacred land¡¯s honor, the situation deteriorated step by step. Till now, Great Saint Xuan Yu had fallen. The God Slaying Spear had fallen into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands. This battle, for Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land, was a devastating blow; even if a golden age were to arrive, it¡¯s uncertain whether they could recover. Chapter 355: 255 Five Saints_2 Chapter 355: Chapter 255 Five Saints_2 Therefore, Qi Jun now very decisively showed submission. After all, although there are still Saints in slumber in the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, there was only one Great Saint Xuan Yu who had stepped into the Great Saint Realm. There was no other way. Despite the fact that there were not just one Great Saint in previous generations of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, crafting the Life Ancient City was never an easy task. The more powerful the cultivation, the higher the requirements for the Life Ancient City to be crafted. Watching Qi Jun, who now appeared meek and respectful, Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head. ¡°I have already given you a chance, but since you do not cherish it, then you must bear the consequences. Now it seems, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land does not have any other heritage left. With that being the case, there is no longer any need for the existence of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Qi Jun¡¯s expression changed, and just as he was about to say something, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s palm came crashing down, causing the flesh of this Saint Master of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land to explode, completely dying on the spot. After killing Qi Jun, Gu Qingfeng took another step, as Supreme Blade Intent transformed into a domain sweeping across heaven and earth, instantly slaying on the spot any cultivator affected by it, regardless of whether they were powerful beings from the Daoist Palace Realm or other realms. With numerous cultivators falling, the entire Ancient Desolate Sacred Land became a battlefield of slaughter. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me!!¡± ¡°Run, run quickly!!¡± ¡°Spare my life...¡± Many disciples of the Sacred Land cried out in fear, some kneeling to beg for mercy, hoping Gu Qingfeng would spare their lives, while others seeing the situation unfavorable, attempted to flee from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land and save themselves. In response, Gu Qingfeng remained indifferent, showing no intention of holding back. To cut weeds, one must remove the roots! That was the principle he had always adhered to. Had he not completely torn apart relations with the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, Gu Qingfeng might not have carried out a massacre on the entire land. But now, both parties were strictly in a fight to the death. With this in mind, How could Gu Qingfeng possibly hold back? Only by completely exterminating the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land could he truly be at peace. When the Perfect Level of the Ancient Heavenly Blade¡¯s power covered the entire Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, all cultivators became targets of the slaughter, and some who vainly tried to leave the sacred land hadn¡¯t fully managed to step out of its bounds before being strangled by the Blade Qi. Other cultivators, upon seeing this scene, wore complex expressions on their faces, but none dared to step forward to stop it. What a joke. Even the Great Saint Xuan Yu had fallen. In this era, who else could stand against him? Unless, there were other Great Saints resurrecting, or beings stronger than Great Saints awakening. Otherwise, no one could contend with the Gu Family Master. But equally, regardless of how many forces had such heritage, even if they did possess it, they wouldn¡¯t reveal it without good reason, just to kill Gu Qingfeng. Without a feud of life and death, no one would sacrifice their trump card for the benefit of others. Observing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s ruthless methods, anyone who attempted to speak up in dissuasion might very likely be mistaken as an accomplice of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. Therefore, the best course of action at this time was to remain silent. ... ¡°Who dares to commit wanton murder in the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± ¡°The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land does not tolerate insult, you reckless junior¡ªseeking death¡ª¡± As Gu Qingfeng freely massacred the cultivators of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, several Life Ancient Cities appeared, and ancient Saints, once slumbering, awakened. Seeing the scene before them, they were all filled with rage and indignation. ¡°Saints!¡± Gu Qingfeng, seeing the five Saints appearing before him, understood that this was the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land¡¯s final heritage. At once, Gu Qingfeng made his move, directly casting the Divine Emperor Tripod toward one of the Saints to suppress them. The latter, upon feeling the momentum of the Divine Emperor Tripod, lost all prior arrogance, replaced with sheer terror. ¡°Great Saint Weapon¡ª¡± He wanted to retreat, but it was already too late. The Divine Emperor Tripod struck down, and a Saint¡¯s body burst open, turning into a sky-full of blood mist sprinkling down. The remaining Saints, upon seeing this, all changed in color dramatically. ¡°This ghoul is ferocious, quickly use the Heavenly Desolate Seal!!¡± A Saint roared. At the same time, a power terrifying to the extreme awakened from within the great hall of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. This force, so vast and mighty, was incomparably stronger than the previously seen God Slaying Spear. ¡°You little ones, cease your resistance, for I will suppress you with a Saint King Soldier!¡± Another Saint laughed aloud, the last remnants of fear in his heart now completely dissipated. Even if the person before them was extraordinarily powerful and armed with a Great Saint Weapon, what did it matter? Now that the Saint King Soldier had awakened, suppressing the opposition would be effortless. However, Gu Qingfeng said nothing, responding only with the Evil Slayer Blade. Blood-red blade wind shattered the heavens and the earth, and within the horrified gaze of that Saint, Gu Qingfeng struck him dead on the spot. ¡°What of the Saint King Soldier¡¯s awakening!¡± ¡°You must be able to seize it in hand, after all.¡± Gu Qingfeng sneered. There was no denying it. The Saint King Soldier was indeed immensely powerful. Merely from its aura, he could tell that if a Saint possessed the Saint King Soldier, he himself might have to temporarily avoid its edge. But solving this problem was simple; he just needed to prevent the opponent from getting their hands on the Saint King Soldier. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng decisively struck, with the speed of lightning, slaying another Saint. The remaining three Saints realized what his intent was. ¡°Quick, grab the Saint King Soldier, and I will hold him off!¡± One of the Saints took a step forward, looking at Gu Qingfeng with eyes that had accepted death. ¡°If you wish to destroy the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, you must first step over my dead body!¡± Before the words even fell, The Saint had already ignited his lifeblood and Divine Soul, pushing his strength to the true limit. Any mighty warrior who would sacrifice greatly to craft the Life Ancient City Seal and bury themselves for the sake of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was absolutely loyal to it. Even in the face of certain death, there were Saints ready to sacrifice themselves. However, The intention was noble. Yet before absolute power, even if one exhausted all resources, it was futile. The moment the Divine Emperor Tripod suppressed down, the Saint raised his arms with the might to shake the heavens, trying to withstand the power of the Great Saint Weapon. But the moment the two forces met, his arms exploded first, followed by his body disintegrating bit by bit into oblivion. In less than a moment, A Saint was suppressed and killed on the spot. Seeing the other two Saints about to seize the Heavenly Desolate Seal, Gu Qingfeng shouted loudly, ¡°I ask for assistance from the two of the Taixu Sacred Land. After this matter is resolved, this lord will surely visit to express my thanks!¡± Upon hearing this, Yan Lingyun, who was hiding in the void, paused with surprise, then his expression eased. Although he had hidden himself well, how could he conceal his presence from such powerful beings? After hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s call for help, Yan Lingyun hesitated for less than half a breath before making his decision. He stepped out from the void and said loudly, ¡°Mr. Gu, have no fear, Yan Lingyun is on his way!¡± As he spoke, Yan Lingyun directly summoned the Taixu Ancient Mirror, unleashing terrifying divine light from its surface which blasted onto the Heavenly Desolate Seal in an instant. Though this attack couldn¡¯t possibly damage the Heavenly Desolate Seal, the ferocious offensive sent it flying away. The Saint from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was about to seize the Heavenly Desolate Seal, but in the next breath, the treasured artifact was flung a hundred miles away. Such a turn of events made that Saint¡¯s eyes blaze with rage, fixating on Yan Lingyun with a look that wanted to flay him alive, to consume his very flesh and blood. ¡°Taixu Sacred Land... I will stop at nothing to¡ª¡± Before the Saint could finish speaking, a primitive tripod came crashing down, shattering his skull and causing half of his body to burst apart. ¡°The last one!¡± After slaying that Saint, Gu Qingfeng, expressionless, turned to look at the last figure rushing towards the Heavenly Desolate Seal, with one slash, wind and clouds surged in the heavens, a myriad of Spiritual Energy converged to form a Sky-reaching Divine Blade, and ferociously chopped down towards that Saint. ¡°No¡ª¡± The Saint saw that he was just one step away from the Heavenly Desolate Seal, yet that one step seemed as vast as a chasm, despair written all over his face. In the next instant, His body burst apart. The last Saint of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land also fell dead on the spot. Chapter 356: 256 Emperor Talent Chapter 356: Chapter 256 Emperor Talent Saints drenched in blood! The heavens and the earth trembled! Everyone who witnessed the massacre at the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land fell into a heavy silence. In this current End of Dharma Era, a Saint Level powerhouse was the foundation of any ancient force. Even in an era of great contention, such powerful individuals were not to be underestimated. However, these powerhouses were being indiscriminately slaughtered by Gu Qingfeng, proving that even so-called Saints were no different from ants before someone stronger. Even those cultivators who saw the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land being slaughtered and felt compassion dared not utter a single word of protest. What a joke. In this world, the strong are revered. The one with the biggest fist is the one who is right. Of course, if one is not afraid of death or implicating their backing force, then they could certainly uphold justice with their words. Moreover, this matter originated with the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land provoking the Gu Family; despite the Gu Family Master¡¯s methods being exceedingly ruthless, there was nothing to be said about it. In half a day¡¯s time, the entire Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had become a river of blood. As an ancient sacred land that had existed for hundreds of thousands of years, there were no fewer than a hundred thousand cultivators who had joined the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. But unfortunately, these disciples were now the lost souls under Gu Qingfeng¡¯s blade. Even though many disciples were connected to numerous forces, not a single person stepped forward to obstruct him. When another disciple of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land fell, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought expanded, covering the entire Sacred Land, confirming that no one else was alive, before he finally ceased his actions. ... A hundred thousand corpses piled up! It was like a sea of bloodied bodies! Gu Qingfeng seemed like a god slaughtering living beings, his feet crushing the bones of Saints, his gaze arrogantly sweeping across the void in all directions as he declared loudly, ¡°Within ten days, all forces that laid hands on my son Gu Xiu must behead all those who participated, and deliver their heads to the Divine Martial Dynasty. After ten days, if any force fails to comply, then the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land will be their fate!¡± With those words spoken, the void fell into dead silence. After a long while, a series of Divine Thoughts disappeared into the void, as if fleeing in a total panic. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng was indifferent. After all, he had given them a deadline. If anyone chose to disrespect it, he would not mind slaughtering another group of cultivators. After all, it didn¡¯t matter if it was killing a hundred thousand or a million. Just as these forces had united against Gu Xiu, might made right, and Gu Qingfeng naturally bore no psychological burden. This was the law of survival in this world¡ªif one could not adapt, they were ultimately doomed to extinction. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng waved his sleeve, and the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, which he always carried with him, suddenly appeared. A surge of black mist emerged from the banner, spreading in all directions. The resentful spirits of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land cultivators who had recently perished were gathered by the banner, turning into many powerful and eerie beings. At the same time, the original three Master-level eerie creatures, upon seeing the sea of corpses and blood, voraciously devoured anything they could, like a banquet before their eyes! Blood! Divine Souls! For these eerie creatures, these were nourishing substances. Streams of vital energy flowed into the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, and this treasure, originally in the hands of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect, visibly swelled in power. ¡°Boom, boom, boom!¡± Black mist swirled, eerie energies soared to the skies, casting darkness as if some peerless demon had come into being. Witnessing this, many cultivators furrowed their brows, then relaxed them. Eerie creatures, in fact, were not rare in the Ancient Wilderness, and there were even those who specifically slaughtered living beings to cultivate Evil Skills. However, many powers turned a blind eye to this. After all, as long as it didn¡¯t affect them, not many were willing to truly act as demon-hunting defenders of the path. Of course, that didn¡¯t rule out the possibility that some might act so, but they were ultimately few and far between. With the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land already slaughtered, even those with the hardest heads would not come forward to stop Gu Qingfeng now, much less reproach him. After a long time, all the bones of those below the level of Saint had turned to white, while the remains of the few Saints and Great Saint Xuan Yu were collected by Gu Qingfeng using the Cloud Thunder Cauldron. This Holy Weapon had not been used much since he obtained it and was now entirely serving as a storage treasure. After all, even the corpses of Saints and Great Saints, though fallen, were still imbued with supreme Saintly Power and could not be contained by an ordinary storage ring. Only specific methods could truly collect and suppress them. Now, the Divine Emperor Tripod contained the God Slaying Spear and the Heavenly Desolate Seal, and naturally, the Cloud Thunder Cauldron was used for storing corpses. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng swept across the area with Divine Thought, swiftly finding the treasure hoard of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land and emptying all of the inheritance Cultivation Techniques and materials. For this, even the Heavenly Cloud Ring could not fit everything, and Gu Qingfeng used an additional thirteen storage rings, finally managing to collect everything. Having done all this, Gu Qingfeng stepped through the air, appearing before Yan Lingyun and Fu Shenjun. ¡°This time, I thank the Taixu Sacred Land for your assistance, otherwise it wouldn¡¯t have been so easy for me to eradicate the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land.¡± Although Yan Lingyun had only acted once from beginning to end, if it were not for him, it would have been a big trouble had a Saint managed to get the Heavenly Desolate Seal. Yan Lingyun, upon hearing this, let out a chuckle and said, ¡°You give me too much credit, Gu Family Head. For Yan, it was a mere trifle, not to mention Gu Xuan is also a disciple of our Taixu Sacred Land. How could the Taixu Sacred Land sit idly by when the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land raised a hand against the Gu Family?¡± Chapter 357: 256 Emperor Talent_2 Chapter 357: Chapter 256 Emperor Talent_2 Now, Yan Lingyun¡¯s words were all about drawing closer ties between Taixu Sacred Land and Gu Qingfeng. It was not that he was being mercantile; it was simply that the strength Gu Qingfeng had displayed was too astonishing. Yan Lingyun was well aware that thus far, Gu Qingfeng had not yet achieved sainthood, yet he was able to fiercely battle a Great Saint and casually slay Saints with a wave of his hand. From this, one could see just how terrifying the other party¡¯s foundation really was. This was also why Yan Lingyun had taken a risk to assist. Making friends with such a power person could only bring benefits and no harm to Taixu Sacred Land. ¡°Regardless, since Taixu Sacred Land has lent its aid this time, I, for one, am not an ungrateful person. Consider these items as a token of thanks for Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s intervention!¡± Gu Qingfeng directly took out two storage rings and handed them to Yan Lingyun. The latter, upon seeing this, did not refuse. ¡°In that case, many thanks to Gu Family Head!¡± Yan Lingyun¡¯s face was full of smiles. The foundation of Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was not something Taixu Sacred Land could compare with. Now, even just a portion of the resources was particularly important to Taixu Sacred Land. After all¡ª an era of great strife was approaching. Taixu Sacred Land must enhance its strength as much as possible, so that it might stand out in the forthcoming era. More importantly, the bond between them was now established. Even if they accepted the resources of Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, it would have no bearing. ¡°I must take my leave now but should there be an opportunity in the future, I will certainly visit Taixu Sacred Land to express my thanks!¡± Having said this, Gu Qingfeng left by soaring into the sky. After his departure, Yan Lingyun¡¯s Divine Thought entered the two storage rings and his smile grew even more splendid. ¡°Ancient Desolate Sacred Land truly lives up to its reputation as a legacy of the ancient Holy Lands; indeed, its resources are plentiful. With such a trove of resources, my Taixu Sacred Land can nurture quite a few strong individuals!¡± Although Taixu Sacred Land seemed glorious in the eyes of others, only Yan Lingyun, as the Saint Master, understood the saying, ¡®One doesn¡¯t know the cost of firewood and rice until one becomes the head of a household.¡¯ With many disciples cultivating in Taixu Sacred Land, resources were needed everywhere. Despite Taixu Sacred Land having interests in all regions, they were always somewhat strapped for resources. Fu Shenjun, watching the direction in which Gu Qingfeng had departed, didn¡¯t speak for a long while, then finally asked, ¡°Saint Master, in your view, how far can this person ultimately go?¡± ¡°Emperor Talent!¡± Yan Lingyun uttered these words. Upon hearing this, Fu Shenjun¡¯s expression froze momentarily before relaxing. Emperor Talent. The statement was to be expected. Throughout the ages, every Great Emperor stood at the absolute pinnacle of the Ancient Wilderness and even in death, their remaining power could suppress the ages. Yet, not every genius or monstrous person born with a Divine Body necessarily reached that realm. But to say that Gu Qingfeng had the chance to contend with the Emperor Realm in the future, Fu Shenjun harbored not a hint of doubt. An individual who could slay a Great Saint while merely a Semi-Saint¡ªif even such a formidable being did not have the chance to attain emperorship, then who else could ascend to such heights? Yan Lingyun said, ¡°All ancient emperors had peerless combat prowess in their youth, and Gu Qingfeng is no exception.¡± Thereafter, Yan Lingyun looked towards the ruins of Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, knowing that today¡¯s events were destined to shake the entire Ancient Wilderness. After all, the destruction of an ancient Holy Land was not a trivial matter. Especially with a Great Saint and numerous Saints having fallen, it was sure to cause quite a stir. From this moment onwards, the name of the Divine Martial Dynasty was destined to resound throughout the Ancient Wilderness, positioning it among the top echelons. Even if the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s foundation was shallow, how could it not matter when they boasted a being on par with a Great Saint? In an era where Saints seldom appeared, boasting the feat of slaying a Great Saint meant that even forces more ancient than Ancient Desolate Sacred Land dared not provoke them in the slightest. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Great Saint Xuan Yu has fallen!¡± ¡°Ancient Desolate Sacred Land has been destroyed!!¡± Within the Divine Martial Dynasty, at the court hall, Gu Yang was the first to receive the news from the Southern Domain. His face was filled with disbelief. He confirmed it again and again before he was sure that the news he received was not mistaken. At this moment, it was not only Gu Yang who was shocked. In the royal court, Nanyue Mountain and the other ministers were filled with shock upon hearing the news. ¡°The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land has been destroyed; the Supreme Emperor truly has a divine might that overshadows the world!¡± ¡°After this battle, our Divine Martial Dynasty shall rise¡ª¡± After their initial shock, the ministers began to speak one after another, unable to contain the excitement and agitation on their faces. They were very clear about what this battle represented. The reputation of the Divine Martial Dynasty had been significant, though only within the Eastern Domain. Although the dynasty¡¯s fame had spread to other regions, its influence had always been limited, and some established powers had been dismissive of the Divine Martial Dynasty. There was no helping it. The Divine Martial Dynasty was strong if said to be strong, yet also weak if considered weak. Their biggest flaw lay in their foundation. Since the previous dynasty had crumbled, the Divine Martial Dynasty had only been established for a mere five years. Five years. Even though Gu Yang had greatly developed the Divine Martial Dynasty, establishing Martial Arts Academies all over, the time was too short to produce many formidable warriors worthy of the limelight. Without Gu Qingfeng, the entire Divine Martial Dynasty would be a small force that any Dao Palace Great Power could easily obliterate. But now, things were different. Although the Divine Martial Dynasty still relied on Gu Qingfeng alone to support the situation... Yet, A Daoist Palace Realm Great Power on par with a Saint, and a legendary figure capable of slaying those in the Great Saint Realm, these were two different concepts. This was just like many Saint Families, or even Ancient Sacred Lands, that might only produce a single Saint or a warrior of the Great Saint Realm from beginning to end, but could rely on such powerful individuals¡¯ legacy to revitalize their forces. To put it plainly, The remnants left by strong figures at this level were enough to create a powerful force. The stronger the Divine Martial Dynasty became, the more benefits these ministers, as subjects, would naturally reap. All under heaven are drawn by profit. Whether it¡¯s families or sects and dynasties, fundamentally they are the same. Gu Yang turned to Nanyue Mountain and ordered, ¡°Increase the Nine States¡¯ patrol efforts by the Heavenly Patrol Guard, suppress all those who cause turmoil, and warn other forces not to stir up further unrest. Otherwise, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land will be their fate!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Nanyue Mountain took the command. Over the years, many forces had infiltrated the Divine Martial Dynasty. Although the Heavenly Patrol Guard had suppressed many uprisings, there were still shadows of various powers secretly at work behind them. These matters were also known to Gu Yang through the Hidden Guard, but he had turned a blind eye. There was no choice. The Divine Martial Dynasty did not yet have the right to truly ¡°flip the table.¡± As long as it did not have too great an impact or threaten the normal operation of the court, Gu Yang would temporarily endure it. Although he could ask Gu Qingfeng to act and uproot these forces entirely, doing so would only lead the Divine Martial Dynasty to offend more powers. The battle in Xing¡¯an County years ago had already led to the downfall of over a hundred thousand cultivators from the Ancient Wilderness, and the Divine Martial Dynasty had offended a number of powers. Offending other forces continuously might not be advisable. But now things were different. Gu Qingfeng singlehandedly stepped into the Ancient Wilderness, swept through the entire Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, and the bloodshed of the Ancient Great Saint gave Gu Yang enough confidence to face other forces. He believed Even powers with more formidable foundations than the Ancient Sacred Lands might not dare to turn against the Divine Martial Dynasty now. After all¡ª A Great Saint of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had fallen. Unless an Ancient Great Saint stronger than Great Saint Xuan Yu were to arise, or a warrior above the Great Saint Realm emerged, only then would there be a chance to suppress Gu Qingfeng. But the issue was, the awakening of such high-level warriors was not a good thing for their powers at this stage, before the era of the great strife had begun. More importantly, The awakening of ancient powers was like pulling a hair and moving the whole body. That was why Gu Yang now had the confidence to directly ¡°flip the table.¡± As the news of this battle spread, Before the coming of the great strife, the Divine Martial Dynasty could remain as stable as Mount Taishan. Even when the era of great strife truly arrived, Gu Yang would not be afraid. If the Divine Martial Dynasty were given a thousand or two thousand years to grow, By that time, The Divine Martial Dynasty would not necessarily be any less than the other ancient powers. Chapter 358 257: Spirit Vein Promotion "Father!" In the Imperial Study Room, Gu Yang looked at the person before him with a face full of reverence and fervor, completely devoid of the composure he had in the court. It couldn''t be helped. If Gu Yang were asked whom he admired the most in his life, without a doubt, it would be Gu Qingfeng. "The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land has already been annihilated; other forces that acted against Xiu''er will soon come to the Divine Martial Dynasty to apologize, but since Xiu''er entered the Demon Realm through the Ancient Transfer Array, there is currently no way to bring him back." Gu Qingfeng said. "Demon Realm!?" Gu Yang''s face changed when he heard this. He did not ask Gu Qingfeng how he knew about Gu Xiu being in the Demon Realm, but since he mentioned it, it must be correct. "As far as I know, the Demon Realm is extremely perilous. If the third brother really entered the Demon Realm, I fear the prospects are more bleak than bright¡ª" Gu Yang''s expression turned ugly. If it had been in the Ancient Wilderness, with his father''s current strength, it would be sufficient to bring Gu Xiu back. But in the Demon Realm, it was different. Gu Yang also had some understanding of the Demon Realm now. That place. Even Saints dared not tread lightly. Gu Qingfeng said, "Xiu''er entering the Demon Realm could also be considered his opportunity; he has the residual spirit of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint to assist him, so I believe there won''t be much trouble. However, since there is a Transmission Array leading to the Demon Realm in the Southern Domain, it''s inevitable that similar arrays exist elsewhere. You have the Hidden Guards investigate and see if they can find any trace of such arrays." "I understand, Father!" Gu Yang nodded. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng then took out all ten storage rings. "This is the resource from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, it''s useless for me to keep, you may use it to develop the Divine Martial Dynasty!" Out of thirteen storage rings, Gu Qingfeng gave two to Taixu Sacred Land, ten were given to Gu Yang, and the last one was to be used for the development of the Gu Family Manor. "Son is grateful to Father on behalf of the people of the world!" Gu Yang was overjoyed; he naturally understood just how valuable these ten storage rings were. A saintly land with inheritance spanning hundreds of thousands of years, the resources left behind were beyond what the Divine Martial Dynasty could imagine. With such resources, Gu Yang believed, the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty would surely soar. "Strive to enhance your own strength. Years ago, when the Demon Realm invaded the Eastern Domain, numerous sects and forces were annihilated, and although The Demon Realm hasn''t stepped into the Ancient Wilderness for a hundred thousand years, there are still arrays similar to those of the Demon Realm left in various parts of the Ancient Wilderness, and things inside are probably not that simple." "And with the Great Contention Age likely to arrive in another thousand or two thousand years, it will be the most severe test for the Divine Martial Dynasty!" Gu Qingfeng spoke solemnly. The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was annihilated. And along with the previous offenses, the Divine Martial Dynasty had made against numerous forces, when the Great Age begins, the Divine Martial Dynasty would surely bear the brunt. At that time. If the Divine Martial Dynasty had enough strength, it would only be a matter of moments before potential annihilation. "I understand!" Gu Yang nodded solemnly. Gu Qingfeng then discussed some other matters with Gu Yang and gave him some pointers on cultivation before floating away. It was only after Gu Qingfeng had left that Gu Yang''s Divine Thought entered the many storage rings. Moments later, He began to breathe rapidly. "So many resources, enough to match the accumulation of a hundred Divine Martial Dynasties!" In Gu Yang''s perception through Divine Thought, a massive amount of resources came into view: top-tier Divine Medicines, high-grade elixirs, and even Dao Artifacts and ancient weapons were plentiful. However. What truly caught Gu Yang''s attention. Was the Cultivation Technique inheritance of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. This. Was the real foundation of an ancient sacred land. It could be said. What the Divine Martial Dynasty currently lacked the most was also the Cultivation Technique inheritance. Although Gu Yang had obtained numerous Cultivation Techniques from other cultivators before, they were all not of high grade, and the ones that could enter the Daoist Palace Realm were few. But now it was different. In this batch of Cultivation Technique resources from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, there were not only techniques related to the Daoist Palace Realm, but even those of the Saint and Great Saint level existed. Even¡ª Saint King Level Cultivation Techniques. Gu Yang had seen them. It was a Jade Scroll that emitted an ancient aura, filled with the intriguing complexities of Dao Rhythm; when Gu Yang took out this scroll, his gaze was immediately drawn to it. In the next moment, Gu Yang''s Divine Thought entered the scroll and saw an overwhelming power burst forth, flooding him like a tide, causing his sea of consciousness to shake and bringing intense pain. After a long time, Gu Yang managed to digest this information. "Nine Heavens Scripture!" "Saint King Level Cultivation Technique!" Gu Yang muttered to himself, his face full of astonishment. His original practice was a Daoist Palace Realm technique, considered extremely profound, but compared to the Nine Heavens Scripture, it was a completely different concept. This technique aimed directly at the Saint King Realm. If one could cultivate the Nine Heavens Scripture to Perfection, it would break the barrier of the Great Saint, achieving the status of a Saint King Level expert. Even if the limit of the Nine Heavens Scripture was to allow one to reach the First Level of the Saint King, it was, nonetheless, a Saint King Level Cultivation Technique inheritance. The reason Gu Xiu was besieged by many forces in the Southern Domain was ultimately because of the inheritance of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. A legendary technique of a Great Saint was already stirring up storms, let alone the Saint King inheritance. However. It was also because the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had a robust foundation that it could safeguard the Saint King inheritance. Otherwise. Chapter 359: 257: Spirit Vein Promotion_2 Chapter 359: Chapter 257: Spirit Vein Promotion_2 Other forces would hardly be indifferent towards such an inheritance. Nowadays, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had perished. All the powers under the heavens were well aware that the inheritance of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had fallen into the hands of the Divine Martial Dynasty. But what of it? Even though everyone in the world knew that the Divine Martial Dynasty had received the Saint King¡¯s inheritance, not a single person dared to come and snatch it away. ¡°After all, it¡¯s a matter of strength!¡± ¡°With the Nine Heavens Scripture now in our possession, my strength should indeed advance further!¡± Gu Yang pondered in secret. With abundant resources and top-tier inheritances, Gu Yang was confident that he could break through to a higher level of cultivation in the shortest time possible. The next day, Gu Yang bestowed numerous resources in the court, of which the Divine Martial Academy received the most, and the majority of the cultivation technique inheritances were allocated towards the academy. After all, if the Divine Martial Dynasty wanted to grow strong, the strength of its subjects had to keep up. The Divine Martial Academy was the foundation for strengthening the citizenry, and naturally, Gu Yang placed great importance on it. And then, there was a certain increase in official salaries, as well as numerous benefits for the Heavenly Patrol Guard, the sharp sword representing the court. It could be said, the fall of an Ancient Desolate Sacred Land directly bolstered the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty. On the other hand, Gu Qingfeng headed to another location. Jiuyang Mountain! From there, one could see the entire capital of the Divine Martial Dynasty. The majestic peaks seemed to guard the capital like sentinels, and this was also the location of the spirit vein of Guangyang Prefecture. There were many spirit veins in the Nine States. But just as with power, there were strong and weak spirit veins. The spirit vein beneath Jiuyang Mountain was the largest in the entire Guangyang Prefecture, which was why the former dynasty had established the prefecture here. Ever since Gu Yang established the capital in Guangyang, Jiuyang Mountain had been heavily guarded to prevent anyone from recklessly damaging the spirit vein and affecting the foundation of the dynasty. However, when Gu Qingfeng arrived at Jiuyang Mountain, the guards did not dare to stop him. Just because he was the father of Gu Yang, the recognized Supreme Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng had unimpeded access to Jiuyang Mountain. Following the carved mountain path, Gu Qingfeng directly reached the belly of Jiuyang Mountain and saw the spirit vein there. The nature¡¯s spiritual energy here was much denser than the outside world, and spirit stones were forming around the barriers of the passage. At the end of the passageway, there was a blood pool with sunken bones visible within. Seeing this scene, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression did not change. Just because these dry bones were the remains of outside cultivators who had been executed, ultimately all thrown into the spirit vein, using their Qi Fortune to nourish the foundation of the spirit vein. ¡°Originally, this spirit vein could only be regarded as a low-grade spirit vein, but after being nourished by the flesh and blood of many cultivators, it has reluctantly been promoted to a middle-grade spirit vein. However, a middle-grade spirit vein is not enough to nurture the entire Guangyang Prefecture, let alone cover such a vast Qingyun State!¡± Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself, then with a thought, the Cloud Thunder Cauldron suddenly appeared. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng buried the remnants of a Saint and a Great Saint into the blood pool. Within an instant, terrifying Saintly Power erupted. The entire Jiuyang Mountain trembled violently, as if a dragon beneath the earth had turned over. Many people in the capital noticed this and their faces showed uncertain expressions. At the same time, a vast surge of Spiritual Energy burst forth, sweeping across the lands like a hurricane. Under the impact of such Spiritual Energy, many people felt their pores involuntarily opening, passively refining this nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Guangyang Prefecture! Even beyond Guangyang Prefecture, the entire area was affected by the Spiritual Energy. ¡°This is a sign of the spirit vein¡¯s ascension!¡± ¡°It¡¯s been rumored that Jiuyang Mountain has a middle-grade spirit vein, and now it seems that this spirit vein is ascending to a high-grade vein!¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s more than just a high-grade spirit vein, this is a sign that it¡¯s ascending to a supreme-grade spirit vein¡ª¡± At this sight, the expressions of many cultivators changed dramatically, and some seasoned powerhouses keenly discovered that the current changes in nature¡¯s spiritual energy were not something a high-grade spirit vein could achieve. Only a supreme-grade spirit vein could unleash Spiritual Energy that swept through an entire state. Upon learning of this, some cultivators immediately developed greedy thoughts. You should know that a top-grade spirit vein is likely to give birth to the Divine Blood Stone. Even if it only nurtures the lower-grade Divine Blood Stone, that is still a Divine Blood Stone, not something that can be easily matched. However. Soon, a cultivator threw cold water on the excitement. ¡°So what if it¡¯s a top-grade spirit vein, do you really think you can come out and snatch it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget the lesson from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land!¡± With these words. The fiery passion in all the cultivators¡¯ hearts was as if doused by a cold bucket of water, instantly cooled. At this moment, they remembered that this is the Divine Martial Dynasty. The Gu Family Master is a terrifying existence, one who could slaughter the whole Ancient Desolate Sacred Land with his own power. If they really harbored thoughts of snatching the top-grade spirit vein, it would be akin to being tired of living. When the time comes. Not only would they be unable to escape death, but their supporting powers would also be implicated. ... Outside the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. A long boat tore through the sky, heading in the direction of Guangyang Prefecture. On the boat. There were more than a dozen people present. The one leading them was a middle-aged cultivator. When that surge of spiritual energy swept over, the middle-aged cultivator¡¯s eyes flickered, showing a hint of shock on his face. Behind him. The group of young men and women saw this and their expressions also changed. ¡°Such rich spiritual energy, wasn¡¯t it said that the Nine States are barren of spiritual energy, why is it so rich here?¡± ¡°This kind of spiritual energy is quite unusual, it seems to be caused by the promotion of a spirit vein!¡± Everyone was exchanging words, all brimming with curiosity. At this moment. The leading middle-aged cultivator spoke, ¡°Indeed, this is a sign of the promotion of a spirit vein. If I¡¯m not mistaken, this is very likely a transformation of a top-grade spirit vein towards a holy-grade spirit vein!¡± Holy-grade spirit vein! Hearing these words, the faces of the crowd changed again. They were very clear on how important such a vein was. Even the ancestral land of the Zhou Family only had one holy-grade spirit vein at best. ¡°The Nine States are barren, there shouldn¡¯t be holy-grade spirit veins here. Now, with the ascension of this spirit vein accompanied by the scent of slaughter and blood, it is apparent it was forced by other methods. With the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land being destroyed before and now the promotion to a holy-grade spirit vein, this is interesting¡ª¡± Zhou Muyuan¡¯s eyes narrowed, as he had already guessed something. Normally speaking, a holy-grade spirit vein would naturally be difficult to nurture, but if it were to be nourished with the bones or flesh of a Saint or even a Great Saint, then birthing a holy-grade spirit vein would not be something shocking. After all, every drop of blood from any Saint who cultivated for thousands of years contains supreme power, let alone a Great Saint¡¯s existence. Using the bones and flesh of such a powerful being as nourishment for a spirit vein would naturally be an incredible boost. Thinking of this. Zhou Muyuan took a deep breath, suppressing the fear in his heart, and then instructed the others. ¡°Remember, our trip to the Nine States is mainly to broaden your horizons and also because in ancient times, there was a supreme power that existed in the Nine States. See if you can find any opportunities. Without my permission, no one must start a conflict with other cultivators, especially those from the Divine Martial Dynasty and the Gu Family. Otherwise, even I can¡¯t save you!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Upon hearing this, everyone¡¯s expressions turned solemn, and they dared not chatter idly anymore. Seeing this. Zhou Muyuan also nodded slightly. There was no choice. The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had been destroyed, which was the only chance for the Zhou Family. If they couldn¡¯t make the Divine Martial Dynasty let bygones be bygones, then the Zhou Family would inevitably follow in the footsteps of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. Not to mention the Zhou Family¡¯s depth as a Saint Family, don¡¯t you see even the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, an ancient power that once had a Saint King level powerhouse, was uprooted by Gu Qingfeng alone. In front of such a powerful being, the small Zhou Family could be extinguished with a mere flick of the hand. Let alone that the Zhou Family¡¯s Saint has not yet awakened, what could it do even if the Saint awakened? It would not cause much of a stir in front of those powerful beings. The battle at the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had let the world truly understand just how terrifying the power of the Gu Family Master was. In this era. He could be regarded as the first. Chapter 360: 258: Refining Two Great Treasures Chapter 360: Chapter 258: Refining Two Great Treasures ¡°Your scion, Gu Yang, has received the legacy of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. A vast distribution of resources has gone down, greatly enhancing the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Yang, has comprehended the Nine Heavens Scripture, his strength has greatly increased!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Yang, has comprehended the Nine Heavens Scripture, his power has significantly increased!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Yang, has consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, his cultivation has slightly increased!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Xiu, has been attacked by demons *66471!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Xiu, has been attacked by demons *36412!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Xiu, has been gravely injured, but fortunately, with the help of a Great Saint¡¯s Remnant Soul, he managed to escape!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Xiu...¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Xuan, has consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the secret realm, thus his cultivation has improved!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Xuan, has been attacked by cultivators *355!¡± ¡°Your scion, Gu Xuan, with the peak cultivation of a Great Grandmaster, has suppressed a third-level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, shocking all around!¡± ¡°Your scion...¡± ... Upon emerging from the Spirit Vein of Jiuyang Mountain, Gu Qingfeng returned to the Gu Family Manor and, as usual, took a glance at the information panel. Regarding his progeny. There were no significant changes. After all, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s trip to annihilate an Ancient Desolate Sacred Land hadn¡¯t taken up much time; a few days¡¯ effort wouldn¡¯t result in too great a change. However¡ª Gu Xiu¡¯s predicament remained as challenging as ever. The frequency of demon attacks he faced suggested that he was likely caught in a situation surrounded by a multitude of demons. What a pity. The Demon Realm was not in the Ancient Wilderness, and without finding the true entrance to the Demon Realm, Gu Qingfeng had no way to enter and help. ¡°Nine Heavens Scripture!¡± ¡°Yang¡¯er truly has commendable understanding; he has grasped something from this Saint King legacy so quickly!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. The Nine Heavens Scripture was one of the greatest gains from this trip to the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. The other treasure comparable to the Nine Heavens Scripture was the Heavenly Desolate Seal. The former was a Saint King legacy, while the latter was a Saint King treasure. The Nirvana Dao Scripture was powerful indeed, and if one could cultivate it to Perfection, one might be able to contend for the peak of the Great Saint Ninth Layer. But¡ª Compared to the Nine Heavens Scripture. The Nirvana Dao Scripture was still somewhat inferior. Even if the Nine Heavens Scripture was cultivated to its peak, one could only barely step into the Saint King Realm, not yet reaching the limit of the nine layers of the Saint King Realm. However, cultivation techniques involving the Saint King Realm were not something that a Great Saint Skill could compare with. Nonetheless¡ª What Gu Qingfeng currently cared about was not the Nine Heavens Scripture, but another cultivation technique. Heavenly Vein True Scripture!! This was originally a cultivation technique obtained by Gu Yang before falling into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands. All along. Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t known much about the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, even though he had already condensed two Great Heavenly Veins. To say that he had a deep understanding of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture would not be accurate. In the battle against Great Saint Xuan Yu, the final blow that Gu Qingfeng struck was not solely reliant on the power of the Ancient Immortal Body; he also utilized the power of the two Great Heavenly Veins. It was only with that could Gu Qingfeng successfully slay Great Saint Xuan Yu. From that battle. Gu Qingfeng gained a clear knowledge of his current strength. He was at the Semi-Saint cultivation. His real strength should be around that of a half-step Great Saint. But if he were to use the two Great Heavenly Veins, he could directly contend with beings of the Great Saint Realm. In the case of Great Saint Xuan Yu, the opponent had only just entered the Great Saint Realm and was not unlike the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint and the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, venerable figures who stand at the pinnacle of the Great Saint Ninth Layer. If faced with a being of the Great Saint Ninth Layer, Gu Qingfeng would have to turn tail and flee. Therefore. The two Great Heavenly Veins were already so powerful. One day. If he could truly cultivate all nine Great Heavenly Veins in his body, Gu Qingfeng suspected that even with Semi-Saint cultivation, he might slay beings of the Saint King Realm or even stronger existences. ¡°But the cultivation of Heavenly Vein True Scripture is not easy; to condense the third Heavenly Vein, if relying on self-cultivation and enlightenment, who knows how many days it would take to succeed.¡± ¡°As for using Upgrade Points to breakthrough, the third layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture also requires a full ten thousand Upgrade Points...¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. There was no way to improve the Heavenly Vein True Scripture for now, but if he had enough Upgrade Points in the future, then he could enhance it. Even if he couldn¡¯t cultivate all nine Great Heavenly Veins, just condensing one or two more would significantly enhance his own power. Of course¡ª Compared to any cultivation technique or supreme skill, the realm is the primary element. As long as one¡¯s realm is high enough, all problems can be easily solved. Just like this time. If Gu Qingfeng were not a Semi-Saint but a Great Saint, or even a powerful being of the Saint King Realm, there would be no need to use any trump card; a single slap could have wiped out the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. Hence. The realm is the primary element. But if the realm cannot be elevated, then Heavenly Vein True Scripture is the first target for improvement. After that. Gu Qingfeng took out the Divine Emperor Tripod, and as the treasure trembled, waves of fluctuation emanated from it, as if two formidable beings were continuously striking against the body of the tripod, attempting to break free from within. ¡°Falling into my hands and still dreaming of turning the heavens upside down, it¡¯s just wishful thinking!¡± Gu Qingfeng laughed disdainfully, and immediately channeled his vital energy into the Divine Emperor Tripod. The power of the Great Saint Weapon was fully activated and released, a massive suppressive force descended, quietly stabilizing the originally trembling body of the tripod. Immediately after. With a thought from Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought, a blood-stained bronze war spear appeared out of nowhere. As the God Slaying Spear was released from the confines of the Divine Emperor Tripod, a terrifying force of slaughter erupted, its cold light tearing through space, seemingly about to strike down Gu Qingfeng on the spot. Chapter 361 258: Refining Two Great Treasures_2 The latter was prepared for this; as the God Slaying Spear''s attack was about to land, he suppressed it with a palm. "Even when Great Saint Xuan Yu was alive, you couldn''t stir up any trouble, and now that the Great Saint has perished, you think a masterless Great Saint Weapon can resist me!" "Submit to me, and one day, even the Emperor''s Blood will be something you can taste!" Gu Qingfeng suppressed the God Slaying Spear barehanded and then spoke. Yet the treasured artifact itself vibrated uncontrollably, showing no signs of submission. Upon seeing this, Gu Qingfeng wasn''t surprised. After all, making a Great Saint Weapon submit with just a few words was always an impossible task. Therefore, Seeing the God Slaying Spear resist, Gu Qingfeng directly bombarded it with his Divine Thought power, causing the bronze war spear to tremble violently, unwilling thoughts emerging as if trying to forcibly resist. In response, Gu Qingfeng remained indifferent and continued to suppress it with his Divine Thought power. A masterless Great Saint Weapon couldn''t stir up any trouble. He saw that the murderous intent accumulated over endless years within the God Slaying Spear now erupted, presenting many ancient scenes within Gu Qingfeng''s mind. These were the events experienced by the powerful holders of the God Slaying Spear through the ages. For an ordinary cultivator, such accumulating memories over long years would naturally be an unbearable burden. This is also a major problem one faces when forcibly suppressing and refining a treasured artifact. But, Such memory assaults were useless against Gu Qingfeng. After all, he had cultivated with Upgrade Points, and if seriously considered, the time he truly spent reaching this realm was much longer than the memories experienced by the God Slaying Spear. Thus, Such memory fragments could hardly shake Gu Qingfeng in the slightest. After a long while, The resistance of the God Slaying Spear gradually weakened. Finally, Gu Qingfeng forcefully imprinted his Divine Soul Mark on this treasured artifact. When the Divine Soul Imprint merged into the God Slaying Spear, all murderous aura dissolved instantly, and a close connection was already established between them. "Truly a Great Saint Weapon, such an attacking treasured artifact, if used in combat, its power could even surpass the Divine Emperor Tripod by three parts!" Gu Qingfeng, sensing the strength of the God Slaying Spear, showed a satisfied expression. This wasn''t to say the God Slaying Spear was more powerful than the Divine Emperor Tripod, but that each treasured artifact had its advantages. For example, the Divine Emperor Tripod served as a treasured artifact combining suppression and attack, containing a cosmos within, ensuring that any Great Saint Weapon falling into it would inevitably find escape difficult, even temporarily suppressing a Saint King Weapon. Conversely, The God Slaying Spear did not have these functions. This treasured artifact was truly an attacking treasure, its sole function being to kill. Thus, If speaking purely of combat functionality, the singular God Slaying Spear was indeed somewhat stronger. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng discovered a unique feature in the God Slaying Spear. That is, it could grow through slaying. If this treasured artifact could slay enough beings, then one day it might break the constraints of a Great Saint Weapon and metamorphose, ascending to a Saint King Weapon. However, achieving a Saint King Weapon was not an easy task. But regardless, there was always a potential for breakthrough and transformation. Then, It was time for the Heavenly Desolate Seal. When Gu Qingfeng took out this Saint King Weapon, an overwhelming saintly power spread immediately, a vast force seemingly sweeping through the heavens and the earth. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng''s expression became stern, his Divine Thought power fully erupted, thunderously suppressing the Heavenly Desolate Seal. Unlike the forceful refinement of the God Slaying Spear, Gu Qingfeng held nothing back this time. The strength of a Saint King Weapon, Absolutely incomparable to a Great Saint Weapon. The power contained within this treasured artifact even somewhat alarmed Gu Qingfeng. Time slowly passed. In the blink of an eye, Several days had elapsed. The resistance from the Heavenly Desolate Seal gradually dwindled, and eventually, Gu Qingfeng successfully imprinted his Divine Soul Mark upon it. Thus, This Saint King Weapon from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was now owned by Gu Qingfeng. After being refined, the Heavenly Desolate Seal no longer had the terrifying aura it had before, but transformed into a palm-sized seal that quietly rested in the palm of Gu Qingfeng. This seal seemed simple and unadorned, yet the flow of Dao Rhythm within it was filled with an extraordinary pressure. "Heavenly Desolate Seal!" "In the past, the Nine Heavens Saint King used a star as the foundation to create this supreme treasure!" "Once the Heavenly Desolate Seal is sacrificed, it descends like a star, killing anyone below the Saint King level on contact, with few able to contend¡ª" After refining the Heavenly Desolate Seal, Gu Qingfeng had finally understood the origin of this treasure. Using a star as the foundation and refining it into the Heavenly Desolate Seal before him was a technique that also startled Gu Qingfeng. Outside the Ancient Desolate World. Lay the Chaos Void. The so-called stars are the products within the Chaos Void. The weight of each star is beyond the imagination of ordinary people, even a Half-Saint would find it difficult to move them, let alone refine them into a treasure. Moreover. Not everyone is qualified to enter the Chaos Void. It is evident. How terrifying a being at the Saint King level could be. Such beings could not only step into the Chaos Void but could also directly capture a star and refine it into the Heavenly Desolate Seal before them. "Wait!" "Strictly speaking, both the Demon Realm and the Ancient Desolate World are in the same Chaos, perhaps if one day my cultivation is sufficient, I might traverse the Chaos directly to find where the Demon Realm is located!" "However, there is also a problem, the Chaos is vast and boundless, trying to locate the trace of the Demon Realm in the slow Chaos is probably not that simple!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression flickered, but he did not abandon the idea in his heart. But before that. His Half-Saint cultivation was ultimately too weak. The Chaos holds the unknown. Gu Qingfeng naturally would not take it lightly. The cultivation of the Half-Saint Realm was still lacking, in Gu Qingfeng''s view. If given a chance. He must at least truly achieve sainthood. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng looked at his own attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 56/6000 Realm: Daoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfect), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Grandmaster Second Level), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered), Nine Heavens Scripture (Not entered) Upgrade Points: 72 ... From the current look, there were not many changes to the attribute panel, the only difference was that the Nine Heavens Scripture was now present. As a Saint King level Cultivation Technique, Gu Qingfeng naturally would not miss it. And unlike the Nirvana Dao Scripture, the Nine Heavens Scripture had no special requirements; as long as one had sufficient talent, then this technique could be cultivated. Therefore. Before handing the Nine Heavens Scripture to Gu Yang, Gu Qingfeng himself had already taken the first step to comprehend the existence of this technique. Next. Gu Qingfeng planned to try cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture with his talents; he might not be able to cultivate this technique to a very profound level, but he could at least save some Upgrade Points. When later the Upgrade Points were sufficient, Gu Qingfeng could rely on the Nine Heavens Scripture to directly break through to the Saint Realm and even higher realms like the Great Saint Realm and Saint King Realm. However¡ª Gu Qingfeng did not immediately go into closed-door cultivation, but instead provided some guidance on cultivation to the people of Gu Family Manor. Currently, Gu Family Manor did not recruit disciples from the outside anymore, but there were still quite a number of disciples within. On usual days. These disciples were guided by Gu Peng in their cultivation and Gu Qingfeng rarely appeared. Gu Qingfeng now thought that, as the manor master of the Gu Family Manor, it was somewhat indefensible to rarely appear in front of these disciples. It was just right that he had recently been through a great battle, and Gu Qingfeng also needed to relax a little. In cultivation, it was always necessary to maintain a balance between tension and relaxation. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng took this opportunity to see the progress of the cultivation of the disciples in Gu Family Manor at present. On the other side. At the court. The many powers of the Southern Domain, led by the Zhou Family, had come together and were currently meeting with Gu Yang. Chapter 362: 259: The Ninth-Ranked Divine Body Chapter 362: Chapter 259: The Ninth-Ranked Divine Body In the royal court, the scent of blood permeated. Only to see leaders from various factions, led by the Zhou Family, standing there with humble expressions, while many heads stained with blood lay before them. ¡°Emperor Gu, my Zhou Family has never had thoughts of opposing the Divine Martial Dynasty. The previous actions against Prince Yun were solely the decision of some individuals within the Zhou Family. After the Zhou Family Master learned of this, he was greatly angered and thus had all those involved executed, their heads are here as well. I hope Emperor Gu can quell his anger!¡± Zhou Muyuan spoke respectfully. He lowered his stature extremely, even though he was a powerhouse at the Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer and Gu Yang had just entered the Divine Transformation Realm, Zhou Muyuan showed no disrespect. The destruction of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had shaken the entire Southern Domain. With the ruthlessness of the Gu Family Master, if the Zhou Family didn¡¯t make satisfactory moves, they likely would follow in the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land¡¯s footsteps. At this time, other factions also began speaking, all feigning ignorance, claiming that only a few individuals had acted on their own. Regarding this, Gu Yang remained indifferent, looking towards the many heads on the ground, he gestured with his hand, ¡°Since these were actions taken independently by your subordinates, I am not a petty person. As you all have shown sufficient sincerity, let this matter be dismissed.¡± At this point, Gu Yang suddenly raised his voice. ¡°Come forth!¡± ¡°Your Majesty, what are your orders?¡± Several guards entered from outside the hall and bowed. Gu Yang gestured, ¡°Take these heads and feed them to the dogs to avoid soiling the cleanliness of the royal court.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Several guards immediately took the heads away. Zhou Muyuan and the others maintained a lowered gaze, showing no displeasure on their faces. Subsequently, Zhou Muyuan brought out a brocade box, respectfully saying, ¡°This is a small token from the Zhou Family, as an apology!¡± Gu Yang signaled with his eyes, and an eunuch stepped down to take the brocade box. ¡°The Zhou Family is thoughtful!¡± Gu Yang nodded slightly. At this time, other factions also brought out corresponding resources as apologies. Regarding this, Gu Yang accepted them all without error. What the Divine Martial Dynasty currently lacked the most was resources. Even though the Divine Martial Dynasty had already absorbed an Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, it was still far from enough. Only after accepting the apologies from various factions did a faint smile appear on Gu Yang¡¯s face. ¡°I am aware of everyone¡¯s intentions, but I must speak some harsh words up front. Should any of your forces deliberately target people from the Divine Martial Dynasty again, it will not be resolved as easily as today. I believe you all understand what it would be like then.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes, Emperor Gu is absolutely right, we will surely order our disciples to ensure that such incidents do not occur a second time!¡± ¡°Indeed, rest assured Emperor Gu, we have never intended to be enemies of the Divine Martial Dynasty.¡± ¡°...¡± Everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then hurriedly made their assurances, fearing that Gu Yang might seek retribution later. Seeing this, Gu Yang did not continue to say much and instead ordered a feast to be prepared, inviting the various factions to join. Faced with such an invitation, they naturally did not dare to refuse. For a moment, it was a joy for both host and guests. ¡ª This news naturally reached the ears of Gu Qingfeng first. Regarding Gu Yang¡¯s actions, Gu Qingfeng understood them well. However, he had no desire to intervene. How Gu Yang handled things was clear to him and did not require his explicit guidance. Half a month later, Gu Qingfeng entered seclusion again. This time, he aimed to cultivate the Nine Heavens Scripture. In the past half-month, Gu Qingfeng had stayed at the Gu Family Manor, occasionally guiding the manor¡¯s disciples in their cultivation, and then spending time with Xu Yulan. Truthfully, Gu Qingfeng also wished to see if he could father some more offspring. After all, the higher one¡¯s cultivation, the more talented the progeny they could produce. Unfortunately, he saw no such results. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng could only lament that the burden of expanding the Gu family lineage would have to fall on someone else. ... Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, Gu Qingfeng sat cross-legged, his mind delving into his own body, beginning to comprehend the Nine Heavens Scripture within his mind. Following the cultivation methods of the Nine Heavens Scripture, he began to channel his own Qi and blood, and the frightful nature¡¯s spiritual energy gathered from all directions. In just a moment, Gu Qingfeng had reached Perfection in the first layer of the Nine Heavens Scripture¡¯s Body Refinement Chapter. However, this did not stop. The terrifying gathering of spiritual energy continued, and the Nine Heavens Scripture kept breaking through. Body Refinement Chapter, second layer! Body Refinement Chapter, third layer! Body Refinement Chapter, fourth layer! Body Refinement Chapter, fifth layer! ... In less than a day, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation of the Nine Heavens Scripture was like a hot knife through butter, achieving Perfection in all five layers of the Body Refinement Chapter. Achieving Perfection in the fifth layer. For anyone else, even those with demonically talented abilities, it would take at least several years. Gu Qingfeng attributed his rapid cultivation to his high Semi-Saint level and the miraculous use of the Ancient Immortal Body. After all, returning to cultivate Body Refinement Realm techniques with a Semi-Saint level made it much easier. But because it was easy, the fully mastered Nine Heavens Scripture¡¯s five layers of Body Refinement Chapter did not provide much enhancement for Gu Qingfeng. However, Gu Qingfeng was unbothered by this. With his current level of cultivation, even if the Nine Heavens Scripture advanced to the Great Grandmaster level, the actual changes it brought were almost negligible. Chapter 363: 259: The Ninth Ranked Divine Body_2 Chapter 363: Chapter 259: The Ninth Ranked Divine Body_2 ¡°Only upon reaching the Divine Transformation Chapter, and even the Dao Palace Chapter, could some effectiveness be unleashed.¡± ¡°But.¡± ¡°These two levels are not so simple to break through.¡± ¡°However, the purpose of Gu Qingfeng cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture was merely to save some upgrade points during subsequent enhancements. He never thought about relying entirely on his own efforts to cultivate the Nine Heavens Scripture to the Dao Palace Chapter, or even achieve enlightenment to become a Saint.¡± ¡°¡ª¡± ¡°Time passed.¡± ¡°In the blink of an eye, half a year had gone by.¡± ¡°In this half-year.¡± ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty remained peaceful.¡± ¡°Yet, the resources obtained from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land and forces of the Southern Domain had greatly enhanced the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty, and its overall strength had surged tremendously.¡± ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty flourished.¡± ¡°And naturally, its national fortune was prosperous.¡± ¡°The third-grade Green Lotus, which represented the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune, was also gradually transforming toward higher levels.¡± ¡°However, this transformation was very slow. To truly break free from the dynasty¡¯s shackles and advance to an emperor dynasty still required quite some time.¡± ¡°This was quite normal.¡± ¡°After all, the resources from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land and other powers had only just been obtained by the Divine Martial Dynasty half a year ago. Even if it wanted to fully transform these resources, it would still take a considerable amount of time.¡± ¡°On this day.¡± ¡°Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body shuddered as he finally broke through the barrier of the Master Chapter of the Nine Heavens Scripture and succeeded in advancing to the Grandmaster Chapter.¡± ¡°A vast and powerful surge of blood and energy resurrected within his flesh and instantly flowed through his limbs and bones.¡± ¡°Grandmaster Chapter!¡± ¡°The Nine Heavens Scripture is truly a Cultivation Technique of the Saint King level. Its difficulty is incomparable to ordinary techniques!¡± ¡°Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath to calm his boiling blood and energy.¡± ¡°Then.¡± ¡°He glanced at his attribute panel.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Age: 57!¡± ¡°Nine Heavens Scripture (Grandmaster Chapter First Level)!¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Gu Qingfeng swept a glance at his age and then at the progress of the Nine Heavens Scripture, prominently displaying the words of the Grandmaster Chapter.¡± ¡°I¡¯m already fifty-seven years old!¡± ¡°Gu Qingfeng felt somewhat emotional.¡± ¡°Now, as his cultivation grew higher, his concept of time was becoming more vague. To Gu Qingfeng, the increase in age was just a number.¡± ¡°Currently.¡± ¡°His bodily functions were far from their true peak.¡± ¡°Compared to a lifespan of six thousand years in the Dao Palace Realm, his mere half-century age was truly negligible.¡± ¡°Afterwards.¡± ¡°Gu Qingfeng proficiently looked at the information panel.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has gained some insights while cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture, slightly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has gained insights in cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture, slightly improving his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has gained insights in cultivating the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, successfully coalescing the first Heavenly Vein!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, was about to advance to the second level of Divine Transformation Realm, but forcibly suppressed it to further refine his foundation!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Yang¡¯s foundation has become increasingly robust!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has received a legacy from a mysterious powerhouse in a secret realm, greatly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ after consuming an Ancient Elixir, has advanced his cultivation to the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*300!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons*102361!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons*136592!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ after being attacked by demons numerous times, narrowly escaping death each time, triggered an early awakening of the Undying Divine Body!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ consuming Demon Core, has advanced his cultivation to the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*300!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ consuming a large number of Demon Cores, has advanced his cultivation to the second level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*300!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has a sudden epiphany regarding the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, successfully coalescing the first Heavenly Vein!¡± ¡°Your son ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has been training in the Martial World and has gained some insights into the Green Lotus Sword Path, breaking through to the sixth level of True Intent!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ upholds justice in the Martial World, garnering the revered title ¡®Green Lotus Fairy¡¯ from all sides!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ received guidance from a powerful being and had a breakthrough in his cultivation to the late stage of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ received guidance from a powerful being and had a breakthrough in his cultivation to the late stage of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± A dense mass of information appeared, and Gu Qingfeng scanned it quickly, discarding all the useless details and focusing only on the pertinent information. Upon learning that both Gu Yang and Gu Xiu had successively cultivated the Heavenly Vein True Scripture to its First Level, Gu Qingfeng was somewhat surprised. The strength of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture was something he was is very clear about. The difficulty of cultivating this technique, too, was nearly unprecedented in his life. Because the Heavenly Vein True Scripture was so powerful, no effort was spared by Gu Qingfeng, and almost every direct descendant of the Gu Family received the method for cultivating it. It was regrettable, however. So far, only Gu Yang and Gu Xiu had managed to grasp the basics. The rest had little to show for their efforts. However¡ª Apart from this detail, what most concerned Gu Qingfeng was the transformation in Xiu¡¯er. ¡°Undying Divine Body!¡± ¡°Does Xiu¡¯er actually also possess a Divine Body?¡± Gu Qingfeng was momentarily stunned. The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body that Gu Xuan possessed was acquired rather than congenital and was incomplete, not a true Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Strictly speaking, Gu Xuan¡¯s Undying Divine Body was the real congenital Divine Body. After annihilating the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, Gu Qingfeng acquired numerous ancient texts, which gave him some insight into various Divine Bodies of the Ancient Desolate World. ¡°Rumors have it that at Great Success, an Undying Divine Body can nearly achieve true immortality, capable of regenerating from a drop of blood, and even an old Great Emperor would find it extremely difficult to kill a fully realized Undying Divine Body!¡± ¡°Records from ancient times note that a Quasi-Emperor once relied on the Undying Divine Body to ultimately fight against a Great Emperor!¡± ¡°Even at Small Success, truly killing it is difficult.¡± ¡°Above many Divine Bodies, the Undying Divine Body is ranked within the top ten!¡± Gu Qingfeng recalled everything about the Undying Divine Body, and he was fully aware of the strength of such Divine Bodies. In the Ancient Desolate World, there exists rankings for numerous Divine Bodies. The so-called ranking of Divine Bodies is determined based on the combat achievements of historical Divine Bodies. Only a Divine Body ranked in the top ten has records of a Quasi-Emperor battling a Great Emperor. It can be said, in the Ancient Desolate World, across ages, although there are many Divine Bodies, only those that are ranked in the top ten are extraordinarily powerful. Even the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body that Gu Xuan possesses is only ranked eighteenth; the Undying Divine Body, being ranked ninth, shows just how powerful such Divine Bodies can be. A Divine Body is naturally formed! This is something that no one can decide or influence. Now that Gu Xuan has awakened the Undying Divine Body, it naturally came as a pleasant surprise to Gu Qingfeng. With the characteristics of the Undying Divine Body, once awakened, his chances of surviving in the Demon Realm are significantly higher. ¡°And furthermore¡ª¡± ¡°Any Divine Body that does not fall unexpectedly can at least reach the Great Saint Realm, and with a bit of fortune, breaking through to the Saint King Realm, or even to the Quasi-Emperor and higher Emperor Realm is possible!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. Not all Divine Bodies can achieve the rank of Great Emperor, but nearly every Great Emperor possesses a Divine Body. And as for a mortal body achieving Emperor, throughout history, they have been very few and far between. Without mincing words, a Divine Body is essentially the entry ticket to the Emperor Realm. This is also why, despite knowing that Gu Xuan possessed an incomplete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, Taixu Sacred Land was still willing to fully cultivate him. Complete Divine Bodies are rare, incomplete ones too. Ordinary forces finding a Divine Body genius is as difficult as ascendance to heaven, so for Taixu Sacred Land to secure an incomplete Divine Body was enough to make many forces envious. Gu Qingfeng now somewhat suspected that when Emperor Extreme Great Saint took interest in Xiu¡¯er, he had likely already discovered the presence of the Undying Divine Body. Otherwise, it¡¯s hard to explain why a powerful entity at the Great Saint Ninth Layer would choose a minor cultivator who wasn¡¯t even a Master. Chapter 364 260 The Strength of the Undying Divine Body "Boom!" Demon hordes encircled Gu Xiu, who was drenched in blood, his expression fierce as his fists, unparalleled in might, suppressed all comers. Although his cultivation was merely at the second level of the Divine Transformation Realm, with the augmentation from the Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture and the Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist, peers within the same realm struggled to match him. "Kill him!" "The message has been sent back to the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land already, it won''t be long before a Demon Commander arrives in person!" The Iron Ghost Demon General roared, his towering body of an astonishing build, muscles pulsing with frightening power. Yet, even against such a foe, Gu Xiu was exerting tremendous pressure. To this, murderous intent surged within the Iron Ghost Demon General''s heart. Here was a mere human at the second level of the Divine Transformation Realm, and yet, his prowess was so great that even the general himself, at the sixth level, was hard-pressed to cope. Were it a one-on-one fight, the Iron Ghost Demon General knew he would stand no chance against Gu Xiu. This was a human prodigy! Since ancient times, demons and humans were sworn enemies. In such a situation, how could the Iron Ghost Demon General allow a human prodigy to escape with his life? Not to mention, during this period, numerous demons of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land had fallen to this human, provoking the entire Sacred Land''s wrath. Among them were Demon Commanders from the Daoist Palace Realm who had personally made a move, yet all were met with Gu Xiu''s escapes. His tactics had left the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land in quite a predicament. This time, the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land had laid an ambush first, trapping Gu Xiu. Now, they only had to hold on until the arrival of their powerful allies, and then the enemy would have no chance to flee. Seeing this, the other demons were excited, intensifying their siege. Gu Xiu''s expression remained indifferent, casting aside any defense of his own body and staking his life against the attacking demons. One by one, the demons rushed at him, causing many wounds to appear and blood to gush, but Gu Xiu remained impassive. Each of his punches brought about the assured death of a demon. "Boom!" "Boom! Boom!!" With a punch, Gu Xiu sent a demon''s head exploding, then delivered a sweeping kick, sending the headless corpse flying, crashing into others. In the next breath, Gu Xiu strode forward, his blood and vitality almost tangible as it coalesced around him, charging towards the Iron Ghost Demon General. Seeing this, the general''s expression turned vicious as his clawed hands tore through space, aiming for the vital point in Gu Xiu''s chest. Facing this attack, Gu Xiu didn''t dodge or flinch, marching directly into the onslaught, allowing the Demon General''s claws to tear through his chest, shocking his adversary. "Die!" Gu Xiu''s face twisted savagely as his terrifying vitality shaped a supremely dominating figure, and with a fierce punch, he shattered the space, brutally aiming for the Iron Ghost Demon General''s head. At this sight, the Demon General was terrified. He wanted to pull back, but it was too late. "Madman¡ª" "Boom!!!" Before the Iron Ghost Demon General could finish, Gu Xiu landed a punch square on his head, the fearsome force shattering the skull and splattering brain matter. Immediately, Gu Xiu grabbed the shoulders of the Iron Ghost Demon General and tore with force, ripping the formidable demon in half. A blood-stained inner core appeared, which Gu Xiu swiftly seized and stored in his storage ring, then without minding his injuries, he continued his assault on the other demons. Without the constraints of the Iron Ghost Demon General, how could the rest stand against Gu Xiu? Especially as he fought without regard for his life, covered in blood like a demon from hell, which made the other demons terribly frightened. "Retreat! Retreat quickly!!!" "The Iron Ghost Demon General is dead¡ªthis human has gone mad!!" "I don''t want to die..." After Gu Xiu slaughtered many demons, the remaining ones finally broke, their gaze towards Gu Xiu filled with terror; they had no fight left in them. As the first demon''s morale collapsed and it fled the battlefield, the others followed suit in rout. In seeing this, Gu Xiu pressed the attack, striking down a dozen more demons before stopping. Afterward, he extracted all the demon cores without pausing, swiftly departing from the scene. Half an hour later, a terrifying presence descended. A Demon Commander of the Dao Palace Realm looked upon the battlefield, resembling that of Shura, his complexion dark as water. He grasped a fleeing demon and performed a Soul Search without hesitation. Moments passed, and the memories of the demon were thoroughly extracted by the Commander. "Such a prodigious human, a mere second level of the Divine Transformation Realm able to fight a sixth-level Demon General, and even break out of an encirclement of countless demons! If this child does not die, he will inevitably become a great scourge to the Demon Realm!" The Commander''s expression turned even colder. Such a prodigy must not be allowed to grow. Otherwise, who knows how many demons might perish by his hand in the future? Indeed, in the history of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, such freaks of nature like Gu Xiu, if they survived, could at least ascend to the Saint Realm, and perhaps even higher. Throughout the ages, in the wars between demons and humans, each human Saint had brought massive casualties upon the Demon Realm. Such potential Saints, how could the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land allow them to live? Immediately, the Commander used a Communication Jade Token to send news of this event back to the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land and began to examine any traces left by Gu Xiu on the battlefield to ascertain his whereabouts. Gu Xiu had to die. Chapter 365: 260 The Strength of the Undying Divine Body_2 Chapter 365: Chapter 260 The Strength of the Undying Divine Body_2 The Demon Commander¡¯s heart was restless. If the other party were to step into the Daoist Palace Realm, then across the entire Demon Realm, there would not be many beings truly capable of restraining him. After all, even in the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, the number of Demon Commanders at the Daoist Palace Realm was not substantial, as for the Demon Lords who could rival the Saint Realm, they had all but vanished without a trace in this End of Dharma Era. The era of great strife has not arrived. It¡¯s rare for Demon Lords to emerge. ¡ª On the other hand, Gu Xiu had already fled thousands of miles away. At the same time, he also made use of certain disguising techniques, transforming himself to resemble a demon, and infiltrated a Demon City. He paid a sum of Divine Blood Stones as a price to rent a temporary place to stay. Such methods, were not new to Gu Xiu. The demons of the Demon Realm varied wildly, some completely different from the human race, while others superficially indistinguishable from humans. The only difference lay in the aura they emitted. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint had long passed on the technique of disguising one¡¯s aura to Gu Xiu, and thus the latter could easily blend into the Demon City. After all, the more perilous the place, the safer it often is. People from the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land probably wouldn¡¯t expect Gu Xiu to be lurking here. Inside the mansion. Within the secret chamber. Gu Xiu had already washed away the bloodstains from his body, and the many wounds he once bore were now nowhere to be seen, not even a trace from the Iron Ghost Demon General¡¯s fatal blow before his death. Seeing this, The Emperor Extreme Great Saint couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°The Undying Divine Body truly is abnormal, deserving of its rank as the ninth top-tier Divine Body. You have just awakened the Undying Divine Body, not even reaching Small Success, yet you¡¯ve already reached such a level. One day, should you cultivate the Undying Divine Body to Great Success, then you will surely be on par with the ancient Great Emperors!¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint had personally witnessed the bizarre aspects of the Undying Divine Body. Even through the eyes of a Great Saint level being, he was shocked at the strength of the Undying Divine Body. Gu Xiu shook his head, ¡°Cultivating the Undying Divine Body is easier said than done. Even just reaching the Small Success of the Divine Body would require numerous Divine Medicines as well as Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures!¡± ¡°Be that as it may, the Demon Realm is rich in resources, and therein lies your opportunity,¡± said the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. To this, Gu Xiu slightly nodded. Since awakening the Undying Divine Body, he had received an inheritance from his bloodline, that was the imprint left in the bloodline by successive generations of the Undying Divine Body. If a new Undying Divine Body appeared, it could receive the gifts of its predecessors. Within it, Lay the methods to cultivate such a Divine Body. Cultivating a Divine Body differs from the usual cultivation technique. Such methods focus on unlocking the potential within the Divine Body, allowing the Divine Body to transform and evolve. In other words, Provided enough resources, Gu Xiu now had the capability to cultivate the Undying Divine Body to Great Success. With the Undying Divine Body at Great Success, even though he was only at the second level of the Divine Transformation Realm, with the assistance of the Great Success Divine Body, he could even slay adversaries in the Daoist Palace Realm. Conversely, there have been beings who aimed for the Great Saint King rank or even the Quasi Emperor realm, who were unable to cultivate their Divine Body to Great Success. It is evident, whether the Divine Body reaches Great Success has little to do with cultivation realm. At this moment, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s heart was also filled with silent emotion. Initially, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had planned to wait until Gu Xiu¡¯s cultivation was sufficient to lead him into the Emperor Fallen Land to obtain the Nine Death Immortal Grass, so that he could awaken the Undying Divine Body. But unexpectedly, Gu Xiu had unearthed his potential in a life-and-death struggle, prematurely awakening the Undying Divine Body. Even the Emperor Extreme Great Saint was shocked by such fortune. It must be known, that the awakening of a Divine Body is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. In the past, many prodigies were unable to truly awaken their Divine Body, even on their dying day. Small Success, like Gu Xiu, awakened the Undying Divine Body through the life and death struggles, which surely indicated a profound bounty of fortune. More importantly, During these recent times, Emperor Extreme Great Saint personally witnessed Gu Xiu¡¯s transformation. Whether it was in Cultivation Realm or battle experience, the other party made rapid and fierce progress. In Gu Xiu, Emperor Extreme Great Saint saw the shadow of the Young Emperor. ¡°Perhaps my disciple will really have the chance to step into the Emperor Realm one day!¡± Young Emperor!! The thought alone excited Emperor Extreme Great Saint. He, Emperor Extreme, if he could truly cultivate an emperor-level powerhouse, would bring honor to himself when mentioned, enough to be remembered by the billions of the Human Race in the Ancient Desolate World. At that time, Not to mention reconstructing his physical body, even making further progress was not impossible. Therefore, Emperor Extreme Great Saint now seldom intervened in Gu Xiu¡¯s affairs. His existence served more often as a guide to Gu Xiu¡¯s cultivation, as well as to clear up any confusions the latter might have. After all, true prodigies always have their own ideas. Every ancient Great Emperor had risen from a sea of corpses and a mountain of blood. The path to becoming an Emperor was destined to be littered with corpses. Only by dominating the world and suppressing an era¡¯s supreme beings could one truly qualify to ascend to the imperial throne. Now, Gu Xiu¡¯s battle in the Demon Realm was as if retracing the steps of the ancient Great Emperors, and even more perilous. After all, there were not many emperors who dared to enter the Demon Realm alone in their youth. One must know that the Demon Realm was teeming with strong beings. According to the information Emperor Extreme Great Saint had gathered, many ancient beings in the Demon Realm had sealed themselves away. If these beings emerged, they could stir the Chaos Starry Sky. Therefore, If Gu Xiu could carve out a bloody path from the Demon Realm, it would be greatly beneficial to his subsequent growth. As for Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s thoughts, Gu Xiu did not pay too much attention to them at the moment, as all his focus was on cultivation. The battle with the Iron Ghost Demon General made Gu Xiu realize that his cultivation was still insufficient. His second Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, even with the advantage of the Undying Divine Body, made it extremely difficult to fight a Demon General at the Sixth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm. If it had not been a Demon General but rather a Demon Commander of the Daoist Palace Realm, Gu Xiu suspected he would have met his end there. Only by raising his realm would he be safer in the Demon Realm. ¡°The second level of the Divine Transformation Realm is far from enough!¡± ¡°I must break through... At the very least, I need to step into the Daoist Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Moreover, only with sufficient cultivation will it be possible to leave the Demon Realm; otherwise, I might be trapped here for life!¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s gaze was solemn; he naturally did not wish to be trapped in the Demon Realm for the rest of his life. However, to leave the Demon Realm and return to the Ancient Desolate World, there were only two ways: either find one of the ancient Transmission Arrays, like the one in the Southern Domain. Using a Transmission Array to return to the Ancient Desolate World. The second, would be to traverse the Chaos Void, push through the entire Chaos with absolute strength, and finally return to the Ancient Desolate World. The former was self-explanatory. According to the information Gu Xiu had gathered, all Transmission Arrays leading to the Ancient Desolate World were controlled by some top Demon forces. Among them, The Heavenly Demon Sacred Land was in possession of such Transmission Arrays. That was why Gu Xiu had confronted the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. Furthermore¡ª from this information, Gu Xiu understood that the Demon Realm was always ready to attack the Ancient Desolate World, which was no ordinary news. If he could return to the Ancient Desolate World, he would certainly inform the Divine Martial Dynasty about this matter, so everyone could prepare early. Thus, to achieve this, a sufficiently strong cultivation was required. As for the second method, that need not be mentioned. Navigating the Chaos was unpredictable and dangerous. According to Emperor Extreme Great Saint, countless ancient and terrifying beings resided there, and even a powerhouse at the Great Saint Realm could fall at any moment if they carelessly ventured into the Chaos. Only an ancient Great Emperor could truly traverse the Chaos without fear. Furthermore, considering the vastness of the Chaos, finding the location of the Ancient Desolate World within it was like looking for a needle in the ocean. For both methods, Gu Xiu deemed the first to be the most reliable. However, regardless of the method chosen, the issue of cultivation strength could not be bypassed. With that thought, Gu Xiu began to consume the Demon Cores, silently enhancing his strength. Chapter 366: 261 Gu Xuans Shock Chapter 366: Chapter 261 Gu Xuan¡¯s Shock Several days later, Gu Xiu emerged from seclusion. He had refined all the Demon Cores he had, but he was still some distance away from breaking through to the third level of the Divine Transformation Realm. It was an unavoidable situation. When human Cultivators refined Demon Cores, it was difficult to absorb all of the core¡¯s power; most of the power dissipated, with only a small portion being transformed into their own cultivation. However, no matter what, Refining Demon Cores was always much faster than regular cultivation. ¡°With your current talent, if you just cultivated steadily, breaking through to the Daoist Palace Realm in a hundred years would definitely not be a problem!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s voice came at this time. Breakthrough to the Daoist Palace Realm in a hundred years! Hearing this, Gu Xiu shook his head. ¡°A hundred years is too slow!¡± ¡°Moreover, in the Demon Realm, who dares to say they can hide for a hundred years without revealing their whereabouts? Once exposed, the longer the delay, the greater the danger.¡± Gu Xiu was very clear that although he had only offended the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land so far, the fact was that humans and demons had never gotten along. As long as he remained in the Demon Realm, there was always the risk of being besieged by demons. Therefore, What Gu Xiu had to do was to improve his cultivation as much as possible in the shortest amount of time. Only in this way, could he be absolutely safe. Additionally, Gu Xiu also needed sufficient cultivation to enter the Emperor Fallen Land and seek the Nine Death Immortal Grass mentioned by Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Not only was the Nine Death Immortal Grass necessary for awakening the Undying Divine Body, but the maturation of the Undying Divine Body also relied on the existence of the Nine Death Immortal Grass. But the Emperor Fallen Land was dangerous, and not just anyone in the Divine Transformation Realm could enter; even those who had broken through to the Daoist Palace Realm would not be qualified to step into the Emperor Fallen Land. Afterward, Gu Xiu left the area and wandered among the Demon Cities. The bustling, lively scene before him truly had a flavor of an exotic land. ¡°Half a month ago, there were signs of heavenly phenomena at Luofeng Mountain, rumored to be a sign of an ancient secret realm soon to appear!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, the phenomena at Luofeng Mountain attracted quite a few top forces. Ancient Holy Lands like the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land sent powerful representatives there, with no fewer than five or six Demon Commanders of the Daoist Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Tsk tsk, with that said, the secret realm of Luofeng Mountain must be extraordinary.¡± ¡°Of course, it¡¯s extraordinary. It has been rumored that in ancient times, a phoenix fell onto Luofeng Mountain, hence the name. This emerging ancient secret realm could very likely be related to the phoenix. It¡¯s even said that there might be Phoenix Essence Blood inside!¡± Luofeng Mountain! An ancient secret realm! Listening to the discussion among the surrounding demons, Gu Xiu¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. At this time, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s voice came: ¡°The phoenix, born from the Chaos of ancient days, is rumored to be extremely valuable, with Essence Blood that contains infinite wonders. If you could truly obtain such a divine object, it must be a great opportunity.¡± ¡°However...¡± ¡°Based on the other demons¡¯ words, this trip to Luofeng Mountain is bound to be fraught with danger. More importantly, whether the secret realm is truly related to the phoenix is still a matter of debate. In my view, it¡¯s better to plan carefully before acting!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint was aware that once Gu Xiu heard the news about the ancient secret realm, he would inevitably go to Luofeng Mountain, so he did not dissuade him from going but merely analyzed the pros and cons. Hearing this, Gu Xiu pondered for a long while. ¡°Master¡¯s suggestion, I understand well, but fortune comes with risks. If there indeed emerges a secret realm on Luofeng Mountain, I must find a way to explore it!¡± Any secret realm represented an opportunity, let alone the secret realm emerging in Luofeng Mountain was believed to be related to the phoenix. Then, Gu Xiu watched a few talking Cultivators in the tavern; after they left, he too silently followed suit. The group split up, and Gu Xiu followed one person into a dimly lit alley, then without giving the other a chance to react, he immediately subdued him. ¡°Who are you¡ª¡± The demon looked at Gu Xiu in front of him, his face filled with panic. The latter didn¡¯t speak, simply used the Soul Search technique, and extracted all the memories from the demon¡¯s mind. A moment later, Gu Xiu¡¯s palm jolted, and the demon¡¯s head exploded, the headless corpse falling to the ground. After killing the demon to cover up his tracks, Gu Xiu silently departed. The order in the Demon Realm was chaotic, and even within cities, killings occurred often; the death of one or two demons at the Divine Transformation Realm naturally wouldn¡¯t attract too much attention. Back at his original lodging, Gu Xiu digested the news obtained from the demon¡¯s mind. ¡°Luofeng Mountain!¡± ¡°The inheritance of an ancient secret realm... From this demon¡¯s memory, the emergence of the inheritance indeed attracted the attention of many forces!¡± From the demon¡¯s memory, Gu Xiu understood that in ancient times, a phoenix had fallen from the heavens onto Luofeng Mountain, causing divine fire to burn on the mountain for ten thousand uninterrupted years. Then, As years eroded, the divine fire of Luofeng Mountain gradually subsided. Many strong beings in the Demon Realm had delved into it, wanting to discover the whereabouts of the phoenix, but they never found anything substantial. Over time, The fervor of the Demon Realm toward Luofeng Mountain also waned. Until half a month ago, Heavenly phenomena appeared at Luofeng Mountain, divine light soaring into the sky, and even a phantom of the ancient phoenix reappeared, shaking the Demon Realm and drawing many powerful beings to converge. After all, born from Chaos, the phoenix was an extremely powerful beast, rivaling the Saint Realm, and if it matured, its strength was at least at the pinnacle of the ninth layer of the Saint King. Chapter 367: 261 Gu Xuans Shock_2 Chapter 367: Chapter 261 Gu Xuan¡¯s Shock_2 Therefore, the peak of the Saint King Ninth Layer is merely the lower limit for mature phoenixes, but not the upper limit. It is said that the phoenix that fell on Luofeng Mountain is an ancient being that had already reached maturity. That is to say, if the ancient heritage emerging from Luofeng Mountain truly pertains to the phoenix, then it must be at least on par with the Saint King realm. When Gu Xiu conveyed this information, which he had obtained through Soul Search, to the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, the latter fell into deep thought. After a long while, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint spoke up, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then the secret realm emerging this time really does relate to the phoenix!¡± ¡°Indeed, in the Ancient Desolate World, a mature phoenix once appeared, wreaking havoc across the world¡¯s nations. With cultivation that had stepped into the Quasi-Emperor Realm, its strength was unmatched among its peers. In the end, an ancient Great Emperor from the Ancient Desolate World had to intervene and slay the phoenix. Moreover, that Great Emperor once said, if the phoenix had stepped into the Emperor Realm, even he might not have been able to suppress it!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Xiu understood clearly. Since there was a phoenix-related secret realm within Luofeng Mountain, it was imperative that he pay a visit. However, before then, Gu Xiu knew he needed to further enhance his strength. ... The space trembled. Numerous cultivators who had ventured deep into the secret realm emerged, among them was Gu Xuan. At this moment, a cultivator who had come out of the secret realm loudly declared to his seniors, ¡°Elder, a Holy Weapon has appeared in this secret realm, ending up in the hands of Gu Xuan, the True Disciple from Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s Ninth Peak!¡± ¡°Gu Xuan killed a direct descendent of the Eastern Family, and he must be punished!¡± ¡°We hope the Elder will intervene, kill Gu Xiu, and retrieve the Holy Weapon!¡± ¡°Sect Master¡ª¡± Many cultivators who had come out of the secret realm glared at Gu Xuan with hateful eyes, wishing they could devour him alive, and many cast greedy looks. Holy Weapon! Such an item is an extremely precious existence. Many powers had come for this secret realm, and although the strength of Taixu Sacred Land was not weak, how many present forces were inferior to Taixu Sacred Land? The entry was restricted to those in the Divine Transformation Realm placing Gu Xiu, who was at the First Level of Divine Transformation, nearly invincible in that realm with the Holy Weapon in his possession. But now, upon leaving the secret realm, things were different. Elsewhere, Gu Xuan also looked troubled. ¡°Elder Three!¡± He turned to a middle-aged cultivator beside him, who was the main Elder of Taixu Sacred Land and also the leader of this expedition. If other forces really intended to seize the Holy Weapon, only he could stand against them. In response, Liu Cangfeng gave a faint smile, ¡°Rest assured, Gu True Disciple, what belongs to Taixu Sacred Land cannot be taken by others!¡± With that, he stepped forward, releasing the aura of the Sixth Level of the Daoist Palace Realm, his eyes flashing coldly as he spoke. ¡°The items of the secret realm belong to the younger generation¡¯s opportunities; if some wish to seize them, it would indeed be quite disgraceful. Moreover, since Gu Xuan is not only the True Disciple of Taixu Sacred Land but also a member of the Gu Family, if you attempt to seize the Holy Weapon, think well of the consequences!¡± Upon these words, the area fell silent. The faces of the cultivators from various powers all stiffened. A member of the Gu Family!? Which Gu Family? Or rather, which Gu Family in the Ancient Desolate World warranted Liu Cangfeng¡¯s personal mention. Recalling some rumors from the Eastern Domain, these forces naturally understood what Liu Cangfeng meant. Immediately, a cultivator burst out laughing, ¡°Elder Liu might be taking this too seriously; since it¡¯s the younger generation¡¯s fortune, how could we possibly intervene and seize it!¡± ¡°Indeed, the Eastern Family values face as well, and we would never do something so dishonorable as to bully the weak!¡± ¡°Gu True Disciple obtaining the Holy Weapon shows he has profound luck, it seems like Taixu Sacred Land is about to produce a True Dragon this era, truly a joyous occasion!¡± The strong representatives from various forces all wore smiles, appearing as if they were on good terms with Taixu Sacred Land, even though the Holy Weapon was right before their eyes, none showed the slightest temptation. This scene, left all other young cultivators who came out from the secret realm in utter shock, as they had not anticipated the turn of events. ¡°Elder!!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Someone, unwilling to accept the situation, tried to say something but was slapped back by the strong figure of their force. ¡°You, at the Sixth Level of Divine Transformation Realm, couldn¡¯t compare to a cultivator just entering the Divine Transformation Realm, yet how dare you still speak so boldly here? Go back and reflect on yourself immediately and deeply ponder your own failures!¡± The other disciples of Taixu Sacred Land and Gu Xuan were somewhat dazed as the situation unfolded completely differently from what they had anticipated. They thought there would be a bloody battle after coming out from the secret realm, but it just passed like that. Moments later, various forces bid their farewells and departed, leaving only the people of Taixu Sacred Land behind. Liu Cangfeng looked at the True Disciples gathered before him and mildly said, ¡°Half a year ago, the Gu Family Master personally came to the Southern Domain and overthrew the Ancient Desolate Holy Land with his own strength. ¡°In that battle, all cultivators from the Ancient Desolate Holy Land fell, including one Ancient Great Saint and five Saints!¡± Upon hearing this, everyone¡¯s faces drastically changed, and the look they gave Gu Xuan was filled with shock and disbelief. To slay a Great Saint! To annihilate an ancient Holy Land!! They were well aware of Gu Xuan¡¯s identity and background, but they did not expect it to be so terrifying. At this moment, these True Disciples of the Taixu Sacred Land finally understood why these forces had left so swiftly. At the end of the day, it wasn¡¯t because the Taixu Sacred Land was too powerful, but because they feared the Gu Family identity that Gu Xuan possessed. Anyone who tried to snatch the Holy Weapon from Gu Xuan might just follow in the footsteps of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land. Even Gu Xuan himself was stunned upon hearing Liu Cangfeng¡¯s words, ¡°Three... Elder Three speaks of my father?¡± He could hardly believe it. Gu Xuan knew his father was powerful, but he didn¡¯t think he was capable of this extent! Since joining Taixu Sacred Land, Gu Xuan had gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Saints and Great Saints. Such beings were the top powerhouses of each era. Even at the peak of Taixu Sacred Land in the past, there was a Great Saint emerging. Now, Liu Cangfeng told him that his own father had slain a Great Saint and even eradicated the Ancient Desolate Holy Land, which was naturally shocking for Gu Xuan. Seeing the change in Gu Xuan¡¯s expression, Liu Cangfeng continued quietly, ¡°Indeed, it is Gu Qingfeng, Mr. Gu!¡± Speaking of which, Liu Cangfeng¡¯s eyes showed admiration, ¡°Sadly, I was not present to witness that battle myself. Mr. Gu alone obliterated the Ancient Desolate Holy Land. His power is unfathomable. ¡°There are rumors outside that Mr. Gu already possesses Emperor Talent. ¡°If a Great Emperor is destined to emerge in this era, then Mr. Gu is surely the one!¡± As he finished, Liu Cangfeng too was filled with emotion. A Great Emperor! This was an existence he could look up to. Liu Cangfeng was well aware of his own limitations; even reaching the era of great contention, whether he could ascend beyond a Saint was uncertain, not to mention reaching the Emperor Realm. Any Great Emperor truly stood at the pinnacle of the Ancient Desolate World. The Dao left behind by each Great Emperor could be passed down through countless ages. It could be said, if the Gu Family Master could indeed ascend to Great Emperor status, then the Gu Family would definitely become a top force in the Ancient Desolate World. At that time, for the Taixu Sacred Land to establish connections with an Emperor Family could indeed rocket them to great heights. Therefore, as Liu Cangfeng looked at Gu Xuan now, he was quite more favorable. The scion of a future Great Emperor, his accomplishments would definitely not be low, not to mention Gu Xuan possessed the incomplete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, his natural talent already being astonishing. With such a powerful background as his foundation, as long as he didn¡¯t meet an unexpected demise, he was sure to ascend to the Great Saint Realm, or even the Saint King Realm. Moreover, if one day, Gu Xuan could remedy the deficiencies of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, who could guarantee that he wouldn¡¯t reach the Emperor status? So no matter how you look at it, Gu Xuan¡¯s future is bright. Thus, regarding Gu Xuan¡¯s questions, Liu Cangfeng was patient to answer, hoping that leaving a good impression in his heart would be enough. Chapter 368: 262 Natural Disaster Chapter 368: Chapter 262 Natural Disaster All along the way, Gu Xuan¡¯s expression had been somewhat vacant. It wasn¡¯t until he returned to the Taixu Sacred Land that he truly calmed the shock in his heart and acknowledged that Liu Cangfeng¡¯s words were no lie. Immediately afterward, Gu Xuan¡¯s feelings were a mixture of happiness and worry. What delighted him was naturally the formidable strength of his own father, who could single-handedly push through ancient sacred lands; whereas his worry stemmed from Gu Xiu¡¯s entry into the Ancient Transfer Array, his life or death currently unknown. ¡°My own strength is far too weak!¡± ¡°Had I been powerful enough, how could I allow my third brother to be humiliated by the forces of the Southern Domain!¡± Thinking of some matters concerning the Southern Domain, a trace of murderous intent emerged in Gu Xuan¡¯s eyes. Even with the destruction of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, it couldn¡¯t fully quell the rage within his heart. But there was nothing he could do. Gu Xuan was only at the First Level of the Divine Transformation Realm himself, and that really counted for nothing. If he even thought of settling scores with other powers, he needed sufficient strength as support. Afterward, with a thought, Gu Xuan summoned a long sword from his dantian and caught it in his hand. The Immortal Sun Sword! This was the greatest opportunity he obtained from his journey. He had originally thought the secret realm that emerged was left behind by a cultivator of the Taoist Palace Realm, but it turned out to be a relic of an ancient Saint. Regrettably, that secret realm was somewhat incomplete, and Gu Xuan had not received the Saint Inheritance, merely departing with this Holy Weapon in tow. Even so, it was still a tremendous gain for Gu Xuan. The power of a Holy Weapon was simply incomparable to so-called ancient weapons. Even within the Taixu Sacred Land, the number of Holy Weapons was limited, each one a powerful treasure capable of suppressing a region. With the power of the Immortal Sun Sword, Gu Xuan had already slain numerous top figures within the Divine Transformation Realm. Afterward, Gu Xuan once again focused his mind and sent the Immortal Sun Sword back into his dantian. Then, as he introspected, he could see the Immortal Sun Sword lying quietly inside his dantian, while terrifying and austere Sword Qi emanated, constantly refining his physical body and blood qi. This was another advantage of a Holy Weapon. Being nurtured by a Holy Weapon strengthens the physique. Even if Gu Xuan did not cultivate deliberately, his strength could still grow slowly. Of course, the degree of this growth would not be too significant, and the more advanced the stage, the less impactful it would become. But regardless, the change was still there. If cultivators of the same realm were to clash, one with a physique nurtured by a Holy Weapon and the other without, the difference would naturally show. Subsequently, Gu Xuan began to take stock of his other gains from the journey. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has gained the recognition of a Holy Weapon from the secret realm, and his strength has greatly increased!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and his cultivation has slightly progressed!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and his cultivation has broken through to the Second Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Upgrade Points*300!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has attained some understanding from cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture, and his strength has improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has attained some understanding from cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture, and his cultivation has slightly progressed!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has extensively developed the Divine Martial Academy, spreading the path of cultivation throughout the Nine States, leading to a significant increase in the number of cultivators in the Divine Martial Dynasty, and correspondingly enhancing its foundation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has become increasingly revered by the people, receiving the respect of countless citizens!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ upon learning of the drought in Wuzhou, where not a drop of rain had fallen for three months, hence utilized the power of the nation¡¯s destiny to change the weather, bringing rain to Wuzhou and blessings upon the people!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... Inside the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng would look at the changes on the information panel every now and then, while above Wuzhou, the skies had already rumbled with thunderclaps, and dark clouds covered the sky, bringing a refreshing coolness to the scorching summer days. The Divine Martial Sect. Sect Master Gu Yun looked at the clouds overhead, his eyes filled with shocked and uncertain expressions. With his perception, he naturally understood that the appearance of these clouds was somewhat unusual. ¡°Could it be related to the court?¡± Gu Yun hesitated. However, as things stood, the emergence of these clouds seemed more beneficial than harmful to Wuzhou. In the past three months, Wuzhou had suffered from a drought, without a single drop of rain. It was only now that it was a peaceful era, and the court had sufficient capacity to provide relief. Otherwise, back in the final years of the previous dynasty, three months without rain could have devastated the entire Wuzhou, with countless deaths and injuries. But even so, The natural disaster of three months had become somewhat unbearable for the people of Wuzhou. In light of this, Gu Yun was inclined to intervene, but he was powerless. After all, even as a cultivator of the Divine Transformation Realm, capable of moving mountains and reclaiming seas, he still could not dissolve a natural disaster or alleviate the drought of an entire state. Indeed! Gu Yun had now broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm. He obtained the Divine Sun Scripture taught by Gu Qingfeng, which allowed him a glimpse of the path ahead, and with the current rise in nature¡¯s spiritual energy in the Nine States, and trade with the outside world, many previously rare and precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were no longer considered unusual. Moreover, the Divine Martial Sect was once the foremost sect in the world and had been a dominant power in Wuzhou. Its foundation was certainly established. Furthermore, the Divine Martial Sect possessed the merit of having contributed to the dynasty. Thus, the court also provided substantial support to the Divine Martial Sect. In the eyes of outsiders, the words ¡®Divine Martial¡¯ in the Divine Martial Dynasty implied some connection to the Divine Martial Sect, which meant that many powers were hesitant to offend the sect. One thing led to another, and the power of the Divine Martial Sect naturally grew stronger. Gu Yun, as the Sect Master, also received many benefits from this, enabling him to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm. Of course. In terms of talent, Gu Yun was also no slouch. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to cultivate to the peak of Master level in those circumstances, let alone qualify to challenge the realm of Great Grandmaster. Chapter 369: 262 Natural Disaster_2 Chapter 369: Chapter 262 Natural Disaster_2 However, even after breaking through to the Divine Transformation Realm, Gu Yun did not harbor any undesired thoughts, and he also frequently admonished the disciples of his sect, instructing them not to provoke those from the imperial court. After all, Gu Yun was well aware that the current state of the Divine Martial Sect was entirely due to the court¡¯s doing. Now, the Divine Martial Dynasty appeared unfathomable to Gu Yun, and should they foolishly attempt to confront the court, he feared the Divine Martial Sect would be reduced to ashes in an instant. On this point, Gu Yun had not the slightest doubt. At this moment, looking up at the dark clouds in the sky, there seemed to emerge a terrifying divine might, causing Gu Yun¡¯s breathing to slow for a moment, as if he were being watched by some fearsome entity. Before he could think too much, an authoritative voice resounded, enveloping the entirety of Wuzhou, reaching the ears of everyone. ¡°Wuzhou has suffered drought for three months, and the people can hardly sustain their lives. I am deeply pained by this, and now, I have decided to issue a divine decree, to bring down Nectar and rescue the multitudes!¡± After the voice faded, a golden divine light streaked across the sky, unfolding above Wuzhou, clearly displaying the written decree by Gu Yang. In the next breath, the decree dispersed, transforming into divine light that shot into the heavens. A short while later, thunder cracked in the clear sky, and rolling thunder enveloped Wuzhou. While everyone was shocked, rain finally began to fall on Wuzhou, which had been parched for three months. ¡°It¡¯s raining!!¡± ¡°The common folk thank Your Majesty!!¡± The people of Wuzhou were ecstatic, with many rushing out of their houses, allowing the icy raindrops to fall upon them, dispelling the heat within their bodies. The dry, cracked earth was nourished by the rain, and many trees on the verge of death sprung back to life. Dry riverbeds gradually filled with gathering water, flowing through numerous mountains, bringing a surge of vitality to the whole of Wuzhou. When cultivators from outside witnessed this scene, they were also moved. ¡°With just a single decree, the weather can be changed, dissolving the drought of a whole province. The means of the emperor dynasty are indeed extraordinary, not something other sects can compare to!¡± While top-tier fighters can also alter the weather, especially those cultivators who have learned certain special Divine Skills and find summoning the wind and calling the rain mere trifles, But, even summoning the wind and calling the rain has its limits. Although each of the Nine States is not particularly large, they cannot be compared to the Eastern Domain¡¯s one hundred and eight provinces, but Wuzhou is not considered small either. At least, it is difficult for cultivators of the Daoist Palace Realm to achieve the extent of changing the weather of an entire province. To do so, only the legendary Saints were rumoured to be capable. Furthermore, based on what they understood, that Emperor Gu of the Divine Martial Dynasty had only just entered the Divine Transformation Realm, still far from reaching the Dao Palace. This alone showed that the strategies of the Qi Fortune Dynasty indeed had their merits. But at the same time, to strengthen the Qi Fortune of a dynasty and to further ascend to an emperor dynasty was extremely difficult. Many cultivators, seeing this, quickly withdrew their gaze. They came here only in search of opportunities in the Nine States and had no intention of opposing the Divine Martial Dynasty. After all, they had not forgotten the incident where the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was destroyed; with the Gu Family¡¯s champion present, who would dare to harm the Divine Martial Dynasty in the slightest? In a world where the strong are revered, a single top-tier fighter is enough to ensure a power prospers for a long time. Moreover, in an era without Saints, someone like Gu Qingfeng who was capable of slaying those in the Great Saint Realm, was truly considered the pinnacle. To put it grandly, Gu Qingfeng could even be called the strongest fighter of the End of Dharma Era. After all, in an era without Saints, if someone with a Half-Saint Realm cultivation could slay a fighter in the Great Saint Realm, it would be enough to be called the first. ... ¡°Hiss, this is the might of the imperial court, truly inconceivable!¡± At the Divine Martial Sect, Gu Yun took a deep breath, his pupils dilated, his face full of disbelief. Even with his current view of the world, such an event was still shockingly unbelievable to him. Not just Gu Yun was astonished. All disciples of the Divine Martial Sect were struck with awe. ¡°Was that the voice of Emperor Gu!?¡± ¡°With just a single decree, he has resolved the drought in Wuzhou, such terrifying power!!¡± For a moment, the disciples of the Divine Martial Sect viewed the court with increased reverence. After all, if Gu Yang could resolve Wuzhou¡¯s drought with a single royal decree, was it not possible that a decree could also directly annihilate the Divine Martial Sect? At this thought, the disciples who usually relied on the identity of the Divine Martial Sect to overlook the court¡¯s regulations now instinctively felt a deep fear. They secretly vowed never to offend the court. Otherwise, even the sect might not be able to protect them. ¡ª¡ª In the Capital, Gu Yang looked toward Wuzhou and sighed in relief, then perceiving the diminished Qi Fortune of the dynasty, he couldn¡¯t help but shake his head in resignation. ¡°Looks like the process of ascending to an emperor dynasty is going to be slowed down quite a bit now!¡± His use of the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune to resolve the natural disaster in Wuzhou was a measure taken out of necessity. Since three months ago, when Wuzhou gradually began to experience a drought, Gu Yang had been using a large amount of resources for drought relief, trying to minimize the devastation brought by the natural disaster. He hadn¡¯t used Qi Fortune to resolve it from the beginning because he wanted to conserve a portion of Qi Fortune for the future ascension of the dynasty. As long as the relief efforts were sufficient, the impact of the natural disaster wasn¡¯t so severe. On the contrary, using Qi Fortune for relief would certainly deplete the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune, and recovery would take some time. However¡ª Over the past three months, as the court vigorously conducted drought relief, Wuzhou¡¯s drought showed no signs of alleviating but was intensifying instead. Seeing that the relief efforts were about to become unsustainable and the people of Wuzhou were becoming restless, Gu Yang had no choice but to intervene directly, causing Nectar to descend with the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune upon Wuzhou. This one occurrence of Nectar, used up one year¡¯s accumulation of Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Such an expenditure, naturally, caused Gu Yang great distress. Fortunately, with the Nectar now fallen, the people of Wuzhou had regained stability. As long as the people¡¯s hearts were with him, these expenses could ultimately be recouped. The dynasty is like a pond, and the Qi Fortune is like the water in it, while the people of the Nine States are like the small streams constantly feeding into the pond. Every use of the Qi Fortune causes the accumulated water to decrease. But, as long as the small streams representing the people do not dry up, the spent water will eventually be restored over time. But if the people¡¯s hearts stray and the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune becomes stagnant, in time it will gradually deplete. Thus, Gu Yang was well aware of the choices to be made. ¡°As long as the hearts of the people are not lost, the spent Qi Fortune is just that, merely slowing down the speed of the ascension to an emperor dynasty. Whether the ascension is sooner or later, for the current Divine Martial Dynasty, it doesn¡¯t make a significant difference!¡± Gu Yang reflected to himself. If it were the past, Gu Yang would naturally wish for the Divine Martial Dynasty to ascend as quickly as possible. Because once the dynasty could ascend to emperor status, the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty would greatly strengthen. An emperor dynasty, sufficient to suppress a warrior from the Taoist Palace Realm. If it were a top emperor dynasty, even Saints would have to give way. Therefore, if it were the old Divine Martial Dynasty, Gu Yang would of course wish to ascend to emperor status as quickly as possible. In this way, he would have a strong trump card, even if a warrior from the Dao Palace Realm invaded, he would have the confidence to withstand. If given more time to the Nine States, allowing the Divine Martial Dynasty to become one of the top emperor dynasties, then within the realm of the dynasty, Gu Yang, even as a Cultivator of the Divine Transformation Realm, could be comparable to a Saint. But now it was different. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s destruction of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land meant that the Divine Martial Dynasty already possessed a trump card stronger than that of a top emperor dynasty. After all, to slay a Great Saint, at least an Emperor Dynasty would be capable of such a feat. Hence, in some aspects, the deterrence of the Divine Martial Dynasty was comparable to many Emperor Dynasties. And as for Emperor Dynasties, according to Gu Yang¡¯s knowledge, they were scarce in the Ancient Desolate World. Furthermore¡ª These Emperor Dynasties were also subject to limitations. Within the boundaries of an Emperor Dynasty, an emperor could suppress a Great Saint with Qi Fortune, but outside of it, such power of Qi Fortune was of little use. Thus, compared to an Emperor Dynasty guarded within its own lands, the likes of Gu Qingfeng, who could leave the Divine Martial Dynasty at any time and possessed the strength to slay those of the Great Saint Realm, undoubtedly held even more astonishing deterrence power. Chapter 370 263: Bestowing a Precious Treasure "Natural disaster!" Gu Qingfeng had emerged from seclusion once more. Listening to the reports of his subordinates and the information on his panel, he gained some understanding of the events that had transpired during his time in seclusion. Wuzhou had suffered a natural disaster. Three months of drought. Gu Yang had used the Qi Fortune of the dynasty to bring forth nectar. Although Gu Qingfeng was aware of such capabilities of the dynasty, he was still somewhat surprised upon learning of this. He knew all too well the vastness of Wuzhou. Setting aside the ability to summon wind and rain, even if he possessed such powers, it would still be difficult to change the climate of an entire region. Even though Gu Qingfeng''s strength was comparable to that of a Great Saint. But. Strength was just strength. Divine Skills were divine skills. The two shouldn''t be conflated. Afterwards. Gu Qingfeng turned to look at other information panels. ... "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Sishiqi'' sustained damage from a demon attack *136598!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Sishiqi'' sustained damage from a demon attack *123142!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Sishiqi'' was surrounded and attacked by numerous demons and broke through to the second level of the Divine Transformation Realm during the battle!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Sishiqi'' infiltrated a Demon Sect, secretly stole from their treasury, acquiring numerous Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures before leaving triumphantly!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Sishiqi'' consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures along with a Demon Core, breaking through to the third level of Divine Transformation Realm!" "Your Death Soldier ''Huang Xuan'' unexpectedly rescued a critically wounded and dying powerhouse, earning their favor and being accepted as a Direct Disciple!" "Your Death Soldier ''Hong Ye''s'' founded Netherworld Pavilion''s reputation has been growing increasingly stronger, attracting many Loose Cultivators and getting the attention of several forces!" "Your Death Soldier ''Hong Ye'' luckily found an opportunity and broke through to the second level of the Divine Transformation Realm!" "Your Death Soldier ''Gu Wu'' failed in his assault on the Dao Palace Realm, suffering minor backlash, and is now recovering!" "Your Death Soldier ''Huang Jiu'' acquired an opportunity in the secret realm but was unfortunately ambushed and perished!" "Your Death Soldier ''Zhang Yuan'' encountered robbery and tragically lost his life!" "Your Death Soldier..." ... Ever since he had acquired three thousand Death Soldiers, Gu Qingfeng let them develop on their own, which led to a surge in the information on the Death Soldier panel. Nearly every moment, relevant text was refreshed. Either a Death Soldier obtained an opportunity, or they encountered a crisis, and the less fortunate ones perished due to various accidents. Of course. For some whose luck was poor and perished, there were others whose fortunes allowed them to breakthrough. However, up to this point, none of these Death Soldiers had stepped into the Dao Palace Realm. It can be seen. For ordinary Cultivators to step into the Dao Palace Realm, it truly wasn''t that easy. Afterwards. Gu Qingfeng shifted his attention to himself. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 56/6000 Realm: Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfection), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Lei Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Grandmaster Second Level), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered), Nine Heavens Scripture (Grandmaster Third Level) Upgrade Points: 1332 ... During this period, Gu Qingfeng had made some progress in cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture, breaking through from the Grandmaster First Level to the Third Level. However, the further he went, the more difficult cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture became. According to Gu Qingfeng''s estimate. If he wanted to fully cultivate the Nine Heavens Scripture to the Divine Transformation Realm, it would take at least a year or two. Of course. This amount of time, for other Cultivators, naturally isn''t considered short, and the speed could even be said to be astonishing. After all, from when Gu Qingfeng began cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture until now, it barely accounts for less than a year. Even if we include the subsequent time, an overall three years to cultivate from nothing to the Divine Transformation Realm is clearly extraordinary. Even though Gu Qingfeng had Cultivation on his side, and cultivation would be relatively easier, such speed was incomparable to other Dao Palace Realm cultivators. In this regard. The role played by the Ancient Immortal Body was exceptionally significant. At the same time. Gu Qingfeng was also comprehending the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill. This Divine Skill was much more powerful than the Ancient Heavenly Blade; after all, no matter what, the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill was created by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint of the past, incomparable to other divine skills. But precisely because of the strength of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill, Gu Qingfeng had so far not made much progress. "Each level breakthrough in the Divine Transformation requires two hundred Upgrade Points; with my current thirteen hundred Upgrade Points, even if I put them all into the Nine Heavens Scripture, it''s still not enough to cultivate this technique to the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm, let alone step into the Dao Palace Realm." "For now, the Divine Martial Dynasty poses little threat, so it''s possible to keep these Upgrade Points temporarily until they can be used later!" Gu Qingfeng looked at his remaining one thousand plus Upgrade Points, suppressing the thought of utilizing them. If it were the him from before, he naturally wouldn''t leave a single Upgrade Point unused, seizing every possible opportunity to enhance his strength. But that was because there were too many threats, whether from Magicians or Evil Spirits, hanging over his head like a sharp blade, forcing Gu Qingfeng to enhance his strength as much as possible to deal with the various troubles that could arise at any moment. But now, the Divine Martial Dynasty wasn''t particularly dangerous, and at the same time, Gu Qingfeng''s current strength was sufficient to resolve most troubles. In this case. He wasn''t in a hurry to use his Upgrade Points to enhance his cultivation. The best approach was to rely as much as possible on his innate abilities to cultivate the Nine Heavens Scripture, and when progress was no longer possible, use the Upgrade Points to directly breakthrough. Chapter 371: 263: Bestowing a Precious Treasure_2 Chapter 371: Chapter 263: Bestowing a Precious Treasure_2 At that time, perhaps he could have aspired to reach the Saint Realm. ¡°Someone come!¡± ¡°What are Your Grace¡¯s orders?¡± A Hidden Guard came at the summons. Gu Qingfeng spoke, ¡°Ask Emperor Gu to visit the Gu Family Manor.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡ª An hour later, Gu Yang arrived, floating gracefully. ¡°Father has summoned me; is there something you wish to discuss?¡± He had been handling state affairs, but upon receiving Gu Qingfeng¡¯s message, he immediately rushed over. Gu Yang knew very well that his father ordinarily wouldn¡¯t summon him like this. Receiving a message now must mean something important. On his way, Gu Yang had pondered many possibilities but still couldn¡¯t guess Gu Qingfeng¡¯s intention. Therefore, upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, he directly voiced the doubts in his heart. As Gu Yang finished speaking, Gu Qingfeng flipped his palm, revealing a black ancient banner in his hand. ¡°This ¡®Ten Thousand Soul Banner¡¯ is of no use to me; I¡¯ll give it to you for self-protection!¡± ¡°The Ten Thousand Soul Banner... is it the treasure from the Ten Thousand Soul Sect of old?¡± Gu Yang stared at the black ancient banner before him, hesitating slightly, as if he didn¡¯t understand Gu Qingfeng¡¯s intention. He was naturally aware of the Ten Thousand Soul Sect ¨C it was but a moderate sect that could be snuffed out by a sneeze from the current Divine Martial Dynasty. He didn¡¯t see what use the treasure of such a frail sect could have. ¡°Yes, this is indeed that treasure from the Ten Thousand Soul Sect. Don¡¯t underestimate this item. Even I couldn¡¯t discern its origin. The sect merely let this treasure gather dust.¡± Gu Qingfeng could naturally read Gu Yang¡¯s thoughts and immediately offered a faint smile. ¡°When I annihilated the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, this Ten Thousand Soul Banner devoured the flesh and Divine Souls of many cultivators there. It¡¯s not the same as it used to be.¡± ¡°In the Ten Thousand Soul Banner now are nurtured three Half-Saint Realm peculiar beings, nine Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer peculiar beings, and thirty-six Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Layer peculiar beings!¡± ¡°With such levels of power, as long as no Saint appears, you can use this treasure to dominate the world!¡± Hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, Gu Yang¡¯s eyes were full of shock as he looked again at the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Three Half-Saint Realm peculiar beings! Nine Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer peculiar beings! Thirty-six Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Layer peculiar beings! Gu Yang had never imagined that the seemingly ordinary black banner held such terrifying power. Regardless of possessing the Divine Phoenix Tower, a Great Saint Weapon in his hand, not everyone can wield the power of such a weapon. With his current level of cultivation, Gu Yang could only use a fraction of the Divine Phoenix Tower¡¯s power. Even though this small amount was enough to suppress any Divine Transformation Realm cultivator and even kill an ordinary Dao Palace Realm cultivator, in terms of utility, it paled in comparison to the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. It¡¯s not that the Divine Phoenix Tower was inferior to the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Rather, the former required a certain level of cultivation to activate, while the latter was much simpler to use. After all, the peculiar beings within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner had already been nurtured and birthed. If these beings were mobilized against an enemy, there wouldn¡¯t be much drain on the cultivator holding the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. The biggest issue is that once a peculiar being in the Ten Thousand Soul Banner perishes, it¡¯s a permanent loss. Regardless, the power of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner is unquestionable. Just as Gu Qingfeng had said, with such a treasure, without the intervention of a Saint, one could indeed roam the world unopposed. Straightaway, Gu Qingfeng erased his own mark from the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, then allowed Gu Yang to imprint his Divine Thought upon it. At once, Gu Yang felt a connection with the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. ¡°Thank you, Father, for bestowing this treasure upon me!¡± He couldn¡¯t hide the smile on his face, evidently very fond of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Such a treasure was far more valuable to Gu Yang at this time than even the Divine Phoenix Tower. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°The origin of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner is no simple matter. If you can continue to nurture it, perhaps one day it might truly breed peculiars capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Saints, or even peer with Great Saints!¡± However, there was something Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t mention. To truly cultivate beings of Saint or even Great Saint caliber, the number of souls the Ten Thousand Soul Banner would need to devour was unimaginable. Should the Ten Thousand Soul Banner fall into the hands of another, Gu Qingfeng would worry they might be tempted by its power into slaughtering the innocent. But for Gu Yang, Gu Qingfeng still held trust. ¡°When the grand era of strife descends upon us in the future, turmoil will inevitably ensue in the Ancient Desolate World,¡± Gu Yang said. ¡°Then the Ten Thousand Soul Banner will show its purpose. But for now, there seems to be no possibility of nurturing the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.¡± Unless an entity comparable to the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land were to be eradicated once again, then the Ten Thousand Soul Banner could hope to advance. But if the Divine Martial Dynasty were to do just that, it would certainly become the target of public criticism. The annihilation of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land was justified by the dynasty¡¯s sufficient reasons, so none of the other forces had anything to say. However, if any other power was to be destroyed without just cause, the remaining forces would naturally feel threatened. At such a time, it was entirely possible that some forces, at all costs, would want to erase the Divine Martial Dynasty from the Ancient Desolate World. On this point, Gu Yang had no doubts. Therefore, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner was his trump card, but to truly enhance the power of this supreme treasure, he still needed to wait for the right opportunity. Following that, Gu Yang bid his farewell and left. Gu Qingfeng also resumed his closed-door cultivation. ¡ª¡ª Time passed. Months had flown by swiftly. Since the Nectar had descended upon Wuzhou several months ago, the drought had been alleviated to a great extent, revitalizing the vast region of Wuzhou. However, this situation did not persist for long before Wuzhou experienced another prolonged drought that lasted several months. And, this particular drought was only occurring in Wuzhou and had not spread to other regions. When news of this reached back, it cast Gu Yang¡¯s face into a somber shade. ¡°Another drought!¡± Suppressing the natural disaster in Wuzhou before had already cost the Divine Martial Dynasty a significant amount of Qi Fortune. If they continued to use the power of Qi Fortune to alter the weather, it would only lead to a further decline in the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune. At this point, a minister stepped forward and said, ¡°The natural disaster in Wuzhou is indeed unusual. Although there has been droughts in the Nine States before, they have rarely lasted for such an extended period.¡± ¡°Moreover, since Your Majesty established the Divine Martial Dynasty and cast the Nine Tripods to stabilize the Nine States, there has been good harvests and the people lived in peace. Such a natural disaster should not occur. Therefore, I suspect that there is a cause for the natural disaster in Wuzhou, and I believe that Your Majesty should send people to thoroughly investigate the matter to see if Evil People or Evil Spirits are causing trouble!¡± Upon hearing his words, other ministers also spoke in agreement. In their view, a natural disaster occurring meant that either the dynasty was in its final days, or demons and Evil Spirits were causing chaos, arousing the wrath of the Heavenly Dao and thus bringing about a natural disaster. But with the Divine Martial Dynasty growing stronger by the day and the people¡¯s allegiance sure, such a severe natural disaster seemed impossible. If it hadn¡¯t been for Gu Yang issuing a decree several months ago to bring Nectar to Wuzhou, the land, parched for half a year, would have inevitably become utterly barren. At that time, the number of casualties among the people would have been beyond count. On hearing this, Gu Yang fell into deep thought. At that moment, Yan Yun spoke up: ¡°Your Majesty, the ministers speak sensibly. Former dynasties have faced natural disasters, most of which were caused by Evil Spirits. The current situation in Wuzhou is peculiar and deserves a thorough investigation!¡± Hearing this, Gu Yang immediately made a decision. ¡°Nanyue Mountain!¡± ¡°Present!¡± ¡°This Emperor commands you to lead the Heavenly Patrol Guard to Wuzhou at once and thoroughly investigate the cause of the drought in Wuzhou. You have one month!¡± ¡°Your Majesty, rest assured. Within one month, I shall determine the cause of the drought in Wuzhou, and should there truly be Evil Spirits causing chaos, I will carry out my duty to slay demons and eliminate evil, living up to Your Majesty¡¯s trust!¡± Nanyue Mountain stepped forward, and with a solemn bow, spoke out. The other ministers, witnessing this, did not object. The Heavenly Patrol Guard was indeed the right choice to investigate the matters in Wuzhou. Even more so, with Nanyue Mountain, a great figure of the Divine Transformation Realm, personally leading the team, even if there were any troubles, his power was believed to be more than sufficient to resolve them. Once the court meeting dispersed, Nanyue Mountain immediately led the forces of the Heavenly Patrol Guard straight toward Wuzhou. Chapter 372: 264: Borrowing the Qi Fortune of One County to Suppress and Kill the Evil Spirit! Chapter 372: Chapter 264: Borrowing the Qi Fortune of One County to Suppress and Kill the Evil Spirit! Wuzhou. Nanyue Mountain, with the Heavenly Patrol Guard, set foot here. Upon entering Wuzhou, a stiflingly hot aura assaulted them. The ground was cracked, the trees withered, the sky was scorched by the blazing sun, as if a terrifying heat was descending. Seeing this, Nanyue Mountain frowned. ¡°The drought in Wuzhou is indeed no trivial matter!¡± Such uncommon dryness, while unnoticed by others, was discernible to Nanyue Mountain as a cultivator in the Divine Transformation Realm. At the same time, information collected by the Heavenly Patrol Guard also found its way into Nanyue Mountain¡¯s hands. ¡°The drought in Wuzhou began from Shenhe County and has since spread across the entire Wuzhou. Thus, the problem must lie within Shenhe County!¡± ¡°Someone, head to Shenhe County!¡± Nanyue Mountain decided immediately after one glance. The four commanderies of Wuzhou. Shenhe County was one among them. Three days later, Nanyue Mountain stepped into the commandery and met with Shenhe County¡¯s Governor, Tao Heng. ¡°Hearing that Commander Nan has graced us with his presence, it¡¯s a pity I failed to welcome you from afar!¡± The speaker was a refined middle-aged man, none other than Shenhe County¡¯s Governor, Tao Heng. Though he appeared gentle and refined, he was also a powerful figure who had entered the Grandmaster Realm. Regarding this, Nanyue Mountain also respectfully bowed: ¡°I¡¯ve seen Mr. Tao!¡± He was indeed the commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard, but the identity of Tao Heng, the Governor of one of Wuzhou¡¯s four commanderies, was not insignificant either. In terms of position, strictly speaking, Nanyue Mountain¡¯s rank was actually slightly lower than Tao Heng¡¯s. After all¡ª In Wuzhou, a commandery governor was akin to the heavens, directly answering to Gu Yang. However, due to the special nature of the Heavenly Patrol Guard¡¯s position, Tao Heng couldn¡¯t look down on Nanyue Mountain. After briefly exchanging pleasantries, the two entered the Governor Mansion¡¯s Inner Hall to sit. Once seated, Nanyue Mountain forthrightly said, ¡°Mr. Tao, the drought in Wuzhou is severe, and His Majesty has commanded me to thoroughly investigate this matter.¡± ¡°From my understanding, the drought in Wuzhou originated in Shenhe County. How much does Mr. Tao know about this?¡± Hearing this, the smile on Tao Heng¡¯s face faded, and his expression turned serious. ¡°Does Lord Nan mean to suggest that this natural disaster is man-made?¡± ¡°Whether it¡¯s man-made remains to be seen, but this disaster is unlike any before. To say there aren¡¯t other factors influencing it would be impossible!¡± Nanyue Mountain shook his head slightly, looking at Tao Heng as he spoke seriously. ¡°After all, Mr. Tao, don¡¯t forget that before His Majesty had stabilized the Nine States, during the chaotic end of the previous dynasty, there were numerous evil spirits and strange occurrences, not to mention various natural disasters and calamities. Although later His Majesty secured the Nine States, using the national divine artifact to suppress evil spirits and reestablish order across the realm, some evil spirits might still be lurking, secretly wanting to cause trouble.¡± At these words, Tao Heng fell silent. He understood, Nanyue Mountain¡¯s words were not false. It hadn¡¯t been more than ten years since the evil spirits and oddities in the Nine States had disappeared. The chaos of the previous dynasty¡¯s final years was still fresh in people¡¯s hearts. ¡°If what Lord Nan says is true, then the evil spirit behind this disaster must be formidable!¡± Tao Heng¡¯s expression was somber, his brows tightly furrowed. The State Divine Artifact suppressed the Nine States, under the Nine Tripods, evil spirits were easily cast out, and ordinary evil spirits naturally could not survive, but correspondingly, if any evil spirits managed to survive, their strength had to be extraordinary. Only Nanyue Mountain appeared composed: ¡°However formidable, Mr. Tao, you don¡¯t think that the world today is still the same as the previous dynasty, do you?¡± ¡°Let alone His Majesty stabilizing the Nine States, a single decree can change the climate of a state, his imperial power vast, and in the capital, there is that existence who alone wiped out an Ancient Sacred Land. Even if there are lurking evil spirits, they are doomed to stir up minimal trouble!¡± With this statement, Tao Heng¡¯s demeanor also relaxed. ¡°So it seems, perhaps I was overly concerned!¡± He had almost forgotten. The current Divine Martial Dynasty was not comparable to the previous Taixuan Dynasty. Now, the cultivation in the Nine States thrived, teeming with powerful individuals, many of whom were in the Grandmaster Realm, like Nanyue Mountain, who stood at the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm. Such beings, if it had been durantehe previous dynasty, would be equivalent to a Divinity Realm¡¯s powerhouse, truly the foremost under the heavens. Moreover, as mighty as Nanyue Mountain was, he was not even the pinnacle of the Nine States. At the summit of Nine States¡¯ cultivators stood an unsurpassable figure, the Gu Family Master, known as Domineering Blade Gu Qingfeng. This individual, was recognized as the first powerhouse in the Nine States. With such a powerhouse present, even if real evil spirits caused trouble, it was believed that they couldn¡¯t stir up much disturbance. Considering this, Tao Heng was not particularly worried. Then, he looked at Nanyue Mountain and seriously asked, ¡°What does Lord Nan plan to do next?¡± ¡°First, find the source of the drought. If it truly is the work of an evil spirit, then we¡¯ll exterminate it!¡± Nanyue Mountain¡¯s expression was resolute, a hint of ferocity in his eyes. For such evil spirits that caused chaos, he naturally wouldn¡¯t be merciful or lenient. After all, he had experienced the turmoil of the previous dynasty and witnessed the horrors of evil spirits devouring humans, his hatred for such spirits etched deep into his bones. ¡°Lord Nan having such thoughts, I naturally support them!¡± Tao Heng nodded. If Shenhe County truly was the hiding place of an evil spirit, he naturally hoped to identify it as soon as possible. Otherwise, should any evil spirit make a move, it would undoubtedly have a widespread impact. If due to this matter, Shenhe County faced turmoil or civilians suffered injuries and deaths, once the court held him accountable, even as the Governor of Shenhe County, his days wouldn¡¯t be easy. Chapter 373: 264: Borrowing the Qi Fortune of One County to Suppress and Kill the Evil Spirit!_2 Chapter 373: Chapter 264: Borrowing the Qi Fortune of One County to Suppress and Kill the Evil Spirit!_2 The Imperial laws of the Divine Martial Dynasty were quite different from those of the previous dynasty. In the previous dynasty, the common people were treated like chattel and ants; as long as there wasn¡¯t a massive uprising, the authorities hardly cared too much. After all, they were just lowly commoners; their deaths were of no consequence. But the Divine Martial Dynasty was different. If a human life was lost, all official departments would thoroughly investigate, and if there were more casualties, even His Majesty in the court might personally inquire. In actions such as those of the Evil Spirit, were it to truly make a move, then the number of deaths would certainly not be limited to one or two. Therefore, Tao Heng naturally hoped to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible. ... The following matters became much simpler. With Tao Heng¡¯s full cooperation, the Heavenly Patrol Guard and people from the Governor Mansion carried out a thorough search of the entire Shenhe County, hoping to find the source of the natural disaster. While both groups conducted their investigations, the Hidden Guard were also discreetly searching in the shadows. Any news at all, would be delivered to Gu Yang¡¯s hands at the first opportunity. Ten days later, as Gu Yang presided over a morning court session, his expression suddenly changed. He saw divine light emanating from the Jade Seal in his hand, and a resolute voice issued forth, ¡°Today, an Evil Spirit causes chaos in Shenhe County, invoking a natural disaster, rendering the lives of the common folk unbearable. The Prefectural Governor of Shenhe County, Tao Heng, petitions Your Majesty to lend the Qi Fortune of one county to vanquish the Evil Spirit!¡± ¡°Granted!¡± Gu Yang uttered a single word. In an instant, the Capital trembled. A vision of the Grade Three Green Lotus emerged in the void, a rolling torrent of Qi Fortune, converging towards Wuzhou. At the same time, above the sky of Wuzhou, a bronze ancient tripod suddenly materialized. At the moment the ancient tripod appeared, Nanyue Mountain, covered in blood, revealed an ecstatic expression. ¡°The Wuzhou Tripod!¡± ¡°The Emperor himself has taken action to suppress the Evil Spirit!¡± Nanyue Mountain would naturally not forget the existence of the Nine Tripods. When the Nine Tripods reflected across the Nine States, eradicating all malevolent spirits, they became deeply ingrained in people¡¯s hearts. Now, the reappearance of one of the Nine Tripods, the Wuzhou Tripod, naturally filled Nanyue Mountain with overwhelming joy. At this moment, he found himself in a vast expanse of crimson land. Many of the Heavenly Patrol Guard and court soldiers lay dead, their Essence Blood drained, their manner of death extremely tragic. Even Nanyue Mountain himself had suffered a severe injury on first encounter. If not for a protective treasure on his person, he would have likely perished on the spot by now. Turning to look at Tao Heng, who was originally a Great Grandmaster, he now harnessed the Qi Fortune of the entire Shenhe County, his Cultivation rising rapidly, and in a mere moment, he shattered the barrier of a Great Grandmaster, stepping directly into the Divine Transformation Realm. Moreover, he broke through to the Fifth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm in one go. As a result, before Nanyue Mountain could indulge in much triumph, he saw Tao Heng, with an overwhelming momentum comparable to the Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Level, severely injure the Evil Spirit with a single palm strike. Just as the Evil Spirit was about to slay Tao Heng, the Nine States Tripod thundered down, wrapped in the force of one county¡¯s Qi Fortune, pressing down upon the Evil Spirit. ¡°Boom!¡± An earth-shattering disturbance erupted. The creature, only two to three feet in length, with a bare body and eyes above its head, resisted the bronze ancient tripod with its greenish-brown arms, releasing an immensely terrifying aura, which swept through the four corners of heaven and earth. This scene, turned both Nanyue Mountain¡¯s and Tao Heng¡¯s faces grim, with even a hint of horror in their eyes. ¡°What in the world is this thing, that even the Wuzhou Tripod cannot suppress it?¡± Nanyue Mountain¡¯s face was filled with disbelief. One of the Nine Tripods, a divine artifact of the nation, carrying the terrifying Qi Fortune of a whole state, could suppress even cultivators above the Seventh Level of the Divine Transformation Realm. However, now the Wuzhou Tripod could do nothing against the Evil Spirit before them. Such strength left Nanyue Mountain profoundly shaken. What was more crucial, as the Evil Spirit struck out with a punch, the Wuzhou Tripod trembled violently, and faint cracks began to appear on its bronze body as if it could shatter at any moment. ¡°Flee!¡± ¡°We cannot overpower this Evil Spirit!¡± Tao Heng immediately made the decision, disregarding the severity of his injuries, he turned tail and ran. Seeing this, Nanyue Mountain also straightforwardly bolted with him. Though the Heavenly Patrol Guard acted on behalf of Heaven to punish evil upon the world and suppress it with all their might, But such matters also depend on the situation. The Evil Spirit that appeared this time was completely beyond my ability to contend with. If I truly had stayed, let alone stopping the Evil Spirit, I feared that I would have become its food at first encounter. One could not ignore. Tao Heng, who utilized the Qi Fortune of Shenhe County to boost his cultivation to rival the Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Level, could not withstand the opponent¡¯s single move. Even the Wuzhou Tripod, as mighty as it was, had been cracked by its one punch. The depths of Nanyue Mountain understood well that such an existence was beyond its ability to oppose. ¡ª¡ª Upon the court assembly. The court officials were silent. Everyone was looking at the Third Rank Green Lotus Illusion until after it disappeared, and then they withdrew their gazes. ¡°Your Majesty, may I ask if the Prefectural Governor of Shenhe County has already suppressed the Evil Spirit?¡± A minister asked with clasped hands. Upon speaking. Gu Yang¡¯s face darkened; he did not reply but directly summoned someone. ¡°Shi Zhen!¡± ¡°Your humble servant is present!¡± Shi Zhen, who had been silent all along, immediately stepped forward. With a wave of Gu Yang¡¯s hand, a black ancient banner appeared, which then fell in front of the other party. ¡°You must take this and go to Wuzhou immediately to suppress the Evil Spirit; you must not fail!¡± ¡°Your servant obeys the command!¡± Shi Zhen did not say much, solemnly took up the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, and then turned around and left. Afterward. Gu Yang looked at the others and said coldly, ¡°The disturbance caused by the Evil Spirit in Shenhe County proves that Evil Spirits are not yet eradicated from the Nine States. Transmit my command, starting today, we shall thoroughly investigate the Nine States to track down all the lurking Evil Spirits. I want all these beings pulled out and eradicated completely!!¡± This time. He was truly enraged. Although Gu Yang was in the court and could not see the situation in Wuzhou, just from the changes in Qi Fortune alone, he had understood that Tao Heng had not suppressed that Evil Spirit. Clearly. The natural disaster in Wuzhou was also related to this Evil Spirit. The previous change in the celestial patterns had already squandered a portion of the Qi Fortune, and this time, Tao Heng, with the aid of the Qi Fortune of Shenhe County, had wasted another portion of the Qi Fortune. Against the same Evil Spirit, squandering the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune twice had once again delayed the step for the Divine Martial Dynasty to ascend to an imperial dynasty. How could Gu Yang not be furious? Moreover¡ª Given that even Tao Heng could not resolve that Evil Spirit, the situation in Shenhe County could only be imagined. Who knew how many more people would die or be injured by the time Shi Zhen reached Shenhe County. Hence. From any perspective. Gu Yang wished he could flay and dismember that Evil Spirit himself. Similarly. This incident in Shenhe County also made Gu Yang realize another problem. If there could be an Evil Spirit lurking in Wuzhou, then other places might also have hidden Evil Spirits. If that was the case. Gu Yang naturally intended to root out all these Evil Spirits. Otherwise. If the events in Wuzhou were to repeat, that was something Gu Yang could never accept. The hundreds of officials in the court no longer dared to speak much, all bending down to accept Gu Yang¡¯s command. ¡°Dismiss the court!¡± Gu Yang stood up and strode away elegantly. Seeing this, the other officials also all bent down and withdrew. However. Though the court assembly had dispersed, the expressions on everyone¡¯s faces were somewhat gloomy. The reappearance of the long-absent Evil Spirit reminded some of them of unpleasant memories. One minister sighed, ¡°With the reemergence of the Evil Spirit in Wuzhou, who knows how long stability will last in this world!¡± ¡°Lord Chen, be cautious with your words!¡± Upon hearing this, someone¡¯s face changed instantly, and he immediately hushed the speaker in a low voice. The other, as if realizing the gravity, turned quite pale and dared not speak recklessly again. At this time. Another person said, ¡°A mere Evil Spirit cannot overturn the heavens. Gentlemen, let us not forget that our Divine Martial Dynasty still has the Supreme Emperor.¡± ¡°If that Evil Spirit truly brings disaster upon the world, the Supreme Emperor would surely take action personally. At that time, dealing with a single Evil Spirit would surely be an easy matter.¡± Upon hearing this, the expressions of the others also became clear. Right! They had almost forgotten¡ªthe greatest foundation of the court nowadays was the Supreme Emperor. As long as he remained, the sky of the Divine Martial Dynasty was destined not to fall. It was just the sudden news of the Evil Spirit that had confused some of them, hence why they hadn¡¯t thought of this. Chapter 374: 265 Great Saints Divine Power Chapter 374: Chapter 265 Great Saint¡¯s Divine Power ¡°Your descendant, Gu Yang, learned that the natural disaster in Wuzhou was caused by an Evil Spirit and thus used one of the Nine Tripods, the Wuzhou Tripod, in an attempt to suppress the Evil Spirit, but ultimately failed!¡± ¡°Enraged by the failure to suppress the Evil Spirit, your descendant, Gu Yang, ordered Shi Zhen to head to Wuzhou to quell the unrest!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xuan, secluded himself for deep cultivation, and his cultivation subtly progressed!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xuan, received guidance from a powerful being from the Taixu Sacred Land, and his strength improved!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xuan, successfully cultivated the first layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xiu, ventured deep into the Ancient Secret Realm, gained an immense opportunity, and broke through to the third level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xiu, broke through to the fourth level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xiu, broke through to the fifth level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xiu, seized the opportunity from numerous Demons, which infuriated the Demon faction, prompting them to send a large number of Demons to hunt him down vigorously!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xiu, took attacks from Demons *236512!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xiu, took attacks from Demons *296816!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xiu, was gravely injured in an attack by a Demon of the Dao Palace Realm, but fortunately, the Undying Divine Body functioned, allowing him to escape!¡± ¡°Your descendant, Gu Xiu, grew stronger after overcoming adversity!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ... Gu Qingfeng habitually glanced at the information panel, then at his own attribute panel ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 57/6000 Realm: Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfection), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Lei Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Grandmaster Second Level), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered), Nine Heavens Scripture (Grandmaster Fourth Level) Upgrade Points: 2232 ... This year, he was fifty-seven. It had been several months since his last emergence from seclusion. Over these months, Gu Qingfeng spent most of his time cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture and successfully made breakthroughs in these martial arts, reaching the Grandmaster Fourth Level. Meanwhile, his upgrade points had accumulated to over two thousand. ¡°It seems that entering the Demon Realm indeed presents a profound opportunity, as Gu Xiu¡¯s cultivation now completely surpasses that of Gu Yang and Gu Xuan!¡± Gu Yang is at the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm, while Gu Xuan is at the second. Both are far behind Gu Xiu, who is at the fifth level of the Divine Transformation Realm. However, though Gu Xiu¡¯s cultivation increased rapidly, the frequency of attacks by Demons he faced shows how perilous it was. If not for the Undying Divine Body and the help of the Great Saint¡¯s Remnant Soul, an ordinary person would likely have been annihilated long ago. Just then, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression shifted as he saw the information panel refresh again. ... ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ no longer suppresses his cultivation and has successfully broken through to the second level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *700!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Blood Pills *100!¡± ¡°Reward Nourishing God Pills *100!¡± ¡°Reward Perfect Level Great Saint Divine Power ¡®Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder¡¯!¡± ... ¡°Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder!!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression changed; he hadn¡¯t expected Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough to result in such a huge windfall. You see, only through Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough could additional rewards be triggered. Yet, the chance of triggering such rewards is abysmally low. The likelihood of triggering such a chance with small realm breakthroughs is unimaginable, only with major realm breakthroughs does this probability slightly increase. But now, Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough to the second level of the Divine Transformation Realm directly triggered a Perfect-level Great Saint Divine Power, a feat indicating the improbability of it happening. Suppose, such an ultimate skill were to be replaced with a Great Saint Skill, Gu Qingfeng believed, he could step directly into the Great Saint Realm. However¡ª Even so, Gu Qingfeng felt no regret. With a thought, a Jade Scroll appeared before him. The moment the Jade Scroll appeared, Gu Qingfeng clenched his palm, and the scroll shattered, a purple divine light bursting forth and directly entering his frontal center. Following, a flood of memories surged forth. Every detail of the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder filled Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. It felt as if he had cultivated the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder for a thousand years, mastering this Great Saint-level Divine Power to a pinnacle. After a long while, Gu Qingfeng finally digested this influx of memories. ¡°Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder... Truly a Great Saint-level Divine Power, indeed mighty beyond measure!¡± Such ultimate skills! Essentially, they are just simplified versions of Divine Powers. Beyond these skills, Divine Powers are not merely about variations in moves but also manipulation of personal or worldly forces. Thus, such methods can indeed be termed Divine Powers. Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder. It is a top-tier Great Saint Divine Power. Arguably no weaker than the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill he obtained earlier. What¡¯s more crucial is that Gu Qingfeng has yet to enter the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill, yet he has refined Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder to a state of Perfection in one go. A Perfect-level Great Saint Divine Power made his strength immensely more formidable. After all, prior to this. Gu Qingfeng had only possessed one Saint-level Divine Power, the Ancient Heavenly Blade. The Ancient Heavenly Blade is indeed impressive, but it pales in comparison to the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder. ¡°With this Divine Power at hand, should I face Great Saint Xuan Yu again, it would indeed be much easier to slay him!¡± Gu Qingfeng was extremely pleased; no one would complain about having too many methods at their disposal. Chapter 375: 265 Great Saints Divine Power_2 Chapter 375: Chapter 265 Great Saint¡¯s Divine Power_2 Thus, Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder had given him yet another powerful trump card. Then, it was about the Upgrade Points. With Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough this time, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Upgrade Points finally reached the significant threshold of two thousand nine hundred, only a single step away from three thousand. ¡°Each level of breakthrough in the Divine Transformation Realm requires two hundred Upgrade Points!¡± ¡°Each level up in the Taoist Palace Realm requires five hundred Upgrade Points!¡± ¡°To cultivate the Nine Heavens Scripture to the limit of the Dao Palace Chapter, at least seven thousand Upgrade Points are needed, but with the current pace, I believe it won¡¯t take much longer!¡± Gu Qingfeng understood that the longer the time passed, the more frequently he would be able to receive Upgrade Points. After all, once the second generation of the Gu Family grew up, established families and produced the third and even the fourth generations, the subsequent benefits were imaginable. And this, only required time. Even if the higher a cultivator¡¯s level, the lower the probability of leaving offspring, the problem is, they live long enough! A Great Grandmaster could live for four thousand years, and those in the Divine Transformation Realm could even live for five thousand years. Even if the probability is low, over thousands of years, they would still be able to leave some descendants. Thus, Gu Qingfeng was not particularly in a hurry. Afterward, he came out of seclusion. Following his seclusion, Gu Qingfeng summoned Gu Peng. ¡°Subordinate pays respects to the manor master!¡± Gu Peng greeted with a respectful expression. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze fell upon him, and naturally, he could see that Gu Peng had broken through the limits of the Great Grandmaster and stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm. ¡°Not bad, you¡¯ve already broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm so quickly!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. The Divine Transformation Realm wasn¡¯t much in the Ancient Desolate World, but in the territory of the Nine States, the local cultivators who managed to break through to this realm were extremely few in number. With a humble face, Gu Peng said, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the manor master granting me the opportunity, how would I have had the chance to make a breakthrough!¡± ¡°I have been in seclusion for a while, has anything happened in the Nine States?¡± Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t elaborate on the cultivation matter but changed the topic. Hearing this, Gu Peng¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he reported truthfully, ¡°A while ago, Wuzhou experienced a drought. The commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard from Nanyue Mountain was personally ordered to investigate in Wuzhou and discovered the source of this drought was caused by an Evil Spirit. However, it¡¯s rumored that the Evil Spirit¡¯s power is extremely terrifying, causing heavy losses to the Heavenly Patrol Guard, with even the commander from Nanyue Mountain suffering severe injuries at the hands of the Evil Spirit.¡± ¡°Later, this news reached the court, and Your Majesty was enraged, commanding Shi Zhen to take a treasured artifact to Wuzhou in the hopes of suppressing the Evil Spirit.¡± ¡°Unfortunately, the battle did not go well, and currently, both sides are at a stalemate with no significant news coming out!¡± Gu Peng directly reported the most significant occurrence during this period. ¡°Evil Spirit!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought of the information he saw earlier; an Evil Spirit appearing in Wuzhou wasn¡¯t unexpected. However, the treasured artifact mentioned by Shi Zhen piqued his curiosity. ¡°What is this treasured artifact you speak of?¡± ¡°The Ten Thousand Soul Banner!¡± Gu Peng stated gravely. The Ten Thousand Soul Banner! Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression shifted. If even deploying the Ten Thousand Soul Banner couldn¡¯t suppress that Evil Spirit, that really was something to ponder over. After all, Gu Qingfeng knew all too well the might of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. With its birth of strange beings, as long as it wasn¡¯t a Saint taking action, there was basically no big problem. But now, even the Ten Thousand Soul Banner couldn¡¯t handle an Evil Spirit. In other words, the strength of this Evil Spirit was at least at the Half-Saint stage, or perhaps even stepping into the Saint Level. ¡°At least a Half-Saint Realm Evil Spirit, this is indeed quite extraordinary!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes shimmered with a sharp gleam. This should be the strongest Evil Spirit to emerge thus far. Subsequently, Gu Qingfeng let Gu Peng leave. Although the Evil Spirit in Wuzhou was powerful, Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t eager to take action. After all, he had already come out of seclusion, and if Gu Yang really needed him to take action, the other party would send someone to request his help. On the contrary, Gu Qingfeng was also happy to have some leisure time. However, on the second day after Gu Qingfeng had emerged from seclusion, Gu Yang changed into casual clothes and came over. ¡°Father!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve arrived.¡± Gu Qingfeng picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and relaxed. Gu Yang gave a wry smile, ¡°Father seems relaxed, but your son is now quite troubled. The Evil Spirit in Wuzhou still requires father¡¯s personal intervention!¡± Gu Yang somewhat helplessly understood Gu Qingfeng¡¯s leisure. He also wanted to rely on his own power to resolve the Evil Spirit in Wuzhou. But the problem was, the Evil Spirit in Wuzhou was too strong. So strong that it caught Gu Yang by surprise. As soon as he knew that Gu Qingfeng had come out of seclusion, Gu Yang had come over immediately. ¡°The Ten Thousand Soul Banner I gave you is rarely matched by anyone other than a Saint. Is that Evil Spirit truly strong enough to reach such a level?¡± Gu Qingfeng was also somewhat curious. Gu Yang nodded, ¡°The power of that Evil Spirit is something I¡¯ve never seen before; the Evil Buddha on Nine Curves Road is nothing compared to it.¡± ¡°Moreover, this Evil Spirit seems to possess some kind of strange power, causing drought and barrenness wherever it goes, which is why the natural disaster started in Wuzhou.¡± ¡°A few days ago, Shi Zhen sent word that the Evil Spirit seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough. If we allow it to succeed, I¡¯m afraid all of Wuzhou will be in catastrophe!¡± ¡°Now in the entire Divine Martial Dynasty, apart from you, father, I can¡¯t think of anyone else who can solve this problem!¡± Gu Yang was, indeed, extremely wary of the Evil Spirit in Wuzhou. Shi Zhen could barely suppress the opponent with the power of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, but once the Evil Spirit breaks through and transforms, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner will most likely be unable to suppress it. By that time, it goes without saying how much danger a Saint-level Evil Spirit would bring. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I shall make a trip to Wuzhou!¡± ¡°I too want to see what kind of Evil Spirit possesses such capabilities.¡± Gu Qingfeng finished his tea in one gulp, and his figure then disappeared from the spot. Watching Gu Qingfeng leave, Gu Yang felt a sense of relief in his heart. With Gu Qingfeng taking action, the Evil Spirit in Wuzhou would surely be no problem. After all, however powerful the Evil Spirit¡¯s strength might be, Gu Yang firmly believed that it couldn¡¯t possibly be a match for Gu Qingfeng. Unless, it was an Evil Spirit at the level of the Great Saint Realm. But the thing is, if it were truly an Evil Spirit of the Great Saint Realm, not to mention Shenhe County, even Wuzhou and the other States by now would probably have been turned into hell. So, although the Evil Spirit of Shenhe County was strong, its strength was also limited. With Gu Qingfeng taking action, there surely wouldn¡¯t be any problems. However, although Gu Yang felt relieved, his expression remained grave. Although the issue with the Evil Spirit in Wuzhou could be resolved, there are plenty of hidden dangers lurking unseen throughout the Nine States. The appearance of the Evil Spirit was in itself filled with oddity. Now, if a Saint-level Evil Spirit could appear in Shenhe County, who could guarantee that an even more powerful Evil Spirit wouldn¡¯t be born in the future. ¡°The problem of the Evil Spirit must be solved at its roots; otherwise, it will always be an insurmountable hidden danger!¡± Gu Yang muttered to himself. He used to think that the appearance of Evil Spirits was somewhat similar to oddities, arising due to successive natural disasters and the severe casualties of the populace, with all kinds of grievances converging to form the Evil Spirit. But now, with the Nine States enjoying good weather and smooth sailing, such a theory obviously doesn¡¯t hold up. Besides, there are fundamental differences between Evil Spirits and oddities. Such beings have undoubtedly mysterious origins. ¡ª In Wuzhou, In Shenhe County, black fog covered the sky and the sun, swallowing a radius of a hundred miles, and beyond the black fog, thirty-six thousand soldiers of the Heavenly Gang Army were stationed here. The temperature around was much higher than in other places, with many soldiers sweating profusely, yet before the sweat could fall, it would be evaporated by the scorching heat. It was only because the Heavenly Gang Army was extraordinary, having received an abundance of resources from the court for their cultivation, that every soldier, being at least in the Refining Organ Realm, could barely withstand such temperatures. Otherwise, ordinary soldiers would certainly not survive. Chapter 376 266 Drought "General, the power of the Evil Spirit is growing stronger; can the Ten Thousand Soul Banner really suppress it?" A deputy general of the Heavenly Gang Army looked at the black fog in front of him, his face filled with worry. Although the black fog obscured the sun and hid the scenery within, the rising temperature gave away that the Evil Spirit inside was gradually growing stronger. At this rate, the power of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner was at risk of being broken at any moment. Hearing this, Shi Zhen also furrowed his brows tightly. "Have everyone prepare, and the moment the Evil Spirit breaks through the suppression of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, we must act immediately¡ªwe cannot allow the Evil Spirit to escape and wreak havoc on the people!" He declared resolutely, his gaze also fierce. How could the grand Divine Martial Dynasty let an Evil Spirit cause chaos? Now that peace in the Nine States had come so arduously, Shi Zhen would naturally not allow the Evil Spirit to disrupt it. Even if it meant death. He would block the Evil Spirit here. Of course. Shi Zhen was also aware. Given the terrifying power of this Evil Spirit, even the entire Heavenly Gang Army working together would hardly be its match. Don''t look at the current strength of the Heavenly Gang Army having greatly increased, with the weakest of its 36,000 men in the Refining Organ Realm, and the strongest having stepped into the levels of Master and Great Grandmaster. If they formed a grand array, coordinating with Shi Zhen who had stepped into the First Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, even a practitioner at the Sixth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm could be suppressed. However. The Evil Spirit of Shenhe County was no ordinary Divine Transformation Realm practitioner. Even practitioners of the Daoist Palace Realm would find it challenging to face this Evil Spirit. But. Shi Zhen also understood. He had no retreat. As the saying goes, "An army nurtured over a thousand days is used in the moment of crisis," and at such critical times, the Heavenly Gang Army could not retreat. Just then. The black fog suddenly shook. Terrifying heat waves swept and erupted, causing the black fog to gradually evaporate and dissipate, and the grotesque cries of agony within were also heard. Many strange beings instantly hid into the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, and all the black fog also dissipated. "The Evil Spirit is coming out!!" Shi Zhen''s face looked terrible, as he immediately ordered someone to blow the war horn. All the soldiers stationed in the camp gathered at the fastest speed. At this moment. The black fog cleared. The earth was seen dry and cracked. The Evil Spirit stood on the earth, the horrifically hot temperature causing space to distort and vanish as if it was being wholly incinerated. An overwhelming might came flooding over, causing everyone''s faces to change. "The Evil Spirit is born!" "Heavenly Gang Army, follow my command, prepare for a death battle!" Shi Zhen stepped into the air, and the might of the Divine Transformation Realm spread out, the Heavenly Gang Army preparing to fight to the death. "To the death!" "To the death!!" Boom¡ª The grand army assembled, an army formation quickly forming, with a tremendous amount of power converging on Shi Zhen, granting him a strength comparable to the Fourth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm or beyond. However. Such power was still insignificant in the face of the Evil Spirit. The latter''s eyes showed a human-like mockery, and a hoarse voice slowly transmitted. "Ants..." "also dare to contend with me!!" As the voice fell. The Evil Spirit slowly walked toward the Heavenly Gang Army, each step burning a fiery footprint onto the ground, an overwhelming might flooding like a tidal wave. "Hmph!" Shi Zhen grunted, his whole body''s blood stalling somewhat, his gaze towards the approaching Evil Spirit filled with horror. He knew the Evil Spirit was strong, but now, truly facing it directly, he could understand just how vast the gap between them was. Meanwhile. The Evil Spirit''s articulation of human language also struck Shi Zhen as extraordinary. After all, he had encountered many Evil Spirits, but most only knew slaughtering, and those that developed intelligence were extremely rare. But without exception. Such Evil Spirits were terribly fearsome. In the last years of the former dynasty, these intelligent Evil Spirits often slaughtered a city or even more, triggering massive catastrophes. Now. This Evil Spirit was apparently the same. "Fight!" Seeing the Evil Spirit approaching, Shi Zhen was the first to strike, his long sword at his waist unsheathed, the vigorous and cold Blade Qi slicing through the void, powerful force grand and mighty. However, this Evil Spirit completely ignored such an attack, not even bothering to defend, and when the Blade Qi came close, it abruptly dissipated. This scene. Made Shi Zhen''s face turn even more embarrassed. He had used all his power in that strike, yet it hadn''t even broken through the Evil Spirit''s defense, and the disparity between the two was despairingly vast. "Die!" The Evil Spirit''s voice was hoarse, and its cyan-brown palm extended, a terrible heat wave transforming into a horrifying ghost hand, pressing down on the Heavenly Gang Army. Boom¡ª The space shattered inch by inch, a terrifying oppression descending, causing everyone to show expressions of despair. Shi Zhen wanted to resist desperately, but in the face of this strike''s power, he found it much more difficult even to move. Watching the falling colossal ghost hand, Shi Zhen''s eyes also revealed unwillingness and despair. Just when he thought he was about to perish, suddenly, a blue figure broke through the void, and with a casual flick of the sleeve, the ghost hand abruptly dispersed. "Supreme Emperor!!!" Shi Zhen''s face showed an ecstatic expression, and his heart surged with the relief of having survived a catastrophe. He hadn''t expected Gu Qingfeng to appear at this moment. But. Shi Zhen was clear. Since Gu Qingfeng had appeared, this Evil Spirit couldn''t turn the tables. "You first lead the people to retreat, I will handle the rest." Gu Qingfeng waved his hand. Hearing this, Shi Zhen didn''t dare say more, and promptly led the Heavenly Gang Army to retreat several miles. Chapter 377: 266 Drought_2 Chapter 377: Chapter 266 Drought_2 As the Heavenly Gang Army withdrew, Gu Qingfeng also gazed at the Evil Spirit before him. Bare-chested! Standing two to three feet tall! Its eyes longer than the top of its head... These distinctive features all felt exceedingly familiar to Gu Qingfeng, and involuntarily, a corresponding name surfaced in his mind. ¡°Drought!¡± The characteristics of the Evil Spirit before him were exactly the same as those of the Drought he had known about in his past life. ¡°It is said that when the Drought appears, it scorches thousands of miles of land to ruin, and now it seems this saying is indeed no lie!¡± Thinking this, Gu Qingfeng immediately spoke out. ¡°From whence do you come? Should you tell me, I might spare your life.¡± ¡°Life... blood food... swallowing you, I will become stronger¡ª¡± The voice of Drought was hoarse, showing no intention of conversing with Gu Qingfeng; a bloodthirsty gleam shone in its crimson eyes, and in the next instant, it disappeared from the spot. As soon as it made a move, a deluge of scalding heatwaves engulfed everything around it. Such a terrifying temperature was enough to instantly vaporize rivers and seas. Yet, faced with the power of Drought, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°Utterly stubborn!¡± ¡°It just so happens, I¡¯ll try out the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder I¡¯ve just acquired on you!¡± Gu Qingfeng formed a Seal Skill with his right hand, and suddenly there was a loud rumble from the sky, followed by purple Divine Thunders slicing through the heavens and earth, shining like chaotic silver dances reflecting the void. Such a fearsome power struck fiercely down, landing directly on the body of Drought. In an instant, Drought emitted a piercing wail, and the sky filled with Divine Thunders seemed to evolve into an ocean of Thunder, leaving no trace of its previous form visible. Such a scene, just so happened to be witnessed by Shi Zhen and the others; when they saw the figure in azure summoning the Thunder with a wave of his hand and transforming it into a sea of Thunder, awe appeared in their eyes. Immediately, that awe turned into reverence. ¡°Such is the might of the Supreme Emperor!¡± ¡°Summoning Thunder with a gesture, truly as if an Immortal descended upon the world!¡± Everyone wore an expression of reverence, admiring such power greatly. Even though they were not the targets of the Thunder¡¯s attack, they still felt the terrifying nature of this Thunder just from the radiating force. After a long while, the Thunder gradually dissipated. When Shi Zhen and the others got a clear view of the scene inside, their pupils suddenly constricted. ¡°Hisss!¡± They saw a charred deep pit on the ground where the once unrivalled Drought now lay, its skin cracked and blackened, blood flowing profusely, severely injured and on the brink of death. Elsewhere, Gu Qingfeng took a step out and descended into the deep pit, looking at the Drought before him, and directly started a Soul Search. He wanted to see precisely where this Evil Spirit came from. A torrent of foreign and fragmented memories began to emerge in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. ... After a while, Gu Qingfeng looked at the Drought before him and once again summoned the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder; purple Thunderbolts struck down, reducing the Evil Spirit to ashes in an instant. Following that, he stepped forward, directly soaring away through the sky. Moments later, Gu Qingfeng appeared in a valley. The temperature of this valley was extremely high, and the surroundings were scorched. As Gu Qingfeng ventured deeper into the valley, he could see that the temperature here had reached an alarming level. A dark red river appeared in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s field of vision. ¡°Lava!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the river of lava before him¡ªin the memories of Drought, it had emerged from this place. In the memories of Drought, it had no idea how long it had been buried in the lava but then happened upon a drop of peculiar blood serendipitously, which enabled it to develop Spiritual Wisdom and turn into an Evil Spirit. That drop of blood, was of the same origin as the blood Gu Qingfeng had obtained by slaying the Nine Curves Evil Buddha. However, the difference was, the drop of blood that created Drought was much more powerful than that found in the Nine Curves Evil Buddha. After obtaining the peculiar blood, Drought had been lurking in the depths of the lava, quietly refining the power of the blood until its Cultivation reached a certain bottleneck, after which it had no choice but to come into the world. And then, came the memories of Drought slaughtering the populace of Shenhe County, nourishing its own body with the blood and flesh of living beings, evolving to a higher realm. The Drought that had initially emerged seemed to be at the pinnacle of the Semi-Saint level in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes, and through this breakthrough and transformation, it could well have truly stepped into the ranks of the Saints. This subtly illustrates, why the Ten Thousand Soul Banner couldn¡¯t suppress the other. ¡°End of Dharma Era, difficult to become a saint!¡± ¡°Yet the Drought could step into the Saint Realm, which shows that the Heaven and Earth End Times don¡¯t hold much effect on Evil Spirits!¡± ¡°Furthermore¡ªthe Drought¡¯s corpse was preserved in the magma for many years, indicating that it must have been a cultivator of no small strength before death. If it had been an ordinary human body, there¡¯s no way it could have been preserved in the magma!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind raced with many thoughts, and finally, his contemplation rested on that drop of mysterious blood. It was this blood that turned the Drought strange, all related to that single drop of mysterious blood. ¡°The Nine Curves Evil Buddha!¡± ¡°The Evil Spirits of Blood Mountain Mansion!¡± ¡°And now this Drought... it seems they became strange because of external influences!¡± ¡°Could it then be possible that so-called Evil Spirits are bred from being influenced by mysterious forces?¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression grew solemn, as he thought of the scenes he witnessed before, surmising that the Nine Heavens Buddha was very likely the root of birthing Evil Spirits. At this thought, Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath. ¡°If that¡¯s really the case, what kind of existence would that be!¡± Not to mention other Evil Spirits, the Drought refining that drop of blood alone qualified it to stand alongside the Saint Realm. A single drop of blood, created an Evil Spirit Saint. If such a being was alive, Gu Qingfeng could hardly imagine what realm would be needed to achieve this. Even with his current cultivation and foundation, a drop of blood would at best allow a Great Grandmaster at his peak to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm. Furthermore, it wasn¡¯t even a guaranteed success. To observe a single drop of mysterious blood creating an Evil Spirit Saint, the gap between the two was immeasurable. If the Nine Heavens Buddha were to be reborn, Gu Qingfeng understood he would stand no chance against it. However, based on the information currently obtained, it¡¯s very possible that the Nine Heavens Buddha had already perished. But that raises another question, what kind of terrifying existence could slay such a fearsome being. ¡°The waters of the Nine States!¡± ¡°Deeper than I had imagined!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression fluctuated as he stared at the magma before him, his figure remaining motionless for a long time. After a while, Gu Qingfeng suppressed the whirlpool of thoughts in his mind, his Divine Thought descending into the magma to search carefully, hoping to find traces of that mysterious blood. But unfortunately, no matter how Gu Qingfeng probed with his Divine Thought, he found no clues at all. Seeing this, he gave up on pursuing the matter further. ¡°Besides, if mysterious blood still existed here, the Drought wouldn¡¯t need to force its emergence¡ªit could simply refine more mysterious blood and break through directly!¡± Gu Qingfeng took one last deep look at the scene, then turned and left. Mysterious blood! Drought! The events that transpired in Shenhe County were now etched into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. Originally, Gu Qingfeng thought his power was already strong. But now, he realized it was still far from enough. Dealing with an Evil Spirit like the Drought was nothing to be concerned about in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. However, if he were to face the Nine Heavens Buddha or the terrifying existence that slew the Buddha, it would be completely inadequate. Even with his own ascension to the Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng supposed, it would still fall short. Therefore, after leaving the valley, Gu Qingfeng returned straight to Gu Family Manor and began secluded cultivation. This time, he had made a decision. Unless he broke through to the Saint Realm, he would not leave seclusion. Meanwhile, during Gu Qingfeng¡¯s seclusion, the news of the Evil Spirit in Shenhe County being slain also reached the court. Instantly, the oppressive atmosphere that had filled the court dissipated. Even Gu Yang¡¯s face bore a few more smiles. Chapter 378: 267: Tremendous Increase in Strength Chapter 378: Chapter 267: Tremendous Increase in Strength ¡°¡±¡± Since the emergence of the Drought Demon. Gu Yang ordered a thorough investigation throughout the Nine States. For a time, the Nine States were shaken. Some of the evil spirits that had been hiding were all pulled out. These evil spirits, capable of evading suppression by the Nine Tripods, were at the weakest in the Dao Palace Realm, but under the suppression of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, these so-called Dao Palace Realm spirits could hardly stir up any trouble. Over three years, the Nine States were revitalized. And during these years, Gu Qingfeng had been in full retreat, cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture. The first year, Gu Qingfeng brought the Nine Heavens Scripture to perfection in the Grandmaster Chapter. In the following two years, he focused entirely on breaking through to the Divine Transformation Chapter. Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, a figure sat cross-legged, with terrifying vital blood power stirring and visions appearing behind him, causing all divine weapons to tremble slightly. After a long time, a sound resembling the surging of rivers could be heard. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes and then let out a breath of foul air. ¡°Phew!¡± ¡°Divine Transformation Realm achieved!¡± Three years had passed, and only then did the Nine Heavens Scripture truly break through to the Divine Transformation Realm. It was evident how difficult it was to cultivate this Saint King-level cultivation technique. Nevertheless, despite this, breaking through to the Divine Transformation Realm in three years was considered an extremely astounding speed. Afterward, Gu Qingfeng glanced at the information panel. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has ordered a comprehensive investigation of the evil spirits in the Nine States, purging the world!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has secluded himself for intensive cultivation, and his cultivation has broken through to the Third Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*700!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Blood Pills*100!¡± ¡°Reward Nourishing God Pills*100!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ received guidance from a powerhouse in Taixu Sacred Land, which greatly improved his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ broke through to the Third Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*300!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ went out for trials, and with his Third Level Divine Transformation Realm cultivation, he reversed and defeated a Seventh Level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, gaining immense fame!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ impressed Taixu Sacred Land and became the Saint Heir of the Ninth Peak!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ became one of the Taixu Nine Sons, creating a tremendous reputation in the Eastern Domain!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by demons*369614!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by demons*456321!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by a Dao Palace Realm demon, suffering severe injuries!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was broken and then stood, and his cultivation improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ consumed and refined a large number of Demon Cores, and his cultivation broke through to the Sixth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*300!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ accidentally stumbled upon an opportunity and consumed an Ancient Elixir, which greatly enhanced his cultivation, breaking through to the Fourth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*700!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Blood Pills*100!¡± ¡°Reward Nourishing God Pills*100!¡± ¡°Reward Perfect Level ¡®Array Dao True Understanding¡¯!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ made a breakthrough in the fight for life and death, and his cultivation broke through to the Seventh Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*300!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ reversed and killed a Dao Palace Realm demon, causing a great shock to the demon forces, prompting many powerful demons to come out to encircle and suppress him!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by demons*663521!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by demons*753212!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been attacked by demons*543622!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was critically injured and on the brink of death, but he managed to escape forcefully using the power of the Undying Divine Body!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ ventured into the Forbidden Zone of Life, hanging on by a thread!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has been cursed by the Forbidden Zone of Life, losing a great deal of vitality!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has broken through to the Late Stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*50!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has been granted a marriage by Gu Yang and will be wedded to the daughter of Marquis Anren in half a year!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has broken through to the peak of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*30!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ has broken through to the First Level of the Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*80!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ went out on adventures, and unexpectedly developed feelings for the daughter of a certain sect¡¯s master; the two secretly engaged themselves for life. This news reached Gu Yang¡¯s ears, who was furious.¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ pleaded bitterly, and Gu Yang, seeing his intentions, couldn¡¯t bear it and finally agreed to their marriage!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengqing¡¯ began to officially cultivate Martial Arts, receiving guidance from a famous teacher, and his cultivation advanced rapidly!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengqing¡¯ broke through to the Late Stage of the Blood Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*20!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxi¡¯...¡± ... Three years have passed, and the information panel was filled with densely packed text. Overall, the power of the Gu Family lineage had made rapid leaps and bounds. First and foremost, Gu Yang had already been at the Second Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, and had broken through to the Fourth Level directly. Other members of the Gu Family had also made varying degrees of breakthroughs. Among them, Gu Xiu¡¯s progress was the most astonishing. He had now directly stepped into the Fourth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm. In the Divine Transformation Realm, every three levels constitute a phase. Gu Yang broke through to the Seventh Level, which signified entering the third phase, a feat much more difficult than any breakthrough below the Sixth Level. As is evident, such as Gu Xuan, who possessed an incomplete Divine Body, halted at the Third Level of the Divine Transformation Realm. Gu Yang, who commanded a royal dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune and many resources, only managed to enter the Fourth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm. By comparison, Gu Xiu¡¯s breakthrough to the Seventh Level of the Divine Transformation Realm was even more remarkable. However¡ª Upon seeing Gu Xiu¡¯s current predicament, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes suddenly turned cold. ¡°The Forbidden Zone of Life!¡± ¡°Even with the protection of a Great Saint¡¯s Remnant Soul, there¡¯s no guarantee of a safe passage from such a place!¡± Gu Qingfeng was naturally familiar with the existence of the Forbidden Zone of Life. The Forbidden Zone of Life. ¡°¡±¡± Chapter 379 267: Sudden Increase in Strength_2 It was known as Emperor Fallen Land. Back when the Great Emperor perished and transformed, the dispersal of his ultimate power transformed a void into a forbidden zone, spawning all sorts of strangeness. Any cultivator who set foot in this forbidden zone of life rarely made it out alive. Even if some did manage to survive, they would carry the curse of the forbidden zone on their bodies and ultimately meet a tragic end. Now, as Gu Xiu stepped into the forbidden zone of life, the danger was far more complex than merely being besieged by demons. Suddenly, a murderous intent surfaced in Gu Qingfeng''s heart. "Demon Realm!" "If my son truly perishes in the forbidden zone, I swear I will make you all accompany him in death!" Gu Qingfeng''s eyes were cold, and afterward, he turned his attention to the Array Dao True Understanding that was granted by Gu Yang''s breakthrough. He took out a jade talisman, and immediately a golden light entered his mind. In an instant, a huge quantity of memories concerning arrays began to emerge in Gu Qingfeng''s mind. The content recorded in the Array Dao True Understanding ranged from the very basics to the most advanced, making Gu Qingfeng feel as if he had studied arrays for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. In an instant, he had gone from knowing absolutely nothing about arrays to becoming a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master. "Sixth Rank Array Dao Master!" "Capable of trapping and killing a Saint with an array!" A glint flashed in Gu Qingfeng''s eyes, and he was inwardly shocked by the profound mysteries of the Array Dao True Understanding. Before he had any real experience with arrays, Gu Qingfeng did not have much understanding of the Array Dao Path. Now that he had become a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master, Gu Qingfeng realized that there was truly something valuable in the study of arrays. For instance, a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master, given sufficient materials and resources, could lay out a top-tier grand array that even Saints could potentially perish within. This, is the power of a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master. And according to the record in the Array Dao True Understanding, if one could reach the Tenth Rank as an Array Dao Master, they could even stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those in the Emperor Realm. However, Gu Qingfeng understood that it was currently impossible for him to reach the Tenth Rank as an Array Dao Master. But still¡ª A Sixth Rank Array Dao Master would suffice for now. "The Ancient Arrays in the Southern Domain have been shattered, and I heard that it requires at least a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master to have a chance of restoring such arrays. Now that I''ve acquired the Array Dao True Understanding, it seems I must make a trip to the Demon Realm after all!" Learning that Gu Xiu had fallen into the forbidden zone of life, Gu Qingfeng clearly could not stand idly by. Previously, Gu Qingfeng had no way to enter the Demon Realm, so he could only watch helplessly. But now, things were different. Having transformed into a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master, there were some things Gu Qingfeng had to try. Then, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel once more. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 60/6000 Realm: Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfect), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Li Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Grandmaster Second Level), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered), Nine Heavens Scripture (Divine Transformation Chapter First Level), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfect) Upgrade Points: 5752 ... "Five thousand seven hundred upgrade points, it seems it''s still not quite enough!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression shifted subtly, temporarily setting aside the idea of enhancing the Nine Heavens Scripture. Under normal circumstances, had he converted all of his cultivation into the Nine Heavens Scripture, Gu Qingfeng naturally could have already advanced the Nine Heavens Scripture to the complete level of the Taoist Palace Realm. After all, with cultivation as support, changing the cultivation technique wasn''t too difficult. But now, Gu Qingfeng''s cultivation of the Nine Heavens Scripture wasn''t simply a matter of converting the original Divine Sun Scripture''s cultivation entirely into the Nine Heavens Scripture. Instead, he retained the power of the Divine Sun Scripture and started cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture from scratch. In doing so, the cultivation of the Nine Heavens Scripture naturally slowed down considerably. However, likewise, if the Nine Heavens Scripture also reached the Ninth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm, then Gu Qingfeng would essentially possess the power of two Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer cultivation techniques. At that time, his strength would become even more formidable. Like now, Gu Qingfeng, being at the Half-Saint Realm stage, could already rival a Great Saint Realm powerhouse, partly because he had accumulated many cultivation techniques, making his foundation much more robust than ordinary people. Of course, the biggest reason for this was due to the Ancient Immortal Body and the Heavenly Vein Scripture. Otherwise, Gu Qingfeng, when compared with a Great Saint Realm powerhouse, would still have a considerable gap. No choice. Although Gu Qingfeng was endowed with numerous cultivation techniques, strictly speaking, the ranks of the cultivation techniques he had accumulated were not too high, and the effectiveness that could be truly exerted was naturally somewhat lacking. At that moment. Gu Qingfeng''s expression suddenly shifted. He saw new text appearing on the attribute panel. ... "Your scion ''Gu Yang'' has experienced a sudden enlightenment, his cultivation has soared, and he has broken through to the fifth level of the Divine Transformation Realm!" "Reward Upgrade Points*700!" "Reward Divine Blood Pill*100!" "Reward Nourishing God Pill*100!" "Reward Perfect Level Dao Palace Realm Cultivation Technique ''Beidou Dao Scripture''!" ... "Yang''er has broken through again?" Gu Qingfeng read the information on the panel and felt incredulous. After all, the probability of triggering additional rewards was already low, and now Gu Yang had triggered multiple extra rewards during his breakthrough in the Divine Transformation Realm, which was indeed incredible. But shortly after, Gu Qingfeng just smiled indifferently. "This breakthrough has come at just the right time!" Gu Qingfeng then took it out, a divine light entered his mind, and immediately afterward, his vital energy surged dramatically, with a terrifying aura dissipating along with it. Boom!! His vital energy vibrated wildly. Although the Beidou Dao Scripture was just a Dao Palace Realm technique, as something provided by the attribute panel, how could it be inferior? The profundity of this technique was even three parts greater than the Divine Sun Scripture. When the Beidou Dao Scripture reached Perfection, although Gu Qingfeng still hadn''t broken through to the Saint Realm, his vital energy became even more vigorous, and his strength increased correspondingly. But as for how much it had increased, Gu Qingfeng temporarily did not know. Following that. Gu Qingfeng saw that he had accumulated over six thousand Upgrade Points, his eyes moved, and he directly piled all these points onto the Nine Heavens Scripture. ... "Spent two hundred Upgrade Points!" "Nine Heavens Scripture breaks through to the second layer of the Divine Transformation Chapter!" "Spent two hundred Upgrade Points!" "Nine Heavens Scripture breaks through to the third layer of the Divine Transformation Chapter!" ... "Spent five hundred Upgrade Points!" "Nine Heavens Scripture breaks through to the first layer of the Dao Palace Chapter!" ... The moment the Nine Heavens Scripture stepped into the Dao Palace Chapter, Gu Qingfeng''s vital energy boiled once again. Yet. He did not stop. Instead, he continued to let the Nine Heavens Scripture breakthrough. ... Nine Heavens Scripture Dao Palace Chapter second layer! Nine Heavens Scripture Dao Palace Chapter third layer! Nine Heavens Scripture Dao Palace Chapter fourth layer! ... In just a brief moment. Gu Qingfeng had elevated the Nine Heavens Scripture from the first layer of the Divine Transformation Chapter all the way to the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Chapter. Elevating eight ranks in the Divine Transformation Chapter cost one thousand six hundred Upgrade Points. Elevating nine ranks in the Dao Palace Chapter cost four thousand five hundred Upgrade Points. Two layers of breakthroughs. In total, six thousand one hundred Upgrade Points were spent. When the Nine Heavens Scripture broke through to the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Chapter, a power more terrifying than the Divine Sun Scripture and the Beidou Dao Scripture awakened. Such Saint King Level inheritances, each layer of breakthrough, greatly increased a cultivator''s strength. Now. Including the Nine Heavens Scripture. Gu Qingfeng could be considered to have mastered three peak Dao Palace Realm techniques. "With such strength, I believe it will not be a problem to make a trip to the Demon Realm!" "It''s just a pity that I''m short of some Upgrade Points, otherwise, if I could directly break through to the Saint Realm, my odds would be even greater!" Gu Qingfeng mused. Every layer of breakthrough in the Dao Palace Realm needed five hundred Upgrade Points, but each layer of breakthrough in the Saint Realm needed two thousand Upgrade Points. For Gu Qingfeng, to amass such a number of Upgrade Points would still require some time. But. He couldn''t wait any longer. No matter what, Gu Qingfeng had to make a trip to the Demon Realm. Otherwise. Gu Xiu might truly perish in a forbidden zone of life. Chapter 380: 268: Repairing the Ancient Transmission Array Chapter 380: Chapter 268: Repairing the Ancient Transmission Array However. Before heading to the Southern Domain, Gu Qingfeng had refined the foundation of a large array with numerous materials, and then, without alarming anyone, he had covered the enormous Capital within this array. As for the Array Plate that controlled the array, Gu Qingfeng handed it over to Gu Yang. ¡°Your father has set up a formation called the Seven Stars Demon Suppressing Array in the Capital. This formation is a top fifth-rank array, and I believe it¡¯s unlikely that anyone below a Saint could break through it. Should a formidable enemy attack one day, you can use this array to withstand them. At the same time. Every large formation has its key point, and if you use the Divine Phoenix Tower as the formation¡¯s key point, the power of the array can be elevated to sixth-rank standards. At that time, even if a Saint personally arrives, I believe it will pose no problem!¡± Seven Stars Demon Suppressing Array! Gu Yang looked at the Array Plate in his hands with a shocked expression on his face. The Dao of Formation. He naturally had heard of it. What Gu Yang did not expect was that Gu Qingfeng could actually set up an array of such a level. A top fifth-rank array. It signified that the other party was at least a fifth-rank array master. And possibly. Even higher. ¡°Is father planning to leave the Nine States?¡± Gu Yang seemed to have thought of something. Gu Qingfeng nodded, ¡°Your third brother has been trapped in the Demon Realm for many years; I ought to go and see for myself. In the past, my Array Dao cultivation had not broken through, and even if I went to that Ancient Transfer Array, it would be useless. But now that I have had my enlightenment and entered the ranks of a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master, I can go to the Southern Domain and take a look. If I can repair the Ancient Transfer Array, of course, I must bring him back to the Nine States!¡± Hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s expression suddenly cleared. So that was it. After all, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s unprovoked setting up of a formation in the Capital had the feeling of making arrangements for the future, inevitably giving Gu Yang much to ponder. Afterwards. Gu Yang did as Gu Qingfeng said, summoning the Divine Phoenix Tower directly and having it settle into the key point of the formation. With a Great Saint Weapon acting as the key point, the original fifth-rank Seven Stars Demon Suppressing Array was instantly promoted to a sixth-rank formation. Regarding this. Gu Qingfeng could naturally sense the changes in the array. Don¡¯t be mistaken by his status as a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master, but in fact, even with his current cultivation, it would not be so easy to truly arrange a sixth-rank array. After all, the more powerful the formation, the more rare the resources needed to set it up. Only with a sufficiently powerful Array Base can one achieve a top-notch array. Otherwise. If one merely used other ordinary items as a substitute, even if they could arrange a top-notch array, it would be difficult for the array to last long. Therefore. Setting up a fifth-rank array was already quite sufficient. Now. With the Divine Phoenix Tower suppressing it. The Seven Stars Demon Suppressing Array had risen a level. Such an array could withstand even a Saint¡¯s personal presence, let alone assassinate a Saint, which was also a possibility. After that. Gu Qingfeng took out a Jade Scroll and handed it to Gu Yang. ¡°This contains some of your father¡¯s insights into the Array Dao. You may read it, or perhaps find some cultivators with a talent for array and nurture them. It could prove to be of some significance.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Yang looked at the Jade Scroll before him, his eyes instantly brightening a great deal. Insights into the Array Dao from a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master were naturally a supreme treasure. Perfectly. The Dao of Formation. It was also a weakness of the Divine Martial Dynasty. With such an Array Dao legacy, they could bring forth a group of powerful array masters for the Divine Martial Dynasty in the future. With this. The problem of a lack of array masters would naturally be solved. In fact. Gu Yang had long considered nurturing array masters. After all, array masters could often play a significant role. For instance, in each important city or other places, if there were protective arrays, it would truly be completely safe. Take the example of Shenhe County. If there had been a sixth-rank array for protection, the moment Drought emerged, the array would have suppressed it directly, and it would not have been able to cause much turmoil. Seeing Gu Yang put away the Jade Scroll, Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. The content recorded in the Jade Scroll was actually the Array Dao True Understanding that Gu Qingfeng had acquired. Therefore. This was actually a complete legacy pointing directly to the Sixth Rank Array Dao Master. No matter where it was placed, it would be considered an immensely powerful legacy that made all major powers covetous. The reason Gu Qingfeng handed this Array Dao True Understanding to Gu Yang was that he wanted to strengthen the power of the Divine Martial Dynasty. He could see. The foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty had greatly increased now, and it was almost at the limit of a Qi Fortune Dynasty. If they could continue to strengthen their foundation, achieving a Royal Dynasty would certainly not be a problem. Once a Royal Dynasty was achieved. Gu Qingfeng believed he would also receive tremendous benefits. And then. Gu Qingfeng drifted away. After Gu Qingfeng left. Gu Yang summoned Yan Yun, asking the president of the Divine Martial Academy, to select some individuals from the Nine States Academy who had a talent for the Array Dao and then give them focused training. The Divine Martial Dynasty actually also had some Array Dao legacies, but those were of low grade, at most enabling someone to break through to the level of a third-rank array master. Therefore. The Divine Martial Academy had never opened a separate Array System. But now. Gu Yang instructed Yan Yun to start developing the Array System. Regarding this. Yan Yun frowned, ¡°Your Majesty, the court¡¯s Array Dao legacy is lacking. If we were to open a separate educational system for the Array Dao, we might end up squandering resources.¡± ¡°If those with talent for cultivation become immersed in the study of arrays, it would be detrimental to the Academy¡¯s development!¡± With the current array heritage of the Divine Martial Dynasty, opening the path of arrays is leading students astray. This is different from the Nine States of the past. If it were the Nine States of the past, a heritage that could directly lead one to become a Third Rank Array Master would certainly be highly sought after. After all, a Third Rank Array Master is equivalent to a Cultivator of the Great Grandmaster Realm. But now. Times have changed. With the inheritance received from the Ancient Desolate Holy Land, the Divine Martial Academy now has inheritances that lead directly to the Daoist Palace Realm. If one is truly a chosen talent and sufficiently loyal to the court, they can even obtain Saint Level inheritances. With that being the case. The inheritance of a Third Rank Array Master has little value. Gu Yang said, ¡°You need not worry about this matter, as I would not have allowed you to establish the array system without good reason. Should the Divine Martial Academy indeed have a genius in the way of arrays, it might add an Array Master to the court¡¯s ranks someday!¡± ¡°An Array Master!¡± Yan Yun¡¯s expression froze, and disbelief filled his eyes. What is an Array Master? Only those who have reached the Sixth Rank, on par with Saints, can be called Array Masters. With that being said. This means that the court holds a Saint Level array inheritance. ¡°This servant understands Your Majesty¡¯s decree!¡± Yan Yun did not ask further, knowing well what he should and shouldn¡¯t inquire about. ... Elsewhere. Gu Qingfeng turned into a rainbow of light, in an instant leaving the borders of the Nine States and heading towards the Eastern Domain. After entering the Eastern Domain. Gu Qingfeng directly used a Transmission Array to travel to the Southern Domain. Following that. He shifted locations yet again. Eventually. Gu Qingfeng arrived at the location of the Ancient Transfer Array. He saw that the array was shattered, with only some remnants of its traces left. ¡°The Ancient Transfer Array truly is extraordinary; without the cultivation of a Sixth Rank Array Dao Master, one cannot hope to truly repair such an array!¡± Gu Qingfeng only looked at the Ancient Transfer Array for a moment, his face revealing a contemplative expression. The strength of such an array was somewhat startling to him. If it had been before he obtained the Array Dao True Understanding, Gu Qingfeng certainly wouldn¡¯t have been able to repair such an array. But now¡ª This was not such a difficult issue. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng quietly pondered the mysteries of the ancient array. Ten days later. Gu Qingfeng had grasped the key to the array and began to repair it. With that being done. Another month went by. The broken Ancient Transfer Array began to glow, and the once shattered array was finally restored to its original state under Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands. ¡°It¡¯s done!¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled lightly, casually throwing down a portion of Spirit Stones to serve as the energy source for the array, and then the massive Ancient Transfer Array was completely activated. Following that. Gu Qingfeng stepped into it, his figure vanishing in an instant. And at the moment Gu Qingfeng entered the Ancient Transfer Array, the originally repaired array shattered once again. This time the destruction. Was even more thorough. ... The space changed. Gu Qingfeng felt only darkness before his eyes, then a sudden brightness, and when he reappeared, he was already in a completely different world. A blood-red sun hung high in the sky. The vast realm was filled with a chilling aura of death. Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, ¡°This is the Demon Realm!¡± Memories related to the Demon Realm emerged in his mind, which matched exactly what he was seeing. The Demon Realm is vast. Hardly any smaller than the Ancient Desolate World. Right away. Gu Qingfeng spread his Divine Thought far and wide, quickly finding the trace of a demon within his sensory range. In the next instant. Gu Qingfeng stepped forward, disappearing from his original location. In just a short moment, he appeared before a demon. ¡°Human¡ª¡± The demon¡¯s complexion changed, but before it could say much, an overwhelming presence enveloped it, the threat so severe that its breathing became constricted. At that moment. Terror gripped the demon¡¯s heart. It was known to be a Demon General on the verge of the Divine Transformation Realm, yet here was someone whose mere presence rendered it immobile. Such a feat required at least a Demon Commander of the Dao Palace Realm to accomplish. ¡°I¡¯ll borrow your memories!¡± Gu Qingfeng did not waste words. Under the terrified gaze of the demon, he pressed his palm onto its forehead, and proceeded to perform a Soul Search. Although the demon wanted to resist, under absolute power, such resistance was essentially futile. Gu Qingfeng easily penetrated into the demon¡¯s Divine Soul, searching out all of its memories. He did this because Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t want to waste time interrogating. Besides. Interrogated information might not necessarily be accurate. Compared to wasting time for potentially inaccurate information, a Soul Search was more straightforward. At the very least. Memories obtained from a Soul Search are usually accurate. ¡ª PS: Today¡¯s update is short by a thousand words; it will be made up tomorrow! Chapter 381: 269 Emperor Corpse Chapter 381: Chapter 269 Emperor Corpse Heavenly Demon Sacred Land! Life Forbidden Zone¡ª In the memory of the demon¡¯s divine soul, Gu Qingfeng indeed saw information about Gu Xiu. After all, it was from the transmission array here that Gu Xiu had entered the Demon Realm, and considering the commotion he had stirred up, it would be difficult for other demons not to be aware of it. From this memory. Gu Qingfeng quickly understood exactly where the Life Forbidden Zone that Gu Xiu was in was located. At once. Without hesitation, Gu Qingfeng headed straight for the direction of the Life Forbidden Zone. ¡ª¡ª Desolate world! The dark brown soil seemed as if it was stained by countless fresh blood, which after years of changes had finally evolved into its current form. In a certain cave, Gu Xiu leaned against the wall, his face pale, with the life breath on his body extremely weak, as if he were a candle flame in the wind that could go out at any moment. ¡°Gu lad, are you all right?¡± From inside the ring, the voice of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint also sounded somewhat heavy. Upon hearing this. Gu Xiu¡¯s eyelids fluttered slightly, and an ugly smile appeared on his face. ¡°I¡¯m fine, I won¡¯t die for now, but it seems I¡¯ll have to go back on my word about reconstructing a flesh body for my teacher!¡± ¡°Gu lad...¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint stopped mid-sentence. Gu Xiu looked outside the cave, where the gloomy sky seemed like fierce beasts ready to devour someone, but his thoughts uncontrollably drifted to the Nine States. ¡°If I die here, my father probably won¡¯t even know. It¡¯s just a pity, in the end, that I couldn¡¯t see my father one last time¡ª¡± Gu Xiu did not have much regret about his own predicament, just some unresolved matters. At the end of the day. It was because he had overestimated his own strength and underestimated the tricks of the demons. Forcing his way into the ancient secret realm to seize opportunities, the demons were outraged. Many powerful entities joined hands in pursuit, and in the end, he had to flee to the Life Forbidden Zone to temporarily preserve his life. However. The Life Forbidden Zone was dangerous. As the place of an Emperor¡¯s demise, not only was it filled with curses, but also many bizarre occurrences. Creatures that ventured into the Life Forbidden Zone in the past perished here, contaminated by its power, and ultimately turned into wandering oddities, making it very difficult for anyone who entered the Life Forbidden Zone afterward to leave alive. Right after Gu Xiu had entered, he had been struck by a curse and also severely wounded by the oddities. If it weren¡¯t for the Emperor Extreme Great Saint unleashing his power at a critical moment, he probably would have perished long ago. Later. Gu Xiu, despite being gravely injured, found this cave dwelling and was able to temporarily fend off the oddities. According to the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, this cave dwelling must have been left by some formidable entity in the past, with lingering undying Dao Rhythm, which could only just barely be effective. But unfortunately. All these were only temporary. Gu Xiu bore the curse of the Life Forbidden Zone on his body, and with his strength, he had no way to dispel the curse. Now that his life force was gradually draining, Gu Xiu felt that he could not hold on much longer. ¡°Gu lad, I will burn the last of my divine soul power to help you leave the Life Forbidden Zone, but whether or not it will be successful, I dare not guarantee!¡± At this time, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint made a decision, his tone filled with determination. If it were his prime, he would have been somewhat confident that he could take Gu Xiu out of the Life Forbidden Zone. After all, although this was the place where a Great Emperor had fallen, as long as one did not venture too deep into the Life Forbidden Zone, the probability of leaving it with the power of the Great Saint Realm was not small. Of course. If one were to really go deep into the Life Forbidden Zone, not to mention a Great Saint, but even a Saint King or someone in the Quasi-Emperor Realm would not be confident they could leave alive. However. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint was not in his prime, reduced now to a mere remnant soul, not to mention the substantial power spent earlier to save Gu Xiu. Now. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint was making a final attempt. But at this stage, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had no choice but to try and not simply let Gu Xiu fade away here. His talent. Was the most powerful among all the Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s disciples. As long as Gu Xiu lived, reaching the rank of Saint King and even the Quasi-Emperor Realm one day had a significant chance, and there was even a possibility of going further, touching the mythical Emperor Realm. So. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint certainly did not wish for him to perish here. ¡°Teacher...¡± Gu Xiu gave a bitter smile. ¡°Currently, bearing a curse on my body, even if I were to leave the Life Forbidden Zone, what would it change? Without a way to dispel the curse, death is still unavoidable!¡± Upon hearing this. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint fell silent. He knew Gu Xiu was right. The biggest problem for him now was the curse of the Life Forbidden Zone. If the issue of the curse could not be resolved, even if Gu Xiu left the Life Forbidden Zone, he still had no chance of surviving. ¡°Ah... it¡¯s all my fault. If I hadn¡¯t sent you back to the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, perhaps you wouldn¡¯t have fallen into this situation.¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint sighed, his voice filled with regret. Everything stemmed from the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land. Gu Xiu shook his head weakly: ¡°This was the disciple¡¯s own decision, and it has nothing to do with the teacher. Moreover, if it weren¡¯t for the teacher¡¯s multiple interventions, the disciple would have perished long ago and couldn¡¯t have held on until now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just regrettable...¡± ¡°This time, the disciple¡¯s demise is such that I won¡¯t be able to return to the Nine States!¡± This was the only regret in Gu Xiu¡¯s heart¡ªthat he couldn¡¯t see his parents one last time before he died. But as his life force continued to ebb away, Gu Xiu¡¯s vision also became increasingly blurred. At this moment. Out of nowhere, in the silent and desolate Life Forbidden Zone came a thunderclap as if from a clear sky, followed by a sudden strike of purple Divine Thunder from the heavens, its terrifying power seeming to completely shred the Life Forbidden Zone apart. Chapter 382 269 Emperor Corpse_2 Terrifying powers surged mightily, causing Gu Xiu''s complexion to change as his once blurry vision refocused on a figure clad in blue, bathed in thunder. "Father... Father... It seems I am truly going to die, to be hallucinating already!" Gu Xiu forced a bitter smile. What was he thinking? This was the Demon Realm; how could his father possibly appear here? Besides, this place was the Life Forbidden Zone, where even a Saint would find it difficult to leave alive. His father, despite his strong abilities, certainly couldn''t possess such an imposing manner as he was witnessing now. With that thought, Gu Xiu''s voice grew even weaker, and the divine light in his eyes gradually dimmed. "It is better this way... though it''s an illusion, being able to see my father before I die fulfills... fulfills my last wish..." Gu Xiu''s voice became softer and softer until it was nearly inaudible toward the end. However, the tone of Emperor Extreme Great Saint was filled with excitement. "This is not an illusion, your dad has really come!!!" At this moment, Emperor Extreme Great Saint felt a rollercoaster of emotions, his Divine Soul''s power flowing through the ring, enabling him to clearly see the scenes of the outside world. Though he too found it hard to believe that Gu Qingfeng, a mere Daoist Palace Realm Cultivator, could possess such terrifying force, But¡ª this scene was unfolding right before his eyes, forcing Emperor Extreme Great Saint to believe. At this moment, the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunders fell like a furious decree from the Heavenly Dao, eradicating all sinister and evil spirits. Gu Qingfeng descended from the void like a deity from the ninth heaven. At that moment, the Life Forbidden Zone shook. Numerous ancient beings began to awaken, and in the next moment, the void fractured; a dark green hand pierced through the void, reaching towards Gu Qingfeng. That seemingly simple strike contained the terrifying breath of an annihilated Dao, as if sealing off heaven and earth, leaving no escape. "Break for me!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression was icy as he released all his blood strength, and the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder struck down hard, its robust thunder releasing an unimaginable force, causing the hand to explode with a loud crash. Then, he summoned the Divine Emperor Tripod. The power of this Great Saint Weapon suppressed the cosmos, eradicating all abnormalities. BOOM! THUNDEROUS BOOM!! At this moment, Gu Qingfeng, without holding back any of his powers, whether the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder or the Divine Emperor Tripod, pushed them to their limits. Such tremendous power shook a large part of the Life Forbidden Zone. Even, outside the Life Forbidden Zone, numerous ancient powers of the Demon Realm turned their gaze here. "Hisss! Such terrifying power of thunder, what on earth is happening in the Life Forbidden Zone?" "Unbelievable¡ª" The terrifying power of thunder left these ancient demon powers trembling, detecting a scent of annihilation from the diffused lightning. If such power were to fall on them, undoubtedly, there would be no chance of survival. Coupled with the ferocious reputation of the Life Forbidden Zone, though curious, they dared not truly delve into it. On the other side, As Gu Qingfeng slaughtered heavily, the whole Life Forbidden Zone gradually began to boil, with ancient presences surging from its depths. Ancient! Brutal! The great Dao of heaven and earth trembled violently, as if some formidable being was gradually awakening. Seeing this scene, Gu Qingfeng furrowed his brows, immediately took a step into the void, entered the cave dwelling, looked at the dying Gu Xiu, grabbed him without a word, and then headed out of the Life Forbidden Zone. Just as Gu Qingfeng left the Life Forbidden Zone, a furious roar arrived. "ROAR!!" The frightful sound echoed in Gu Qingfeng''s mind, causing his sea of consciousness to shake violently, the Dan Tian Dao Palace trembled slightly, and the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit seemed to suffer some kind of injury. "Thunder comes!!" Gu Qingfeng''s expression unchanged, he grabbed Gu Xiu''s shoulder with his left hand and formed a seal with his right, shouting vigorously as if piercing through heaven and earth, and the next moment, a remarkably thick purple Divine Thunder descended from the heavens. "BOOM¡ª" The terrifying thunder penetrated the void of heaven and earth, eradicating all beings, and struck directly towards the depths of the Life Forbidden Zone. The next moment, a sinister and horrific figure emerged from the depths, and as the heavenly thunder struck, Gu Qingfeng caught a glimpse of the creature''s true form. Emperor robe tattered! Face green and fangs bared! The whole body was blue-black, eyes red and ferocious, entirely unlike any common man. Just then, its right hand clenched, and the devastating Divine Thunder was utterly dispersed; it was at this moment that Gu Qingfeng left the Life Forbidden Zone. ... "Phew!" The moment he left the Life Forbidden Zone, the imminent sense of danger in Gu Qingfeng''s mind finally dissipated. Reflecting on what he had just seen, his expression grew more solemn. "An Emperor Corpse?" Gu Qingfeng murmured softly. That figure didn''t seem alive, but the aura it emitted was utterly alarming. Even the Great Saint Xuan Yu from the past was insignificant compared to it. This clearly showed the sheer magnitude of such a being''s power. However, the Life Forbidden Zone itself was the Emperor Fallen Land. Now, that such a horrendously bizarre corpse existed deep within the Life Forbidden Zone, it was hard not to think of an Emperor Corpse. The so-called Emperor Corpse. Is naturally the body of a Great Emperor. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng seemed to understand what a Great Emperor was, and how vast a gap he had with such an existence. Chapter 383: 269 Emperor Corpse_3 Chapter 383: Chapter 269 Emperor Corpse_3 He could ascertain. If they were to face off directly, even if he used all his trump cards, it would be difficult for him to hold out for even one round with his current strength. Fortuitously, it seemed that the Emperor Corpse had just awakened and hadn¡¯t managed to make a move. Otherwise, Gu Qingfeng suspected that he would have been doomed there. After leaving the Life Forbidden Zone, Gu Qingfeng transformed into a rainbow light and vanished into the void in an instant. Moments later, in a desolate mountain, Gu Qingfeng waved his sleeve, directly creating a cave abode, then set his gaze upon Gu Xiu. He could feel that Gu Xiu¡¯s life force was ebbing away, his vital essence enveloped by a layer of sinister black mist invisible to the naked eye, incessantly devouring his flesh and blood. And this was the fundamental reason why Gu Xiu was growing increasingly weaker. ¡°Is this the curse?¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s brow slightly raised as he recalled the words from the information panel and instantly understood what this was. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng infused his own vital essence into Gu Xiu. The moment the resolute and masculine force touched the black mist, a sharp screech suddenly echoed within the silent cave. Then, the black mist started dissipating from Gu Xiu bit by bit. After a long while, the black mist dispersed, and Gu Xiu¡¯s breath also became much smoother. Following that, Gu Qingfeng took out a Divine Blood Pill, stuffed the elixir directly into the other¡¯s mouth, and the latter instinctively swallowed it. Upon ingestion of the elixir, energy burst forth. Gu Xiu¡¯s complexion visibly quickened to a healthier glow. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face finally relaxed, he then sat down cross-legged beside him to silently recover his own strength. The battle in the Life Forbidden Zone had also significantly taxed him, and expelling the sinister black mist from Gu Xiu¡¯s body had further increased his exertion. By now, Gu Qingfeng finally had time to recover himself. ... For three consecutive days, Gu Xiu remained in deep sleep. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, looked at the still-sleeping Gu Xiu, and suddenly let out a cold snort. ¡°Aren¡¯t you waking up yet? How long do you plan to sleep?¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Xiu¡¯s body trembled, his tightly closed eyes immediately opened and the next moment he hurriedly got up, his expression full of reverence. ¡°Father!¡± He lowered his head, like a child who had done something wrong. Gu Qingfeng let out a cold snort, ¡°You still remember you have a father like me?¡± ¡°Venturing alone into the Demon Realm, stepping into the Life Forbidden Zone, have you thought about your father, have you thought about your mother?¡± ¡°I know my mistake...¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s lips quivered and in the end, he could only lower his head to admit his error. Gu Qingfeng said coldly, ¡°I ask you, why didn¡¯t you return to the Gu Family when you faced trouble in the Southern Domain?¡± ¡°My actions incurred many powerful enemies, I... I didn¡¯t want to bring trouble home!¡± Gu Xiu truthfully responded. ¡°Bringing trouble?¡± Gu Qingfeng sneered. ¡°I see you haven¡¯t managed to reassure me at all, had your father arrived a day later, you would have already been buried in the Life Forbidden Zone!¡± ¡°I know my mistake!¡± Gu Xiu repeated the same words again, offering no challenge. Looking at Gu Xiu, who was nearly in his prime, and seeing the face of apology before him, Gu Qingfeng wanted to continue his scoldings but eventually just sighed. ¡°Why did you enter the Life Forbidden Zone?¡± Noticing that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s tone had softened, Gu Xiu dared to raise his head. ¡°Not long ago, I entered an ancient secret realm and seized the Phoenix Essence Blood within it, which enraged the parties from the Demon Realm, seeking to collectively hunt me down. As a last resort, I fled into the Life Forbidden Zone!¡± ¡°Phoenix Essence Blood?¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression slightly changed upon hearing this. At this point, Gu Xiu took out a jade box from the storage ring. ¡°This is the Phoenix Essence Blood!¡± ¡°Regrettably, my cultivation is too weak to refine such powerful essence blood; now it serves best as an offering to my father!¡± Towards the end, Gu Xiu¡¯s face displayed a somewhat ingratiating smile. Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng fell silent for a moment. Despite the barriers of the jade box, he could still sense the terrifying power contained within. Merely from this, one could infer how formidable the Phoenix Essence Blood was. After a long pause, Gu Qingfeng placed the jade box into the Heavenly Cloud Ring, then said, ¡°Phoenix Essence Blood is of no use to me, but your second brother recently obtained the incomplete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, and he indeed needs the Phoenix Essence Blood. Thus, I will temporarily keep it.¡± Finished speaking, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thoughts shifted, and an ancient cauldron appeared abruptly. ¡°This is the Cloud Thunder Cauldron, ranked as a Holy Weapon; keep it for your protection!¡± As he spoke, Gu Qingfeng had already erased his connection with the Cloud Thunder Cauldron and casually tossed this treasure to Gu Xiu. ¡°Holy Weapon!!!¡± Gu Xiu, looking at the Cloud Thunder Cauldron before him, was visibly shocked. He was well aware of how precious a Holy Weapon was. Gu Xiu could never have imagined that one day, a Holy Weapon would be casually thrown at him like this. For a moment, Gu Xiu¡¯s face was filled with emotion: ¡°Father...¡± ¡°Stop the nonsense, I ask you, which faction mainly led the demons that besieged you?¡± Gu Qingfeng directly interrupted the other and went on to ask. Gu Xiu was slightly taken aback, although not understanding why Gu Qingfeng would ask this, he still truthfully answered. ¡°The demons that besieged me were mostly led by the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land!¡± ¡°How much do you know about the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land?¡± ¡°The Heavenly Demon Sacred Land was established twenty thousand years ago, and rumor has it that eighty thousand years ago, a Demon Lord from the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land emerged, who was comparable to a Great Saint and brought its strength to its peak. But ever since that Demon Lord faded away, although many Saints and Demon Lords have come forth from the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, they have never produced a second such Demon Lord. Currently, in the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land...¡± Gu Xiu was about to divulge all information about the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, but he was cut off by Gu Qingfeng before he could finish. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Go where?¡± Gu Xiu was momentarily unable to grasp the situation. Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently, ¡°Naturally, we¡¯re going to the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land!¡± Chapter 384: 270: Slaying Over Ten Thousand Demons with a Single Strike Chapter 384: Chapter 270: Slaying Over Ten Thousand Demons with a Single Strike Heavenly Demon Sacred Land! Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words left Gu Xiu looking startled, seemingly unable to fully grasp what had been said. ¡°What is Father doing in the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land?¡± ¡°You were humiliated by the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. As your father, it¡¯s only natural for me to seek retribution and make them understand that my son, Gu Qingfeng, is not someone who can be bullied by just anyone.¡± Gu Qingfeng spoke in a domineering tone. Since the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land could at best boast the presence of only one Great Saint, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t have much cause for concern. Even if that Great Saint was merely feigning death and not truly fallen, he remained unafraid. ¡°Father...¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s face was filled with emotion, but he quickly hesitated as if wanting to say more. After all, the power of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land was formidable, and it was uncertain whether his father would gain any advantage by confronting them head-on. At that moment, the voice of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint entered Gu Xiu¡¯s mind. ¡°Kid, your father is no ordinary man. I never thought I had underestimated him in the past. This trip to the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land should present no problem. Besides, with your father present, even if the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land can¡¯t be eradicated, retreating safely would be no issue!¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint was now also filled with emotion, having brazenly stormed the forbidden zone of life and clashed with the Emperor Corpse hidden within its depths from afar. Even though it was just a brief encounter, it was a boast worth telling for a lifetime. Even in the era of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, there were not many warriors who could achieve this feat. When he first saw Gu Qingfeng, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had estimated his strength as best he could, but now it seemed he had misjudged. This man was even more of a monster than Gu Xiu. No. It wasn¡¯t a mere monster he was dealing with. Even the Emperor Extreme Great Saint found some aspects of Gu Qingfeng inscrutable. Nevertheless, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had begun to regard him with equal respect. Gu Xiu, originally intending to speak, became slightly stupefied after hearing the Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s words and then swallowed back the words that had reached the tip of his tongue. ¡ª ¡°Presumptuous humans!¡± ¡°You human beings dare to blatantly intrude into the Demon Realm, courting death!!¡± As Gu Qingfeng led Gu Xiu toward the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, their trail was discovered by numerous demons along the way. But without exception, these demons were all slain on the spot by Gu Qingfeng after a single encounter. Whether they were in the Divine Transformation Realm or the Dao Palace Realm, they couldn¡¯t last a single round in front of Gu Qingfeng. Gu Qingfeng shattered the body of a Dao Palace Realm demon with a palm strike, extracted the Demon Core from its body, and casually tossed it to Gu Xiu, who was beside him. He then adeptly secured the core. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Gu Qingfeng spoke indifferently, continuing toward the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. He neither flew nor quickened his pace, as if blatantly revealing his whereabouts to the powerful beings in the Demon Realm. Seeing this, Gu Xiu¡¯s face was filled with admiration. For the first time, he felt a sense of security he had never experienced before. Ever since his arrival in the Demon Realm years ago, Gu Xiu had been running for his life, constantly on the run, always cautious not to expose his whereabouts. Walking openly in the Demon Realm like this was a first-time experience. But it must be said, that the feeling was extraordinarily delightful. Just then, a terrifying presence descended. A six-armed demon at the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm looked down at the two below and said coldly, ¡°Humans, this is not the place for you to run wild. Leave now, and you might have a chance to live!¡± ¡°Noise!¡± Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t even lift his eyelids as he summoned a Divine Thunder from the void, and lightning with the power to obliterate struck down, reducing the formidable demon to ashes in just a moment. Tao Palace Realm Ninth Layer, He killed with a swipe of his hand. ¡°Hiss! The Sky Trapping Demon General has fallen!¡± ¡°The Sky Trapping Demon General was one of the Zhang Family¡¯s top warriors, having dominated the Dao Palace Realm for many years, only a step away from a Semi-Saint. And yet, he was directly slain on the spot. Could this man possibly be a Saint!!?¡± Some demons lurking in the shadows, upon witnessing this scene, saw their pupils shrink abruptly. The swift fall of such a peak Demon Commander from the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm was certainly a cause for their astonishment. At that moment, with a thought from Gu Qingfeng, an immense number of thunders began to coalesce from the sky. ¡°Since all of you have come, then none of you should leave!¡± As the words fell, thunder descended upon the world. All the demons hidden within a hundred miles changed their expressions drastically and fled far away without a second thought. But in the next instant, the thunder struck. All of these demons were completely annihilated. With this single strike, tens of thousands of demons were killed, among them many from the Dao Palace Realm. The other demons outside the range of the thunder, witnessing this scene, felt a coldness over their entire bodies, as if they were in an ice vault, standing rigidly in their spots, not daring to move. Only after Gu Qingfeng had left did they gradually wake up from the terror-stricken state. ¡°A demon!!¡± ¡°This man is definitely a demon¡ª¡± ¡°With tens of thousands of demons slain, the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land is in deep trouble this time!!!¡± Looking at the devastated ground and the countless dead demon bodies, the remaining demons swallowed hard, their fear lingering for a long time. The Divine Thunder that lit up the sky for miles around was etched into their minds like a nightmare they couldn¡¯t shake off. This scene, even hundreds or thousands of years from now, would be impossible to forget. For a time. Chapter 385 270: Slaying Over Ten Thousand Demons with a Single Strike_2 Many demon powerhouses who wanted to intercept and kill Gu Qingfeng were involuntarily stopping in their tracks. What a joke. A single strike that obliterated tens of thousands of demon strongholds within a hundred-mile radius¡ªsuch a being was certainly not something ordinary cultivators could contend with. Such means could absolutely only be employed by saints of a very high level. However, it was now the era of the End of Dharma. In the Ancient Desolate World, it was absolutely impossible for a new saint to be born, much like the impossibility of a new Demon Lord emerging in the Demon Realm. Unless, it was an ancient saint or Demon Lord who had awoken from the ancient city of life. On the other side, Gu Xiu followed closely behind Gu Qingfeng, his face still filled with shock. His father''s strength was continually refreshing his understanding. Especially the scene where a single strike had annihilated tens of thousands of demons¡ªit left Gu Xiu even more astounded. He couldn''t help but secretly communicate with the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, asking, "Master, what level do you think my father has reached?" "I cannot see through him. The methods he employs do not seem to draw upon the forces of heaven and earth, nor does it seem like he has broken through to the Saint Realm. Furthermore, in this era of the End of Dharma, new saints are not supposed to emerge." "Yet the strength he displayed seems far stronger than that of an ordinary saint." "Your father definitely harbors a significant secret. Even I cannot fathom the depth of his foundation." Emperor Extreme Great Saint candidly admitted that he could not see through Gu Qingfeng. Especially the method of manipulating thunder lent Emperor Extreme Great Saint the illusion that he was facing a true Great Saint. But then he thought again, Emperor Extreme Great Saint began to doubt whether he was overthinking things. After all, the other party had not become a saint; thus, at most, his cultivation would be at the Half-Saint level. A Half-Saint with strength comparable to a saint was already considered an inversely heavenly existence. To speak of rivaling a Great Saint, Emperor Extreme Great Saint could hardly believe such a thing. Therefore, the heart of Emperor Extreme Great Saint was also somewhat perplexed. For the first time, he was so curious about a junior. ¡ª¡ª Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. In the great hall. The atmosphere here was extremely oppressive at the moment. The Sky Demon Saint Master wore a gloomy expression. "The latest news has arrived. The Sky Trapping Demon General from the Zhang Family has fallen, and it''s said that he was killed by a single strike from that human race. Such strength is definitely not something a Half-Saint can achieve. I have reason to suspect that this is a revived ancient saint!" The Sky Demon Saint Master spoke, a deep apprehension flashing in his eyes. Ancient saint! The weight of these words was evident. The Sky Demon Saint Master himself was at the Half-Saint level, but he knew well how huge the gap was between himself and a real saint. A difference of a half-step. A gap as vast as between heaven and earth. In front of a true saint, a Half-Saint was just slightly bigger ants, incapable of stirring up any storm. At this moment, a middle-aged demon commander with red hair and red eyes spoke gravely, "Now, that person is heading towards the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. If it really is an ancient saint, given the current strength of our sacred land, we might not be able to withstand it!" This matter could not keep the Red-eyed Demon Commander from worrying. Although the foundation of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land was not weak and had more than one cultivator at the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, in front of an ancient saint, no matter how many at Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer, it was difficult to create a qualitative change. Of course, the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land also had Holy Weapons and Great Saint Weapons, but who could guarantee that the ancient saint didn''t have a trump card in his hands. Thus, if it really came to a battle, in the eyes of the Red-eyed Demon Commander, the chances of victory for the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land were slim. Other elders of the sacred land also had heavy expressions now. "If only we knew this earlier, we never should have made a move against that human race! An elder from the sacred land full of regret. The Sky Demon Saint Master glanced at the other, stating indifferently, "The human race and our demon clan have always been at odds, fighting to the death. Should that human prodigy be allowed to grow, who knows how many demons will perish by his hand." "There can be no retreat in such a racial conflict at the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land." "However, although an ancient Saint is powerful, the foundation of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, built over hundreds of thousands of years, is not for show. If we really fight with all our might, even a Saint can be killed!" As he spoke, the Sky Demon Saint Master''s expression became resolute, as if he had made some decisions. Upon hearing this, another elder Demon Commander''s expression shifted slightly. "Does the Saint Master perhaps wish to awaken that one?" "At this point, we can only let that one awaken!" The Sky Demon Saint Master nodded. "That one, though not becoming a great demon, is still one of the top existences among the Demon Lords. Dealing with an ancient Saint should be no problem." At this time, the other elders also showed a sense of relief. If that one came into the world, an ancient Saint would indeed be negligible. After a moment, The Sky Demon Saint Master arrived at the forbidden area, filled with terrifying oppressive pressure, where an ancient city stood, seemingly weathered through endless years. Each step closer intensified the oppressive aura. Even with the strength of the Sky Demon Saint Master, his face was filled with reverence when facing such oppressive force. Upon reaching the front of the ancient city, the Sky Demon Saint Master bowed and said, "The fifty-eighth Saint Master of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land requests an audience with Canglong Immortal Monarch!" As these words fell, The ancient city of life fell completely silent. Regarding this, The Sky Demon Saint Master still maintained his bowing posture, not moving in the slightest. After a long while, The ancient city of life trembled slightly, and a calm and ancient voice suddenly reached his ears, "Disturbing this Demon Lord''s slumber, you had better provide a satisfying explanation!" With just a simple sentence, immense saintly power overwhelmed them, making it difficult for the Sky Demon Saint Master to breathe. Immediately, He respectfully responded, "Reporting to the Demon Lord, an ancient Saint from the Ancient Desolate World intends to strike at the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, and I feel unequal to the task, thus I have come to seek the Demon Lord''s guidance!" "An ancient Saint¡ª" Upon these words, the voice inside the ancient city paused for a moment before continuing. "If that Saint truly comes, this Demon Lord will personally intervene." "In that case, many thanks to Canglong Demon Monarch!" With the other''s promise secured, the Sky Demon Saint Master''s expression relaxed, and he then respectfully withdrew. With this Demon Lord agreeing to intervene, even if the ancient Saint of the human race emerged, he would not be able to stir up much trouble. Just as the Sky Demon Saint Master left the forbidden area, not even half a day later, a terrifying oppressive force descended from the heavens, striking down towards the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. "Boom¡ª" Space shattered inch by inch, and all the demons of the vast Heavenly Demon Sacred Land looked towards the void, their eyes filled with fearful expressions. "He has come!" The Sky Demon Saint Master''s expression changed, and he immediately activated the protective array of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, with powerful forces rising quickly, enveloping the entire Sacred Land. This array, laid out personally by a powerful figure of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land twenty thousand years ago, was a sixth-rank formidable array, which could withstand a Saint for some time even in direct confrontation. Seeing the protective great array manifest, the other Heavenly Demon Sacred Land elders also sighed in relief. "With this Sacred Land array, we believe it''s enough to withstand a Saint!" The Red-eyed Demon Commander''s eyes flickered. He was very aware of the strength of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land''s great array. If that ancient Saint wasn''t powerful enough, there might even be no chance to break the array. In this case, It wasn''t necessary for Canglong Immortal Monarch to awaken. Such an outcome, Would certainly be the best scenario for the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. After all, an ancient Demon Monarch truly awakening, especially in this End of Dharma Era, might not be a boon. However, Before the Red-eyed Demon Commander''s thoughts finished, a figure suddenly appeared, with heavenly thunderclouds covering the skies above, obscuring the sun, as the frightening power of Divine Thunder was completely unleashed from Mount Meru. Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder! Utmost firmness and positivity! Only to see the formidable sixth-rank array set up by the former strong figures of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, could only hold up against this terrifying Divine Thunder for merely a few breaths before showing numerous cracks and then, under the horrified gaze of the Red-eyed Demon Commander, it explosively shattered. The array collapsed. With the relentless momentum of thunder entering the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, mountains collapsed, palaces were obliterated, countless demons perished under such force without even a chance to scream, completely reduced to ash. Chapter 386: 271 Flattened to the Ground Chapter 386: Chapter 271 Flattened to the Ground ¡°Humans!!¡± The Sky Demon Saint Master¡¯s eyes were almost splitting with rage, as the force of the attack led to countless cultivators falling within the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. Then, as he looked at the figure in the void, his face was once again overtaken by an uncontrollable terror. The protective array of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land was a true Sixth Rank Array; even if a Saint were to come in person, breaking such an array would not be easy. According to the Sky Demon Saint Master¡¯s plan, even if the array couldn¡¯t stop Gu Qingfeng, it should at least be able to hold the opponent off for some time. But. The development of events was completely different from what he had envisioned. Sixth Rank Array. It was shattered in just one encounter. The strength of the comer. Left the Sky Demon Saint Master in horror. However. Thinking about the foundation behind the Sky Demon Saint Master, his expression cooled down again. No matter how powerful an ancient Saint might be, they could absolutely not be an opponent for the Canglong Demon Monarch. On the other side. Gu Xiu looked at the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, now largely in ruins, and his expression was also one of utter shock. He hadn¡¯t expected that his father would actually strike the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land himself. Having stayed in the Demon Realm for many years, Gu Xiu was naturally clear on the strength and foundation of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. Such an ancient Holy Land held a great reputation throughout the entire Demon Realm. For a moment. Gu Xiu¡¯s heart surged with heroic sentiments, igniting thoughts in his mind that a cultivator should be like this. Just then. A terrifying aura burst forth from the forbidden area of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. Then a young man in purple robes was seen stepping through the void, his white hair snowy and his eyes dark red. Every step he took caused the void to tremble, and the Great Dao itself would submit to him. ¡°Canglong Demon Monarch!!!¡± As the figure appeared, many of the elders of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land cried tears of joy, their eyes filled with awe. Although the Canglong Demon Monarch had been asleep for a long time, his portrait had always been preserved within the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, and they were naturally familiar with this ancient, Saint-Level powerhouse. ¡°Things have gotten somewhat troublesome!¡± At this moment, the voice of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint entered into Gu Xiu¡¯s mind. Upon hearing this, his expression changed slightly, ¡°What do you mean by that, Master?¡± ¡°This demon¡¯s strength is no small matter; although he has not entered the true Great Saint Realm, he can be considered a half-step Great Saint. Your father is indeed powerful, but he may not necessarily be his match!¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s voice was grave, a demon of a half-step Great Saint level, no matter the era, was a terrifying existence. With such a demon emerging into the world, it was always accompanied by blood and carnage. If it was his heyday, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint naturally would have not feared a half-step Great Saint Realm demon. But now. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint had to admit, he was not a match for this demon. Or to put it another way. He was no different from an ant in front of this demon. There was no helping it. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint was once powerful indeed, but after so many years, only a fragment of the soul remained and how much strength could remain? Compared with a half-step Great Saint, he was simply not on the same level. Upon hearing this. Gu Xiu¡¯s expression turned ugly, ¡°Does that mean, Father is in danger!?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, I can¡¯t see through your father!¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s tone was filled with uncertainty. Normally speaking, a Semi-Saint would not possibly be a match for a half-step Great Saint Level powerhouse. To the latter, the former was no different from ants. But. If the Semi-Saint in question was Gu Qingfeng, then the Emperor Extreme Great Saint was not certain. There was no helping it. The other party¡¯s strength was unfathomable. Up until now, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint still did not know how many trump cards the other side held. Upon hearing the words of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, Gu Xiu felt slightly relieved, but his expression remained extremely grave. ... ¡°Semi-Saint?¡± ¡°Has the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land really declined to such an extent that a mere Semi-Saint has awakened me?¡± The Canglong Demon Monarch glanced at Gu Qingfeng and his face immediately darkened, he looked down at the Sky Demon Saint Master with red eyes filled with cold dissatisfaction. Initially, he truly thought an ancient human Saint had come in person, but it turned out that the visitor was merely a Semi-Saint. At the level of the Canglong Demon Monarch, he was able to distinguish between Semi-Saints and Saints at a glance. ¡°Semi-Saint?¡± ¡°Impossible, this person cannot possibly be a Semi-Saint, he broke the Holy Land¡¯s Sixth Rank Array in just one encounter!!¡± Hearing the words of the Canglong Demon Monarch, the Sky Demon Saint Master¡¯s face was full of disbelief. A Semi-Saint? How could the person before him be a Semi-Saint? To know that he himself was a Semi-Saint, but in the presence of Gu Qingfeng, the Sky Demon Saint Master didn¡¯t have the courage to make a move. The gap between them was too large, so large that it was despairing. Upon hearing this. The Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s face changed slightly, and as he looked at Gu Qingfeng again, his gaze finally held a measure of respect. ¡°To break through the Sixth Rank Array in one encounter, it appears the human race has produced another Demon with a Divine Body. Pity, without entering the Saint Realm, you are ultimately no match for me. Remember, I, Canglong, am the demon who will kill you!¡± The Canglong Demon Monarch, in the end, had a cruel smile on his face. Slaughtering human Demons. It was his favorite thing to do. Against the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s confidence, Gu Qingfeng too smiled slightly, ¡°You remember as well, the one who will kill you, Canglong Demon Monarch, and destroy your Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, is none other than I, Gu Qingfeng!¡± ¡°You think you can destroy my Heavenly Demon Sacred Land with just yourself? Ridiculous¡ª¡± Canglong Demon Monarch let out a scornful laugh, looking at Gu Qingfeng with contempt in his eyes. But before he could finish speaking, Gu Qingfeng had already made his move. An ancient Great Seal suddenly appeared, and in an instant, it occupied the void, blocking out the light of the sun and moon, with an ancient and vast aura permeating the surroundings. A terrifying power, profound as the abyss, shattered the void for ten thousand miles. Chapter 387: 271 Leveled to the Ground_2 Chapter 387: Chapter 271 Leveled to the Ground_2 Such terrifying power made the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s disdain disappear from his face, replaced by sheer horror. ¡°Impossible...¡± The power of the Heavenly Desolate Seal made the Canglong Demon Monarch sense the breath of death; he didn¡¯t hesitate at all, and immediately summoned an ancient bell, into which he crazily channeled all his energy and blood power. Dong!!! The ancient bell was surrounded by infinite Dao Rhythm divine lights, transmitting sounds from the ancient times. The void oscillated, forming waves which soon turned into terrifying torrents that engulfed Gu Qingfeng. Boom¡ª The two powers collided, shattering the void bit by bit, making it seem as though the heavens and the earth had collapsed significantly, revealing endless darkness that seemed to devour everything. The next moment, the ancient seal crashed onto the body of the bell, and following that, the divine light of the Dao Rhythm dimmed. In the horrified gaze of the Canglong Demon Monarch, this precious treasure suddenly shattered. ¡°Pfft!¡± With the treasure broken, the Canglong Demon Monarch suffered a severe backlash. But before he could react, the remaining momentum of the seal pressed down like it was unstoppable. The Canglong Demon Monarch, horrified, attempted to flee without a second thought. ¡°Boom!¡± Despite the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s quick actions, he was still hit by the force of the shattered treasure; half of his body exploded into a mist of blood, and the remaining half fled in panic. ¡°Thinking of escaping?¡± Gu Qingfeng sneered disdainfully, his right hand directing the thunder above the nine heavens; a thick purple heavenly thunder brutally struck the remaining half of the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s body. ¡°Ah!!!!¡± The Canglong Demon Monarch let out a miserable scream, then his body instantly exploded, perishing on the spot. The rolling thunder roared mightily, surging for a long time before dissipating. At this moment, the heavens and the earth were silent. Be it the people from the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, or other hidden Demon elites observing, everyone had fallen into a death-like silence; the look in all cultivators¡¯ eyes toward Gu Qingfeng was filled with terror. What had they witnessed? An ancient powerhouse, nearly at the Great Saint level, was almost instantly killed by Gu Qingfeng. The only word to describe such power was ¡°terrifying.¡± And more importantly, according to the Canglong Demon Monarch, the human in front of them had not yet truly stepped into the Saint Realm, but was merely a Semi-Saint. A Semi-Saint had instantly killed an almost Great Saint. This scene made many cultivators doubt if they were dreaming. It couldn¡¯t be helped. What they saw and heard was simply too shocking. But the scene of the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s demise could not be faked in the slightest. ... ¡°Hiss!¡± ¡°The Heavenly Desolate Seal!¡± ¡°How could the Saint King Soldier of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land end up in your father¡¯s hands? Could it be that he had uprooted the entire Ancient Desolate Sacred Land?¡± At this moment, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s face changed drastically, looking at the ancient seal held by Gu Qingfeng, his eyes filled with disbelief. The Heavenly Desolate Seal! This was the central treasure of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, a true Saint King Soldier. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint was no stranger to such a treasure. In the past, he too had confronted the Heavenly Desolate Seal. It couldn¡¯t be denied. A Saint King Soldier is a Saint King Soldier; even a Saint holding it could contend with a Great Saint, and in the past, a newly advanced Great Saint from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land held this treasure, forcing the Emperor Extreme Great Saint to temporarily avoid direct confrontation. Such a treasure was essentially the lifeblood of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land; it was impossible for it to fall into anyone else¡¯s hands. And yet now, the Heavenly Desolate Seal was in the hands of Gu Qingfeng, which made the Emperor Extreme Great Saint think hard. Compared to the appearance of the Heavenly Desolate Seal, the scene of the Canglong Demon Monarch being killed in one encounter also shocked the Emperor Extreme Great Saint immensely. ¡°Gu lad, your father must possess the Emperor Talent!¡± ¡°If he doesn¡¯t unexpectedly perish, he is bound to reach the Emperor Realm in the future!¡± After a long while, Emperor Extreme Great Saint took a deep breath and gave himself an extremely certain evaluation. Emperor Talent? Gu Xiu¡¯s face was shaken; in his mind, he was still reviewing the scene of Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s downfall. The fall of a Semi-Saint Great Saint level powerhouse right before his eyes was indeed shocking. At this time, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s right hand reached into the void, and a blood-stained Demon Core directly appeared in his hand. The moment this Demon Core appeared, other secretly lurking Demon powerhouses found their breathing becoming somewhat rapid. Simply because this Demon Core was not any ordinary one; it was from Canglong Demon Monarch. To speak bluntly, Such a nearly Great Saint¡¯s inner core, if it fell into the hands of any Demon, could provide an opportunity to step directly into the Saint Realm. Even if it was difficult to truly become a Saint in this era, one could still join the ranks of the top Semi-Saints and, when the great era of contention arrived, could instantly achieve successful Dao confirmation. However, Although the inner core of a half-step Great Saint was full of temptations, not a single Cultivator dared to make a move to snatch it because this kind of Demon Core fell into the hands of a human powerhouse who could slay Canglong Demon Monarch. At this moment, In the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, all Cultivators showed a look of despair, and the Sky Demon Saint Master was dazed, having not anticipated that the previously invincible Canglong Demon Monarch would perish on the spot in an instant. He understood. With the fall of Canglong Demon Monarch, the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land was also doomed. For a moment, the Sky Demon Saint Master wanted to plead for mercy, but as the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back. Humans and Demons were irreconcilable; even if he spoke, the other party would surely not show mercy. Rather than beg for mercy and lose the face of Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, it was better to die unyielding and retain the last bit of dignity. Gu Qingfeng seemed to see the Sky Demon Saint Master¡¯s determination; he didn¡¯t waste any words and directly summoned the Heavenly Desolate Seal, an ancient great seal transforming into an immensely large mountain and smashing down towards the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land below. ¡°Boom!!¡± The ground shook, and the earth cracked. When the Heavenly Desolate Seal disappeared, the vast Heavenly Demon Sacred Land had been completely erased, not leaving a trace behind. ¡°...¡± Watching this scene, the hidden Demon powerhouses once again fell into silence. Heavenly Demon Sacred Land was gone. With today¡¯s battle, they all felt a deep despair. Unless an ancient being resurrected, they wondered who in the entire Demon Realm could be an opponent to this person. However¡ª Even if an ancient existence were revived, unless it was a Great Saint level Great Demon or a Demon King of the Saint King Realm, it would still be very difficult to rival this person. But whether a Great Demon or a Demon King, such beings would not rashly awaken, given that the great era of contention had not yet arrived; if their lifespan was limited, to force awakening would be to court death. Gu Qingfeng retrieved the Heavenly Desolate Seal, his fierce gaze sweeping across the void, he spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Remember, I am the Gu Family Master, Gu Xiu is a descendant of my Gu Family. If you match him in realm and can defeat Gu Xiu, I will definitely not intervene. But if I find out that anyone dares to oppress with their realm, then the fate of Heavenly Demon Sacred Land will be your outcome!¡± This statement, was extremely domineering. It was as if he was grinding the faces of many powerful beings of the Demon Realm into the ground. Unfortunately, Even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s arrogant assertions, they still dared not utter a word of dissent. The destruction of Heavenly Demon Sacred Land had just happened, and the scene of Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s demise was deeply etched in their minds. To express dissatisfaction, they had to consider whether they had the strength to do so. Seeing all the powerhouses silent, Gu Xiu¡¯s eyes looking towards Gu Qingfeng were full of admiration. Single-handedly obliterating a Sacred Land and silencing numerous Demon powerhouses, such might was what he had always wanted to possess. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Gu Qingfeng whisked his sleeve, collecting all the remaining Demon Cores of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, and then immediately departed with Gu Xiu. From beginning to end, no Demon came out to stop them. It was only after Gu Qingfeng had left for more than half an hour that powerhouses from the Demon Realm emerged from the concealed void, looking at the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land that had been completely leveled, their faces extremely unsightly. ¡°With Heavenly Demon Sacred Land destroyed, in the next great era of contention, is the human race again about to bring forth an invincible Great Emperor?¡± Chapter 388: 273: Fellow Daoists Addressing Each Other Chapter 388: Chapter 273: Fellow Daoists Addressing Each Other The news of the destruction of Heavenly Demon Sacred Land swept through the Demon Realm like a hurricane. If it were a normal conflict, the fall of an ancient sacred land would certainly cause a significant shock, but it wouldn¡¯t have stirred up such enormous waves as it did now. However. The powerhouse who exterminated Heavenly Demon Sacred Land came from the human race. And¡ª He, with the status of a Semi-Saint, had directly slain a being on the cusp of the Great Saint Realm. This piece of news. Was the true crux of the matter. A Semi-Saint slaying someone nearly at the Great Saint level, what kind of concept was that!? Even in the endless annals of the Demon Realm¡¯s history, such abnormal beings truly emerged so infrequently they could be counted on one hand. The emergence of such a monstrous talent within the human race naturally filled many powers in the Demon Realm with dread. Should such a powerhouse rise, it would undoubtedly spell catastrophic disaster for the Demon Realm. But now there was also a problem. To contend with such a strong opponent, at the very least, it would require the awakening of a Great Demon¡ªand even then, it was not certain whether a Great Demon could truly suppress the foe. After all, from the ease with which Gu Qingfeng had slain the Canglong Demon Monarch, it was clear that his strength was on par with a real Great Demon. So. To be safe. It would require the intervention of a Demon King. But even though the Demon Realm was rich in heritage, the true slumbering Demon Kings were few, and with the various forces of the Demon Realm each having their own designs, who would willingly sacrifice one of their Demon Kings. Especially now, in the End of Dharma Era, there was still more than a thousand years to go before the era of great conflict. This meant that if a Demon King was to emerge, they would have to expend over a thousand years of their lifespan for nothing. A lifespan of nine thousand years for a Demon King. Even for the most exceptional monstrous talents, it required at least a millennium, often even longer, to truly enter this realm. Thus. For a Demon King, an extra millennium or a millennium less represented two vastly different concepts. Perhaps. The opponent was just lacking that additional millennium, which could have allowed them to further their progress, stepping into the level of a Demon Emperor on par with the Quasi Emperor, or even breaking through to the Demon Emperor level on par with the Great Emperor. Therefore. The various forces of the Demon Realm were naturally unwilling to bear such a loss. Of course. If the human race truly continued to slaughter more of the Demon Realm¡¯s ancient forces, then it would be a different matter altogether. ... Outside Heavenly Demon Sacred Land. In a certain ancient city. Gu Qingfeng and Gu Xiu had quietly appeared here. Although every ancient city was protected by Arrays, such Arrays were by no means capable of stopping Gu Qingfeng. As for concealing their own aura, that was not a special skill either, and was completely sufficient against ordinary Demons. And the courtyard before them. Was a place where Gu Xiu used to reside. However, since he had been hunted and besieged by the likes of Heavenly Demon Sacred Land and other major forces, Gu Xiu had not been able to return here. ¡°Do you want to leave the Demon Realm with me now, or do you have other plans?¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at his third son and asked. Originally, he could have forcibly taken Gu Xiu back to the human race, but now, he had given him a choice. After all, the Demon Realm was perilous for Gu Xiu, but it was also a kind of opportunity. If not for being in the Demon Realm, he could not have possibly come this far so quickly, leaving the others far behind. Upon hearing this. Gu Xiu fell into contemplation. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint inside the ring also remained silent. He understood that this was Gu Xiu¡¯s own choice, and no one else should intervene. After a long while. Gu Xiu¡¯s expression became resolute, and he bowed to Gu Qingfeng, ¡°I have decided to stay in the Demon Realm!¡± This decision was the result of Gu Xiu¡¯s careful consideration. In just a few short years in the Demon Realm, he had already broken through to the seventh layer of the Divine Transformation Realm. Had he stayed in the Ancient Desolate World, there would have been no such progress. Moreover. Without entering the Demon Realm, his Undying Divine Body could not have awakened so quickly. So. Gu Xiu was indeed willing to stay here. The Demon Realm was dangerous, true, but at least his Cultivation could break through much faster. Instances of a Divine Body, as long as they didn¡¯t fall unexpectedly, could eventually step into the Great Saint Realm or even higher levels. However. Divine Bodies were not omnipotent. Entering the Great Saint Realm was not Gu Xiu¡¯s ultimate goal right now. As his horizons expanded, Gu Xiu had even loftier goals. ¡°Have you really thought this through?¡± ¡°I was able to save your life this time because I arrived in time, but you might not be so lucky next time.¡± Gu Qingfeng looked deeply at him, his voice devoid of superfluous emotional fluctuations. ¡°I have thought it through!¡± Gu Xiu answered with unwavering certainty. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng nodded, ¡°Since you have made up your mind, I won¡¯t object. Here are some things for you, and how far you can go will depend on your own opportunities!¡± With that. Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, and a storage ring landed in front of Gu Xiu. The latter instinctively reached out to catch the storage ring. ¡°Take out your Cloud Thunder Cauldron.¡± Although Gu Xiu was unclear why, he still called forth the Cloud Thunder Cauldron as instructed. Then. Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger once more, and a drop of Essence Blood fell into the ancient cauldron, making the power of this Holy Weapon even more terrifying. ¡°This Holy Weapon now contains a drop of my Essence Blood. With your current Cultivation, you can still activate all of the Cloud Thunder Cauldron¡¯s power. Even if a Saint were to take action, you would have the qualifications to fight.¡± ¡°Just remember, once my Essence Blood is used up, the power of the Cloud Thunder Cauldron will drastically decrease, and to truly wield the Holy Weapon¡¯s power, you¡¯ll need to reach at least the Nine Layers of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± Chapter 389: 273 Fellow Daoists_2 Chapter 389: Chapter 273 Fellow Daoists_2 Gu Qingfeng said indifferently, ¡°Thank you, Father!¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s face was filled with emotion. He understood how important Essence Blood was for a cultivator. Gu Qingfeng had retained the Essence Blood as a means to save his own life, a trump card capable of battling Saints! In the current End of Dharma Era, it was the ultimate trump card. At that moment, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze fell upon the ring on Gu Xiu¡¯s hand, and then he smiled slightly, ¡°Does the gentleman inside truly not wish to come out and meet me?¡± As his words fell, Gu Xiu¡¯s expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to speak, a vast Divine Soul power emerged, and the figure of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint also appeared. ¡°I am Emperor Extreme, pleased to meet you, Mr. Gu!¡± ¡°Pleased to meet you, Emperor Extreme,¡± Gu Qingfeng also politely clasped his hands. He could see that the current Emperor Extreme Great Saint was just a remnant soul and was nothing significant in front of him. If he wished, Gu Qingfeng was confident that he could effortlessly annihilate the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Even if the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had once been a Great Saint of the Ninth Layer. The opponent had fallen so many years ago, a mere remnant soul, how much power could it hold? ¡°My unworthy son is fortunate to have your protection, Mr. Gu.¡± ¡°Mr. Gu is too polite, since Gu Xiu has taken me as his master, it is my duty to protect him. This child possesses the Undying Divine Body and has limitless potential for achievement in the future!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint said with a faint smile, treating Gu Qingfeng as an equal in their conversation. Even though Gu Qingfeng has yet to step into the Saint Realm, his ability to kill the Canglong Demon Monarch said a lot. At that moment, Emperor Extreme Great Saint suddenly changed the subject. ¡°I observed you wielding the Heavenly Desolate Seal, and to my knowledge, it is a sacred treasure of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. How did it come into your possession?¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng smiled, yet his smile was extremely cold. ¡°The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land bullied the weak and attacked the people of the Gu Family, hence it needed to no longer exist!¡± With these words, Emperor Extreme Great Saint trembled in his heart. Although he had guessed it, hearing Gu Qingfeng admit it still took him by surprise. ¡°The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land has lineage from ancient times, surviving many great calamities. I never thought it would fall by your hand. You are young yet you have stepped into the Semi-Saint Realm, your power is enough to rival a Great Saint. When the next era of great contention comes, you will surely be an Emperor!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s expression was emotional, looking at Gu Qingfeng, his eyes now filled with a bit more reverence. A future Great Emperor was certainly not someone he could compare to as a Great Saint¡¯s Remnant Soul. Such an existence, if not accidentally fallen, would almost certainly step into the Emperor Realm one day. After all, even Emperors before their ascension did not necessarily possess such heaven-defying combat abilities. Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly, ¡°You flatter me, Mr. Gu, but I see now that your Divine Soul is fragmented. This is a Nourishing God Pill, mainly used for nourishing the Primordial Spirit. I hope it can be of some use to you.¡± As he spoke, Gu Qingfeng had already taken out several bottles of Nourishing God Pill. Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s eyes lit up as he saw the elixirs. ¡°Thanks to you for this!¡± The Nourishing God Pill were capable of nourishing the Primordial Spirit, surely a remedy for Emperor Extreme Great Saint. His Divine Soul was fragmented, after all, the problem lay with his Primordial Spirit. Though the Nourishing God Pill was of lower grade, meant only for those in the Dao Palace Realm to cultivate, given Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s severely compromised Divine Soul, this elixir could still serve some purpose. What¡¯s more, Nourishing substances for the Divine Soul were rare; even such pills suitable for the Dao Palace Realm were valuable. Therefore, Emperor Extreme Great Saint was grateful. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°Gu Xiu intends to stay in the Demon Realm; this place is full of Demons and extremely dangerous, so if any issues arise, I would need you to look after him.¡± ¡°That is only natural.¡± ... Half a day later, Gu Qingfeng left the Demon City. Since Gu Xiu did not wish to leave, Gu Qingfeng would not force him. Perhaps, the path of the other party lies in the Demon Realm. As for Gu Qingfeng¡¯s departure, Gu Xiu was also filled with reluctance, but he steadfastly adhered to his inner thoughts. After Gu Qingfeng had left, Gu Xiu then projected his Divine Thought into the storage ring, causing his expression to suddenly become blank. Inside the storage ring, a large number of Demon Cores appeared, many of which were emanating a powerful aura. These Demon Cores were at least at the Dao Palace Realm level. In the center of all the Demon Cores, there was one stained with blood, filled with a terrifying oppressive force, which caught his eye. When Gu Xiu¡¯s gaze fell on that Demon Core, a horrifying Saintly Power overwhelmed him, shattering his Divine Thought instantaneously. ¡°Huff!¡± Gu Xiu withdrew his Divine Thought from the storage ring and uncontrollably broke out in a cold sweat. Such a terrifying oppressive force, it was as if a world-defying Demon Lord comparable to a Saint was present; naturally, it was not something that Gu Xiu, a mere cultivator at the Divine Transformation Realm, could withstand. But after the shock, a foolish smile appeared on Gu Xiu¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve struck it rich!!¡± ¡°Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s Core, father truly did great!¡± Gu Xiu had never imagined that Gu Qingfeng would leave Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s Core for him. You should know, this was a formidable demon who nearly reached the Semi-Saint status; its core inherently contained extremely terrifying energy. Even actual Saints in this world could not ignore a demon core of such level. So, upon seeing the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s core, Gu Xiu was both surprised and delighted. Subsequently, Gu Xiu quickly calmed down. It was true that the core of the Canglong Demon Monarch was incredibly powerful, a Semi-Saint demon core could equal tens of thousands of Dao Palace Realm cores. But the problem was, such a Demon Core was far too powerful, absolutely not something Gu Xiu could digest now. He was one hundred percent certain that if he rashly consumed the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s core, he would undoubtedly meet his end by exploding. Nothing else, merely because the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s core was way too strong. This kind of core held the power of a Semi-Saint, and such a level of power could annihilate any cultivator at the Divine Transformation Realm with a mere fraction. Understanding this, Gu Xiu also felt the painful irony of sitting on a treasure trove yet unable to use it. Fortunately, there were many demon cores in the storage ring. Although Gu Xiu could not refine the Canglong Demon Monarch¡¯s core, the other demon cores were not a problem. Immediately, Gu Xiu began his mediation to refine and breakthrough using the Demon Cores. One after another, Demon Cores were swallowed, and the techniques of the Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture began to operate, decomposing terrific and pure energy from the cores, which ultimately integrated into his bloodstream. Divine Transformation Realm! It was all about the metamorphosis of blood and Qi, producing miraculous changes. Now, Gu Xiu had stepped into the seventh layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, and under the pure energy of these demon cores, he immediately began to break through towards the eighth layer. Rumbling!!! Blood swirled like a river torrent, constantly churning and changing, eventually reaching a critical point. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The moment his blood reached the critical point of transformation, Gu Xiu¡¯s body shook, a more powerful aura exuded than before, but within a few breaths, he completely retracted this aura. ¡°Divine Transformation Realm Eighth Layer!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve done it¡ª¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s face lit up with joy. He hadn¡¯t expected that his breakthrough to the Eighth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm would go so smoothly, much easier than his previous advancement to the seventh layer. But on second thought, Gu Xiu felt relieved. This time, following Gu Qingfeng, witnessing many powerful beings compete and personally experiencing the subtleties of the aura of those near the Semi-Saint status gave him many insights. Furthermore, with numerous demon cores aiding him, breaking through to the eighth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm was not only natural but also posed little difficulty. Now, as his cultivation broke through, Gu Xiu felt his strength become even stronger. Currently, if he faced a typical cultivator from the Dao Palace Realm, he believed it would be much easier to handle. Chapter 390: 274 Divine Grade Spirit Vein Chapter 390: Chapter 274 Divine Grade Spirit Vein ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ has refined the Demon Core, and his cultivation has broken through to the Eighth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ... Gu Qingfeng glanced at the information panel, and then took another look at his attribute panel, noticing that the Upgrade Points had increased by three hundred. He had broken through! To this outcome, Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t much surprised. He had handed over all the Demon Cores from the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land to Gu Xiu, knowing simply refining them all was a matter of time before breaking through to the Eighth Level of Divine Transformation Realm or even stepping into the Daoist Palace Realm. ¡°I remember other Hidden Guards also entered the Demon Realm, but I don¡¯t know where they are now!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the Death Soldier¡¯s information panel, and Gu Sishiqi¡¯s details quickly caught his eye. Just like Gu Xiu, Gu Sishiqi was frequently attacked by demons, only not as spectacularly. What surprised Gu Qingfeng even more was, This one did not possess an Undying Divine Body like Gu Xiu, nor did he have the aid of the Great Saint¡¯s Remnant Soul, yet he still roamed freely in the Demon Realm. Moreover, considering his cultivation, Gu Sishiqi had already entered the Sixth Level of the God Transformation Realm. If it weren¡¯t for the Demon Cores from the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land that Gu Xiu had obtained, in terms of cultivation, he wouldn¡¯t be much higher than Gu Sishiqi. ¡°Potential material!¡± Gu Qingfeng silently tagged Gu Sishiqi in his heart. The fact that the other had survived in the Demon Realm until now and had rapidly advanced in cultivation showed that Gu Sishiqi¡¯s Qi Fortune was good. However, Although Gu Qingfeng wanted to locate him, the Demon Realm was too vast; it was not feasible. ¡°This is Cloud Sea Sect¡¯s stronghold, which demon dares to trespass!¡± As Gu Qingfeng entered a Sect, a cold voice immediately sounded, followed by a demon with wings rising into the air, appearing directly before him. ¡°Human!¡± Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, the winged demon¡¯s expression changed. He didn¡¯t attack immediately, as this was the Cloud Sea Sect, and a human brazenly appearing here must have some reliance. Gu Qingfeng, with his hands behind his back, said indifferently, ¡°I am Gu Qingfeng. I am here at the Cloud Sea Sect today to ask for a favor.¡± ¡°Gu Qingfeng¡ª¡± Upon hearing this name, the winged demon¡¯s pupils contracted, and as he recalled a recent rumor, his expression darkened upon hearing the name again. ¡°So, you are Gu Qingfeng, who not only destroyed the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land but now you dare to approach our Cloud Sea Sect ¨C do you also intend to destroy our Sect?¡± ¡°I have not come to make an enemy of the Cloud Sea Sect,¡± Gu Qingfeng replied, ¡°but with your status, can you really decide for the Cloud Sea Sect?¡± ... The winged demon fell silent. He had thought of a conflict erupting as soon as Gu Qingfeng arrived, but hadn¡¯t expected the other to not take action. Hatred between humans and demons was ancient, and peace was unlikely. Had it been anyone else, the winged demon wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to attack. But¡ª The person before him had recently annihilated the entire Heavenly Demon Sacred Land, having slain the Canglong Demon Monarch. Cloud Sea Sect admittedly had a deep foundation comparable to the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land and older powerful beings asleep, but they truly wished not to come to blows with Gu Qingfeng. Losing or winning both resulted in loss. As the winged demon hesitated, a commanding voice suddenly emerged. ¡°Since a guest has arrived, there is no reason to deny entry. Please, come inside!¡± With that statement, the winged demon relaxed and led Gu Qingfeng into the Cloud Sea Sect. Entering the Cloud Sea Sect, Gu Qingfeng sensed many demons¡¯ gazes on him, filled with both avarice and fear. Regarding this, he ignored them. Following the winged demon, Gu Qingfeng entered the grand palace of the Sect, where he met the Sect Master of Cloud Sea Sect. He was a middle-aged cultivator in green robes, his face elegant, exuding a gentle temperament; without knowing his demon origin, one would mistake him for a common scholar. ¡°Sect Master Ji greets the Daoist friend!¡± ¡°Never would I have expected the Sect Master of the mighty Cloud Sea Sect to bear such resemblance to humans!¡± Gu Qingfeng expressed slight surprise. Clearly, Such an appearance from Sect Master Ji was unexpected. Of course, The demonic essence emitting from him was unmistakable. Sect Master Ji smiled faintly, ¡°My friend speaks amiss, as both demons and humans are born from this world; who can say who resembles whom.¡± ¡°That is true indeed.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded, not dwelling much on the issue. Sect Master Ji then asked, ¡°You have barely obliterated the Heavenly Demon Sacred Land and now you came to our Cloud Sea Sect, but I remember our Sect didn¡¯t lay a hand on Gu Xiu.¡± ¡°Sect Master Ji, rest assured, I have not come to act against Cloud Sea Sect but rather to borrow your Array to return to the Ancient Desolate World,¡± ... After a brief silence, Sect Master Ji responded. ¡°How can you be sure that our Cloud Sea Sect has an Array leading to the Ancient Desolate World?¡± ¡°Since ancient times, constant wars between the Demon Realm and the Ancient Desolate World have raged, and the Cloud Sea Sect being a venerable force, to claim it does not possess such an Array, I would not believe.¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was calm, convinced that the Cloud Sea Sect did possess such an Array. ¡°If I were to say we do not have it, how would you react?¡± asked Sect Master Ji. ¡°Quite simple, I would destroy the Cloud Sea Sect and search for the Array myself. If it really cannot be found, then I would seek another Sect.¡± Chapter 391: 274 Divine Grade Spirit Vein_2 Chapter 391: Chapter 274 Divine Grade Spirit Vein_2 Gu Qingfeng spoke airily, as if, for him, annihilating the Cloud Sea Sect was a piece of cake. ¡°You¡¯re quite arrogant, fellow Daoist!¡± Ji Yuan¡¯s eyes deepened with a touch of crimson, and the atmosphere throughout the great hall became much more oppressive. Feeling the chilling and terrifying intent to kill around him, Gu Qingfeng remained fearless. ¡°Gu is not arrogant, but merely stating a fact. After all, the conflict between our clans has a long history. Destroying your Cloud Sea Sect wouldn¡¯t cause me any psychological burden.¡± ¡°...¡± Silence, Ji Yuan once again fell silent for a long time. After a long while, he sighed, smiling helplessly, ¡°Fellow Daoist, your actions are indeed different from other human races, utterly straightforward without beating around the bush. Well, the Cloud Sea Sect indeed has an array leading to the Ancient Desolate World. However, this array has been abandoned for a long time. If fellow Daoist wishes to use it, the Cloud Sea Sect certainly has no objections.¡± ¡°Then, I thank Sect Master Ji greatly!¡± Gu Qingfeng bowed his hands in greeting. Immediately, Ji Yuan personally led Gu Qingfeng to the forbidden area of the Cloud Sea Sect, where the transmission array to the Ancient Desolate World indeed existed. To outsiders, this array seemed mysterious and unfathomable, impossible to discern its authenticity, but Gu Qingfeng saw no issues with the array before him. As the array activated, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s figure vanished within the light. As Gu Qingfeng departed, the smile on Ji Yuan¡¯s face disappeared too, and his eyes turned chilling crimson. ¡°After so many years of silence in the Ancient Desolate World, this grand era might actually produce an invincible Great Emperor!¡± ¡°However¡ª¡± ¡°In this End of Dharma Era, everything is still unknown!¡± Ji Yuan seemed to think of something and a smile crept on his lips. ¡ª Elsewhere, Gu Qingfeng had already stepped out from the transmission array, feeling familiar sensations flood him, and the scenery completely different from the Demon Realm made him realize he had returned to the Ancient Desolate World. Looking back, the light from the transmission array had dimmed, making it hard for the naked eye to spot any clues. ¡°A bidirectional array!¡± ¡°However, the person who set up this array was quite skilled. To activate the transmission array, only the Cloud Sea Sect can initiate it from their side. It¡¯s impossible to activate it from here in reverse.¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes flickered. He had thoroughly understood the intricacies of the transmission array before him. The greatest use of such arrays was to prevent anyone from activating the array in reverse and then directly appearing inside the forbidden area of the Cloud Sea Sect. ¡°The Cloud Sea Sect has a transmission array leading to the Ancient Desolate World, other forces in the Demon Realm likely have something similar, showing that the war between the Ancient Desolate World and the Demon Realm hasn¡¯t truly settled. These arrays are the reliance for the Demon Realm¡¯s possible future invasions into the Ancient Desolate World!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression shifted slightly. He did not destroy the transmission array here, seeing no necessity in doing so. Even if he destroyed the present transmission array, there were other arrays in the Ancient Desolate World. If the Demon Realm were to invade, it would always be unstoppable. However, Though Gu Qingfeng did not destroy the array, he casually set up a killing array there. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current Sixth Rank mastery in the Array Dao Path, even a casually set up killing array was of the fifth level. ¡°If the demons of the Cloud Sea Sect ever emerge from here one day, this array should give them a good shock.¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled indifferently. Although the killing array was not high-grade, being only of the fifth level, it was sufficient to deal with average cultivators of the Daoist Palace Realm. Even a Half-Saint Realm powerhouse might fall unaware in such a killing array. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng drifted away. Half a day later, Gu Qingfeng finally figured out that he was in the Eastern Domain. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng took the transmission array straight to Taixu City. ... When the light from the transmission array reappeared, Gu Qingfeng was already present in Taixu City. Upon his arrival, he immediately headed towards the direction of the Taixu Sacred Land. Taixu City, being established by the Taixu Sacred Land, was right next to the Holy Land. Upon Gu Qingfeng¡¯s arrival at Taixu Sacred Land, cultivators from within soon appeared. ¡°This is Taixu Sacred Land, may I inquire the purpose of your visit?¡± The speaker was an attendant of the Taixu Sacred Land. He looked at the green-robed cultivator before him, his expression slightly altering, and his words carried an added degree of politeness. This was solely because, in the attendant¡¯s eyes, Gu Qingfeng was somewhat unfathomable, indicating that the newcomer was not weak. ¡°Gu Family Master Gu Qingfeng has specially come to pay a visit to Peak Master Fu Shenjun of the Ninth Peak of Taixu Sacred Land!¡± ¡°Gu Family Master!!¡± Upon hearing this, the attendant from the Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s face drastically changed, followed immediately by a shift to a respectful demeanor. ¡°It turns out to be Mr. Gu himself. Please wait a moment while I report your arrival.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded. The attendant didn¡¯t dare to hesitate, immediately taking out a Communication Jade Token to relay the message to the Ninth Peak. Having done this, he waited on one side with a face full of reverence, showing none of the haughtiness expected of a sacred land¡¯s attendant. A joke. This Gu Family Master had recently, with his own power, annihilated the entire Ancient Desolate Sacred Land and was proclaimed the first powerhouse of the End of Dharma Era in the Ancient Desolate World. Furthermore, it was rumored that he already possessed Emperor Talent, and the next grand era was his opportunity for enlightenment. Many agreed with this premise, For from ancient times to the present, the beings who could, with Half-Saint Cultivation, slay an Ancient Great Saint, were few. Such a feat was even difficult for many Ancient Emperors. With such a powerful figure arriving, this attendant of the Taixu Sacred Land dared not show any disrespect. After all, if they were to anger him, dying here meant that the Taixu Sacred Land wouldn¡¯t utter a word in objection. Moreover, as he understood, the current Saint Heir of the Ninth Peak, famed as one of the Taixu Nine Sons, Gu Xuan, was this one¡¯s offspring. Thus, from any perspective, Gu Qingfeng was not someone he could afford to offend. Not even a quarter hour after the message was sent, they saw a cultivator transform into a rainbow light and arrive, stopping in front of them. ¡°Greetings, Peak Master Fu!¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, the attendant hurriedly bent down to bow. Peak Master Fu Shenjun waved his hand and then smiled at Gu Qingfeng, ¡°Having the Gu Family Master here graces the Taixu Sacred Land. Please follow me inside!¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I appreciate it, Peak Master Fu!¡± Gu Qingfeng did not refuse, and followed Fu Shenjun inside. Stepping into the Taixu Sacred Land, a majestic surge of Spiritual Energy immediately assailed him. Such robust Spiritual Energy, countless times stronger than the Nine States, even the current Capital of the Divine Martial Dynasty paled in comparison when it came to Spiritual Energy. It should be noted, the current Capital of the Divine Martial Dynasty was not comparable to capitals of the old days. Gu Qingfeng nurtured the Spirit Vein underground with the flesh and blood of many powerful beings from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, birthing a Holy-grade Spirit Vein beneath the Capital. Such a level of Spirit Vein was considered precious across the entire Ancient Desolate World. Unfortunately, compared to the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, the Spiritual Energy in Guangyang Prefecture still fell short. ¡°Taixu Sacred Land truly is an Ancient Sacred Land, such Spiritual Energy is incomparable by ordinary powers!¡± ¡°You may not be aware, Gu Family Master, but beneath our Taixu Sacred Land lies a Divine Grade Spirit Vein, and naturally, the Spiritual Energy here is extraordinary.¡± Fu Shenjun chuckled slightly, a touch of pride crossing his face, swiftly returning to composure. Divine Grade Spirit Veins were rare, and if other powers possessed such veins, they would keep it hidden and not dare to proclaim it. But the Taixu Sacred Land was different. With its robust foundation, even if news of the Divine Grade Spirit Vein spread, the Taixu Sacred Land was not afraid at all. Furthermore, the matter of the Divine Grade Spirit Vein was not a secret. Therefore, there was no need for Fu Shenjun to hide it. ¡°Divine Grade Spirit Vein!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression also shifted, his face registering shock, then he silently came to terms with it. If it was a Divine Grade Spirit Vein, then everything made sense. Chapter 392: 275 The True Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body Chapter 392: Chapter 275 The True Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body Divine-grade Spirit Vein. It has a chance to nurture top-grade Divine Blood Stones. At such a level, it is extremely rare indeed. Although the Divine Martial Dynasty currently possesses a Holy-grade Spirit Vein, getting it to truly ascend to a Divine grade is still no simple matter. If no cultivator mines the Spirit Vein and lets it grow on its own, then there is a possibility it might evolve into a Divine-grade Spirit Vein in the future. However, the time required is absolutely not just a matter of conventional wisdom. It might require a hundred thousand years, or perhaps even a million years or more. As for wanting to replicate the previous method, nourishing it with the flesh and blood of living creatures, the amount of flesh and blood required is incomparable to that of nurturing a Holy-grade bloodline. ... Ninth Peak. Inside the Peak Master¡¯s hall. Peak Master Fu and Gu Qingfeng took their respective seats. ¡°Family Head Gu, what brings you to Taixu Sacred Land today?¡± After both were seated, Peak Master Fu was the first to ask. In his view, Gu Qingfeng was always in the Nine States, seldom leaving. Now that he had suddenly come to the Taixu Sacred Land, Peak Master Fu couldn¡¯t help but speculate. ¡°I have come here for Gu Xiu.¡± Gu Qingfeng offered no concealment. Hearing this, Peak Master Fu¡¯s expression cleared, ¡°Oh, I see. It just so happens that Gu Xiu is at the Ninth Peak; I will send word for him to come here.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded. Immediately, Peak Master Fu conveyed the message, and then the two of them exchanged information, discussing some issues about cultivation. However, For the most part, it was Gu Qingfeng speaking, with Peak Master Fu listening silently, occasionally inserting a comment or two, giving his own insights on these issues. After all, although both were cultivators of the Daoist Palace Realm, Gu Qingfeng was already half a step into the Saint Realm, not to mention his strength surpassed all Saints and was comparable to that of Great Saint powerhouses. While their realms were similar, their understanding of cultivation was completely on different levels. Listening to Gu Qingfeng talking about the Dao, many areas gave Peak Master Fu a sense of sudden enlightenment, shaking the bottleneck that had constrained him for a thousand years. It now seemed to loosen faintly. Such a sensation was as if he was about to step forward at any time, advancing into the Half-Saint Realm. This transformation Naturally made Peak Master Fu ecstatic. Of course, He was also very clear. Although the bottleneck was loosening, to truly take that half step forward was far from easy. But regardless, this discussion on the Dao left Peak Master Fu extremely satisfied. Just then, A young man in white robes walked slowly from outside the hall. His features were handsome, his thick eyebrows conveyed strength, and his eyes were calm like still water. Upon entering, he bowed. ¡°Disciple Gu Xiu pays respect to the Peak Master!¡± After speaking, Gu Xuan also gave a salute to Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Son pays respect to Father!¡± In this sentence, Gu Xuan¡¯s normally calm voice also unavoidably fluctuated with emotion. The outside world was rife with rumors about Gu Qingfeng. The Ancient Desolate Sacred Land had been destroyed, and Gu Xuan¡¯s own father was now known as the foremost powerhouse of the End of Dharma Era. Being the offspring of Gu Qingfeng, Gu Xuan felt some pressure too. After all, with a father so powerful, if he couldn¡¯t keep up, he would inevitably bring shame to the Gu Family. Thus, When finally seeing Gu Qingfeng, Gu Xuan¡¯s heart was somewhat uneasy. ¡°It seems you haven¡¯t neglected your cultivation these past few years!¡± As soon as Gu Qingfeng spoke, Gu Xuan felt a weight lifted off his heart. But then, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s next words made Gu Xuan¡¯s expression subtly change. ¡°However, compared to your third brother, your cultivation is now far behind!¡± ¡°Third brother?¡± ¡°Could it be Father has found my third brother?¡± Gu Xuan was initially startled, then his face lit up with elation. The whereabouts of Gu Xiu had always been a great concern for Gu Xuan. Since he became the Saint Heir of the Ninth Peak, he had been using the power of the Taixu Sacred Land to search for him. Unfortunately, Gu Xiu seemed to have vanished into thin air, with all efforts to locate him returning no news. Over time, Gu Xuan even began to doubt whether Gu Xiu had perished. So now, hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words made Gu Xuan so agitated. ¡°The Ancient Transfer Array in the Southern Domain leads to the Demon Realm. I also entered the Demon Realm a while ago and saw your third brother. He has now reached the eighth level of the Divine Transformation Realm.¡± ¡°Divine Transformation Realm level eight!¡± ¡°Demon Realm!!!¡± Compared to Gu Xuan¡¯s shock upon hearing the news of Gu Xiu reaching the eighth level of the Divine Transformation Realm, Peak Master Fu beside him changed his expression dramatically upon hearing the words ¡®Demon Realm.¡¯ ¡°Family Head Gu, are you saying that you have been to the Demon Realm?¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Upon hearing Gu Qingfeng admitting so personally, Peak Master Fu¡¯s face suddenly grew grim. ¡°May I ask, Family Head Gu, through which means did you enter the Demon Realm?¡± ¡°I entered the Demon Realm through an Ancient Transfer Array; it was a one-use array that shattered after use. However, on my return, I used a Transmission Array belonging to another Demon Sect.¡± Upon hearing this, Peak Master Fu¡¯s expression became even more somber. Gu Qingfeng, aware of the other¡¯s concerns, then shook his head and said, ¡°Peak Master Fu you really needn¡¯t worry so much. The wars between the Ancient Desolate World and the Demon Realm have a long history; it¡¯s normal for there to be arrays connecting the two worlds. If the Demon Realm can leave a backdoor in the Ancient Desolate World, I believe there are also many strong individuals from the Ancient Desolate World who have left their own contingencies in the Demon Realm.¡± ¡°As long as both worlds exist, war will inevitably break out one day. The only question is the timing.¡± Hearing this, Peak Master Fu took a deep breath, and his troubled expression eased slightly. Chapter 393: 275 The True Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body_2 Chapter 393: Chapter 275 The True Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body_2 ¡°Gu Family Master¡¯s words are sensible, yet the fact that Gu Family Master entered the Demon Realm and emerged unscathed is truly admirable!¡± The Ninth Peak¡¯s Peak Master expressed with remarkable awe. A hundred thousand years ago, the battle had the Eastern Domain as its main battlefield. Demons invaded on a large scale, igniting a prolonged war with the forces of the Eastern Domain. In that battle, Countless mighty beings of the Eastern Domain perished, and many forces were annihilated, even Taixu Sacred Land suffered heavy damage. Therefore, Taixu Sacred Land knows the foundation of the Demon Realm all too well. Although Peak Master Fu was not a mighty being from that era, through the classic scriptures left in Taixu Sacred Land, he could understand the might of the Demon Realm. In the past, it wasn¡¯t that there were no mighty beings who ventured into the Demon Realm, but very few indeed managed to walk out alive. Not to mention ordinary cultivators, even a Saint stepping forward might not guarantee their safe return. Looking at Gu Qingfeng¡¯s demeanor, his casual expression when mentioning the Demon Realm revealed much confidence. At this moment, Gu Xuan also realized something and his face changed abruptly, ¡°My younger brother ventured into the Demon Realm... Where is he now?¡± ¡°I originally intended to bring him back, but he insisted on staying in the Demon Realm to temper himself, so I could not force him,¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head. A shock struck Gu Xuan¡¯s heart: ¡°My younger brother stayed in the Demon Realm to temper himself¡ª¡± He never expected Gu Xiu to dare to do such a thing. After joining Taixu Sacred Land, Gu Xuan learned of many secrets of the Demon Realm and was naturally aware of its power. Not just any Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, even those in the Dao Palace Realm rarely dared to enter it. Now, the fact that Gu Xiu stayed to temper himself in the Demon Realm was unexpected for Gu Xuan. He was both shocked by Gu Xiu¡¯s audacity and admired his confidence. Hearing this, Peak Master Fu also appeared shocked, ¡°The third son of the Gu Family is truly a dragon amongst men; the eldest son, Gu Yang, established the Divine Martial Dynasty, the second son, Gu Xuan, is one of the nine great Saint Heirs of Taixu Sacred Land. Now the third son, Gu Xiu, has chosen to stay alone in the Demon Realm to temper himself. His future achievements could well be immeasurable!¡± Regardless of Gu Xiu¡¯s strength, his courage alone is something others cannot match. Also, according to Gu Qingfeng, Gu Xiu has already reached the Eighth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, while Gu Xuan is currently only at the Third Level. Even though the latter¡¯s cultivation speed is considered extremely astonishing in Taixu Sacred Land, compared to Gu Xiu, it¡¯s not just a level behind. Clearly, this third son of the Gu Family also boasts top-tier aptitude. At this time, Gu Qingfeng flipped his palm, and a jade bottle suddenly appeared. Upon seeing that jade bottle, Gu Xuan¡¯s gaze was involuntarily drawn to it, his bloodline seeming to tremble faintly, stirring a strong desire to possess it within him. ¡°This is the Phoenix Essence Blood your younger brother found in the Demon Realm; you can use this Phoenix Essence Blood to perfect your Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body,¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words shocked both Peak Master Fu and Gu Xuan. Phoenix Essence Blood! Neither of them expected such a treasure to be contained within the jade bottle before them. Especially Peak Master Fu, who was well aware of the rarity of Phoenix Essence Blood, a Chaotic Beast naturally on par with a Saint, maturing to independently become a Saint King. However, in reality, any mature Phoenix would not just be at the Saint King Realm. Indeed, for such terrifying Chaotic Beasts, just a devoted cultivation period could easily break through the Saint King barrier and step into the Quasi-Emperor Realm. Moreover, Chaotic Beasts were rare, and even with the resources of Taixu Sacred Land, no Phoenix Essence Blood was found. In recent years, Taixu Sacred Land had always been collecting information about Phoenix Essence Blood to perfect Gu Xuan¡¯s Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, but unfortunately, there had been no clue. However, Gu Xiu had found traces of Phoenix Essence Blood in the Demon Realm. Upon hearing this, Peak Master Fu immediately felt joy in his heart. With the emergence of Phoenix Essence Blood, it was indicative that the Ninth Peak would produce a true Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Gu Xuan¡¯s innate talent was originally top-notch, and if he could transform into a complete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, he would surely shine brightly in the next era of great contention. At that time, No to mention the Ninth Peak, even the entire Taixu Sacred Land might return to its former glory. Moreover, There might be further progress. After all, a true Divine Body, as long as it did not accidentally perish, was destined to break through the Great Saint Realm and move into the realm of Saint King and even Quasi Emperor, where the chances were not small. Additionally¡ª There was a possibility of achieving the Great Emperor status. Thus, whenever a Divine Body appeared, it inevitably led to competition among various forces. Now, With Taixu Sacred Land about to possess a complete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, how could Fu Shenjun not be excited? On the other side, when Gu Xuan learned that the jade bottle contained Phoenix Essence Blood, his face also showed signs of excitement. ¡°Take the Phoenix Essence Blood now, and perfect the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body; Fu Peak Master and I will protect you!¡± Gu Qingfeng handed the Phoenix Essence Blood to Gu Xuan, urging him to refine it immediately. Upon hearing this, Fu Shenjun also stated, ¡°The Gu Family Master is right, such a treasure must not be lost. Take it right away, and with the Gu Family Master and I protecting you, it will be completely safe!¡± ¡°Good!¡± Upon seeing this, Gu Xuan did not dare to delay, and took a seated position right on the spot, then uncorked the bottle, and a terrifying power burst forth instantly, accompanied by an inexplicable aroma spreading. Gu Xuan no longer restrained his impulses, and directly consumed the Phoenix Essence Blood. As the essence blood entered his stomach, Gu Xuan¡¯s skin suddenly reddened, and terrifying waves of energy radiated from him, as thick blood energy surged from the top of his skull. ¡°Boom!¡± The sky shook. A soul-shaking cry spread through heaven and earth, then the sky turned fiery red, as if flames were burning, and a terrifying phoenix phantom that blotted out the sun soared, each feather clearly visible. The fearsome pressure of the Chaotic Beast descended. At that moment, All cultivators who witnessed the phoenix phantom felt the strong pressure from the bloodline, giving them urges to bow in worship. ¡°A natal phenomenon!¡± ¡°This is the emergence of a Divine Body!!!¡± ¡°The phoenix phantom... Could it be caused by the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body of the Taixu Sacred Land?¡± At the sight of the celestial phenomena, many powerful figures in the Eastern Domain were shaken, especially when they saw that the phenomenon originated from the direction of the Taixu Sacred Land, which led them to instinctively think of Gu Xuan. As the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body itself was inseparably linked to the phoenix, it was hard not to associate these events. ... Yuhua Sacred Land. ¡°The appearance of the celestial phenomenon and the soaring phoenix indicates that the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body of the Taixu Sacred Land has indeed perfected its shortcomings!¡± ¡°Taixu Sacred Land truly has good fortune, to have found a complete Divine Body at this critical juncture!¡± The Yuhua Saint Master¡¯s expression was grim, and his eyes were fierce as he looked toward the direction of Taixu Sacred Land. The growth of Taixu Sacred Land was not something the Yuhua Saint Master wanted to see. But there was nothing that could be done. If the owner of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body were someone else, the Yuhua Saint Master would have tried everything to eliminate it. Unfortunately, The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body happened to come from Gu Xuan, and even if the Yuhua Saint Master felt unwilling, he could only hold back for the moment. There was nothing that could be done. Gu Xuan might not be much, and Taixu Sacred Land might not be much, but the support of the Gu Family behind Gu Xuan was something the Yuhua Saint Master had to be wary of. That was because the Gu Family Master was reputed to be the strongest figure of this End of Dharma Era, the only existence who could defy the heavens and slaughter a Saint while in the Half-Saint Realm. In this End of Dharma Era, no one would willingly provoke such a powerful figure. Even though Yuhua Sacred Land had its own resources, the Yuhua Saint Master did not want to break all ties with the Gu Family. Given the lesson of the destruction of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land, the Yuhua Saint Master naturally would not deliberately provoke conflict. Given the resolute and ruthless actions, if Yuhua Sacred Land targeted Gu Xuan, the next step would be an assault from the opposite side. Therefore, The Yuhua Saint Master could only watch the emergence of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, with no other options. Chapter 394: 276 Saints Heavenly Calamity Chapter 394: Chapter 276 Saint¡¯s Heavenly Calamity ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ has consumed Phoenix Essence Blood and awakened a complete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ has made a breakthrough in his cultivation to the Fourth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*300!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ has made a breakthrough in his cultivation to the Fifth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*300!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯...¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan,¡¯ has made a breakthrough in his cultivation to the Ninth Layer Perfection of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points*300!¡± ... When Gu Qingfeng extended his help to Gu Xuan in suppressing and refining the Phoenix Essence Blood, the latter¡¯s cultivation soared like a rocket, instantly breaking through from the Third Level of the Divine Transformation Realm to the Ninth Layer Perfection. Such a breakthrough allowed Gu Xuan to surpass Gu Xiu in terms of cultivation level, becoming the highest among the three sons of the Gu Family. After a long time, Gu Xuan¡¯s aura gradually calmed, and the vision between heaven and earth also disappeared. Immediately after, Gu Xuan opened his eyes, and from the moment he rose from the ground, he felt an overwhelming power surge within him¡ªsimple to say that it was several times stronger than before. ¡°Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Level!¡± ¡°This is the power of Phoenix Essence Blood!¡± Gu Xuan¡¯s face lit up with surprise; under normal cultivation, it would have taken him at least decades to reach this stage. If even slower, it might take a century or more. But now, a single drop of Phoenix Essence Blood had spared him years of hard work. What¡¯s more important, with the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body becoming whole, Gu Xuan could clearly feel the profound changes in his physical body¡ªterrifying bloodline power that was simply incomparable to the past. Even without any breakthroughs, Gu Xuan was confident that his strength was at least doubled compared to before. Now, having broken through to the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm with a complete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, he was confident in suppressing a challenger of the Dao Palace Realm. ¡°Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Level¡ªit seems my Ninth Peak is truly going to prosper!¡± Fu Shenjun too couldn¡¯t help but smile widely, for the other eight Taixu Nine Sons all had cultivation at the peak of the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, some even with one foot in the Dao Palace Realm. By comparison, Gu Xuan¡¯s cultivation had always been at the bottom among the Taixu Nine Sons. His ranking among the Taixu Nine Sons was partly due to the once incomplete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body and partly because Gu Xuan was the son of Gu Qingfeng. The latter, being the foremost expert in the End of Dharma Era, naturally bestowed Gu Xuan with a halo¡ªit was an inevitable fact. However¡ª Now that Gu Xuan had completed his Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body and stepped into the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm in one breath, his position among the Taixu Nine Sons was indeed well deserved. ¡°Divine Transformation Realm Ninth Level is barely acceptable, once the power of the Phoenix Essence Blood within you is fully refined, breaking through to the Dao Palace Realm should pose no problem.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, his expression calm and serene, showing little in the way of surprise or unexpectedness. After all, such Phoenix Essence Blood was extraordinary, at least at the level of a Saint King. As such an existence, even just a drop of blood held endless wonders. Even if the power of the Essence Blood had weakened due to the passage of time, there was no problem in creating a cultivator of the Dao Palace Realm. Normally speaking, Gu Qingfeng would have been able to directly refine all the Essence Blood¡¯s power within Gu Xuan and make a single push to the Dao Palace Realm. But doing so, with too rapid a breakthrough, would make Gu Xuan¡¯s foundation unstable. Thus, Gu Qingfeng opted to refine most of it and left a portion of the Essence Blood¡¯s power to be steadily cultivated by the latter himself. ¡°My son understands!¡± Gu Xuan said, smiling broadly, feeling extremely good about the surge in his cultivation level and his perfected Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng accompanied Gu Xuan to his courtyard and offered guidance on his cultivation, resolving many of Gu Xuan¡¯s doubts about his practice. Three days later, Gu Qingfeng left the Taixu Sacred Land. During this time, Fu Shenjun made an appearance, intending to persuade Gu Qingfeng to extend his stay in the Taixu Sacred Land. After all, having a discussion with Gu Qingfeng had greatly benefited Fu Shenjun, and if he could continue to discuss cultivation with Gu Qingfeng and listen to his explanations of the Great Dao, there might indeed be a chance to break directly into the Half-Saint Realm. Unfortunately, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of staying long in the Taixu Sacred Land. Seeing this, Fu Shenjun could only suppress his eagerness, bidding farewell to Gu Qingfeng with a face full of regret. ¡°Gu Family Head, if you have time in the future, please feel free to visit the Taixu Sacred Land, and I will surely prepare a place to host you!¡± ¡°Very well!¡± Gu Qingfeng responded to Fu Shenjun¡¯s anticipatory expression with a nod. He did not extend an invitation for the latter to visit the Gu Family, as he truly worried that Fu Shenjun would agree right away. During his days in the Taixu Sacred Land, Gu Qingfeng had felt a bit overwhelmed by Fu Shenjun¡¯s enthusiasm. Leaving the Taixu Sacred Land, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his own attribute panel. ...Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 60/6000 Realm: Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfection), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Grandmaster Second Level), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered), Nine Heavens Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfection), Beidou Dao Scripture (Perfection) Upgrade Points: 3352 ... Chapter 395: 276 Saints Heavenly Calamity_2 Chapter 395: Chapter 276 Saint¡¯s Heavenly Calamity_2 Three thousand Upgrade Points. Gu Qingfeng now had enough to elevate the Nine Heavens Scripture by one more rank. However, just as Gu Qingfeng was about to upgrade, a subtle premonition from the depths of mystery descended upon him, causing a faint trepidation in his heart, as if this breakthrough would trigger some ominous forebodings. ¡°People say that breaking through to the Saint Realm will bring about a Heavenly Tribulation; if it descends, it will certainly cause a great commotion. It seems that this breakthrough should take place elsewhere!¡± Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself, recalling some facts about the Saint Realm. Before the Saint, cultivators didn¡¯t need to face the Heavenly Tribulation. But from the Saint Realm onwards, each major realm¡¯s breakthrough must withstand the Heavenly Tribulation. This clearly showed that the Saint Realm was conceptually different from the other realms. Now in the End of Dharma Era, it is a given that cultivators cannot break through to the Saint Realm. If Gu Qingfeng were to trigger a Saintly Heavenly Tribulation at this time, he could be sure it would cause quite a bit of trouble. Of course, Gu Qingfeng was not afraid of trouble, but he also didn¡¯t want any extra hassle. So, with a thought of his Divine Thought, his body turned into a rainbow light and headed straight into the sky. ... There are Nine Layers of Heaven! Beyond the nine layers is Chaos. Within the Nine Layers of Heaven, the Gang Wind rages, attacking any cultivator who steps within. Although these Gang Winds are not too strong, they are still not easy to withstand for the typical Daoist Palace Realm Cultivator. As for those below the Daoist Palace Realm, each and every one of them, upon entering the Nine Layers of Heaven and being attacked by the Gang Wind, would only meet with downfall. However, the Nine Heavens Gang Wind, which terrified others, seemed to be nothing in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. He stepped into the Nine Layers of Heaven, where the terrifying Nine Heavens Gang Wind surged and swept over, as if intending to destroy all life that did not belong to this realm. However, when these Nine Heavens Gang Winds came within three feet of Gu Qingfeng, they dissipated into nothingness. Gu Qingfeng did not linger and headed directly towards an even higher place. First Level of Heaven! Second Level of Heaven! Third Level of Heaven! ... In a short time, Gu Qingfeng had already stepped into the Ninth Layer of Heaven. Here, the Nine Heavens Gang Wind was the most formidable, and only the peak warriors of the Daoist Palace Realm could barely withstand it. At the same time, this place was also graced with a glittering expanse of stars. All kinds of stars, the Sun and the Moon, existed here. It can be said that the Ninth Layer of Heaven is the limit of the Ancient Desolate World and the source of all its light and stars. The spectacle of the stars before him did not captivate Gu Qingfeng for too long. Afterwards, he looked up towards the space above. Outside the Nine Layers of Heaven, lay the vast Chaos. Gu Qingfeng paused briefly, before taking a step out. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± It was as if he had penetrated a thin, invisible film, and immediately a terrifying pressure emerged, causing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s blood to feel as though it had grown stagnantly thick. Looking around, the boundless void greeted his eyes, dotted with myriad stars. The stars here were many times larger than those in the Nine Layers of the Ancient Desolate World, each emitting an aura of extreme antiquity, as if they had existed for endless eons. Even the smallest of these stars was of immeasurable weight, and nearly impossible for even the most powerful Semi-Saint Realm warriors to budge. Looking at these stars, Gu Qingfeng thought of the Heavenly Desolate Seal. This sacred treasure had once been crafted from a star by a Saint King from the Ancient Desolate Sacred Land. Clearly. The stars referred to here are not the stars of the Nine Layers of Heaven, but the ancient stars in Chaos. These Chaos Stars are immensely powerful, far surpassing those of the Nine Layers of Heaven. Following that, Gu Qingfeng was surveying other directions in the Chaos. Everything here was gray, as if an unknown light source was omnipresent at all times, preventing this place from falling into eternal darkness. But the entire expanse of Chaos was desolate, with no distinction between up, down, left, or right; it was only when one looked back that they could see a faint light covering an expansive realm. This realm was naturally the Ancient Desolate World. Even now, outside of Chaos, Gu Qingfeng was unable to fully glimpse the entirety of the Ancient Desolate World. The vastness of this world filled him with awe. However, these are all relative terms. Compared to the entire Chaos, the Ancient Desolate World was just a drop in the ocean. ¡°Vast Chaos!¡± ¡°Since it can nurture the Ancient Desolate World as well as the Demon Realm, perhaps it can also give birth to other worlds and beings, though up to now, there has been no news of other worlds in the Ancient Desolate World.¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the Chaos before him and had some speculations in his mind. Yet these things were too far away for him, and there was no need to think too much about them. ¡°Undergoing tribulation here, I believe, will not attract the attention of others.¡± With this thought, Gu Qingfeng looked at his attribute panel. With a single thought, the Nine Heavens Scripture moved with ease from the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Chapter directly to the Saint Chapter¡¯s First Level. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The moment the Nine Heavens Scripture broke through, the Dao Palace in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Dantian collapsed thunderously. The Primordial Spirit that had been nurtured inside visibly dissolved at a speed visible to the naked eye and then began to merge with the flesh. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind brimmed with a flood of memories, those of his cultivation of the Nine Heavens Scripture. Immediately after, the Chaos Void shook violently, with terrifying tribulation clouds silently forming. ¡°Crack!¡± Purple thunder shattered the silence of Chaos, striking down viciously at Gu Qingfeng. The terrifying power of this heavenly tribulation far exceeded the limits of the Daoist Palace Realm. Gu Qingfeng remained unfazed, swinging his fist, and the power of Chaos for miles around seemed to be mobilized, and with terrifying might, the thunder was dissipated in an instant. Unlike other Saints undergoing breakthroughs and tribulations, Other Saints had to endure the baptism of heavenly tribulation, then step by step complete the key transformation to truly enter the Saint Realm. But Gu Qingfeng was different. He used Upgrade Points to break through, completing the transformation on his own before the descent of the heavenly tribulation and truly stepping into the Saint Realm. Because of this, When the heavenly tribulation came again, Gu Qingfeng used the methods of the Saint Realm to directly confront the heavenly tribulation. Thus, The heavenly tribulation of the Saint Realm posed little threat to Gu Qingfeng. Furthermore, Even if he hadn¡¯t become a Saint first, with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, he would not have feared the so-called heavenly tribulation of the Saint Realm. Boom! Rumble!! One after another, the heavenly tribulations struck down, each more powerful than the last. The Saintly Tribulation, There were a total of nine heavenly tribulations. For ordinary people, nine tribulations meant a slim chance of survival, not easy to fully endure, but for Gu Qingfeng, crossing the nine tribulations was quite effortless. When Gu Qingfeng threw another punch, it was not just the purple thunder that shattered, but even the tribulation clouds formed in the void were blasted away. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The moment the tribulation clouds dissipated, anomalies emerged in the Chaos; a terrifying aura, surpassing that of the Daoist Palace Realm, emanated from Gu Qingfeng, sweeping out towards all directions in a grand manner. Just as Gu Qingfeng became a Saint, various life-forbidden zones in the Ancient Desolate World shook as one, as if some ancient existence were awakening. Heaven and earth trembled, with eyes of the Dao looking towards the Nine Heavens as if piercing through everything, as if seeing the scenes outside of Chaos. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also sensed something, turning to look back at the Ancient Desolate World. Their auras intertwined, evoking a myriad of strange feelings within him. ¡°It seems that the Ancient Desolate World is indeed not simple!¡± After the breakthrough into the Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s perception became much sharper, such strange sensations leading to some divine insight within him. After a long while, The feelings dissipated. Gu Qingfeng did not linger in the Chaos and stepped directly into the Ancient Desolate World. Chapter 396: 277: Suppression by the Heavens and Earth Chapter 396: Chapter 277: Suppression by the Heavens and Earth When Gu Qingfeng made his breakthrough into the Saint Realm, somewhere within the Nine States, Gu Yang felt a vague premonition. He saw the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty surging, and their third-grade Green Lotus became even more solidified. Seeing this, Gu Yang¡¯s expression shifted subtly. ¡°The sudden increase in the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune, could it be that another cultivator has made a breakthrough to a higher level?¡± The Qi Fortune of a dynasty is often related to its territory and people. Whenever a cultivator under the rule of a dynasty makes a breakthrough, it can elevate the Qi Fortune of the dynasty to a certain extent. Of course, the scale of this improvement isn¡¯t that significant. Even if a powerhouse ascends from the Divine Transformation Realm to the Daoist Palace Realm, the level of improvement might not be as beneficial as if a prefecture of citizens were enjoying peace and good harvests. After all, a dynasty isn¡¯t ruled by one person alone. The martial power of a single individual is of little consequence; only when the subjects of a nation improve as a whole can the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune truly ascend. However¡ª Gu Yang, looking at the now surging Qi Fortune of the dynasty, understood that an ordinary cultivator¡¯s breakthrough could never bring about such a significant impact. Throughout the entire Divine Martial Dynasty, there was only one person who could possibly trigger such a change. ¡°It seems Father has made another breakthrough!¡± Gu Yang thought to himself. Only a breakthrough from Gu Qingfeng could bring about such a significant change. Truth be told, Gu Yang was not entirely clear about the extent of his father¡¯s Cultivation Realm. But no matter what, the transformation of the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune at this moment meant they were one step closer to ascending to the imperial rank. Afterward, Gu Yang refocused his attention on the documents on his desk, his brow furrowing at times and at other times, a faint smile appearing on his face. A long while passed. Gu Yang finished reviewing all the documents, casually tossing them aside. ¡°The Evil Spirit still causes trouble, but thankfully, it hasn¡¯t led to any major chaos. If something like the incident in Shenhe County were to happen a few more times, that would truly be troublesome!¡± Among these documents, there were quite a few about the disturbances caused by the Evil Spirit, seemingly the same Evil Spirit that had disappeared after the founding of the country but was now gradually reviving. But Gu Yang understood that the Evil Spirit had never truly vanished; it had simply been lurking in certain places. After the natural disaster in Shenhe County, Gu Yang had ordered a thorough investigation across the Nine States to excavate all the Evil Spirits. Thus, over the years, the sightings of Evil Spirits had increased. Fortunately, most of these newly emerged Evil Spirits were not strong, and only a few were troublesome to deal with. However, even those could easily be suppressed by the power of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. With a large number of Evil Spirits eliminated, the citizens of the Nine States grew more loyal to the court. By doing so, the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune naturally rose slowly. And with the rise of the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune, Gu Yang felt as if his Cultivation was restlessly eager to break through, as if the limit of the Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Layer could be shattered at any moment, allowing him to step into the Sixth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm. Regarding this sensation, Gu Yang knew it was an illusion. After all, he had only recently made the breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Layer not long ago, and he had just begun to stabilize in that realm. To speak of advancing to the Sixth Level of the God Transformation Realm was to say the least, quite a stretch. On the other side, Gu Qingfeng returned to the Gu Family Manor without alarming anyone. He took a trip to the Demon Realm, then went to the Taixu Sacred Land, delivering Phoenix Essence Blood to Gu Xuan, followed by heading to the Chaos Void where he transcended a wave of Saintly Heavenly Tribulations. These tasks may have seemed numerous, but overall, Gu Qingfeng did not take much time. However, compared to when he left the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng had now returned a completely changed person. If before he still retained some edginess, the current Gu Qingfeng truly reached a state of returning to the original purity, as if he were perfectly integrated with the heavens and the earth, without revealing the slightest hint of his aura. More importantly, Gu Qingfeng seemed to have entered the legendary state of Unity of Heaven and Man, where, should he wish it, he could mobilize the power of heaven and earth for his own use. ¡°No wonder it¡¯s said that all beneath the Saints are as ants; cultivators at this level indeed can¡¯t be matched by mere Semi-Saints!¡± After his breakthrough to the Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng gained a more intuitive understanding of the power of this realm. The strength of the Saint Realm lies in its ability to wield the power of heaven and earth. No matter how powerful an individual is, to truly contend with the power of heaven and earth is nothing short of wishful thinking. Only a very few, destined to be rare, strong beings could truly achieve this step. Though the strong beings of the Saint Realm could only manipulate a portion of the power of heaven and earth, it was still derived from the forces of nature, naturally incomparable to those below the Saint Realm. Now, with his own ascension into the Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng was also unsure of how far his strength had truly advanced. But one thing was certain, Gu Qingfeng could affirm, that his current strength still fell short of that Emperor Corpse in the life-forbidden zone of the Demon Realm, and comparably, there was also a considerable gap with that so-called Nine Heavens Buddha. Nevertheless, Gu Qingfeng was not in a hurry. Given enough time, he was confident that all these differences could eventually be eliminated. ¡°With more than a thousand years till the era of great strife, if nothing unexpected happens, the situation should be very stable for the next thousand years or so. Next, it¡¯s time to see how far I can go within these thousand years!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought thus and did not continue to seclude himself for cultivation but instead started guiding the cultivation of others within the Gu Family Manor. During this time, he spent a warm moment with Xu Yulan and took the opportunity to guide her cultivation as well. Chapter 397: 277: Suppression by the Heavens and Earth_2 Chapter 397: Chapter 277: Suppression by the Heavens and Earth_2 Xu Yulan was still at the peak of the Great Grandmaster realm and hadn¡¯t managed to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm. However, with the guidance of Gu Qingfeng and some resources, Xu Yulan didn¡¯t take too long to break through to the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm. Cultivation breakthrough. On the surface, Xu Yulan hadn¡¯t changed much. After all, she was not too old to begin with, even younger than Gu Qingfeng. Whether it was the four thousand years of lifespan of a Great Grandmaster or the five thousand years of the Divine Transformation Realm, there was no difference to her. ¡°What realm has my husband reached now? I am quite curious.¡± In the main room, Xu Yulan¡¯s breath was gentle, and her face was filled with curiosity. Gu Qingfeng responded with a light smile, ¡°I suppose I can be considered a Saint.¡± ¡°Saint!¡± ¡°My dear, I heard that during the End of Dharma Era, it¡¯s difficult for cultivators to become saints. How did you manage it?¡± Xu Yulan was shocked, her understanding of the Cultivation World was certainly not as naive as before. Even though Xu Yulan seldom cared about external affairs, there were many disciples in the Gu Family Manor now. She had learned a lot from others. ¡°Just because others can¡¯t become saints doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t, but the waters of the Ancient Desolate World are deep. Even being a saint isn¡¯t really a big deal.¡± Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t sound conceited; thoughts of the Demon Realm¡¯s Emperor Corpse and his feelings when he broke through to sainthood crossed his mind. Who knows how many powerful beings have been born and hidden in secret over the endless years in the Ancient Desolate World? So to Gu Qingfeng, being a saint indeed wasn¡¯t much. However, his words were enough to shock Xu Yulan. ¡ª¡ª Spring passed and autumn arrived. In the blink of an eye, a year had passed. Over the year, Gu Qingfeng spent most of his time guiding the disciples of the Gu Family Manor, and the remaining time pondering the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill and the Nine Heavens Scripture. Since his breakthrough into the Saint Realm, the previously obscure Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill had become much easier to understand. Many of the profound mysteries that were difficult to comprehend were now slightly discernible with some focus from Gu Qingfeng. It must be said, the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill, mastered by the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint, had its own unique profundity comparable to that of the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder. The only pity was, ever since stepping into the Saint Chapter of the Nine Heavens Scripture, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation progress had stalled at the first level of the Saint Realm, with not much advancement. Despite this, Gu Qingfeng was in no hurry. After all, the cultivation in the Saint Realm was not comparable to other realms, so being slower was quite normal. Besides these matters, Gu Qingfeng also kept an eye on the changes on his information panel. During this time, both Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an had gotten married. The former married the daughter of Marquis Anren, while the latter married a heroine from a certain sect in the Martial World. The weddings of the two took place on the same day. Nearly all of the Martial World¡¯s forces came, and numerous forces from the Ancient Desolate World also came to offer their congratulations. Under normal circumstances, being merely princes of a small dynasty, Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s weddings wouldn¡¯t have caused such a stir. But with Gu Qingfeng, known as the strongest in the End of Dharma Era, supporting the Divine Martial Dynasty, even powers not familiar with the Divine Martial Dynasty gave them some face. Therefore, the wedding was an unprecedented grand event. Gu Qingfeng and Xu Yulan, who seldom left the Gu Family Manor, were also present at the ceremony. After witnessing his two grandsons getting married, Gu Qingfeng realized how swiftly time flew by; the two little ones who used to babble were now at the age to start their own families. Had it been his previous life, with his current age, he would have been enjoying his twilight years. But in the Cultivation World, being several decades old was certainly nothing. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has learned that the Evil Spirits are growing increasingly rampant, thus decided to establish the Evil Suppression Bureau to quell the Evil Spirits across the land!¡± ¡°Under your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯s¡¯ rule, the weather has been favorable, crops have flourished, and the people are safe and content, deepening his prestige among the populace!¡± ¡°Considering his eldest daughter¡¯s age, your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ intended to arrange a marriage for her, who unwillingly angered and left the Divine Martial Dynasty to make her own way!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ ventured out to gain experience and has broken through to the second layer of the Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points: *80!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯s¡¯ cultivation has broken through to the late stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*50!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has broken through to the Late Stage of Marrow Cleansing Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*50!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ possesses the complete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, making cultivation as if assisted by gods, advancing rapidly and significantly enhancing strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ forcibly interrupted his own breakthrough, suppressed his realm, and continued to polish his foundation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by Demons*136251!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by Demons*96631!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by Demons*123963!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ killed a Demon Commander of Dao Palace Realm with absolute strength, stunning all parties!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ fell into enlightenment, and his cultivation broke through to the Sixth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*700!¡± ¡°Reward Divine Blood Pills*100!¡± ¡°Reward Nourishing God Pills*100!¡± ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ refined a Demon Core, and his cultivation broke through to the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*300!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ accidentally consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and her cultivation broke through to the Third Level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*80!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ broke through to the Fourth Level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*80!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ broke through to the Fifth Level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*80!¡± ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, surrounded by a large number of Demons, finally erupted in adversity, forcibly breaking the limits of Divine Transformation Realm, and breaking through to the First Level of Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*500!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ broke through to the First Level of Refining Organ Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*80!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ no longer suppressed his own cultivation, powerfully breaking through the shackles of the Divine Transformation Realm, advancing to the First Level of Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*500!¡± ... This year, Gu Qingfeng was sixty-four. Four years had passed since he broke through to the Saint Realm. It had also been three years since Gu Shengxing and others¡¯ grand wedding. In the past three years, the overall strength of the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline had greatly improved, with Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu in particular breaking through the Divine Transformation Realm¡¯s shackles in one breath and advancing to the Dao Palace Realm. Over the years, although Gu Qingfeng had been cultivating within Gu Family Manor and had nearly not stepped out, he still had an excellent grasp on the happenings of the outside world. When he learned that Gu Shengnan, discontent with Gu Yang¡¯s arranged marriage, had secretly left home, Gu Qingfeng had already dispatched Hidden Guards to secretly follow and protect her to prevent any mishaps. Otherwise, with Gu Shengnan¡¯s cultivation at the Refining Organ Realm, had she truly sought to venture out, success would not have come so easily. The most regrettable thing for Gu Qingfeng over the years was that there had been no progress in his cultivation of the Nine Heavens Scripture. Evidently, there seemed to be some suppression between Heaven and Earth, making it difficult for cultivators of the Saint level to advance. Gu Qingfeng understood this suppression well ¨C it was not his illusion, but a real existence. In the End of Dharma Era, saints could not ascend, and many saints and even stronger beings chose to seal themselves in order to avoid the End of Dharma Calamity, which pointed to the fundamental reason here. Heavenly suppression prevented advancement, leaving even the most gifted with no way forward. If one did not seal themself, the only outcome would be the exhaustion of their lifespan. If Gu Qingfeng were an ordinary saint, he too would need to find a way to seal himself and sleep to avoid the End of Dharma. But, Gu Qingfeng was no ordinary saint, and to him, as long as he had enough upgrade points, the so-called celestial suppression could be completely ignored. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng had no need to seal himself. Chapter 398: 278: Saint Nine Heavens Chapter 398: Chapter 278: Saint Nine Heavens This day. The Nine States shook. All the common people instinctively looked up toward the sky, and the cultivators residing within the Nine States felt something as well. Only to see a Green Lotus Illusion appear between heaven and earth, covering the Nine States. The grand lotus unfolded its three leaves, transforming at a speed visible to the naked eye. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± The lotus leaves grew, and before long, six petals had already formed. Each petal as big as a star, filled with the mysterious patterns of the Great Tao. A terrifying pressure descended, making everyone feel an indescribable reverence. ¡°Sixth Grade Green Lotus!¡± ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty has ascended!¡± Most of the cultivators¡¯ expressions changed drastically as the appearance of the Sixth Grade Green Lotus shook their hearts. Sixth Grade Green Lotus! Qi Fortune Dynasty! If it were just the ascension to a Qi Fortune Dynasty, it wouldn¡¯t have shocked them this much. But the issue was. The Divine Martial Dynasty was established only a dozen years ago, and in such a short period, it had directly ascended to a dynasty. Such rapid progress was unheard of. In contrast, other dynasties took several centuries of accumulation before achieving such an ascension. After all, to ascend to a dynasty, it required not only territorial claims but also profound foundations. Yet now. The Divine Martial Dynasty had ascended to a dynasty in just over a decade, catching everyone off guard. However, some cultivators who understood the Divine Martial Dynasty knew that its rapid ascension was deeply connected to the flourishing Martial Arts Academy in recent years. The obliteration of the Ancient Wilderness Holy Land. Had greatly increased the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s foundation. Ultimately. The world¡¯s Martial Arts Academy was established. Cultivation had become universally widespread. Furthermore, the nurturing of a Holy-grade Spirit Vein in Guangyang Prefecture spread Spiritual Energy, benefiting not only one state but the entirety of the Nine States. Though a single Holy-grade Spirit Vein couldn¡¯t significantly raise the Spiritual Energy of the entire Nine States, its emergence still brought considerable benefits. In the end, the prosperity of the Martial Arts Academy and the current favorable weather and peace allowed the Divine Martial Dynasty to ascend. ¡°In three days, we shall hold a celestial sacrifice!¡± Within the Imperial Palace, at the moment the Sixth Grade Green Lotus materialized, Gu Yang immediately issued the command. ... Three days later. On Jiuyang Mountain. High altar for the celestial sacrifice. The Capital leaned against this mountain, which Gu Yang regarded as the symbol of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Thus. This celestial sacrifice. Was held atop Jiuyang Mountain. With the experience from the first celestial sacrifice, this time the process went much smoother. As the army led the way, officials bowed, sects from across the land flocked to witness, looking up at the figure on the high platform. Immediately. An eunuch recited the celestial prayer, and Gu Yang, dressed in the Imperial Robe, lit incense. As the incense entered the ancient cauldron, wisps of smoke rose, ascending straight into the Azure Darkness without dissipating. Soon, the smoke transformed into the Sixth Grade Green Lotus, its illusion covering the sky. Throughout the Nine States, ancient cauldrons soared into the sky, divine might descending, and all hidden evil spirits across the Nine States were instantly obliterated. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± Purple Qi surged greatly. Heavenly phenomena appeared. An immense force from the void descended, ultimately falling onto Gu Yang. In an instant. The aura around Gu Yang soared continuously. Divine Transformation Realm Seventh Layer! Divine Transformation Realm Eight Layer! Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layer! ... Taoist Palace Realm First Layer! In a short time, the Nine Heavens Scripture in Gu Yang¡¯s body rapidly advanced, quickly crossing from Divine Transformation Realm Sixth Layer to the Taoist Palace Realm. The Dan Tian Dao Palace opened, the Primordial Spirit condensed, and an unprecedented boundless power surged from within Gu Yang¡¯s body. His Divine Thought spread out, easily encompassing the entire Jiuyang Mountain. Through Divine Thought, Gu Yang could clearly see every subtle expression on each person¡¯s face, bringing a smile to his own. ¡°Taoist Palace Realm!¡± ¡°This is the power of the Taoist Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Indeed, cultivators at this level cannot be compared to those in the Divine Transformation Realm. The Primordial Spirit born at this realm easily crushes Divine Transformation Realm cultivators in every aspect!¡± But this was secondary. With the ascension of the Divine Martial Dynasty to a dynasty, and the increase in Qi Fortune, the strength of civil and military officials at all levels saw varied improvements. ... Guangyang Prefecture. Xing¡¯an County. Su Guangdao¡¯s body suddenly shook, and a powerful aura burst forth from him. His cultivation broke through the Master Realm barrier in an instant, ascending to the Great Grandmaster level. Yet. This did not stop. Upon reaching Great Grandmaster, Su Guangdao¡¯s cultivation continued to climb, swiftly entering the Divine Transformation Realm. ¡°Divine Transformation Realm First Layer, with the dynasty¡¯s ascension, I thank His Majesty for his blessings!¡± Su Guangdao rose and bowed towards the direction of Jiuyang Mountain. Given his status, he did not have the qualification to personally go to Jiuyang Mountain for the salute. But Su Guangdao did not expect that with the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s ascension, he himself would benefit. Elsewhere. On Jiuyang Mountain. Nanyue Mountain¡¯s body shook, his cultivation advancing directly from Divine Transformation Realm First Layer to Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Layer. Observing other officials, everyone¡¯s cultivation improved to varying degrees. Officials eligible to come to Jiuyang Mountain were at least Fifth Grade, and now everyone had at least advanced to the Divine Transformation Realm. Those like Nanyue Mountain, already in the Divine Transformation Realm, naturally saw higher advancements. Watching the breakthroughs among the officials, cultivators from various other factions looked on with envy. Chapter 399: 278: Saint Nine Heavens_2 Chapter 399: Chapter 278: Saint Nine Heavens_2 This is the benefit of the Qi Fortune Dynasty ascension. As long as one holds an official position, they can receive the blessing of Qi Fortune, facilitating breakthroughs in cultivation. This point. Is something that other sects do not possess. However. This is just one of the benefits of the Dynasty ascension. Subsequent official positions receiving the Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune greatly aid in cultivation as if blessed by the divine. Thus. Many powers will arrange for some geniuses to enter the Dynasty as officials, to benefit from its Qi Fortune, seizing this opportunity to cultivate and break through to higher levels. Only those with deep foundations do not need to act this way. After all, with the resources controlled by their own powers, cultivating geniuses poses no issue. Why then would they need to use Dynasty official positions for ascension? Moreover. A single official position is precious. To truly obtain such positions is not easy. After all, Dynasty official positions are scarce, incomparable to those of kingdoms. If one aids a kingdom from the beginning, there is hope of benefits when it ascends to a Dynasty. But the problem is, it is not easy for an ordinary kingdom to ascend to a Dynasty. Some kingdoms can ascend in a few hundred years, considered to have substantial foundation. Many more kingdoms may never truly ascend to a Dynasty before their destruction. So. Seeing the officials breaking through now, these powers, apart from envy, have no other thoughts. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯s¡¯ founded Divine Martial Dynasty has ascended to a Dynasty, achieving the accomplishment ¡®Unrivaled Emperor¡¯ (can only be triggered once)!¡± ¡°Reward: Upgrade Points*10000!¡± ¡°Reward: Dao Palace Realm Direct Ascension Pills*3!¡± ¡°Reward: Imperial Weapon Embryo!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to Divine Transformation Realm Seventh Layer!¡± ¡°Reward: Upgrade Points*700!¡± ¡°Reward: Divine Blood Pills*100!¡± ¡°Reward: Nourishing God Pills*100!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯...¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has broken through to Dao Palace Realm First Layer!¡± ¡°Reward: Upgrade Points*900!¡± ¡°Reward: Nourishing God Pills*100!¡± ¡°Reward: Enlightenment Pills*100!¡± ¡°Reward: Perfect Saint Technique ¡®Nine Transformations Primordial Skill¡¯!¡± ... Within the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng felt the ascension of the Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune and saw the continuously refreshing information on the attribute panel. When seeing the rewards for the Dynasty ascension, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s pupils involuntarily narrowed. Ten thousand upgrade points! Imperial Weapon Embryo! In front of these two items, the previous Dao Palace Realm Direct Ascension Pill seemed insignificant. Gu Qingfeng was naturally familiar with such Direct Ascension Pills. The previous Divine Transformation Realm Direct Ascension Pill could directly break through to the ninth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm. Clearly. The Dao Palace Realm Direct Ascension Pill was the same. However. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes, the Dao Palace Realm Direct Ascension Pill held little value. After all, to him, the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm was no different from an ant. Comparatively. The ten thousand upgrade points and the Imperial Weapon Embryo were what truly drew Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attention. Especially the latter. The mention of the two words ¡®Imperial Weapon¡¯ was something Gu Qingfeng could not ignore. Then. It was the reward for the Dao Palace Realm. Perfect Saint Technique ¨C Nine Transformations Primordial Skill! At the thought of it, the cultivation technique turned into a stream of light, merging into his mind. As memories surged, his physical body and energy also trembled and transformed. ¡°Boom!!!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body trembled, as if thunder rolled within him, the vast momentum was extremely terrifying. Fortunately, after becoming a Sixth Tier Array Master, Gu Qingfeng had set up formations around Grinding Blade Hall to prevent the commotion of his cultivation from spreading out. Otherwise. This breakthrough would have been even more astounding than the Dynasty¡¯s ascension. After a long while. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s boiling energy gradually calmed down, his muscular body akin to a coiled dragon returned to normal, and his fair skin seemed to radiate Dao Rhythm before it slowly concealed itself. ¡°What an incredible Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique!¡± ¡°This kind of cultivation technique is far more profound than the Saint Chapter of the Nine Heavens Scripture!¡± Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, a glint of brilliance bursting forth. He was somewhat astonished by the power of the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique. This technique not only elevated his cultivation, but also tempered his physical body, transforming it to a degree comparable to a Holy Weapon. Nine Revolutions and Nine Refinements! Sculpting the human body as if it were a Supreme Treasure. Under normal circumstances, it would not be an easy feat to cultivate the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique to Great Success. Then. Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 64/7000 Realm: Saint Nine Heavens Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Second Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfect), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Not entered), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Grandmaster Chapter Second Layer), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Not entered), Nine Heavens Scripture (Saint Chapter First Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfect), Beidou Dao Scripture (Perfect), Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique (Perfect) Upgrade Points: 17172 ... ¡°Saint Nine Heavens!¡± ¡°A body comparable to a Holy Weapon!¡± ¡°With my current strength, even without resorting to the methods of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, I should be able to rival a Great Saint Realm expert!¡± ¡°Just not sure at which level within the Great Saint Nine Layers my current strength would place me!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. As for Great Saint Xuan Yu, the only opponent he had ever faced in the past, to be honest, Gu Qingfeng no longer regarded him as a threat. After all, no matter how strong Great Saint Xuan Yu was, he was merely at the initial entry of the Great Saint Realm, which was nothing significant. Gu Qingfeng, now at Saint Nine Heavens, was completely different from his days as a Half-step Saint. Indeed. Gu Qingfeng suspected that if he invoked the power of two Heavenly Veins, he might be able to rival a Saint King. Then. Gu Qingfeng glanced at the Nine Heavens Scripture, finally fixing his gaze on the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Currently, the Nine Heavens Scripture was only at the Saint Chapter¡¯s First Layer. Even if Gu Qingfeng poured all his upgrade points into it, it wouldn¡¯t be enough to bring this technique to the Perfect level of the Saint Chapter, let alone break through the Saint barrier and ascend to the Great Saint Realm. However. If he couldn¡¯t ascend to the Great Saint, even cultivating the Nine Heavens Scripture wouldn¡¯t significantly increase Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength. At least. It couldn¡¯t compare to the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. ¡°The Third Heavenly Vein, it¡¯s time to manifest it!¡± Immediately. Gu Qingfeng no longer hesitated, directly using his upgrade points, raising the Heavenly Vein True Scripture to the Third Layer. With the breakthrough of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, a third Heavenly Vein formed within Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body. The entire process flowed smoothly, without any obstacles. In the past, the many difficult and obscure parts of cultivating the Heavenly Vein True Scripture now became thoroughly clear. ¡°Boom!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body trembled slightly as he activated the power of the three great Heavenly Veins, an immense force, multiplying that of the Saint Nine Heavens many times over, burst forth. Three Heavenly Veins. Triple amplification! But it¡¯s essential to understand, this kind of amplification is far from just a simple addition. The cumulative effect of the triple amplification was enough to bring about an earth-shattering qualitative change. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng felt as if, with a mere wave of his hand, he could tear the heavens asunder, and with a single punch or kick, he could shatter the chaotic starry sky, creating a new world. However, he knew very well that this was merely an illusion brought about by the sudden surge in power. Nevertheless, the breakthrough of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture to the Third Layer gave Gu Qingfeng an additional trump card. Whereas, previously, Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t confident in confronting a Saint King, now with the power of the three Heavenly Veins unleashed, even facing a Saint King level expert, he was confident of holding his own. For a moment. Gu Qingfeng wanted to seek out a Saint King Realm expert for a duel. But soon. He suppressed the impulse within his heart. Then. With a thought, a piece of what seemed like a withered stick appeared before him, emanating divine light and Dao rhythm. This item was the Imperial Weapon Embryo mentioned on his attribute panel. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought settled on the Imperial Weapon Embryo, relevant information surged forth. Chapter 400: 279: Imperial Weapon Chapter 400: Chapter 279: Imperial Weapon Emperor Weapon Embryo! It can fuse with any divine weapon and promote it to become a true emperor weapon. ¡°Hiss!¡± ¡°Fusion can promote a divine weapon to emperor weapon!!¡± Despite Gu Qingfeng¡¯s usual composure, his face couldn¡¯t help but show a hint of shock upon learning this news. Gu Qingfeng had never seen a true emperor weapon himself, but the Heavenly Desolate Seal in his hand, even as a Saint King Soldier, already possessed immense power. Many so-called Saint noble families actually no longer have any living Saints, and merely have a holy weapon anchoring them. Yet even this is enough to ensure these so-called Saint noble families can last for thousands of years without crumbling. Above holy weapon. Great Saint Weapon is even more significant. But whether it¡¯s a holy weapon, a great saint weapon, or even a saint king soldier, none can ever compare to a true emperor weapon. Such supreme treasures have unfathomable divine power, and only the oldest and most powerful forces might possess emperor weapons. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng could determine. Even if the Ancient Desolate World had emperor weapons, their number would be extremely limited. At this moment. An emperor weapon embryo appeared before him; how could Gu Qingfeng not feel shocked? Immediately. Without any hesitation, Gu Qingfeng extended his hand and summoned the Evil Slayer Blade. The divine blade in hand. A cold chill emerged instantly. Ever since Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation had increased, the Evil Slayer Blade was often placed in the Grinding Blade Hall. After all, the Evil Slayer Blade was merely a common ancient weapon that, while useful in ordinary situations, had limited effect in other occasions. ¡°Old friend, today is your destined opportunity!¡± Gu Qingfeng gripped the blade¡¯s hilt and spoke to the Evil Slayer Blade. The blade seemed to sense something, and slightly trembled, emitting a melodic hum. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate, promptly bringing the emperor weapon embryo to touch the Evil Slayer Blade. ¡°Buzz¡ª¡ª¡± As soon as they fused, the emperor weapon embryo flowed like water, easily merging into the Evil Slayer Blade. In an instant. The Evil Slayer Blade vibrated. Brilliant, dazzling light appeared, and rich Dao rhythms circulated along the blade, exuding an aura countless times stronger than the Heavenly Desolate Seal. Boom! Space cracked inch by inch, and the divine blade stood suspended in the air, emitting an overwhelming heavenly force as if intending to destroy everything. The array of the vast Grinding Blade Hall fully activated, but couldn¡¯t resist the aura for even a moment. Seeing the array about to shatter, Gu Qingfeng extended his hand and directly received the Evil Slayer Blade into his own dantian. All phenomena of heaven and earth vanished with the disappearance of the Evil Slayer Blade. But when Gu Qingfeng viewed his own interior, he could observe the Evil Slayer Blade, now in his dantian, continuing to transform. Time passed bit by bit. Half a day later. The transformation of the Evil Slayer Blade completed. With a flick of his divine thought, Gu Qingfeng summoned the blade from his dantian. Compared to before the transformation, the Evil Slayer Blade seemed largely unchanged externally, but within it harbored a subtle, terrifying pressure. Upon gripping the blade¡¯s hilt, Gu Qingfeng felt a premonition that if he wished, he could unleash a strike capable of annihilating heaven and earth. This sensation was even more intense than when he condensed the third heavenly vein. However. Gu Qingfeng refrained from actually unleashing that strike. Given the power of an emperor weapon combined with his own strength, one true strike might not only obliterate the Gu Family Manor but also turn the entire capital to ashes. Thus. Gu Qingfeng restrained his desire to test the emperor weapon¡¯s power. ¡°Saint Nine Heavens!¡± ¡°And now, I wield an emperor weapon!¡± ¡°In terms of true power, I now probably have the qualification to battle a quasi-emperor!¡± Gu Qingfeng mused inwardly. Above the Saint King is the Quasi Emperor. That is the closest existence to the great emperor realm. Before acquiring an emperor weapon, Gu Qingfeng naturally had no confidence to battle a quasi-emperor. For that tier of formidable experts, no so-called Saint King could compare. But now, things are different. With the emperor weapon in hand. Gu Qingfeng possessed the confidence to fight. Afterward. With a thought, Gu Qingfeng returned the Evil Slayer Blade to his dantian. Emperor weapon housed in the dantian could continuously temper oneself, silently enhancing the cultivator¡¯s strength over the years. Then. Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel, seeing over seven thousand upgrade points remaining, he did not hesitate, using six thousand points to elevate the Nine Heavens Scripture to the fourth layer of the Saint Chapter. With the breakthrough of the Nine Heavens Scripture, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s aura intensified, pushing the Saint Nine Heavens strength even further. However. This advancement, compared to his previous one-strike breakthrough to Saint Nine Heavens, was naturally insignificant. ¡°Next, I need to find a way to reach the Great Saint Realm!¡± ¡°If everything goes smoothly, perhaps by the time the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, I may directly enter the great emperor realm!¡± Breaking through to the great emperor realm is neither too difficult nor too easy. As long as he had enough upgrade points, Gu Qingfeng had the confidence to ascend to the great emperor realm. With the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s promotion to a dynasty, the rewards had been so extraordinary; if they could advance further to an imperial dynasty, the reward would surely be even more astounding. Moreover. There are still over a thousand years until the Great Struggle Prosperity Era. Chapter 401: 279 Imperial Weapon_2 Chapter 401: Chapter 279 Imperial Weapon_2 During this period, if the Gu family¡¯s bloodline can further strengthen, then within a thousand years, Gu Qingfeng will also obtain a large amount of upgrade points. At that time. If he truly breaks through to the Emperor Realm, it is not impossible. Initially, Gu Qingfeng was not very confident, but this time the promotion of the Divine Martial Dynasty and the benefits brought by Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough made him change his thoughts. Until now. Gu Qingfeng looked back. From the time he started cultivating until now, it has only been a mere forty-two years. Forty-two years. Don¡¯t mention cultivators of the Saint Realm, even for cultivators of the Dao Palace Realm, it¡¯s just one closed-door seclusion period, not much at all. If there truly are over a thousand years, proving the way of the Great Emperor is not a joke. After that. Gu Qingfeng continued his seclusion. However, before going into seclusion, he handed one Direct Ascension Pill of the Dao Palace Realm to Xu Yulan, allowing the latter to advance from the Divine Transformation Realm First Layer directly to Ninth Layer Perfection of the Dao Palace Realm in one go. If she goes one step further, she can impact the Saint Realm. Then. Gu Qingfeng sent the remaining two pills to Gu Yang. After doing these things, Gu Qingfeng truly began his seclusion. This time. He intends to fully comprehend the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill and cultivate all Saint and above cultivation techniques to the Dao Palace Realm¡¯s limit. Even though there is pressure from heaven and earth, making it impossible to actively cultivate and break through into the Saint realm, Gu Qingfeng must enhance his fundamental strength as much as possible. ... Meanwhile. In the Imperial Palace of the Divine Martial Dynasty. The Hidden Guards had already delivered two pills directly into Gu Yang¡¯s hands. Upon learning the effects of these pills, Gu Yang was instantly shocked, his face showing a look of amazement. ¡°Pills that allow direct breakthrough to Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!!!¡± He looked at the two pills in his hand, unable to calm down for a long time. The previous pill that allowed a person to advance to Grand Grandmaster peak was already quite astonishing, but unexpectedly, now these pills were even more heaven-defying. The Dao Palace Realm! What level is that? Before truly stepping into the Dao Palace Realm, Gu Yang¡¯s understanding of this realm was naturally not deep. But when he truly understood this level, Gu Yang realized that cultivators of this realm are far from simple. If not for the promotion of the dynasty¡¯s Qi fortune, Gu Yang believed that with his aptitude, entering the Dao Palace Realm would take no less than a hundred years. However. This is just the entry into the Dao Palace Realm. Those at Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm have already reached the limit of this realm; taking half a step further strictly speaking is half a step into the Saint Realm, known as Semi-Saint. In the current End of Dharma Era, Semi-Saint experts are few, and Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm is already the strongest that most forces have. Many Saint noble families, even ancient sacred lands, generally only have one or two Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm experts holding the fort. Thus it is evident. How rare are Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm experts. Any Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm cultivator, even the so-called top prodigies, undergo hundreds or thousands of years of arduous cultivation to truly reach this level. But now. A single pill. Can directly elevate someone to Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, how can Gu Yang not be shocked. Because the pills were brought by Gu Qingfeng, otherwise, Gu Yang would definitely not believe it. After the shock. Gu Yang fell into deep thought. Two pills can create two Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm masters, so who should take these pills is a significant problem. A moment later. Gu Yang made his decision. Immediately. He called for Gu Yi and gave him one of the pills, and the latter swallowed it without any hesitation. Then. In the unbelievable gaze of Gu Yang, Gu Yi¡¯s aura surged rapidly, originally at Divine Transformation Realm Third Layer, it continued to break through upwards. Divine Transformation Realm Fourth Layer! Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Layer! Divine Transformation Realm Sixth Layer! ... Dao Palace Realm First Layer! Dao Palace Realm Second Layer! Dao Palace Realm Third Layer! ... Dao Palace Realm Eighth Layer! Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer! In just a few moments, Gu Yi broke through from the Divine Transformation Realm Third Layer to the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm in one go. The aura belonging to the Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm emanating from Gu Yi shocked Gu Yang greatly. For a moment. Gu Yang wanted to take the pill himself to directly break through to Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer, but remembering Gu Qingfeng¡¯s instructions, he restrained his impulse. Although up to now, Gu Yang has not found any drawbacks from these pills, the others who took the advancing pills and reached the Grand Grandmaster level, continue to cultivate and break through without any side effects. But since Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t let him take it, there must be a reason. Furthermore, even without taking the pill, Gu Yang is confident he can reach Dao Palace Realm Ninth Layer step by step, and even break through the Dao Palace barrier to a higher level. Therefore. Gu Yang¡¯s desire diminished significantly. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, for the pill!¡± At this moment, Gu Yi, already familiar with his newfound power, knelt on one knee and said with clasped fists. ¡°Now that Minister Gu has broken through, I am like a tiger with wings!¡± Gu Yang smiled slightly, the Hidden Guards are his eyes for observing the Nine States, and Gu Yi considered strictly speaking as the Gu family¡¯s initial confidant, hence he trusted him greatly. The stronger Gu Yi is, the stronger the Hidden Guards are, allowing them to better monitor all directions. In others¡¯ view, the Heavenly Patrol Guard is the true eye of the Divine Martial Dynasty over the Nine States, but in fact, only Gu Yang knows it¡¯s just a fac?ade, the real intelligence relies on the Hidden Guards. After Gu Yi retreated, Gu Yang called for his personal eunuch and ordered. ¡°Summon Shi Zhen to see me.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The eunuch responded respectfuly. An hour later. Shi Zhen, dressed in plain clothes, appeared in the Imperial Study Room. ¡°Minister Shi Zhen greets Your Majesty!¡± ¡°Minister Shi, no need for formalities.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± When Shi Zhen stood up, Gu Yang began to study the man in front of him. Currently, Shi Zhen¡¯s cultivation had reached Divine Transformation Realm Fifth Layer, ranking within the top five in the Divine Martial Dynasty. But Gu Yang knew well, before the dynasty¡¯s promotion, Shi Zhen had only just entered the Divine Transformation Realm, his breakthrough attributable to the dynasty¡¯s promotion and Qi fortune enhancement. ¡°I have called you today to discuss something important,¡± said Gu Yang. ¡°Please speak, Your Majesty!¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s face turned serious, his voice deepened. Gu Yang said: ¡°Although the Nine States are rich in talents, compared to the vast Ancient Desolate World, it is ultimately a corner of tranquility. My Divine Martial country has been established for over ten years, though it has now ascended to the dynasty ranks. But the territory of Nine States can barely accommodate a dynasty. If we want to progress further, it will be difficult to continue! On hearing this. Shi Zhen¡¯s face turned solemn: ¡°Your Majesty intends to wage war externally?¡± ¡°I indeed have this thought!¡± ¡°Right now, the Divine Martial Dynasty has just ascended, its foundation is relatively weak. If we truly go to war, it won¡¯t be easy. However, if the Supreme Emperor is willing to come forward, it will be much easier¡ª¡ª¡± Shi Zhen hesitated. Despite the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s ascension, it has only been established for over ten years, its foundation hard to compare with those old dynasties. Gu Yang shook his head: ¡°Father has already secluded himself; if the court wants to expand, it must rely on its own strength!¡± ¡°This...¡± Shi Zhen showed a difficult expression. At this moment. Gu Yang threw a pill before Shi Zhen. ¡°Take this pill, you can directly advance to Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm. Additionally, the court will fully supply resources, I give you ten years, can you train a batch of elite soldiers for external expansion?¡± Chapter 402: 280: Gu Qingfengs Confidence Chapter 402: Chapter 280: Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Confidence Dao Palace Ninth Layer! Upon hearing Gu Yang¡¯s words, Shi Zhen¡¯s expression changed dramatically. He had once taken a Direct Ascension Pill which allowed his cultivation to break through to the Peak of Grandmaster, so he shouldn¡¯t be unfamiliar with such pills. However, there was no way around it. The words Gu Yang spoke were truly astonishing. A single pill that directly allowed one to break into the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace was hard to believe. Yet. Shi Zhen did not dare to doubt Gu Yang¡¯s words. He immediately took the pill, and his cultivation surged uncontrollably, skyrocketing in an instant. In less than a moment, Shi Zhen had stepped into the Dao Palace Realm, and his cultivation continued to rise until it barely stopped at the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace. Until the pill¡¯s effects faded, Shi Zhen was still in a daze, unable to react for a long time. ¡°Dao Palace Ninth Layer... have I really succeeded?¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s face was full of disbelief. However, the immense power contained within his body and the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit developed in his dantian firmly told Shi Zhen that he wasn¡¯t dreaming and that he had indeed stepped into the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Thereupon. Shi Zhen bowed deeply to Gu Yang, his face filled with unending gratitude. ¡°With such a supreme opportunity bestowed by Your Majesty, I express my heartfelt thanks. Your servant pledges to serve Your Majesty to the death without hesitation!¡± ¡°Minister Shi, you may dispense with the courtesy.¡± Gu Yang glanced at him and said indifferently. ¡°You have now reached the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm. I give you ten years to train an elite force capable of fighting. Do you have any issues?¡± ¡°Your servant will do my utmost!¡± Shi Zhen said with a serious expression. He understood precisely what kind of elite forces Gu Yang was referring to. Such elite forces must be those who would expand the territories of the Divine Martial Dynasty in the future. Although Shi Zhen currently commanded thirty-six thousand Heavenly Gang Army, whose weakest cultivation level was in the Refining Organ Realm, such a force was obviously not sufficient. In the past, Shi Zhen would certainly not have been confident in training a more elite force than the Heavenly Gang Army in such a short time. But after taking the pill and having his cultivation directly break into the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, Shi Zhen changed his thinking. With his current strength, it would not be a problem to train an elite force as long as he had full support from the court¡¯s resources. ¡°Very well, I hope Minister Shi will not let me down!¡± Gu Yang nodded and then waved for Shi Zhen to leave. Immediately after. He summoned others to come forward. All the military officers and generals gathered in the Imperial Study Room, each of them looking at Gu Yang with reverence. ¡°I have summoned you here today because I have a task for you!¡± ¡°What is Your Majesty¡¯s command?¡± ¡°The Ancient Beast Mountain Range is home to numerous fierce beasts, frequently plaguing the people of the Nine States. So I plan for you to lead an army to level the Ancient Beast Mountain Range!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s words caused everyone¡¯s faces to change. Level the Ancient Beast Mountain Range! Clearly, no one saw this coming. Immediately. One of the generals stepped forward and said, ¡°Your Majesty, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is filled with many fierce beasts, many of which are powerful. Stepping into the Dao Palace Realm may not be common, but it is certainly not rare either. If we rashly move against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, it won¡¯t be easy¡ª¡ª¡± He spoke very tactfully, but everyone present understood the implication. The strength of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range far surpasses that of the current Divine Martial Dynasty. Although the Divine Martial Dynasty had recently become a dynasty, in terms of strength, it was still far behind the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. If they rashly moved against it, the Divine Martial Dynasty would surely be defeated. Seeing everyone¡¯s expressions, Gu Yang had anticipated their reactions. ¡°I do not mean for you to level the entire Ancient Beast Mountain Range, only to eliminate a portion of the fierce beasts and open a pathway to the Eastern Domain for our Divine Martial Dynasty.¡± ¡°Even so, it won¡¯t be easy to accomplish.¡± The general shook his head. Gu Yang said, ¡°I have my arrangements. You just need to follow my orders. While the fierce beasts of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range are formidable, the Divine Martial Dynasty is not without its own strong cultivators. Furthermore, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is rich in resources, such as fierce beast inner cores and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. These are very important to cultivators. While opening the pathway, you must also gather as many of these resources as possible to strengthen the court!¡± Seeing Gu Yang¡¯s determined expression, the other ministers had different thoughts but could only nod in agreement. After the ministers left, Gu Yang summoned Yan Yun. ¡°I plan to make a move on the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. The Divine Martial Academy needs to send a group of array experts to accompany the army and set up the necessary Teleportation Arrays along the way to ensure the army¡¯s transmission.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Yan Yun did not ask more and simply bowed in assent. After Yan Yun left, the large Imperial Study Room returned to quiet. Gu Yang muttered to himself, ¡°Once the pathway through the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is opened and the Teleportation Arrays are set up, the Divine Martial Dynasty will truly have the means to reach beyond!¡± The existence of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was extremely subtle. In the past, when the Divine Martial Dynasty was weak, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range served as a barrier, protecting the Divine Martial Dynasty from external forces and allowing it to recover and grow. But as the Divine Martial Dynasty grew stronger, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range became an obstacle. If the Divine Martial Dynasty wanted to grow, removing this obstacle was essential. Chapter 403: 280: Gu Qingfengs Confidence_2 Chapter 403: Chapter 280: Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Confidence_2 As for the matter. Even if the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is not eradicated, simply setting up a teleportation point within the Divine Martial Dynasty could also lead to the Eastern Domain, Gu Yang did not comment on this. Moreover, the more distant the transmission array, the more troublesome it is to set up. Just establishing a transmission array in a force not under one¡¯s control is already a fairly dangerous matter. Once any information leaks, the other end of the transmission array could be filled with dangers, with a slight mistake possibly burying the imperial army. Therefore. Gu Yang naturally must proceed cautiously, first starting with the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, further expanding the control of the Divine Martial Dynasty, and then reaching towards the Eastern Domain, and even the entire Ancient Desolate World. ¡°As long as the territories of the Divine Martial Dynasty can be expanded, then it will become much easier to promote to the Imperial Dynasty in the future.¡± ¡°If promoted to an Imperial Dynasty, I might seize this opportunity to directly step into the Saint Realm!¡± A sharp glint flashed in Gu Yang¡¯s eyes. The promotion of the Divine Martial Dynasty already has such benefits, if it further promotes to an Imperial Dynasty, then the benefits brought are beyond imagination. Then. Gu Yang¡¯s thoughts settled on the Jade Seal, the vast Divine Martial Dynasty seemed to be under his control, terrifying Qi Fortune arriving, giving him an illusion of suppressing everything. ¡°Records from the Immortal Court suggest that a Sixth Grade Green Lotus formed by a Qi Fortune Dynasty, even the weakest Qi Fortune Dynasty, can suppress ordinary Dao Palace Realm cultivators. If a top-tier Qi Fortune Dynasty, it can even suppress a Saint!¡± ¡°With the Divine Martial Dynasty just promoted, the foundation within the dynasty is the weakest, but with my cultivation at the First Layer of Dao Palace Realm, combined with the Qi Fortune of a dynasty, suppressing a Fourth Layer Dao Palace Realm cultivator should not be a problem!¡± ¡°If I use the Great Saint Weapon, even a Half-step Saint can be suppressed¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Yang had a realization, gaining a clearer understanding of his current strength limits. Generally speaking. With the power of the Divine Phoenix Tower, if this Great Saint Weapon¡¯s power is fully utilized, not to mention a Half-step Saint, even a true Saint can be suppressed. But the problem is. The power of the Great Saint Weapon cannot be fully utilized by a mere cultivator who has just entered the Dao Palace Realm. Even with Gu Yang¡¯s current cultivation, it¡¯s difficult to fully tap into the power of the Divine Phoenix Tower. However. If he is willing to sacrifice everything, Gu Yang has the confidence to suppress a Saint, but doing so would require the Divine Martial Dynasty to pay a huge price. Regarding this, Gu Yang is quite satisfied. Looking back, over ten years, the Divine Martial Dynasty unwittingly gained some ancient dynasty foundation. A Great Saint Weapon. Can equal tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years of accumulation. Naturally. Gu Yang is not arrogant. Because he knows clearly that the fast promotion of the Divine Martial Dynasty is largely due to the resources from the Ancient Desolate Holy Land. The Ancient Desolate Holy Land¡¯s resources have at least saved hundreds or thousands of years of detours for the Divine Martial Dynasty, and even now, these resources are not fully exhausted. If all resources from the Ancient Desolate Holy Land were fully utilized, it could at least push the Divine Martial Dynasty forward significantly. Even if it can¡¯t directly promote to an Imperial Dynasty, it could join the ranks of old dynasties. This is the background of an ancient Holy Land. After all, the Ancient Desolate Holy Land is incomparable to normal holy lands, as a supreme power that once produced Saint King Realm experts, its background is unmatched by other forces. ¡°Father!¡± Gu Yang looked towards the Gu Family Manor with deep eyes, the hesitation in his heart disappearing. With Gu Qingfeng present, the Divine Martial Dynasty will not falter. Thus. He can act more boldly. ¡ª¡ª The next day. In the court. Gu Yang announced the decision to take action against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, causing a great stir, with many ministers opposing, believing it premature. The reason was simple. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range is immensely powerful, with numerous top-tier fierce beasts, rushing into action would cause many casualties. Regarding this. Gu Yang decisively dismissed all opposing opinions, firmly holding to his original view. This action against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was not merely to remove this obstacle for the court but also to seize the resources within it to strengthen the dynasty. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range has existed for countless ages, and due to the numerous fierce beasts, it has nurtured many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Moreover, fierce beast meat and inner cores are great supplements for cultivators. Given these factors. Gu Yang naturally won¡¯t miss this opportunity. In the past, no action was taken because the Divine Martial Dynasty was too weak, only able to watch the treasure mountain without daring to act. But now, with strength, Gu Yang no longer has many reservations. ... Days later. The imperial army marched towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, causing a huge sensation. Many cultivators were stunned upon hearing the news, never expecting such actions from the Divine Martial Dynasty. ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty is attacking the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, have they gone mad?¡± ¡°The Ancient Beast Mountain Range has existed for countless ages, with countless fierce beasts; many forces have tried to level the mountain, all failing. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s attempt seems like a wild dream!¡± Many cultivators scoffed, thinking Gu Yang was insane for attacking the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. But. Some held a different view. ¡°The Ancient Beast Mountain Range is indeed powerful, but don¡¯t forget, the Divine Martial Dynasty is backed by the Gu Family Manor, if Lord Gu takes action, leveling the Ancient Beast Mountain is not impossible!¡± Upon hearing the name Gu Family Manor, other cultivators¡¯ expressions became serious. Gu Family Manor! Gu Qingfeng! This name is a mountain pressing on many cultivators, with strength ranking in the top ten throughout history. In this era, he is deemed the strongest of the End of Dharma Era. Undeniably. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range is powerful. But if he takes action, then the Divine Martial Dynasty truly has a chance to level the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Even if the mountain has many fierce beasts, they are like ants before such a powerhouse. Rumors suggest. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range holds Saint-level beasts, making it hard for other forces to level it. However¡ª¡ª Gu Qingfeng¡¯s record shows him killing a Great Saint Realm existence. Thus. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s confidence to act against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is plausible. As for the outside speculations and the moves of the Divine Martial Dynasty, Gu Qingfeng paid no attention. Currently, he focuses on comprehending the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill and enhancing his other cultivation techniques, not wanting to waste time on anything else. Nevertheless, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Hidden Guards relay information and the information panel constantly refreshes, keeping him informed without leaving the Gu Family Manor. ¡°Taking action against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is a good idea, regarding the rumors, whether they are true remains to be seen. Even if a Saint-level beast exists, it is no big problem!¡± Gu Qingfeng glanced at the information panel and shook his head. At his level, a Saint¡¯s existence is insignificant. Not just Saint-level beasts, even Great Saints or Saint Kings; if Gu Qingfeng wishes, he can easily eliminate them. At Gu Qingfeng¡¯s level, with an Imperial Weapon, only Quasi Emperors and Great Emperors deserve his attention. Others are not worthy of concern. Chapter 404: 281: The Powerful Heritage of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range Chapter 404: Chapter 281: The Powerful Heritage of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range ¡°Boom!¡± In the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, towering trees collapsed, and Fierce Beasts like small mountains rampaged, seemingly intent on destroying everything in their path. ¡°First squad, hold the line!¡± ¡°Second and third squads, attack from the sides. The weak point of this Fierce Beast is its eyes!¡± An officer in the army observed the Fierce Beast before him, giving orders in a calm and composed manner. The soldiers under his command attacked in an orderly fashion. Some were responsible for withstanding the beast¡¯s attacks from the front, while others launched fierce assaults from the sides. Whenever a soldier could not hold on, others quickly took their place, ensuring no casualties occurred. As for injuries, that was naturally unavoidable. A quarter of an hour later, the Fierce Beast let out a resentful wail and finally fell heavily to the ground. ¡°Good, extract the inner core of the Fierce Beast. Divide the remaining flesh, and treat the wounded on site!¡± Li Chuan smiled upon seeing this. The Fierce Beast before them was a Peak of Grandmaster level beast, and its inner core aside, its flesh alone was a great tonic. According to the latest decree from the Divine Martial Dynasty, all soldiers who entered the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to slay Fierce Beasts could handle the beast¡¯s flesh as they wished, though the inner core could not be consumed privately. The flesh of a Peak of Grandmaster level beast was not only enough to significantly enhance one¡¯s own strength but also improve the abilities of the soldiers under one¡¯s command. At this moment, a faint rumbling sound reached Li Chuan¡¯s ears, and then he saw trees ahead collapsing. The significant disturbance made his expression grow much more serious. ¡°Such a commotion, it must at least be a Divine Transformation Realm Fierce Beast!¡± Li Chuan had no intention of joining the battle. A Divine Transformation Realm Fierce Beast was not something he could contend with. As a Centurion in the Divine Might Camp, Li Chuan was only at the Initial Tier of Grandmaster. Though he managed a hundred elite soldiers, dealing with a Peak of Grandmaster level beast was their limit. Facing a Divine Transformation Realm Fierce Beast would be a joke. The difference between the Divine Transformation Realm and Grandmaster was just one level, but the disparity was astounding. If they encountered a Divine Transformation Realm Fierce Beast, even a thousand elite soldiers would be useless. Such high-level beasts were left to the senior officers in the army. Therefore, Li Chuan did not pay too much attention to it. After half a day¡¯s work, large chunks of flesh had been cut from the initially massive Fierce Beast corpse. Most of the flesh was placed into Li Chuan¡¯s storage bag, while the remaining portion was roasted directly on site. As he consumed the roasted beast flesh, a powerful and pure energy surged through Li Chuan¡¯s body. He silently closed his eyes, refining this force. Time passed bit by bit. After a long while, Li Chuan opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face. ¡°The flesh of a Peak of Grandmaster level Fierce Beast is indeed remarkable. Just this piece is equivalent to a month of bitter cultivation for me!¡± ¡°If I could take all the flesh from this beast, it would be more than enough to support me in cultivating to the Peak of Grandmaster!¡± But fierce beast flesh couldn¡¯t be consumed too quickly; it had to be refined gradually. Otherwise, Li Chuan could confidently advance to the Peak of Grandmaster on the spot. At this moment, many soldiers under his command were also gradually refining the beast flesh. Their auras were becoming increasingly powerful. Seeing this, Li Chuan felt ever more satisfied. Since the court decreed action against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, various armies had entered one after another, commencing a full-scale hunt of Fierce Beasts. Li Chuan had heard many rumors within the army, such as someone breaking a long-standing barrier through consuming beast flesh, or someone else stumbling upon Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which enabled them to strengthen and nourish, making their path of cultivation smooth. It could be said that, the existence of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range provided many with opportunities to advance further. Of course, there were plenty of dangers as well. Some squads, for example, would unexpectedly encounter powerful Fierce Beasts, ending in complete annihilation without a single survivor. But any opportunity came with risks. Despite the great dangers within the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, the opportunities were significant. Li Chuan had been on the path of cultivation for decades, having survived the chaos at the end of the previous dynasty. Anyone who survived that era of natural disasters, human calamities, and maddening Evil Spirits had a great thirst for power. Later, when Emperor Gu raised his armies, Li Chuan joined the military, rising step by step from a lowly soldier to his current position. Li Chuan was well aware that his own talent was limited. Without additional opportunities, the level of Grandmaster was likely his endpoint. Advancing further to the Divine Transformation Realm was nearly impossible. In terms of military position, he had reached almost the end. To be promoted in the military, one needed more than just seniority; battle achievements and strength were also crucial. A mere Grandmaster was not considered outstanding in the Divine Might Camp. Thus, knowing that the court was to campaign against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Li Chuan volunteered to enter at the first opportunity. For no other reason than to seek a way out of the current predicament in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. A day later, the squad finished their rest. Li Chuan said in a deep voice, ¡°Take all the Fierce Beast flesh you can carry, then continue deeper to hunt more Fierce Beasts!¡± ¡°The Divine Might Camp records achievements through inner cores of Fierce Beasts. This is our chance.¡± ¡°As long as we slay enough Fierce Beasts, all of you will have the opportunity for promotion!¡± Chapter 405: 281: The Powerful Heritage of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range_2 Chapter 405: Chapter 281: The Powerful Heritage of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range_2 As soon as these words were spoken. The expressions of everyone in the team were excited. Seeing the morale being lifted, Li Chuan then led the people away from there. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± A terrifying force exploded, a fierce beast¡¯s body shattered, and a blood-stained inner core fell into someone¡¯s hand. ¡°Inner core of the Taoist Palace Realm, not bad!¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s expression was indifferent, and he casually put the inner core into his pouch. After breaking through to the Ninth Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm, his strength had already increased significantly. Ordinary Taoist Palace Realm fierce beasts could now be easily suppressed with a wave of his hand. As one of the only two Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer cultivators in the Divine Martial Dynasty, Shi Zhen naturally could not sit idly by when the court moved troops against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Besides. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range was full of fierce beasts and was also a good place for training troops. Nowadays, Shi Zhen not only commanded the Heavenly Gang Army but also oversaw three major military camps, with millions of soldiers under his command, making him one of the top generals of the Divine Martial Dynasty. However, Shi Zhen only supervised the battle in the dark. For ordinary fierce beasts, he would not intervene, leaving them to be dealt with by his army. Only when encountering fierce beasts of the Taoist Palace Realm would Shi Zhen personally take action to eradicate them. After all, Taoist Palace Realm fierce beasts were too powerful and could cause great casualties, so Shi Zhen couldn¡¯t turn a blind eye. But for most fierce beasts, even the top Divine Transformation Realm ones, they were not a significant problem for the Heavenly Gang Army and the other three armies under his command. Half a two-hour period later. Shi Zhen killed another Taoist Palace Realm fierce beast. The bloodstained inner core fell into his hand, but his expression was somewhat solemn. ¡°The Ancient Beast Mountain Range truly lives up to its reputation as a dangerous place in the Eastern Domain. The number of fierce beasts here is indeed vast, and there are quite a few cultivators who have reached the Taoist Palace Realm!¡± ¡°If we truly want to clear a path through the Ancient Beast Mountain Range and expand the court¡¯s territory, it won¡¯t be easy!¡± Shi Zhen looked in one direction of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, where a strong aura was faintly visible, making him, a Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer powerhouse, feel instinctive dread. And to make a Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer cultivator dread, that aura must at least be an equivalent presence. Shi Zhen naturally did not want to provoke such an existence. After all, even within the Same Nine Layers of the Taoist Palace Realm, there were differences in strength. As someone who broke through by taking pills, Shi Zhen¡¯s strength in the same realm was not considered strong. Even. It could be described as mediocre. After all, Shi Zhen was originally just a mere Divine Transformation Realm cultivator. Despite his cultivation skyrocketing with the help of pills, his divine skills couldn¡¯t keep up, putting him at a disadvantage compared to veteran Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer cultivators. This was unavoidable. Other Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer cultivators had accumulated from at least hundreds to thousands of years, even thousands of years, to gradually reach this realm. Such a long time not only meant that veteran Taoist Palace Realm cultivators had profound cultivation foundations but also mastered many extremely powerful divine skills and secret arts. Comparing to these veteran Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer cultivators, Shi Zhen fell short in many ways. Pills could improve a cultivator¡¯s cultivation realm but couldn¡¯t elevate divine skills and secret arts to the same level. Therefore. Unless necessary. Shi Zhen naturally did not want to provoke Taoist Palace Realm Ninth Layer fierce beasts. One must know that fierce beasts were born with powerful physiques, making them the stronger ones within the same realm. Many veteran Taoist Palace Realm cultivators, without a supreme treasure, would find it almost impossible to suppress a same-realm fierce beast. Shi Zhen naturally wouldn¡¯t seek trouble. Besides. The court only needed to clear a path through the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, not to push the entire range. The difficulty was naturally different. For various reasons, Shi Zhen naturally ordered the army to avoid areas where these powerful fierce beasts resided. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has decided to clear a path through the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to prepare for the conquest of the Ancient Desolate World!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ ordered the army to march, and a large number of troops from the Divine Martial Dynasty stepped into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ learned that powerful fierce beasts in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range were blocking the way, became furious, and dispatched numerous court experts inside, even using the Ten Thousand Soul Banner to suppress many fierce beasts!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ experienced some insights during cultivation, slightly enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Due to ¡®Gu Yang¡¯s¡¯ campaign against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, a steady stream of fierce beast inner cores and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were sent back, steadily increasing the court¡¯s strength!¡± ¡°¡®Gu Yang¡¯ learned that there might be a Saint Realm fierce beast in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, causing heavy casualties to the army, and thus, he was furious and personally took the Divine Phoenix Tower into the mountain range!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ... Within the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng looked at the text on the information panel, then sensed the powerful aura erupting from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, his eyebrows slightly furrowing. Currently, two auras had emerged within the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, one fierce and violent, the other like the majestic power of heaven, instinctively causing people to feel like worshiping. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes could easily pierce through the void, seeing the scenes within the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. There. There were terrifying fierce beasts as large as mountains, shattering the void with every move, with a grand momentum. On the other side, Gu Yang was fully activating the power of the Divine Phoenix Tower, the Great Saint Weapon¡¯s majestic power surging, suppressing with a Sky-reaching Ancient Tower. Dao Rhythm was raging, seeming as if a supreme body was stepping out from the Dao Rhythm. ¡°Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint!¡± Gu Qingfeng understood as soon as he saw that figure. This was the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint! As the supreme treasure refined by this being, the Divine Phoenix Tower naturally contained the power of the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint. At present. Gu Yang was activating the foundation of the Divine Phoenix Tower, fighting the fierce beast. ¡°The Ancient Beast Mountain Range¡¯s foundation is truly extraordinary. It turns out there is a Saint Realm fierce beast here, but this fierce beast¡¯s strength is at most at the First Layer of the Saint Realm. With Yang¡¯er¡¯s strength combined with the Divine Phoenix Tower, I believe they can suppress it!¡± Gu Qingfeng suppressed the urge to act. If an existence that the Divine Martial Dynasty couldn¡¯t contend with truly appeared, Gu Qingfeng would naturally not stand by idly. But if the Divine Martial Dynasty could handle it, Gu Qingfeng would not intervene. Now, a First Layer Saint Realm fierce beast was not a big problem for Gu Yang¡¯s strength combined with the Divine Phoenix Tower¡¯s foundation. But¡ª¡ª Gu Qingfeng looked in other directions of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Since he broke through to the Ninth Layer of the Saint Realm, his perception had become much sharper. Gu Qingfeng vaguely sensed that there might be stronger fierce beasts within the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. One must know. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range had existed for many years, and many forces had tried to capture it and bring it under control over the years, but none had succeeded. This alone showed that the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was not simple. If there were only a few Taoist Palace Realm fierce beasts or a single First Layer Saint Realm fierce beast, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range could not have held out so long. If that were the case. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range would have long fallen under the control of other forces. ¡ª¡ª On the other side. As Gu Yang fought the Saint Realm fierce beast, the powerful waves of energy shook the surroundings, drawing the attention of many strong cultivators in the Eastern Domain towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. ¡°A Saint Realm fierce beast!¡± ¡°That¡¯s the Gu Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the Divine Martial Dynasty is attacking the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. It seems the rumors weren¡¯t false¡ª¡ª¡± Seeing the Saint Realm fierce beast appear, these experts¡¯ faces were grave. In this End of Dharma Era where Saints were nearly extinct, the appearance of a Saint Realm fierce beast was significant. Some forces unaware of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range¡¯s foundation were absolutely terrified when they saw the Saint Realm fierce beast. In front of such a level of fierce beast, even Semi-Saint Realm powerhouses were like ants. They had thought the Ancient Beast Mountain Range¡¯s fierce beasts were at most numerous Taoist Palace Realm fierce beasts. But who would have thought there were sleeping Saint Realm fierce beasts here. On another side. Gu Yang summoned the Divine Phoenix Tower to confront the Saint Realm fierce beast. The terrifying power of the Great Saint Weapon caused many cultivators¡¯ expressions to become subtle. Chapter 406: 282: The Strengthening of Bloodlines Chapter 406: Chapter 282: The Strengthening of Bloodlines ¡°Divine Phoenix Tower!¡± ¡°Great Saint Weapon!¡± Upon witnessing the appearance of the Divine Phoenix Tower, the powerful figures from various factions all felt a desire to seize it. If such a supreme treasure could be obtained, it would definitely push their strength to the next level. However¡ª¡ª Upon considering the current foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty, they suppressed the impulse in their hearts. If it were just a newly established dynasty, it would certainly not be qualified to possess a Great Saint Weapon. But the Divine Martial Dynasty is different; behind them stands an unparalleled mighty figure. Not to mention a Great Saint Weapon, even if they exposed a Saint King Soldier, no one would dare to act rashly. Boom! Rumble!! The battle in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range continued. Seeing that the battle was prolonged, Gu Yang directly performed a blood sacrifice to the Divine Phoenix Tower, a mouthful of essence blood fell into the Supreme Treasure, and the terrifying power of the Great Saint Weapon erupted. A world-shattering strike descended, causing the flesh of the Saint Realm fierce beast to explode, and a large amount of blood splattered. ¡°Roar!¡± Fear, almost human-like, flashed in the large eyes of the fierce beast, and then it turned around to flee without looking back. Seeing the beast trying to escape, Gu Yang naturally moved to stop it. But unfortunately. It is not easy to truly stop a Saint Realm fierce beast that is determined to flee. However. At that moment. A blade light slashed through the sky, as if dividing the sun and moon, the fierce beast¡¯s body suddenly froze, and then it split into two. ¡°Crash!¡± A large amount of blood and flesh scattered, and a Saint Realm fierce beast perished completely. The sudden turn of events startled everyone, and any thoughts lingering in their minds dissipated. With a single distant strike, instantaneously killing a Saint Realm fierce beast. Throughout the Divine Martial Dynasty, no one but the Gu Family Master could accomplish this. ¡°Thank you, Father, for your assistance!¡± Gu Yang understood what had happened, slightly cupped his hands towards the direction of the Gu Family Manor, and then collected the Saint Realm fierce beast¡¯s corpse before him. The corpse of such a level of fierce beast is almost entirely a treasure. Every piece of blood and flesh contains immense power, and the inner core of the fierce beast is extremely rare. Even with Gu Yang¡¯s temperament, he couldn¡¯t help but feel excited. The inner core of a Saint Realm fierce beast. If he could refine it, his strength would definitely soar. ¡°If I can get the inner core of a Saint Realm fierce beast, I could surely step into the Semi-Saint Realm. Perhaps, when the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, I could use it to break into the Saint Realm!¡± A seasoned Nine Layers realm Dao Palace expert looked at the collected fierce beast¡¯s inner core with fervent eyes. The inner core of a Saint Realm fierce beast, in some respects, is no less valuable than a Holy Weapon. After all, the difficulty for a Semi-Saint to break into the Saint Realm is considerable, but with the aid of a Saint Realm fierce beast¡¯s inner core, the progression would be much easier. However. No one dared to snatch it. Although the inner core of a Saint Realm fierce beast is tempting, one must have the life to take it. Attempting to seize food from the mouth of the Divine Martial Dynasty is far too risky. Meanwhile. Within the Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng withdrew his gaze. Originally, he did not want to intervene in the battle between the two, but seeing the fierce beast about to escape, Gu Qingfeng had no choice but to step in and kill it. ¡°The blood and inner core of a Saint Realm fierce beast should be enough to advance Yang¡¯er¡¯s cultivation!¡± Gu Qingfeng mused. The three sons of the Gu Family. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s greatest wish was to elevate Gu Yang¡¯s cultivation. After all, among the rewards for the three, only Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough yielded the best rewards. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng continued his closed-door cultivation. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Great Saint Weapon!¡± ¡°Slaying a Saint Realm fierce beast!¡± In the Guiyuan Dynasty, Emperor Han listened to his subordinates¡¯ report with a dark and grim expression, his cold eyes flashing with a chilling light. At this moment. A minister bowed and said, ¡°Your Majesty, now that the Divine Martial Dynasty has made a move against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, it appears they are preparing to penetrate the mountain range and possibly target the Eastern Domain. The grievances between our Guiyuan Dynasty and the Divine Martial Dynasty are not small. If the Divine Martial Dynasty indeed steps out of the Nine States, we will be among the first to bear the brunt!¡± Upon hearing this. Emperor Han¡¯s expression grew increasingly grim. He naturally understood that his minister¡¯s words were true. The enmity between the Guiyuan Dynasty and the Divine Martial Dynasty is unlike the enmity between other factions and the Divine Martial Dynasty. It is not just a prince who fell at the hands of the Divine Martial Dynasty, but also one hundred thousand Divine Emperor Army soldiers and a great general who were completely lost. At the beginning. Emperor Han had thoughts of revenge. But since Gu Qingfeng exhibited unrivaled strength, Emperor Han temporarily suppressed his impulsive thoughts, worrying instead that the Divine Martial Dynasty might act against the Guiyuan Dynasty. Over the years, as the Divine Martial Dynasty remained within the Nine States with little action, Emperor Han managed to barely relax. But now things were different. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s military action against the Ancient Beast Mountain Range clearly indicated their intention to target the Eastern Domain. If the Divine Martial Dynasty were to act against the Eastern Domain, the Guiyuan Dynasty would likely become their target. For a brief moment. Emperor Han considered directly submitting to the Divine Martial Dynasty, but his inner rage made him reluctant. More importantly. Even if the Guiyuan Imperial City was willing to submit, it was uncertain if the Divine Martial Dynasty would accept. Therefore. Emperor Han¡¯s eyes flickered, and after a moment of contemplation, he had an idea. ¡°I have my own methods to handle the Divine Martial Dynasty. A strong figure on par with a Great Saint is formidable, but in the Ancient Desolate World, even a Great Saint isn¡¯t invincible!¡± Chapter 407: 282: The Strengthening of Bloodlines_2 Chapter 407: Chapter 282: The Strengthening of Bloodlines_2 ¡ª¡ª Spring passes and autumn comes. Time flies. Ever since Gu Qingfeng personally took action and slew a Saint Realm fierce beast, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s advance into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range has quickened considerably. In just three years, the Divine Martial Dynasty has almost completely conquered the entire Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Because of this, the power of the Divine Martial Dynasty has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past few years. After all, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is rich in resources, and the flesh and inner cores of many fierce beasts are extremely beneficial. Even though the army suffered significant casualties in battles with the fierce beasts, those who survived saw their strength improve to various extents. Thus, on the whole, the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty is much stronger now compared to three years ago. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± ¡°In another six months, the army should be able to conquer the entire Ancient Beast Mountain Range. However, we have discovered an unusual place within the mountain range. Many scouts who ventured deep into that area have disappeared without a trace.¡± ¡°Later, a scout managed to return alive and reported that there is a suspected Saint Realm fierce beast in that area!¡± In the court, Shi Zhen reported with cupped fists. Upon hearing the words ¡°Saint Realm fierce beast,¡± the court did not stir much. After all, several thousand years ago, the Divine Martial Dynasty had already slain a Saint Realm fierce beast, so news of another Saint Realm fierce beast did not cause much of a stir in their hearts. ¡°A Saint Realm fierce beast...¡± Gu Yang furrowed his brows slightly. ¡°Has this fierce beast blocked the army¡¯s path?¡± ¡°No, it has not!¡± ¡°Since it has not, then we shall not concern ourselves with it for now.¡± Gu Yang waved his hand, having no intention of provoking another Saint Realm fierce beast. After all, the power of the last Saint Realm fierce beast had already shown Gu Yang that even with the Divine Phoenix Tower in his possession, it would be difficult to subdue it. If it were not for Gu Qingfeng stepping in to slay that beast at the critical moment, the Divine Martial Dynasty would have angered it, necessitating careful defense against the beast¡¯s attacks in the future. Of course, Gu Yang could also ask Gu Qingfeng to take action and solve this fierce beast. But after some thought, Gu Yang gave up on that idea. If the Divine Martial Dynasty wants to grow stronger, it cannot rely solely on Gu Qingfeng; it must have sufficient foundational strength of its own. Compared to asking Gu Qingfeng to take action, Gu Yang would rather see the Divine Martial Dynasty handle the fierce beast with its own strength. Upon hearing Gu Yang¡¯s words, Shi Zhen obeyed and withdrew. Afterwards, others reported some events occurring in the Nine States, which Gu Yang addressed one by one, and the court session finally came to an end. After the court session, Gu Yang immediately returned to his place of seclusion. Moments later, his aura surged, indicating a breakthrough. ¡°It¡¯s the Third Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± Gu Yang exhaled and a faint smile appeared on his face. Upon inspecting himself internally, one would find a fearsome inner core of a fierce beast resting in his Dantian, gradually being refined by him. This inner core belonged to the Saint Realm fierce beast from back then. Since acquiring this inner core, Gu Yang had been refining it day and night, advancing his cultivation from the First Layer of the Dao Palace Realm to the Third Layer in just three years. But even so, the power of the fierce beast¡¯s inner core had not been entirely depleted. According to Gu Yang¡¯s estimation, the power of this fierce beast¡¯s inner core should at least allow him to breakthrough to the Fifth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm or higher. And to completely refine the fierce beast¡¯s inner core, in Gu Yang¡¯s view, should not take too long. Within ten years, this fierce beast¡¯s inner core should be fully refined. Ten years¡¯ time, to advance from the First Layer to the Fifth Layer and beyond in the Dao Palace Realm, something that is absolutely unimaginable for others. ¡°The Ancient Beast Mountain Range has existed for countless years. The Saint Realm fierce beasts there are likely more than just one or two. Once my power advances further, I will use the Divine Phoenix Tower to eliminate all of them!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s eyes turned cold as he closed them to continue refining the fierce beast¡¯s inner core. As for the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s campaigns into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, slaughtering numerous fierce beasts and creating much carnage, Gu Yang felt little emotional disturbance. Fierce beasts eat humans! Humans eat fierce beasts! It¡¯s simply the natural cycle. In the past, fierce beasts often caused disasters for the people of the Nine States. Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty has the strength to invade the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, showing no mercy is only natural. Moreover, conflicts between species have never been about right or wrong, but simply different perspectives. Therefore, Gu Yang now only focuses on enhancing his own strength. Everything else is of no concern to him. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has refined the inner core of a fierce beast, advancing to the Second Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward: Upgrade Points *900!¡± ¡°Reward: Nourishing God Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward: Enlightenment Pill*100!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons *236549 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons *366393 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ swept through many forces in the Demon Realm, causing a stir!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ refined the Demon Core, breaking through to the Second Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward: Upgrade Points*500!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ refined the Demon Core, breaking through to the Third Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward: Upgrade Points*500!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ refined the Demon Core, breaking through to the Fourth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward: Upgrade Points*500!¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ listened to a lecture by a strong figure from the Taixu Sacred Land, feeling enlightened and slightly improving cultivation!¡± ¡°You have a new offspring born!¡± ¡°You named him Gu Yunfeng!¡± ¡°You have a new offspring born!¡± ¡°You named her Gu Yunyue!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ refined the Fierce Beast Core, breaking through to the Third Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward: Upgrade Points*900!¡± ¡°Reward: Nourishing God Pill*100!¡± ¡°Reward: Enlightenment Pill*100!¡± ... ¡°Yang¡¯er broke through again!¡± Gu Qingfeng glanced at his information panel, and when he saw Gu Yang¡¯s breakthrough, there was a slight ripple on his otherwise calm face, but it soon vanished. For three years. The overall strength of the Gu Family has increased significantly. Among them. The fastest in cultivation improvement is Gu Xiu. After all, the other party has the entire resources of the Sky Demon Holy Land as support, which is extraordinary. Then. It was Gu Yang following closely behind. Among the three sons. Only Gu Xuan has been lingering in the First Layer of the Dao Palace Realm for the past three years. But in fact, this is the correct way of cultivation. Every breakthrough in the Dao Palace Realm emphasizes accumulation, even those with a Divine Body cannot break through a realm in just a few years. Unless. There is a great opportunity. For example, Gu Xiu, and also Gu Yang. However¡ª Even though Gu Xuan¡¯s cultivation is significantly behind, Gu Qingfeng is still quite optimistic about him. As the possessor of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, Gu Xuan¡¯s future achievements are destined to not be low. The current pace, fast or slow, doesn¡¯t determine anything. Then. There are some breakthroughs of other members of the Gu Family. But compared to these, what Gu Qingfeng cares about most is the further growth of the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline. A year ago. Ji Qingyu and Lin Xia respectively gave birth to a son and a daughter, allowing the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline to continue. For this. Gu Yang personally brought his two grandchildren to the Gu Family Manor, asking Gu Qingfeng to personally name them. Gu Qingfeng naturally did not refuse this request. Including the newly born Gu Yunfeng and Gu Yunyue, the number of the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline has broken into double digits. For this. Gu Qingfeng seems to see a future where the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline flourishes everywhere. After all, he is just over sixty years old and already has great-grandchildren. As time goes on, the speed of the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline proliferation will surely accelerate. This situation is something Gu Qingfeng is happy to see. Then. He also glanced at his attribute panel. Including the breakthroughs of Gu Yang and other younger members of the Gu Family, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s upgrade points have surpassed the five thousand mark, reaching a total of five thousand six hundred and twelve points. However. This is not what satisfies Gu Qingfeng the most. The most satisfying thing for him is that after years of arduous cultivation, the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill has finally reached the Beginner stage. Strictly speaking. This is the first Great Saint¡¯s Divine Skill that Gu Qingfeng has independently cultivated to the Beginner stage, of extraordinary significance. Chapter 408: 283: Mysterious Black Fog Chapter 408: Chapter 283: Mysterious Black Fog ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ has undergone rigorous cultivation in seclusion and successfully achieved a breakthrough to the First Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ has strengthened the Heavenly Martial Sect, gradually annexing Jingyun Prefecture!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ has directed his forces, causing the various sects to suffer defeats!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ has established the Jingyun Alliance based on the Heavenly Martial Sect, with ninety percent of the forces in Jingyun Prefecture joining the Jingyun Alliance!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Hong Ye¡¯ has broken through to the Sixth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°The business of the Netherworld Pavilion created by your Death Soldier ¡®Hong Ye¡¯ has grown, eventually angering an ancient Holy Land, causing heavy damage to the Netherworld Pavilion!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yuan¡¯ accidentally opened an ancient seal, releasing a terrifying Evil Spirit that wreaked havoc!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yuan¡¯ was tainted by ominous blood, causing his cultivation to skyrocket, but his Spiritual Wisdom was erased, leading him to succumb to darkness and transform into an Evil Spirit!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ... When Gu Qingfeng looked at the Death Soldier information panel, a dense flow of text appeared, causing him to feel somewhat dizzy. However, when a particular segment of text appeared, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s pupils contracted. ¡°Evil Spirit!¡± This was his first time seeing rumors about an Evil Spirit on the Death Soldier information panel. No¡ª To be precise. This was Gu Qingfeng¡¯s first time seeing a Death Soldier transform into an Evil Spirit. All along. Gu Qingfeng had speculated about the appearance of Evil Spirits. Now, upon seeing the text in the information panel, his long-held suspicions were confirmed. The emergence of Evil Spirits! It originates from a certain eerie power! Any living being that comes into contact with this eerie power will fall and transform into an Evil Spirit. ¡°The ancient seal was opened, causing the Evil Spirit to be born, but until now, there has been no large-scale news of Evil Spirits wreaking havoc in the Nine States, indicating that the opened seal is not within the Nine States but in another part of the Ancient Desolate World.¡± Gu Qingfeng speculated. The existence of Evil Spirits had always been greatly feared by him. Even with his current rapid cultivation progress, Gu Qingfeng dared not take such beings lightly. At present. Witnessing the birth of an Evil Spirit firsthand, Gu Qingfeng naturally had to take it seriously. However. The Ancient Desolate World is vast; where the Evil Spirit appears, Gu Qingfeng temporarily does not know. He can only have the Hidden Guard secretly investigate further. ¡ª¡ª In a grand immortal sect, severed limbs and bodies lay everywhere; countless bodies lie tragically, staining the once majestic mountain gate blood red. Occasionally, black mist surged, engulfing the entire sect. At the center of the black mist, within the former sect¡¯s great hall, a young man with a greenish-black face and crimson eyes sat solemnly, with dozens of corpses, faces ashen, standing silently before him. The grand hall. Was steeped in a deathly silence. ¡°Go forth!¡± ¡°Slaughter all living beings!¡± The young man slowly spoke, his low, hoarse voice. The formerly uncomprehending corpses now collectively let out a roar that did not sound human. In the next instant. The black mist spread. Wherever it passed. All living beings instantly turned into dried corpses, as if their essence blood had been drained away. When the black mist approached a nearby city, cultivators noticed it. ¡°Where did this black mist come from!?¡± ¡°What is this!?¡± ¡°This black mist is strange, everyone be very careful¡ª¡± While the cultivators were secretly dubious, a Divine Transformation Realm expert ascended into the air, looking at the black mist coldly. ¡°Spectral trickery!¡± ¡°I will see what you are, daring to act recklessly here!¡± As the words fell. This Divine Transformation Realm expert immediately unleashed a longsword, its fierce sword light slicing through the void, swiftly striking the black mist. The black mist surged, torn apart by the powerful sword Qi, revealing the scene within. When the sight within became clear, the Divine Transformation Realm cultivator¡¯s expression changed abruptly. ¡°What on earth is this!!!¡± In his vision, countless corpses appeared through the black mist, all rotting, maggot-ridden, grotesque beyond belief. Before the Divine Transformation Realm cultivator could fully react, the dispersed black mist surged, engulfing him. ¡°Ah!!!¡± As the black mist engulfed the Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, other cultivators heard his harrowing screams, followed by silence. This scene. Made the remaining cultivators look increasingly unsettled. At this moment. The black mist had already spread. The cultivators engulfed by the black mist let out screams, then fell silent like stones sinking into the sea. The black mist continued, swiftly engulfing the entire city. ¡ª¡ª In the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army continued its advance. When another Dao Palace Realm fierce beast fell, Shi Zhen collected the beast¡¯s corpse before looking ahead, revealing a smile. ¡°The Ancient Beast Mountain Range has finally been opened!¡± After years of effort. The Divine Martial Dynasty had made great sacrifices, and today, they finally opened the entire Ancient Beast Mountain Range. With the Ancient Beast Mountain Range opened. The Divine Martial Dynasty could use the opened route as a base, advancing towards other parts of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, able to launch an attack on the Eastern Domain or retreat to aid the Nine States. Chapter 409: 283: Mysterious Black Fog_2 Chapter 409: Chapter 283: Mysterious Black Fog_2 At once. Shi Zhen transmitted the news of clearing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and upon hearing it, Gu Yang¡¯s expression was of great joy. ¡°Order Shi Zhen to use the Ancient Beast Mountain Range passage as a foundation and establish a defensive city, there must be no mistakes!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Immediately, a minister bowed and accepted the order. At the time Gu Yang¡¯s order was transmitted, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune surged, and the Sixth Grade Green Lotus seemed to solidify slightly. However, this change was noticed by only a few cultivators. As the ruler of the dynasty, Gu Yang was naturally the first to discover this anomaly. However. As for the changes in the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune, Gu Yang was not too surprised. After all, opening the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was considered an expansion of the dynasty¡¯s territory, which naturally enhanced its Qi Fortune. However, the increase was not significant enough to be very noticeable. If one day the Divine Martial Dynasty continues to expand its territory, the Qi Fortune would increase accordingly. In the end, expanding the territory is not as useful as increasing the population. The best approach. Is to annex other dynasties, further strengthening the Divine Martial Dynasty itself, which would lead to an explosive growth in Qi Fortune. But Gu Yang was not in a hurry. Clearing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was just the first step. Next. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s task was to further excavate the resources within the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to enhance the foundation¡¯s strength of the dynasty. Once the necessary strength is accumulated, Gu Yang will take the next step. ... Soon. Time flew by. In the first year. The Divine Martial Dynasty used the Ancient Beast Mountain Range passage as a foundation to build nine ancient cities. Subsequently, the court dispatched a large army to station in the nine cities, forming a mutual support situation and expanding toward the four sides of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. For a time. The vast Ancient Beast Mountain Range shook. Many powerful and ancient fierce beasts awoke, but these mighty beasts ultimately fell under the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s sharp blades. During this period. A Saint Realm fierce beast attacked in anger, causing many casualties in the army, but Gu Yang personally brought the Divine Phoenix Tower to the Ancient Beast Mountain Range and severely injured it with a strong posture. That Saint Realm fierce beast could only flee in a sorry state. From then on. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army became unstoppable. The second year! The third year! ... In the following years, the Divine Martial Dynasty continuously dug deeper into the resources of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, strengthening itself with visible speed. Other forces, envious, imitated the Divine Martial Dynasty, sending numerous cultivators into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to plunder its resources. However. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range was home to many powerful fierce beasts, and few truly profited amidst these torrents of fierce beasts. One day. Suddenly, blood light soared into the sky from the depths of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, followed by strange black mist enveloping the heavens and the earth, devouring all beings within it. At once. This news was swiftly relayed, reaching Gu Yang in less than half an hour. ¡°Reporting to the Emperor, strange black mist has appeared in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, causing a thousand-strong elite unit led by a Fifth Layer Divine Transformation Realm cultivator from the Divine Might Camp to disappear without a trace!¡± In the court, a general spoke in a deep voice. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s face suddenly turned cold. ¡°Have we identified the cause of the strange black mist?¡± ¡°Not yet, but the black mist is expanding, and a Dao Palace Realm fierce beast was swallowed by the mist and disappeared. To prevent the mist from spreading, our army has temporarily avoided confrontation. However, if the mist is allowed to grow, it might affect the Ancient Beast Nine Cities!¡± Upon hearing this. Gu Yang¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. A black mist capable of swallowing a Dao Palace Realm fierce beast is certainly no ordinary phenomenon. ¡°Order the army to avoid conflicts with the black mist, then instruct Shi Zhen to carry the Ten Thousand Soul Banner and investigate the situation.¡± After pondering for a moment, Gu Yang made a decisive order. The black mist was unusual, which was obvious to all. Thus. Until the nature of the black mist was understood, it was impossible to rashly commit too many troops. Similarly. Abandoning the Ancient Beast Nine Cities would waste the efforts of the Divine Martial Dynasty over the years. Therefore. Gu Yang decided to have Shi Zhen lead the Ten Thousand Soul Banner into the mist to investigate. Even if there is any danger, with his strength and the Ten Thousand Soul Banner¡¯s assistance, retreating safely should not be an issue. After all, Shi Zhen has already reached the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, and although the Ten Thousand Soul Banner is not a Holy Weapon, it is considered a Semi-Saint Supreme Treasure. The combination of the two. Even when facing a true Holy-level power, he has a fair chance of retreating. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Boom!!¡± In the Grinding Blade Hall, flames surged, manifesting all things in heaven and earth, as if a supreme Divine Phoenix turned into a great sun in the sky, radiating a terrifying stature that seemed to melt everything away. In the vast Grinding Blade Hall, many Divine Weapons trembled violently, as if unable to withstand such horrifying power. But if you looked closely, you would find that these Divine Weapons were faintly absorbing and refining this power, adding a bit more might to themselves. ¡°Receive!¡± Gu Qingfeng suddenly shouted, and all the abnormal flames were absorbed into his body, disappearing in an instant. Then. Gu Qingfeng glanced at the attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 74/7000 Realm: Ninth Layer of the Saint Realm Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Third Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfection), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Lei Feng Scripture (Perfection), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Ninth Layer of Divine Transformation Chapter), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Small Success), Nine Heavens Scripture (Fourth Layer of Saint Chapter), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfection), Beidou Dao Scripture (Perfection), Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique (Perfection) Upgrade Points: 11482 ... ¡°The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill has finally reached Small Success!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face revealed a faint smile. After years of arduous cultivation. The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill had advanced from Beginner to Small Success. Do not underestimate this single stage breakthrough, as for a Great Saint¡¯s Divine Power, such a breakthrough brings significant changes. Additionally. The Nirvana Dao Scripture had also been cultivated to the Ninth Layer Perfection of the Divine Transformation Chapter, and the next step would be entering the Dao Palace Chapter. The other martial arts were also nearing Perfection. As for the upgrade points, they had surpassed the ten-thousand-point mark once again. ¡°With more than ten thousand upgrade points, it¡¯s time to make a breakthrough with the Nine Heavens Scripture!¡± With a thought, Gu Qingfeng saw ten thousand upgrade points vanish instantly, and a vast amount of memories flooded his mind, with a fearful, abyssal Qi energy revitalizing his body. Boom!! The boundless Qi energy seemed to illuminate the void, transforming into a supreme Divine Brilliance Great Sun, raising the temperature of the entire Grinding Blade Hall to a terrifying level. Fortunately. This phenomenon did not last long before it gradually disappeared. Then. Gu Qingfeng closed his eyes, feeling the changes within his body, and smiled again. ¡°Although I am in the Ninth Layer of the Saint Realm, with the Nine Heavens Scripture breaking through to the Ninth Layer Perfection of the Saint Chapter, my strength has increased by at least thirty percent!¡± Don¡¯t underestimate this thirty percent increase, as at Gu Qingfeng¡¯s level, such an increase would be terrifying for others. More importantly. With the Nine Heavens Scripture reaching Perfection in the Saint Chapter, Gu Qingfeng now had the qualification to challenge the Saint King Realm. Just with enough upgrade points, he could break through to the Saint King Realm. At that time. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength would exponentially increase. And the breakthrough from the Ninth Layer of the Saint Realm to the Saint King Realm requires five thousand upgrade points. This amount. For Gu Qingfeng now, is no big deal. Only needing a few years of accumulation, breaking through to the Saint King Realm is easily within reach. Chapter 410: 284: Natural Disaster-level Evil Spirit Chapter 410: Chapter 284: Natural Disaster-level Evil Spirit Gu Family Manor. Main Hall. Gu Qingfeng had already emerged from seclusion, and before him stood Gu Yang, who had long resided within the temple halls. ¡°Son greets Father!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression was as respectful as ever. Even though he had now reached the Fifth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, with the entire Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty and the power of the Divine Phoenix Tower at his disposal, enabling him to contend with a true Saint. But when Gu Qingfeng appeared before him, Gu Yang still felt an unfathomable presence. ¡°Fifth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, it seems you have completely refined the inner core of that Saint Realm fierce beast!¡± Gu Qingfeng did not need to check the information panel; with a single glance, he could clearly see what realm Gu Yang was in now. Fifth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm! In the entire Ancient Desolate World, that was considered a mighty figure. Moreover, with Gu Yang¡¯s talent, before the arrival of the Great Struggle Prosperity Era, reaching the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm or even the Semi-Saint Realm would not be an issue. Then. He continued. ¡°Today, instead of handling governmental affairs in the palace, how come you have time to return to the manor?¡± ¡°There is an anomaly in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range that requires Father¡¯s judgment!¡± At the mention of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Gu Yang¡¯s face grew significantly more solemn. Upon hearing that. Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow slightly, but his expression did not change significantly. ¡°Explain in detail.¡± In the information panel, he was aware of some developments in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, but the exact cause remained unclear for now. However. The fact that the situation in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range made Gu Yang come in person was enough to indicate its unusual nature. Gu Yang did not hesitate and immediately said: ¡°A month ago, a mysterious black fog appeared in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, devouring an entire army of a thousand men. Many fierce beasts of the Dao Palace Realm disappeared into the fog without a trace.¡± ¡°As the black fog expanded, I dispatched a Dao Palace Realm cultivator of the Ninth Layer from the court, carrying the Ten Thousand Soul Banner to investigate the matter.¡± ¡°They found the fog filled with corpses and discovered the resurrection of an eerie presence. If the cultivator had not exited in time, he would likely have perished there...¡± ¡°Later, I personally brought the Divine Phoenix Tower inside, but unfortunately, I was still unable to uncover the true origin of the black fog, though I did provoke an attack from the eerie presence deep within the fog. At a critical moment, thankfully, the Divine Phoenix Tower protected me, otherwise, I might not have been able to escape.¡± At this point. Gu Yang suddenly tore open his clothing, exposing his chest, revealing a black handprint. Chilling and sinister energy lingered persistently, as if constantly corroding his body¡¯s vitality. ¡°The power of an Evil Spirit!¡± Seeing the black handprint, Gu Qingfeng frowned slightly. ¡°Indeed!¡± ¡°It is the power of an Evil Spirit!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s face showed a bitter smile. ¡°There must be an Evil Spirit of Saint-level hidden in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, perhaps even stronger. If it were an ordinary Evil Spirit, even if I couldn¡¯t suppress it, I could still retreat unscathed.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°I have never heard of an Evil Spirit existing at this level!¡± Toward the end. Gu Yang¡¯s expression became even more grim. Before the creation of the Divine Martial Dynasty, the most powerful Evil Spirits in the Nine States were those at the Disaster Level. Those Evil Spirits. Their power was comparable to the Divine Transformation Realm. After the founding of the Divine Martial Dynasty, such weaker Evil Spirits had completely vanished, replaced by even more powerful ones. These Evil Spirits. Were also named Disaster-class Evil Spirits by the Divine Martial Dynasty. Additionally. To more precisely categorize the power of Disaster-class Evil Spirits, the Divine Martial Dynasty divided them into three grades: Upper, Middle, and Lower. Among them. Lower-grade Disaster-class Evil Spirits corresponded to the Dao Palace Realm. As for Middle-grade Disaster-class Evil Spirits, they corresponded to the Saint Realm. The Drought demon that appeared in Shenhe County was labeled as a Middle-grade Disaster-class Evil Spirit. Similarly. It was also the most powerful Evil Spirit the Divine Martial Dynasty had encountered so far. Gu Yang had thought that the Drought demon subdued by Gu Qingfeng was the strongest existence among all Evil Spirits. But the appearance of the Evil Spirit in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range suddenly woke Gu Yang up. ¡°Based on my judgment, the strength of that Evil Spirit, even within the Middle-grade Disaster-class, is likely at the top tier, though probably not yet in the Upper-grade Disaster-class. If it were, even with the Divine Phoenix Tower protecting me, I might not have made it out alive!¡± The Divine Phoenix Tower, despite its power, could not contend against an Upper-grade Disaster-class Evil Spirit, which corresponds to the Great Saint Realm, especially not when wielded by someone of the Dao Palace Realm. In the end. The Dao Palace Realm was not enough to perfectly wield the power of a Great Saint Weapon. ¡°What I am most worried about now is, if such an Evil Spirit is allowed to grow, will it one day evolve to the point of becoming an Upper-grade Disaster-class? If it reaches that stage, the problem will become even more severe!¡± This was another issue Gu Yang worried about. The more lives an Evil Spirit slaughtered, the stronger it became. In the past, any Disaster-level Evil Spirit had the capability to annihilate an entire province, with some powerful ones turning an entire state into a dead zone. Although the Divine Martial Dynasty was far stronger now than before, facing an Upper-grade Disaster-class Evil Spirit, there was no certainty of resistance. Only with Gu Qingfeng standing guard did Gu Yang not panic. Otherwise. He would have already been preparing to lead the people of the Nine States to relocate elsewhere. If there was no corresponding power to match it, once that Evil Spirit set its sights on the Nine States, with its terrifying strength, turning the Nine States into a wasteland would be a simple matter. Chapter 411: 284: Natural Disaster-level Evil Spirit_2 Chapter 411: Chapter 284: Natural Disaster-level Evil Spirit_2 As Gu Yang¡¯s voice fell, Gu Qingfeng suddenly swung his palm, and the profound energy, like the scorching sun, poured into the opponent¡¯s body. Immediately, Gu Yang heard a sharp and piercing scream by his ear. The next moment. The black handprint on his chest dissipated into rolling black smoke. In just a few breaths, all the handprints disappeared without a trace, and the cold aura that was constantly clinging to Gu Yang, trying to devour his energy, also vanished. ¡°Thank you, Father!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s complexion relaxed. To him, the handprint was like a bone-in festering sore, threatening his life at all times. If not for his profound cultivation and the protection of the Divine Phoenix Tower, he would have been consumed by such power. If it were any other Dao Palace Realm cultivator, they would have already become a dried corpse. For Gu Qingfeng, dispelling the evil force on Gu Yang was an easy task. Even without his recent breakthroughs, dealing with such an evil force would not be a challenge. ¡°The origin of this evil force is not as simple as you think. The evil forces that ravaged the Nine States in the past were nothing. The truly powerful evil spirits, even I am not confident enough to deal with them.¡± After casually resolving Gu Yang¡¯s crisis, Gu Qingfeng spoke. His words. Made Gu Yang¡¯s expression change. But before Gu Yang could speak, Gu Qingfeng continued. ¡°However...¡± ¡°The evil spirit in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is not a major problem. As long as it does not reach the Upper Grade of natural disaster, it will not pose a significant threat.¡± Gu Qingfeng paused here. ¡°But no matter what, such an evil force still cannot be underestimated. I will personally deal with it. Until the problem is solved, don¡¯t let anyone enter the Ancient Beast Mountain Range to avoid unnecessary casualties.¡± ¡°I have already ordered a temporary withdrawal from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s face relaxed, and he nodded again. Knowing the horrors of the evil force in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Gu Yang had ordered a retreat early on, even if it meant abandoning years of accumulation. As long as the army remains, what is lost can eventually be regained. But if all the elite forces are wiped out by the evil spirit, it would be an unimaginable blow to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Yang understood the need to make such sacrifices. Now, hearing that Gu Qingfeng was willing to take action himself, Gu Yang breathed a sigh of relief. As long as his father was willing to step in, the problem would not be severe. ... Qingyun State. In front of Tianxiong Pass. The army was stationed. Over a million elite troops were seated here. Because Tianxiong Pass was the first line of defense between Qingyun State and the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, it was also the most crucial. If the evil spirit emerged from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Tianxiong Pass would be the first to bear the brunt. If Tianxiong Pass fell, it would not only affect Datong Prefecture but also Guangyang Prefecture and other areas of Qingyun State. At that time. The deaths and injuries would be countless. Therefore. The army had to be stationed here, ready to fight to the death if the evil spirit appeared. ¡°Greetings, Grandpa!¡± At Tianxiong Pass, Gu Sheng¡¯an, dressed in military armor, looked at the person before him with respect. Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, a rare smile appearing on his face. ¡°It¡¯s been a few years, and you have matured quite a bit. Your cultivation has also improved. It seems you will soon break into the Grandmaster Realm!¡± Gu Sheng¡¯an, standing before him, was much more mature and steady than before, having advanced to the late tier of the Master Realm. Given his current age of twenty-seven, reaching the late tier of the Master Realm was quite commendable within the Nine States. Even in the Ancient Desolate World, it was the same. Considering his age. It indicated that he had the potential to reach the Divine Transformation Realm before a hundred. Breaking into the Divine Transformation Realm before a century meant he could reach the Dao Palace Realm within a thousand years. In the entire Ancient Desolate World, cultivators who reached the Dao Palace Realm were regarded as strong, but those who achieved it within a thousand years were rare. Most cultivators might take three to five thousand years or might never break through in their lifetime. Thus. Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s breakthrough pace was not bad. However. Compared to his father and uncles, he was far behind. Gu Yang, Gu Xuan, and Gu Xiu all reached the Dao Palace Realm, with Gu Xiu having reached the Seventh Layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Considering that. Gu Xiu was just over forty years old. The Seventh Layer of the Dao Palace Realm at this age was incredibly shocking. Even top talents had the standard of breaking into the Dao Palace Realm within two hundred years. In other words. Cultivators who reached the Dao Palace Realm before two hundred years were considered top-tier talents. However, top-tier talent was a broad term. Like some Semi-Saints could struggle against a Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm cultivator, while others could kill a Great Saint, the principle was the same. Entering the Dao Palace Realm within two hundred years was just the threshold for top-tier talent. The stronger the talent, the faster the breakthrough. Of course. Some might obtain extraordinary opportunities, resulting in astonishingly rapid cultivation progress, but whether due to natural talent or other opportunities, it was all part of personal strength. Without the shining examples of Gu Yang and the others, Gu Sheng¡¯an would be quite notable. But now, he could only be considered passable. Upon hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, Gu Sheng¡¯an couldn¡¯t help but smile, his usual composure vanishing. ¡°It has also been a long time since I served by your side, Grandpa!¡± Gu Qingfeng glanced at him and smiled: ¡°Very well, if you have time, you can return to Gu Family Manor to stay for a while. A change of environment will benefit your cultivation.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s face lit up with joy. The meaning of these words was clear to him. Nowadays, not everyone could enter the Gu Family Manor, and Gu Qingfeng often remained in seclusion. Even if one went, meeting him was not guaranteed. Now receiving Gu Qingfeng¡¯s personal permission was a great honor for Gu Sheng¡¯an. If he could get guidance from Gu Qingfeng, Gu Sheng¡¯an believed breaking into the Grandmaster Realm would be much easier. It¡¯s known. In today¡¯s Nine States, being a Master wasn¡¯t significant. Even a Grandmaster barely held weight. Only by reaching the Divine Transformation Realm could one be truly considered powerful. But Gu Sheng¡¯an knew, breaking into the Divine Transformation Realm was no easy task, though a quicker breakthrough into the Grandmaster Realm was still beneficial. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze fell toward the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, where black mist covered the sky, enveloping everything in a layer of cold death. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes tried to pierce through the black mist to see the scenery inside, the mist trembled, and suddenly a pair of crimson eyes appeared. In an instant. Their eyes met. A terrifying and chaotic spiritual power surged forth. If an ordinary cultivator were struck by such spiritual power, they would likely be polluted by its chaos, either becoming mentally damaged or losing their mind, falling to evil. However. This level of spiritual attack couldn¡¯t shake Gu Qingfeng at all. A Great Sun divine light flashed in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes, shattering the chaotic spiritual power and surging into the black mist, causing it to churn and show signs of collapse. Chapter 412: 285: Mysterious God Statue Chapter 412: Chapter 285: Mysterious God Statue ¡°Grandpa!¡± Upon seeing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range stir, Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s face suddenly changed dramatically. Although he couldn¡¯t see clearly what was inside the black mist, the inexplicable cold aura that surged forth almost made his blood and Qi freeze. With a cultivation at the Late Tier of the Master Realm, he was as insignificant as an ant. Such a vast difference. Even though Gu Sheng¡¯an had long understood this. But when he truly felt this force, a sense of helplessness arose deep within his heart. Yet this feeling came and went quickly. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes emitted two beams of divine light that sliced through much of the black mist, such an astonishing method made Gu Sheng¡¯an increasingly awed. Not only was Gu Sheng¡¯an awed. Other powerful figures on Tianxiong Pass, upon seeing that figure, all showed expressions of reverence towards the powerful. The morale of the army also greatly soared. ¡°Without my command, no one shall step into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range even half a step. As for this evil spirit, I will meet it personally!¡± Gu Qingfeng took one step forward, his figure transformed into a rainbow light heading towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. When he genuinely stepped into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, a thick, terrifying cold aura engulfed him from all directions, seemingly wanting to swallow him whole. But in the next moment. The Great Sun soared in the sky. The pure Yang and vigorous blood Qi around Gu Qingfeng was as intense as the Great Sun, all the cold aura quickly dissipated before touching him. With every step Gu Qingfeng took closer, the black mist retreated visibly, as if something within the mist felt fear. As the black mist gradually receded, the scene originally obscured by it was fully revealed. The ground was scorched black. The trees were withered. Countless fierce beasts had their essence blood drained, reduced to dry corpses lying on the ground. Despite their death, the aura around these fierce beasts was still terrifying, with some having entered the Divine Transformation Realm, and others even reaching the Dao Palace Realm. But without exception. In front of the black mist, these fierce beasts couldn¡¯t survive. ¡ª¡ª ¡°With Grandpa taking action, the problem of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is no longer a concern!¡± On Tianxiong Pass, Gu Sheng¡¯an felt assured. Though he couldn¡¯t see the specific scene inside the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, he could see that as Gu Qingfeng kept advancing, the black mist receded like the tide. Originally, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was shrouded in black mist, even the sunlight couldn¡¯t penetrate it. But now, terrifying blood Qi had transformed into a great sun, driving away all the dense black mist. This momentum. Could indeed shock everyone. ¡°Grandpa¡¯s power is truly unfathomable!¡± Gu Sheng¡¯an took a deep breath, his face filled with agitated emotions. This was the power he pursued. But Gu Sheng¡¯an was also aware that with his talent, it was unlikely he could reach Gu Qingfeng¡¯s level. However. Gu Sheng¡¯an didn¡¯t expect to reach Gu Qingfeng¡¯s height, just achieving a fraction of his success would make him content. ¡°Feng¡¯er¡¯s talent is good, already at Blood Refining Perfection; if it weren¡¯t for consolidating his foundation, breaking through to the Bone Refining Realm would have been more than enough. If he could be guided by Grandpa, the Gu Family might produce another exceptional son in the future!¡± Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s heart already had some thoughts. He had always wanted to keep Gu Yunfeng by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s side; even just spending some time with him, receiving his guidance would be immensely beneficial for future cultivation. But Gu Qingfeng had always been in secluded cultivation, and Gu Sheng¡¯an didn¡¯t dare disturb him. If it were during childhood, Gu Sheng¡¯an naturally wouldn¡¯t have had these thoughts. But now Gu Sheng¡¯an was not the same as before, and he knew better who his Grandpa was, it was inevitable to feel pressure upon meeting him. Yet this meeting made Gu Sheng¡¯an determined. No matter what, he would have to wait until the matter of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was resolved. ¡ª¡ª At this moment. Inside the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. The black mist gradually receded. In the places where Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze landed, all things withered, the once thriving land had now become a dead zone. In the scorched earth, remnants of the evil spirit¡¯s cold aura were still present. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s continuous advance, the black mist receded more slowly, and that cold aura became increasingly intense. Suddenly. The black mist stopped receding. A hoarse, piercing voice emerged from the black mist. ¡°Leave... leave...¡± This voice spoke very slowly, seemingly uncomfortable. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was indifferent, without responding, he threw a punch towards the black mist, instantly unleashing terrifying blood Qi. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± The blood Qi transformed into rising flames, instantly a Divine Phoenix soared, the extremely hot temperature burned through the void, and the ground instantly melted into magma. When the Fiery Flame Divine Phoenix blasted towards the black mist, the black mist churned violently and vanished, all the cold aura retreated rapidly at that moment. In less than a moment. All the black mist completely dispersed, and the scene inside was revealed in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s vision. A pitch-black temple stood there; the eerie black mist¡¯s power emanated from it, many human clan and fierce beast corpses seemed to be summoned, surrounding the temple. But with a strike of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill, these corpses instantly turned to ashes, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Chapter 413: 285: Mysterious God Statue_2 Chapter 413: Chapter 285: Mysterious God Statue_2 Just when the Fiery Flame Divine Phoenix was about to touch the temple, an eerie glow emerged from within the black temple, seemingly trying to block the attack. But the eerie glow only lasted for a moment before shattering into nothingness. Without the protection of the eerie glow, the black temple instantly shattered. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± At the moment the black temple shattered, a Guanyin Divine Statue appeared in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s line of sight. The statue stood over ten feet high, made of clay. The left hand held a jade bottle while the right hand was in a flower-pinching gesture. Its eyes were closed, and what should have been a sorrowful face now gave an eerie and grotesque illusion. ¡°You are the Evil Spirit here!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression turned cold. The eerie statue appeared to be inanimate, yet he felt as though it were alive. Adding to that the overwhelmingly cold aura emanating from it, there was no room for doubt. At that moment, the eerie statue suddenly opened its eyes, revealing a blood-red color. Two streams of blood tears flowed down its cheeks, and a wave of even more terrifying chaotic Divine Thought came crashing down. This chaotic Divine Thought was so tumultuous that even a Saint could be at risk of falling into darkness. However, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought was firm and stable, his vigor like the scorching sun. The moment the chaotic Divine Thought touched him, it was instantly dissolved by this fiery power. ¡°Die!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze was fierce, his right hand clenched in the void, and the Evil Slayer Blade in his Dantian trembled, appearing in his hand in an instant. The Imperial Weapon had appeared. Divine power roared. At the moment Gu Qingfeng gripped the blade handle, an unparalleled blade wind slashed out, shattering all the space around, splitting the heavens and the earth in two. The eerie statue moved abruptly, its right hand, which had been in a flower-pinching gesture, pulled out a willow twig from the jade bottle, unleashing a blood-colored ribbon with an overwhelmingly foul stench. The so-called blood-colored ribbon was shockingly formed by the blood of countless living beings. Moreover, Gu Qingfeng could hear the wailing of countless souls in the blood river, a blood-colored Heavenly River burying countless souls. However fearsome this blood-colored Heavenly River was, in the face of the Imperial Weapon¡¯s blade edge, it seemed powerless. When the blade wind slashed, the blood-colored Heavenly River was not only split in two, but all the blood river touched by the blade wind hissed like hot oil into fire, igniting and burning entirely. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± With one stroke, the blood river shattered. The relentless blade wind, engulfed in boundless flames, moved to cleave the eerie statue completely, but the latter moved again. The left hand holding the jade bottle rose, and an immense torrent of blood surged out, flowing like a flood breaking through a dam. Ultimately, the power of the blood river swallowed the blade wind completely. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He stepped forward, unleashing the full power of his Saint Realm Nine Layers into the Evil Slayer Blade, bringing forth the power of the Imperial Weapon. ¡°I don¡¯t care what kind of sinister Evil Spirit you are, today I will cut you down under my blade!¡± As he spoke, the Imperial Weapon was swung out. The terrifying blade wind slashed forth, its immense power like a Great Sun shining across the heavens and earth, evaporating all the blood river in its path. Before the eerie statue could make another move, the blade had already slashed it in two. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng could see clearly that inside the clay statue, blood and flesh were already manifesting, revealing the Five Internal Organs and emitting a foul and repulsive odor. Faced with this situation, Gu Qingfeng frowned slightly but was not too surprised. Given the initial signs, it was clear that this was no ordinary statue. Although the emergence of flesh and blood was somewhat extraordinary, it was not entirely unexpected. Now, the statue was shattered, and the blood and flesh within continued to wriggle slowly. Upon seeing this. Gu Qingfeng performed the incantation, and suddenly purple lightning struck down from the sky. ¡°Boom!!!¡± The pure, masculine lightning struck the eerie statue¡¯s flesh, emitting a sizzling sound. A more pungent stench began to spread as a shrill scream pierced the air, and the statue, along with its flesh, gradually dissolved. In no time, the eerie statue had completely turned to ashes. At the moment the eerie statue vanished, the thick chilling aura in the area dissipated significantly. After all, the eerie statue was the source of this power; its obliteration naturally weakened the chilling aura here. However. Gu Qingfeng understood as well. If the residual power here was not dealt with, it might give birth to another Evil Spirit in years to come. After all¡ª The power of the eerie statue was too terrifying. Even though it had perished, its residual power still covered the surroundings, and the chances of mutation over the years were extraordinarily high. Understanding the hidden dangers, Gu Qingfeng did not give the place any chance to birth another Evil Spirit. His blood energy surged, and his hands formed seals, summoning Nine Heavens Divine Thunder. ¡°Rumble!!¡± What was once a clear sky suddenly filled with dark clouds, and terrifying purple lightning rained down as if to engulf the entire Ancient Beast Mountain Range. In the eyes of other cultivators, they suddenly saw an ocean of purple lightning stretching before them, with all other colors in the world vanished, leaving only purple. Heavenly thunder purified the world¡¯s filth! Any cultivator sensing this aura couldn¡¯t stop their hearts from trembling, and their faces showed uncontrollable fear as they gazed at the purple ocean of lightning. ¡°Is this the power of the strongest in the End of Dharma Era!!!?¡± ¡°Terrifying!!!¡± ¡°It turns out that with great cultivation, claims of world-ending powers are not just empty words¡ª!¡± Whether they were Semi-Saints or other Tiaoist Palace Realm cultivators, all felt their insignificance under such terrible power. Meanwhile. In other parts of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range that were not affected by the lightning, many fierce beasts fled in terror, afraid of being touched by the thunder and losing their lives on the spot. The purple lightning persisted for a full quarter of an hour before gradually dissipating. When the lightning finally cleared, silence returned to the area. If the previous black mist had turned the land charred and withered the trees, albeit leaving their trunks, now after the baptism of the lightning ocean, everything had completely vanished without a trace. The entire expanse looked as if it had been plowed, with no trees, hills, or any traces remaining. Everything. Was leveled to the ground. Truly leveled to the ground, not an exaggerated form of speech. The areas covered by the lightning ocean were thoroughly destroyed over a range of tens of thousands of miles. If this power had erupted in an inhabited area, it would have instantly turned billions of cultivators to dust, leaving not even a skeleton. It was fortunate that life here had already been annihilated earlier by the black mist. Otherwise. This strike would have killed countless beings. As everyone was shocked by the scene before them, Gu Qingfeng ceased his actions, his once mighty blood energy now slightly depleted. After all, the Great Saint¡¯s Divine Power was extraordinary, and maintaining the Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder would have been impossible for anyone but Gu Qingfeng; even a Tiaoist Palace Realm powerhouse wouldn¡¯t have managed. Now. With the cleansing of thunder. All the eerie, chilling auras had been thoroughly eradicated. This result. Was exactly what Gu Qingfeng intended to see. Then. His gaze landed on the spot where the eerie statue had perished, and he saw the earth and dust rise, revealing a corner of a stele coming into view. Chapter 414: 286: Forever Suppressing the Evil Spirit Chapter 414: Chapter 286: Forever Suppressing the Evil Spirit Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression changed, and with a wave of his sleeve, he saw ancient dust flying¡ªthe old stele appeared completely before him. ¡°Eternal Suppression of Evil Spirits!¡± The stele had only four simple characters. But these four characters fell into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes with the appearance of a majestic aura, as if an ultimate figure appeared in his vision. A strong figure clad in golden armor, whose specific features could not be discerned, shattered the void and engaged in an epic battle with the bizarre deity. The battle caused the heavens to collapse and rivers to hang upside down. Finally. The bizarre deity was utterly suppressed and killed by the Golden Armored Divine General. Subsequently. The Golden Armored Divine General left behind a stele, placing it at the site where the bizarre deity had perished. ¡°I am Tiankui of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, commanded to suppress the Evil Spirit here!¡± A solemn voice seemed to penetrate through the ages, a breath of iron blood and killing intent making hearts tremble with fear. Then. The scene dispersed. ... ¡°Taiyi Divine Dynasty!¡± ¡°Tiankui¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression turned serious. The scene just now, he naturally understood what it depicted. It was the enduring Dao Rhythm left by the ancient strong figure who placed the stele, recording the scene despite countless years. Even though he only saw the golden armored strong figure through the phantom image, Gu Qingfeng could conclude that it was a terrifying existence even greater than a Great Saint. It could possibly be a Saint King! Or even above the Saint King! Between the two. Gu Qingfeng actually leaned more towards the latter. After all, judging from the battle between the golden armored strong figure and the bizarre deity, the deity was far stronger at that time, incomparable to the present. Thinking this. Gu Qingfeng exhaled deeply. Quasi Emperor! The golden armored strong figure who suppressed the bizarre deity was a being of the Quasi-Emperor Realm. Taiyi Divine Dynasty! Regarding this name. Gu Qingfeng was very unfamiliar. Among the many ancient forces he learned about, there were no records of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. ¡°Perhaps the supreme force that emerged from the Nine States in the ancient era was the Taiyi Divine Dynasty!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. He naturally knew that the Nine States had once birthed a supreme force in ancient times, which was the fundamental reason why many strong figures had entered the Nine States over the years. If that force was the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, it made sense. After all¡ª The Taiyi Divine Dynasty was indeed powerful. Moreover, based on the words of the golden armored strong figure, he was not the most powerful entity of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty but acted on command. To command a Quasi Emperor, only a Great Emperor had the qualification. In other words. The Taiyi Divine Dynasty likely had a Great Emperor in existence. More importantly. A divine dynasty! It transcends an imperial dynasty. Like the current Divine Martial Dynasty, which has just entered the ranks of dynasties, it hasn¡¯t even reached the imperial dynasty level, let alone a divine dynasty. At least. In the things Gu Qingfeng learned. The Ancient Desolate World has imperial dynasties, but speaking of divine dynasties, there are no reports. ¡°The Immortal Casting Court left from the past might also be a relic of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, from divine dynasty to immortal dynasty, above the immortal dynasty is the Immortal Court!¡± Although a divine dynasty is not the endpoint, achieving a divine dynasty is definitely not easy. In the Immortal Casting Court. There are records concerning the foundations of imperial dynasties. Even the weakest imperial dynasties possess Qi Fortune that can rival a Great Saint, while the strongest can suppress even a Saint King. Above imperial dynasties are divine dynasties. Despite no records of their power in the Immortal Casting Court. One can understand without thinking that divine dynasties would involve the Great Emperor level. As for the immortal dynasty. It probably cannot exist in this world. After all, the limit of the Ancient Desolate World is the Emperor Realm, any further would be the elusive immortal. Following. Gu Qingfeng thought of something else. In the records of the Ancient Desolate World, the supreme force from the Nine States disappeared suddenly. If the Taiyi Divine Dynasty was that force, then what power could make a top divine dynasty with an Emperor Realm vanish silently? ¡°Ascension of the whole dynasty?¡± ¡°Or was it directly eradicated by some irresistible power?¡± Various speculations emerged in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind, but he could not confirm. The idea of the whole dynasty ascending seemed astonishing, but direct eradication also seemed unlikely. Despite only glimpsing the tip of the iceberg of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡¯s foundation, Gu Qingfeng understood the force¡¯s power. Shaking his head. Gu Qingfeng discarded these thoughts. He refocused his gaze on the stele before him. ¡°At that time, although the strong figure named Tiankui suppressed the bizarre deity, he seemed to foresee that the deity wouldn¡¯t truly perish, so he left the stele here for suppression. Or the deity indeed perished, but the stele was left to prevent its future resurrection.¡± ¡°Anyway, the reason the Evil Spirit did not emerge before was because of the stele¡¯s suppressive power.¡± ¡°But after countless ages, the power in the stele gradually dissipated, giving the Evil Spirit a chance to break free!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes flickered. He could conclude. The Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡¯s suppression grounds for Evil Spirits were not limited to just the place before him. Considering the possible resurrection of the bizarre deity, Gu Qingfeng dared not be careless, even though he had already cleansed the area with Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder, he expanded his Divine Thought, meticulously searching every bit to prevent any possible future revival of the deity. ¡°There really is...¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought suddenly moved, discovering a weak yet extremely bizarre force at the fallen place of the deity. Gu Qingfeng extended his hand, and a wisp of sinister black energy appeared in his palm. Chapter 415: 286: Forever Suppressing the Evil Spirit_2 Chapter 415: Chapter 286: Forever Suppressing the Evil Spirit_2 This eerie black gas twisted frantically in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s palm, emitting strange and evil thoughts from within, as though there were Buddhist chants and hellish ghosts screaming. Not only that. It even wanted to burrow into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body, making him completely fall and become an Evil Spirit. At once. Gu Qingfeng activated the power in his palm, unleashing a terrifying, scorching vitality, intending to completely refine and dissolve the eerie black gas. However¡ª No matter how incredible the vitality was, it was consistently difficult to truly eradicate the eerie black gas. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression finally changed a bit. ¡°Can¡¯t refine it!¡± This was the third thing he had encountered that he couldn¡¯t refine. A drop of blood! A severed finger! And the eerie black gas before him. However. Gu Qingfeng had a method to deal with it; he immediately took out a jade bottle and directly put the eerie black gas into it. It is worth mentioning. The jade bottle provided by the information panel, no one knows what material it was refined from, even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current strength, it was difficult to crush these jade bottles. To a certain extent, the jade bottle was an existence more powerful than an Imperial Weapon. But unfortunately. The jade bottle had no other function besides holding things. However. For Gu Qingfeng, using this jade bottle to hold these things was most appropriate. After putting the eerie black gas into the jade bottle, Gu Qingfeng stored the bottle in his storage ring. Every time Gu Yang broke through, he would receive numerous pill rewards, and ten pills could provide a jade bottle, so Gu Qingfeng had plenty of jade bottles. ¡°As expected, this eerie black gas is the reason the cursed statue could continuously resurrect. Originally, the stele was suppressing it, so it took years for the eerie black gas to re-emerge. But now the stele¡¯s power has been exhausted. If it isn¡¯t sealed, it won¡¯t be long before the cursed statue reappears!¡± Gu Qingfeng mused. After he suppressed the eerie black gas, he scanned the area with Divine Thought, finally detecting no trace of Evil Spirits. In the end. Gu Qingfeng took the stele before him as well. A remnant seemingly left by a Quasi-Emperor level expert naturally held its value, and although the power on it had dissipated, some Dao Rhythm remained. Besides. The stele itself was a treasure. Otherwise. If it were an ordinary stone, how could it bear Quasi-Emperor power and exist for so many years. ... When Gu Qingfeng returned to Tianxiong Pass, Gu Yang had already arrived. ¡°May I ask, Father, has the matter of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range been resolved?¡± ¡°It was a cursed statue, a form of an Evil Spirit, but it has been dealt with.¡± Gu Qingfeng said. His words. Made Gu Yang¡¯s expression relax. No choice. The previous commotion was too great. First, blade wind cleaved the heavens and the earth, then countless Divine Thunder baptized the land, destroying thousands of miles, the erupting aura waves causing intense fear. Such powerful forces, even with Gu Yang¡¯s current cultivation, made him feel like an ant. If Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t been able to handle the Evil Spirit, the problem would have been exceedingly severe. That would mean. The Evil Spirit in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was terrifyingly powerful. Fortunately. Now the Evil Spirit had been resolved. Gu Yang breathed a significant sigh of relief in his heart. ¡°The Evil Spirit has been dealt with, but we must remain cautious. The Ancient Desolate World is not as simple as it appears. There may still be other Evil Spirits lurking in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. If we proceed into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, we must be extremely cautious.¡± Gu Qingfeng reminded. Gu Yang nodded: ¡°I understand, Father.¡± Then. Gu Qingfeng did not stay long at Tianxiong Pass, leaving immediately through the air. ¡ª¡ª The next day. What happened in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range instantly spread. The vast Ancient Desolate World, anyone who heard this news was deeply shocked. Gu Qingfeng is now crowned as the strongest of the End of Dharma Era, his reputation speaks for itself, many forces in the world are secretly watching. Anytime Gu Qingfeng makes a move, it draws considerable attention. However. Gu Qingfeng did not care about these matters, he had already returned to Gu Family Manor to study the stele left by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. Although the Dao Rhythm of this stele is so faint that it seems it could dissipate at any moment, Gu Qingfeng could feel the profoundness contained in that faint Dao Rhythm. While comprehending this Dao Rhythm, Gu Qingfeng gradually understood how powerful the person named Tiankui truly was. Even though Gu Qingfeng is now at the Ninth Layer of the Saint Realm, and can kill an ordinary Great Saint without using any external force, just relying on his own foundation. But before that ancient powerhouse, it still wasn¡¯t enough. ¡°After the Saint Realm, the gap between each realm is immense. Not to mention I¡¯m now at the Ninth Layer of the Saint Realm, even if I were at the Ninth Layer of the Great Saint Realm, just relying on strength, it would be hard to match a Quasi Emperor.¡± Gu Qingfeng was very clear about this. However. If he were to use all his means, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength would naturally be much more formidable. After all, with the Three Great Heavenly Veins¡¯ triple augmentation and an Imperial Weapon in hand, it was enough to elevate Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength to a terrifying level. But precisely because he understood the gap between himself and the Quasi-Emperor Realm, Gu Qingfeng hoped to obtain some desired insights from the stele. Three days later. Gu Yang came again. ¡°Father!¡± ¡°You want to ask about that Evil Spirit, right.¡± ¡°Correct!¡± Gu Yang nodded. He had been dealing with other matters lately, and hadn¡¯t had the time to ask. Regarding the Evil Spirit in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, Gu Yang was extremely curious. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°That Evil Spirit is a bizarre statue, in terms of strength, it should be enough to rival the Great Saint Realm...¡± ¡°Impossible, if it were at the Great Saint Realm, I fear I wouldn¡¯t have survived. Moreover, when I fought that Evil Spirit, it wasn¡¯t a bizarre statue...¡± Before Gu Qingfeng could finish his sentence, Gu Yang had already started shaking his head. An Evil Spirit on par with the Great Saint Realm! That would be a top-grade natural disaster. Gu Yang was very aware of his own strength; if he encountered it, even with the Divine Phoenix Tower protecting him, it would be difficult to escape. Moreover. He had confronted the Evil Spirit. The so-called bizarre statue was entirely different from what he remembered. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°The Evil Spirit you fought should only have been birthed from that bizarre statue, its strength wasn¡¯t very formidable. As for the Evil Spirit that the bizarre statue transformed into, it is the root of this disaster!¡± As he spoke. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought moved, and a stele suddenly appeared before Gu Yang. ¡°This is what I obtained after slaying that Evil Spirit. From the remaining Dao Rhythm on it, I learned that an expert from the Taiyi Divine Dynasty once subdued this Evil Spirit and then erected this stele. I now suspect that the so-called Taiyi Divine Dynasty is very likely the supreme power that once existed in the Nine States. The Immortal Casting Court you possess may also be from the Taiyi Divine Dynasty.¡± Gu Qingfeng shared all the information he had gathered. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang¡¯s face immediately changed dramatically. ¡°Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Yang knew very well what the term Divine Dynasty represented. He had secretly researched about the supreme powers that once existed in the Nine States, but the information was limited. It was only revealed that this power was extremely formidable, emerging from the Nine States and reigning over the entire Ancient Desolate World. But because of the endless ages, there wasn¡¯t much information left about this power. Even. The name Taiyi Divine Dynasty was something Gu Yang had never heard before. But now, hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, Gu Yang had some speculations. Taiyi Divine Dynasty. Very likely the supreme power that once dominated the Ancient Desolate World. ¡°Forever subdue Evil Spirits!¡± ¡°If what father said is true, it means the issue with Evil Spirits has been around for a long time, even tracing back to those ancient years!¡± ¡°Moreover, since the Ancient Beast Mountain Range could have Evil Spirits subdued by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, other parts of the Ancient Desolate World probably have the same situation!¡± As Gu Yang spoke, his expression became extremely grave. The issue with Evil Spirits. Was far more troublesome than he had imagined. Chapter 416: 287: Great-Great-Grandson Chapter 416: Chapter 287: Great-Great-Grandson ¡°Your assumption is correct, the waters of the Ancient Desolate World are far deeper than we can imagine!¡± ¡°Moreover, the origins of the Evil Spirit are certainly not simple. There are some matters that we can only tackle one step at a time.¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head. ¡°But you need not worry too much. As long as I¡¯m here, there shouldn¡¯t be any major problems for a while.¡± These words served as a stabilizing force for Gu Yang. Afterwards. Gu Yang couldn¡¯t help but ask:¡±Father, what is your current level of strength?¡± Gu Yang¡¯s curiosity was warranted. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength had always been a mystery. No matter how many times he saw his father in action, it always felt like his understanding was being refreshed. ¡°If I don¡¯t use my other cards, suppressing a typical Great Saint will not be an issue. If I do use them, I might even be able to hold my own against a Quasi Emperor!¡± Gu Qingfeng spoke with an air of nonchalance, but his words sent shockwaves through Gu Yang¡¯s heart. Capable of suppressing a typical Great Saint! And even able to hold his own against a Quasi Emperor! In the Ancient Desolate World, the Great Emperor is the ultimate peak. However. From ancient times to now, those who could truly reach the Emperor Realm are extremely limited. In a Great Struggle Prosperity Era, it¡¯s uncertain whether anyone could even attain the Quasi Emperor level. Therefore. As the mightiest beings below the Great Emperor, every Quasi Emperor is supremely exalted. Gu Yang never expected that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current strength could already challenge a Quasi Emperor. Shock gave way to overwhelming joy. He had always thought that his father¡¯s strength was only around the Great Saint level, and even holding his own against a Saint King would be uncertain. But the reality. Gu Yang discovered that his father had already touched the Quasi Emperor level, how could he not feel elated. With such a formidable figure in the Divine Martial Dynasty, it was akin to having a stabilizing force. ¡°However, this world is far more complicated than you think. Not to mention whether the ancient forces have top-tier experts in seclusion, the Life Forbidden Zones themselves contain infinite perils. Even a Quasi Emperor cannot guarantee invincibility in this era.¡± Gu Qingfeng gave his son a profound look before issuing this warning. Though he knew Gu Yang had always been cautious, he wanted his son to understand the depths of the Ancient Desolate World, to prevent him from assuming that having Gu Qingfeng in the Divine Martial Dynasty meant they could dominate the world without opposition. ¡°Father, your lesson is well taken!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression became solemn, immediately suppressing his earlier excitement. But despite the words. He also understood. The significance of having a Quasi Emperor is immense. Thereafter. Gu Qingfeng looked at the stele:¡±This stele was left by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. It contains a trace of Dao Rhythm from a past Quasi Emperor, but with the passage of time, this Dao Rhythm has become extremely weak. For me, this Dao Rhythm is useless, but for ordinary cultivators, it is quite a fortunate opportunity. Take this stele back with you and see if you can gain any insights.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Gu Yang could naturally see the extraordinary nature of the stele. After all, it was something left behind by a Quasi Emperor. Apart from the Quasi Emperor¡¯s Dao Rhythm above, the stele itself was a remarkable treasure. Subsequently. Gu Yang took the stele and departed. Watching the grand hall before him, Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head:¡±Taiyi Divine Dynasty... sinister black energy, to truly understand the reality of this world is no easy task.¡± Saint Realm Nine Layers! Still not enough to handle everything. But Gu Qingfeng also knew that breaking through to the Great Saint Realm was not something that could be rushed. For the time being. He would have to wait a while. After all, during the End of Dharma Era, Saints did not emerge, and to break through in this era, one would have to find other ways; relying solely on one¡¯s cultivation was certainly impossible. Then. Gu Qingfeng summoned someone. ¡°Subordinate pays respects to the Manor Master!¡± Gu Peng greeted respectfully. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze fell on the person before him. Over the years, Gu Peng¡¯s cultivation had also made breakthroughs and he had firmly entered the Third Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm. Gu Peng¡¯s rapid advancement was not due to exceptional talent, but to a large quantity of pills thrusting him forward. Considering the plethora of pills Gu Qingfeng received from the information panel, including many Divine Blood Pills beneficial to Divine Transformation Realm cultivators, combined with the ample resources of the Gu Family Manor. As the steward of the Gu Family Manor, Gu Peng¡¯s strength surge was unsurprising. Indeed. He was now the steward. Several years ago, Gu Peng was no longer the Outer Hall Master but had become the steward of the Gu Family Manor, overseeing both the Outer Hall and the Inner Hall, while other individuals took over his previous position. ¡°How many disciples are in the manor now?¡± ¡°Reporting to the manor master, currently, there are eighteen hundred Outer Hall disciples, three hundred and eighty Inner Hall disciples, and thirty-six law enforcement hall disciples!¡± Gu Peng answered without hesitation. For him, the situation of the Gu Family Manor was well within his grasp. Gu Qingfeng asked:¡±How is their strength?¡± ¡°Most of the Outer Hall disciples are at the Refining Organ Realm, with a hundred in the Master Realm, and three are Great Grandmasters!¡± ¡°The Inner Hall disciples number two hundred in the Master Realm and thirty as Great Grandmasters!¡± ¡°The thirty-six law enforcement hall disciples, all are Great Grandmasters!¡± Gu Peng replied truthfully. Upon hearing this. Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. Strictly speaking, including the law enforcement hall, the Gu Family Manor has a total of fewer than twenty-two hundred disciples. Out of this number, having three hundred in the Master Realm and sixty-nine as Great Grandmasters was indeed impressive. At least. In the Nine States. No other Martial World force could compare with the Gu Family Manor. Chapter 417: 287: Great-Great-Grandson_2 Chapter 417: Chapter 287: Great-Great-Grandson_2 After all, it has only been twenty-three years since the Divine Martial Dynasty established dominance over the Nine States. This means. The peak of cultivation has only lasted for a mere twenty-three years. Before the Divine Martial Dynasty conquered the Nine States, there were hardly any cultivators in the Martial World who had reached the Master Realm, let alone the Grandmaster Realm. Even though the various sects and factions in the Martial World have experienced explosive growth over the past twenty years, entering the Grandmaster Realm is still not easy. Therefore. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, relying on the strength of the Gu Family Manor alone, even without counting his own power and the Divine Martial Dynasty, they are still formidable enough to overshadow many sects in the Martial World. Gu Peng, who stood nearby, waited for Gu Qingfeng to speak after finishing his words. After a while. Gu Qingfeng gathered his thoughts and said slowly: ¡°For a force to grow, other aspects must not be lacking. We can dig deeper. If there are disciples with talent in alchemy, artifact refining, or array formation, they should be specially trained. Those with outstanding talent can be brought to meet me!¡± The Gu Family Manor has developed to this point; some things should be perfected now. Gu Peng looked troubled: ¡°Currently, there are no real cultivators in alchemy or artifact refining within the manor. To excavate the potential of other disciples is not going to be easy.¡± ¡°It¡¯s simple. There are already many cultivation techniques in the manor related to alchemy, artifact refining, and array formation. Let them study these on their own. If they can reach the first tier within three years through their own efforts, it would mean they have some talent.¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was calm. As a Sixth Tier Array Master himself, Gu Qingfeng could occasionally offer pointers in array formation. As for alchemy and artifact refining, although Gu Qingfeng was not proficient in them, there were always experts available. For instance, the Taixu Sacred Land. Such an ancient sacred land is deeply rooted. With the relationship between the Divine Martial Dynasty and the Taixu Sacred Land, the Gu Family can send a few disciples there, and the latter would not be able to refuse. At most. The Gu Family would just need to pay a certain price. Upon hearing this. Gu Peng naturally accepted the order. ¡°Additionally, I remember that the positions of Inner Hall Master and Law Enforcement Hall Master have been vacant for some time, haven¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Does the manor master have any candidates?¡± ¡°Let Shengxing and Shengan come to the Gu Family Manor!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Peng accepted the order and withdrew. ... Half a day later. Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an arrived together. ¡°Grandsons pay respects to Grandpa!¡± ¡°No need for formalities.¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the two in front of him, both exuding a composed demeanor, devoid of their past arrogance. ¡°Do you know why I called you here today?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t know.¡± Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an exchanged glances, both shaking their heads. Since their marriages, they had moved to their own residences and had been away from the Gu Family Manor for a long time, so they were not aware of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s sudden summons. Gu Qingfeng did not beat around the bush, stating directly: ¡°The positions of Inner Hall Master and Law Enforcement Hall Master in the Gu Family Manor are vacant. These two positions can only be held by members of the Gu Family. Your two uncles are one in the Taixu Sacred Land, the other in the Demon Realm, making it impossible for them to return. As for your eldest sister, she has left the Nine States to train, and your two younger sisters¡¯ martial arts cultivation is too weak. After much consideration, only you two are suitable for these positions. What do you think about this?¡± As soon as he said this. Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an were both overjoyed. Being the head of a hall! If it were any other sect, they wouldn¡¯t care for it. After all, as princes, they held high status, and even the head of a sect would not mean much to them. But the Gu Family Manor is different; it is the ancestral land of the Divine Martial Dynasty and the origin of the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline. To put it bluntly. The Gu Family is not just the largest clan in the Nine States but also ranks above numerous noble families even in the Ancient Desolate World. As such. Being a hall master in the Gu Family Manor is of significant importance. Therefore. The two did not hesitate. ¡°Grandsons will follow Grandpa¡¯s orders!¡± ¡°Good.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded. ¡°From today onwards, Shengxing will be the Inner Hall Master, and Shengan will be the Law Enforcement Hall Master. However, both the Inner Hall and the Law Enforcement Hall have cultivators at the Grandmaster Realm. Since you are now only at the Master Realm, it will still be challenging to truly preside over them. I am giving you one year to break through to the Grandmaster Realm, and the manor will provide all necessary resources for your cultivation.¡± ¡°We will do our best!¡± Both nodded. Breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm within a year seemed impossible. After all, whether it was Gu Shengxing or Gu Sheng¡¯an, they were only in the late tier of the Master Realm, quite far from the Grandmaster Realm. However. If enough resources were provided, achieving a breakthrough in a short time was not entirely out of the question. Seeing the determination on their faces, Gu Qingfeng did not say more. He waved his sleeve, and several gourd containers filled with pills appeared before them. ¡°Each gourd contains Golden Body Pills for tempering the body of a Master, True Intent Pills for insight into true intent, and Divine Blood Pills. These pills are meant for cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm to enhance their qi and blood. Since you are not in the Divine Transformation Realm, you cannot fully absorb the Divine Blood Pills¡¯ power. So, you must dilute the Divine Blood Pills a hundred times before slowly refining and consuming them.¡± Gu Qingfeng said. Each gourd contained twenty pills. These pills, of course, came as rewards from the information panel. Given the preciousness of jade bottles, Gu Qingfeng kept them for other uses, hence the use of gourds for storage. With so many pills, Gu Qingfeng believed that not only would breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm be possible, but even advancing further from the Grandmaster Realm would not be a significant problem. ¡°Thank you, Grandpa!!¡± The two were overjoyed. They had indeed heard of these pills, and having used Golden Body Pills before, they understood their power. And since Divine Blood Pills were meant for Divine Transformation Realm cultivators, they knew their value. Initially. They were not very confident about breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm within a year, but with these pills in hand, their chances were now over ninety percent. After they had secured the pills, Gu Qingfeng waved his hand. ¡°Alright, everything you need has been given to you. How far you can go will depend on your own fortune.¡± ¡°Grandsons take their leave!¡± ... Leaving the Gu Family Manor. The two instinctively heaved a sigh of relief and smiled as they looked at the sunlight outside. ¡°Second Brother, let¡¯s see who will breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm first!¡± Gu Sheng¡¯an said with a smile, looking at the man in front of him. The latter responded with a confident smile: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Second Brother will not breakthrough slower than you.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± Gu Sheng¡¯an narrowed his eyes, feeling a surge of competitive spirit. Having grown up together, they had always compared themselves to each other. Although now older, their competitive spirit had lessened, but now it was rekindled. Afterwards. The two did not say much more and left together. ... In the coming days. Gu Qingfeng resumed his usual tranquility. During this period. Gu Sheng¡¯an sent Gu Yunfeng over, claiming it was to strengthen their bond. To this. Gu Qingfeng did not refuse. He had not met this great-great-grandson many times, but as a member of the Gu Family, he naturally felt some kinship. However, compared to Gu Qingfeng, Xu Yulan was quite fond of Gu Yunfeng. Being a cultivator in the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, her cultivation level was among the top three in the entire Divine Martial Dynasty. Therefore. Xu Yulan often guided Gu Yunfeng in his training. As a result. This saved Gu Qingfeng a lot of effort. Gu Qingfeng naturally had no reason to refuse such an arrangement. Chapter 418: 288 Ancient Times Chapter 418: Chapter 288 Ancient Times ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has taken a pill and his cultivation has improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has been guided by a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator and his strength has accordingly increased!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has gone into seclusion for arduous cultivation and his cultivation has greatly improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has broken through to the Perfection of the Master Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *120!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ attempted to break through to the Grandmaster Realm but didn¡¯t succeed temporarily!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ has broken through to the Perfection of the Master Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *120!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has broken through to the Initial Tier of the Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yunfeng¡¯ has been guided by a Nine Layers Taoist Palace Realm cultivator and his strength has greatly improved, breaking through to the Initial Tier of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yunyue¡¯ has been guided by a Nine Layers Taoist Palace Realm cultivator and her strength has greatly improved, breaking through to the Initial Tier of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yunyue¡¯ has self-enlightened, greatly improving her understanding of the Green Lotus Sword Scripture, successfully comprehending the Green Lotus Sword Intent!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yunyue¡¯ has broken through to the Mid-Tier of the Bone Refining Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *30!¡± ... In the next half year, the entire Divine Martial Dynasty returned to tranquility. Gu Qingfeng stayed in the Gu Family Manor, often guiding the disciples¡¯ cultivation while also refining himself. During this period. Gu Shengxing learned that Gu Sheng¡¯an had sent his son to the Gu Family Manor, immediately finding an excuse to send Gu Yunfeng there as well. Xu Yulan was naturally overjoyed by this. To her, being alone in the manor was somewhat boring, so having two great-grandsons for company was quite a good thing. Gu Qingfeng turned a blind eye to these matters. However. Gu Qingfeng often paid close attention to the changes on the information panel. Originally, the talents of the brothers Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an were quite similar, but upon closer examination, there were differences. These differences were not apparent before, but now as both were in seclusion, attempting to reach higher realms with all their might, the differences naturally became evident. Among the two. Gu Sheng¡¯an undoubtedly had the stronger talent. When he was already attempting to break through to the Grandmaster Realm, Gu Shengxing had yet to reach the Perfection of the Master Realm. And now, with Gu Sheng¡¯an stepping into the Grandmaster Realm first, Gu Shengxing was still at the Perfection of the Master Realm. However. The year wasn¡¯t over yet. It was expected. Gu Shengxing would eventually break through to the Grandmaster Realm without any problems. Compared to these two, Gu Qingfeng had developed a bit of curiosity towards his great-granddaughter, whom he hadn¡¯t met much. ¡°Such a young age and she could comprehend the Green Lotus Sword Scripture, as well as understand the Green Lotus Sword Intent. Who would have thought Shengxing, with average talent, would have such a good daughter!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes flickered slightly. Comprehending True Intent was not something anyone could achieve. Many Master Realm cultivators might not grasp True Intent, let alone others. The most important point. Gu Yunyue was only about eight or nine years old and had already comprehended the Green Lotus Sword Intent. Such talent was extraordinarily outstanding. About this. Gu Qingfeng was very satisfied. The stronger the talents of the Gu Family¡¯s descendants, the better. However. Gu Qingfeng did not intervene in Gu Yunyue¡¯s growth but personally guided his great-granddaughter¡¯s cultivation. Although Gu Qingfeng had not cultivated the Green Lotus Sword Scripture, for him, such Grandmaster Martial Arts could be easily understood at a glance, and guiding it was effortlessly simple. The reason for letting Gu Yunyue cultivate the Green Lotus Sword Scripture was because her cultivation level was too low, and martial arts at or above the Divine Transformation Realm were gradually evolving towards Divine Skills. Without sufficient cultivation as a foundation, it was difficult to successfully cultivate them. Compared to that, the Green Lotus Sword Scripture was relatively easier to cultivate. Moreover. The Green Lotus Sword Scripture was quite profound, at least among Grandmaster Martial Arts, it was considered excellent. ... ¡°Greetings, Grandpa!¡± In the main hall of the Gu Family Manor, Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an arrived once again. Gu Qingfeng looked at them and nodded slightly: ¡°Good, since you have come, as decided before, Shengxing can be the Inner Hall Master, and Sheng¡¯an will be the Law Enforcement Hall Master... Gu Peng!¡± ¡°I am here!¡± Gu Peng cupped his fists and bowed his head. Gu Qingfeng said: ¡°Familiarize them with the Inner Hall and the Law Enforcement Hall.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Peng nodded, then smiled at Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an. ¡°Masters of the Halls, please follow this old servant!¡± ¡°Thank you, General Manager Gu!¡± Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an hurriedly returned the courtesy, their words full of respect for Gu Peng. As the General Manager of the Gu Family Manor, Gu Peng had followed Gu Qingfeng for decades and was deeply trusted by him, which was evident to anyone with eyes. Even though Gu Peng was not of the Gu Family lineage, he was given the surname Gu, and most importantly, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s trust was worth more than anything. Even though Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an were direct lineage members of the Gu Family, they dared not be disrespectful to Gu Peng. Moreover. They had been watched over by Gu Peng while growing up, naturally holding deep respect for him. Afterward. Gu Peng led the two away. Gu Qingfeng watched their departing figures for a moment before retracting his gaze. A year¡¯s time. As he had thought, Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s talent was slightly stronger, now having stepped into the Mid-Tier of the Grandmaster Realm, while Gu Shengxing had just barely entered the Grandmaster Realm. Chapter 419: 288 Ancient Times_2 Chapter 419: Chapter 288 Ancient Times_2 The gap between the two had gradually begun to show. In addition to this, there were no significant changes among the other Gu Family descendants. After all, a year is neither too long nor too short, and people like Gu Yang and others had already stepped into the Tiaoist Palace Realm. It is naturally not easy to break through further. ... Spring goes, autumn comes. Another six months quickly passed. During these six months, the Divine Martial Dynasty mobilized troops again towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and the once destroyed Ancient Beast Nine Cities were reestablished. However, the Ancient Beast Nine Cities now had a new name. Evil Suppressing Nine Cities! The so-called evil refers to the Evil Spirit. The evil spirits in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range had been suppressed, and Gu Yang established the Evil Suppressing Nine Cities to commemorate that battle. At the same time, the army stationed in the Nine Cities began to explore the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. As the barrier between the Nine States and the Eastern Domain, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range stretches endlessly, containing countless fierce beasts and uncountable cultivators who perished there. Over the years, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range had concealed numerous opportunities. These opportunities, for other forces, were immensely tempting. Imperial Palace. In the court. The ministers gathered. Gu Yang looked at the officials below, and finally, his gaze fell on Shi Zhen, who stood at the forefront. ¡°Shi Zhen, I once gave you ten years to train soldiers and create an elite force for my Divine Martial Dynasty. Have you succeeded?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, the 36,000 soldiers of the Heavenly Gang Camp have all achieved the Grandmaster Realm. With the Heavenly Gang Divine Slaughter united, they can suppress those in the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Additionally, the Divine Might Camp and Mountain Suppressing Camp, both have one million elite soldiers, who are all seasoned veterans. The weakest among them are in the Marrow Cleansing Realm, while the strongest have stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm. All three camps¡¯ elites are battle-ready!¡± Upon hearing this, the officials¡¯ expressions changed. They were aware that the court had been extensively training soldiers for years but did not expect such powerful forces to emerge. The three major camps were all elites! Setting aside the Divine Might Camp and Mountain Suppressing Camp for now, just the 36,000 soldiers of the Heavenly Gang Camp all reaching the Grandmaster Realm was astonishing. One must understand, even in today¡¯s Nine States, a Grandmaster can establish a sect. The entire Martial World might not even have that many Grandmasters. But now, just the Heavenly Gang Army alone comprised 36,000 Grandmasters. If this news spread, it would shock the world. Regarding this, Gu Yang was not overly surprised. Only he knew what kind of price the Divine Martial Dynasty paid to train these three camps of elites. Ninety percent of the resources collected from the Ancient Beast Mountain Range were allocated to these three camps, and the resources from the Ancient Desolate Holy Land were also heavily tilted toward them. Because of this enormous investment, these three elite camps could be trained in such a short time. When Shi Zhen finished speaking, a satisfied expression appeared on Gu Yang¡¯s face. ¡°Good. With these three elite camps, my Divine Martial Dynasty can take control of the Eastern Domain!¡± Speaking of this, Gu Yang paused and continued. ¡°Shi Zhen!¡± ¡°I am here!¡± ¡°I appoint you as the Great General of the Conquering Army, leading the Heavenly Gang Camp, Divine Might Camp, and Mountain Suppressing Camp to attack Taiyang Prefecture!¡± ¡°I accept the order!¡± Shi Zhen was shaken, immediately clasped his fists, and accepted the command. After that, Gu Yang looked at the others. ¡°Xue Cheng, Jiang Mo, Tong Lingfeng, you three will lead your respective Xue Character Camp, Jiang Character Camp, and Tong Character Camp to join the army. You will be deputy commanders, following Shi Zhen¡¯s orders upon the army¡¯s departure!¡± ¡°We accept the order!¡± Xue Cheng, Jiang Mo, and Tong Lingfeng stepped forward simultaneously and accepted the command. The three of them were all great generals of the court, each commanding their respective troops. Even though their armies were not as elite, they made up for it in numbers. Under the current Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s rule over the Nine States, and after several decades of recuperation, the population has greatly increased, more than tenfold compared to the end of the previous dynasty. Therefore. The three great military camps. Each consists of five million soldiers. Together, the three camps have a total of fifteen million soldiers. This number is already quite astonishing. ¡°I give you one year. I want to see the banner of the Divine Martial Dynasty on Taiyang Prefecture!¡± Gu Yang said in a deep voice. Taiyang Prefecture is a territory under the control of the Guiyuan Dynasty. Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty plans to mobilize its forces, its first target is naturally the Guiyuan Dynasty. ¡°Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will capture Taiyang Prefecture within a year, or else I willingly accept military law!¡± Shi Zhen immediately issued a military pledge, which satisfied Gu Yang, who nodded approvingly. Afterward. The court continued to discuss for another half of the two-hour period before finally dispersing. When the court session adjourned, all officials hurriedly left, with complex expressions on their faces. There is no other way. The events that transpired in the court today truly shocked them. Even though the news that the Divine Martial Dynasty would mobilize its forces had already been spreading among the populace, making it something everyone speculated upon, the actual implementation still caused a stir in their hearts. It¡¯s important to understand that when war breaks out, too many things are implicated. Especially the interests of various parties. However. Gu Yang did not pay attention to the outside world¡¯s shock. He was now in the Imperial Study Room, looking at the intelligence reports brought by the Hidden Guards. ¡°Reporting to Your Majesty, it is now said that there are signs of evil spirits reviving in the Ancient Wilderness. Many cultivators have perished, and it¡¯s rumored that several saint sects and noble families have been annihilated, with all their strong figures fallen. This matter has alarmed many ancient forces, who have sent their powerhouses to exterminate the evil spirits!¡± Gu Yi reported respectfully. His words. Made Gu Yang¡¯s expression slightly serious. ¡°It seems that there are indeed many evil spirits lurking within the Ancient Wilderness. The question is whether this outburst of evil spirits is a coincidence or intentional by someone hidden in the shadows!¡± Gu Yang muttered to himself, his eyes flickering. The appearance of evil spirits. Has already caused chaos in the Ancient Wilderness. From Gu Yang¡¯s perspective, this is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, the greater the chaos in the Ancient Wilderness, the bigger the opportunity for the Divine Martial Dynasty. If the Ancient Wilderness were peaceful, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s military movements would undoubtedly attract attention from various forces, making it extremely difficult. On the contrary. With the current chaos caused by the evil spirits, all forces are preoccupied with dealing with them, making it much easier for the Divine Martial Dynasty to act. Gu Yi said: ¡°According to the Hidden Guards¡¯ findings, this emergence of evil spirits might be related to a force known as the Taiyi Divine Dynasty!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression was puzzled. He had never disclosed anything about the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. Gu Yi continued: ¡°An ancient noble family used a Great Saint Weapon to defeat the army of evil spirits, then went deep inside to eradicate them. They found a stele with the inscription ¡®Eternal Suppression of Evil Spirits¡¯. From the stele, an ancient Dao Rhythm was left behind, recording its origin. The news of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty spread from there!¡± At this point. Gu Yi paused, then continued. ¡°Now it is rumored in the Ancient Wilderness that the existence of evil spirits might trace back to the Ancient Era, where an unparalleled force named the Taiyi Divine Dynasty suppressed the entirety of the Ancient Wilderness¡¯ evil spirits. But as time passed, the seals left by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty weakened. By the current era, the seals have completely lost their effect, leading to the emergence of the suppressed evil spirits, causing immense disasters!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Yang also nodded slightly. It must be said. Gu Yi¡¯s words were identical to the suspicions Gu Yang harbored in his heart. What differed was. Gu Yang knew more clearly that the so-called Taiyi Divine Dynasty was a supreme force that had emerged from the Nine States. Within the Ancient Wilderness. In the time before the current era, there were three eras. The Taikoo Era, the Ancient Era, and the Prehistoric Era. Each era is not simply defined by time, but by a supreme catastrophe that reshuffled the Ancient Wilderness, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. However. According to Gu Yang¡¯s understanding, the so-called prehistoric catastrophe occurred at least ten million years before the present. The prehistoric era was already such. The extent of the antiquity of the Taikoo Era is thus unimaginable. Chapter 420: 289: Inner Sect Chapter 420: Chapter 289: Inner Sect ¡°The Ancient Times!¡± ¡°Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡ª¡± Within the Gu Family Manor, Gu Yang had already sent someone to inform Gu Qingfeng of this news. In fact, the latter had already learned about it from the Hidden Guard. Chaos was rising in the world. It seemed to be the prelude to the Great Struggle Prosperity Era. However. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thoughts were not on this at the moment. In front of him. Six disciples of the Gu Family Manor were standing respectfully. Six disciples! Three were from the Inner Hall, three from the Outer Hall. ¡°I heard that you have all stepped into the First Tier in the three paths of Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and Array Dao Path!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at them and slowly said. ¡°Today, I give you a chance to demonstrate your skills on the spot. As long as it is confirmed that your claims are true, you will have a grand opportunity!¡± ¡°Disciple obeys!¡± Upon hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, the six were all extremely excited. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng had someone prepare all the necessary items and then let the six begin their demonstrations. As the six began, Gu Qingfeng watched their movements and then fixed his gaze on one of them. This person was currently demonstrating the Array Dao Path. The so-called Array Dao Path. Essentially, it is about communicating with the forces of heaven and earth, evolving countless mysteries, thus being able to shift stars and alter constellations, so the Array Dao Path places a greater emphasis on comprehension. ¡°Proficient in array formations, not just a simple First Tier Array Master, this lad seems to have faintly touched the threshold of a Second Tier Array Master!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded secretly, and the information of this person surfaced in his mind. Gu Chang¡¯an! An Inner Hall disciple. Originally an orphan adopted by the Gu Family Manor, now just in his thirties, already a mid-tier cultivator, his talent is quite decent. Although not top-notch, for the average person, this talent is not bad at all. Time passed. One after another, people passed the assessment. Gu Qingfeng looked at the six in front of him and nodded satisfactorily. ¡°You all have passed. It seems that you indeed have impressive talents in the three paths!¡± As he said this. Gu Qingfeng paused and looked at one of them, suddenly speaking in a deep voice. ¡°Gu Chang¡¯an!¡± ¡°Disciple is here!¡± Gu Chang¡¯an¡¯s body trembled, and he hurriedly stepped forward. Gu Qingfeng looked deeply at him: ¡°Your talent in the Array Dao Path is not bad. Are you willing to become my disciple?¡± ¡°Disciple is willing¡ª¡ª!!¡± Gu Chang¡¯an was initially stunned, then immediately filled with uncontrollable joy, his body trembling violently, and even his speech became a bit stuttered. The other five looked at Gu Chang¡¯an with eyes full of envy. A manor master¡¯s disciple! It should be known that all these years, Gu Qingfeng had never truly taken on any disciple. The most was that someone occasionally received some guidance from him. Now, Gu Chang¡¯an becoming Gu Qingfeng¡¯s disciple was akin to ascending to the skies in a single leap. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng was now the strongest in the Nine States, praised by many cultivators in the Ancient Desolate World as the strongest of the End of Dharma Era. An ancient Holy Land once said, when the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, this man has the talent to aspire to the position of Great Emperor. Worshipping under such a powerful master, the future achievements would be limitless. Afterward. The other five turned their gaze back to Gu Qingfeng, their hearts faintly filled with hope that they could become the next Gu Chang¡¯an. Noticing their gazes, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained indifferent. ¡°Regarding the paths of Alchemy and Artifact Refining, I am not proficient. Therefore, if you were to take me as your master, it would ultimately be a waste of your talents.¡± Upon hearing this. The expressions of the five darkened significantly. ¡°However¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°I will take you to the Taixu Sacred Land and let you become its disciples!¡± ¡°With your talent in Alchemy and Artifact Refining, you should be able to achieve higher accomplishments in the Taixu Sacred Land.¡± ¡°When the time comes, whether you choose to stay in the Taixu Sacred Land or return to the Gu Family Manor will be up to you!¡± This was Gu Qingfeng¡¯s long-standing plan. As he said, he was not proficient in Alchemy and Artifact Refining, so rather than suppressing talents, it was better to send them to the Taixu Sacred Land. Of course. If these disciples were sent there, not all of them might want to return, but as long as one or two did, the Gu Family Manor would have made a profit. In fact. In the Taixu Sacred Land, many disciples came from various small forces, with complex interrelationships. The Taixu Sacred Land didn¡¯t mind this; they wanted to sift through and eventually leave behind some truly talented disciples loyal to them. Gu Qingfeng was doing much the same now. Upon hearing the words ¡°Taixu Sacred Land,¡± the five¡¯s expressions of disappointment faded considerably. As an ancient Holy Land of the Eastern Domain, the reputation of the Taixu Sacred Land was well-known to them. Moreover. There was news within the Gu Family Manor about a direct lineage member who had joined the Taixu Sacred Land and became one of the Taixu Nine Sons. So. After Gu Qingfeng finished speaking, the five exchanged glances and respectfully said, ¡°Disciple obeys the manor master¡¯s instructions!¡± ¡ª¡ª The next day. Gu Qingfeng took the five and left the Gu Family Manor. He did not use a Transmission Array nor any other Supreme Treasure; instead, he directly condensed a cloud with his Divine Thought and headed to the Taixu Sacred Land with the five. On the cloud. Overlooking the earth. The five, all young, were shocked by the sight before them, and their respect for Gu Qingfeng grew even deeper. Chapter 421: 289: Inner Sect_2 Chapter 421: Chapter 289: Inner Sect_2 Gathering clouds to travel, such immortal means are simply unimaginable. Even cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm can fly by themselves, but that is absolutely nothing compared to what is seen now. ¡°The Taixu Sacred Land is rich in resources. If you all are accepted into Taixu Sacred Land, you will have the hope of breaking through to the Divine Transformation Realm, or even stepping into the higher Taoist Palace Realm!¡± ¡°With these means now, when you achieve sufficient cultivation in the future, you will naturally be able to display them.¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly and explained to the few people. Hearing Gu Qingfeng speak, the oppressive atmosphere on the cloud platform eased considerably. The five people originally revered Gu Qingfeng¡¯s might so much that they didn¡¯t dare to breathe deeply. At this moment, they finally started to discuss with each other, and some even dared to ask Gu Qingfeng questions. In response to this. Gu Qingfeng answered each of their questions without refusing anyone. Soon. Gu Qingfeng brought the few people to Taixu Sacred Land. When he arrived at Taixu Sacred Land, Fu Shenjun had already sent someone to wait here. ¡°Mr. Gu, you have arrived. The Peak Master has ordered me to wait here specially!¡± Fu He said with a smile. Gu Qingfeng glanced at him and laughed softly, ¡°When did Mr. Fu become so courteous?¡± ¡°In the past, it was my lack of manners, often offending senior Mr. Gu. The term ¡®Taoist friend¡¯, I indeed cannot bear!¡± Fu He waved his hand quickly. Joking aside. He dared to call Gu Qingfeng ¡°Taoist friend¡± because, at that time, he was merely the head of the Gu Family. But now things are different. The status and position of the present person are no longer something that a small Taoist Palace Realm like him can compare to. Moreover¡ª His father was on equal terms with this person, if he also called him an equal, wouldn¡¯t that mess up the seniority? Seeing Fu He¡¯s expression of awe, not as casual as before, Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly and said no more. Indeed. Just as the rumors say. Cultivation actually divides into three realms: the Ant Realm, the Taoist Friend Realm, and the Senior Realm; the rest are all trivial. Under the guidance of Fu He, Gu Qingfeng and the others entered the Taixu Sacred Land. Upon entering Taixu Sacred Land. The disciples of Gu Family Manor were all in awe. The pavilions, terraces, and the occasional appearance of cultivators exuding a certain aura were enough to indicate their extraordinary strength. Although Gu Family Manor has a resounding name, it¡¯s still a patch of land, and it cannot be compared to Taixu Sacred Land. Upon reaching the Ninth Peak. Gu Qingfeng met Fu Shenjun again. ¡°Mr. Gu has arrived!¡± ¡°Peak Master Fu!¡± Gu Qingfeng cupped his hands in salute. Fu Shenjun looked at the few people who were standing and examined them slightly. Then he nodded: ¡°It seems that these few are the geniuses Mr. Gu brought. They have reached the Master Realm at such a young age, which is indeed quite good!¡± ¡°They have some talent in alchemy and artifact refining, but unfortunately, there are no cultivators in Gu Family Manor in these fields. To avoid wasting talent, I brought them to Taixu Sacred Land to see if they could have the chance to be accepted.¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly. Fu Shenjun nodded: ¡°This is simple, since they were brought by you, then they will be inner sect disciples of our Ninth Peak, Fu He!¡± ¡°What are your orders, Peak Master!¡± ¡°You are to arrange them.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Fu He respectfully accepted the order and then took the five away. Not until following Fu He did the five people realize. Nobody expected. That they could join Taixu Sacred Land so easily. After all, as an ancient Sacred Land, countless cultivators aspire to enter, yet most cannot make it. Now, not only did they enter easily, but they also started directly as inner sect disciples. You should know. To become an inner sect disciple of Taixu Sacred Land usually requires at least a Grandmaster Realm of cultivation. But thinking a bit reveals the truth of the matter. Clearly. They could directly become inner sect disciples of Taixu Sacred Land not because of their outstanding talent, but because they were from Gu Family Manor. Fu Shenjun valued Gu Family Manor¡¯s face, or more accurately, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face as the manor master of Gu Family Manor. ... On the other side. In the main hall of the Ninth Peak. Fu Shenjun¡¯s smile faded, and his expression became much solemn. ¡°Mr. Gu, you should have heard something about the disturbances caused by Evil Spirits in the Ancient Desolate World, right?¡± ¡°I have heard a little about it. It is said that this disturbance involves an ancient force called the Taiyi Divine Dynasty!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded, not denying it. After all, if his Hidden Guard could uncover such information, how could Taixu Sacred Land not know. Fu Shenjun said, ¡°The origin of Taiyi Divine Dynasty is extremely ancient. Strong individuals from our Taixu Sacred Land once entered the secret realm left by Taiyi Divine Dynasty and obtained many secrets from it. This force can be traced back to the Ancient period and was an unparalleled force that emerged from the Nine States.¡± ¡°At that time, Taiyi Divine Dynasty had Great Emperors and was filled with strong individuals. But later, for some unknown reason, all cultivators of Taiyi Divine Dynasty disappeared overnight, as if they vanished into thin air. Some strong individuals once suspected that Taiyi Divine Dynasty had risen together to the Upper Realm, but no one could be sure. ¡°However, during the Ancient period, Evil Spirits wreaked havoc, and Taiyi Divine Dynasty suppressed them on all sides, indicating the ancient origin of the Evil Spirits. Some strong individuals even rumored that the Evil Spirits might be related to the Upper Realm!¡± ¡°But these matters can no longer be verified. Still, this outbreak of Evil Spirits causing chaos worldwide involves many aspects. Now that the Eastern Domain is in turmoil, Taixu Sacred Land hopes to form an alliance with the Divine Martial Dynasty to resist Evil Spirits together!¡± Until now. Fu Shenjun had finally stated his true purpose. The chaos caused by Evil Spirits! Had exerted pressure on the entire Taixu Sacred Land. Do not look down on Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s accumulation over tens of thousands of years, which produced a strong individual in the Great Saint Realm, but only by truly understanding the existence of Evil Spirits can one grasp how terrifying such strange existences are. If it were merely occasional Evil Spirits appearing, there would be no need to worry. But the problem is. This time, Evil Spirits were seen wreaking havoc in the five domains of the Ancient Desolate World, and some cultivators even discovered ancient steles of Taiyi Divine Dynasty suppressing Evil Spirits. From Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s perspective, in the Ancient period, Taiyi Divine Dynasty suppressed Evil Spirits in the world. Now the emergence of Evil Spirits involving Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡¯s seal raises suspicions about the malfunction of Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡¯s seal. If this guess is correct, it would indeed bring a huge calamity to the entire Ancient Desolate World. Gu Qingfeng pondered for a while and finally nodded: ¡°Taixu Sacred Land and the Divine Martial Dynasty have always had close ties. I certainly would not oppose the alliance. However, I am not the ruler of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Some matters still need Peak Master Fu to contact the Divine Martial Dynasty directly!¡± ¡°I understand!¡± Fu Shenjun showed a smile. In his view, as long as Gu Qingfeng did not object, the matter was settled. After all, although Emperor Gu was nominally the ruler of the Divine Martial Dynasty, everyone knew that the true stabilizing force of the Divine Martial Dynasty was the master of Gu Family Manor standing in front of them. As long as Gu Qingfeng agreed, there would not be any problem. Conversely, if he did not agree, the Divine Martial Dynasty might not be able to form an alliance with Taixu Sacred Land. The reason for seeking an alliance with the Divine Martial Dynasty was also because Taixu Sacred Land valued Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength and the potential of the Divine Martial Dynasty. This force, established only a few decades ago, had directly risen from a dynasty to an imperial dynasty and now even sent troops into the Eastern Domain, intending to challenge the Guiyuan Dynasty. Anyone with keen eyes could see that with Gu Qingfeng backing the Divine Martial Dynasty, its rise was unstoppable. Given time, who knows to what heights the Divine Martial Dynasty may soar, even Taixu Sacred Land is uncertain. With this task assigned to the Ninth Peak by Yan Lingyun, and now getting a positive response from Gu Qingfeng, Fu Shenjun naturally felt relieved. Chapter 422: 290: The Retreating Guiyuan Dynasty Chapter 422: Chapter 290: The Retreating Guiyuan Dynasty After leaving Taixu Sacred Land, Gu Qingfeng returned to Gu Family Manor. However, regarding the matter of the alliance with Taixu Sacred Land, Gu Qingfeng did not bother to explain it to Gu Yang. After all, such matters naturally had people from Taixu Sacred Land to handle, so he was too lazy to interfere much. Upon returning to Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng continued his closed-door cultivation. Before doing so, he habitually glanced at the information panel. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ is in secluded cultivation, with slight advancements in cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was ordered by Taixu Sacred Land to suppress the rebellious Evil Spirits, and the reputation of Taixu Nine Sons is growing louder!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ received an opportunity left by Taiyi Divine Dynasty, greatly enhancing his power!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by Demons*639842!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ unexpectedly entered an Ancient Secret Realm, encountered an ancient strongman who wanted to seize his body for rebirth, but ultimately killed the opponent with his own strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ consumed a Demon Core and his cultivation improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ gained insights into the Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist, greatly improving his power!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ took charge of the Gu Family Manor Law Enforcement Hall, reorganizing the manor¡¯s order!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ established Jingyun Alliance, sweeping across various territories, attracting the attention of many forces, with some sects from other prefectures eyeing to take it for their own use!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ received support from the Divine Martial Dynasty, secretly solving the forces of other sects, ensuring the growth of Jingyun Alliance!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ unexpectedly found a way to open an Ancient Secret Realm and obtained the inheritance of a fallen Saint, greatly enhancing his power!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Dao¡¯ succeeded in breaking through to the Dao Palace Realm, reaching the First Layer of Dao Palace Realm in cultivation!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Chasing Soul¡¯ encountered two Dao Palace Realm experts clashing and was unfortunately killed by the aftershocks!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ was attacked by Demons*1333644!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ consumed a Demon Core and his cultivation broke through to the First Layer of Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ infiltrated an ancient Demon force, emptied most of its treasury, infuriating the power¡¯s strongmen who spared no expense to send many experts to pursue and kill him!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Sishiqi¡¯ was besieged by Demon strongmen, narrowly escaping with severe injuries!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Li Changfeng¡¯ received guidance from a strongman, breaking through to Fifth Layer of Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Shen Wuyan¡¯ unexpectedly obtained an ancient artifact but was possessed by a remaining soul lurking within it, ultimately perishing!¡± ¡°Your death soldier...¡± ... The information on the offspring panel hadn¡¯t changed much, while the information on the death soldier panel was being refreshed with new texts constantly. Some people experienced opportunities, greatly enhancing their powers. Some others fell due to various unforeseen circumstances. ¡°Chasing Soul is dead!¡± Looking at the text on the information panel, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression grew slightly complex. Currently, he had many death soldiers under his command, but the ones whose names he actually remembered were only the earliest batch. Chasing Soul. He was one of them. It¡¯s a pity, but in the end, his luck wasn¡¯t sufficient; he was killed by the aftershocks from the clash between two Dao Palace Realm experts, which was unavoidable. ¡°Gu Sishiqi indeed has good luck. He has been navigating the Demon Realm for years, not only surviving but also reaching the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°However, until now, many death soldiers have already perished. When the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, who will be the first to become Saint!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought silently. Finding an opportunity, doesn¡¯t necessarily mean it¡¯s truly an opportunity. For example, some death soldiers were possessed, which is a classic example. However, Overall, as long as the death soldiers survived, their strength generally improved to varying degrees. Up to now. Among the thousands of death soldiers, those who stepped into the Dao Palace Realm were already in double digits. This ratio, in fact, was not bad. After all, from the time death soldiers came into existence until now, even the first batch was only a mere few decades old. In such a short span, having someone breakthrough to the Dao Palace Realm is impossible without significant opportunities. If this timeframe extends to several hundred years or even a thousand years, Gu Qingfeng can be certain that the strength of the death soldiers will reach a terrifying level. Following that, Gu Qingfeng shut his eyes and began to cultivate silently. ¡ª¡ª Taiyang Prefecture. War erupted. With Shi Zhen leading the Divine Martial Dynasty army, they swept through Taiyang Prefecture like a force to be reckoned with. In just half a month, they captured thirteen cities in one go, killing millions of enemy troops. The news of this immediately sent shockwaves through the Guiyuan Dynasty. At the first moment, Emperor Han ordered the Great General of the Guiyuan Dynasty to lead thirty million troops to Taiyang Prefecture to intercept the Divine Martial Dynasty. With this, the armies of both sides naturally engaged fiercely. Many Sect Families in Taiyang Prefecture were affected by this war and had no choice but to choose sides. However, most of the Sect Families chose to align themselves with the Divine Martial Imperial City. After all, among the two dynasties, the Divine Martial Dynasty was the most recently established, but its foundation was terrifyingly deep. Aside from that, just the mere presence of Gu Family Manor ensured the Divine Martial Dynasty remained undefeated. Those with discerning eyes could see clearly that as long as the world¡¯s number one, Gu Qingfeng, was alive, no one could threaten the Divine Martial Dynasty. In contrast, though the Guiyuan Dynasty was also strong, it fell short compared to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Chapter 423: 290: The Retreating Guiyuan Dynasty_2 Chapter 423: Chapter 290: The Retreating Guiyuan Dynasty_2 In this way. The Divine Martial Dynasty gained the help of numerous noble families and sects, making their momentum even more immense. Even if the Guiyuan Dynasty significantly increased their military presence, it did little to slow down the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s advance, let alone destroy their offensive. Upon hearing this news. Emperor Han was furious, and in the Imperial Study Room, he smashed many valuable treasures onto the ground, shattering them completely. ¡°Damn it!¡± ¡°All these treacherous ministers and rebels deserve to die!!¡± ¡°Betraying the Guiyuan Dynasty, I will make them pay the price¡ª¡± The betrayal of the sects and families in Taiyang Prefecture was like a knife stabbing into Emperor Han¡¯s heart, the anger it generated was far more severe than the invasion by the Divine Martial Dynasty. After all, the Guiyuan Dynasty and the Divine Martial Dynasty had already torn off their masks, the latter¡¯s war initiation was within Emperor Han¡¯s expectations. But the various sects and families of Taiyang Prefecture, Emperor Han believed that in all aspects of policy, they were given great preferential treatment, and both sides should coexist with each other. Yet now. These sects and families, instead of resisting the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s invasion, directly defected. This betrayal caused Emperor Han deep grief. At this moment. Someone hurriedly came in, disregarding the shattered porcelain on the ground, and knelt on one knee before Emperor Han. ¡°Your Majesty, urgent report from the front line!¡± ¡°Speak!¡± Emperor Han¡¯s face barely recovered somewhat, but his voice remained deep. The person said: ¡°Led by the Mystic Heaven Tao Sect, thirty-six sects and families launched a surprise attack on Mingshan City, killed the City Lord, and opened the city gates, letting the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army in. By the time the news arrived, Mingshan City had already fallen completely, and a million troops were lost to the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Boom¡ª¡± As soon as these words were spoken, a terrifying aura erupted from Emperor Han, whose face contorted, and his eyes turned crimson. ¡°Rebellious ministers and traitors, they truly deserve death!!!¡± Mingshan City is the core of Taiyang Prefecture, and its City Lord was a Great General of the Guiyuan Dynasty, one of the few strong in the Tiaoist Palace Realm. Now the City Lord has fallen, and a million troops have perished, causing Mingshan City to fall into the hands of the Divine Martial Dynasty. In this way. The Divine Martial Dynasty truly occupies the lifeline of Taiyang Prefecture. Even though Emperor Han did not personally go to the battlefield, he still understood that this battle meant the Guiyuan Dynasty had lost its momentum in Taiyang Prefecture. At this moment. A minister said in a deep voice: ¡°Your Majesty, now is not the time to be angry, the life and death of the City Lord and the fall of Taiyang Prefecture were inevitable. What we need to consider now is the next step. Even if Taiyang Prefecture falls, we must try to curb the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s advance.¡± Upon hearing this. Emperor Han¡¯s furious and twisted expression slightly eased. Indeed. The fall of Taiyang Prefecture is already a fact, and instead of dwelling in anger, it is better to think about the next step. After all, the Guiyuan Dynasty oversees three hundred and seventy-three prefectures, and Taiyang Prefecture is just one of them, not particularly important. ¡°Convey my orders, mobilize elite troops from other prefectures, and, before the Divine Martial Dynasty completely controls Taiyang Prefecture, deal them a heavy blow. In this battle, I do not ask to retake Taiyang Prefecture, just make the Divine Martial Dynasty pay the price! Also, send a message to the Star Dynasty, informing them of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s invasion, and hope they can send strong support!¡± Finally, Emperor Han said this. In the Imperial Study Room, hearing this, all the ministers bowed and took their leave. The phrase ¡°Star Dynasty.¡± Made them feel greatly reassured. Any Imperial Dynasty has existed for a long time, and the accumulated heritage is far beyond what any Dynasty can match. Now, the Guiyuan Dynasty is connected with the Star Dynasty. If the latter is willing to support, then the issue of the Divine Martial Dynasty is solvable. Forget the Divine Martial Dynasty. Even the Gu Family Manor behind them, and the so-called world¡¯s number one, Gu Qingfeng, the Guiyuan Dynasty would not need to care. After all¡ª No matter how strong that person is. He¡¯s just defeated an Ancient Great Saint. According to the information gathered by the Guiyuan Dynasty, that fallen Great Saint Xuan Yu was just a First Level Great Saint, not very strong among the Great Saints. In comparison. The heritage of an Imperial Dynasty is truly terrifying. Even the weakest Imperial Dynasty has the heritage to suppress Great Saints, let alone ancient Imperial Dynasties like the Star Dynasty, suppressing Great Saints is possible, even Saint Kings might not escape suppression. Thus. In Emperor Han¡¯s view. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s title as the world¡¯s number one is just a joke. Only because the truly ancient and powerful factions paid him no attention did he gain the title of the first in the world, otherwise, with the heritage of the Ancient Desolate World, how could he have his way. However. At this moment, another guard hurriedly reported. ¡°Your Majesty, there is turmoil in Jingyun Prefecture, the Jingyun Alliance, led by the Heavenly Martial Sect, has launched a rebellion, secretly assassinated many officials, now more than half of Jingyun Prefecture has fallen. The Jingyun Marquis has assembled the remaining army to resist the Jingyun Alliance and has sent an urgent message requesting court support!¡± In an instant. The entire Imperial Study Room fell into an eerie silence. All the ministers¡¯ faces were full of shock, as if completely unprepared for Jingyun Prefecture to experience such events. ¡°Bang!¡± Emperor Han slammed his palm heavily on the desk, the powerful palm force instantly turned the desk into powder. ¡°What is this Jingyun Alliance!¡± Emperor Han¡¯s face was full of anger. The earlier war initiated by the Divine Martial Dynasty was bad enough, now an unknown Jingyun Alliance dared to move against the Guiyuan Dynasty, the anger in Emperor Han¡¯s heart was unimaginable. That person hurriedly lowered his head and said: ¡°According to the message from Jingyun Marquis, the Jingyun Alliance is led by the Heavenly Martial Sect, joined by other sects and noble families forming a coalition force. The Sect Master of the Heavenly Martial Sect, has already entered the Dao Palace Realm, and with numerous forces in the Jingyun Alliance, their strength should not be underestimated.¡± ¡°Additionally, it is rumored that the Jingyun Alliance has a mysterious powerful supporter, having recently destroyed a ten-thousand-year-old sect that had Dao Palace Realm experts!¡± As soon as these words were spoken. Emperor Han grew even more furious. ¡°A measly force, dares to move against the Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± A force with only one Dao Palace Realm expert, usually wouldn¡¯t catch the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s attention. The so-called Jingyun Alliance. Is nothing but a nap-time distraction. But the problem now is, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s fierce momentum, and the Jingyun Alliance¡¯s timely rebellion. Emperor Han is even more concerned about the mysterious expert behind the Jingyun Alliance. The destruction of a ten-thousand-year-old sect with Dao Palace Realm experts is indicative of deep heritage, and the Jingyun Alliance managed to wipe it out, meaning it¡¯s definitely due to their mysterious backer. ¡°Tell Jingyun Marquis to hold off the Jingyun Alliance for now, the court will dispatch reinforcements quickly to suppress the Jingyun Alliance!¡± Emperor Han suppressed his internal fury and said in a deep voice. The Jingyun Alliance is not a major concern, the real urgent matter is the Divine Martial Dynasty. Once the Divine Martial Dynasty issue is resolved, dealing with the Jingyun Alliance will be easy. More importantly. Although the Jingyun Alliance has incited turmoil, Jingyun Prefecture is still under the control of the Guiyuan Dynasty, and the Jingyun Marquis himself is not weak. With him commanding the army, repelling the Jingyun Alliance should not be an issue. Nonetheless. This situation taught Emperor Han. The Divine Martial Dynasty issue must be resolved quickly. Otherwise. The longer it drags. The worse it will be for the Guiyuan Dynasty. After all, many forces are secretly watching the Guiyuan Dynasty, and some might want to take advantage of the chaos. At this time, if the Guiyuan Dynasty shows the slightest sign of defeat, other forces might swarm in. Therefore. The Guiyuan Dynasty must not retreat a single step. At least! Make all forces understand that the ten thousand years of heritage of the Guiyuan Dynasty is absolutely not to be insulted. Chapter 424 291: The Morale of the Troops Is Usable Jingyun Prefecture. As the movements of the Jingyun Alliance have unfolded, the large prefecture has plunged into chaos. Forces led by the Heavenly Martial Sect have fully mobilized, vowing to suppress the Guiyuan Dynasty''s side and completely bring Jingyun Prefecture under their control. Inside the grand hall of the Heavenly Martial Sect. The leaders of various forces have gathered here. As the Alliance Hierarch, Gu Wu naturally sits at the head position, followed by the Sect Masters of each sect and the heads of noble families in order. "Alliance Hierarch, now that Jingyun Marquis has gathered the remnants of the Guiyuan Dynasty''s troops and there are rumors that they have sought aid from the Guiyuan Dynasty, I''m afraid reinforcement will arrive soon. If the reinforcements from the Guiyuan Dynasty arrive, our chances of victory are slim!" The speaker is Xia Yunchuan, the master of Heavenly Seal Mountain. Though Xia Yunchuan is only at the Eight-Layer Divine Transformation Realm, his strength is enough to rank among the top five in the current Jingyun Alliance. After all. Jingyun Prefecture is just one of the 3,600 prefectures in Blood Sun State, a negligible place with a limited number of true experts. Before Gu Wu advanced to the Dao Palace Realm, there wasn''t a single Dao Palace Realm expert in the entire cultivation world of Jingyun Prefecture. Therefore. To reach the Eight-Layer Divine Transformation Realm, Xia Yunchuan''s strength speaks volumes. Now hearing Xia Yunchuan''s words, the others also look solemn. Xuanxuzi spoke, "The Guiyuan Dynasty is indeed a problem. This force has deep foundations and is unmatched by ordinary sect families. If the Guiyuan Dynasty truly mobilizes against Jingyun Prefecture, the Jingyun Alliance would be no match!" To other sects, the name Guiyuan Dynasty is like a towering mountain pressing down on them. The power of the Guiyuan Dynasty is undeniable. Let''s not speak of anything else. If the Guiyuan Dynasty casually sends out one or two Dao Palace Realm experts, it might be enough to sweep through the Jingyun Alliance. Though the Jingyun Alliance also has Dao Palace Realm experts, they only have Gu Wu. Moreover¡ª¡ª Gu Wu is a newly advanced Dao Palace Realm expert. His strength is hard to compare with the veteran Dao Palace Realm. What''s more. The Guiyuan Dynasty not only has Dao Palace Realm experts but also top-tier Semi-Saint Realm experts. Looking at it from any angle, they have almost no chance of winning. Gu Wu remained calm despite everyone''s concerns. "Everyone need not worry. If the Guiyuan Dynasty were at its peak with no external threats, not even ten Jingyun Alliances would stand a chance against them." "But the times have changed!" "Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty has initiated the war, with the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty, the downfall of the Guiyuan Dynasty is only a matter of time. No matter how profound the Guiyuan Dynasty''s foundation is, even if it''s ten thousand years old, know that behind the Divine Martial Dynasty stands the strongest figure of the End of Dharma Era!" "Even if the Guiyuan Dynasty isn''t destroyed by the Divine Martial Dynasty, as long as the Divine Martial Dynasty doesn''t withdraw their troops, the Guiyuan Dynasty will have no strength left to support Jingyun Prefecture." "So now is our opportunity, a chance for the Jingyun Alliance to dominate Jingyun Prefecture!" Gu Wu''s words fell into the ears of others, causing their hearts to shake once more. Their former fear of the Guiyuan Dynasty had somewhat dissipated. Indeed. Though the power of the Guiyuan Dynasty is terrifyingly strong. The strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty is equally formidable. If the Divine Martial Dynasty extends its involvement in the war, making it hard for the Guiyuan Dynasty to deal with multiple fronts, it''s not an unlikely outcome. "Moreover¡ª¡ª" "The decline of the Jingyun Prefecture''s cultivation world is something you all understand clearly. To put it bluntly, it''s because the Guiyuan Dynasty has deliberately suppressed our sect families, monopolizing Dao Palace Realm cultivation techniques, making it difficult for us to make any progress. "Now is the perfect opportunity to overthrow the Guiyuan Dynasty''s rule and strengthen the cultivation world of Jingyun Prefecture. If we eliminate Jingyun Marquis, all the Dao Palace Realm cultivation techniques controlled by the Guiyuan Dynasty will be ours. I can assure you that if we defeat the Guiyuan Dynasty and obtain the Dao Palace Realm cultivation techniques, all sect families can copy a set!" With these words. Everyone''s breathing became a bit heavier. Dao Palace Realm cultivation techniques! This is an irresistible temptation for them. Why has the cultivation world of Jingyun Prefecture declined to the point where there''s only one Dao Palace Realm expert? As Gu Wu said, it''s due to the deliberate suppression by the Guiyuan Dynasty. Monopolizing cultivation techniques! Suppressing resources! It''s no wonder that the major sect families find it difficult to rise. Logically speaking. If they can''t stay in Jingyun Prefecture, they could move elsewhere. But in reality, the situation is the same everywhere. All top forces are highly possessive of their cultivation techniques and heritage, rarely sharing them easily. After all, once someone reaches a certain height, most people want to block the path of advancement entirely, not wishing for others to stand equal to them. Unless. It involves mutual interests. For instance, various forces might share cultivation techniques with cultivators who join them because of shared interests. Otherwise. Even so-called sect disciples often find it hard to obtain complete inheritances. In essence. The situation in Jingyun Prefecture is just a reflection of the world at large. No matter where they go, this situation is hard to change. Therefore. When Gu Wu mentioned that other forces could copy a set of Dao Palace Realm cultivation techniques, it instantly dispelled any remaining concerns in their hearts. Their actions boil down to one simple goal¡ªto live better. And in this world of the strong preying on the weak, the only way to live better is to gain enough powerful strength. Chapter 425: 291: The Morale of the Troops Is Usable_2 Chapter 425: Chapter 291: The Morale of the Troops Is Usable_2 Only with sufficient strength can one have the right to speak and control their own destiny. If the cultivation technique of the Tiaoist Palace Realm can be obtained, although it does not guarantee entry into the Tiaoist Palace Realm, at least there is a chance. Moreover. Even if I cannot make a breakthrough myself, if a gifted junior emerges in our faction, they can rely on this to break through to the Tiaoist Palace Realm and lead our faction to a new height. The Sect Master of the Three Suns Sect, Qingyangzi, said coldly: ¡°The Guiyuan Dynasty has committed many injustices and has been suppressing us for years, now it¡¯s time to pay the debt!¡± ¡°Indeed, with Sect Leader Gu leading us, we will be able to kill Jingyun Marquis and take control of Jingyun Prefecture!¡± The other cultivators from various factions also nodded in agreement. In an instant. The hall was filled with high-spirited warriors. Seeing this, Gu Wu nodded secretly. The army¡¯s morale can be used! Although the Jingyun Alliance¡¯s strength was average, if it was just against a Jingyun Marquis, Gu Wu still had confidence in winning the battle. As for whether the Guiyuan Dynasty would send reinforcements, Gu Wu was not too worried. After all, behind the Heavenly Martial Sect stood the Divine Martial Dynasty. If the Guiyuan Dynasty does not send reinforcements, fine. If they do, Gu Wu will send a message back to ask the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s experts for help. Of course. If possible. Gu Wu did not want to expose the relationship between the Heavenly Martial Sect and the Divine Martial Dynasty. In the beginning, his intention in establishing the Heavenly Martial Sect was to act as a hidden hand of the Divine Martial Dynasty, so that it could play an important role at a crucial moment someday. To deal with a Guiyuan Dynasty now, in Gu Wu¡¯s view, it is not enough to expose the Heavenly Martial Sect¡¯s identity. Moments later. Gu Wu raised his hand gently, and the crowd immediately fell silent. ¡°Since everyone has this idea, it shows that we are bound to win this battle. I believe that Jingyun Marquis is currently just gathering his defeated troops and has not yet fully integrated all his forces, which is a good time to strike.¡± ¡°Therefore, I have decided that we will act immediately tomorrow, send troops to Jingzhou City, and kill Jingyun Marquis!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Everyone clasped their fists in acceptance of the order. Then. They stood up and left. Since the battle is tomorrow, today they naturally have to go back and make all necessary preparations. Even without any aid from the Guiyuan Dynasty, dealing with just a Jingyun Marquis is not that easy. Not to mention. As the Prefecture of Jingyun Prefecture, Jingzhou City has extraordinary defensive strength, and taking it down would definitely require significant costs. This battle. Everyone could foresee a scene of bloodshed and carnage. However. No one retreated. Because this was an opportunity, a chance for their faction to rise. As the former overlord of Jingyun Prefecture, Jingyun Marquis must hold numerous inheritances of the Tiaoist Palace Realm. If they can capture Jingzhou City, these inheritances will be theirs. Since Gu Wu made this promise, it must be true. After all, even if the opponent is a strong Tiaoist Palace realm expert, it is impossible to deceive all the factions in the Jingyun Alliance. If that were to happen, the Heavenly Martial Sect would surely be torn apart by the wrath of the various factions. After everyone left, Gu Wu¡¯s smile gradually disappeared as he looked towards Jingzhou City, his eyes cold. ¡°To oppose the Emperor is to seek your own death, Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a pity that the Heavenly Martial Sect¡¯s strength is limited. Taking Jingyun Prefecture is the limit; advancing any further would not be possible for now!¡± It¡¯s not that Gu Wu doesn¡¯t want to advance further, but the strength of the Heavenly Martial Sect and Jingyun Alliance is just like this. Within Jingyun Prefecture, this force is quite formidable, but outside it, it¡¯s not worth mentioning. Unless. The Heavenly Martial Sect can produce a sufficiently powerful Tiaoist Palace Realm. But unfortunately. Even though Gu Wu has received the Saint Inheritance, it¡¯s challenging to raise his strength to a sufficiently powerful level in a short time. The path of cultivation. Mostly requires steady progress. Even with a stunning inheritance, without sufficient resources, it can only be accumulated step by step. Thinking of this. Gu Wu calmed his mind and looked within his Dao Palace, where a pitch-black ancient blade stood quietly, releasing powerful and terrifying Blade Qi, continuously refining his blood and body. This blade is named Divine Soul. Gu Wu inherited this Holy Weapon while receiving the Saint Inheritance. These days, Gu Wu had been quietly refining the Divine Soul, trying to fully harness this Holy Weapon for himself. Unfortunately. Refining a Holy Weapon is not easy. Even with Gu Wu¡¯s current strength, it is not easy to truly master the Divine Soul. However, even so, Gu Wu has barely mastered a fraction of the Divine Soul¡¯s power, which would suffice to kill an old Tiaoist Palace Realm expert at a crucial moment. This. Is Gu Wu¡¯s confidence in dealing with the Jingyun Marquis. According to Gu Wu¡¯s information, Jingyun Marquis is a Seventh Layer cultivator of Tiaoist Palace Realm. Normally, the Jingyun Alliance would have to pay a great price to deal with such a strong person. Only by sacrificing a large number of cultivators¡¯ lives can they completely kill the opponent. But if the power of the Divine Soul is used, as long as the timing is right, Gu Wu has the confidence to kill Jingyun Marquis. Then. Gu Wu entered the secret room of the Heavenly Martial Sect for seclusion. There was only one day left. He needed to grasp as much of the Divine Soul¡¯s power as possible. Each enhancement of his strength today would increase the chances of victory in tomorrow¡¯s battle. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ led the Jingyun Alliance to launch an attack on Jingzhou City. Both sides engaged in a fierce battle, with heavy casualties, and Jingyun Marquis, stationed in Jingzhou City, fought with the overwhelming power of his Seventh Layer Tiaoist Palace Realm cultivation!¡± ¡°At the critical moment, your death soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ utilized the power of the Holy Weapon, and in front of everyone, killed Jingyun Marquis with three blade strikes, shocking all sides!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ and the Jingyun Alliance he led, have completely occupied Jingzhou City. One million troops of the Guiyuan Dynasty have all become captives, all disloyal ones were killed, and the remaining submissive ones were demoted to mining slaves to serve the Heavenly Martial Sect!¡± ¡°Your death soldier...¡± ... Upon seeing the information about Gu Wu¡¯s killing of Jingyun Marquis and leading the Jingyun Alliance to occupy Jingzhou City, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression showed a hint of shock. ¡°Gu Wu really did it!¡± ¡°With the Heavenly Martial Sect at the head of Jingyun Alliance, now that Gu Wu has killed Jingyun Marquis, the vast Jingyun Prefecture has fallen into the alliance¡¯s control. In this way, the strength of the Heavenly Martial Sect is likely to enter a phase of explosive growth!¡± Gu Qingfeng knew that Gu Wu had received the Saint Inheritance, but he did not expect that Gu Wu had a Holy Weapon. He had also heard about the strength of the Jingyun Marquis. That person had been stationed in Jingyun Prefecture for many years, his cultivation already reaching the Seventh Layer of Tiaoist Palace Realm, ranking among the top in the entire Guiyuan Dynasty. Unfortunately. In front of the Holy Weapon. A Seventh Layer Tiaoist Palace Realm is still not enough. Now. Jingyun Marquis is dead. Jingzhou City has fallen. Although the Jingyun Alliance has not yet taken the entire Jingyun Prefecture, with the death of Jingyun Marquis, there is not much resistance left for the Guiyuan Dynasty in Jingyun Prefecture. So. It¡¯s only a matter of time before the Jingyun Alliance takes over Jingyun Prefecture. After glancing at the message board, Gu Qingfeng no longer paid attention. At present. The situation of the Divine Martial Dynasty looks very promising. If the Guiyuan Dynasty does not have other cards to play, it is estimated they will not last long before being completely swallowed by the Divine Martial Dynasty. ¡ª¡ª At the same time. The victory report of the Heavenly Martial Sect was also secretly passed into Gu Yang¡¯s hands. Upon seeing the information, Gu Yang was overjoyed. ¡°Good!¡± ¡°Tributor Gu did well, killing Jingyun Marquis must be heavily rewarded!¡± Gu Yang did not expect Gu Wu to kill Jingyun Marquis so quickly, and it seemed they would soon take the entire Jingyun Prefecture. You know. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army has not yet taken Taiyang Prefecture. In comparison, the actions of the Jingyun Alliance truly surprised Gu Yang. Now that Jingyun Prefecture has fallen, it has further weakened the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s strength, thus decreasing their resistance capability. Chapter 426: 292: Star Dynasty Chapter 426: Chapter 292: Star Dynasty Jingyun Marquis Mansion. Jingzhou City. The current city walls of Jingzhou City are broken, with a giant gap appearing there, as if a peerless Divine Blade had split the entire ancient city in two. The remaining Blade Intent on them is still terrifying to behold. At this moment. The chaos within Jingzhou City has completely settled. After the Jingyun Alliance captured Jingzhou City, it only took half a day to suppress all the turmoil and stabilize every situation. Now in the Marquis Mansion, Gu Wu sits at the head position, and other experts of the Jingyun Alliance are present. Compared to the last time, there are now some empty seats. After all, capturing Jingzhou City came at a significant cost for the Jingyun Alliance. Not only did many of their own cultivators perish, but even some sect leaders fell in this battle. ¡°Reporting to the Alliance Hierarch, we have captured all direct lineage and collateral members of the Jingyun Marquis Mansion, waiting for your orders!¡± Xia Yunchuan looked respectful, his eyes full of awe when looking at Gu Wu. In the previous battle. Gu Wu killed Jingyun Marquis with three strikes of his blade, his overwhelming strength shaking the world, deeply impressing everyone with his power, leaving no dissent within the Jingyun Alliance. After all, Jingyun Marquis was a powerful cultivator at the Seventh Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, and Gu Wu could slay him with three strikes, his strength beyond doubt. Although everyone understood that Gu Wu managed to kill Jingyun Marquis because he had top-tier Supreme Treasures, it was undeniable that whether it was personal cultivation or Supreme Treasures, it was all part of one¡¯s strength. Therefore. Even if Gu Wu relied on Supreme Treasures to flaunt his power, it was an immense deterrent for them. Right now. Everyone in the Jingyun Alliance follows Gu Wu¡¯s orders without any disrespect. ¡°Jingyun Marquis is dead, and these remnants of the Jingyun Marquis Mansion do not need to exist anymore. Kill them all to prevent future troubles!¡± With a simple sentence, Gu Wu decided the fate of everyone in the Jingyun Marquis Mansion. Regarding this outcome, Xia Yunchuan and others showed no surprise, remaining expressionless. Eliminating the roots and branches. This is a common practice. With Jingyun Marquis dead, it makes no sense for the people of the Jingyun Marquis Mansion to live. If one were to be merciful, it might bring endless hidden troubles in the future. At this moment. An elder from the Heavenly Martial Sect walked in from outside, respectfully saluting Gu Wu at the top. ¡°As commanded by the Sect Master, I have thoroughly inspected the entire Jingyun Marquis Mansion. All resources have been fully inventoried. Additionally, sixteen Dao Palace Realm cultivation techniques and divine skills were found. Please review them, Sect Master!¡± Once the words fell. The elder retrieved the corresponding jade slips from his storage ring and respectfully handed them to Gu Wu. Upon seeing this, the breaths of others became somewhat rapid. Sixteen Dao Palace Realm cultivation techniques and divine skills! This was an immense temptation for them. The reason why various sects and noble families were willing to join the Jingyun Alliance and attack Jingzhou City was to obtain the Dao Palace Realm heritage. Now. With the heritage right in front of them. It was hard for everyone to keep their composure. Gu Wu waved his sleeve, taking all these jade slips in hand, then looked at Xia Yunchuan and others. ¡°I once said that after exterminating Jingyun Marquis, everyone here can copy a Dao Palace Realm heritage.¡± ¡°Now I shall fulfill my promise. Here are the Dao Palace Realm heritages, each faction can copy one cultivation technique and one divine skill!¡± ¡°But remember, don¡¯t copy too much, or don¡¯t blame me for being merciless.¡± Upon hearing these words. Everyone¡¯s faces lit up with joy. Xuanxuzi was the first to speak, clasping his hands together: ¡°Qingfeng Sect thanks the Alliance Hierarch!¡± ¡°Thank you, Alliance Hierarch!¡± Others hurriedly spoke up too. Obtaining Dao Palace Realm cultivation techniques meant they had found a path to further advancement. Even if they couldn¡¯t truly break into the Dao Palace Realm themselves, they could leave such heritages behind for future prodigies to enter the Dao Palace Realm. Afterwards. Gu Wu said: ¡°Now that Jingyun Marquis is dead, if the news reaches the Guiyuan Dynasty, it will undoubtedly provoke anger. Therefore, I believe our Jingyun Alliance should take control of the entire Jingyun Marquis Mansion before the Guiyuan Dynasty reacts. When the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s army attacks in the future, we¡¯ll have the strength to fight!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Everyone responded, clasping their hands in agreement. At this point. They naturally understood how to proceed. Jingyun Marquis is dead. Jingyun Marquis Mansion has been eradicated. Strictly speaking, the Jingyun Alliance is now irreconcilably at odds with the Guiyuan Dynasty. Having come this far, retreating is no longer an option. In that case. They could only capture the entire Jingyun Marquis Mansion and consolidate its power, thus enhancing their odds of confronting the Guiyuan Dynasty. ¡°Furthermore¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°If we can take the Jingyun Marquis Mansion and consolidate all its strength, we may be able to advance even further!¡± Gu Wu¡¯s eyes sparkled as he said this. Upon hearing his words, others were momentarily stunned. Qingyangzi couldn¡¯t help but ask: ¡°Alliance Hierarch, do you mean... to further expand the Jingyun Alliance?¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Gu Wu asked in return. ¡°Now with Evil Spirits causing chaos and the world descending into turmoil, this is an opportunity for our Jingyun Alliance.¡± ¡°Currently, the Guiyuan Dynasty is at war with the Divine Martial Dynasty and cannot spare forces to deal with us. If our Jingyun Alliance seizes this opportunity to expand intensively, our strength will surely grow rapidly.¡± ¡°By then, even if the Guiyuan Dynasty repels the Divine Martial Dynasty and targets our Jingyun Alliance, they may not have the chance!¡± Chapter 427: 292 Star Dynasty_2 Chapter 427: Chapter 292 Star Dynasty_2 ¡°There is one more thing you must not forget. Although we have obtained the inheritance of the Dao Palace Realm, the resources required to truly step into this level are numerous. Simply relying on a single Jingyun Prefecture is difficult to support the emergence of many Dao Palace Realm experts. If we do not expand, how many of you here can break through?¡± As the voice fell. The hall was plunged into silence. Controlling Jingyun Prefecture and further expanding externally each have their own benefits. The former is stable, while the latter carries immense risks. However. Behind this enormous risk, there are also astonishing profits. Moreover, Gu Wu was right in saying that Jingyun Prefecture is not large, and its resources are extremely limited. Even if they acquire the Dao Palace Realm inheritance, truly breaking through successfully is not easy. If Jingyun Alliance could further expand, they could gain more resources, making breakthroughs much easier then. The most important point is that the strength Gu Wu displayed gave them the confidence to confront the Guiyuan Dynasty. If Gu Wu were just an ordinary Dao Palace Realm, they would not be willing to take the risk. But Gu Wu killed the Jingyun Marquis with three strikes, his strength close to the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Such a level of prowess, in the current End of Dharma Era, belongs to the top existence, only surpassed by those in the Semi-Saint Realm. Thinking of this. Many made their decision. With a deep voice, Xia Yunchuan said, ¡°With our alliance leader guiding Jingyun Alliance, it is our destined fate. With Jingyun Prefecture fallen and Guiyuan Dynasty in chaos, this is Jingyun Alliance¡¯s opportunity. I believe we should expand!¡± ¡°Three Suns Sect shares the same view!¡± ¡°Qingfeng Sect has no objection!¡± ¡°Red River Sect has no objection!¡± The leaders of various forces stated their positions one after another, and seeing this, Gu Wu was very satisfied. The few remaining people, though having different thoughts, could only nod in agreement given the prevailing trend. ¡ª¡ª Two days later. The battle report of Jingyun Prefecture reached Guiyuan Dynasty, infuriating Emperor Han, who wished he could immediately dispatch the army to annihilate Jingyun Alliance. But before Emperor Han could act, the Divine Martial Dynasty had already reinforced troops massively, and Taiyang Prefecture fell completely within two days, coming under the control of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Following that. The Divine Martial Dynasty. Shi Zhen commanded the central army, then split into three routes, each attacking the three prefectures of Guiyuan Dynasty, throwing the latter into chaos. In response. Emperor Han could only suppress the idea of attacking Jingyun Alliance, dispatching troops to the frontline to resist the invasion of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Meanwhile, far in the Nine States, Gu Yang, now presiding over the court, felt the fortune changes of the Divine Martial Dynasty and smiled broadly. ¡°The fall of Taiyang Prefecture greatly increased the fortune of our Divine Martial Dynasty. If we can completely annex the entire Guiyuan Dynasty, even if the Divine Martial Dynasty cannot ascend to an Imperial Dynasty, it can take a big step in the Qi Fortune Dynasty. This way, the time to ascend to an Imperial Dynasty can be significantly shortened!¡± After all. The fastest way for a dynasty to ascend is through war. Just like now, a single Taiyang Prefecture equates to ten years of accumulated fortune for the Divine Martial Dynasty. However. Gu Yang also understood that one cannot always sustain war to gain war. Currently, the Divine Martial Dynasty is utterly crushing the Guiyuan Dynasty, hence the significant rise in the dynasty¡¯s fortune. If the strengths were equal and the battle drawn-out and fierce, even if Taiyang Prefecture were eventually captured, it would be hard to gain much fortune for the dynasty. After all¡ª¡ª The loss of many soldiers would damage the fortune, and prolonged war could also cause public discontent, which is not conducive to stable development. Only in situations like now, where the Divine Martial Dynasty advances triumphantly, can the strategy of gaining war through war be truly effective. ¡°Your Majesty, there is news from the frontline that Guiyuan Dynasty seems to be in contact with the Star Dynasty. If the Star Dynasty gets involved in this war, things might get tricky!¡± A minister suddenly stepped forward and spoke in a deep voice. The mention of Star Dynasty caused the atmosphere in the court to freeze. An Imperial Dynasty! Represents supreme heritage. If Guiyuan Dynasty indeed has contact with Star Dynasty, things will become much more complicated. ¡°Gu Yi!¡± ¡°Your servant is here!¡± ¡°Do the Jinyi Guard have any intelligence on the Star Dynasty?¡± Gu Yang asked. The Jinyi Guard¡¯s open identity is the Hidden Guard, and Gu Yi has moved from darkness to light, becoming the current Commander of the Jinyi Guard. The role of the Jinyi Guard, like that of the Hidden Guard, is not only to supervise officials but also to gather intelligence from various places. Gu Yi cupped his hands and said, ¡°Your Majesty, Guiyuan Dynasty recently sent people to the Star Dynasty. According to Jinyi Guard¡¯s investigation, it is very likely that they have formed an alliance in secret.¡± ¡°An alliance¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Yang squinted, his thoughts unknown. A moment later. Gu Yang said, ¡°An Imperial Dynasty, that¡¯s all. If the Star Dynasty chooses wisely, so be it. But if they truly wish to participate in this war, my Divine Martial Dynasty will not fear them. Inform Shi Zhen to fully attack Guiyuan Dynasty. If any intervention from the Star Dynasty is detected, take action without any hesitation.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Yi immediately accepted the order. After the court was dismissed. In the Imperial Study Room. Gu Yang handed a sealed dark iron box to Gu Yi. When Gu Yi took it, he felt its weight. Gu Yang said, ¡°This box contains a Great Saint Weapon. Take it to Shi Zhen immediately. If any strong enemy from the Star Dynasty invades, suppress them with this Great Saint Weapon!¡± ¡°Your servant accepts the order!¡± ¡°Go.¡± Gu Yang waved his hand, and Gu Yi bowed and left. Watching the other¡¯s departing figure, Gu Yang also felt relieved. With Shi Zhen¡¯s strength, it would be impossible to contend with the Star Dynasty. After all, the Star Dynasty has deep reserves and is teeming with experts. Just the number of Semi-Saints is more than one, and it has produced more than one Saint in the past. Though Shi Zhen is at the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, he is certainly no match for the Star Dynasty. Therefore. Gu Yang had Gu Yi deliver the Great Saint Weapon. The Great Saint Weapon in the box is the God Slaying Spear, which Gu Yang obtained from Gu Qingfeng when he visited Gu Family Manor. This Supreme Treasure, originating from the Ancient Desolate Holy Land, was of little use to Gu Qingfeng. So, when he learned of Gu Yang¡¯s need, he readily handed over the God Slaying Spear. ¡°The God Slaying Spear, a Divine Weapon of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land, is a true killing Supreme Treasure. With Shi Zhen¡¯s cultivation at the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, holding the God Slaying Spear, he may even have the hope of slaying a Saint!¡± ¡°Even if the Star Dynasty were to send a Semi-Saint, it would not make a ripple.¡± Gu Yang smiled confidently. As for whether the Star Dynasty would deploy a Great Saint Weapon, Gu Yang considered it unlikely. After all, a Great Saint Weapon is not as common as cabbage. Even if the Star Dynasty possesses such a Supreme Treasure, it would not be easily used, as any damage to a Great Saint Weapon would be a catastrophic loss for the Star Dynasty. If the Divine Martial Dynasty was now invading the Star Dynasty, Gu Yang would have no doubt that the Star Dynasty would use its powerful reserves. But now the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s target is Guiyuan Dynasty, so even if the Star Dynasty allies with Guiyuan Dynasty, they would not act at any cost. Understanding this, Gu Yang believed that a single Great Saint Weapon would be enough to suppress all disturbances. Even if the Star Dynasty intervened, it would change nothing. After all, no matter how strong an Imperial Dynasty is, its strength is limited in the current End of Dharma Era. Moreover. The strength of the Qi Fortune Dynasty lies in the national fortune. Once away from its own territory, without the blessings of fortune, the Star Dynasty¡¯s threat is not as great as imagined. ¡°The Star Dynasty should just stay out of it. If they do intervene, it won¡¯t be just one or two deaths!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s eyes were cold, and the killing intent in the Imperial Study Room was evident. Chapter 428: 293: Thirty-Six King Generals Chapter 428: Chapter 293: Thirty-Six King Generals ¡°General!¡± ¡°A scout has reported that the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army has appeared five hundred miles outside Qingyun City, and they will arrive soon!¡± In the Qingyun City Mansion of Cloud Immortal Prefecture, a scout was respectfully reporting. A middle-aged general in armor heard it and his expression became extremely grave. ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s swift actions!¡± Lv Zhou¡¯s heart sank. He already knew about the fall of Taiyang Prefecture. As a neighboring prefecture to Taiyang, Cloud Immortal Prefecture was bound to be the next target of the Divine Martial Dynasty. In Lv Zhou¡¯s view, although the Divine Martial Dynasty had conquered Taiyang Prefecture, it would take some time for them to stabilize the situation before they could continue their invasion. But now. From the fall of Taiyang Prefecture to the mobilization of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army, it was less than two days. This rapid maneuver greatly shocked Lv Zhou. Clearly. The methods of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s general were far more formidable than he had imagined. ¡°Continue to scout, I want to know the number of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army and who is leading them!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The scout immediately withdrew. Afterward. Lv Zhou looked at another person in the main hall. The man in blue had an elegant appearance, looking like a scholar who couldn¡¯t even truss a chicken. However. Facing this person, Lv Zhou¡¯s expression was somewhat respectful. ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty comes with powerful momentum. Taiyang Prefecture has fallen, and with the current defending force of Cloud Immortal Prefecture, it¡¯s feared we can¡¯t match them. In the coming days, we must ask Lord Nan for assistance.¡± Upon hearing this. The scholar in blue smiled faintly: ¡°Lord Nan, you¡¯re too polite. The Star Dynasty and the Guiyuan Dynasty are closely aligned. Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty is invading, I cannot stand idly by. I have heard that the leader of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army this time is quite extraordinary. I would also like to see it for myself!¡± ¡°With Lord Nan here, I believe the Divine Martial Dynasty will not be a problem!¡± Lv Zhou¡¯s expression relaxed, and he smiled. It¡¯s no wonder he had such confidence in the elegant scholar before him; despite his gentle demeanor, he ranked ninth among the thirty-six King Generals of the Star Dynasty. With him present, the Divine Martial Dynasty would not be able to cause a ruckus. Of course. If the Supreme Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty personally took action, that would be a different matter. However, according to Lv Zhou¡¯s understanding, that Supreme Emperor seldom intervened in worldly affairs, spending most of his time in seclusion. Thus, Lv Zhou wasn¡¯t too worried. ¡ª¡ª In Cloud Immortal Prefecture. The army was temporarily stationed to rest and reorganize. Shi Zhen listened to his subordinates¡¯ reports, his expression becoming much more serious. ¡°Thirty-six King Generals!¡± ¡°Nan Mo¡ª¡ª¡± It emerged in Shi Zhen¡¯s mind, information about the opponent. The thirty-six King Generals of the Star Dynasty were the most core strength of an Imperial Dynasty. Nan Mo was ranked ninth, his cultivation had already reached the Semi-Saint Realm. More importantly. Since his debut, he had fought numerous battles for the Star Dynasty and rarely lost. Additionally, the strength of this ninth-ranked King General was overwhelming, with countless cultivators perishing at his hands. Shi Zhen couldn¡¯t help but take such a formidable opponent seriously. ¡°A Semi-Saint, indeed a considerable trouble!¡± In the tent, other generals also looked serious, creating a stifling atmosphere. After all, a strong man at the Semi-Saint Realm posed substantial pressure on them. Moreover. Name and reputation play a role. Nan Mo was a great general of the Star Dynasty; his skills in leading troops and his personal strength were both not to be underestimated. At that moment. A subordinate general said: ¡°If Qingyun City is guarded by this person, it will certainly cost us dearly to take the city. But if we bypass Qingyun City, we will easily be attacked from both sides. This matter is rather tricky!¡± ¡°Indeed... In my opinion, this matter needs thorough consideration and planning!¡± Others nodded in agreement. A Semi-Saint added pressure to them, diminishing the morale they gained from their victory in Taiyang Prefecture. Shi Zhen¡¯s expression became stern as he looked at everyone in the tent and said in a deep voice: ¡°A Semi-Saint is not enough to make our army retreat. ¡°A Semi-Saint is still human and can die just the same! ¡°Now that our Divine Martial elite is here, what¡¯s a ninth-ranked King General? Even if all thirty-six King Generals were present, under our million-strong cavalry, they would be annihilated!¡± At that moment. A soldier walked in from outside, bowed, and saluted: ¡°General, Commander Gu requests an audience!¡± ¡°Invite him in quickly!¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s spirit lifted, and he immediately smiled. Receiving the order, the soldier bowed and withdrew. Moments later, Gu Yi walked in carrying a black box on his back. ¡°Greetings, Lord Shi!¡± ¡°Commander Gu, courtesy!¡± Shi Zhen hastily returned the salute, treating Gu Yi with great respect. Although, in terms of rank, Shi Zhen was much higher than Gu Yi, but he knew well that the Jinyi Guard couldn¡¯t be measured solely by rank. This institution held an extremely special status, requiring Shi Zhen to treat it earnestly. Of course. There was another main reason. It was that Gu Yi was also a top-tier expert in the Dao Palace Realm. Shi Zhen knew very well what it meant to break through to the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Now that Gu Yi had also achieved the ninth layer, some things were tacitly understood. It should be known. Even the masters of the Heavenly Patrol Guard and the experts of the Evil Suppression Bureau had not received such an honor. Gu Yi¡¯s breakthrough clearly indicated how much Gu Yang valued him. Then. Shi Zhen asked: ¡°Commander Gu, may I know if there are any instructions from the Emperor?¡± Chapter 429: 293: Thirty-Six King Generals_2 Chapter 429: Chapter 293: Thirty-Six King Generals_2 ¡°The Emperor has learned that the Star Dynasty intends to intervene in this matter. Worried that Lord Shi is not a match for the Star Dynasty, he has dispatched me to bring this Supreme Treasure as assistance!¡± As the words fell, Gu Yi had already untied the black box from his back and handed it directly to Shi Zhen. The box was cold to the touch, but Shi Zhen could feel the terrifying aura contained within. The moment he opened the box, a murderous aura surged to the sky, and a bloody glow illuminated the entire tent. ¡°This is¡ª¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s pupils shrank sharply as he gazed at the God Slaying Spear before him. Although he could not discern its origins, the mere phenomenon unfolding before him was enough to demonstrate the extraordinary nature of this Divine Weapon. Other generals also had their eyes fixed on the Bronze Battle Spear, faces filled with shock. ¡°This is the God Slaying Spear, the Great Saint Weapon of the ancient Ancient Desolate Holy Land. After the Holy Land was destroyed, this Supreme Treasure fell into the hands of the Supreme Emperor. Later, the Emperor specifically asked the Supreme Emperor for this treasure and ordered me to bring it to you. With this Supreme Treasure as assistance, the issues with the Star Dynasty will be of no concern!¡± Gu Yi said calmly. His words brought a look of joy to Shi Zhen¡¯s face. ¡°Good, Lord Gu, please return and inform the Emperor that with this Supreme Treasure, I will surely conquer the entire Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± A mere Ninth King General? Even if the opponent was a Semi-Saint, it would not matter; with the God Slaying Spear in hand, Shi Zhen no longer regarded the opponent as a threat. After all, a Great Saint Weapon¡¯s power was absolutely unmatched by a so-called Semi-Saint. Forget about a Semi-Saint. Even facing a true Saint, Shi Zhen now had the confidence to fight. Though Shi Zhen had yet to fully refine the God Slaying Spear, his Divine Thought could clearly sense the terrifying power contained within it. Such a Supreme Treasure. Could indeed be said to be world-shocking. Afterward. Gu Yi cupped his hands and said, ¡°I will definitely convey your words to the Emperor. Now that this matter is settled, I must return to report, so I will take my leave!¡± ¡°Lord Gu, take care!¡± Shi Zhen did not keep him further and politely saw Gu Yi out of the tent before turning back. He looked at the God Slaying Spear before him and then at the others. ¡°Pass my orders, the army will rest for three days, and in three days, we will set out to attack Qingyun City!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± All the generals were now extremely excited. Earlier, they had no confidence in opposing the Star Dynasty, but now things were different. The court had personally sent a Great Saint Weapon to command the army; with such a Supreme Treasure, what was the Star Dynasty? Although the Star Dynasty had deep foundations, the Divine Martial Dynasty was not facing the entire Star Dynasty but merely a Semi-Saint cultivator from it. Thus. They did not feel much pressure. As for Shi Zhen¡¯s purpose of letting the army rest for three days, they also had their guesses. The opponent simply needed time to master the Great Saint Weapon. After all, such a Supreme Treasure could not be wielded by just anyone; it required refining to truly unleash its power. Shi Zhen, unaware of their guesses, indeed planned to do so. ¡ª¡ª While the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army camped, this news quickly reached the spies of the Guiyuan Dynasty, who immediately transmitted it to Lv Zhou. Upon learning this, Lv Zhou pondered for a moment and deduced that the Divine Martial Dynasty did not launch an immediate attack because they were wary of the Star Dynasty. Understanding this, Lv Zhou felt reassured. ¡°A newly risen dynasty is still a new dynasty. Even if they have some opportunities, their foundation is limited!¡± Lv Zhou smiled and ordered someone to inform Nan Mo of the news. Upon hearing this, the formidable figure from the Star Dynasty shared the same thoughts as Lv Zhou. However. Nan Mo did not care much either. After all, his purpose was merely to help the Guiyuan Dynasty stabilize the situation. With the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army camping and not acting rashly, Nan Mo was not inclined to create trouble for himself. At this moment. While the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army camped, the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s side also remained fortified, resulting in a strange balance. Time passed. Three days swiftly went by. Inside the main command tent, Shi Zhen sat cross-legged. The iron box that held the God Slaying Spear was now empty. Observing his Dantian Dao Palace, a Bronze Battle Spear lay quietly within. The spear was blood-stained! Murderous intent boiled! As Shi Zhen¡¯s Divine Thought entered the Bronze Battle Spear, slightly evoking its power, the Great Saint Weapon trembled violently, and waves of murderous intent swept out like a tide. In an instant. Shi Zhen moved his Divine Thought, and the God Slaying Spear fell into his hand. A weak yet mysterious connection formed between them, making him feel as if he could tear the heavens and earth apart. However. Shi Zhen did not release this strike but instead retracted the God Slaying Spear into his Dantian. ¡°As expected of a Great Saint Weapon, even with my current cultivation, three days were only enough to barely imprint a sliver of Divine Soul Mark. To fully refine it will require much more time!¡± ¡°But even this is sufficient. Three days of rest are enough; there is no need to delay any further.¡± Shi Zhen had no intention of continuing to refine the God Slaying Spear. Just a sliver of the Divine Soul Mark was enough for him to initially wield the Great Saint Weapon¡¯s power. It must be known. That the Great Saint Weapon¡¯s terror was such. Even invoking a fraction of its power was sufficient to easily suppress any cultivator below a Saint. Moreover, with the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army divided into three routes, with the other two forces engaged in battle, dragging out the situation at Cloud Immortal Prefecture would only increase the pressure on the other two. Thus, no matter how one looked at it, three days of rest for the army was the limit; delaying any further would do more harm than good. Immediately. Shi Zhen emerged from seclusion, called all the generals, and issued the order to attack. In an instant. The horn blew. Three days of rest had allowed all the soldiers to recover greatly, and their morale had reached a true peak. In less than two hours, the millions-strong army was fully assembled. ¡°Forward!¡± ¡°Today we must capture Qingyun City!¡± Shi Zhen rode on a tall horse, his deep gaze fixed ahead, where an ancient city loomed. That¡ª was Qingyun City! Although it was hundreds of miles away, the flat plains and the extraordinary vision of Tiaoist Palace Realm cultivators made spotting Qingyun City¡¯s presence trivial. With the army¡¯s march, all the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s spies were alerted. In less than two hours. The news reached Lv Zhou. ¡°What!? The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army has set out!!¡± ¡°Yes, currently, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s millions-strong army is heading toward Qingyun City. Please make your decisions swiftly!¡± ¡°Report back regularly!¡± Lv Zhou waved his hand to send the messenger away, his eyes dark and his expression extremely grim. He had believed the Divine Martial Dynasty feared the Star Dynasty¡¯s appearance and would not act rashly, but he did not expect them to resume their campaign after just three days. Now, with millions of troops coming in a powerful wave, Lv Zhou felt immense pressure. At that moment. Nan Mo entered. ¡°Lord Lv, I heard the Divine Martial Dynasty is attacking Qingyun City?¡± Upon entering the hall, Nan Mo was the first to speak. Lv Zhou glanced at him, forcing a smile: ¡°Lord Nan, your news is indeed swift. I just received word and you already know.¡± ¡°Yes, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s millions-strong army is headed toward Qingyun City. It won¡¯t be long before they reach the city walls. Once this battle erupts, I¡¯m afraid Qingyun City will be difficult to defend. When that time comes, we will need to rely on you, Lord Nan!¡± Nan Mo¡¯s arrival gradually calmed Lv Zhou¡¯s anxious heart. In his view. The Divine Martial Dynasty might indeed be formidable, but with the Star Dynasty¡¯s expert holding fort, the outcome of the battle remained uncertain. Chapter 430: 294 Suppressing the Semi-Saint Chapter 430: Chapter 294 Suppressing the Semi-Saint In front of Qingyun City. The army besieged it. Millions of troops, vast and mighty, had completely surrounded the entire Qingyun City. On the tall and majestic city walls, the Guiyuan Dynasty had already dispatched a large number of soldiers to garrison here. The scene was tense, and it could be said that conflict could break out at any moment. Just as Shi Zhen was about to order the attack on the city, a blue-clothed scholar stepped into the air and appeared in front of the two armies. ¡°I am Nan Mo of the Star Dynasty. I do not know which general of the Divine Martial Dynasty leads their army today. Why don¡¯t you come out and meet me?¡± As Nan Mo spoke, the pressure belonging to a Semi-Saint emanated from him, terrifying as a deep abyss. The mighty heavenly power swept in all directions, even suppressing the battle intent at the front of the two armies to some extent. The originally silent battlefield now had everyone¡¯s gaze fixed on him. Regarding this. Nan Mo was very satisfied. This was the effect he wanted. The cultivation of a Semi-Saint Realm gave him the confidence to partake in this battle. At this moment. Shi Zhen also stepped into the air, his tiger eyes already locked on the other. ¡°I am General Shi Zhen. This battle is between the Divine Martial Dynasty and the Guiyuan Dynasty. It has nothing to do with the Star Dynasty. I don¡¯t know your intention in coming here!¡± Hearing this, Nan Mo folded his hands and smiled faintly: ¡°The Guiyuan Dynasty is an ally of my Star Dynasty. In this battle, the Star Dynasty will not sit idly by. Moreover, war between the two countries will inevitably lead to the suffering of the people. My Star Dynasty cannot bear to see the people suffer, so we have come forward, hoping your country can withdraw your troops and avoid further conflict!¡± As soon as these words were spoken. Shi Zhen¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and a mocking smile appeared on his face. ¡°The Guiyuan Dynasty previously sent troops to invade my Divine Martial Dynasty. There is no room for reconciliation between our two countries. If you do not want to see the suffering of the people, it is better for the Guiyuan Dynasty to submit to my Divine Martial Dynasty. This way, the war can also be stopped!¡± ¡°Do you really intend to act against reason?¡± Nan Mo¡¯s face turned somewhat unpleasant. ¡°I am here under orders and do not wish to truly clash with your country. If you give my Star Dynasty some face, you will gain the friendship of my Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°The face of the Star Dynasty?¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s mocking expression grew more pronounced, and finally, his gaze turned cold. ¡°What face does your Star Dynasty have, and what qualifications does it have to command my Divine Martial Dynasty? Today¡¯s battle, Qingyun City will fall. If you insist on meddling, be prepared to die!¡± ¡°Good, good, good. Let me see what qualifications you have to speak such arrogant words!¡± Nan Mo laughed in anger, and the terrifying aura around him surged as if it was about to overturn the heavens and the earth. At this moment. Shi Zhen¡¯s gaze turned cold. He took a step in the void, and the God Slaying Spear from his Dantian appeared in his hand in an instant. The power of blood and qi poured into the Bronze Battle Spear, and the unending holy king blood on it erupted with an extremely terrifying wave. In the next moment. The Bronze Battle Spear shattered the void. The bloody light reflected the heavens and the earth, and a great terrifying feeling surged in Nan Mo¡¯s heart, turning his stern expression into one of terror. ¡°Great Saint Weapon¡ª¡± Nan Mo didn¡¯t even have time to think more as his body retreated swiftly. However. No matter how fast his movements were, they could not be faster than the Great Saint Weapon. When the bloody cold light struck, the jade pendant at Nan Mo¡¯s waist emitted divine light, protecting him like a wall of heaven and earth. But within a breath, the divine light dissipated, and the jade pendant shattered. ¡°Boom!¡± Nan Mo¡¯s body was pierced, the bloody cold light pinning him directly to Qingyun City¡¯s wall. The life force of the Semi-Saint was extinguished in an instant. Silence! The two armies were now dead silent! Everyone¡¯s eyes were on Shi Zhen in the void, filled with shock. Especially Lv Zhou, who now felt like he was in an ice cellar, seeing Nan Mo pinned to the wall in a single move. He couldn¡¯t understand. How Shi Zhen dared to act so decisively and directly kill Nan Mo. One Nan Mo was nothing. But the Star Dynasty behind him was no ordinary force. Even with a power as strong as the Divine Martial Dynasty, which had a force comparable to the Great Saint Realm behind it, for a force like the Star Dynasty, it was not impossible to have a Great Saint self-sealed. So. In Lv Zhou¡¯s view. Shi Zhen should not have had the courage to tear face with the Star Dynasty. But now, this scene was completely beyond Lv Zhou¡¯s expectations. However¡ª Lv Zhou couldn¡¯t care anymore right now. Nan Mo was dead. The Divine Martial Dynasty had directly used a Great Saint Weapon. This battle. Qingyun City was difficult to keep. Sure enough. As soon as this thought crossed Lv Zhou¡¯s mind, Shi Zhen had already struck again, wielding the power of the God Slaying Spear. The terrifying blow caused the void to collapse, and the entire Qingyun City shook violently. The ancient and majestic city walls collapsed like paper, stirring up massive clouds of dust. Countless soldiers fell in this strike. At the same time. Qingyun City was forcibly torn open, and its once strict defenses now showed vulnerabilities. In the void. Shi Zhen put the God Slaying Spear back in his Dantian, then took a step back to the central army position and directly ordered. ¡°Attack the city!¡± At his command. The army advanced. Shi Zhen did not use the God Slaying Spear again. With his current strength, using the Great Saint Weapon twice was his limit, and it wouldn¡¯t be easy to launch a third attack. However, whether or not he used the God Slaying Spear was now a minor issue. The first strike killed Nan Mo, and the second strike broke the city walls of Qingyun City, causing the morale of the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s side to plummet. Sure enough. When the army advanced, although Lv Zhou quickly reacted, gathering the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s troops to resist, the troops, having lost their morale, couldn¡¯t form effective fighting strength in a short time. Chapter 431: 294: Suppressing the Semi-Saint_2 Chapter 431: Chapter 294: Suppressing the Semi-Saint_2 At the moment of close combat, the Guiyuan Dynasty was presented with an overwhelming defeat. ¡°Kill!¡± Seeing the Guiyuan Dynasty fully fall into a disadvantageous position, General Lv¡¯s eyes turned red. Wielding the long blade in his hand, he continuously charged forward, attempting to single-handedly stop the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s offensive. But in the next moment. General Lv¡¯s offensive was stopped. The Heavenly Gang Army, like a sharp arrow, directly pierced through the battlefield, swiftly killing other soldiers of the Guiyuan Dynasty, and then surrounded General Lv. Now the 36,000 Heavenly Gang Army were the elite of the entire Divine Martial Dynasty, with the weakest cultivation level among them being at the Grandmaster Realm, and many had broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm. The moment the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array was activated, General Lv immediately felt immense pressure. However. He was a powerhouse at the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Though not on par with the Semi-Saint level of Nan Mo, he was still formidable. Despite the strength of the Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array, it could barely contain him, and he nearly broke through the encirclement. ¡°Heavenly Gang Army¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°So what if it¡¯s a military array? I have slain countless formidable enemies in my life; a mere military array is nothing!¡± General Lv¡¯s eyes sparkled with a cold light, his surging blood energy pouring into the long blade. Instantly, the blade slashed through the void, transforming into countless blade shadows that swept across in all directions. Phantom Seven Absolute Cuts! This was a signature skill that General Lv was renowned for many years. Now, as he displayed it, the multiple blade shadows contained endless killing intent. For a time. Even the Heavenly Gang Army was under immense pressure. Just then. Space trembled. A figure directly appeared on the battlefield. A divine blade containing immense blade intent shocked General Lv. He hastily raised his blade to defend. As the two divine weapons collided, General Lv felt a tremendous force sweeping over him, causing him to stagger back several steps. In that moment of retreat, the Heavenly Gang Army seized the opportunity and attacked before he could stabilize his position. Originally. With General Lv¡¯s strength, one Heavenly Gang Divine Evil Array could do nothing to him. But with Shi Zhen¡¯s intervention, General Lv¡¯s pressure rapidly increased. As a result. General Lv gradually fell into a disadvantageous position. After thousands of exchanges, General Lv failed to notice a fatal gap and was slashed across the chest by Shi Zhen, pinning him dead on the ground. Immediately. Shi Zhen moved quickly to seal General Lv¡¯s blood energy, then ordered his capture. At this moment. General Lv finally saw the situation around him clearly. Under the assault of the Divine Martial Dynasty army, the Guiyuan Dynasty side was in total defeat. The moment he was captured, Qingyun City had already fallen. Seeing this scene. General Lv¡¯s face turned ashen. He had anticipated his defeat but never imagined it would be so absolute. From the start of the battle until now, less than half a day had passed, and Qingyun City had completely fallen. The million-strong army defending Qingyun City had suffered heavy casualties. At this moment. General Lv truly understood. What it meant for an army in defeat to fall like a mountain, with no hope for the remnants! ¡ª¡ª A day later. Inside the government office. General Lv stepped in once again. But this time. He entered as a prisoner. The person who had held the position of master had been replaced by Shi Zhen. ¡°The great name of General Lv, I have long heard. The defeat of Qingyun City in this battle is a matter of great importance to talents like General Lv, and our Divine Martial Dynasty has always valued such talents greatly. Hence, I am giving General Lv a chance to live. If General Lv is willing to pledge allegiance to the Divine Martial Dynasty, not only will you live, but you may also be heavily used by the Emperor!¡± Shi Zhen said straightforwardly. Facing his attempt to recruit, General Lv immediately sneered: ¡°I am a subject of the Guiyuan Dynasty; how could I surrender to another country? There is nothing to say to victors and the vanquished. Do as you will!¡± ¡°General Lv, you are mistaken!¡± Shi Zhen slightly shook his head, showing no sign of anger. ¡°As they say, ¡®A wise man adapts to circumstances¡¯. The Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s defeat is already determined, so why does General Lv need to struggle in vain?¡± ¡°Moreover, the lives of the hundreds of thousands of surrendered soldiers in Qingyun City, can General Lv truly turn a blind eye to them?¡± With these words. General Lv¡¯s expression changed. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I believe General Lv understands my meaning!¡± ¡°It is a great taboo to harm surrendered soldiers. Does the Divine Martial Dynasty not fear the contempt of the world?¡± General Lv was furious. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that Shi Zhen would use the surrendered soldiers to threaten him. To this. Shi Zhen merely smiled indifferently: ¡°History is written by the victors. As long as our Divine Martial Dynasty is the final victor, there is no need to worry about these issues. And even if the world despises us, what of it? In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme. As long as our Divine Martial Dynasty is strong enough, who would dare speak against us openly?¡± Upon hearing this. General Lv¡¯s face became grim, but he couldn¡¯t refute it. At this moment. Shi Zhen continued: ¡°I see General Lv is a talented individual and do not wish for you to die here. Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty is on the rise, if General Lv submits, not only will your soldiers survive, but you also stand a chance to be heavily used by the court. I believe General Lv is also aware that from the establishment of the Divine Martial Dynasty till now, it has only been a few decades. In just a few decades, the Divine Martial Dynasty has risen from a new dynasty to an imperial dynasty, with limitless future potential!¡± ¡°Decades ago, I was merely an ant who hadn¡¯t even entered the Divine Transformation Realm, but now I have reached the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, all thanks to the opportunities granted by the Divine Martial Dynasty.¡± ¡°If General Lv is willing to submit, when the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, you might very well have a chance to glimpse the Saint Realm!¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s words made General Lv¡¯s expression change constantly. It had to be said. These words held great temptation for him. The potential of the Divine Martial Dynasty was evident to General Lv. A new dynasty accomplishing in decades what would take other dynasties thousands of years, demonstrated the terrifying power of the Divine Martial Dynasty. General Lv understood his own potential. Staying in the Guiyuan Dynasty, even if the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrived, the chance of truly attaining Sainthood was slim. More importantly. As a prisoner now, if he did not agree, not only would he die, but the surrendered soldiers of Qingyun City would likely perish as well. Faced with a life-and-death decision, General Lv had to admit, he was indeed tempted. Seeing General Lv¡¯s hesitation, Shi Zhen didn¡¯t press further, simply saying lightly: ¡°I¡¯ll give General Lv three days to consider. If after three days, General Lv still remains loyal to the Guiyuan Dynasty, then I will grant you your wish.¡± After speaking. Shi Zhen signaled with his eyes, and immediately two soldiers escorted General Lv out. At this time, a general spoke up: ¡°General, what if General Lv pretends to submit after three days, what should we do?¡± ¡°No need to worry. If he is sensible, he will be sent back to the Nine States for the Emperor¡¯s decision. Even if the Emperor does choose to heavily use him, it would only be after the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s fate is sealed.¡± ¡°As for the surrendered soldiers of Qingyun City, they will all be thoroughly screened. Those who are useful to us will be dispersed and integrated into various camps to replenish the losses from this battle.¡± As for the rest who cannot be used...¡± At this point, a gleam of coldness flashed in Shi Zhen¡¯s eyes. ¡°They will all be executed, not a single one left alive!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± All the generals¡¯ hearts trembled, and they hastily bowed their heads to take the order. Shi Zhen¡¯s expression was indifferent. As General Lv had said, killing surrendered soldiers would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar if the news got out. But in times of war between two nations, he could not afford any mercy. If there were too many surrendered soldiers, it would certainly slow down the army¡¯s progress. If all were released, it would be like letting tigers back into the mountain, ultimately increasing casualties on the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s side. For this reason. Shi Zhen naturally had to preserve his subordinates¡¯ lives as much as possible. As for the rest, it could only be dealt with later. Chapter 432: 295 Quasi-Imperial Weapon Chapter 432: Chapter 295 Quasi-Imperial Weapon Star Emperors Dynasty! In the grand and majestic imperial court, the officials stood straight and solemn on either side. On the emperor¡¯s throne above, sat a towering figure dressed in an imperial robe. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, his eyes radiated brilliance, and an aura of unapproachable majesty emanated from his brows. At this moment. A person below bowed deeply, and a heavy voice echoed in the quiet court. ¡°Your Majesty, the latest news reports that the Ninth General Nan Mo was slain by the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s Great General Shi Zhen, wielding the Great Saint Weapon, in front of Qingyun City in Cloud Immortal Prefecture!¡± As soon as these words were spoken. The vast court was in an uproar. All the officials looked at each other, seeing disbelief in each other¡¯s faces. The Thirty-Six Generals! They were the true foundation of the Star Emperors Dynasty. Anyone ranked among the Thirty-Six Generals was not only a prodigy in cultivation but also possessed exceptional military leadership talent. To put it bluntly, each of the Thirty-Six Generals carved their way out through countless wars. Each General, if caught in the Great Struggle Prosperity Era, had the potential to aspire to the Saint Realm. Even the lowest-ranked General¡¯s cultivation was at the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, with the Ninth General Nan Mo even reaching the Semi-Saint Realm. It can be said. The status of the Thirty-Six Generals was unshakeable; the last time a General fell was a thousand years ago during a war between the Star Emperors Dynasty and another Imperial Dynasty. But even then, it was only the lower-ranked Generals who fell. Now. The fallen one was the Ninth General of the Star Emperors Dynasty. If all Thirty-Six Generals had the opportunity to prove themselves in the Saint Realm, then it was certain that the top ten Generals would become Saints as long as they didn¡¯t fall unexpectedly. Immediately. After the shock, the officials burst into rage. ¡°A mere Divine Martial Dynasty dares to kill a General of our Star Emperors Dynasty!¡± ¡°We implore Your Majesty to give the order to launch a campaign against the Divine Martial Dynasty immediately!¡± Among the majority of officials eager for battle, some remained sober. ¡°Your Majesty, the Divine Martial Dynasty itself is not worth worrying about; the key issue is the Gu Family Patriarch behind it. If we provoke him, it could become a significant problem!¡± Upon hearing this, the court quieted down considerably. Gu Family Patriarch Gu Qingfeng! This was universally acknowledged as the strongest of the End of Dharma Era. Such a figure was said to possess the talents of a Great Emperor. Even with the Star Emperors Dynasty¡¯s profound foundation, confronting such a figure head-on in the current End of Dharma Era would be no easy task. At this moment. Lu Zhen, seated on the emperor¡¯s throne above, slowly spoke: ¡°The fall of Nan Mo is a substantial loss for our Star Emperors Dynasty. Our dynasty, established over three million years, does not tolerate provocations from a newly risen dynasty. If the Divine Martial Dynasty seeks war, then I shall comply.¡± This statement. Decided the Star Emperors Dynasty¡¯s next course of action. Lu Zhen¡¯s eyes gleamed with cold light, and his overwhelming imperial might radiated, pressing down the entire court. The three-million-years foundation of the Star Emperors Dynasty. Would not tolerate any challengers. Even though the Divine Martial Dynasty had a powerhouse comparable to the Great Saint Realm behind it, in Lu Zhen¡¯s view, it still was not qualified to provoke the Star Emperors Dynasty. After all. In three million years. The Star Emperors Dynasty had produced countless powerhouses. Not to mention the Great Saint Realm, the dynasty had even seen Saint Kings and Quasi-Emperors. Regarding the Divine Martial Dynasty, Lu Zhen had always turned a blind eye, not paying much attention. But now that the Divine Martial Dynasty had brazenly slain the Ninth General Nan Mo, it was a slap to the face of the entire Star Emperors Dynasty. Regardless of the circumstances, the dynasty had to respond. ¡°Jiang Chen!¡± ¡°Your servant is here!¡± A middle-aged cultivator stepped forward, bowing to Lu Zhen above. ¡°I command you to lead the Greedy Wolf Army and the Heavenly Pivot Army and set out for the Divine Martial Dynasty in three days!¡± Lu Zhen¡¯s voice was icy, aiming not at the Divine Martial Army of the Guiyuan Dynasty but directly targeting the Nine States. Since the die was cast, Lu Zhen would show no mercy. If they were to act, they would crush the Divine Martial Dynasty definitively. At these words. Jiang Chen immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order, his voice full of murderous intent: ¡°Your servant accepts the decree!¡± ¡°Gu Yan, An Youu!¡± ¡°We are here!¡± ¡°You two will accompany the army!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Two more individuals bowed and accepted the order. In the court, seeing this, the officials couldn¡¯t help but reveal a hint of shock on their faces. The Third General Jiang Chen! The Fifth General Gu Yan! The Sixth General An Youu! These three were top-notch generals. Now the court was sending these three to lead the campaign; against an ordinary dynasty, they could easily triumph. But considering the Divine Martial Dynasty, they understood. This newly risen dynasty could not be measured by common standards, its foundation was ordinary, but its patron was a powerhouse on par with the Great Saint Realm. The destruction of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land demonstrated the terror of that Gu Family Patriarch. Thus. Sending three Generals to deal with the Divine Martial Dynasty was reasonable. Moreover¡ª Even with three Generals and tens of millions of troops, they might not be a match for that one figure. ¡°This battle... Jiang Chen, you will carry the Star Imperial Bell forward!¡± At the end, Lu Zhen spoke in a deep voice. As soon as these words were spoken. The entire court assembly was once again in violent turmoil. Star Imperial Bell!! This is one of the only two quasi-imperial weapons in the Star Dynasty. Such a supreme treasure is truly the foundation of the entire Star Dynasty and generally won¡¯t be easily utilized. But now¡ª Lu Zhen, to deal with Gu Qingfeng, is willing to deploy the Star Imperial Bell at any cost. The reason for using the quasi-imperial weapon is Lu Zhen¡¯s own concern. Back then, the foundation of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land was also formidable, not only did a Great Saint emerge, but there were also Saint King Soldiers stationed, yet it still couldn¡¯t avoid being annihilated by Gu Qingfeng. Therefore. To be on the safe side. Lu Zhen will not hesitate to mobilize the quasi-imperial weapon to kill the opponent. Such strong figures, if not offended, it would be fine, but once offended, the opponent must be completely crushed. Otherwise, when the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, the threat brought by Gu Qingfeng will be absolutely incalculable. If the opponent can be killed, even using the quasi-imperial weapon is worth it. Subsequently. Lu Zhen adjourned the court meeting. Not long after. An official from the Star Dynasty, after leaving the imperial palace, returned to his residence, entered a secret room, took out a Communication Jade Token that was secretly preserved, and sent out a message. At the same time. In the Nine States. Within the Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng suddenly opened his eyes, his divine thought moved, and a Communication Jade Token appeared in his hand. ¡°Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°Tianshu Army... Greedy Wolf Army... Three King Generals!¡± The Communication Jade Token clearly informed Gu Qingfeng of all the happenings in the Star Dynasty¡¯s court assembly. Upon receiving this news, his expression turned somewhat solemn. The Star Dynasty has seven elite armies and seven military camps. Among them, the seven elite armies are Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Qilin, and Seven Killing Greedy Wolf. The seven military camps. Are named Tianshu, Tianquan, Tianji, Tianxuan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and the last, Yaoguang. Among the seven elite armies, the Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and other five elite armies each number ten million, and the remaining Seven Killing Greedy Wolf only have three million. As for the seven military camps, each one when fully staffed has fifty million troops. It is evident. How powerful the foundation of the Star Dynasty truly is. Now. From the message delivered by the Communication Jade Token, Gu Qingfeng learned that the Star Dynasty was making a significant move. Not only did three King Generals personally mobilize, but they also led the Tianshu Army and Greedy Wolf Army straight to the Nine States, such a force is enough to uproot an ordinary dynasty. That is the foundation of an imperial dynasty. Do not think that a dynasty can easily elevate to an imperial dynasty, but the fact is, this step is enough to deter most dynasties. The strength of an imperial dynasty is entirely beyond comparison with a dynasty, like the Star Dynasty, casually dispatching an army is enough to suppress an ordinary dynasty. Currently, the Divine Martial Dynasty is just an ordinary new dynasty. Upon learning of the Star Dynasty¡¯s actions, it must either submit or face annihilation. ¡°The foundation of three million years is indeed formidable, with three King Generals even mobilizing quasi-imperial weapons, the Star Dynasty truly intends to consume the Divine Martial Dynasty this time!¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, but his face did not show much tension. Undeniably. The strength of an imperial dynasty is indeed formidable. But if there really is to be a battle, the Divine Martial Dynasty is not necessarily without the strength to resist. ¡°It¡¯s a pity, this time the Hidden Guard infiltrating the Star Dynasty holds a low-ranking official position, making it difficult to truly intervene in its core matters, otherwise, dealing with the problems of the Star Dynasty would be easier.¡± Although saying this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face did not show much regret. Back then, a large number of Hidden Guards were dispatched, and now it finally seems to have started to bear some fruit. The Hidden Guard who just transmitted the message had infiltrated the Star Dynasty¡¯s officialdom under a different identity and had the qualification to participate in court deliberations. Presumably, no matter how the Star Dynasty considers it, it won¡¯t realize that its internal affairs have already been infiltrated by the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Qingfeng has a lot of people like this in his hands. This battle. Gu Qingfeng did not intend to personally intervene but rather wanted to use this opportunity to test the development of the Hidden Guards over the years. Then. Gu Qingfeng summoned a person. ¡°What orders do you have, Your Reverence!¡± ¡°Tell Gu Yang that the Star Dynasty intends to move troops against the Nine States, let him prepare!¡± Gu Qingfeng said a sentence and then provided some detailed instructions, asking the person to report to the imperial palace. Not long after. Gu Yang learned of this matter. When hearing that the Star Dynasty¡¯s army was heading straight for the Nine States, this Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty had a rare solemn expression on his face. ¡°The Star Dynasty is finally making a move!¡± Upon previously learning that the Star Dynasty was interfering in the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s war, Gu Yang already had some psychological preparation. Then he dispatched Gu Yi to deliver the Great Saint Weapon to Shi Zhen, further preparing a scenario of breaking face with the Star Dynasty. Now. The Star Dynasty massively mobilizes troops, it surprises Gu Yang but is also expected. ¡ª¡ª PS: Three thousand words updated first, the remaining thousand words will be supplemented tomorrow! Chapter 433: 296 Siege Chapter 433: Chapter 296 Siege Central Domain. Red Dust Immortal Sect. Gu Yu, dressed in a scarlet Daoist robe, came before a grand hall and said loudly: ¡°Disciple Gu Yu requests to see Master!¡± As his words fell. The tightly closed doors of the hall abruptly opened. Seeing this. Gu Yu stepped inside. High in the hall, a figure in white sat cross-legged; his appearance was scholarly, his demeanor transcendent, like an immortal exiled to the mortal realm, harmonizing with the world. If not seen with the naked eye, it was almost impossible to sense even the slightest breath from this person. This. Was Cang Yuan, Sect Master of the Red Dust Immortal Sect. As Gu Yu entered the hall, Cang Yuan opened his eyes and smiled slightly. ¡°What important matter brings you here today?¡± ¡°Disciple wishes to journey to the Nine States of the Eastern Domain!¡± Gu Yu said respectfully. ¡°Nine States?¡± Hearing these words, Cang Yuan was slightly taken aback. ¡°The Nine States you speak of, is it not where the Divine Martial Dynasty resides?¡± ¡°Precisely!¡± Upon Gu Yu¡¯s accurate response, Cang Yuan¡¯s expression became clear. Even though the Red Dust Immortal Sect was far in the Central Domain, Cang Yuan had also heard of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Because in the Nine States of the Eastern Domain, the Divine Martial Dynasty had produced a peerless expert who could kill a Great Saint while still in the Semi-Saint Realm, which in any era could rival a young Great Emperor. For such a powerful figure, Cang Yuan naturally could not be completely ignorant. Gu Yu said, ¡°Disciple has received news that the Star Dynasty intends to march on Nine States to destroy the Divine Martial Dynasty. Having been favored by the Divine Martial Dynasty in the past, upon learning of this, I cannot stand idly by. However, Master can rest assured that this matter will be handled solely by the disciple, and the sect will not be implicated!¡± Hearing this. Cang Yuan said with a hint of surprise: ¡°Although the Red Dust Immortal Sect is not a top-tier sect, it does not fear a mere Star Dynasty. Since the Divine Martial Dynasty has shown you kindness, both emotionally and logically, you ought to go there. This way, you can also resolve a bit of karma!¡± ¡°Therefore, on your journey to the Divine Martial Dynasty, I will assign two elders to accompany and guard you. You may act under the banner of the Red Dust Immortal Sect, but how to proceed will be up to your own discretion!¡± ¡°Thank you, Master!¡± Gu Yu¡¯s face was full of gratitude. The Red Dust Immortal Sect, as a sect in the Central Domain, willing to involve itself in the affairs of the Eastern Domain for him, spoke volumes. As for the Red Dust Immortal Sect only sending two elders without a large force, Gu Yu understood the reason. After all. The Red Dust Immortal Sect, being a sect of the Central Domain, could not arbitrarily meddle in the Eastern Domain¡¯s affairs. The two elders¡¯ company. And allowing him to act under the Red Dust Immortal Sect¡¯s banner. These two points alone showed Cang Yuan¡¯s high regard for him. ¡°Go now!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve stayed in the sect for long, never comprehending the path to the Dao Palace Realm. This journey to the Eastern Domain might give you that breakthrough.¡± As Cang Yuan said this, he waved his sleeve, and a jade talisman suddenly appeared, landing before Gu Yu. ¡°This is a jade talisman left by a Saint of our sect in the past, containing a Saint¡¯s strike. In the current End of Dharma Era, if you encounter danger, this jade talisman can save your life!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Yu reached out to receive the jade talisman, carefully storing it away. He understood clearly. Such a Supreme Treasure containing a Saint¡¯s power needed no further explanation of its preciousness. Even though the Red Dust Immortal Sect was wealthy, such treasures were definitely not in abundance. ¡°Go now!¡± Cang Yuan waved his hand, and Gu Yu bowed and withdrew. Afterwards. The grand hall returned to silence. ¡°Innate Thunder Divine Body!¡± ¡°In this Great Struggle Prosperity Era, my Red Dust Immortal Sect must produce an invincible Great Emperor!¡± Cang Yuan¡¯s expression was serious, his eyes flowing with Dao rhythm, seemingly deducing something. Countless changes in the Great Tao appeared, and in the end, he closed his eyes, with two lines of blood tears slowly trickling down. ¡°The heavenly secrets are confused!¡± ¡°Still nothing can be divined.¡± ¡°This Great Struggle Prosperity Era might differ from the past; instead of prosperity, it could be a monstrous catastrophe!¡± Cang Yuan reopened his eyes, which were initially filled with divine light and Dao rhythm, now showing a slight redness, as if reflecting a future scene. Evil Spirit arises! Heavenly secrets are confused! All these changes indicate that this era is not simple. Although the Red Dust Immortal Sect is deep-rooted, facing a catastrophe sweeping the Ancient Desolate World, Cang Yuan wasn¡¯t confident in safely weathering it. To survive this great calamity, the Red Dust Immortal Sect must produce an invincible Great Emperor. However. For an ordinary cultivator to aspire to the Great Emperor¡¯s realm is easier said than done. Years ago, by chance, Cang Yuan encountered Gu Yu, discovering he possessed an Innate Thunder Divine Body, and thus accepted him as a direct disciple, making him a True Inheritor of the sect. The power of the Innate Thunder Divine Body, Cang Yuan understood well. These years. Gu Yu¡¯s performance had not disappointed Cang Yuan either. In just twenty years, he had reached the pinnacle of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, a step away from breaking through to the higher Dao Palace Realm. Moreover. Though Gu Yu was in the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, his combat prowess could match a cultivator in the Dao Palace Realm, even surpassing some in the Second or Third Layer of the Dao Palace Realm. The power of the Innate Thunder Divine Body had fully manifested. Such a talent. Cang Yuan naturally had to cultivate with all his might. He had a premonition. The Red Dust Immortal Sect¡¯s hope to survive the coming calamity lay with Gu Yu. This was why he didn¡¯t hesitate to use the Saint¡¯s jade talisman. Such a talent. As long as his safety could be ensured, no matter the cost to the Red Dust Immortal Sect, it would be worth it. Chapter 434: 296 Siege_2 Chapter 434: Chapter 296 Siege_2 ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯ has learned that the Divine Martial Dynasty is facing a crisis, hence he has invited two elders from the Red Dust Immortal Sect to head towards the Nine States together!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯ is highly valued by the Sect Master of the Red Dust Immortal Sect, and has been gifted a Saint Jade Talisman for protection!¡± ¡°Your death soldier...¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Fang Chen¡¯ has learned that the Divine Martial Dynasty is facing a crisis, and is currently leading the elders of the Feng Family towards the Nine States!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Shen Zhongyi¡¯ has learned that the Divine Martial Dynasty is facing a crisis, and is heading towards the Nine States!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Lin Shan¡¯ has invited the strong from the Green Cloud Holy Land, and is heading towards the Nine States!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Wang Junze¡¯ reports that the Emperor Venerate of the Taixuan Dynasty has dispatched troops, and he is currently leading thirty million soldiers directly towards the Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your death soldier...¡± ... In the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng looked at the information panel, seeing that numerous death soldiers and hidden guards were all heading towards the Nine States. Regarding Gu Yu joining the Red Dust Immortal Sect, Gu Qingfeng was also somewhat aware. At the same time. He had also collected some intelligence about the Red Dust Immortal Sect. The Red Dust Immortal Sect is an ancient sect, having produced an invincible Great Emperor in ancient times. Although the Great Emperor has long since passed away, the foundation of such an ancient sect should not be underestimated. Then. The Feng Family. Similar to the Red Dust Immortal Sect, the Feng Family is also an ancient noble family. Although the Feng Family has not produced a powerhouse in the Emperor Realm, they have had top-tier Quasi Emperors who were extremely close to reaching that realm, demonstrating strong and formidable foundations. Other such as the Green Cloud Tao Sect and the Taixuan Dynasty, though not as powerful as the Red Dust Immortal Sect or the ancient Feng Family, should not be underestimated either. It was at this moment. That Gu Qingfeng truly realized the extent of growth his dispersed death soldiers had achieved over the years. Some had become the true inheritors of Great Emperor sects, some had become sons-in-law of ancient noble families, some were true inheritors of Holy Lands, and others had become great generals of Imperial Dynasties, among other things. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mouth curled into a smile. ¡°I wonder what the Star Dynasty will think when they see this!¡± Truthfully speaking. Even Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t expected that he would already command such a powerful force. Absolute loyalty! Combined with a sufficient number of people! The combination of these two would create a truly heaven-defying existence. After all, absolute loyalty means there¡¯s no need to worry about betrayal, and a sufficient number means countless opportunities. ¡°If the number of death soldiers continues to grow, my power could spread throughout the entire Ancient Desolate World without me having to lift a finger, making the Gu Family the true overlord of the Ancient Desolate World!¡± Thinking this, Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath. From any perspective, the existence of death soldiers was terrifying. It was at this moment. That Gu Qingfeng deeply understood that other special rewards could not compare to the utility of death soldiers. Although the growth rate of death soldiers might be slower, once they matured, they would become an extremely fearsome existence. ... Guxing State! Tiankui Prefecture! Huaibei City¡ª¡ª The ground trembled as if an earth dragon had turned over, causing the entire vast city of Huaibei to shake violently, making the faces of many cultivators in the city change dramatically. Soon. Soldiers stationed on the city walls looked towards the distant dust clouds, their faces showing some uncertainty, which quickly turned into sheer terror. ¡°Enemy attack!!¡± ¡°Enemy attack!!!¡± With piercing roars accompanied by the sounding of war horns, the news of a strong enemy invasion spread throughout Huaibei City. Immediate. The garrison commander of Huaibei City promptly gathered all soldiers to prepare for defense and sent scouts to find out which force was intending to attack Huaibei City. In just a moment. Corresponding information was relayed. In the City Guard Department. Sitting there was the commander of Huaibei City¡¯s army, Xiang Ao. Before him, a scout reported. ¡°Reporting, sir, according to gathered information, it is the Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s army invading, led by Wang Junze!¡± ¡°Wang Junze of the Taixuan Dynasty¡ª¡ª¡± Xiang Ao¡¯s face changed upon hearing the name. This name was certainly not unfamiliar to him. Since joining the Taixuan Dynasty twenty years ago, within just ten years, Wang Junze had risen from an unknown soldier to one of the most influential figures in the Taixuan Dynasty. The real reason for Wang Junze¡¯s fame was ten years ago, when he led an army of one million and took down an ancient dynasty in just half a year. Since then, the name Wang Junze had become highly renowned. Xiang Ao never imagined that the Taixuan Dynasty would make a move against the Star Dynasty at this time, and even more surprising was that they had Wang Junze personally leading the army. But with things reaching this point, Xiang Ao had little time to consider further. The Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s army was pressing against the border. Huaibei City was hard-pressed to defend. Xiang Ao¡¯s task was to delay the Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s army as much as possible and relay the information back to the court. Immediately. Xiang Ao took out a Communication Jade Token, intending to send this information back to the court, only to find that the once reliable Communication Jade Token was now as unresponsive as a stone sunk into the sea. At this sight. Xiang Ao¡¯s face instantly darkened. ¡°Silence Array!¡± The so-called Silence Array was an array that suppressed Communication Jade Tokens, preventing any communication from being sent out once it was activated. However, the Silence Array was rare and hard for most forces to obtain. Until now. Xiang Ao finally understood why no additional news had been relayed about the Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s army approaching Huaibei City. Chapter 435: 296 Siege_3 Chapter 435: Chapter 296 Siege_3 The Taixuan Dynasty must have used the Silence Array to completely blockade the news, so naturally, no information has returned. ¡°Someone, come quickly!¡± Xiang Ao shouted loudly, and soon a guard came in from outside. ¡°What orders do you have, sir!¡± ¡°Immediately gather all officials of the City Guard Department for a council meeting!¡± Xiang Ao commanded coldly. The situation in Huaibei City was far more severe than he had imagined. The appearance of the Silence Array had completely eliminated the possibility of using Communication Jade Tokens, and without these tokens, the only way to send out information was by the most primitive means. This primitive means was to have the couriers personally set off to deliver the message. However¡ª Xiang Ao was not optimistic about this. After all, if the Taixuan Dynasty could deploy the Silence Array, they must have already prepared to block any news. If any couriers did leave the city, it would be highly unlikely they could survive to deliver the message. One could say. Huaibei City was now a truly isolated city. Even more importantly, Xiang Ao did not know the exact number of troops the Taixuan Dynasty had deployed. Now, the enemy was in the dark while they were in the light, causing immense pressure on him. Nevertheless. At this point, Xiang Ao had no other choice but to gather all his forces to resist the Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s attack. ¡ª¡ª Outside Huaibei City. The troops were on the move. A young general sat in the central command, listening to the reports from those around him. ¡°Reporting to the general, Huaibei City has been completely sealed off. Subordinates can assure you that not even a mosquito could fly out of Huaibei City!¡± ¡°Good!¡± Wang Junze nodded slightly, a cold and stern expression on his face. ¡°Order the troops to speed up; I want to capture Huaibei City within a day. Additionally, this battle will leave no prisoners. We must act swiftly before the Star Dynasty can react, take Tiankui Prefecture, and open the situation from there!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The man trembled slightly upon hearing this and immediately bowed, accepting the order. He dared not oppose Wang Junze¡¯s command. Then. Wang Junze gazed towards Huaibei City, his eyes filled with murderous intent. He was a Death Soldier of the Gu Family Manor, always loyal to Gu Qingfeng. Now that Gu Qingfeng had become the Supreme Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty, any action by the Star Dynasty against the Divine Martial Dynasty was like touching his reverse scale. Because of this. Wang Junze persuaded the Emperor Venerate of the Taixuan Dynasty to let him personally lead the troops to invade the Star Dynasty. In this battle. Wang Junze did not aim to destroy the Star Dynasty but certainly intended to deal a heavy blow. He knew well that the foundation of an imperial dynasty was strong, and to truly annihilate it would not be easy. If the Taixuan Dynasty put in all its effort, then there was hope of destroying the Star Dynasty. But merely sending one army would not suffice. ¡°The 3,600 prefectures of Guxing State, the Star Dynasty has occupied this land for too long, it¡¯s time for them to step aside!¡± Soon. Less than half a two-hour, the army had surrounded Huaibei City with thirty million troops, making it impenetrable. On the city walls. Xiang Ao and other garrison commanders turned pale at the sight before them. ¡°Lord... Lord... The Taixuan Dynasty is coming fiercely... Can we really hold them off?¡± One person, face pale, stuttered as he spoke. There was no helping it. The oppressive feeling from thirty million troops was too intense, the silent killing intent was suffocating. ¡°Even if we can¡¯t hold it, we must; if the city stands, we live; if the city falls, we die!¡± Xiang Ao forced himself to remain calm, gritting his teeth as he spoke. However. Despite his words. Even Xiang Ao felt uneasy. How many defending troops were there in Huaibei City now? At most, the number of defending troops in Huaibei City was only a hundred thousand, and even with all the citizens included, there would be at most five million. On the other hand, the Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s army was so vast it seemed endless. Based on Xiang Ao¡¯s years of military experience, the number of enemy troops was easily in the tens of millions. Moreover, the well-equipped and high morale indicated they were elite forces of the Taixuan Dynasty, not some ragtag group. With such a formidable force, it would be incredibly difficult for Huaibei City to hold out. But there was no choice. As the saying goes. Even if they couldn¡¯t hold out, they had to. As for surrendering, that was out of the question. His family was in the Capital. If news of his surrender spread, Xiang Ao was sure it would result in his family¡¯s annihilation. So. Even for the sake of his family, Xiang Ao would never consider surrendering. With that thought in mind. Xiang Ao warned the others: ¡°Don¡¯t forget, your families are still behind us. If you shy away from fighting or even think of surrendering, your families will face certain doom. Die alone, or doom the whole family, consider carefully!¡± ¡°If we die in battle, the court will surely take care of our families. And... given the current situation, the Taixuan Dynasty may not even accept surrendered troops.¡± Xiang Ao¡¯s words made the others¡¯ expressions change from panic to calm. Indeed. Their families were behind them. Even if they died in battle, their families would receive the court¡¯s favor. On the contrary. If they surrendered, their families would face ruin. Understanding this, they no longer felt fear. At this moment. The sound of heavy drums came, and seeing the dense Taixuan Dynasty troops besieging Huaibei City begin their attack without a word, Xiang Ao and the others immediately ordered a counterattack. ¡°Release the arrows!!!¡± Chapter 436: 297 War God Chapter 436: Chapter 297 War God ¡°Report!¡± A voice urgently called out, breaking the stillness of the court, followed by the sight of a soldier with bloodstained armor, kneeling on one knee, and speaking rapidly. ¡°Your Majesty, the Taixuan Dynasty has launched a surprise attack on Tiankui Prefecture. Thirty-six cities have already fallen. Our forces have suffered heavy casualties, with no fewer than ten million soldiers killed in battle. I implore Your Majesty to make a decision!¡± At these words. The court fell into a shocked silence, everyone¡¯s face showing expressions of disbelief. ¡°Tiankui Prefecture is the gateway to Guxing State, heavily guarded, how could it fall so quickly with thirty-six cities conquered!¡± ¡°Although the Taixuan Dynasty and our Star Dynasty have had long-standing frictions, they have never escalated to outright war. Why would the Taixuan Dynasty take such action?¡± Hearing the soldier¡¯s words, their first reaction was disbelief. There was no way. The three million years of foundation of the Star Dynasty was enough to intimidate many forces into staying away. Even an Imperial Dynasty dared not arbitrarily start a war lightly. If the two Imperial Dynasties went to war, it would be a catastrophic calamity, causing countless cultivator casualties, and even the victor would pay a heavy price. Moreover. The Star Dynasty¡¯s total occupation of Guxing State included three thousand six hundred prefectures. Tiankui Prefecture was the gateway, defended by elite forces that could hold off any strong enemies, certainly not falling so quickly. ¡°If Tiankui Prefecture has fallen, why haven¡¯t we received any messages!¡± Upon the Emperor¡¯s Throne, Lu Zhen¡¯s countenance turned as dark as water, seemingly ready to execute the soldier if he could not provide an explanation. The man truthfully replied, ¡°The Taixuan Dynasty used a Silence Array to block communication, then dispatched a large army to besiege, and strong experts hunted down our communication soldiers along the way. Among three thousand messengers, only I managed to break through!¡± ¡°How audacious!¡± Lu Zhen was furious. Silence Array! He hadn¡¯t expected the Taixuan Dynasty to go this far. This also explained why there was no news of Tiankui Prefecture¡¯s fall. Immediately. Lu Zhen gripped the Imperial Seal, pouring terrifying blood and Qi into it. Instantly, divine light soared into the sky, ancient stars appeared as brilliant suns, and endless fog in the firmament was dispersed by the Great Sun¡¯s glow. However, as the mist cleared, a Nine-grade Green Lotus appeared in the void. Upon closer inspection, one could see eight solid petals with only one somewhat illusory. Seeing this. Lu Zhen¡¯s face turned even grimmer. ¡°Heavenly secrets obscured!¡± ¡°No wonder I couldn¡¯t detect anything suspicious!¡± For an Imperial Dynasty like the Qi Fortune Dynasty, any invasion and fall of their land would surely disturb the court¡¯s Qi Fortune. As the controller of the Qi Fortune, Lu Zhen should have noticed immediately. Yet, the Star Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune had been stable as Taishan, with no signs of change. In hindsight. The Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s expert had obscured the heavenly secrets, preventing the Star Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune from sensing Tiankui Prefecture¡¯s change, keeping Lu Zhen, the Emperor Venerate of the Star Dynasty, in the dark. Now that Lu Zhen had broken the secret, everything was revealed to him. However, he couldn¡¯t comprehend why the Taixuan Dynasty would go mad and wage war against the Star Dynasty at this time. Didn¡¯t they know that if both Dynasties went to war, countless beings would suffer? At this moment. A minister stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, ¡°Your Majesty, although we do not know why the Taixuan Dynasty moved their army, the invasion of Tiankui Prefecture is a fact. I believe we should immediately send reinforcements to prevent Tiankui Prefecture from falling into the hands of the Taixuan Dynasty!¡± ¡°I second that!¡± Other ministers nodded in agreement. Guxing State¡¯s three thousand six hundred prefectures were all vital. Though losing one Tiankui Prefecture wouldn¡¯t deeply harm the Star Dynasty, its fall would mean losing a critical gateway in Guxing State, allowing the Taixuan Dynasty to sweep through and capture other prefectures. Upon hearing these words. Lu Zhen dared not hesitate and promptly ordered in a stern voice. ¡°Yang Xuan!¡± With these words. A middle-aged man stepped forward. His appearance was ordinary, eyes indifferent, exuding an aura of lifelessness. ¡°Present!¡± ¡°I command you to lead the Seven Killings Army to Tiankui Prefecture immediately and ensure that the Taixuan Dynasty does not return!¡± ¡°I obey!¡± Yang Xuan cupped his hands and took the order, then turned and departed. As they watched him leave, the ministers involuntarily showed expressions of awe. ¡°War God Yang Xuan!¡± In Huaibei City, Wang Junze read the message from a Communication Jade Token, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s see if this so-called War God, the number one King General, is as terrifying as rumored!¡± War God Yang Xuan! The top-ranked general among the thirty-six King Generals. He had once demolished a three hundred thousand-strong army with only three thousand cavalry, then ventured alone deep into enemy territory, capturing the capital of a Dynasty and annihilating its Imperial Family. That battle. Had cemented Yang Xuan¡¯s reputation as the War God. Such a person was well-known to Wang Junze. However. Despite acknowledging Yang Xuan¡¯s fearsome capabilities, Wang Junze felt no fear. Just right. Wang Junze also wanted to see how skilled the rumored number one general truly was. When other generals heard the name Yang Xuan, their expressions grew serious, and many even turned pale, obviously daunted by the name. ¡°Yang Xuan is coming, then I shall give him a surprise. Pass the order, consolidate the army, and I want to bring down thirty-six cities within seven days!¡± Chapter 437: 297 War God_2 Chapter 437: Chapter 297 War God_2 ¡°Yes!¡± The numerous generals immediately took their orders. Afterwards. After the others left, Wang Junze took out another Communication Jade Token and sent the news out. At the same time. In the Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng looked at the vibrating Communication Jade Token, his expression altering slightly. ¡°War God Yang Xuan, it seems that the Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s invasion has truly angered the Star Dynasty, but I wonder if Wang Junze¡¯s means can withstand Yang Xuan!¡± To be honest, Gu Qingfeng did not know much about Wang Junze. After all, with so many death soldiers under his command, it was natural he couldn¡¯t pay attention to each one. Most of the time, Gu Qingfeng only skimmed through the words on the information panel, rarely paying attention to certain individuals. There¡¯s nothing that could be done about it. Thousands of death soldiers. Destined to make the information panel record countless details. Coupled with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s years of seclusion, whenever he came out and checked the information panel, the contained information was immense. If it was the progeny interface, Gu Qingfeng would naturally look carefully, but as for the death soldier interface, he rarely gave it much attention. If it wasn¡¯t for this time, Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t have known that a death soldier had already achieved such a high position in an imperial dynasty, being able to mobilize the Taixuan Dynasty to send troops to the Tiankui Prefecture, declaring war on the Star Dynasty. But based on Gu Qingfeng¡¯s understanding of the Star Dynasty, the thirty-six King Generals were exceptional, especially the first King General Yang Xuan, whose strength and other aspects were top-notch. Whether Wang Junze¡¯s methods could rival Yang Xuan was still uncertain. However. Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t overly worried. After all, the fact that he could reach such heights in the Taixuan Dynasty within just a few decades proved that this death soldier was indeed extraordinary. If he wasn¡¯t a match for Yang Xuan, he would naturally avoid the confrontation. ¡ª¡ª Eastern Domain. The Star Dynasty¡¯s army was mobilized. Led by Jiang Chen, tens of millions of troops marched towards the Nine States. In the void. Several figures appeared there. Gu Yu looked at the army below, with its soaring killing intent, but was not moved much. His gaze quickly fell on the central army, where Jiang Chen was stationed. Beside him were two gray-clad elders, one tall and one thin. The tall one was named Ke Ze, the thin one was named Jiang Yuan, both elders of the Red Dust Immortal Sect, their cultivation at the pinnacle of the Semi-Saint Realm. Now, all three of them were covered by a mysterious fluctuation that concealed their auras, so even appearing above the army did not alarm Jiang Chen and others stationed in the army. ¡°Tsk tsk, they say the Eastern Domain has fallen, but it doesn¡¯t seem so. Just the Star Dynasty alone has such foundation, tens of millions of troops, and three Semi-Saints. Even in the Central State, this would be enough to destroy many sects!¡± Ke Ze clicked his tongue in amazement, and when he looked at the army below, there was a barely detectable trepidation in his eyes. Though he was a Semi-Saint, a Semi-Saint was still human and could not achieve an undying state. If it were just tens of millions of ordinary soldiers, Ke Ze was confident he could kill his way in and out seven times, but with fellow strong cultivators obstructing, it would be a different story. ¡°True Inheritor Gu, in my opinion, with the Star Dynasty coming with such force, we should refrain from direct confrontation for now. When the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army moves, it would be more appropriate for us to step in!¡± Jiang Yuan suggested. Although they had two Semi-Saints on their side, the enemy army had three Semi-Saints, making their strength not to be underestimated. Among Semi-Saints, it was hard to say who would be stronger. Upon hearing this. Gu Yu pondered for a while, finally, a murderous intent surfaced on his face. ¡°I understand the elders¡¯ thoughts, but if we quietly let the army step into the Nine States, I would be somewhat unwilling.¡± ¡°It¡¯s simple, we only need to set up a Killing Array. Though we might not annihilate the entire Star Dynasty army, it¡¯s possible to inflict heavy casualties.¡± Ke Ze stroked his beard and smiled. He wasn¡¯t confident in directly confronting the Star Dynasty¡¯s army but had no trouble dealing severe blows from the shadows. Gu Yu immediately smiled: ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave it to the two elders.¡± Soon after. The three left silently. Half a day later. Seated in the army, Jiang Chen suddenly felt an earth-shaking tremor, causing his expression to darken instantly. He immediately soared into the sky, only to see the mountains collapsing ahead, the ground cracking, and the front-line army losing numerous troops. At the same time, he also saw the mystical light, covering the sky, obscuring the scene within. ¡°Array formation!!!¡± Jiang Chen¡¯s expression was grim. A silver Divine Spear suddenly appeared, and immediately a cold light erupted, tearing through the void before him, the unstoppable force smashing into the mystical light, forcibly ripping it open. When the mystical light shattered, the tragic situation of the army inside was exposed to Jiang Chen¡¯s eyes. With just one glance. The third King General¡¯s eyes turned blood-red. Only to see the ground ahead littered with corpses, numerous soldiers¡¯ bodies crushed, others with split bodies, the upper half writhing on the ground, emitting wretched howls. This commotion directly alerted all the powerful in the army. An Youu and Gu Yan both appeared one after another. ¡°What happened!¡± ¡°Was there an attack?¡± Seeing the scene before them, their faces changed drastically. Jiang Chen¡¯s expression was grim: ¡°Someone ambushed us with an array, immediately send people to investigate along the way, and clear out any arrays at once!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± An Youu and Gu Yan exchanged glances and nodded. Though they were fellow King Generals, Jiang Chen was the commander of this expedition, and they had to comply with his orders. Half a day later. All the battle casualties were fully counted and reported to Jiang Chen. Deaths: 200,000! Minor injuries: 60,000! Major injuries: 20,000! Looking at the figures on the battle report, Jiang Chen was furious, the terrifying energy of his blood and qi erupting uncontrollably. ¡°Divine Martial Dynasty!!!¡± Without even reaching the Nine States, their army had already suffered losses of two to three hundred thousand, a direct slap to his face. Clearly. Jiang Chen blamed the ambush on the Divine Martial Dynasty. Except for the Divine Martial Dynasty, there was no one else daring to ambush the Star Dynasty¡¯s army. Though the losses were insignificant compared to their army of tens of millions, each soldier was a living cultivator in Jiang Chen¡¯s eyes. Such losses were not just about losing face but represented a blood feud. Soon. Jiang Chen suppressed his rage. He knew now was not the time for anger, once the army stepped into the Nine States, he could then settle today¡¯s blood feud. ¡ª¡ª Following that. The Star Dynasty¡¯s march slowed down significantly, due to the need for scouts to investigate arrays and restrictions along the route, preventing further surprises. However. Despite Jiang Chen¡¯s caution, the army still frequently encountered mishaps. Be it arrays blocking the way, or strong foes ambushing from the shadows, or even poison being added to water sources and supplies, leading to heavy losses. After several days. The army had covered less than a third of the journey, yet the total casualties already neared a million. This left Jiang Chen both angry and secretly alarmed. In his view. Apart from the Gu Family Master, the Divine Martial Dynasty should have no significant powerhouses. But the series of ambushes during this time had used many methods that even Jiang Chen found shocking. It¡¯s hard to imagine. How could a newly established dynasty of just a few decades muster so many strong cultivators? Though he couldn¡¯t comprehend it. Jiang Chen grew even more determined to annihilate the Divine Martial Dynasty. Such a formidable dynasty of just several decades, if allowed to develop, would surely become a major threat to the Star Dynasty. Since they had already torn off the masks, Jiang Chen couldn¡¯t leave any hidden dangers for the Star Dynasty. Hence. The Divine Martial Dynasty must be destroyed. ¡°I want to see how many tricks your Divine Martial Dynasty still has. Do my tens of millions of troops still fear you?!¡± Jiang Chen¡¯s eyes showed a ruthless glint, no matter how many tactics the Divine Martial Dynasty had, he didn¡¯t believe they could annihilate his tens of millions of troops. Once the army set foot in the Nine States, it would be the end of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Chapter 438: 298: The Foundation of Breaking Through the Taoist Palace Realm Chapter 438: Chapter 298: The Foundation of Breaking Through the Taoist Palace Realm ¡°Your Majesty!¡± ¡°The Star Dynasty¡¯s army will enter the Ancient Beast Mountain Range in three days. The scouts report that the Star Dynasty¡¯s army seems to have been attacked by mysterious forces and has suffered heavy losses.¡± In the Imperial Study Room, Gu Yi came to report. Gu Yang, upon hearing this, looked slightly surprised. Mysterious forces? He could not understand which forces had the courage to intervene in the war between the Divine Martial Dynasty and the Star Dynasty at this time. At this moment. Gu Yi¡¯s expression changed slightly. He took out a Jade Talisman from his storage ring and, after reading the information within it, his face changed immediately. ¡°Your Majesty, there is news from the Hidden Guard in Guxing State that the Taixuan Dynasty sent troops against the Star Dynasty a few days ago, capturing dozens of cities in Tiankui Prefecture in one sweep. The Star Dynasty, enraged, dispatched its first King General Yang Xuan to lead the Seven Killings Army straight towards Tiankui Prefecture!¡± ¡°Taixuan Dynasty!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression also changed slightly. Just like the Star Dynasty, the Taixuan Dynasty was also an ancient empire of considerable strength. What surprised Gu Yang was that the Taixuan Dynasty would launch an attack on the Star Dynasty at this time. Earlier, the army led by Jiang Chen had been attacked by mysterious forces, and now the Taixuan Dynasty was waging war against the Star Dynasty. It all seemed too coincidental, as if some unseen force was secretly aiding the Divine Martial Dynasty. This news naturally shocked Gu Yang. He quickly calmed down. No matter which force was secretly acting against the Star Dynasty, it was currently of no disadvantage to the Divine Martial Dynasty. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. If someone was willing to weaken the Star Dynasty¡¯s strength, Gu Yang was more than pleased to see it happen. ¡°Continue to gather intelligence on all movements of the Star Dynasty.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± After Gu Yi left, Gu Yang addressed the eunuch at the door: ¡°Summon all military officers above the third rank to see me immediately.¡± ¡°Yes¡ª¡± The eunuch respectfully obeyed the order. Not long after. A group of military officers, led by a middle-aged general, came together. ¡°Your subjects pay respects to Your Majesty!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be brief. The main force of the Star Dynasty has been ambushed by mysterious forces and has suffered significant losses, but their numbers are still vast. In three days, the army led by Jiang Chen will enter the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. On this journey, I want you to use the Evil Suppressing Nine Cities as your base and prevent them from stepping a foot into the Nine States!¡± Gu Yang commanded sternly. The Nine States were the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty; Gu Yang did not want the war to erupt within the Nine States. If that happened. Regardless of victory or defeat in the Nine States, the cost would be immense. That was not a situation Gu Yang wanted to see. By keeping the battlefield in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, the damage could be minimized. Upon hearing this. The officers naturally obeyed the order. ¡°Yan Yun, you will be the commander for this battle, overseeing all operations in the Evil Suppressing Nine Cities. Remember, I have only one requirement: do not allow a single person from the Star Dynasty to step into the Nine States!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s gaze fell on the middle-aged general leading the group. His appearance was unremarkable, but his steadfast expression and military demeanor were evident. At a time when Shi Zhen and others were leading troops to attack the Guiyuan Dynasty, there were not many generals in the court who could independently handle matters. Yan Yun was one of the most outstanding among them. Like Shi Zhen and others, Yan Yun had been by Gu Yang¡¯s side, fighting battles since the founding of the Divine Martial Dynasty. At the same time. Yan Yun¡¯s cultivation talent was also extremely remarkable. Though he had not entered the Tiaoist Palace Realm, his cultivation had reached the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm. Without reservation, it could be said. Yan Yun¡¯s cultivation was among the forefront within the Divine Martial Dynasty. If not for Shi Zhen¡¯s advancement using pills, his current cultivation would be inferior to Yan Yun¡¯s. ¡°I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life, to prevent the Star Dynasty¡¯s army from stepping onto our Divine Martial lands!¡± Yan Yun loudly declared, cupping his fists. Afterwards. Someone could not help but ask: ¡°Your Majesty, do we have any accurate information on the force that ambushed the Star Dynasty¡¯s army?¡± ¡°It is unclear. The attackers have been very secretive, and we have little information. However, the Taixuan Dynasty has now declared war on the Star Dynasty. Though their timing is uncertain. The fact that one dynasty¡¯s declaration of war signifies an advantage for our Divine Martial Dynasty.¡± Gu Yang smiled slightly. His words caused everyone to change their expressions. Soon after. Everyone rejoiced. The Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s declaration of war on the Star Dynasty was the best news they could hope for. Having another force willing to attack the Star Dynasty significantly alleviated the pressure on the Divine Martial Dynasty. At this moment. Yan Yun also asked: ¡°Now that the Star Dynasty is approaching with great momentum, should we withdraw our troops from the Guiyuan Dynasty?¡± ¡°No need.¡± Gu Yang said coldly, with his hands behind his back. This time, to fight the Guiyuan Dynasty, the Divine Martial Dynasty had already paid a great price. Withdrawing now would render all previous efforts wasted. Moreover. It was too late for the army to retreat and provide aid. Rather than waste time, it was better to hasten the attack on the Guiyuan Dynasty. With Shi Zhen¡¯s strength and a Great Saint Weapon in hand, dealing with the Guiyuan Dynasty was more than adequate. Seeing Gu Yang¡¯s resolute attitude, the others could say nothing more. ... Eastern Domain. Guiyuan Dynasty. Initially, upon learning of the Star Dynasty¡¯s deployment, Emperor Han was overjoyed. In his view, since the Star Dynasty had sent troops, the Divine Martial Army within the Guiyuan Dynasty would be sure to withdraw immediately. Chapter 439: 298: The Foundation of Breaking Through the Taoist Palace Realm_2 Chapter 439: Chapter 298: The Foundation of Breaking Through the Taoist Palace Realm_2 With this development, the crisis of the Guiyuan Dynasty naturally resolves itself. But before Emperor Han could rejoice too much, he learned that the Divine Martial Dynasty had no intention of retreating; instead, they accelerated the pace of war, and now the Cloud Immortal Prefecture had already completely fallen. This outcome naturally enraged Emperor Han. He couldn¡¯t understand. Why did the Divine Martial Dynasty insist on making things difficult for him? Even if there had been some past grievances, the Guiyuan Dynasty had already suffered enough; not only had they lost a prince, but also buried a hundred thousand elite troops and a great general. In this situation, the Divine Martial Dynasty, disregarding the risk of their own destruction, still sought to perish together with the Guiyuan Dynasty. Naturally, Emperor Han was utterly confused. When the next battle report arrived, Emperor Han¡¯s face was full of fury. ¡°Reinforcements!¡± ¡°Send reinforcements at full strength!¡± ¡°The Star Dynasty has already mobilized its forces; the destruction of the Divine Martial Dynasty is only a matter of time. Once the Divine Martial Dynasty is annihilated, they won¡¯t be able to stir up much trouble regardless.¡± It was undeniable. The strength of the Guiyuan Dynasty was indeed far inferior to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Just a single army from the enemy was difficult for the Guiyuan Dynasty to resist. Now, Emperor Han no longer had the ambition to defeat the Divine Martial Army; he only wanted to stall their advance. Once the news of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s destruction arrived, this army would naturally collapse without a fight. ... ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ heard that the Star Dynasty army was attacked by a mysterious force. Though suspicious, he was secretly ecstatic and immediately dispatched Yan Yun to lead the troops to guard the Evil Suppressing Nine Cities, preparing for the impending war!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ learned of the Star Dynasty¡¯s movements and persuaded the powerful figures of Taixu Sacred Land, who are currently heading towards the Nine States!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ secretly led cultivators from Taixu Sacred Land to ambush the Star Dynasty army, causing them heavy losses!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons *1365231!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons *2536541!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by demons *569656!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ angered many forces in the Demon Realm. Numerous top experts came forward to hunt him down, trying to kill him entirely!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was severely injured but eventually broke out of the encirclement due to the properties of the Undying Divine Body!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ achieved a breakthrough after hitting rock bottom, making significant progress in his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ received guidance from the Great Saint Emperor Extreme, deepening his understanding of the Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist, and his strength advanced further!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ in battle gained insights into the Heavenly Vein True Scripture and has vaguely touched the threshold of the second Heavenly Vein!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ breakthrough to Late Tier Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ breakthrough to Mid-Tier Grandmaster Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ trained in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, killed numerous fierce beasts, deepened his understanding of the Heavenly Blade Technique, and broke through to level ten in Heavenly Blade True Intent!¡± ... ¡°Sheng¡¯an¡¯s Heavenly Blade True Intent has already broken through to level ten?¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the words on the information panel, his brows slightly raised. Considering the opponent had only been cultivating the Heavenly Blade True Intent for just over twenty years, reaching level ten in true intent so quickly was truly exceptional. After all. True intent is the most difficult to comprehend. Level ten true intent. Is already stepping into the threshold of Grandmaster True Intent. Even in the Eastern Domain, where many grandmaster cultivators are present, those who can truly grasp level ten true intent are very rare. After all, the difficulty of comprehending True Intent is far greater than breaking through to the Grandmaster realm. The latter can be achieved by consuming Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, but the former depends solely on one¡¯s perception. You have to understand. Treasures that involve True Intent are exceedingly rare. So. Not just grandmasters. Even Divine Transformation Realm cultivators who can comprehend level ten true intent are few. And understanding true intent involves tempering the Divine Soul, also affecting the future possibility of breaking through to the Dao Palace Realm. Therefore. The Divine Transformation Realm and the Dao Palace Realm are two significant watersheds. Before the Dao Palace Realm, as long as the resources are sufficient, no matter how dull the talent, one can forcefully rely on resources to break through. But if you want to break through to the Dao Palace Realm, it¡¯s completely different. Only by comprehending True Intent can one open up the Dao Palace Primordial Spirit and truly step into the Dao Palace Realm. At this level. The requirements for a cultivator¡¯s talent and comprehension are higher. Unless some exceptionally blessed individuals obtain some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that enhance the Divine Soul, mediocre talent has no chance of stepping into the Dao Palace Realm. Although a tenth-level True Intent is not enough to break through to the Dao Palace Realm, it indirectly shows that Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s comprehension is quite remarkable. In this way. There would be no major problem for him to break through to the Dao Palace Realm in the future. Having achieved the tenth-level True Intent, further progress is not far off. ¡ª¡ª In the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. There lay a fierce beast¡¯s corpse, comparable in size to a ten-zhang giant, its head bore a hideous and dreadful knife wound, almost cleaving it in half, with a large amount of blood mixed with yellow and white fluids flowing out, completely lifeless. In front of the fierce beast¡¯s corpse, Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s chest rose and fell slightly, his eyes closed, as if he was in a state of profound enlightenment. After a long while. Gu Sheng¡¯an opened his eyes, two sharp beams shot out like knife light, leaving two deep white marks in the air that lingered for a long time. ¡°Grandmaster True Intent!¡± ¡°So now, I can also be called a True Intent Grandmaster!¡± A smile appeared on Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s face. The breakthrough in the Heavenly Blade True Intent made him feel that his strength had at least risen by a tier. Comprehending Grandmaster True Intent is a completely different concept. If his current self were to face his past self without Grandmaster True Intent, Gu Sheng¡¯an was confident he could subdue the latter within ten moves. Even more so. If he were to face an ordinary Divine Transformation Realm expert, Gu Sheng¡¯an now had the confidence to fight. This wasn¡¯t wishful thinking, but rather Gu Sheng¡¯an indeed had such qualifications. The cultivation technique he practiced was one of the top techniques within the Gu Family Manor, and his foundation was not comparable to ordinary cultivators of the same realm. Now, with the comprehension of Grandmaster True Intent, his strength had ascended further. It wasn¡¯t entirely impossible for him to suppress weaker Divine Transformation Realm cultivators. Afterward. Gu Sheng¡¯an looked at the fierce beast¡¯s corpse in front of him, with a thought, he directly stored it into his storage ring, then continued deeper into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Fierce beasts of the Grandmaster Realm were no longer of much use to him; only those of the Divine Transformation Realm were Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s targets. Moreover. Such fierce beasts had already condensed Beast Pills, which were extremely beneficial for cultivators. Gu Sheng¡¯an understood the current situation of the Divine Martial Dynasty, but there was nothing he could do because a Grandmaster¡¯s cultivation was too weak. In the face of true experts, a so-called Grandmaster was no different from an ant. Therefore. Gu Sheng¡¯an was so desperate to increase his strength. ... Half a day later. The Ancient Beast Mountain Range once again erupted with powerful sounds, accompanied by roars of fierce beasts, creating a massive commotion that shook the surroundings. After a long time, the fierce beast roars gradually subsided until there was no sound at all. The scene shifted. Trees were toppled, hills shattered, and the vast ground seemed to have been plowed over, with many deep knife marks etched within. A fierce beast resembling a black bear lay on the ground, its black fur stained with blood. Even in death, its body emitted a powerful aura that stirred fear. Gu Sheng¡¯an, his clothes stained with blood, held a knife in his right hand and walked slowly to the fierce beast before him. Then, with ease, he sliced through its fur, delving into its flesh, and directly excavated the hidden Beast Pill. A blood-stained Beast Pill was extracted, and as Gu Sheng¡¯an grabbed it with his left hand, his stern expression eased somewhat. ¡°A fierce beast of the Divine Transformation Realm indeed isn¡¯t easy to deal with, but fortunately, I won this battle!¡± Chapter 440: 299: The Mighty Power of the Star Imperial Bell Chapter 440: Chapter 299: The Mighty Power of the Star Imperial Bell ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Wang Junze¡¯ led the Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s army to battle against the Star Dynasty, two great generals clashing fiercely!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Wang Junze¡¯, with his extraordinary talent in leading troops, ambushed and killed three hundred thousand of the Star Dynasty¡¯s army!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯ launched a surprise attack, killing two hundred thousand of the Star Dynasty¡¯s army!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Yu¡¯ secretly ordered an assault, killing a Dao Palace Realm general of the Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your death soldier...¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Lin Shan¡¯, using an array as his foundation, massacred two hundred thousand of the Star Dynasty¡¯s army, causing the Star Dynasty to be furious!¡± ¡°Your death soldier...¡± ... Gu Qingfeng sat steadily at Gu Family Manor, observing the movements on the death soldier¡¯s panel, aware of the situation outside. Now that the many death soldiers had arrived, even if the Star Dynasty truly stepped into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, they would have to pay a heavy price. If he were in command of the Star Dynasty¡¯s army, he would likely have been quite infuriated by now. In fact. As Gu Qingfeng had anticipated. With the army being continuously ambushed and intercepted, Jiang Chen, as the commander, was already utterly enraged, but the hidden ambushers were extremely cautious, never facing him directly. As such. No matter how furious Jiang Chen was, he could do nothing against them. When yet another ambush occurred, Jiang Chen could no longer contain his inner rage, rising into the air, and a Bronze Ancient Bell suddenly appeared, followed by a terrifying surge of blood energy pouring into it. In an instant. The ancient bell resounded. The heavy bell toll caused the sky to collapse, and the stars seemed to fall. Layer upon layer of ripples spread in all directions, causing the space to shatter inch by inch. Many hidden cultivators turned pale upon witnessing this scene. Some cultivators who could not escape in time had their bodies instantly explode. ¡°Retreat!¡± Ke Ze, witnessing this scene, turned pale and immediately led Gu Yu to retreat from the battlefield. Even with his Semi-Saint cultivation, he dared not confront that bell sound. As they retreated, they saw the vast sky turning to dust, the sun and moonlight vanishing, and the world seemed to be swallowed by eternal darkness. ¡°What kind of treasure is that, possessing such power!¡± After retreating from the battlefield, Gu Yu¡¯s face was filled with astonishment. Such power left him deeply shaken; had Ke Ze not led him away, he might have had to resort to his life-saving trump card. Ke Ze spoke each word clearly: ¡°Star Imperial Bell!¡± Star Imperial Bell? Hearing these words, Gu Yu looked puzzled. At this moment, Jiang Yuan also spoke: ¡°The Star Imperial Bell is a Quasi-Imperial Weapon of the Star Dynasty. I didn¡¯t expect Lu Zhen to be willing to use such a precious commodity, directly employing a Quasi-Imperial Weapon. This means that the Divine Martial Dynasty is in serious trouble!¡± The power of a Quasi-Imperial Weapon is undeniable; even if the Divine Martial Dynasty had a figure comparable to a Great Saint Realm expert, it would be challenging to contend with the Star Dynasty. With the power of the Star Imperial Bell, if a Semi-Saint were to fully activate the power of the Supreme Treasure, even a Great Saint could be killed. This. Is the might of a Quasi-Imperial Weapon. ¡°Quasi-Imperial Weapon!¡± Gu Yu¡¯s expression also turned grim. He hadn¡¯t expected the Star Dynasty to employ such deep reserves. Although Gu Yu had great confidence in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, a Quasi-Imperial Weapon was not something to be underestimated; he did not have much confidence. Especially after seeing that Jiang Chen had only activated a fraction of the Star Imperial Bell¡¯s power, shattering the sky, such majestic divine might was truly frightening. ¡°Since Jiang Chen has a Quasi-Imperial Weapon, we should head to the Divine Martial Dynasty first!¡± Taking a deep breath, Gu Yu made his decision immediately. Upon hearing this. Jiang Yuan wore a troubled expression: ¡°True Inheritor Gu, the Star Dynasty is now determined to destroy the Divine Martial Dynasty. With a Quasi-Imperial Weapon, the fall of the Divine Martial Dynasty is certain. In this situation, if we intervene, we might not be able to escape either.¡± ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty has shown great kindness to me. Now that it faces peril, how can I stand by and do nothing? If you two elders do not wish to take risks, you may return first.¡± ¡°When the time comes, I will go to the Divine Martial Dynasty alone.¡± Gu Yu shook his head slightly, his expression unwavering. Hearing this. Jiang Yuan and Ke Ze exchanged a glance, both showing helpless expressions. Return! That was impossible. Unless Gu Yu went back with them, they had to protect him. Innate Thunder Divine Body! This was an Emperor Talent. The Red Dust Immortal Sect had finally produced a demon with the hope of achieving the Emperor Realm; he must not fall here. Thus. Both could only follow Gu Yu to the Divine Martial Dynasty. ... The shattered space was chaotic, with lingering Emperor Might rampaging, not dispersing for a long time. Jiang Chen held the Star Imperial Bell, his face slightly pale. For him. Activating the Star Imperial Bell was no small task. If not for his Semi-Saint Realm cultivation, he would have been drained of all his power in an instant by the Star Imperial Bell. Even so. The exertion was considerable, as if he had just fought a life-and-death battle with a top-tier expert. Nevertheless. Despite the significant consumption, Jiang Chen¡¯s eyes were bright. This time, using the Star Imperial Bell to suppress the area for thousands of miles, many of the hidden cultivators were killed directly, finally allowing Jiang Chen to release the pent-up anger in his heart. He didn¡¯t care whether those killed were part of the mysterious force ambushing the Star Dynasty, nor did he worry that the collateral damage might cause trouble for the Star Dynasty. Chapter 441: 299: The Mighty Power of the Star Imperial Bell_2 Chapter 441: Chapter 299: The Mighty Power of the Star Imperial Bell_2 An ancient empire always has the confidence to handle everything. Very soon. The events here spread to all corners. The various major factions all turned their attention to the Star Dynasty¡¯s army. ¡°Star Imperial Bell!¡± ¡°That Emperor Venerate has even used such a supreme treasure, indicating a very firm resolve to annihilate the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Just unsure if the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s leader can withstand a Quasi-Imperial Weapon¡ª¡± The power of a Quasi-Imperial Weapon is undeniable. So even if Gu Qingfeng has the achievement of killing a Great Saint, whether he can truly counter the Star Imperial Bell still leaves a silent question mark in these cultivators¡¯ minds. Only when they remember the destruction of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land and the Heavenly Desolate Seal falling into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hands do they believe Gu Qingfeng might have some chance against the Star Imperial Bell. If not for having a Saint King Soldier, the opponent definitely wouldn¡¯t have any chance. ... Taixu Sacred Land. Yan Lingyun looked at the incoming news with a serious expression. ¡°Star Imperial Bell... I didn¡¯t expect the Star Dynasty to use a Quasi-Imperial Weapon this time. I¡¯m afraid this battle won¡¯t be favorable for the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Although the Taixu Sacred Land is an ancient holy land, in terms of background, it certainly can¡¯t compare to the Star Dynasty. The former has only produced Great Saint Realm experts, while the latter already has Quasi-Emperor strength. Both are ancient forces, but the disparity is astonishingly large. At this moment. The faces of the other peak masters also didn¡¯t look very good. Jiang Chen¡¯s attack had caused quite some losses to Taixu Sacred Land. ¡°Saint Master, I believe our Taixu Sacred Land has only one choice in this matter, which is to fully support the Divine Martial Dynasty. If we in Taixu Sacred Land withdraw at this time, we won¡¯t be able to please either side!¡± Fu Shenjun was the first to speak. ¡°Not to mention Gu Xuan has already condensed the complete Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, with the prospect of proving the Dao Emperor Realm in the future, which is our Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s chance to rise.¡± ¡°As for Gu Qingfeng, his strength is definitely not as simple as it appears. Even though the Star Dynasty is using a Quasi-Imperial Weapon, it doesn¡¯t mean they will surely defeat the Divine Martial Dynasty.¡± ¡°In the worst-case scenario.¡± ¡°Even if the Divine Martial Dynasty falls, Gu Qingfeng may not perish.¡± ¡°With his talent, as long as he doesn¡¯t die, when the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, he will definitely become an invincible Great Emperor one day.¡± ¡°Our Taixu Sacred Land only needs to befriend the Divine Martial Dynasty. Not to mention regaining our former glory, even going further isn¡¯t an issue!¡± Fu Shenjun¡¯s expression was firm, clearly siding completely with the Divine Martial Dynasty. Regarding this. The other peak masters and elders were well aware. After all, the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body from the Divine Martial Dynasty was apprenticed to the Ninth Peak. If any peak of the Taixu Sacred Land is closest to the Divine Martial Dynasty, it would definitely be the Ninth Peak. In this context, it makes sense that Fu Shenjun supports the Divine Martial Dynasty. However. They also understood. What Fu Shenjun said was not without reason. No matter how aggressively the Star Dynasty appears, it¡¯s not certain the Divine Martial Dynasty will lose. Every situation carries risks, and if they invest in a future Great Emperor, taking some risks is acceptable. Moreover. Gu Xuan is a disciple of the Taixu Sacred Land. If the Divine Martial Dynasty is destroyed, the Star Dynasty will likely not leave any loose ends. But abandoning a Divine Body disciple is also something Taixu Sacred Land cannot accept. After all, if they really abandon a Divine Body disciple, Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s reputation would be ruined, and no more prodigies would come. Furthermore. Without a Divine Body. During the next Great Struggle Prosperity Era, Taixu Sacred Land would lose any chance of rising again. From any perspective, Taixu Sacred Land must stand firmly with the Divine Martial Dynasty to maximize their benefits. ¡°Peak Master Fu speaks reasonably. The Divine Martial Dynasty has allied with our Taixu Sacred Land. Now, with the Star Dynasty¡¯s massive invasion, Taixu Sacred Land can¡¯t sit idly by.¡± Yan Lingyun finally made the decision. His words allowed Fu Shenjun to breathe a silent sigh of relief. Though the Ninth Peak stands firmly with the Divine Martial Dynasty, without the support of Yan Lingyun, the Saint Master, the foundation of the Ninth Peak alone would not be sufficient to make a significant impact. After all. Gu Xuan is the True Inheritor of the Ninth Peak. The bonds within are indeed extraordinary. ¡ª¡ª Nine States. Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Yang had received the news from the outside world immediately. ¡°Star Imperial Bell... The Star Dynasty is indeed ambitious, attempting to destroy my Divine Martial Dynasty with a Quasi-Imperial Weapon!¡± His face turned grim, and there was a hint of fear deep in his eyes. There¡¯s no way around it. A Quasi-Imperial Weapon is extraordinary. This supreme treasure isn¡¯t even possessed by the Divine Martial Dynasty. Though Gu Yang didn¡¯t know how powerful a Quasi-Imperial Weapon could be, he knew that the Divine Phoenix Tower he held, a Great Saint Weapon, was already incredibly powerful. The difference between a Great Saint Weapon and a Quasi-Imperial Weapon also includes a Saint King Soldier. The power of such a supreme treasure is absolutely not ordinary. Thinking of this. Gu Yang couldn¡¯t help but personally head to the Gu Family Manor once more. ¡°Father!¡± ¡°What urgent matters bring you here today?¡± In the main hall, Gu Qingfeng took a sip from a teacup. The moment the spiritual tea entered his stomach, it transformed into a vast spiritual energy that flowed into all his limbs and bones, then quickly settled down. Though spiritual tea is good. But as a Saint, Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t be significantly affected by the spiritual energy from mere tea. Normally. Gu Qingfeng drank such tea only to satisfy some palate desires. Truth be told. The taste of this spiritual tea is indeed incomparable to ordinary tea leaves. Seeing Gu Qingfeng so leisurely, Gu Yang¡¯s initial tension dissipated considerably. Soon. He composed himself and spoke, ¡°The Star Dynasty has brought a Quasi-Imperial Weapon this time. Given our Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s current foundation, it¡¯s hard to compete against such a supreme treasure. Father, are you confident in dealing with this?¡± ¡°I am already aware of the Star Imperial Bell. The Star Dynasty¡¯s foundation is indeed extraordinary, but Quasi-Imperial Weapon or not, it depends on who they face. Rest assured, I will personally join this battle. If they dare step into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, I will ensure they never return!¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly. As he finished speaking, a cold light flashed in his eyes, radiating a terrifying aura. Gu Yang suddenly felt as if an unrivaled Heavenly Blade was coming at him, making his heart tremble. Fortunately. The feeling came quickly and disappeared just as fast. When all the illusions vanished, Gu Yang realized his back was already drenched in cold sweat. In that instant. Gu Yang truly thought he was going to die. He grew even more in awe of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, feeling both reassured and determined. ¡°With Father¡¯s words, the Divine Martial Dynasty can be worry-free!¡± ¡°Go back, and proceed as usual!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained calm. Upon hearing this. Gu Yang got up and took his leave. Moments later. The main hall was left with only Gu Qingfeng. ¡°I just wonder if the Star Dynasty has any ancient Quasi-Emperor alive. However, such strong individuals generally do not act lightly. Even if the Star Dynasty possesses such power, unless it¡¯s a crisis of extinction, the Quasi-Emperor likely won¡¯t awaken!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. With his current strength and an imperial weapon in hand, he felt confident even against a Saint King Realm expert. But when it comes to a Quasi-Emperor. Gu Qingfeng felt somewhat apprehensive. After all, against such powerful beings, even with an imperial weapon, his current Saint Nine Layers cultivation might not be enough to truly counter them. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng always kept a low profile and quietly accumulated strength. For. One day to have the power to sweep across the entire Ancient Desolate World. Otherwise. Faced with the Star Dynasty, Gu Qingfeng would have long since charged into Guxing State alone and taken Lu Zhen¡¯s head. But now that the Star Dynasty has taken the initiative, Gu Qingfeng has no reason to stand by and watch. As he told Gu Yang, as long as the Star Dynasty¡¯s army dares to step into the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, he will ensure they never return. Chapter 442: 300: Siege the City Chapter 442: Chapter 300: Siege the City Ancient Beast Mountain Range. In the First City. Yan Yun had already led the army to defend this place. ¡°What¡¯s the current situation of the Star Dynasty?¡± He looked at a scout in front of him and asked. The latter answered respectfully. ¡°Reporting, General, the Star Dynasty is only eight hundred li away, they will arrive tomorrow!¡± Eight hundred li! If it were a mortal army, it surely wouldn¡¯t be this fast. But for an imperial dynasty, even an ordinary soldier has considerable cultivation, and the march considers many aspects. Otherwise. Not to mention a day. Even within half a day. The army of the Star Dynasty would have already reached our gates. ¡°Continue your reconnaissance, report any news immediately!¡± Yan Yun waved his hand, then let him leave. Immediately after. He ordered others to come and report the situations of the other eight cities. The Evil Suppressing Nine Cities form a mutual defense formation. Although the First City is the main defense point, the importance of the other eight cities cannot be overlooked. After learning that the eight cities were all ready for defense, Yan Yun¡¯s expression still showed no relief. The Star Dynasty comes with great momentum, tens of millions of troops, and even a Quasi-Imperial Weapon in hand, this battle without a doubt will be extremely fierce. Even if the Divine Martial Dynasty wins, it will likely be a pyrrhic victory. However. Yan Yun had no intention of retreating. As a Great General, he must lead by example. Now that Gu Yang has ordered him to defend the Evil Suppressing Nine Cities, Yan Yun will not take a step back. Either win! Or die! There is no third option! Just then. A guard hurriedly came in from outside. ¡°Reporting, General, someone claiming to be from the Red Dust Immortal Sect seeks an audience outside!¡± ¡°Red Dust Immortal Sect?¡± Yan Yun looked puzzled. Such a force in the Central Domain was somewhat unfamiliar to him. However. Yan Yun still decided to meet them. ¡ª¡ª In Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng had just finished a day of cultivation. The Nirvana Dao Scripture had already broken through the threshold of the Divine Transformation Chapter, advancing to the Dao Palace Chapter. However. For his current cultivation at Saint Nine Layers, the breakthrough in the Nirvana Dao Scripture didn¡¯t mean much increase. After all, the advance from Divine Transformation Realm to Dao Palace Realm is nothing in the eyes of a Saint. To merely step into the First Layer of the Dao Palace Chapter, even to the Ninth Layer, wouldn¡¯t significantly change for Gu Qingfeng. But. This doesn¡¯t mean it didn¡¯t change at all. This is because multiple cultivation techniques can stack only when a cultivator hasn¡¯t truly reached the limit of a certain realm, leaving room for improvement. Thus, multiple techniques can be stacked, making one¡¯s foundation stronger. If a cultivator has truly reached the extreme in a certain realm, even more techniques would be useless. This was evident when Gu Qingfeng was at the Body Refinement stages. Now. Gu Qingfeng felt he had reached the limit at the Divine Transformation Realm. However, in the Dao Palace Realm, there was still some room for improvement, though not much. No matter how much room for improvement, Gu Qingfeng aimed to fully reach the peak at every stage. Only in this way. Could he surpass those at the same level. A Semi-Saint suppressing a Great Saint. Comes from such a solid foundation. Of course. This is partly due to the Ancient Immortal Body. However. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view. If there were a cultivator who could truly reach the limit in every realm. Their combat power would not be inferior to those with a Divine Body. If they possess a Divine Body and still reach the limit, combining both would result in terrifying combat power. ¡°If I could reach the limit in the Saint Realm, with my cultivation at Saint Nine Layers, without using other means, I might contend with a Saint King.¡± ¡°Even stepping back, matching a Great Saint¡¯s Ninth Layer wouldn¡¯t be an issue.¡± Given his current situation, Gu Qingfeng estimated that without using other trump cards, his power would be equivalent to a Great Saint¡¯s Sixth Layer. If he activates the Three Great Heavenly Veins, he could contend with a Saint King. If he then uses the Imperial Weapon, whether he could challenge a Quasi-Emperor is uncertain, but within the Saint King Realm, he shouldn¡¯t need to fear. However, this depends on the Saint King not having an Imperial Weapon. If they do have an Imperial Weapon, it would be a different matter. After all, the higher the cultivation, the more powerful the Imperial Weapon¡¯s force becomes. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current skill, his cultivation at Saint Nine Heavens couldn¡¯t fully unleash the power of the Imperial Weapon. The Evil Slayer Blade he now holds. The immense power it contains makes Gu Qingfeng slightly afraid. ¡°My cultivation is still insufficient. If I were a Great Emperor now, I wouldn¡¯t be so cautious in my actions.¡± ¡°Regardless of the Star Dynasty or the Evil Spirit, I¡¯d suppress them all!¡± Gu Qingfeng stepped out of the Grinding Blade Hall, looking in the direction of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, his eyes gleaming with Dao Rhythms, seemingly able to pierce through thousands of miles, surging with a vast murderous aura. The army has yet to arrive. The killing intent is already present! ¡°It seems the Star Dynasty¡¯s army is about to arrive!¡± Gu Qingfeng murmured, then took a step forward, space trembled, and his figure disappeared from the Gu Family Manor. Since entering the Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng, being in harmony with the world, had mastered the power of space even more proficiently. Ordinary escape techniques, no matter how fast, couldn¡¯t compare with direct spatial movement. Gu Qingfeng took merely a few steps to move from the Capital to the First City. Now. In the City Lord Mansion. Yan Yun and numerous strong cultivators were gathered. Chapter 443: 300: Siege the City_2 Chapter 443: Chapter 300: Siege the City_2 There were former military leaders and powerful forces from various sects who came to offer their assistance. Red Dust Immortal Sect! Taixu Sacred Land! Green Cloud Tao Sect, and so on. At the moment Gu Qingfeng appeared, nobody noticed anything unusual. It was not until his figure fell into their sight that they suddenly realized it. ¡°Who is this person!¡± Ke Ze and Jiang Yuan from Red Dust Immortal Sect looked shocked. With their Semi-Saint Realm cultivation, they couldn¡¯t detect any hint of his presence. More importantly, The person before them felt like an unfathomable abyss, making them feel like they could sink into it with just one more look. Exchanging glances, both of them saw the shock in each other¡¯s eyes. ¡°A Saint!!?¡± They knew, Both of them were Semi-Saints. If the person in front of them were also a Semi-Saint, it would be impossible to give them such a feeling. But calling him a Saint seemed equally impossible. After all, during the End of Dharma Era, how could anyone attain sainthood? Unless¡ª The person was an ancient Saint. However, the person did not carry the aged and decayed aura typical of ancient Saints. Just as various cultivators were inwardly shocked, Yan Yun hurriedly stood up and bowed respectfully to Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Your servant greets the Supreme Emperor!¡± ¡°Your son greets Father!¡± Gu Xuan also hurriedly stood up and saluted. Behind him, The powerful cultivators from Taixu Sacred Land also politely cupped their hands in greeting. As for Gu Qingfeng, he was naturally not unfamiliar to them. Not only had Gu Qingfeng visited Taixu Sacred Land several times, but the Nine States were also adjacent to the Eastern Domain, making it impossible for the forces in the Eastern Domain to be unfamiliar with him. At this point, the others also realized that the person in front of them was Gu Family Master, Gu Qingfeng. After all, there was only one person who Yan Yun could address as the Supreme Emperor. Immediately, Ke Ze and others cupped their hands in greeting. ¡°So it¡¯s the Gu Family Master in person. We¡¯ve long heard of your reputation, and seeing you today proves the rumors true!¡± ¡°You flatter me.¡± Gu Qingfeng responded with a smile. At this moment, Yan Yun respectfully invited Gu Qingfeng to the main seat, then stood beside him, introducing the identities of those present. Gu Qingfeng understood this well. He was already aware of the information about these sects, but it was his first time meeting them in person. At a glance, there were seven or eight Semi-Saint Realm experts alone. The Dao Palace Realm cultivators numbered over thirty. As for those below the Dao Palace Realm, they didn¡¯t have the qualification to sit here. This kind of power caused some fluctuation in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s heart. Yan Yun and others might not know, merely thinking these forces came to help. But Gu Qingfeng understood that this was the force commanded by many Death Soldiers. This was just the beginning; with a few hundred more years of development, this power would surely grow to an astonishing level. However, it was too early to talk about this now. Looking at the crowd, Gu Qingfeng smiled calmly and said, ¡°With your assistance, I believe the Star Dynasty won¡¯t be a threat!¡± ¡°The Gu Family Master is jesting. With your strength, even without us, the Star Dynasty wouldn¡¯t be able to cause much trouble.¡± Someone immediately complimented with a fawning smile, their words aimed at fostering relations. Before actually seeing Gu Qingfeng, many non-Eastern Domain cultivators had their doubts about this most powerful person of the End of Dharma Era. But once they truly saw Gu Qingfeng, those doubts vanished instantly. Especially the Semi-Saint Realm experts could feel Gu Qingfeng¡¯s terrifying power. They could only sigh, saying, ¡°There are no empty reputations under great names.¡± However, Some people showed concern. ¡°I heard the Star Dynasty brought a Quasi-Imperial Weapon this time. Although Jiang Chen alone can¡¯t stir trouble, the might of a Quasi-Imperial Weapon is considerable trouble.¡± Those words caused the smiles on others¡¯ faces to fade, replaced by seriousness. Quasi-Imperial Weapon! Those three words brought immense pressure to them. ¡°The fame of the Star Imperial Bell precedes it, but thinking a Quasi-Imperial Weapon could destroy our Divine Martial Dynasty is not enough.¡± Gu Qingfeng spoke calmly, breaking the tense atmosphere. His words. Made everyone feel inexplicably reassured. Since this person has such confidence, there must be a way to counter the Star Imperial Bell. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng looked outside, and the blood cloud formed by the gathering slaughter had already come into view. Even. The faint smell of blood wafted over. ¡°They are here!¡± ¡ª¡ª Outside the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. The army was assembling. Tens of millions of troops were aligned in a row, their imposing presence and silent killing intent suppressing the void of heaven and earth, making many cultivators secretly watching feel incredibly shocked. Such an elite army made these people smell the scent of death. ¡°Ahead is the Ancient Beast Mountain Range!¡± Jiang Chen stood with his hands behind his back in the void, his indifferent gaze directed towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and the Evil Suppression Nine Cities came into view. Nine cities. The army was stationed. Their momentum was not small either. However. Jiang Chen showed no fear, looking at the Evil Suppression Nine Cities, a cold and fierce killing intent appeared on his face. This battle. He would not only break through the Evil Suppression Nine Cities but also lead his troops to invade the Nine States and destroy the Divine Martial Dynasty. Even if the Divine Martial Dynasty had a powerhouse comparable to the Great Saint Realm, Jiang Chen felt no fear. And his confidence. Of course, it came from the Star Imperial Bell in his Dantian. With this Quasi-Imperial Weapon, the other side would definitely not be able to cause any waves. ¡°Gu Yan!¡± ¡°An Youu!¡± As Jiang Chen¡¯s voice fell, the two immediately moved forward through the air. ¡°Orders, General!¡± ¡°Each of you will lead half of the Tianji Army and must capture the other eight cities in the shortest time possible. As for this city before us, I will take care of it!¡± Jiang Chen ordered indifferently. Even though he divided the fifty million-strong Tianji Army in one go, with the elite Greedy Wolf Army in hand, Jiang Chen had enough confidence. Three hundred thousand Greedy Wolf Army. Enough to break everything. In the past, Jiang Chen had led three hundred thousand Greedy Wolf Army to break through a dynasty and annihilate enemies ten times their number. It can be said. The fame of the Greedy Wolf Army was truly earned in real combat and slaughter, not by ordinary means. In fact. It wasn¡¯t just the Greedy Wolf Army. Every other elite army in the Star Dynasty had all been tempered by blood, having killed countless enemies before becoming elite step by step. Upon hearing this. Gu Yan and An Youu naturally accepted the order. Immediately. The Tianji Army was seen splitting into several parts, directly launching attacks on the other eight cities. At the same time. The commanders of the Eight Cities of Evil Suppression were also prepared to defend against strong enemies. Upon seeing the attacking army, a rain of arrows obscuring the sky poured down instantly. In an instant. Countless blood flowers bloomed on the battlefield. These arrows were not ordinary arrows but were made from special minerals, capable of breaking through the Protective Gang Qi of cultivators. Even though the weakest of these soldiers had completed the Body Refinement Five Realms, they still could not withstand the sharpness of the arrows. But soon. The Star Dynasty side responded. A large number of cultivators of the Divine Transformation Realm took to the air, intending to climb the walls first. But at this moment. Divine light rose from the ancient city, and a large array burst out, with terrible pressure falling, making all the Divine Transformation Realm cultivators who attempted to climb the walls explode in an instant, turning into blood mist scattered in the air. Seeing this scene. Gu Yan and An Youu¡¯s faces changed. ¡°Array!¡± They didn¡¯t expect the Eight Cities to have an array for protection. And judging from the strength of this array, capable of instantly killing a group of Divine Transformation Realm cultivators, it was obviously not just any ordinary array. However. The two did not retreat. ¡°Continue the fierce attack!¡± ¡°Every array has its limit. Once the array is broken, with the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty, they definitely can¡¯t withstand the onslaught of the Star Dynasty army!¡± Gu Yan ordered sharply, and as he spoke, he also made a bold move, unleashing all his power at the Semi-Saint Realm, intending to break the array first. Boom! Rumble!! Powerful sounds and terrifying fluctuations erupted in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, surging and overwhelming, causing many fierce beasts to flee in panic upon feeling such commotion. Chapter 444: 301: Withstanding a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with the Physical Body Chapter 444: Chapter 301: Withstanding a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with the Physical Body The array of the Evil Suppressing Nine Cities. It was naturally arranged by Gu Qingfeng. As a Sixth Tier Array Master, even the formations casually set up by Gu Qingfeng could reach the level of the Peak of Fifth Tier. Such an array. Cannot be broken by anyone less than the peak of the Dao Palace Realm. Yet even if a Semi-Saint Realm expert strikes, it will still be difficult to break this array. However. Gu Qingfeng never expected to rely solely on a single formation to block the Star Dynasty¡¯s army. The existence of such a formation is merely to cause as much damage to the Star Dynasty as possible. And just as Gu Qingfeng had anticipated, the moment the array of the Eight Cities was activated, it instantly annihilated nearly a million cultivators. Following that. In the Second City. Gu Sheng¡¯an looked at the numerous Star Dynasty cultivators who had suffered heavy casualties, and immediately offered the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. ¡°Boom!¡± Thick black mist spread out, and one bizarre entity after another emerged from the mist, heading towards the Star Dynasty forces. Three Semi-Saint Weirds! Nine Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm Weirds! And thirty-six Ninth Layer Divine Transformation Realm Weirds! Such power. Would be formidable no matter where it appeared. One could see the numerous bizarre entities enter the battlefield, causing the bodies of soldiers to explode, with vast amounts of flesh and blood being swallowed by them. This scene. Infuriated Gu Yan. ¡°Secretly raising bizarre entities, you Divine Martial Dynasty are no different from demons!¡± ¡°Today, I shall execute heaven¡¯s justice and exterminate you all!¡± While speaking. Gu Yan, filled with fury, struck out, directly killing a Divine Transformation Realm bizarre entity that was slaughtering soldiers, but he was quickly targeted by one of the Semi-Saint Realm bizarre entities. On the city wall. Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯s expression was indifferent. ¡°There¡¯s never been a distinction between righteous and evil, only winners and losers!¡± ¡°The mistake of the Star Dynasty was invading the Divine Martial Dynasty, and in this battle, you all shall be buried here!¡± Upon hearing this. Gu Yan laughed angrily. ¡°Such arrogance from a mere child!¡± As the words fell. Gu Yan¡¯s attacks became increasingly fierce. Boom! Rumble!! The battle between two Semi-Saints exhibited the most terrifying attacks, with armies from both sides finding it difficult to intervene. After all, if one¡¯s cultivation is insufficient, approaching means direct death; how could they possibly intervene? At the same time. With the Star Dynasty disregarding casualties, formations in various cities began to break down one after another. Without the protection of formations, the armies of both sides engaged in direct combat. The so-called city walls. Actually did not provide much advantage. Though the Evil Suppressing Nine Cities were built by the Divine Martial Dynasty with enormous resources, making the walls extremely sturdy, even Divine Transformation Realm cultivators found them hard to shake. However. It¡¯s clear to know one thing. For cultivators. Leaping over high walls. Has never been a challenge. Even if the walls cannot be broken, they can directly treat the dozens of feet high walls as non-existent and freely step onto them. Nonetheless. The Divine Martial Dynasty had prepared for this, as some held high positions and used their geographical advantages to continuously kill the cultivators attempting to climb the walls. After that. Another batch of army emerged, forcibly restraining the Star Dynasty¡¯s offensive. The coordination from above and below left the Star Dynasty temporarily helpless. Meanwhile. In the First City. The army laid siege to the city. Yan Yun immediately organized soldiers to resist. Gu Qingfeng stood with hands behind, observing the battlefield, then turned his gaze to those beside him. ¡°The Star Dynasty comes aggressively this time. I am grateful to you all for assisting me. The Star Dynasty¡¯s numerous experts make it difficult for the other eight cities to withstand, so I hope you can lend a hand.¡± As his voice fell. Gu Qingfeng raised a finger, targeting a Dao Palace Realm cultivator from the Star Dynasty who was slaughtering wantonly. Before the cultivator could react, his body exploded into a mist of blood. This scene made everyone¡¯s pupils shrink. Instantly destroying a Dao Palace Realm cultivator with a single gesture. Such power. Indeed, it was as terrifying as the rumors claimed. Immediately. Ke Ze spoke: ¡°Rest assured, Gu Family Master, since the Red Dust Immortal Sect is here, we will certainly not stand by idly. With millions of years of foundation, the Star Dynasty oppressing a newly risen dynasty is truly shameful!¡± Subsequently. He turned to Jiang Yuan, and after exchanging glances, they immediately rushed into the battlefield to fight. As the Red Dust Immortal Sect took action, other forces also joined the fight. Only to see over a dozen Semi-Saint experts enter the battlefield, instantly reversing the situation. The Star Dynasty previously held a definite upper hand, but the addition of numerous top experts forcibly suppressed their advantage. Jiang Chen, who commanded the central forces, saw this and his face turned as dark as ink. ¡°What kind of price has the Divine Martial Dynasty paid to involve so many forces in this battle!¡± He couldn¡¯t understand. How could a newly risen dynasty achieve this? From the information Jiang Chen received, not only were forces from the Eastern Domain assisting the Divine Martial Dynasty, but even top sects from the Central Domain had arrived. Among them. The Red Dust Immortal Sect was particularly renowned. In the past, the Red Dust Emperor had swept across the world with unmatched power, reigning invincible in an era. Although this happened in ancient times, the Star Dynasty was well aware. The powerful Star Dynasty held considerable dread towards the Red Dust Immortal Sect. Such an ancient Great Emperor sect would undoubtedly disdain a newly risen dynasty. Even though Gu Qingfeng had the title of the strongest in the End of Dharma Era, it was still the same. Whatever the case. Gu Qingfeng was still only a Semi-Saint. Chapter 445: 301: Withstanding a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with the Physical Body_2 Chapter 445: Chapter 301: Withstanding a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with the Physical Body_2 A Semi-Saint. No matter how strong, their strength is limited. Compared to the foundation of a truly ancient power, it is naturally insignificant. Not to mention a Semi-Saint. Even if a Saint appeared, or even a Great Saint descended, it would be nothing to a Great Emperor force like the Red Dust Immortal Sect. A Great Emperor Sect. The foundation left behind is absolutely unimaginable. Of course. Even after learning of the Red Dust Immortal Sect¡¯s arrival, Jiang Chen did not feel much fear. Though the former is indeed a Great Emperor Sect, the Star Dynasty is not a pushover either. Besides. The Red Dust Emperor had already fallen in ancient times. Without a Great Emperor to oversee, the foundation of the Red Dust Immortal Sect may not necessarily be stronger than the Star Dynasty. Moreover, the former resides in the Central Domain, while the Star Dynasty is in the Eastern Domain. Even if they tear down their fac?ades, the Red Dust Immortal Sect can do nothing about it. ¡°Come!¡± ¡°Since you are determined to seek death, then I shall fulfill your wish!¡± Jiang Chen rose into the air, unleashing the terrifying aura of his Semi-Saint Realm. Without any extraneous words, Jiang Chen directly summoned the Star Imperial Bell. He raised the Imperial Bell with his right hand, and powerful qi and blood surged into the bell. The power of this ancient quasi-Imperial Weapon gradually revived, and the bell body hummed silently. ¡°Dong!¡± A clear bell sound echoed. Waves rippled out. Centered on Jiang Chen, the space in all directions suddenly shattered and swept open in an instant. ¡°Not good!¡± ¡°Be careful!¡± All the strong individuals¡¯ faces changed, the quasi-Imperial might made them smell the scent of death. Even someone as strong as a Semi-Saint was no different from an ant in the face of such power. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng, who had been observing the battle, finally made a move. He stepped through the void and appeared directly on the battlefield. His right hand clenched into a fist and punched out. Pure and extreme power shattered the sky, colliding completely with the bell sound waves. ¡°Crack!¡± The sound of space shattering echoed. A terrifyingly destructive aura exploded centered on the two. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s figure swayed slightly, then retreated several steps, the skin on his right hand cracked, a trace of blood flowed, but in less than a breath, it returned to normal. ¡°As expected of a quasi-Imperial Weapon, its power is indeed extraordinary!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, and his words unknowingly carried a hint of admiration. His words were a complete insult to Jiang Chen¡¯s ears. ¡°Kill!¡± Jiang Chen¡¯s face was furious, all his qi and blood now poured into the Star Imperial Bell. An even more terrifying aura awoke. When the bell sounded again, a majestic phantom suddenly appeared. The phantom punched out, the sky collapsed, the space for thousands of miles shattered, and endless darkness emerged, seemingly ready to swallow everything. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was serious, he took a step forward, and the three great Heavenly Veins in his body were fully activated. A never-before-seen powerful force revived in his body. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng felt as if he could tear the heavens apart with his bare hands and annihilate a Great Saint with a flick of his finger. The extremely powerful force made him let out a long roar, his fists¡¯ power fierce and terrifying. Dense attacks poured out like a violent storm, colliding with the power of the Star Imperial Bell. Bang! Rumble!! The Bronze Ancient Bell swayed, and waves of bell sounds echoed. The Great Tao shattered. A quasi-Imperial phantom was born. The power revealed by such a Supreme Treasure, even a trace, was enough to kill any living being below the Saint. Looking again at Gu Qingfeng. The cultivation of Saint Nine Heavens was fully revealed. With the support of the three great Heavenly Veins and the Ancient Immortal Body, his strength had reached an unprecedented peak. Each clash with the Star Imperial Bell was like two worlds colliding, the terrifying abyss-like force leaking out was enough to make one despair. Undeniably. The Star Imperial Bell was indeed powerful. Each collision could make Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body burst apart. However. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation had reached a level where injuries to the physical body were completely negligible. The so-called bodily cracks could be restored to their original state in less than a breath. ... ¡°The Gu Family Master¡¯s strength is far more terrifying than the rumors, facing a Quasi-Emperor Weapon with just his body. Such power likely rivals that of a Saint King!¡± Jiang Yuan¡¯s face was filled with astonishment. Based on his understanding of Gu Qingfeng, the latter¡¯s most formidable achievement was defeating an Ancient Great Saint of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land while in the Semi-Saint Realm. Though that Ancient Great Saint was only a First Layer Heaven Great Saint. However. A Great Saint is still a Great Saint. Even if merely a First Layer Heaven Great Saint, they cannot be matched by Saints. Yet, seeing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s ability to defeat a First Layer Heaven Great Saint, Jiang Yuan believed that resisting a Quasi-Emperor Weapon should not have been so easy. But the outcome. The scene before his eyes. Completely overturned Jiang Yuan¡¯s understanding. It must be known. Even a Great Saint of Ninth Layer Heaven might not be able to resist a Quasi-Emperor Weapon with just their body. In other words. Gu Qingfeng had always hidden his true strength. His real combat power was not merely that of a Great Saint, but enough to rival a Saint King. More importantly. This is the End of Dharma Era. Gu Qingfeng absolutely could not achieve Saint Realm through proving the Tao. A cultivator who had not become a Saint yet possessed power comparable to a Saint King. Upon thinking this. Not only Jiang Yuan but other cultivators were equally shocked. Immediately. They felt great joy. The stronger Gu Qingfeng was, the more it proved their assistance to the Divine Martial Dynasty was the correct choice. Building a good relationship with such a strong person would benefit their own factions immensely. ¡°Boom!¡± An elder killed a general of the Divine Martial Dynasty with one strike, then looked at Shen Zhongyi and spoke. ¡°My dear disciple, the Divine Martial Dynasty is extraordinary indeed, resisting a Quasi-Emperor Weapon with just one¡¯s body is unheard of!¡± ¡°Speaking of which, how do you relate to the Divine Martial Dynasty? If possible, think of a way to bring this old man into the Divine Martial Dynasty as well!¡± Chu Daoxuan couldn¡¯t help but get tempted. As a loose cultivator of the Northern Domain, Chu Daoxuan had stepped into the Semi-Saint Realm, a top-notch power in the Northern Domain, and many factions had tried to recruit him, but he disdained them all. He came to the Eastern Domain this time because of Shen Zhongyi. After all, the other party was his direct disciple, and the only one at that, so Chu Daoxuan couldn¡¯t refuse Shen Zhongyi¡¯s request. Besides. He was quite curious about Gu Qingfeng, who was known as the strongest in the End of Dharma Era. Now, having witnessed Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength firsthand, Chu Daoxuan realized the rumors were true. Furthermore. He was moved by the idea of joining the Divine Martial Dynasty. Originally, Chu Daoxuan was unwilling to join other factions because he looked down on them. After all, with his cultivation, Chu Daoxuan could have established his own sect; why join another? But if it were some top-tier factions, Chu Daoxuan, as an outsider, even if he did join, wouldn¡¯t gain much. But now the Divine Martial Dynasty was different. As a Qi Fortune Dynasty, it was different from a sect. Moreover, the Divine Martial Dynasty had been established merely for a few decades, with shallow roots, lacking powerful experts. If he joined at this time, Chu Daoxuan believed he would undoubtedly be heavily relied upon. More importantly. With a powerful figure like Gu Qingfeng in the Divine Martial Dynasty, they were virtually invincible from the onset. As long as Gu Qingfeng lived, the Divine Martial Dynasty ascending to an Imperial Dynasty was only a matter of time. Possibly. The Divine Martial Dynasty might even go further, becoming an Eternal Divine Dynasty. Chu Daoxuan was well aware of his own situation; without other opportunities, whether he could enter the Saint Realm in the future was uncertain. As for breaking the Saint barrier and reaching higher realms, that was even more unimaginable. But if he could join the Divine Martial Dynasty, he might find better opportunities for advancement. ¡°If Master has the intention, this disciple will do his utmost!¡± Shen Zhongyi did not reveal his relationship with the Divine Martial Dynasty, but he was naturally pleased that Chu Daoxuan wanted to join the Divine Martial Dynasty. Even though Shen Zhongyi eventually served the Divine Martial Dynasty, he was still very grateful to Chu Daoxuan. If the latter could join the Divine Martial Dynasty, it would be even better. Chapter 446: 302: Splitting a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with a Single Slash Chapter 446: Chapter 302: Splitting a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with a Single Slash ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± Another collision. The void shattered. Gu Qingfeng, covered in blood, exuded boundless battle intent, clashing directly with the Star Imperial Bell, without faltering. On the other hand, Jiang Chen¡¯s face was pale, his eyes filled with shock. He did not expect. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength to be so formidable. Even with the Star Imperial Bell in hand, his own cultivation was powerless against his opponent. However. Jiang Chen also understood. It wasn¡¯t that the power of the Star Imperial Bell was insufficient; it was merely that his cultivation was too low. The cultivation of the Semi-Saint Realm made it difficult to fully unleash the power of a Quasi-Imperial Weapon. At that moment. Jiang Chen¡¯s eyes turned fierce, and he roared angrily, ¡°Immediate blood sacrifice!¡± At his command. The hundred thousand soldiers, who had remained motionless until now, took on an expression of resolute determination, drawing their blades and slashing their wrists. Immediately. Blood gushed out in torrents. Jiang Chen performed a mysterious incantation, which landed directly on the Star Imperial Bell. In an instant. All the blood was drawn by an inexplicable force, converging towards the Bronze Ancient Bell like streams of water. ¡°Buzz!¡± The Star Imperial Bell trembled slightly, revealing an ancient and domineering aura. ¡°Boom!¡± The void silently crumbled into powder. An unrivaled might that seemed capable of overturning heaven and earth erupted from the Star Imperial Bell. The world fell into silence. The sun and moon were reversed. In the face of such power, everything seemed to revert to chaos. ¡°Kill!¡± Jiang Chen also spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood, fully activating the power of the Star Imperial Bell, then raised the Bronze Ancient Bell with both hands, his face contorted with rage, pressing towards Gu Qingfeng. Facing Jiang Chen¡¯s desperate strike, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained unchanged. With a mere thought, the Evil Slayer Blade he carried on his back finally unsheathed with a roar. Gripping the hilt tightly with his right hand. He channeled his Qi and blood power into it. ¡°Boom!¡± A terrifyingly powerful Blade Intent tore through the sky, its domineering aura crashing down like heavenly might. As Gu Qingfeng swung his blade, it seemed as though all his Qi and blood power was drained instantly. Replacing it. Was an Emperor Mighty even more terrifying than the Star Imperial Bell¡¯s, causing everything to collapse in an instant. A boundless void shattered and annihilated. The light of the heavens seemed to disappear in an instant. The attack of the Star Imperial Bell disintegrated like rotting wood under this blade. Finally. The long blade cut mercilessly into the Star Imperial Bell. The latter emitted a mournful cry, then shattered into countless fragments spreading across time under Jiang Chen¡¯s horrified gaze. ¡°...¡± Jiang Chen was about to speak, but in the next breath, his body dissipated like dust and smoke. Boom¡ª¡ª The blade wind cleaved the heavens and earth. Extending for miles unceasingly. Under this blade. Not only did Jiang Chen perish, but everything caught in its wake turned to ash and vanished. Rumble!!! Long after. The power dissipated. The vast expanse of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range fell into a deathly silence. The armies on both sides instinctively ceased their movements, staring at the blood-stained figure in the void, their eyes blank. ¡°Imperial...Imperial Weapon!!!¡± Jiang Yuan¡¯s face was utterly horrified, his gaze fixed on the Evil Slayer Blade, recognizing the familiar Emperor Mighty. The reason was simple. The Red Dust Immortal Sect also possessed an Imperial Weapon. An artifact left from the ancient times by the Red Dust Emperor, representing the true foundation of the entire Red Dust Immortal Sect. Due to relying on the Imperial Weapon left by the Red Dust Emperor, the Red Dust Immortal Sect always maintained a transcendent status, surviving the cataclysms of each era. After all, the power of an Imperial Weapon is equivalent to half a Great Emperor. With such a Supreme Treasure, who would dare to recklessly challenge the Red Dust Immortal Sect. To put it bluntly. To suppress an Imperial Weapon unleashing its full power, only a Great Emperor is qualified to do so. Jiang Yuan had thought Gu Qingfeng¡¯s ability to challenge a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with his own strength was astonishing enough. But he never imagined. The opponent held an Imperial Weapon in hand. At this moment. Jiang Yuan deeply felt the terrifying foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Ignoring all else for now. This Imperial Weapon alone was enough to place the Divine Martial Dynasty in an invincible position. With an Imperial Weapon in existence. It was equivalent to having the foundation of a Great Emperor. To be honest. Not every Great Struggle Prosperity Era has a Great Emperor emerging. It wasn¡¯t just Jiang Yuan who was shocked. Everyone else was equally stunned. Clearly. Gu Qingfeng shattering the Star Imperial Bell with one strike was beyond their expectations. At this moment. As Gu Qingfeng sheathed his blade, terrifying nature¡¯s spiritual energy surged towards him, his previously depleted Qi and blood power partially recovering. Then. He looked down at the battlefield, his eyes filled with killing intent. ¡°Surrender and you will live!¡± ¡°Clang!¡± As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words fell, someone immediately and instinctively dropped their weapon. Soon. Others followed suit. With just a single command, on the vast battlefield, all the soldiers of the Star Dynasty discarded their weapons, without a single thought of resistance. Even Gu Yan and An Youu, who were fiercely battling, momentarily paused. As their eyes met, they both saw the look of despair in each other¡¯s eyes. If only Jiang Chen had fallen. They would not surrender so easily. But Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strike not only obliterated the Star Imperial Bell but also crushed the army¡¯s last vestiges of morale. In the presence of such a powerful warrior, numbers were merely insignificant. If they truly fought to the end, their side would be utterly annihilated. Chapter 447: 302: Splitting a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with a Single Slash_2 Chapter 447: Chapter 302: Splitting a Quasi-Imperial Weapon with a Single Slash_2 Therefore. Gu Yan and others simply surrendered. Seeing this. The killing intent in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes also diminished somewhat. Immediately. He stepped out, returning to the First City. ¡°Supreme Emperor!¡± Yan Yun, whose armor was stained with blood, stepped forward, his face full of reverence. Gu Qingfeng said indifferently, ¡°You will be responsible for handling the following matters.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Yan Yun bowed his head and accepted the order. After Gu Qingfeng left, Yan Yun looked at the Star Dynasty army before him, feeling somewhat troubled. The Star Dynasty came fiercely in this battle, with an army of fifty million. By now. At least thirty to forty million surrendering soldiers remained. Such a large number of surrendering soldiers, if not handled properly, could easily cause chaos. However. Yan Yun couldn¡¯t bring himself to execute all these surrendering soldiers. After all, they had surrendered, and killing them would be against morality. Although it¡¯s said that kindness doesn¡¯t govern soldiers. Yan Yun found it difficult to make a decision. Therefore. He ordered the confiscation of all weapons, then to imprison the surrendering soldiers in batches, while Gu Yan and An Youu were temporarily sealed off using special methods. The Divine Martial Dynasty naturally possessed such sealing techniques. Having done these things, Yan Yun immediately reported the news. ¡ª¡ª In the Imperial Palace. Gu Yang received the joyous news, his face breaking into an uncontrollable smile. ¡°Good!¡± ¡°Our Divine Martial Dynasty has won a great victory in this battle!¡± When Yan Yun sent back the news, the Jinyi Guard also reported the details to Gu Yang. Therefore. Gu Yang had a thorough understanding of the details of this battle. Upon learning that Gu Qingfeng used an Imperial Weapon to decimate the Star Dynasty, Gu Yang¡¯s breath momentarily paused. Imperial Weapon! Gu Yang didn¡¯t expect his father to possess such a supreme treasure. But. Aside from the shock. Gu Yang felt only joy. After all, the stronger Gu Qingfeng is, the more significant it is for the Divine Martial Dynasty. With his father present, the Star Dynasty is no longer a concern. The only issue now is how to handle the tens of millions of surrendering soldiers. Immediately. Gu Yang convened numerous ministers to discuss the matter. At this time. The Minister of Work Xie Yan respectfully said, ¡°Your Majesty, there are construction projects in various regions of the Nine States; in my opinion, these people can be put to good use!¡± Then. The Minister of Revenue Dong Tang also spoke, ¡°Your Majesty, various mines and land reclamations need many workers; the numerous surrendering soldiers from the Star Dynasty can greatly alleviate our urgent needs!¡± Hearing this. Gu Yang nodded, ¡°In that case, these people will be managed by the Ministry of Work and the Ministry of Revenue for now!¡± ¡°I have only one requirement, there must absolutely be no unrest.¡± Tens of millions of surrendering soldiers, if unrest were to occur, would cause significant trouble. This. Was not something Gu Yang wished to see. Similarly. Releasing all these people back was also out of the question. After all, releasing tens of millions of surrendering soldiers would be akin to boosting the strength of the Star Dynasty. Gu Yang believes. This batch of surrendering soldiers falling into the hands of the Divine Martial Dynasty is enough to create internal turmoil within the Star Dynasty, causing subsequent consequences that would be significant. Of course. Gu Yang once considered using these people to trade for resources with the Star Dynasty. But upon further thought, he abandoned this plan. Now the Nine States backed by the Ancient Beast Mountain Range do not lack common resources. As the ministers stated, the Divine Martial Dynasty, having grown from a regional dynasty over decades, lacks manpower in many aspects. The arrival of this batch of surrendering soldiers will alleviate urgent needs. ¡°The treatment of ordinary prisoners of war can be handled as such, but what about the generals of the Star Dynasty? What are your thoughts on this matter?¡± Gu Yang shifted his tone and posed the question. As his words fell. Dong Tang spoke up: ¡°Each of these generals possesses remarkable cultivation and loyalty to the Star Dynasty. Forcing them to submit won¡¯t be easy. However, if we use them in other areas, it could still lead to innumerable troubles.¡± ¡°In my opinion, we either kill them all or negotiate a transaction with the Star Dynasty, at the very least making good use of them is necessary!¡± ¡°Between the two options, I actually lean towards the latter. Since the battle with the Guiyuan Dynasty began, the Ministry of Revenue has been under great pressure. Gaining additional resources could alleviate some of this!¡± This time. No one else spoke up. Because, in their view, Dong Tang¡¯s suggestion was the most fitting. A group of cultivators with remarkable strength but difficulty controlling is akin to a ticking time bomb. No one can predict when they might explode. As for subduing them, that is simply impossible. These individuals have familial powers in the Star Dynasty, and with their families¡¯ lives under threat, the likelihood of their true submission is extremely low. Gu Yang smiled faintly. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, send someone to the Star Dynasty to have a thorough discussion with their Emperor Venerate!¡± ¡ª¡ª Soon. The battle of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range spread across the world. In no time. The Five Domains were in commotion. Every force that learned the details of this battle was stunned by the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty. To be precise. It was the power of Gu Qingfeng that left them astonished. With his physical body resisting the Quasi-Imperial weapon. He cleaved the Star Imperial Bell with a single stroke. Such a feat was even more sensational than when he obliterated the Ancient Desolate Holy Land. After all, the Ancient Desolate Holy Land, despite its strength, was merely a Saint King-level power with a sixty thousand-year heritage. Moreover. The Ancient Desolate Holy Land had long since declined. Its sole Saint King had perished, and the only residing Great Saint, one layer of heaven, lay in deep slumber. Its power could not compare to the Star Dynasty. In comparison. The Star Dynasty¡¯s strength is truly the pinnacle in the Five Domains. An empire with a three-million-year history. It had even produced a Quasi-Emperor in the past. The Star Dynasty¡¯s heritage, truth be told, was only a slight measure below that of some Great Emperor-level forces. In the current End of Dharma era, even Great Emperor-level forces could not afford to overlook the presence of the Star Dynasty. Not to mention the Star Imperial Bell. A Quasi-Imperial weapon! Such a supreme treasure is unquestionably top-notch. But in the battle of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, the Star Imperial Bell was shattered, and tens of millions of troops were taken prisoner. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength was truly earth-shattering. His possession of an Imperial weapon. This level of power. Not to mention in the End of Dharma era, even during the Great Struggle Prosperity Era, few could rival him in strength. ¡ª¡ª ¡°To resist the Quasi-Imperial weapon with his physical body, his strength must at least be at the Saint King level!¡± ¡°Could such a phenomenal existence truly rival a Saint King with a Semi-Saint cultivation!?¡± Within the Red Dust Immortal Sect, Cang Yuan, usually indifferent, found himself furrowing his brows and his face uncontrollably showing a look of shock upon receiving the news. He couldn¡¯t help but be shocked. This news was too incredible. Originally. A Semi-Saint rivaling a Great Saint was astonishing enough. But now hearing that a Semi-Saint could rival a Saint King, it was beyond belief for Cang Yuan. ¡°Sect Master, it¡¯s very likely that Gu Qingfeng is not a Semi-Saint, but may have stepped into an even higher realm!¡± Jiang Yuan, who had just returned to the Red Dust Immortal Sect, couldn¡¯t resist sharing his insight. Saint!? Upon hearing this, Cang Yuan was taken aback once more. ¡°Are you saying Gu Qingfeng achieved sainthood in the End of Dharma era?¡± The shock of this revelation. Was not any less than a Semi-Saint rivaling a Saint King. After all, achieving sainthood in the End of Dharma era was considered impossible, a rule established since ancient times that no genius could break. This was because the End of Dharma era came with the suppression of the Heavenly Dao, shackling all. Hearing this, Jiang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly. ¡°While it sounds hard to believe, accepting that a Semi-Saint could rival a Saint King is even harder to believe for me!¡± ¡°In the long history of the most exceptional Emperors, they could at most challenge Saints at the Semi-Saint realm.¡± ¡°Someone like Gu Qingfeng, truth be told, I¡¯ve never come across the likes of him!¡± Chapter 448: 303: The Envoy of the Divine Martial Dynasty Chapter 448: Chapter 303: The Envoy of the Divine Martial Dynasty No matter if Gu Qingfeng is a Saint, or not a Saint. But the battle at the Ancient Beast Mountain Range has already explained many things. ¡°Emperor Talent!¡± ¡°Now it seems the rumors are true¡ª¡ª¡± Cang Yuan sighed deeply. ¡°In the Nine States, there is Gu Qingfeng, who has such heaven-defying combat power; he must also be endowed with some top-tier Divine Body. And in the Eastern Domain¡¯s Taixu Sacred Land, there is a Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body. Our Red Dust Immortal Sect has an Innate Thunder Divine Body. Such Divine Bodies, even in ten Great Struggle Prosperity Eras, might not emerge one. Now, before the Great Struggle Prosperity Era has even arrived, three top-tier Divine Bodies have appeared all at once, and there could be more Divine Bodies in the Ancient Desolate World that have yet to be unearthed.¡± ¡°This shows¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°This Great Struggle Prosperity Era will definitely not be simple!¡± Upon hearing this. Jiang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but ask: ¡°Is it possible that this Great Struggle Prosperity Era indeed signifies the arrival of the Ancient Tribulation?¡± ¡°Since the Ancient Tribulation until now, countless ages have passed. It¡¯s not surprising at all if the Ancient Tribulation descends again!¡± Cang Yuan¡¯s expression turned more solemn as he spoke. ¡°Furthermore¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°The Taiyi Divine Dynasty of the Ancient Times is now showing signs again, many Evil Spirits have appeared, coupled with the gathering of numerous supreme talents. The signs of the tribulation are already evident!¡± Thinking of the existence of the tribulation, Cang Yuan¡¯s heart grew heavy, even breeding a sense of powerlessness. Then. Cang Yuan continued. ¡°However, the tribulation is not an absolute doom; it¡¯s still possible to overcome it.¡± ¡°Since our Red Dust Immortal Sect could survive the Ancient Tribulation, we can survive this one too.¡± ¡°Your journey to the Nine States aims to forge goodwill with the Gu Family Master. I believe he will be of great help in the future!¡± Building a relationship with a future Great Emperor is undoubtedly a great boon in Cang Yuan¡¯s eyes. To offer help in a time of adversity. Is much better than adding flowers to the brocade. If they waited until Gu Qingfeng matured, it wouldn¡¯t be so simple to gain his favor. But now it¡¯s different. The Red Dust Immortal Sect only sent two Semi-Saints to gain a favor from him, a sure-win scenario. Witnessing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, Cang Yuan understood that as long as he didn¡¯t die, the Divine Martial Dynasty would certainly become a top-tier power. ¡ª¡ª Unlike the Red Dust Immortal Sect¡¯s joy. When news of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range battle returned, Star Dynasty¡¯s Emperor Venerate Lu Zhen was furious. His usual demeanor vanished, and his eyes were red as if he wanted to devour someone. ¡°What are you saying!! Three King Generals leading fifty million troops, with the Star Imperial Bell in hand, couldn¡¯t defeat a Divine Martial Dynasty!!!¡± ¡°You dare report false news to disrupt morale, you deserve death!¡± Lu Zhen looked at the person below him. Before they could beg for mercy, he struck their head. Soon after. The brutal power began to search the person¡¯s Divine Soul. A moment later. Lu Zhen¡¯s palm flared with energy, and the person¡¯s head exploded like a watermelon, blood splattering the grand hall. All the other ministers were silent, heads lowered, not daring to speak. Everyone could see that Lu Zhen was angered. If anyone went against his wishes, their fate would be obvious. At this moment. No one dared to stand out and provoke him. Looking at the corpse on the ground, Lu Zhen¡¯s anger subsided, but his face remained cold and grim. ¡°It seems I underestimated the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation rivals the Saint King, and he possibly wields an Imperial Weapon. Such power is not something ordinary cultivators can handle!¡± Lu Zhen now regretted deeply. If he had known the Divine Martial Dynasty had such strength, he wouldn¡¯t have meddled in the affairs between the two forces. But now it¡¯s too late for regrets. Their relationship has been completely torn apart. The Star Dynasty lost fifty million troops, and even a Quasi-Imperial Weapon at the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Such a blow. Even with the Star Dynasty¡¯s vast resources, it was a severe setback. Moreover. More importantly. The enmity between them is now one of life and death. In such a situation. If the Divine Martial Dynasty continues to grow, it will certainly become a formidable enemy. But the problem is. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s displayed strength, unless the Star Dynasty uses its ancient resources at all costs. Otherwise. Sending more strong forces would only be sending heads to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Thinking of this. Lu Zhen felt a headache. After a long while. Lu Zhen spoke coldly: ¡°Set aside the matter of the Divine Martial Dynasty for now. With the coming of the Great Struggle Era, we must first deal with the Taixuan Dynasty issue.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The ministers were relieved to hear this. They were genuinely worried that Lu Zhen would fight the Divine Martial Dynasty to the death. If the Divine Martial Dynasty were just an ordinary dynasty, it would be fine. But now, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s strength is horrifying, fighting them to the death is not a good idea. Fortunately. Lu Zhen did not let anger cloud his judgment. Otherwise. It would bring endless troubles to the Star Dynasty. At this moment. A minister hesitantly said, ¡°But what if the Divine Martial Dynasty takes advantage and attacks us, how should we respond?¡± ¡°Hmph, our Star Dynasty¡¯s foundation of three million elites is no joke. If the Divine Martial Dynasty dares to act, I will make them pay!¡± Lu Zhen¡¯s expression was cold, eyes filled with killing intent. At this moment. A guard walked in from outside. ¡°Your Majesty, an envoy from the Divine Martial Dynasty is at the palace gates seeking an audience!¡± Chapter 449: 303: Envoy of the Divine Martial Dynasty_2 Chapter 449: Chapter 303: Envoy of the Divine Martial Dynasty_2 ¡°Messenger from the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Upon hearing the words ¡°Divine Martial Dynasty,¡± the killing intent in Lu Zhen¡¯s eyes became even more evident. ¡°Let him in!¡± As soon as Lu Zhen¡¯s words fell, the guard respectfully retreated. A moment later. The guard led a person in from outside the hall. ¡°Nanyue Mountain of the Divine Martial Dynasty, pays respects to Emperor Lu!¡± Nanyue Mountain stood straight, neither kneeling nor bowing deeply, just a simple cupped-fist salute. Seeing this, someone immediately shouted in anger. ¡°How dare you, seeing the Emperor and not kneeling!!¡± ¡°I am a subject of the Divine Martial Dynasty, why should I kneel to the people of the Star Dynasty?¡± Nanyue Mountain glanced at the person, responding with a tone neither harsh nor mild. The person¡¯s face turned red upon hearing this and was about to continue scolding when Lu Zhen raised his hand to interrupt him. ¡°You are very bold to come here alone. Aren¡¯t you afraid that I might kill you to avenge the fallen soldiers of the Star Dynasty?¡± Lu Zhen looked at Nanyue Mountain with a dark expression, a cold killing intent emanating from him, and his words weren¡¯t in the least insincere. He really wanted to kill Nanyue Mountain. Not long ago, the Star Dynasty had just faced a major defeat. For Lu Zhen, seeing someone from the Divine Martial Dynasty now was hard to resist taking action against. Feeling the killing intent from Lu Zhen, Nanyue Mountain¡¯s face showed no fear at all. ¡°If Emperor Lu wants to kill me, it would indeed be an easy task.¡± ¡°However, if I die, being accompanied by the many generals of the Star Dynasty in death wouldn¡¯t be in vain either!¡± Hearing these words. Lu Zhen¡¯s expression changed slightly. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s simple, I, Minister Nan, have come to make a deal with your dynasty, exchanging the lives of two King Generals and forty-three generals for a batch of resources.¡± Nanyue Mountain didn¡¯t beat around the bush, directly stating his purpose for this trip. His words. Made Lu Zhen¡¯s expression change. He had thought that all the generals were wiped out, but hearing Nanyue Mountain now, many were still alive. ¡°How do you plan to make the trade?¡± ¡°It¡¯s simple: for each King General, ten thousand jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stone; for each general, one thousand middle-grade Divine Blood Stones for Dao Palace Realm, and ten thousand lower-grade Divine Blood Stones for Divine Transformation Realm!¡± As soon as Nanyue Mountain finished speaking, the court officials¡¯ expressions changed dramatically. Divine Blood Stones are precious! One jin of lower-grade Divine Blood Stone is equivalent to ten thousand jin of top-grade Spirit Stone. And one jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stone is equivalent to ten thousand jin of lower-grade Divine Blood Stone. A top-tier Dao Palace cultivation technique, in terms of value, is only about ten thousand middle-grade Divine Blood Stones. Now. A Dao Palace Realm general required ten thousand middle-grade Divine Blood Stones. Even for an ordinary Divine Transformation Realm general, the price was ten thousand lower-grade Divine Blood Stones. You should know. Ten thousand jin of lower-grade Divine Blood Stones, if used for cultivation, could produce one or two Peak Divine Transformation Realm cultivators. And the Divine Transformation Realm generals Nanyue Mountain mentioned weren¡¯t all Peak Divine Transformation Realm; some were only at the fifth or sixth layer. However. Despite Nanyue Mountain¡¯s high price, Lu Zhen had no way to refuse. Because if he refused, once the news got out, it would definitely dishearten people. So. Lu Zhen looked deeply at the opponent, and then coldly said. ¡°No problem, as long as you release the people, I will send the Divine Blood Stones to the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Heh, I, Minister Nan, though my cultivation is modest, am not new to the Martial World. Emperor Lu should not say such things again. If Emperor Lu is sincere about the deal, then hand all the Divine Blood Stones to me and let me take them back to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Within half a month, your dynasty¡¯s generals will return to the Star Dynasty unharmed!¡± Nanyue Mountain said this, not waiting for Lu Zhen to speak further, and continued. ¡°This is the bottom line of the Divine Martial Dynasty, no room for negotiation. If Emperor Lu is unwilling, you may well keep me here. But my life, in exchange for forty-five generals, would be worth it!¡± Silence! Deathly silence! Lu Zhen¡¯s cold eyes stared at Nanyue Mountain, and the latter met his gaze without any hesitation. After a long time. Lu Zhen spoke in a deep voice. ¡°Very well, I agree to this!¡± ¡°Two King Generals, two hundred thousand middle-grade Divine Blood Stones, seventeen Tiaoist Palace Realm, one hundred seventy thousand middle-grade Divine Blood Stones, and twenty-six Divine Transformation Realm converts to middle-grade Divine Blood Stones, which would be around two hundred sixty jin. However, I will waive the remainder of the two hundred sixty jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones. Emperor Lu only needs to pay three hundred seventy thousand jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones!¡± Nanyue Mountain said generously. But in Lu Zhen¡¯s ears, his words were extremely grating. The latter¡¯s voice was indifferent, without any emotional fluctuation. ¡°The Star Dynasty doesn¡¯t lack your two hundred sixty jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones!¡± Afterward. Lu Zhen ordered someone to go to the national treasury and bring thirty-seven thousand and two hundred sixty jin of Divine Blood Stones. After putting them into a storage ring, he handed it to Nanyue Mountain. The latter¡¯s Divine Thought probed into it, seeing the pile of Divine Blood Stones like a mountain; the tremendous blood energy made him secretly shocked. Thirty thousand jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones is a truly astronomical number. Honestly speaking. Even as the Commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard, Nanyue Mountain had never seen so many Divine Blood Stones. If all thirty thousand jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones were exchanged for lower-grade ones, it would be over thirty billion. After all. The ratio of Divine Blood Stones is one to ten thousand. Having such a batch of Divine Blood Stones in hand is self-evident for the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s benefit. ¡°Emperor Lu is straightforward, and my Divine Martial Dynasty will not renege. Just wait until I return to the Nine States, then our dynasty will release the people!¡± ¡°Now that this matter is over, I will take my leave!¡± With that, Nanyue Mountain cupped his hands, turned around, and left. Watching his departing figure, Lu Zhen¡¯s eyes filled with killing intent. He wanted to act immediately but restrained himself hard. After all. For a mere Divine Transformation Realm cultivator like Nanyue Mountain, it wasn¡¯t worth sacrificing many generals of the Star Dynasty. Other generals aside, but the two King Generals must be ransomed. Gu Yan and An Youu are both prodigies likely to become Saints. Once the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, the Star Dynasty will likely have two more Saints. Exchanging tens of thousands of jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones for two future Saints is naturally worthy. Furthermore, the Star Dynasty paying such a heavy price to redeem the defeated generals can win back the hearts of the ministers and the people. Hence. Lu Zhen could only let Nanyue Mountain leave. ... On the other side. After leaving the Star Dynasty¡¯s imperial palace, Nanyue Mountain headed directly to the Nine States, not daring to delay for a moment. He had no choice. Carrying tens of thousands of jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones, he couldn¡¯t help but be anxious. If the news leaked out, no one could predict what might happen. Even though Nanyue Mountain believed that as long as he remained within the Star Dynasty¡¯s borders, Lu Zhen wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to him. But. Nanyue Mountain didn¡¯t want to gamble. His own life was trivial, but losing tens of thousands of jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones would be a significant loss for the Divine Martial Dynasty. Every moment of delay carried more danger. So. Nanyue Mountain dared not waste time. However, along the way, Nanyue Mountain encountered no danger and smoothly returned to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Without rest, he went directly to see Gu Yang. ¡°Minister Nanyue Mountain pays respects to His Majesty!¡± ¡°Minister Nan, you¡¯ve worked hard. How did it go?¡± Gu Yang looked at the Nanyue Mountain before him and immediately asked. The latter, upon hearing this, presented the storage ring with both hands. ¡°Inside are thirty-seven thousand and two hundred sixty jin of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones. Please, Your Majesty, inspect them!¡± Upon hearing this. Gu Yang¡¯s heart trembled. He immediately took the storage ring, his Divine Thought probed inside, and an uncontrollable smile appeared on his face. ¡°Good, with these middle-grade Divine Blood Stones, our Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s strength should advance further!¡± Chapter 450: 304 Tribute Institute Chapter 450: Chapter 304 Tribute Institute Three hundred and seventy thousand catties of middle-grade Divine Blood Stone. If used properly, it would be sufficient to cultivate a large number of Dao Palace Realm cultivators. Of course. Breaking through to the Dao Palace Realm is not easy. Simply having Divine Blood Stone is not enough; one must also have the corresponding talent and comprehension. If one cannot refine their True Intent to a certain degree, they absolutely cannot establish a Dao Palace Primordial Spirit. However. Although it is not enough to cultivate Dao Palace Realm cultivators, it is entirely feasible to cultivate peak Divine Transformation Realm cultivators, even those at the half-step Dao Palace Realm. Generally speaking, ten catties of middle-grade Divine Blood Stone are sufficient to cultivate one or two peak-stage Divine Transformation Realm cultivators. If the individual has a rich foundation, they will naturally require more resources. Nevertheless, three hundred and seventy thousand catties of middle-grade Divine Blood Stone. Theoretically, it is sufficient to increase the number of peak-stage Divine Transformation Realm cultivators in the Divine Martial Dynasty by tens of thousands. Among these tens of thousands, there will definitely be some exceptionally gifted individuals who will then advance one step further into the Dao Palace Realm. In this way, the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty would greatly increase. ¡°It is said that war nourishes war!¡± ¡°Now it seems that such a strategy is indeed effective!¡± Gu Yang slightly shook his head, his face filled with emotion. However, he also knew that the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s victory in this war was extremely fortuitous. If it weren¡¯t for Gu Qingfeng¡¯s overwhelming strength, directly defeating the Star Dynasty, the Divine Martial Dynasty had no chance of winning. Therefore, despite the great benefits gained from this battle by the Divine Martial Dynasty, the fact remains, that if even one step had been wrong, the Divine Martial Dynasty would have faced complete annihilation. The next day in the court. Gu Yang distributed all the Divine Blood Stone. ¡°The Divine Martial Academy is the foundation of our nation, so I have decided to allocate one hundred thousand catties of middle-grade Divine Blood Stone to it. However, I have one requirement: within ten years, the Divine Martial Academy must provide at least one thousand Divine Transformation Realm cultivators to the court. If it cannot be achieved, a new leader will be appointed to the Divine Martial Academy!¡± ¡°Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will ensure that one thousand Divine Transformation Realm cultivators are provided within ten years, and I will not disappoint Your Majesty¡¯s expectations!¡± Yan Yun now had a rosy face, clearly in a very good mood. One hundred thousand catties of middle-grade Divine Blood Stone! If converted to lower-grade Divine Blood Stone, it would be a staggering one billion catties. Since its establishment, the Divine Martial Academy has consumed less than one hundred million catties of lower-grade Divine Blood Stone. Now. With such a large amount of resources thrown down, even with Yan Yun¡¯s disposition, he felt somewhat dizzy and was momentarily unable to contain his excitement. Others looking at Yan Yun all had red eyes. This was pure envy and jealousy. One hundred thousand catties of middle-grade Divine Blood Stone. They haven¡¯t even seen or heard of such a vast amount of resources. There was no way around it. The spiritual energy in the Nine States has been barren for a long time. Although since the establishment of the Divine Martial Dynasty, there has been an ongoing effort to restore the spiritual energy of the Nine States, the spiritual veins in the Nine States are still very limited. As for the Divine Blood Stone, even the lowest grade requires top-grade spiritual veins to be nurtured. Middle-grade Divine Blood Stone requires holy-grade spiritual veins. Although the spiritual energy in the Nine States has somewhat recovered, it is still not sufficient to mine spiritual stone veins. To be precise. It is not possible to massively mine spiritual stone veins. Mining a small portion won¡¯t affect the foundation of the veins, but massive mining could easily deplete them. Therefore, for the Divine Martial Dynasty, the spiritual stone veins in the Nine States are like a slow stream of water. The amount of spiritual stones that can be mined each year is limited, and as for Divine Blood Stone, it is even rarer. All the Divine Blood Stone in the Divine Martial Dynasty is basically acquired through external trade. After all, the Nine States are vast, and with the revival of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, many spirit plants and other items can be cultivated, and with the backing of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, a large number of resources can be obtained. It is for this reason that the Divine Martial Dynasty can control a portion of the Divine Blood Stone. However, this portion of Divine Blood Stone is actually limited. At this moment, Dong Tang stepped forward. ¡°Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue is currently facing a shortage of resources. I hope Your Majesty can allocate some resources to ease the pressure on the Ministry.¡± ¡°The Ministry of War...¡± ¡°The Ministry of Works...¡± As Dong Tang spoke, others from various departments also began to speak out. In response, Gu Yang waved his hand grandly, distributing all the Divine Blood Stone. Although the other departments received fewer Divine Blood Stones compared to the Divine Martial Academy, for the officials of each department, it was unprecedentedly abundant. Especially the Minister of Revenue, Dong Tang, whose face was filled with smiles, his eyes nearly disappearing. Subsequently, Gu Yang looked at Yan Yun and said in a serious tone, ¡°Currently, the issue with the Star Dynasty is temporarily resolved, but the problem with the Guiyuan Dynasty remains. You are to lead half of the Evil Suppressing Nine Cities army to attack the Guiyuan Dynasty and assist Shi Zhen in suppressing the Guiyuan Dynasty in the shortest possible time!¡± ¡°I accept the order!¡± Yan Yun immediately cupped his fists and accepted the command. Afterward, Gu Yang continued, ¡°Additionally, I plan to establish the Tribute Institute. Any cultivator in the world who is willing to join our Divine Martial Dynasty and has no political ambitions may enter the Tribute Institute. The Tribute Institute will be independent of the court and can refrain from saluting officials but must not interfere with any court affairs!¡± ¡°Your Majesty is wise!¡± Upon hearing this, everyone naturally had no objections. In essence, the existence of the Tribute Institute, is to recruit the world¡¯s strong cultivators for the court¡¯s use. Giving them the title of court tribute has little impact on them. However, Gu Yang¡¯s next words caused Dong Tang¡¯s expression to turn stiff. ¡°The resources of the Tribute Institute will be managed by the Ministry of Revenue!¡± ¡°Your Majesty... I accept the order!¡± Chapter 451: 304 Tribute Institute_2 Chapter 451: Chapter 304 Tribute Institute_2 Dong Tang wanted to oppose, but facing Gu Yang¡¯s gaze, he could only lower his head and accept the order. There was no way around it. Imperial authority above all. This person in the court naturally holds a veto power. Moreover. Nowadays, with all the departments receiving court resources, it¡¯s unlikely anyone would challenge him over minor issues. Therefore. Dong Tang could only pinch his nose and accept it. ¡ª¡ª Soon. The matters about the Tribute Institute spread. After Gu Yang ordered it, a place was quickly allocated in the capital to establish the Tribute Institute. The current capital, after several expansions, is no longer comparable to the past. After all, the fame of the Divine Martial Dynasty has spread far and wide, causing the number of residents and cultivators in the capital to increase day by day; the original capital boundaries could no longer accommodate so many people. Expansion. This was inevitable. However. For cultivators, expanding the capital was not difficult. With a single thought, Dao Palace realm cultivators could move mountains and fill seas, with countless means at their disposal. Once the Tribute Institute was established, the original Chu Daoxuan became the first tribute member and was also granted the position of Institute Envoy. The Institute Envoy of the Tribute Institute. Is the person who manages the Tribute Institute. In the future, anyone else joining the Tribute Institute would have to obey Chu Daoxuan¡¯s orders. Regarding this. Chu Daoxuan was naturally very satisfied. He initially thought that with a powerhouse like Gu Qingfeng in the Divine Martial Dynasty, even if he joined, his position wouldn¡¯t be too high. Who would have thought. The Divine Martial Dynasty would directly grant him the position of Institute Envoy. In this way. How could Chu Daoxuan not be satisfied? The reason for making Chu Daoxuan the Institute Envoy, Gu Yang had his considerations. To become the Institute Envoy. Loyalty and strength were essential. When the Star Dynasty invaded, Chu Daoxuan coming to assist was enough to prove his loyalty. As for strength. Chu Daoxuan, being a Semi-Saint realm powerhouse, was among the top tier in this End of Dharma era, making him the perfect candidate for Institute Envoy. After establishing the Tribute Institute and appointing Chu Daoxuan as Institute Envoy, Gu Yang deliberately spread this news. Immediately. Many martial world wanderers were quite tempted. Anyone with discerning eyes could see that the Divine Martial Dynasty was prospering, and its promotion to an Imperial Dynasty was only a matter of time. If the Divine Martial Dynasty could advance further, when the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, they might even produce an invincible Great Emperor. Joining such a force would undoubtedly bring numerous benefits. Not to mention martial world wanderers. Even many sect powerhouses were tempted. However. The Tribute Institute established by Gu Yang didn¡¯t accept just any cultivator. To enter the Tribute Institute, one had to at least be at the Dao Palace realm level. Additionally¡ª¡ª Unless one was a Semi-Saint like Chu Daoxuan, other Dao Palace realm cultivators needed to have decent aptitude to join the Tribute Institute. Those with mediocre aptitude, barely entering the Dao Palace realm, would not catch Gu Yang¡¯s eye. Within half a month. Many martial world wanderers came to the Nine States to meet Gu Yang. He selected some and ultimately allowed five more people into the Tribute Institute. Among them. One was named Yan Jun, whose cultivation was at the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace realm, with strength only slightly weaker than the Semi-Saint realm Chu Daoxuan. Of the remaining four. One was at the First Layer of the Dao Palace realm, one at the Third Layer, one at the Fourth Layer, and one at the Sixth Layer. ... ¡°Ancient Heavenly Blade!¡± ¡°It truly deserves to be a Saint Divine Power, mysterious despite being incomplete!¡± In the Tribute Institute, Chu Daoxuan opened his eyes from his cultivation, with astonishing blade light bursting forth, and a look of shock and appreciation on his face. This was a reward he received from the Divine Martial Dynasty after joining the Tribute Institute. An incomplete Saint Divine Power. Although Chu Daoxuan, as a loose cultivator, was a Semi-Saint realm powerhouse, his inheritance was quite average. Besides a peak Dao Palace realm cultivation technique and a late tier Dao Palace realm divine skill, he had no other trump cards. It was only because Chu Daoxuan had obtained an opportunity in his earlier years that he could, through a top-tier Dao Palace Realm cultivation technique, take another step forward from his original foundation and reach the level of a Semi-Saint. Otherwise. Up till now, Chu Daoxuan would have remained an ordinary Ninth Layer Dao Palace Realm cultivator. Now. Just upon entering the Worship Academy. Chu Daoxuan had already obtained a Saint Divine Power. Although this Divine Power was incomplete, Chu Daoxuan saw it as a message from the Divine Martial Dynasty. As long as he remained loyal to the Divine Martial Dynasty, even the Saint Inheritance could be obtained. Previously, Gu Qingfeng had destroyed the Ancient Desolate Holy Land; Chu Daoxuan understood that the Divine Martial Dynasty certainly did not lack Saint-level inheritances, and even inheritances beyond the Saint were present. Therefore. Chu Daoxuan held no disloyal thoughts. He was originally a Blade Path expert, and now, with the incomplete Ancient Heavenly Blade, he immediately gained many insights into this Saint Divine Power. In just a few days. Chu Daoxuan had already reached the Beginner level. He tried to raise his hand, a faint Blade Qi burst forth, easily tearing apart the space in front of him. After a few breaths. The shattered space slowly healed. Seeing this. Chu Daoxuan¡¯s expression became even more satisfied. ¡°Even if it¡¯s just a Beginner level Saint Divine Power, my strength has increased by at least one-tenth. If I can obtain the complete Ancient Heavenly Blade and cultivate it to Great Success. Then my strength in the Semi-Saint Realm would definitely be among the top tier!¡± At this moment. The Jade Talisman at Chu Daoxuan¡¯s waist trembled. He sent his Divine Thought into it and immediately exited seclusion, heading towards the Imperial Palace. ... ¡°Subject Chu Daoxuan, pays respects to Your Majesty!¡± In the Imperial Study Room, Chu Daoxuan respectfully greeted, completely devoid of the carefree and unruly nature he had as a Martial World Wanderer. Since he had benefited from the Divine Martial Dynasty, Chu Daoxuan naturally had to make clear his position. Moreover. Although Gu Yang was indeed only in the Fifth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, as the ruler of the dynasty, the methods he controlled were beyond Chu Daoxuan¡¯s imagination. If it came to a life-and-death fight, Chu Daoxuan had no confidence in winning. Another point was. Behind Gu Yang. Stood a true unrivaled powerhouse. The moment when Gu Qingfeng cleaved the Star Imperial Bell with a single slash was already deeply etched in Chu Daoxuan¡¯s mind. Gu Yang was naturally unaware of Chu Daoxuan¡¯s thoughts. However. Gu Yang was quite pleased with the attitude of this Institute Envoy of the Worship Academy in front of him. ¡°The reason I have summoned Institute Envoy Chu today is to ask the Worship Academy to undertake a task.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, please speak!¡± ¡°Previously, Yan Yun led our Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army to attack the Guiyuan Dynasty, but the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s foundation proved substantial. Despite our full efforts, the army found it difficult to advance. So, this time, I hope the Worship Academy can step in, head to the Eastern Domain, and assist our army in conquering the Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± Gu Yang said in a deep voice. He had underestimated the foundation of an ancient dynasty. He initially thought that with two armies and a Great Saint Weapon in hand, it would be enough to suppress the small Guiyuan Dynasty. But when the Guiyuan Dynasty truly fought back desperately, Gu Yang witnessed the foundation of such an ancient dynasty. This battle. The situation on both sides was tense. Although if it came to the final confrontation, the winning side would still be the Divine Martial Dynasty. However, it would come at a considerable cost for the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Yang now naturally did not want to waste too much power on a Guiyuan Dynasty. Hence. Gu Yang thought of the Worship Academy. Although the Worship Academy had just been established not long ago, with powerhouses like Chu Daoxuan and Yan Jun, its strength was also not to be underestimated. If the Worship Academy could take action, the battle would become much easier. Upon hearing this, Chu Daoxuan did not hesitate for a moment and immediately nodded. ¡°Subject receives the court¡¯s benefits, naturally should relieve the Emperor¡¯s worries. Your Majesty, rest assured, the Worship Academy will exert all its power to assist the army in taking down the Guiyuan Dynasty!¡± ¡°Alright, with these words from Institute Envoy Chu, I am relieved!¡± With Chu Daoxuan¡¯s guarantee, Gu Yang was even more satisfied, a gentle smile appearing on his face. Then. Chu Daoxuan took his leave. In the Imperial Study Room. Gu Yang murmured to himself. ¡°With Chu Daoxuan, a Semi-Saint, leading the team, combined with the current strength of the Worship Academy and the two armies, I will see how much longer the Guiyuan Dynasty can struggle!¡± Chapter 452: 305: The Downfall of the Guiyuan Dynasty Chapter 452: Chapter 305: The Downfall of the Guiyuan Dynasty Eastern Domain. Guiyuan Dynasty. Now, with the massive forces of the Divine Martial Dynasty pressing the borders, about half of the 373 prefectures formerly under the control of the Guiyuan Dynasty have already fallen. This battle. Let the whole world witness the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Even without Gu Qingfeng appearing, the power exhibited by the Divine Martial Dynasty was quite astonishing. Strong as the Guiyuan Dynasty is, it has had to retreat step by step. Moonlight Prefecture. Massive forces pressing the border. On the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s side, Emperor Han personally led the campaign to boost morale. In the Divine Martial Camp. Shi Zhen and other military generals gathered here. ¡°Now that Emperor Han is personally leading the campaign, though he is only a Semi-Saint, if he uses all his cards, he can stand shoulder to shoulder with a Saint!¡± ¡°If we do not suppress Emperor Han, the outcome of this battle might not be decided!¡± Jiang Mo¡¯s expression was somber. The location of Moonlight Prefecture is crucial, a key prefecture of the Guiyuan Dynasty. If we can take Moonlight Prefecture, our army can truly advance unimpeded, without any obstacle. Conversely. If we cannot take Moonlight Prefecture, even if our side detours, we could easily be attacked from both front and back. But now, with Emperor Han personally leading the campaign. The opponent himself is a powerful figure in the Semi-Saint Realm. If he mobilizes the dynasty¡¯s qi fortune, it¡¯s as if he becomes a Saint. Even though our Divine Martial Dynasty has the support of the Great Saint Weapon, dealing with a Saint is still not easy. After all¡ª¡ª The God Slaying Spear is undeniably powerful. But to fully harness the power of the Great Saint Weapon is no easy task. Such a supreme treasure. At least requires the cultivation of a Saint. Below the Saint Realm. Only a fraction of the supreme treasure¡¯s power can be activated. Even using a blood sacrifice, it¡¯s the same. Moreover. The Guiyuan Dynasty has its own foundational strength. So when Jiang Mo finished speaking, everyone¡¯s expressions became grim. Because they knew clearly that Jiang Mo spoke the truth. As of now. To take Moonlight Prefecture is no easy task. ¡°The biggest reliance of the Guiyuan Dynasty currently lies in its qi fortune. If we cannot suppress Emperor Han swiftly with thunderous might, then we will engage in a prolonged struggle. At the same time, send agents to secretly infiltrate the Guiyuan Dynasty, incite public sentiment, and weaken its qi fortune. When the qi fortune of the Guiyuan Dynasty declines enough, that will naturally be the moment for their demise!¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s eyes grew cold, quickly making a decision. Since we cannot win head-to-head, we will use other tactics. The strength of a dynasty¡¯s qi fortune fundamentally rests on the people¡¯s hearts. As long as the people¡¯s hearts no longer belong to the Guiyuan Dynasty, how much qi fortune can Emperor Han still tap into? By then. It will be the time for their end. With Emperor Han dead. The Guiyuan Dynasty will no longer be able to block our path. Hearing Shi Zhen¡¯s words, the others glanced at each other, seeing some subtle emotions in each other¡¯s eyes. If there is no other way, then it must be done this way. However, doing so might cost many soldiers¡¯ lives. But. War has never been without casualties. Even now, as the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army marches victoriously, many have died on the battlefield. At this moment. A guard entered from outside. ¡°Reporting to the general, Institute Envoy Chu Daoxuan and several Tributes have come to pay respects!¡± ¡°Tribute Institute!¡± Upon hearing this, Shi Zhen¡¯s expression turned slightly blank, then immediately joyful. ¡°Quickly invite them in!¡± Shi Zhen was well aware of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s addition of a Tribute Institute. Moreover, there was news from the court that experts from the Tribute Institute would come to aid in the army¡¯s attacks on the Guiyuan Dynasty. However, Shi Zhen did not expect the people from the Tribute Institute to arrive so quickly. Then. Chu Daoxuan and several Tributes entered. ¡°Chu Daoxuan greets General Shi!¡± ¡°Institute Envoy Chu, there¡¯s no need for such politeness!¡± Shi Zhen promptly stood up to return the greeting. The position of Tribute Institute was somewhat transcendent; though it had no official grade, Shi Zhen dared not show the slightest disrespect. Especially Chu Daoxuan before him, a strong figure in the Semi-Saint Realm. In the presence of such a powerful figure, Shi Zhen was particularly cautious. ¡°Greetings, Institute Envoy Chu!¡± The others also cupped their hands in salutation. Responding. Chu Daoxuan smiled back. Soon. The few of them took their seats. Chu Daoxuan then directly asked: ¡°I am here under the orders of the Emperor to assist the army in attacking the Guiyuan Imperial City. What is the current situation?¡± ¡°To inform Institute Envoy Chu, Emperor Han is personally leading the campaign. The morale on the Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s side is high, and our army is advancing with difficulty. We must proceed cautiously!¡± Upon hearing Chu Daoxuan¡¯s words, the smile on Shi Zhen¡¯s face vanished, and his expression became serious again. Hearing this. Chu Daoxuan and the other Tributes also became serious. ¡°The Emperor personally leading the campaign!¡± ¡°This indeed poses quite a challenge!¡± Chu Daoxuan nodded. He was naturally aware of what the Emperor personally leading a campaign signified. Emperor Han was one of the top-tier powerhouses in the Eastern Domain. With a cultivation in the Semi-Saint Realm, even the Chu Daoxuan of the past couldn¡¯t be certain of defeating him. Even now, with the incomplete Ancient Heavenly Blade, it¡¯s still the same. After all. The foundation of a dynasty¡¯s ruler is extraordinary. If he also possesses the dynasty¡¯s qi fortune, such an existence can rival a Saint. In this situation, it¡¯s understandable why the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army couldn¡¯t proceed. Next. Shi Zhen said: ¡°Although we have the Great Saint Weapon, its power is not something a cultivator of the Taoist Palace Realm can fully harness.¡± ¡°There is a way to address this!¡± Chu Daoxuan pondered briefly. ¡°If we use the blood sacrifice method and then personally step in, using our essence blood to activate it, we can greatly unleash the supreme treasure¡¯s power. Chapter 453: 305: The Downfall of the Guiyuan Dynasty_2 Chapter 453: Chapter 305: The Downfall of the Guiyuan Dynasty_2 In that case, even if it can¡¯t fully exhibit the power of the God Slaying Spear, I believe it shouldn¡¯t be a problem to deal with an ordinary Saint! But there¡¯s one thing. Chu Daoxuan didn¡¯t say it out loud. That is, essence blood is precious. For cultivators, if they lose essence blood, it¡¯s absolutely not easy to make up for it later. However, whether it¡¯s Chu Daoxuan or the people of the Tribute Institute, though they had some strange expressions, none of them objected. After all, they joined the Tribute Institute and already received benefits from the court. Now it¡¯s time to give back, it¡¯s only natural to put in the effort. Moreover. If they truly assist the army in taking down the Guiyuan Dynasty. They believe. The court¡¯s rewards would definitely not be lacking. At that time. No matter how much essence blood is consumed, if there are ample resources, making up for it won¡¯t be a problem. ¡°If Institute Envoy Chu has such a thought, we might as well give it a try!¡± Shi Zhen¡¯s eyes lit up, he didn¡¯t expect Chu Daoxuan to go to such lengths for Divine Martial. Although the people coming this time from the Tribute Institute are not many, they have high cultivation. Especially Chu Daoxuan. For a strong figure like him in the Semi-Saint Realm, a drop of essence blood is worth tens or hundreds of thousands of ordinary soldiers. If the strong of the Tribute Institute are willing to sacrifice essence blood, then truly activating the power of the God Slaying Spear is not impossible. ¡ª¡ª While the Divine Martial Dynasty is waging external wars, Gu Qingfeng has now fully recovered the primordial qi lost in the previous battle. He exhaled a long breath. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes shone like a knife. ¡°Finally recovered!¡± Feeling the surging qi and blood in his body, Gu Qingfeng smiled. At his level of cultivation, minor injuries can be healed in an instant, almost as if they never happened. But if it¡¯s an injury affecting his core, recovery wouldn¡¯t be that easy. Luckily. Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t seriously hurt. The battle in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. He fought the Star Imperial Bell with his body, gaining a comprehensive understanding of his own strength. The Three Great Heavenly Veins fully activated. In terms of strength. Gu Qingfeng felt capable of matching Saint King level experts. At the same time. This kind of battle. Made him even more adept at applying his strength. Although he made no breakthroughs in cultivation, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength has indeed improved somewhat. ¡°It seems that mere seclusion cultivation has its limits. Only through combat can a cultivator truly grasp their own power!¡± ¡°I have a solid foundation now, but too few battles. My full potential isn¡¯t fully tapped!¡± ¡°In other words, at the Saint Nine Heavens level, I still have room for improvement¡ª¡ª¡± Speaking of which. Since his cultivation improved, Gu Qingfeng rarely encountered evenly matched opponents. In this End of Dharma Era, whenever he met a cultivator, Gu Qingfeng could easily kill them in an instant. The gap between them. Was like a chasm. That¡¯s why, when confronting the Star Imperial Bell directly, he didn¡¯t use his Imperial Weapon right away, choosing to fight with his body instead. Fighting a Quasi-Imperial Weapon is also a battle with the strong. The benefits brought by such battles sometimes surpass years of seclusion cultivation. In fact. It¡¯s exactly as Gu Qingfeng thought. The battle in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Brought unprecedented gains for Gu Qingfeng. Thinking about it. Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t help but turn his gaze to various forbidden zones. ¡°In this End of Dharma Era, many ancient beings are dormant. The only pressure might come from the ancient sites in these forbidden zones!¡± Any forbidden zone. Contains enormous dangers. Some forbidden zones. Can even make Great Emperors bleed. Now. Gu Qingfeng had the idea of making a journey to the forbidden zones. But before that. Gu Qingfeng glanced at his own cultivation, and didn¡¯t depart immediately. ¡°With Saint Nine Heavens and over two thousand Upgrade Points, once it reaches five thousand Upgrade Points, I can break the Saint¡¯s barrier and step into the Great Saint Realm. In this way, I can ensure more safety when entering forbidden zones!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. Don¡¯t think that the First Level of the Great Saint Realm is just one step away from Saint Nine Heavens. But taking this step is the difference between heaven and earth. Once stepping into the Great Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng is confident that without using an Imperial Weapon, he can suppress the Star Imperial Bell with his absolute cultivation strength. This. Is the change brought by breaking through to the Great Saint Realm. Given the current situation, Gu Qingfeng believes that it won¡¯t take too long. ... Time passed. With the defeat of the Star Dynasty, the entire Nine States returned to peace once again. But beyond the Nine States, the war between the two great dynasties never ceased. In the first year after the Star Dynasty¡¯s defeat, the Divine Martial Dynasty dispatched strong cultivators from the Tribute Institute to battle, joining forces to wield the God Slaying Spear and heavily injure Emperor Han of the Guiyuan Dynasty, completely opening the situation in Moonlight Prefecture. Subsequently, in the following three years, the Guiyuan Dynasty suffered defeat after defeat. By the end, a grand dynasty was left with only the territory of one prefecture, and its downfall was imminent. In Tianyuan Prefecture, the capital of the Guiyuan Dynasty, the current Emperor Han, compared to a few years ago, had already aged considerably, his temples graying, like an old man on the verge of death. At this moment, outside the capital, the army besieged the city. Emperor Han revealed a bitter smile. ¡°I never imagined that the Han family¡¯s foundation of a hundred thousand years would ultimately be destroyed in my hands!¡± Do I regret it? Emperor Han asked himself with his hand on his heart. In the past, he naturally did not. But now, Emperor Han deeply regretted it. If he had known early on that the Divine Martial Dynasty would be so powerful, he would never have provoked them. Or, at the moment of provoking the Divine Martial Dynasty, he would have poured the entire strength of the Guiyuan Dynasty to crush them completely, leaving no room for their growth. If either of these could have been done, the Guiyuan Dynasty wouldn¡¯t be in its current state. Alas, it¡¯s too late to say anything now. After years of war, the army of the Guiyuan Dynasty crumbled like a collapsing mountain, and out of three hundred and seventy-three prefectures, most had fallen, leaving only Tianyuan Prefecture. Even now, much of Tianyuan Prefecture¡¯s territory had changed flags, with only the capital barely holding on. Now, millions of soldiers surrounded the city. As soon as the enemy gave the order, the fate awaiting them would be the city¡¯s fall and the death of its people. At that moment, suddenly there was a commotion in the army below. A cultivator rose into the air and met Emperor Han¡¯s gaze. ¡°Emperor Han, the great momentum of the Guiyuan Dynasty is gone, if you open the city and surrender now, perhaps fewer will have to die!¡± ¡°Shi Zhen... I indeed underestimated your Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Looking at the cultivator before him, Emperor Han¡¯s expression remained calm, neither angry nor murderous, as if facing an old friend. ¡°You are right, the great momentum of the Guiyuan Dynasty is gone!¡± As these words were spoken, the expressions of the other generals defending the city changed. Just as they were about to speak, they were stopped by Emperor Han raising his hand. ¡°Let me ask you, if I am willing to surrender, how will the Divine Martial Dynasty treat my courtiers?¡± ¡°Those willing to submit will be given a chance to live by the Divine Martial Dynasty. Those who resist, insisting on opposing the court, will face certain death!¡± Shi Zhen spoke calmly. His words made Emperor Han nod slightly. ¡°Moreover, I have one last request.¡± ¡°Please speak, Emperor Han!¡± ¡°The Han family bloodline must be preserved, even if it means becoming commoners in the future.¡± After hearing these words, Shi Zhen remained silent for a moment. Then, he spoke, ¡°On this matter, I need to seek the Emperor¡¯s permission!¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Emperor Han nodded. Immediately, Shi Zhen did not hesitate and directly relayed the message back to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Not long after, the Communication Jade Token vibrated. Shi Zhen said, ¡°The Emperor decrees that if the Guiyuan Dynasty is willing to surrender, the Han family bloodline can be preserved, but they must reside in the capital permanently, and without an imperial decree, they cannot leave their residence by even a step!¡± ¡°After two thousand years, this decree will be lifted, and the Han family bloodline will regain their freedom!¡± Upon hearing this, Emperor Han naturally understood Gu Yang¡¯s purpose in doing so. A span of two thousand years was enough to change many things. This answer was very satisfactory to Emperor Han. ¡°Good, tomorrow I will have the gates opened!¡± Chapter 454: 306 Unrivaled Sword Bone Chapter 454: Chapter 306 Unrivaled Sword Bone ¡°General Shi, do you think Emperor Han would surrender so decisively?¡± In the military camp, Chu Daoxuan looked towards the direction of the Capital of the Guiyuan Dynasty, where the atmosphere was tense and heavily guarded. Shi Zhen¡¯s expression was calm. ¡°The Guiyuan Dynasty is beyond saving now. If he wants to preserve the Han Family bloodline, surrender is his only option!¡± ¡°A day¡¯s time is also giving him a chance to maintain some dignity!¡± Dignity¡ª Chu Daoxuan remained silent in his heart. As night fell. A sudden blaze erupted within the Capital. The sounds of the Imperial Palace catching fire echoed, causing chaos within the heavily guarded Capital. This commotion. Naturally also alarmed the Divine Martial Dynasty. Just then. A message reached Shi Zhen¡¯s hand. ¡°What happened?¡± Chu Daoxuan couldn¡¯t help but ask. Shi Zhen put away the Communication Jade Token and spoke calmly. ¡°Emperor Han massacred his concubines and then self-immolated in the palace!¡± ¡°Whew!¡± Upon hearing this news, Chu Daoxuan¡¯s face instantly relaxed. Emperor Han¡¯s self-immolation. This was unexpected, yet not entirely surprising. Clearly. The other party retained their last dignity. The next day. At dawn. The gates of the Capital opened wide, and the high officials of the Guiyuan Dynasty, led by Crown Prince Han Ye, surrendered. In response. Shi Zhen immediately detained everyone, then dispatched troops to take over the Capital, thoroughly controlling this ancient Capital that had been under Guiyuan Dynasty¡¯s rule for a hundred thousand years. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Boom!¡± Over the Nine States. Above the Divine Martial Dynasty. A terrifying Qi Fortune gathered, and the phantom of a Sixth Grade Green Lotus slowly emerged, becoming much more solid than before. The Green Lotus¡¯s pressure was immense as if it could suppress heaven and earth. All cultivators, upon seeing the Green Lotus appear, showed expressions of reverence. ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune has become even more substantial!¡± ¡°This battle... could it be that the Guiyuan Dynasty has fallen¡ª¡± Now, with the war in the Eastern Domain, various cultivators also had some understanding that the Divine Martial Dynasty was advancing rapidly, with rumors stating their troops were pointing straight at Tianyuan Prefecture. After such a long time, it¡¯s not surprising that the Divine Martial Dynasty had truly taken the Guiyuan Dynasty. Otherwise. It would be hard to explain. Why the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty had significantly increased. At the same time. The good news from the Eastern Domain quickly reached Gu Yang¡¯s hands. ¡°Good, we have won a great victory, Shi Zhen should take the first credit!¡± ¡°Issue my decree, conferring Shi Zhen as the Country Town Duke, and appointing him as Zhenyuan General, ranking Secondary First-rank!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s face beamed with joy as he announced Shi Zhen¡¯s rewards in the court. With these words. The faces of the courtiers changed dramatically. Country Town Duke! Zhenyuan General! The former is a marquisate, and the latter a Secondary First-rank official position. Combined, it¡¯s understandable. However. No one voiced opposition. After all, Shi Zhen had just subdued a dynasty, bringing the greatest victory in the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s external campaigns. In such circumstances, Shi Zhen held high prestige in the military, and opposing him now would easily provoke enmity. Subsequently. Gu Yang also announced the rewards for Jiang Mo, Xue Cheng, and Yan Yun and others. Although they didn¡¯t get marquis titles like Shi Zhen, they all received earldoms. With the enfeoffments concluded. Gu Yang then ordered the Six Ministries to send personnel to the Guiyuan Dynasty to integrate the 373 prefectures, ensuring their incorporation into the Divine Martial Dynasty. Only with the loyalty of the people can a dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune greatly increase. However. This endeavor. Requires significant manpower and resources. Manpower is one aspect, and establishing Transmission Arrays between the two sides is another. Looking at the map between the Nine States and Guiyuan Dynasty, with many prefectures in between. For a moment. Gu Yang even thought of dispatching the army to take all these prefectures and connect the two territories completely. But after consideration. Gu Yang refrained from rash actions. At present, the Divine Martial Dynasty had just won, and all aspects needed rest and reorganization. Only after fully integrating the Guiyuan Dynasty would they plan the next step. Additionally. Frequent wars. Could easily induce war-weariness among the soldiers. Therefore. With the war just ended, it wasn¡¯t suitable to initiate another conflict from any perspective. ... Gu Family Manor. After the court session ended. Gu Yang went straight there to meet Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Father, the Guiyuan Dynasty has fallen!¡± As soon as Gu Yang arrived, he directly delivered the joyous news. The purpose of his visit. Was to inform Gu Qingfeng of this matter. In response. Gu Qingfeng remained calm, as if he had expected it. Seeing this. Gu Yang admired him even more. No matter what, he couldn¡¯t maintain composure like Gu Qingfeng, unflinched by the collapse of Taishan before him. ¡°What are your plans next?¡± ¡°As I know, the Guiyuan Dynasty governs 373 prefectures with a populace of billions. If managed well, this power can be of great use. If not, it will become a significant threat!¡± ¡°After all, water can carry a boat, it can also capsize it!¡± Hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, Gu Yang spoke without hesitation. ¡°I plan to first send people to the Eastern Domain, take full control of the 373 prefectures, suppress all unstable factors, then establish academies and implement the Nine States system. In this way, within a century, the 373 prefectures can fully serve the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s words were simple, but actually implementing them wasn¡¯t easy. After all, the Guiyuan Dynasty had governed the 373 prefectures for a hundred thousand years, long-rooted deeply. Truly making the populace¡¯s hearts return would be no simple task. Chapter 455: 306: Unrivaled Sword Bone_2 Chapter 455: Chapter 306: Unrivaled Sword Bone_2 However. Gu Yang was not too worried. As long as he killed a batch of people, suppressed a batch of people, and then implemented benevolent policies, a hundred years¡¯ time would be more than enough. ¡°Since you have a plan, then act according to your plan!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded. He did not intervene too much in Gu Yang¡¯s methods. Thereafter. Gu Yang stayed at Gu Family Manor for half a day, consulting Gu Qingfeng on some cultivation matters. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current Saint Nine Heavens realm, guiding him was a simple task. A few insights into the Great Tao greatly benefited Gu Yang. After half a day. Gu Yang left. Gu Qingfeng looked towards the sky, where the illusion of the Sixth Grade Green Lotus had dissipated. ¡°A Guiyuan Dynasty is not enough to elevate the Divine Martial Dynasty to an Imperial Dynasty, but this matter cannot be rushed. After digesting the foundation of the Guiyuan Dynasty, the Divine Martial Dynasty should be able to advance further. At that time, even if it cannot ascend to an Imperial Dynasty, a lot of effort can still be saved!¡± The last time. The Divine Martial Dynasty ascended. Gu Qingfeng received immense benefits. If it ascends to an Imperial Dynasty later, the benefits will only increase. Gu Qingfeng even suspected. When the Divine Martial Dynasty ascends to the Imperial Dynasty, he might even obtain a Direct Ascension Pill for the Saint Realm. After all. When a Dynasty appeared, it granted a Direct Ascension Pill for the Divine Transformation realm, and when an Imperial Dynasty granted a Direct Ascension Pill for the Dao Palace realm, it would be normal for the Imperial Dynasty to grant a Direct Ascension Pill for the Saint Realm. But to ascend to an Imperial Dynasty, the Divine Martial Dynasty still had a long way to go. Even if it swallowed the ten-thousand-year foundation of the Guiyuan Dynasty, it would not be accomplished in one stroke. After all¡ª¡ª The ascension of an Imperial Dynasty is by no means ordinary. The entire Ancient Desolate World. There is no shortage of ancient Dynasties. But reaching the level of an Imperial Dynasty, the number drastically drops. Just speaking of the Eastern Domain. There are very few ancient Imperial Dynasties. Any Imperial Dynasty requires a long time of accumulation to finally ascend. And above an Imperial Dynasty, a Divine Dynasty. There is none. Gu Qingfeng now knows of a Divine Dynasty only from the Ancient Times, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. Of course. This does not mean. That from the Ancient Times to the present, only one Divine Dynasty has appeared in the entire Ancient Desolate World. It¡¯s just that the Divine Dynasties of the past were buried in the sands of time, and now in the Ancient Desolate World, Divine Dynasties have disappeared, leaving Imperial Dynasties to reign supreme. ¡ª¡ª Since the fall of the Guiyuan Dynasty. The Divine Martial Dynasty sent people to take over the 373 provinces, formally raising the flag of the Divine Martial Dynasty. As a result. It naturally caused considerable unrest. Many forces had close ties with the Guiyuan Dynasty, and the remaining remnants of the Guiyuan Dynasty still harbored ambitions, trying to overthrow the rule of the Divine Martial Dynasty and restore the prosperity of the Guiyuan Dynasty. As for these people. Gu Yang naturally showed no mercy. Whenever they were discovered. He directly dispatched the army to encircle and suppress them. Anyone who attempted to collude with rebels was invariably guilty of exterminating all nine generations of their family. Under such ruthless methods, blood flowed like rivers in the 373 provinces. The number of cultivators who fell during the rebellion even exceeded those who fell during the war between the Divine Martial Dynasty and the Guiyuan Dynasty. The cruel methods of the Divine Martial Dynasty naturally incited more rebellious sentiments among the cultivators. However. Gu Yang did not retreat an inch. In his view. If there is rebellious sentiment, then just kill, kill until no one dares to oppose, and the problem will naturally be solved. In an instant. The heads of the three hundred and seventy-three prefectures rolled. Each decree passed down represented the lives of tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people. In three years. Countless forces in various prefectures were annihilated, and more than a billion cultivators involved in rebellion met their doom. With the Divine Martial Dynasty completely disregarding the lives of cultivators, slaughtering them indiscriminately, the remaining people were finally terrified. They discovered. The Divine Martial Dynasty did not care about public opinion. Nor did they care about collective condemnation. Anyone who attempted to overthrow its rulers faced only one policy from the Divine Martial Dynasty. And that was ¡ª kill!!! Hence. The remaining cultivators were naturally terrified. Seeing this. Gu Yang took the opportunity to incorporate some of the local forces, turning them into the court¡¯s sharp blades, directly serving as a force to suppress various factions. Subsequently. Numerous beneficial policies were implemented one by one, quickly gaining acceptance from the cultivators and civilians of the three hundred and seventy-three prefectures. By the fifth year. The influence of the Guiyuan Dynasty had been suppressed to the utmost extent. Except for a few diehard loyalists, everyone else gradually accepted the rule of the Divine Martial Dynasty. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, uses iron-blooded means to suppress the three hundred and seventy-three prefectures of the Eastern Domain, causing heads to roll and instilling deep fear. The tyrant¡¯s name has spread far and wide!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, supports the local forces of the three hundred and seventy-three prefectures, stabilizing the chaotic situation!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, demonstrates extraordinary governance skills, easing the tyrant¡¯s reputation and gradually increasing his esteem among the populace!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, gains an ancient inheritance, enhancing his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, goes into secluded cultivation, gaining various insights and slightly improving his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, hears slander from underlings saying Shi Zhen, the Country Town Duke, is too powerful and must be guarded against. He immediately flies into a rage and rebukes them on the spot!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, receives your guidance, slightly improving his cultivation, vaguely touching the threshold of the Sixth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯, receives a large allocation of resources from the Taixu Sacred Land, activating the potential of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, and greatly enhancing his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯, breaks through to the Third Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *500!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯, becomes increasingly renowned in the Taixu Sacred Land, and is vaguely considered the next Peak Master of the Ninth Peak!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯, leads the cultivators of the Taixu Sacred Land to suppress an evil spirit uprising!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯, receives guidance from a mysterious expert, slightly improving his strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, consumes a demon core, greatly enhancing his cultivation!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, accidentally enters a forbidden land, narrowly escaping death. Ultimately, relying on his fate, he successfully escapes the forbidden land and gains great fortune!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, gains the recognition of an incomplete imperial weapon; Emperor Extreme Great Saint believes he is the Child of Destiny and has a future hope of proving the Emperor Realm!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, is attacked by demons *236535 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, is attacked by demons *1123641 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, exterminates a demon sect with absolute strength; a slumbering Demon Lord awakens but is no match for the incomplete imperial weapon and is directly killed on the spot!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, slays the Demon Lord, his name resounding throughout the Demon Realm; all factions are shaken and vow to kill this human prodigy at any cost!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, is attacked by demons *2366639 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, is attacked by demons *5369778 times!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, consumes a large number of demon cores, on the verge of breaking through to the Eighth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, but he deems his foundation unstable and suppresses the urge to break through, continuing to refine his foundation!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, meets with your death soldier Gu Sishiqi!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯, receives guidance from a mysterious expert and breaks through to the Late Tier of the Great Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Reward points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯, consumes an ancient elixir, breaking through to the Perfection of the Great Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Reward points *200!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯, gains sudden enlightenment while practicing the Green Lotus Sword Scripture, successfully comprehending the Thirteenth Level of True Intent, greatly enhancing her strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯, receives guidance from a mysterious expert, enters an ancient forbidden land to cleanse her genetic potential, aiming to break through to the Divine Transformation in the strongest state!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯, undergoes the baptism of the forbidden land, forging an Unrivaled Sword Bone; her aptitude undergoes a great transformation, greatly enhancing her strength!¡± ¡°Your offspring, ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯, goes into seclusion for intense cultivation, breaking through to the First Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ... Chapter 456: 307: Promotion to Great Saint, New Panel Features! Chapter 456: Chapter 307: Promotion to Great Saint, New Panel Features! ¡°Unrivaled Sword Bone!¡± ¡°Thirteenth Level True Intent!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression shifted. He remembered that Gu Shengnan was now in her early forties. This age was naturally considered young among cultivators. At such an age, not only did Gu Shengnan break through to the first layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, but she also comprehended the Thirteenth Level True Intent. One more step, and she could begin to grasp the power of the domain. This shows. Her comprehension and talent were indeed astonishing. Next, Gu Qingfeng continued to look at the attribute panel. Over five years, great changes had occurred throughout the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Shengqing, who was originally conferred as Princess Changping, and Gu Shengxi, who was conferred as Princess Changle, both had taken husbands and each had given birth to children over the past few years. As members of the imperial bloodline, the two women naturally could not marry into other families. So their husbands became Prince Consorts. Their children were given the surname Gu. Their husbands were from humble backgrounds, so they had no complaints about this arrangement. In ordinary powers, princesses generally married into other families. But with the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty, such measures were unnecessary. Moreover, Gu Qingfeng disdained marriage alliances. Even if Gu Yang had such thoughts, he would not agree. Three years ago, each gave birth to a daughter. One was named Gu Yunrong, the other Gu Yunxiu. A year ago, each gave birth again to another pair of infants, one boy and one girl. The boy was named Gu Yunli, the girl was named Gu Yunfan. Thus, the third generation of the Gu Family had six members. Including the few from the first and second generations, the Gu Family bloodline now had fourteen members. But this was far from the limit. As princes, Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an each had to take concubines, and the imperial bloodline must be sufficiently numerous. Thus, several concubines were pregnant. Within a year, the Gu Family¡¯s bloodline would grow stronger. In terms of power, the second generation of the Gu Family, led by Gu Shengnan, Gu Shengxing, and Gu Sheng¡¯an, all shattered the bottleneck of becoming Great Grandmasters and successfully stepped into the range of the Divine Transformation Realm. The reason for their rapid breakthrough, aside from their impressive talent, was the abundant resources they received. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty had obtained hundreds of thousands of middle-grade Divine Blood Stones from the Star Dynasty. Later, after subduing Guiyuan Dynasty and taking in an ancient dynasty that had endured for a hundred thousand years, the abundance of resources further solidified the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s foundation. As such, as members of the imperial lineage, they naturally received preferential treatment. The rest of the second generation bloodline, though not reaching the Divine Transformation Realm, had all broken through to the Master level. Then, it was the third generation¡¯s turn. Gu Yunyue and Gu Yunfeng both broke through to the Perfect Marrow Cleansing Realm. One more step, and they could enter the Refining Organ Realm, the final stage of the five levels of body refinement. Although Perfect Marrow Cleansing might seem insignificant now, one must understand that, Gu Yunfeng and Gu Yunyue were only fourteen years old. To achieve Perfect Marrow Cleansing at such a young age was indicative of their extraordinary talent. Next, in terms of Death Soldiers, in five years, many had died due to various accidents, but many others gained opportunities that significantly increased their strength. Among them, the one who advanced the fastest was Gu Sishiqi, who had already reunited with Gu Xiu. In just a few years, his cultivation had soared from the first layer to the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Amongst the numerous Death Soldiers, his strength was the highest. Then, Wu, Dao, Cang, and Long, Gu Chang and Gu Long both shattered the ninth layer limitation of the Divine Transformation Realm, stepping into the Dao Palace Realm. As a result, among most Death Soldiers, about five or six had broken through to the Dao Palace Realm. The number of those at the eighth and ninth layers of the Divine Transformation Realm was even higher. For the Death Soldiers at this level, breaking through to the Dao Palace Realm was only a matter of time. After all, with their talent and enough resources, breaking into the Dao Palace Realm was not a big issue. Overall, in five years, the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty had grown significantly. Not only had the Gu Family¡¯s power grown, but the strength of the many Hidden Guards and Death Soldiers spread throughout the Ancient Desolate World had also increased to varying degrees. Now, if Gu Qingfeng were to call, he could create upheaval across the entire Ancient Desolate World. However¡ª Gu Qingfeng did not do so. As the Divine Martial Dynasty was now stable, there was no need to go that far yet. Finally, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 80/7000 Realm: Ninth Layer of Saint Realm Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Third Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfect), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Perfect), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter, Sixth Layer), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Small Success), Nine Heavens Scripture (Saint Chapter, Ninth Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfect), Beidou Dao Scripture (Perfect), Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique (Perfect) Upgrade Points: 5136 ... Compared to five years ago, there was little change in Gu Qingfeng. Many of his cultivation techniques had reached perfection. The Nirvana Dao Scripture had broken through from the first layer of the Dao Palace Chapter to the sixth layer. The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill still remained at the Small Success stage. There was no helping it. The Great Saint¡¯s Divine Power was not something that could be achieved to great success in just a few years. Chapter 457: 307: Promotion to Great Saint, New Panel Features!_2 Chapter 457: Chapter 307: Promotion to Great Saint, New Panel Features!_2 Fortunately. Now the upgrade points have surpassed five thousand. Gu Qingfeng is finally able to take another step forward. ¡°Five thousand upgrade points!¡± ¡°It¡¯s enough to break into the Great Saint Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath, then stepped forward, and his figure instantly disappeared from the spot. Outside the Nine States. In the Chaos. With a thought, Gu Qingfeng watched as the five thousand upgrade points ebbed away like a tide. Immediately. A flood of memories surged forth. These were memories about the Great Saint Chapter of the Nine Heavens Scripture. It was as if Gu Qingfeng had truly spent a thousand years in painstaking cultivation of the Nine Heavens Scripture, finally comprehending the mysteries of the Great Saint Chapter, breaking through the shackles of the Saint Nine Heavens, and successfully stepping into the Great Saint Realm. As the Nine Heavens Scripture broke through. The power of qi and blood within Gu Qingfeng surged ten times more terrifyingly than before, now exploding from the depths of his flesh. In the next moment, he saw his entire body acting like a black hole, madly plundering all forms of energy in the cosmic void. Simultaneously. Above the void. The Great Saint Heavenly Tribulation quietly descended. Before Gu Qingfeng could react, the terrifying, thick thunderbolt struck down fiercely, turning the space for tens of miles into dust with its apocalyptic power. It was as though the universe did not permit any beings of the Great Saint Realm to be born, so such power of the heavenly tribulation was exceedingly astonishing. However. No matter how strong the Great Saint Heavenly Tribulation was. It had no effect on Gu Qingfeng at all. His flesh was perfect and unbroken by primordial chaos, no matter how the thunder tribulation bombarded him, he remained as immovable as an eternal rock. Then. The tribulation transformed. Ancient shadows emerged from the tribulation clouds, launching countless divine skills to strike at Gu Qingfeng. These shadows. Were left by the mighty beings who had passed through the Great Saint Tribulation across the ages. Being able to leave an impression in the Heavenly Dao indicated that these beings were among the top in the Great Saint Realm over countless ages. Nonetheless¡ª Shadows were ultimately shadows. These beings, who were once invincible in the Great Saint Realm, could not fully exert their past powers. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s absolute foundation, he could contend with such beings even without using the Three Great Heavenly Veins. However. Facing these ancient shadows, Gu Qingfeng was still secretly taken aback. ¡°It seems that this universe has indeed produced numerous astonishingly talented individuals. Even a shadow left behind can possess the absolute power to suppress an ordinary Great Saint!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought to himself that his strength certainly belonged to the powerful category within the Great Saint Realm. If it were a battle of equals, no one would be his match. However. The shadow before him brought some pressure upon him. One particularly domineering and majestic figure displayed supreme divine skills with just a wave of its hand; the terrifying power tore through the cosmic void, seemingly capable of overturning star rivers and annihilating endless stars. Such a being. Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath, his qi and blood boiling, and with a wave of his hand, a supreme Heavenly Blade condensed, directly tearing open the cosmic void. Immediately. He raised his hand again and unleashed the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill, causing divine fire to appear out of thin air, transforming into an almighty phoenix soaring into the sky, the extreme heat capable of incinerating everything completely. Boom! Rumbling!! Gu Qingfeng battled with the ancient shadows, displaying numerous great Tao divine powers, creating an astonishing and magnificent momentum. Ancient Heavenly Blade! Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill! Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder! Every divine skill he exhibited had unparalleled power, and any single attack was enough to obliterate an ordinary Great Saint. After a long while. The shadow abruptly shattered. Then. A powerful force revived from Gu Qingfeng. In an instant. Such power swept across the cosmic void. Under this mighty aura, countless stars shattered. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 80/8000 Realm: Great Saint Realm First Level Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Third Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Divine Sun Scripture (Perfect), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Perfect), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Sixth Layer), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Small Success), Nine Heavens Scripture (Great Saint Chapter First Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfect), Beidou Dao Scripture (Perfect), Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique (Perfect) Upgrade Points: 136 ... ¡°Great Saint Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng examined his body internally and glanced at his attribute panel, seeing his cultivation had already transformed to the Great Saint Realm. As for his lifespan, it had increased by a thousand years. A full eight thousand years of lifespan. Given Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current age, he had barely lived through one percent. However. What truly concerned Gu Qingfeng. Was the change in his current strength. If, at the Saint Nine Heavens before, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t activate the Heavenly Meridian, his strength would be equivalent to the sixth layer of the Great Saint Realm. Now, having broken through to the Great Saint Realm, his strength surged directly to the peak of the ninth layer of the Great Saint Realm, just one step away from being on par with the Half-step Saint King Realm. ¡°Great Saint Realm First Layer cultivation!¡± ¡°Great Saint Realm Ninth Layer strength!¡± ¡°If I utilize a single Heavenly Meridian, my strength should break through the Great Saint¡¯s shackles and step into the ranks of the Saint King!¡± ¡°If I were to activate all three Great Heavenly Veins, perhaps I could rival the Third Layer of the Saint King Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng was naturally very satisfied with this change. Compared to before his breakthrough, he would need to activate the power of the three Great Heavenly Veins to barely equal a Saint King. But now. Gu Qingfeng only needed to activate a single Heavenly Meridian to rival a Saint King Realm expert. If all three Great Heavenly Veins were deployed. He could greatly rival the Third Layer of the Saint King Realm. Yet. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s true realm had just broken through the First Layer of the Great Saint Realm. The First Layer of the Great Saint Realm was already such. If he advances further to the Ninth Layer of the Great Saint Realm. Gu Qingfeng believed. Perhaps he could rival a Quasi Emperor level existence without relying on the power of an Imperial Weapon. With this thought. Gu Qingfeng looked into the cosmic void. After breaking through the Great Saint Realm now, his divine sense perception was amplified tenfold, many things he previously could not sense were now becoming clear. In the vast cosmos. Gu Qingfeng sniffed out quite a few dangerous auras there. Clearly. The cosmic void. Was not simple at all. But upon deeper thought, Gu Qingfeng found it normal. After all, the universe was vast, the Ancient Desolate World was but a drop in the ocean, so it¡¯s not surprising if powerful entities exist. Yet. Gu Qingfeng had no immediate plans to explore the cosmos. Hence. He merely glanced at the void, then turned to leave. ¡ª¡ª Returning to the Nine States. Gu Qingfeng began to study the changes brought about by his breakthrough. Upon entering the Great Saint Realm. Not only did his strength transform. Even the Golden Finger he carried underwent subtle changes. Besides the information panel and attribute panel, a new fusion panel had appeared. When Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze fell upon the fusion panel, corresponding information immediately surfaced. Fusion Panel. Can fuse cultivation techniques and divine skills from across the world, with a certain probability to advance to a higher level. Moreover. Any technique successfully fused will directly achieve Perfection. ¡°Fusion techniques!¡± ¡°Instantly achieving Perfection!¡± ¡°If I can fuse a Great Emperor level technique, wouldn¡¯t I directly become a Great Emperor!¡± With this thought. Gu Qingfeng tried using the Nine Heavens Scripture and Nirvana Dao Scripture to see if these two techniques could fuse into a higher level. As the two techniques appeared. Fusion screen immediately presented corresponding text. ¡°Detected Saint King lower grade technique ¡®Nine Heavens Scripture¡¯!¡± ¡°Detected Great Saint top-grade technique ¡®Nirvana Dao Scripture¡¯!¡± ¡°Fusion of these two techniques, 80% chance to obtain a Saint King lower grade technique, 10% chance to obtain a Great Saint top-grade technique, 5% chance to obtain a Saint King middle grade technique, 3% chance to obtain a Saint King upper grade technique, 1% chance to obtain a Saint King top-grade technique, 0.1% chance to obtain a Quasi Emperor lower grade technique!¡± ¡°This fusion requires ten thousand upgrade points!¡± Seeing the myriad possibilities, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes showed a slight shift. The so-called Saint King lower grade technique referred to those cultivable to the Third Layer of the Saint King Realm. While the Saint King top-grade technique was cultivable to the Half-step Quasi Emperor Realm. Such techniques. Were among the absolute pinnacle at the Saint King level. Beyond that. Were those cultivable to the Quasi Emperor level. Chapter 459: 308: Request for Assistance from Taixu Sacred Land_2 Chapter 459: Chapter 308: Request for Assistance from Taixu Sacred Land_2 That Dao Palace Realm expert, seeing this, let out a furious roar, his entire body surging with Qi and blood, illuminating the heavens like a great sun. His fierce, domineering fists shattered the space, attempting to block the strike of the Evil Spirit. In the next instant. The great sun shattered. The Dao Palace Realm cultivator trembled all over, spat out fresh blood from his mouth, and his face turned pallid. Defeated! Defeated in a single encounter! All the cultivators, witnessing such a scene, were filled with despair. The Dao Palace Realm was already the highest cultivation level among all present, but even so, it couldn¡¯t withstand a single blow from the Evil Spirit. Its strength. Made everyone feel utterly hopeless. Just when it seemed the city could no longer hold, an ancient mirror rose into the sky, with supreme divine light piercing through the heavens and earth. The rolling black mist, upon touching the divine light, dissolved at a speed visible to the naked eye. ¡°Roar!¡± The muddy Evil Spirit seemed to sense some danger, trying to resist with all its might, but it couldn¡¯t withstand such an attack at all. In the end. When the divine light struck, The Evil Spirit¡¯s chest was pierced through, with black blood flowing out. ¡°Taixu Ancient Mirror!¡± ¡°The Saint Master has intervened!!¡± The cultivators from Taixu Sacred Land, seeing this, all had faces brimming with ecstatic joy. The Taixu Ancient Mirror. Is the supreme treasure of Taixu Sacred Land. Now. The appearance of the Taixu Ancient Mirror. Meant that Yan Lingyun had arrived. After all, in the entire Taixu Sacred Land, only Yan Lingyun had the qualifications to wield the Taixu Ancient Mirror. Sure enough. As the Taixu Ancient Mirror heavily injured the muddy Evil Spirit, Yan Lingyun stepped into the air, and the pressure of the Semi-Saint Realm erupted instantly, sweeping in all directions. ¡°All disciples of Taixu Sacred Land, heed my command, join me in slaying the Evil Spirit!!¡± As the words fell. Yan Lingyun once again summoned the Taixu Ancient Mirror, the grand Saintly Power descending, making the muddy Evil Spirit seem to sense some fatal peril, attempting to turn and flee. However. The Taixu divine light was too fast. So fast that there was no time to react. The muddy Evil Spirit just started to move, but was pierced through the head by the divine light, its remaining body completely melted by the power of the Taixu Ancient Mirror, turning to ashes instantly. As the muddy Evil Spirit fell, other revived undead seemed to lose their vitality, collapsing to the ground without a sound. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± Seeing this, everyone heaved a sigh of relief, their faces showing the joy of narrowly escaping death. Only Yan Lingyun looked at the blackened earth before him, his expression especially grave. ¡°Evil Spirit!¡± Yan Lingyun knew very well that the turmoil caused by the Evil Spirit before him was merely a microcosm of the entire Eastern Domain. Evil Spirit turmoil. Was by no means as simple as it seemed. Moreover. Although that Evil Spirit had been slain just now, Yan Lingyun knew clearly that its strength had already broken through the barrier of the Semi-Saint, enough to rival a Saint-level existence. If it weren¡¯t for using the Taixu Ancient Mirror, Yan Lingyun wouldn¡¯t have been confident in suppressing the Evil Spirit. ¡°In the End of Dharma Era, no Saints emerge. Nowadays, even an Evil Spirit has the power to rival a Saint. If an even stronger Evil Spirit appears, the consequences would be disastrous!¡± Yan Lingyun¡¯s expression grew even more solemn. A Saint-level Evil Spirit. Taixu Sacred Land could resist. But what about a Great Saint Realm, or even a Saint King Realm Evil Spirit? Not to mention the Taixu Sacred Land of the End of Dharma Era, even the Taixu Sacred Land in its prime might have struggled to contend. Moreover. Yan Lingyun was very clear. His thoughts were not mere speculation. After all, the Evil Spirit had a long history, traceable to the Ancient era. In those days, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, which dominated the Ancient Desolate World, couldn¡¯t completely eradicate the Evil Spirit, showing its terribleness. Now. The Evil Spirit has revived. But the Ancient Desolate World no longer has a second Taiyi Divine Dynasty. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Elder Fu He of the Ninth Peak of Taixu Sacred Land, pays respect to Emperor Gu!¡± In the hall, Fu He, dressed in purple, respectfully saluted Gu Yang above. Although he was the master of Gu Xuan, Fu He dared not show the slightest neglect in front of Gu Yang, nor did he have the courage to speak with him as an elder. Simply because the person before him was the current ruler of the Divine Martial Dynasty. The affairs of the 373 prefectures of the Eastern Domain had already revealed to Fu He the iron-fisted methods of this person. It was clear. The Emperor Gu before him was a truly hegemonic figure. If one were to offend him, Fu He could already imagine the consequences. However. Though Fu He was respectful. Gu Yang¡¯s expression was gentle: ¡°Elder Fu, may I ask the reason for your visit?¡± Gu Yang was not unfamiliar with Fu He. He had great respect for this master of his second brother. Although he was now not only the ruler of the dynasty but also a Fifth Layer Tiaoist Palace Realm expert, whereas Fu He was only at the First Layer, Gu Yang still treated him courteously. Hearing Gu Yang¡¯s gentle words, Fu He felt relieved and immediately got straight to the point. ¡°Your Majesty, the Taixu Sacred Land has suffered attacks from the Evil Spirit. Three provinces have already fallen, and over a hundred million cultivators have perished. Despite our utmost efforts to resist, we cannot stop the invasion of the Evil Spirit.¡± ¡°Therefore, I have come to request that the Divine Martial Dynasty come forward to support Taixu Sacred Land in resisting the Evil Spirit!¡± After finishing, Fu He bowed to Gu Yang. Requesting support! Upon hearing Fu He¡¯s words, Gu Yang¡¯s expression cleared. Then. He smiled and said: ¡°The Taixu Sacred Land and the Divine Martial Dynasty are allies. Now that our ally is in difficulty, the Divine Martial Dynasty will naturally assist. Please stay in the capital for a few days, and I will make the necessary arrangements!¡± ¡°In that case, thank you, Your Majesty!¡± Fu He visibly relaxed, and a smile appeared on his stern face. ... After the court session. Gu Yang summoned Gu Yi. ¡°I need the Jinyi Guard to gather all the intelligence on Taixu Sacred Land and the situation concerning the Evil Spirit. Can it be done in three days?¡± ¡°Your servant will do his utmost!¡± Gu Yi accepted the command with a serious demeanor. Then. Gu Yang waved his hand. Gu Yi bowed and exited. ¡°The Evil Spirit turmoil!¡± ¡°This matter is indeed not a small trouble!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression was solemn. Although the Evil Spirit was causing havoc throughout the Nine States, it could never create much of a storm. After all, with the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty, any Evil Spirit that wasn¡¯t too powerful could be suppressed directly. Even if the turmoil caused some casualties, it was still within a controllable range. Moreover. The greatest factor in the Nine States¡¯ stability. Was having Gu Qingfeng overseeing it. As long as he was there, Gu Yang had no worries about the Evil Spirit. However¡ª The Nine States were not affected by the Evil Spirit. But news of Evil Spirit incidents had already emerged from the Eastern Domain¡¯s three hundred and seventy-three provinces, though they had not yet caused significant disturbances. This time. The call for assistance from Taixu Sacred Land. Made Gu Yang realize. The issue with the Evil Spirit might be more severe than he had imagined. Three days later. Gu Yi presented all the gathered intelligence to Gu Yang. After reviewing all the documents, Gu Yang¡¯s expression grew increasingly solemn. ¡°I never thought the situation in Taixu Sacred Land had deteriorated to such an extent, no wonder Fu He came personally to seek help!¡± Upon understanding the matter. Gu Yang had already made his decision. Provide support! Support was a must! The principle of ¡®if the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold¡¯. How could Gu Yang not understand? The Taixu Sacred Land and the Divine Martial Dynasty were allies. If Taixu Sacred Land were to be destroyed, the next faction to face the Evil Spirit might be the Divine Martial Dynasty. Conversely. If the Divine Martial Dynasty sent troops to assist, allowing Taixu Sacred Land to fend off the Evil Spirit invasion, the pressure on the Divine Martial Dynasty would lessen greatly. Additionally. When the Star Dynasty invaded, Taixu Sacred Land also stepped in. Both in terms of emotion and reason. There was no way Gu Yang could stand by and do nothing. Thus. After making a decision. Gu Yang summoned Shi Zhen again, ordering him to lead ten million elite troops and carry the God Slaying Spear to Taixu Sacred Land to suppress the Evil Spirit turmoil. To this end. Shi Zhen accepted the order without hesitation. Receiving the news, Fu He was overjoyed. ¡°With Country Town Duke stepping in, the Evil Spirit turmoil this time should pose little threat!¡± Fu He naturally had heard of Shi Zhen¡¯s renown. This was the top expert who led the destruction of the Guiyuan Dynasty. Gu Yang¡¯s decision to send Shi Zhen showed how much importance the Divine Martial Dynasty attached to assisting Taixu Sacred Land. Chapter 460: 309 Ancient Qin Family Chapter 460: Chapter 309 Ancient Qin Family ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ met with the elder Fu He of Taixu Sacred Land, agreed to his request for assistance, and then dispatched the Country Town Duke Shi Zhen to lead troops to Taixu Sacred Land to suppress the turmoil caused by the Evil Spirits!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ received the blessing of the Dynasty¡¯s fate, his cultivation seemed assisted by divine powers, and his cultivation showed significant improvement!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ fell into enlightenment, his cultivation broke through to the Sixth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *900!¡± ¡°Reward Nourishing God Pill *100!¡± ¡°Reward Enlightenment Pill *100!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ¡°A new descendant has been born!¡± ¡°A new descendant has been born!¡± ¡°A new descendant has been born!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ sequestered himself for intense cultivation, successfully breaking through to the Fourth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *500!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ broke through during battle, his cultivation reaching the Eighth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *500!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ consumed a large number of Demon Cores, his cultivation breaking through to the Ninth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *500!¡± ¡°A new descendant has been born!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ developed the Unrivaled Sword Bone, her talent transformed, she seemed divinely assisted in her cultivation, breaking through to the Second Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯...¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ broke through to the Eighth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Shengxing¡¯ broke through to the Fourth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ broke through to the Fifth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yunfeng¡¯ received guidance from a mysterious expert, his cultivation advanced rapidly, successfully breaking through the limits of the Grandmaster Realm to reach the First Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ¡ª¡ª This year. Gu Qingfeng turned a hundred years old. Since he broke through to the Great Saint Realm, twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Over the past twenty years. The Divine Martial Dynasty entered an explosive phase. The Qin Family bloodline. Was greatly enhanced. Firstly. Both second-generation members Gu Shengxing and Gu Sheng¡¯an have gradually given birth to many descendants over these twenty years. Because of this. The number of third-generation members of the Qin Family has now surpassed twenty. As for the second generation, the number has not changed much. This is an inevitable fact. Gu Yang¡¯s cultivation has reached the Sixth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, making the probability of him having descendants low. Moreover, he has been obsessed with cultivation and handling national affairs, leaving him no extra time for other pursuits. As for Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu, needless to say. One is the Saint Heir of Taixu Sacred Land, possessed of a Divine Body, with prospects of contending for the Great Emperor Realm in the future, thus naturally not entangled by matters of family. And the other. It goes without saying. Gu Xiu has been in the Demon Realm for years, causing upheaval in the entire realm. Nine Layers of Dao Palace Realm cultivation! A fragmented Imperial Weapon! With both combined. Even the Demon Lords must bleed when faced with him. Therefore. The Qin Family¡¯s second generation mostly consists of descendants of Gu Yang, with no relation to the other two. As for the first generation, it¡¯s needless to mention. Gu Qingfeng no longer has the idea of producing more descendants, as Gu Yang and the two others are sufficient for him. Currently, the lineage of Gu Yang has flourished, the third generation is entirely of his bloodline, now numbering twenty members. Moreover. Among the third generation. The eldest, Gu Yunfeng, has reached the age of thirty. At such an age. He is already at the stage of marriage. ¡°Among the third-generation descendants, the youngest is already fourteen, while the slightly older ones have already married, leaving few who are yet to be matched. Soon, the fourth generation of the Qin Family will come into being!¡± ¡°The family bloodline will expand further, it won¡¯t be long!¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly. The flourishing Qin Family bloodline is a sight he is pleased to see. Over twenty years. Even though Gu Yang, the foremost descendant, only broke through one realm, Gu Qingfeng accumulated over ten thousand upgrade points. The fundamental reason lies in the contributions of numerous other descendants. One person might not contribute much. But with more people. The number of upgrade points grew considerably. At the same time. After breaking through the Great Saint Realm, Gu Qingfeng found cultivating the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill much easier. Twenty years of seclusion allowed him to successfully cultivate this divine skill to the stage of Perfection, equaling the former Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint. However¡ª¡ª Gu Qingfeng only equaled the Heavenly Phoenix Great Saint in Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill. In terms of strength, he surpassed the former Great Saint long ago, reaching another level. Meanwhile. Over twenty years. The turmoil caused by Evil Spirits worsened. Many ancient forces suffered heavy losses facing Evil Spirits. Some even. Were eradicated by Evil Spirits. Among them. The Star Dynasty suffered heavily at the hands of Evil Spirits. Ten years ago. Strong Evil Spirits invaded on a large scale, causing significant losses to the Star Dynasty. Latter. It was the Star Dynasty¡¯s Emperor Venerate Lu Zhen who personally acted, using the last remaining Quasi-Imperial Weapon to dismantle the turmoil. Even so. The Star Dynasty could not recover much of its Primordial Qi over the past ten years. As for the Divine Martial Dynasty, it also faced turmoil from Evil Spirits. Over twenty years, Gu Qingfeng made several moves. He acted every time to suppress Evil Spirits surpassing Semi-Saint levels. Regarding Evil Spirits below Saint levels, Gu Qingfeng did not intervene much. Chapter 461: 309 Ancient Qin Family_2 Chapter 461: Chapter 309 Ancient Qin Family_2 ... ¡°Father!¡± On this day, Gu Yang personally arrived at the Gu Family Manor. Gu Qingfeng glanced at the other party and said faintly, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°There are reports of an evil spirit of destructive power emerging in the Central State. The Great Zhou Dynasty has already been destroyed, and an entire state¡¯s living beings have all perished, becoming blood food for the evil spirit!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s expression was incomparably grave as he spoke word by word. Upon hearing this. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face suddenly changed slightly. ¡°An evil spirit of destructive power!¡± He had some knowledge of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but in fact, he didn¡¯t know much. After all, the Great Zhou Dynasty was far away in the Central Domain, while the Nine States were right next to the Eastern Domain. The distance between the two was incredibly vast. But regardless. Any dynasty capable of being called an Imperial Dynasty. Their foundational strength was definitely not simple. Moreover. The Central Domain was the center of the Ancient Desolate World, also the most flourishing place. An Imperial Dynasty capable of standing there naturally had strength among the top-most of many other dynasties. Now. The Great Zhou Dynasty has been destroyed, even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s disposition, he found it hard to remain calm. Gu Yang said, ¡°The destruction of the Great Zhou Dynasty was due to an evil spirit natural disaster, but no one understands the exact situation.¡± ¡°However, this matter alarmed an ancient saint who had been sleeping. That saint ventured alone into the Ancient Moon State, but when he came out, he was already seriously injured.¡± ¡°That saint clearly stated that a destructive evil spirit had emerged in the Zhou Domain, and all cultivators in the state had perished.¡± ¡°The emergence of a destructive evil spirit is a calamity that affects the entire Ancient Desolate World!¡± Once those words fell. Gu Qingfeng suddenly asked, ¡°What happened to that saint?¡± ¡°He died!¡± ¡°He died?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Yang nodded. ¡°A few days after he returned from the Ancient Moon State, he fell into madness and eventually died. There are rumors that after the saint fell, his body underwent strange changes, seemingly showing signs of revival as an evil spirit. Worried about that revival, the power to which that saint belonged used certain means to suppress his body.¡± Hearing this. Gu Qingfeng already understood. An entity that can cause the fall of an imperial dynasty, and even lead to the death of a saint, might indeed be a destructive evil spirit. A destructive evil spirit. Only beings that have reached the Quasi Emperor level can be considered as such. This surpasses the level of a natural disaster evil spirit. In fact. The categorization of evil spirits. Was not a method devised by the Divine Martial Dynasty. But knowledge Gu Yang had learned from some traces left by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty in the past. So-called destructive level. Can be traced back to the ancient period. The weakest destructive level evil spirits are enough to rival entities of the Quasi Emperor level. And the most formidable destructive level evil spirits can rival invincible great emperors. Now. In a short time. The Great Zhou Dynasty was destroyed. If it weren¡¯t for a destructive level evil spirit, such an outcome would be impossible. ¡°What are the plans of the Central Domain now?¡± Gu Qingfeng asked. ¡°Led by the Red Dust Immortal Sect and other emperor-level forces like the Qin Family of the Ancient Desolate World, they have sent messages everywhere, intending to unite the strength of the entire Ancient Desolate World to extinguish the destructive evil spirit of the Great Zhou!¡± ¡°As the top forces in the Central Domain speculate, that emerging destructive level evil spirit, after annihilating the whole Great Zhou Dynasty, is very likely to go further and reach a level comparable to a great emperor.¡± ¡°If an evil spirit of great emperor level emerges, it will be a disaster for the entire Human Clan!¡± Gu Yang said in a deep voice. In today¡¯s Ancient Desolate World, where great emperors are absent, if an evil spirit comparable to a great emperor really emerges, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore. Gu Yang was very clear about the concerns of the emperor-level forces like the Red Dust Immortal Sect. Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath, his expression regaining calm. ¡°So what is your purpose in coming here?¡± ¡°Members of the Ancient Qin Family have come, hoping that father can personally go to the Central State!¡± Gu Yang replied truthfully. ¡°The Ancient Qin Family¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. Among many Qin families in the Ancient Desolate World, only one is prefixed with the words ¡°Ancient¡±. The ¡°Ancient¡± in the Ancient Qin Family represents the era of antiquity. In other words, The so-called Ancient Qin Family is an old noble family dating back to that ancient era. Like the Red Dust Immortal Sect, the Ancient Qin Family had produced Great Emperor level powerhouses, with Emperor bloodline flowing within them. Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind was instantly filled with numerous pieces of information regarding the Emperor bloodline. Great Emperor! This is the ultimate realm of cultivation in the Ancient Desolate World. The mysteries of this realm cannot be rivaled by any other. Even so-called Quasi Emperors are like ants before Great Emperors. Throughout countless ages of the Ancient Desolate World, those who can match a Great Emperor at the Quasi Emperor level are exceedingly rare. Every single Great Emperor, Is an invincible existence. Moreover, Great Emperors have another special characteristic. Any cultivator who advances to the realm of Great Emperor causes their direct lineage to be influenced by the power of the Great Emperor, transforming their bloodline into an Emperor bloodline. One could say, That once a Great Emperor emerges, it is truly a case of one person attaining the Dao and their whole clan rising to heaven. No matter how mediocre your talent, at the moment the Great Emperor attains the Dao, you can gain more or less of the Emperor bloodline. In this way, Your own innate abilities can be drastically transformed. Even descendants born thereafter can inherit the Emperor bloodline. Over many generations, even if the bloodline thins and awakening rates drop significantly, there is always a chance for bloodline resurgence. Therefore, Families with Great Emperors can indeed endure for eternity. The so-called decline, Is only relative. Just like the Ancient Qin Family mentioned by Gu Yang, since the fall of that Great Emperor in the Qin family, countless ages have passed. Even so, the Ancient Qin Family remains a top power in the Central Domain. No matter the era, the strong of the Ancient Qin Family are numerous. Even if no new Great Emperor emerges, the number of Saints, Saint Kings, and Quasi Emperors surpass that of other forces. Upon hearing news of the Ancient Qin Family, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t help but think. If one day, he could attain the Great Emperor realm, then all the direct lineage bloodlines of the Gu Family could transform into Emperor bloodlines. At that time, He would instantly gain an unimaginable amount of Upgrade Points. All these thoughts flashed through Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind in an instant. Finally, He looked toward Gu Yang and spoke calmly. ¡°Where are the people from the Qin Family? I would like to see what is different about this so-called Great Emperor Family!¡± ¡°Since father has this thought, I will arrange for the people of the Ancient Qin Family to visit Gu Family Manor to meet father tomorrow!¡± Hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, Gu Yang clearly breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, The Ancient Qin Family also brought him considerable pressure. Despite the Divine Martial Dynasty thriving for decades and holding an unshakable dominant position over the Nine States, and having accumulated a solid foundation in the Eastern Domain, The resources compensated by the Star Dynasty and the legacy of the annexed Guiyuan Dynasty added to the continuous tributes from three hundred seventy-three provinces have caused the Divine Martial Dynasty to see a rapid growth in strength. Even so, The gap between the Divine Martial Dynasty and the Ancient Qin Family is still astonishing. In Gu Yang¡¯s view, the greatest asset of the Divine Martial Dynasty is Gu Qingfeng. However, The Ancient Qin Family, as an old Great Emperor Family, possesses an unfathomable foundation, even owning Imperial Weapons. Faced with such a top power, Gu Yang naturally had to treat it with caution. The people of the Ancient Qin Family sought Gu Qingfeng, but such matters were beyond Gu Yang¡¯s full authority, so he came to Gu Family Manor to consult Gu Qingfeng. Now, having obtained the other party¡¯s consent, Gu Yang felt significantly relieved. The next day, A young cultivator arrived at Gu Family Manor and handed an invitation to Gu Peng. ¡°Qin Ruofeng of the Ancient Qin Family, here to pay respects to Mr. Gu Qingfeng. I hope your esteemed self can give word.¡± Chapter 462: 310: Great Saint Realm Third Layer Chapter 462: Chapter 310: Great Saint Realm Third Layer ¡°Ancient Qin Family Qin Ruofeng!¡± Gu Peng looked at the person in front of him, his expression slightly heavy. Although he had never heard of the name of the Ancient Qin Family, he could not discern the depth of Qin Ruofeng. However. Standing before Qin Ruofeng. Gu Peng naturally felt an overwhelming pressure. It should be noted. In recent years, due to managing the Gu Family Manor, Gu Peng had received many resources, and his cultivation had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm. Being unable to see through the depths, Gu Peng could conclude. The other party¡¯s cultivation. Was at least at the Dao Palace Realm. ¡°Please wait a moment, I will go and report this!¡± Gu Peng said politely, then turned around to report, while also signaling two guards to be slightly vigilant. Seeing this. Qin Ruofeng paid no mind. After a moment. Gu Peng returned again. ¡°The manor master invites you in, please follow me!¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± ... In the main hall. Gu Peng and Qin Ruofeng entered one after the other. ¡°Manor master, the person has been brought!¡± Gu Peng said respectfully, then bowed and withdrew. At this moment. Qin Ruofeng saw the person sitting in the main seat. His appearance seemed ordinary, but his eyes were as unfathomable as the void. The moment their eyes met. A terrifying pressure came at him, causing Qin Ruofeng¡¯s breath to slow by half a beat. ¡°Qin Ruofeng from the Ancient Qin Family, greets Mr. Gu!¡± At this moment. Qin Ruofeng¡¯s expression was full of respect, without a hint of the arrogance that a prodigy should have. ¡°I have long heard of the Ancient Qin Family. Now that I see you, I understand that the Emperor Bloodline is indeed extraordinary!¡± Gu Qingfeng said indifferently, he could tell at a glance that the young man¡¯s cultivation had already reached the Sixth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Moreover. Qin Ruofeng¡¯s age was actually not that old. At most. He wouldn¡¯t be over seventy years old. Under seventy years old and in the Sixth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Throughout the entire Ancient Desolate World, such a figure was considered top-tier. Although Gu Qingfeng himself had just turned a hundred, his situation was special and could not be measured by common standards. With this in mind. Qin Ruofeng¡¯s talent was naturally extraordinary. ¡°Mr. Gu flatters me!¡± ¡°My limited skills are nothing in front of Mr. Gu.¡± Qin Ruofeng humbly lowered himself. Based on the Ancient Qin Family¡¯s understanding of the Gu Family, the master of the Gu Family had only gained fame in the last century. However. Qin Ruofeng did not dare to have any contempt. In a century. His cultivation had reached the Semi-Saint level. Moreover, his combat strength was earth-shattering, enough to rival Saint Kings. Such a person, Qin Ruofeng naturally understood, that he was not qualified to be on equal terms with the other party. Furthermore. In the Ancient Qin Family, there were very few people truly qualified to speak equally with him. It should be noted. In the cultivation world. Seniority is never decided by age, but by cultivation strength. Although Gu Qingfeng¡¯s age was not that old, his strength was more than enough for Qin Ruofeng to address him as ¡°senior¡± without the slightest bit of arrogance. ¡°The Ancient Qin Family is a power in the Central Domain, while my Divine Martial Dynasty has resided in the Nine States for a long time, and we have no connection with the Ancient Qin Family. Today, Young Master Qin comes, may I ask for what reason?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to call it guidance, it is just that now the Central Domain is overrun with Evil Spirits. The Great Zhou Dynasty was destroyed by Evil Spirits, and a Saint of my Qin Family ventured into the Ancient Moon State only to return gravely injured. And not long after, that Saint also passed away.¡± Qin Ruofeng¡¯s expression was serious, his words filled with a heavy emotion. ¡°It can be seen that the one who destroyed the Great Zhou and massacred billions in the Ancient Moon State must be a natural disaster-level Evil Spirit. Now that Evil Spirit has gained the power of the beings in the Ancient Moon State, it may further evolve, potentially reaching a level comparable to a Great Emperor. If that Evil Spirit evolves successfully, at that time, not only the Central State but the entire Ancient Desolate World will face a catastrophic disaster!¡± ¡°The Ancient Qin Family, unable to bear the destruction of life, has thus allied with the Red Dust Immortal Sect and other forces to fight against the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor! ¡°Deceitful Heavenly Emperor?¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression changed slightly. Qin Ruofeng said: ¡°Deceitful Heavenly Emperor is the name we have given to that Evil Spirit.¡± ¡°A Saint from my Qin Family ventured deeply into the Great Zhou and witnessed the destruction caused by the Evil Spirit, saw countless beings worshiping it, saw the eerie transformation into the Divine, and saw countless white bones building a palace, with the Evil Spirit sitting high within the bone palace. Therefore, we have named it the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor!¡± ¡°So the fallen Saint was from the Qin Family!¡± Gu Qingfeng now understood that the ancient Saint Gu Yang mentioned was indeed from the Ancient Qin Family. Qin Ruofeng said: ¡°Our ancestor, unable to bear the destruction, risked entering the Ancient Moon State to probe the depth of the Evil Spirit. However, we did not expect the Evil Spirit to be so terrifying that our Saint couldn¡¯t handle it. If it weren¡¯t for a life-saving device, he might not have survived leaving the Ancient Moon State!¡± As he finished speaking. Qin Ruofeng¡¯s expression also showed a hint of fear. Although he hadn¡¯t seen the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor himself, just from the words of the Qin Family¡¯s Saint, he could understand the terror. More importantly. After the Saint fell, his body almost turned eerie as well. The fact that it could corrupt a Saint indicated the terror of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. ¡°So Young Master Qin¡¯s visit is to ask me to go to the Central Domain to fight the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor together?¡± ¡°What you say is correct, senior!¡± ¡°The Ancient Qin Family has profound resources, I believe dealing with an Evil Spirit will not be a problem. On the other hand, if the Ancient Qin Family cannot handle it, one more person like me won¡¯t make much difference.¡± Gu Qingfeng picked up the teacup beside him and smiled faintly. Chapter 463: 310: Great Saint Realm Third Layer_2 Chapter 463: Chapter 310: Great Saint Realm Third Layer_2 Qin Ruofeng shook his head: ¡°Senior, your words are mistaken. In the battle of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, your strength commanded great respect within the entire Qin Family of the ancient times. Even though our Qin Family has some deep heritage, it may not be able to match up to you, Senior!¡± ¡°Moreover¡ª¡± ¡°The strength of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor is terrifying. If we cannot kill him outright and give him a chance to breathe, he will certainly be a constant threat in the future!¡± Qin Ruofeng spoke earnestly, not only praising Gu Qingfeng in his words but also elucidating the threat posed by the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. ¡°When do you plan to take action against the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor?¡± ¡°Once all the strong experts are assembled, at the shortest in a month, and at the longest within three months, we will certainly enter Ancient Moon State and slay the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor!¡± Qin Ruofeng responded without hesitation. Upon hearing this. Gu Qingfeng paused, then said: ¡°Three days later, I will accompany you to the Central Domain.¡± ¡°On behalf of the people of Central State, I thank you, Senior!¡± Qin Ruofeng was overjoyed. With the affirmative response from Gu Qingfeng, his mission for this trip was more than half completed. ¡°Then three days later, I will come to visit again. I have troubled you, Senior, for long enough, so I shall take my leave now!¡± After saying this. Qin Ruofeng stood up to bid farewell. Gu Qingfeng ordered Gu Peng to escort him out, then returned to the Grinding Blade Hall to prepare for further enhancement of his strength. ¡ª¡ª Inside the Grinding Blade Hall. Gu Qingfeng immersed his mind within himself, ready to use the function of the attribute panel to officially fuse the cultivation techniques and enhance his strength. Over twenty years. Through Gu Qingfeng¡¯s research, he had gained some new understanding of the fusion function of the attribute panel. That is to say. Unless he had cultivated the technique to perfection, true fusion could not be achieved. Just like the Nirvana Dao Scripture and the Nine Heavens Scripture. Both cultivation techniques. Gu Qingfeng had not truly cultivated them to perfection. Even though both techniques could be used as fusion materials on the attribute panel, when he truly began the fusion, he found it was simply impossible to succeed. Therefore. To enhance his strength, Gu Qingfeng realized the best approach was to use two techniques of the same level and fuse them into a higher-level technique, then gradually step up in this manner. At once. Gu Qingfeng used the Beidou Dao Scripture and the Divine Sun Scripture as fusion materials. ¡°Discovered top-grade Dao Palace Realm technique ¡®Divine Sun Scripture¡¯!¡± ¡°Discovered top-grade Dao Palace Realm technique ¡®Beidou Dao Scripture¡¯!¡± ¡°Fusion of the two techniques requires consuming one thousand Upgrade Points. Additionally, for every extra thousand Upgrade Points, the probability of remaining at the same level decreases by ten percent, with the probabilities of other outcomes increasing accordingly!¡± Corresponding information appeared in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. For two techniques of the same level, the normal fusion probability yields an eighty percent chance of obtaining a brand new technique of the same level, with a remaining twenty percent chance of obtaining a higher-level technique. Among these probabilities. The chance of one level up is merely ten percent. The chance of five levels up is only 0.1 percent. At once. Gu Qingfeng tried investing a thousand Upgrade Points, and saw the same-level probability drop to seventy percent, with a twenty percent chance for one level up. As for other aspects, there were no changes. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and he invested two thousand Upgrade Points in one go, forcefully lowering the same-level probability to fifty percent and raising the chance for one level up to forty percent. In this way. Counting the initial base of a thousand Upgrade Points. This fusion. Required a total of four thousand Upgrade Points. Looking at the probability. Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate and began the fusion directly. Only to see the fusion interface, invisible to others, vibrate in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s vision, with the two techniques intertwining into divine lights, finally merging into a brilliant divine light that entered his Sea of Consciousness. ¡°Congratulations on fusing the middle-grade Saint Realm technique ¡®North Sun Tao Scripture¡¯!¡± As this information appeared. A flood of memories surged in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. Such memories were overwhelming. It was as if he had spent hundreds of years painstakingly cultivating and comprehending both the Divine Sun Scripture and the Beidou Dao Scripture, eventually creating a higher-level technique based on these two techniques. At the same time. A strong vitality force also surged in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s physical body. The middle-grade Saint Realm technique. Was equivalent to Gu Qingfeng cultivating a technique to the sixth level of Saint Realm. Although he was now in the Great Saint Realm, having an extra sixth-level Saint Realm technique still enhanced his strength. ¡°A top-grade Dao Palace Realm technique fused into a middle-grade Saint Realm technique, directly skipping two levels. I never thought that a five percent chance would actually work out for me!¡± Gu Qingfeng, in his first fusion attempt, was thoroughly satisfied with the attribute panel¡¯s function. Though the two techniques used as fusion materials had disappeared from the attribute panel, the accumulations from cultivating the previous two techniques would not vanish into thin air. Meaning. Even if it resulted in a same-grade technique, it would still be a worthwhile trade for Gu Qingfeng. However. This also had a precondition. That Gu Qingfeng had not yet reached the absolute limit at a certain level. For example, at the levels of Divine Transformation Realm and Dao Palace Realm, Gu Qingfeng had already reached the utmost limit, so achieving perfection with techniques of these levels would not bring any changes. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thought moved. Using the newly fused North Sun Tao Scripture as material, he fused it with the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique. This time. The necessary Upgrade Points for fusion were not many. Only two thousand. The reason for this was that the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique was a top-grade Saint Realm technique, while the North Sun Tao Scripture was only a middle-grade Saint Realm technique. There was a grade difference between the two. The points needed for fusion were thus reduced, but the probabilities adjusted accordingly. Eighty percent for the same level! Ten percent chance of downgrading one level! Only five percent chance for an upgrade! This grade. Naturally adhered to the highest grade material, the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique. Similarly. Investing additional Upgrade Points would decrease the same-level and downgrade probabilities while increasing the chance for an upgrade. Gu Qingfeng tried investing two thousand Upgrade Points, reducing the former two probabilities by three percent each, and increasing the latter by six percent. Thus there was a seventy-seven percent chance for the same level, a seven percent chance for a downgrade, and an eleven percent chance for an upgrade. Looking at the remaining Upgrade Points, Gu Qingfeng invested all of them in one go. Immediately. The same-level probability dropped to seventy-one percent, the downgrade probability fell to one percent, and the upgrade probability increased to twenty-three percent. ¡°Fuse!¡± Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate and began the fusion. Watching the divine light on the fusion interface, Gu Qingfeng felt a bit nervous. After all, this fusion represented all his investment of Upgrade Points. If the fusion were unsuccessful, it would be a tremendous loss. After all. Ten thousand Upgrade Points. Were enough for Gu Qingfeng to secure a breakthrough of one level within the Great Saint Realm. But now. He had invested all of them into the fusion of cultivation techniques. Soon. The fusion was completed. A divine light entered Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Sea of Consciousness, then his entire aura expanded. The second level of the Great Saint Realm! The third level of the Great Saint Realm! ... In just a moment. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation level soared from the first level of the Great Saint Realm to the third level of the Great Saint Realm at once. Two levels of breakthrough. Made his overall strength surge again. ¡°Congratulations on fusing the lower-grade Great Saint Realm technique ¡®Nine Yang Tao Scripture¡¯!¡± Corresponding information appeared in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind, and he became familiar with and integrated everything about the Nine Yang Tao Scripture. ¡°Success!¡± He opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his face. Despite the twenty-three percent chance, he had bet correctly in the end. Nine Yang Tao Scripture! Lower-grade Great Saint Realm technique! This level of technique had enabled him to directly break through to the third level of the Great Saint Realm. In other words. The total investment of twelve thousand Upgrade Points had yielded the effect of twenty thousand Upgrade Points. More importantly. The enhancement brought about by a brand new lower-grade Great Saint Realm technique was significantly greater than breaking through to the third layer of the Nine Heavens Scripture¡¯s Great Saint Chapter. Chapter 464: 311 Majestic Imperial City Chapter 464: Chapter 311 Majestic Imperial City ¡°Great Saint Realm Third Level!¡± ¡°Breaking through two levels, now my true strength, even if it doesn¡¯t match the Saint King Realm, should still reach the standard of a half-step Saint King!¡± ¡°If my cultivation advances one more step and enters the fourth level of the Great Saint Realm, then my combat power should truly reach the ranks of the Saint King.¡± Gu Qingfeng had a fairly clear estimate of his own strength. This comparison to the Saint King. Of course, it referred to his normal state, not the boost from using the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Twelve thousand upgrade points. Achieved what would usually take twenty thousand upgrade points to achieve. And so. Gu Qingfeng equivalent to saving at least ten years of accumulation. However. Gu Qingfeng still understood. He had been quite lucky with his two fusions, encountering relatively rare events. Such rare events cannot be considered normal occurrences. As the number of fusions increases, the probabilities would naturally return to normal. But still, as the saying goes. The appearance of the fusion panel brought only benefits, not drawbacks, to Gu Qingfeng. Even if the fusion fails, Gu Qingfeng could still enhance his own foundation. If he were to trigger an extremely rare event, he might instantly soar to new heights. Furthermore. Just as the saying goes. If higher-level cultivation techniques are not obtained in the future, fusion is the only way out. Compared to the consumption for realm breakthroughs, the cost of fusion is negligible. Take the Saint Realm cultivation techniques for example. Such techniques, if one wishes to break through to the Great Saint level, require at least a hundred thousand upgrade points. Therefore. Even if the success rate of the fusion panel is low, it is still much better than the regular realm breakthrough. ¡ª¡ª Next. Gu Qingfeng familiarized himself with his newly enhanced strength. No one knew. That Gu Qingfeng had managed to break through from the first level of the Great Saint Realm to the third level in just three days. When he met Qin Ruofeng again, the other did not know that the person standing before him had reached the third level of the Great Saint Realm. ¡°Greetings, Mr. Gu!¡± Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng again, Qin Ruofeng¡¯s demeanor remained respectful. Gu Qingfeng took a glance at him, his expression calm: ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Yes¡ª¡ª¡± Qin Ruofeng did not say more, then raised his hand, and a long boat appeared abruptly, instantly transforming to a hundred zhang in size. ¡°Mr. Gu, this is the Holy Weapon Flowing Cloud Boat of my Ancient Qin Family. With this boat, we can reach the Central Domain in less than three days!¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Gu Qingfeng took a look at the long boat before stepping inside. Although the Nine States and the Eastern Domain had already established a transmission array. However. The Eastern Domain and the Central Domain are very far apart. If using the transmission array, many transfers are needed, and it is quite troublesome. Originally, Gu Qingfeng intended to travel directly through the air himself. But. Since Qin Ruofeng brought out the Flowing Cloud Boat, Gu Qingfeng saved himself some effort. Seeing Gu Qingfeng board the Flowing Cloud Boat, Qin Ruofeng didn¡¯t hesitate and stepped onto the boat as well. He performed some seal skills. The massive long boat soared into the air. The next moment. It disappeared into the void, instantly vanishing from the Nine States. ... The long boat traveled swiftly. It could be said that it reached the extreme speed. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, he could see the scenery around flying by, with strong space power vibrating around the long boat, each vibration allowing it to travel ten thousand miles directly. ¡°This thing is not ordinary, the Ancient Qin Family truly has deep foundations!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, giving some affirmation. He could tell that, at the speed of the Flowing Cloud Boat, not to mention a Saint, even an ordinary Great Saint might not be able to catch up. This truly pushed the speed to the extreme, even at the cost of some other functions. In terms of speed alone. Gu Qingfeng doubted whether he could match the Flowing Cloud Boat himself. Hearing this. Qin Ruofeng smiled lightly: ¡°The Flowing Cloud Boat was obtained by an ancestor of my Ancient Qin Family from some ancient forbidden land. It is said that this item belonged to a Great Saint from ancient times, with extremely astonishing speed. If the Flowing Cloud Boat¡¯s power is fully unleashed, no one in the Saint Realm would be able to stop it!¡± ¡°Indeed¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded. Qin Ruofeng¡¯s statement was not an exaggeration. Given the power of the Flowing Cloud Boat, no one in the Saint Realm could match it. Unless. A Saint had specifically cultivated space divine powers, then maybe they could hinder it a bit. Otherwise, no one would have any hope whatsoever. On the Flowing Cloud Boat, Gu Qingfeng could clearly feel the peculiar aura pervading the heavens and the earth becoming increasingly evident. On the ground below. Wars could be seen everywhere. Various forces fought each other, or evil spirits invaded, leading to fierce battles. However. All these scenes passed quickly. Before long. Gu Qingfeng sensed that the spiritual energy in the air increased sharply. Such a concentration of spiritual energy was at least more than double that of the Eastern Domain. Gu Qingfeng understood. This indicated that the two of them had already left the Eastern Domain and entered the territory of the Central Domain directly. The Central Domain, being the Central Domain, not only because it is the center of the Ancient Desolate World but also because it is the strongest of the five domains in the Ancient Desolate World. Since ancient times. Strong experts in the Central Domain appeared endlessly. Ultimately. It was because the Central Domain had dense spiritual energy, incomparable to other domains. According to the information Gu Qingfeng gathered about the Central Domain, in ancient times, a peerless expert set up an extraordinary array across the entire Central Domain to suppress and contain its spiritual energy, preventing it from dispersing. However. The spiritual energy from the other four domains would frequently flow into the Central Domain. Chapter 465: 311 Majestic Imperial City_2 Chapter 465: Chapter 311 Majestic Imperial City_2 Once this spiritual energy enters the central region, it is like a mud ox entering the sea, disappearing without a trace, let alone returning. As a result. The spiritual energy in the central region naturally increases. Observing the other four major regions, their spiritual energy is far less abundant. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current sixth-tier Great Grandmaster in array dao path, he could barely catch a glimpse of the intricacies of this formation. To truly see through its essence would be far beyond his reach. ¡°It is said that during ancient times, an ancient mighty figure set up a heaven-defying array in the central region. Now it seems this formation is indeed extraordinary!¡± Gu Qingfeng remarked with a sense of awe. The power of the formation before him was not something an ordinary Great Grandmaster in array dao path could achieve. Even an eighth-tier Great Grandmaster might find it hard to set up such a large formation. Not to mention a ninth-tier Great Grandmaster, who likely couldn¡¯t achieve it either. ¡°Mr. Gu also studies the array dao path?¡± Qin Ruofeng asked in surprise. Gu Qingfeng smiled lightly: ¡°I have dabbled a bit, but it can¡¯t be considered deep.¡± ¡°Mr. Gu is too humble!¡± Qin Ruofeng naturally didn¡¯t take it seriously. After all, with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current status and strength, if he truly studied array dao path, it would not be as superficial as he claimed. However¡ª The intelligence gathered from the Archaic Qin Family provided no information about Gu Qingfeng¡¯s achievements in array dao path. But everyone has their own secrets, and Qin Ruofeng naturally wouldn¡¯t probe further. Hence. He changed the topic. ¡°During the ancient times, an incomparable existence in the central region achieved the Emperor Realm through array dao path, the only one in history to become an emperor through array dao path. The formations in the central region were set by that great emperor. Since the ancient times, every great emperor has tried to break this formation and disassemble the spiritual energy in the central region. However, this formation is connected to the earth veins of the entire central region. Forcibly breaking the formation would endanger the earth veins of the entire region, with endless repercussions. Moreover, this formation is so powerful that even the ancient great emperors might not be able to break it!¡± Qin Ruofeng¡¯s words made Gu Qingfeng nod secretly. Achieving emperor status through array dao path! This was the first time he had heard of it. However. This formation is linked to the earth veins of the central region. Whether other great emperors could break it or not, they would not act rashly. After all, destroying the earth veins of a major region would be catastrophic for the living beings of that region. If they truly acted in such a manner. The various major forces in the central region would not allow it. Moreover. Such actions would provoke the wrath of the Heavenly Dao. Therefore. After understanding the origins of this formation, Gu Qingfeng had little interest. With his current cultivation in array dao path, he did not yet qualify to unravel this formation. Perhaps once he reached the seventh-tier Great Grandmaster, or even the eighth-tier Great Grandmaster, he could return to the central region to explore its mysteries. Gu Qingfeng was also quite interested in the array dao path. Unfortunately. Cultivating the array dao path requires insight and providence. Thus. Throughout the years. Gu Qingfeng had made little progress in the array dao path. After a while. The Flowing Cloud Boat appeared in front of a grand and magnificent city. The city was majestic. The city walls towering over a hundred feet high. Standing like a mountain upon the earth, as if it had existed since ancient times. Stained with mottled blood, some of which had not yet dried, emanating a chilling and terrifying aura. ¡°This is where my Archaic Qin Family resides. This city is called Qin Emperor City, built by the emperor of my Qin Family!¡± ¡°Although Qin Emperor City is not an Imperial Weapon, during its construction, many top materials were used. Even saints find it difficult to leave any marks on its walls.¡± ¡°The blood on the city walls was left by powerful invaders throughout history who attacked Qin Emperor City.¡± ¡°In the ancient era, even quasi-emperors bled here. Such emperor blood has not dried even after millions of years, still exuding a terrifying emperor mighty!¡± Qin Ruofeng looked up at the majestic imperial city before him, his face full of pride. Qin Emperor City! This was the heritage of the entire Archaic Qin Family. With this imperial city, the Archaic Qin Family could exist forever. Throughout generations, countless strong individuals have invaded the Archaic Qin Family, but they never breached Qin Emperor City, ultimately failing and even dying in battle here. Every mark, every bloodstain on Qin Emperor City represents a peerless strong person who once visited this city, only to retreat in defeat before its might. After all, the fact that Qin Emperor City still stands here speaks volumes. ¡°Qin Emperor City!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression also turned slightly grim. In the ancient imperial city before him, he sensed many terrifying auras. Some presence. Even Gu Qingfeng now felt a bit uneasy. One must understand. Reaching Gu Qingfeng¡¯s level, not even facing a Saint King would exert such pressure. In other words. This presence was at least quasi-Emperor level. Among the numerous quasi-Emperor presences, there was one terrifying Emperor aura, seemingly eternal, with an overwhelming force that made Gu Qingfeng feel immense pressure, his blood and qi trembling uncontrollably. ¡°Qin Emperor!!¡± Gu Qingfeng understood. This presence was left by the supreme Great Emperor who built Qin Emperor City. Throughout countless years, the Ancient Qin Family had produced only one Great Emperor, and that was the Qin Emperor! And the pressure before him. Belonged to the Qin Emperor. At that moment. Qin Emperor City suddenly shook. A mighty Emperor aura abruptly soared into the sky. Soon after. In the void, a terrifying figure began to condense from the emptiness. The figure was dressed in a black Imperial Robe, stood with hands behind his back in the firmament, his imposing body radiated a presence that seemed capable of suppressing heaven and earth for all eternity, emitting boundless power with every gesture. Such a transformation. Caused all the cultivators in Qin Emperor City to look pale. ¡°This is the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow!!¡± ¡°Who can summon the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow¡ª¡ª¡± All the powerful individuals of the Ancient Qin Family now stared at the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow in the void, their eyes full of shock and disbelief. The Qin Family Master, Qin Zhentian, looked up at the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow in the void and recalled the ancient legend. ¡°The ancestral elder once said, if a future Emperor graces Qin Emperor City, the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow would appear. The sudden appearance of the Qin Emperor¡¯s shadow, could it be the arrival of a future Emperor!!?¡± Qin Zhentian muttered to himself. Future Emperor! To put it plainly. It is someone who has the potential to become a Great Emperor in the future. Only the top-tier geniuses of the current era, those who can suppress an era¡¯s super talents, can truly be called a future Emperor. Such beings. All possess the talent of a Great Emperor. However. Even if the Ancient Qin Family carries the bloodline of the Great Emperor, no one can truly be called a future Emperor, let alone summon the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow. Currently, the strongest genius in the Ancient Qin Family is Qin Ruofeng, who possesses the Great Emperor¡¯s bloodline. Qin Ruofeng¡¯s bloodline is extremely rich, showing signs of ancestral return. But even so. Qin Ruofeng still falls short of having the talent of a Great Emperor. Ultimately. His cultivation is too weak, only at the sixth layer of Dao Palace Realm. If one day, he steps into the Saint Realm, or even the Great Saint Realm, Qin Zhentian believes he could summon the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow. But regardless. The current phenomenon. It is the first time Qin Zhentian has seen in thousands of years. The Ancient Qin Family has had records of such events. However. Records are just records. Nothing compares to witnessing it firsthand. On the other side. Outside Qin Emperor City. When the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow appeared, Qin Ruofeng¡¯s face also changed greatly. He looked at the domineering figure; the terrifying Emperor aura emitted made it difficult for him to breathe. ¡°It is said that when a future Emperor visits Qin Emperor City, the Great Emperor¡¯s shadow will appear, bringing forth a world-shaking phenomenon¡ª¡ª¡± Qin Ruofeng muttered to himself. As he spoke. He couldn¡¯t help but turn his head to look at Gu Qingfeng. The coincidence was too great. As soon as Gu Qingfeng arrived in Qin Emperor City, such a shocking phenomenon occurred. Considering Gu Qingfeng¡¯s past rumors. Qin Ruofeng understood. The phenomenon before him must have an inseparable connection with Gu Qingfeng. Future Emperor! Thinking of this, Qin Ruofeng¡¯s heart trembled again. Chapter 466: 312 Great Emperor Reincarnation Chapter 466: Chapter 312 Great Emperor Reincarnation ¡°This must be the Gu Family Master, I am Qin Zhentian!¡± When the Great Emperor Phenomenon disappeared within the Qin Emperor City, Gu Qingfeng and Qin Ruofeng entered the city and were met by an elder clad in black robes, leading a group of people toward them. Gu Qingfeng courteously cupped his hands: ¡°Greetings, Qin Family Master!¡± The elder before him, Qin Zhentian, appeared aged but his vitality was immense, surpassing even other Semi-Saints Gu Qingfeng had seen. Clearly. The other¡¯s strength was extraordinary. But soon, Gu Qingfeng understood. Descendant of a Great Emperor! Family Head of an Ancient Noble Family! Both were enough to provide Qin Zhentian with astonishing heritage. Such was unattainable by others. ¡°Gu Family Master being here today, I believe dealing with the evil spirit in Ancient Moon State will be an effortless task!¡± Qin Zhentian¡¯s face was full of smiles, as if he and Gu Qingfeng were old friends; this passionate attitude left other Qin Family members in shock. After all. As the master of the Ancient Qin Family, Qin Zhentian was always authoritative and domineering; such a scene had never occurred. But upon reflection. They understood inwardly. If it were ordinary people, Qin Zhentian would not show such enthusiasm. But the person before them was hailed as the strongest during the End of Dharma Era, with power comparable to Ancient Great Saints or Saint Kings. Even with the status of the Ancient Qin Family, facing such an individual required maximum courtesy. After all¡ª Someone who reached this level during the End of Dharma Era, would find it easier to advance once the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrived. At this moment. The two exchanged pleasantries. Qin Zhentian personally escorted Gu Qingfeng to temporarily stay in Qin Emperor City. The entire Qin Emperor City belonged to the Ancient Qin Family. Unless invited by the Ancient Qin Family, outsiders had no right to enter the city. Unreservedly speaking. This Imperial City was the core of the Ancient Qin Family. ... In the temporary residence. Gu Qingfeng sat cross-legged. Recollecting the sights and events of the day, his understanding of the Ancient Qin Family¡¯s heritage deepened further. ¡°The heritage of Ancient Noble Families is extraordinary, with powerful cultivators everywhere!¡± ¡°The scene of the Ancient Qin Family before me is but a glimpse of many Ancient Noble Families, showcasing the astonishing heritage of these ancient forces developed over countless ages!¡± Since arriving at Qin Emperor City. Top-tier Dao Palace Realm cultivators, although not everywhere, were abundantly present. Even Semi-Saint Realm cultivators. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s perception, there were no less than a hundred such beings. Not to mention. Some hidden experts had yet to reveal themselves. In the present End of Dharma Era, Semi-Saint Realm cultivators were considered top-tier. For forces like the Taixu Sacred Land or Guiyuan Dynasty, having one or two Semi-Saints defined their status. Despite this. It established the positions of the two major forces. But contrasted with the Ancient Qin Family, the gap was evident. ¡°Over ten thousand Dao Palaces!¡± ¡°Hundreds of Semi-Saints!¡± ¡°Such is the heritage of Ancient Noble Families!¡± ¡°The Divine Martial Dynasty has a long way to go to reach this level of prestige!¡± Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head, feeling enlightened by this visit. However. Such power. Did not give Gu Qingfeng any sense of threat. After all, even many Semi-Saints were like ants before him. The only real concern for Gu Qingfeng was the ancient beings of the Ancient Qin Family. Gu Qingfeng believed. There were absolutely sleeping Great Saints and Saint Kings within the Ancient Qin Family. Even Quasi-Emperor beings might exist. Such heritage indeed defied normal expectations. With this thought. Gu Qingfeng closed his eyes to rest, silently comprehending the Nine Heavens Scripture. Although the current world¡¯s limitation made it difficult for Saints and above to progress, it did not hinder Gu Qingfeng¡¯s comprehension of the Nine Heavens Scripture. One day, when the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, his current accumulation will naturally manifest. Cultivation! Is essentially a slow process of accumulation! Although most of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation was elevated by upgrade points, it did not prevent him from self-cultivation. ¡ª¡ª Ancient Qin Family. In the grand hall. The senior members of the Qin Family gathered. Qin Zhentian, now serious, his previous smile gone, spoke solemnly. ¡°Ruofeng, what is your opinion of that individual?¡± Upon hearing. Qin Ruofeng pondered for a moment, then replied word by word. ¡°Unfathomable!¡± This. Was Qin Ruofeng¡¯s answer. Since meeting Gu Qingfeng. The feeling Qin Ruofeng had from him was such. After speaking. Qin Ruofeng added another sentence. ¡°When that person arrived at Qin Emperor City, a Great Emperor¡¯s phantom appeared. I suspect the phenomenon of Qin Emperor City is related to him!¡± This speculation. Qin Ruofeng had his reasons. Other senior Qin Family members¡¯ faces twitched upon hearing this, but showed little surprise. Clearly. They had also guessed something. Qin Zhentian spoke in a deep voice: ¡°Only the future emperor can trigger the Great Emperor¡¯s phantom. Gu Qingfeng is rumored to be under a hundred years old, his cultivation reached the Semi-Saint Realm, and his strength comparable to a Saint King. Such a prodigy is unprecedented in history. Even the Qin Emperor back then, at his age, was not as impressive!¡± ¡°If someone said he is the future emperor, it would certainly be true!¡± Thinking of the information about Gu Qingfeng gathered by the Ancient Qin Family, Qin Zhentian felt deeply shaken. Chapter 467: 312 Great Emperor Reincarnation_2 Chapter 467: Chapter 312 Great Emperor Reincarnation_2 If it weren¡¯t for the certainty that the information from the Ancient Qin Family was accurate, Qin Zhentian might almost suspect someone had deliberately given him false information. At this moment, an elder from the Qin Family couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Could it be that he is truly just a hundred years old?¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Qin Zhentian nodded. ¡°I had my doubts initially, but after meeting him today, his bone age is plain to see at a glance; he is no more than a hundred years old!¡± As soon as he said this, the many high-ranking members of the Qin Family inside the grand hall did not know what to say for a while. A hundred years old! Semi-Saint! If that were all, it would barely be acceptable to them. After all, some true Divine Body geniuses or those with special bloodlines who receive fortuitous encounters also have hopes of achieving such a level. Take Qin Ruofeng for example. He is currently just over sixty years old, and his cultivation has already ascended to the Sixth Layer of the Daoist Palace Realm. If the Ancient Qin Family had invested more resources in him, allowing him to step into the Semi-Saint Realm before turning a hundred wouldn¡¯t be impossible. For others, breaking through to Semi-Saint requires both talent and opportunities. But for the noble families of the Ancient Desolate World, nurturing a Semi-Saint is not a difficult task. After all, the Ancient Desolate Families have deep foundations, and any random resource can produce a Semi-Saint. But such Semi-Saints, have limited combat power, and they are basically at the bottom within the same realm. Forget about comparing to a Saint King, even in front of a Saint, they would be like ants. Thus, what truly shocked the Ancient Qin Family was not that Gu Qingfeng was a hundred-year-old Semi-Saint, but that he possessed battle power in the Semi-Saint Realm that rivaled that of the Saint King Realm. Qin Zhentian said in a deep voice: ¡°The records of the Ancient Desolate Families tell of some ancient Emperors who mastered the technique of reincarnating and remodeling themselves to make up for the flaws of their past life, and thereby achieve Feather Transformation Ascension in their second life!¡± ¡°Such Great Emperor reincarnations are innately invincible, easily capable of fighting across realms.¡± ¡°Given his extraordinary level of power, I suspect he is the reincarnation of a Great Emperor!¡± Great Emperor Reincarnation! As soon as these words were spoken, everyone¡¯s expressions changed. Someone, with a face full of shock, said, ¡°Could there really be a Great Emperor reincarnation?¡± ¡°There certainly is!¡± Qin Zhentian nodded. ¡°Among the Great Emperors of the Ancient Desolate World, there were indeed some who were Great Emperor reincarnations, successfully living a second life and reaching the peak. In the Ancient Times, the Mystic Emperor in the Central State was said to be a Great Emperor reincarnation, not only reaching the Great Emperor Realm in his second life but also achieving an unprecedented peak. Later, when the Immortal Gate opened, the Mystic Emperor entered it, becoming the only one to ascend to the Immortal Realm during the Ancient Times!¡± ¡°Could immortals really exist in this world?¡± Everyone¡¯s faces were filled with incredulous expressions. Immortal! This concept was too ethereal. Even though there were legends of immortals in the history of the Ancient Qin Family, the existence of immortals still left everyone puzzled. Qin Zhentian shook his head: ¡°Whether immortals truly exist is unknown, but it cannot be denied that the Mystic Emperor did indeed enter the Immortal Gate and ascend to the Upper Realm in the Ancient records. As for the authenticity of this record, and whether the Upper Realm is indeed the rumored Immortal Realm, no one knows.¡± At this point, Qin Zhentian also sighed slightly. The existence of immortals! It seemed too distant to him. Even the Great Emperors throughout history did not all manage to ascend to the Upper Realm. At least in the records of the Ancient Qin Family, those who truly ascended were few and far between. However, any Great Emperor who ascended was invincible in their era. Even among the Great Emperors, they were considered top-tier. ¡°If Gu Qingfeng is really a Great Emperor reincarnation, he might become the next Mystic Emperor one day. If our Qin Family could forge good relations with him, it would bring far more benefits than harm!¡± A gleam of brilliance flashed in Qin Zhentian¡¯s eyes. His enthusiasm for Gu Qingfeng naturally stemmed from his suspicion that he was a Great Emperor reincarnation. Even if, Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t a Great Emperor reincarnation, given his talents, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for him to achieve Emperor one day. Fostering a good relationship with a future Great Emperor would only be beneficial and without any harm to the Qin Family. Do not be fooled by the vast foundations of the Ancient Qin Family, for since the end of the ancient times, there has not been a single Great Emperor born. Even if the foundations of a Great Emperor are vast, they will be exhausted one day. Many ancient noble families, and even those from the ancient times, the reason they can endure for so long. The fundamental reason is not only because these ancient noble families have deep foundations, but also because they understand how to assess the situation and invest in some outstanding talents. If these talents grow up, they will inevitably give back in return. On the contrary. If the investment fails, it is also no big deal. After all, it still comes to this saying. Ancient noble families have deep foundations. To lose some resources is not unbearable. At this moment. The Great Elder of the Qin Family said: ¡°It is said that the Gu Family Master has only one official wife, for such a strong person, having three or four concubines is quite normal. Why not find an outstanding girl within the family and betroth her to the Gu Family Master? If it works out, our Ancient Qin Family would then be allied through marriage with the Gu Family!¡± As soon as these words were spoken. The faces of the others instantly lit up with joy. ¡°What the Great Elder said is very true!¡± ¡°I have a great-granddaughter, she is only twenty-eight years old this year, not only is she beautiful as a flower, but her talent is also quite good, she could be a suitable candidate for the betrothal!¡± ¡°Nonsense, if your granddaughter¡¯s beauty is misunderstood by that person as our Qin Family insulting him, that would be a big trouble!¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Do you still not understand what I mean?¡± ¡°I see you are itching for a fight, how about we go out and practice!!¡± ¡°Who¡¯s afraid of whom¡ª¡ª¡± The hall became instantly noisy, a few people with flushed faces and bulging necks argued, as if they would fight as soon as they disagreed. Qin Ruofeng lowered his head, pretending to be invisible, showing no intention to get involved at all. He was just a junior in the Qin Family, and everyone sitting here could be considered as his ancestors. Even though their cultivation realms were similar, Qin Ruofeng dared not overstep. ¡°Enough!¡± Qin Zhentian¡¯s angry roar instantly quieted the noisy scene. After sweeping a glance at the crowd, Qin Zhentian spoke. ¡°I have my own plans for this matter, you all do not need to argue anymore!¡± As soon as he finished speaking. Someone grumbled unwillingly. ¡°It seems the Family Head wants to eat alone!¡± When Qin Zhentian heard this, his eyes grew cold, and a smile appeared on his face. Only this smile appeared rather chilly. ¡°Judging by the Sixth Elder¡¯s words, does he really want to practice with me?¡± ¡°Just kidding... just kidding...¡± The body of the Sixth Elder of the Qin Family trembled, and he immediately forced a smile. Being in the Semi-Saint Realm himself. He naturally knew how strong Qin Zhentian was. Otherwise. Qin Zhentian would not have the qualifications to sit in the position of Qin Family Master. In the entire Qin Emperor City, any high-level Qin Family members who were in the Semi-Saint Realm, none of them could contend with Qin Zhentian. The strength of this Qin Family Master, even facing a Saint, would not be much weaker. ¡ª¡ª While the Qin Family was arguing, Gu Qingfeng was unaware. However. The next day Qin Zhentian came to visit, bringing along a woman. According to Qin Zhentian, the woman was a direct lineage of the Qin Family, named Qin Qingran. She was in her early twenties, and her cultivation had already stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm, her talent was also quite exceptional. ¡°Gu Family Master is new here, it must be somewhat inconvenient to be alone, Qingran is of direct lineage of our Qin Family, her talent is not bad, just right to stay by Gu Family Master¡¯s side to serve a little!¡± ¡°Qin Family Master is too kind, I am used to being alone, there is no need to speak of serving!¡± Gu Qingfeng glanced at Qin Qingran, then shook his head. Undeniably. Qin Qingran was indeed very beautiful. She not only had a delicate and beautiful face and a well-defined figure, but also exuded a form of cold frostiness, as if warning off strangers, adding a different charm. Compared to the previous Xu Yulan, she was certainly on another level. However¡ª¡ª To Gu Qingfeng, there wasn¡¯t much emotional fluctuation in his heart regarding this. At his level, looking at beauties was like looking at skeletons, he naturally wouldn¡¯t be moved by a little bit of beauty. Chapter 468: 313: Saint King Ancestor Chapter 468: Chapter 313: Saint King Ancestor However¡ª¡ª Though Gu Qingfeng had no particular interest in women, but owing to Qin Zhentian¡¯s insistence, he temporarily let Qin Qingran stay by his side. ¡°Qingran greets Mr. Gu!¡± After Qin Zhentian left, Qin Qingran softly opened her red lips. Her voice was somewhat cold, but there was an indistinct shyness as well. If any other members of the Ancient Qin Family saw this scene, they would undoubtedly exclaim in disbelief. After all, Qin Qingran had always been proud and solitary, showing no emotion towards others. Yet now, in front of Gu Qingfeng, she rarely displayed the demeanor of a young woman. ¡°This is Qin Emperor City, so handle the matters within the mansion as you see fit, but do not intrude upon the place where I meditate.¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at Qin Qingran, paused, and added another sentence. ¡°Besides¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°If you have any questions about cultivation, you can come and ask me.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Gu!¡± A smile appeared on Qin Qingran¡¯s pretty face, giving people a stunning impression. With a wave of her hand, Gu Qingfeng then returned to his closed-door cultivation. The intent of Qin Zhentian was very clear; he wanted to use this method to draw the Ancient Qin Family closer to the Divine Martial Dynasty. At the moment, Gu Qingfeng noticed Qin Qingran¡¯s age and talent. Her willingness to invest such efforts certainly wouldn¡¯t be easily dismissed. After all. The Ancient Noble Family had deep roots and strong heritage. If one could foster a good relationship with them, it wasn¡¯t a bad thing either. As for having one more maid by his side, honestly, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t care much about such matters. For the next few days, Gu Qingfeng stayed within the mansion, spending most of his time in cultivation. But every time he came out, Qin Qingran had already prepared meals, showing no sign of the arrogance expected from a proud daughter of heaven. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t hold back and gave her some guidance in cultivation. Qin Qingran, at just twenty-three years old, already had cultivation entering the Third Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, with top-notch aptitude. According to Qin Qingran, she also had the Emperor Blood in her veins. Moreover, the concentration of her bloodline was far higher than most members of the Ancient Qin Family. Regarding this, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t help but ask: ¡°How much Emperor Blood does Qin Ruofeng have?¡± ¡°My Second Uncle¡¯s Emperor Blood is the highest among the younger generation of the Ancient Qin Family. It is said his Emperor Blood concentration is already at eighty percent!¡± Qin Qingran responded truthfully. Second Uncle!? Hearing this term, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mouth twitched slightly. He hadn¡¯t expected this connection between Qin Qingran and Qin Ruofeng. But after a moment¡¯s thought, Gu Qingfeng understood. Just like others, the Ancient Noble Families found it increasingly difficult to bear children as their cultivation grew. Thus, the marriage and procreation of members of the Ancient Qin Family were similar to that of ordinary people; they married and had children at appropriate ages to continue the family bloodline. Though Qin Ruofeng seemed young, he was actually over sixty years old. Whereas Qin Qingran was just over twenty. The difference of forty years between them meant it was reasonable for the former to be the latter¡¯s elder. However. Regarding Qin Ruofeng¡¯s eighty percent Emperor Blood, Gu Qingfeng was quite surprised. From Qin Qingran¡¯s words, Gu Qingfeng learned that the higher the concentration of Emperor Blood, the stronger the aptitude. For most members of the Ancient Qin Family, the Emperor Blood flowing in their veins was actually less than ten percent. But even so, A trace of Emperor Blood, was sufficient to grant them extraordinary aptitudes beyond ordinary people. For someone like Qin Qingran, who had over thirty percent Emperor Blood, her level was extremely high. Such a concentration of Emperor Blood allowed her to enter the Third Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm at just over twenty. It was important to know. Qin Qingran¡¯s foundation was solid, not like those who advanced merely through consumption of pills. When observing Qin Ruofeng¡¯s eighty percent Emperor Blood, one could see the terrifying potential of such a high concentration. Moreover¡ª¡ª As far as Gu Qingfeng knew, The concentration of bloodlines was not fixed. There were many methods to enhance a cultivator¡¯s bloodline concentration, allowing further advancement. With Qin Ruofeng¡¯s bloodline concentration, if he encountered the right opportunity, he might indeed have his bloodline return to that of an ancestor, akin to a reincarnated Great Emperor. ¡°When does the Ancient Qin Family plan to act against the Ancient Moon State?¡± Gu Qingfeng changed the topic. Qin Qingran replied: ¡°The family is currently gathering various forces. Soon, all these powerful figures will assemble. Then, it will be time to move against the Ancient Moon State!¡± ¡°How much do you know about the Evil Spirit in the Ancient Moon State?¡± Gu Qingfeng asked again. Upon hearing this, Qin Qingran¡¯s pretty face clearly showed a trace of dread, and she shook her head slightly. ¡°I have not seen that Evil Spirit, but an ancestral Saint of our Ancient Qin Family once delved into it. That ancestral Saint said, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor below the Saint Realm is so ominous that looking directly at him brings misfortune!¡± Despite Qin Qingran¡¯s effort to keep her voice steady, anyone could hear the fear contained in her words. Evidently. Regarding the existence of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, The Ancient Qin Family was full of dread, even fear. After all, An ancestral Saint had perished because of it. To other members of the Ancient Qin Family, who were at most of the Semi-Saint level, such a powerful Evil Spirit was naturally not easily dealt with. For the next few days, Gu Qingfeng made no significant moves. However, He could sharply sense that within the Qin Emperor City, several ancient and powerful auras had emerged. ¡°Ancient powerful beings!¡± Such thoughts instantly surfaced in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. These auras were immense, with none weaker than the Great Saint Realm. Chapter 458 308: Taixu Sacred Lands Call for Help After that. Gu Qingfeng tried it with other cultivation techniques. In the end. He fully understood the function of the fusion panel. The fusion panel. Can only fuse two cultivation techniques or divine skills at a time. Moreover. The two techniques or skills to be fused must not exceed one great realm difference. For example, a Great Saint Realm technique can be fused with a Saint King Realm technique, but a Saint King Realm technique cannot be fused with a Saint Realm technique. Furthermore. There is the matter of consumption. A Great Saint Realm combined with a Saint King Realm technique, the final consumption is based on the Saint King Realm, which equates to the consumption of advancing one tier in the Saint King Realm, which is ten thousand upgrade points. But if two techniques of the same tier are fused, the consumption adds up to one plus one equals two. For example, if two Saint King Realm techniques are fused, it will be twenty thousand upgrade points. However. Gu Qingfeng didn''t have two Saint King Realm techniques, only two Great Saint Realm techniques. As such. Fusing two Great Saint Realm techniques requires ten thousand upgrade points. Nevertheless. There is also an issue. That is, if two techniques of different grades in the same realm are fused, the consumption is the same, but the success rate differs. For instance. Two low-grade Great Saint techniques have an 80% probability of fusing into a low-grade Great Saint technique, a 10% probability of fusing into a middle-grade Great Saint technique, a 5% probability of fusing into an upper-grade Great Saint technique, a 3% probability for a top-grade Great Saint technique, a 1% probability for a low-grade Saint King technique, and a final 0.1% probability of fusing into a middle-grade Saint King technique. But if one low-grade Great Saint technique and one middle-grade Great Saint technique are fused, the consumption remains the same, still ten thousand upgrade points. However, the probability of enhancement changes entirely. This probability. Is the same as fusing a Saint King level technique with a Great Saint level technique. An 80% chance to retain the highest level of technique, which is middle-grade Great Saint, but there is a 10% chance to degrade one level, resulting in a low-grade Great Saint technique. As for the upper limit. There''s a 0.1% chance to fuse a technique four grades higher than the highest grade among the two fused techniques. In other words. A low-grade Great Saint technique and a middle-grade Great Saint technique have a maximum upper limit of fusing into a middle-grade Saint King technique. "The appearance of the fusion panel has significantly alleviated the issue of lacking cultivation techniques in the future!" "The further along the path, the harder it is to obtain techniques. If one forcibly breaks through realms, the consumption in upgrade points will be enormous!" Gu Qingfeng clearly understood how rare high-tier cultivation techniques are. Up until now, he only had one Saint King level technique. As for Great Saint level techniques, they were also scarce. Saint King level techniques are already so rare, if he were to seek Quasi Emperor level techniques or Great Emperor level techniques in the future, they would be even rarer. Even¡ª¡ª Above the Great Emperor! Therefore. The appearance of the fusion panel offered Gu Qingfeng a way to save upgrade points. At the same time. Every technique fused could instantly achieve perfection for Gu Qingfeng. In this way. It also maximized Gu Qingfeng''s strength enhancement. Looking at the remaining 136 upgrade points, Gu Qingfeng temporarily suppressed the urge to fuse techniques. Now that he had just stepped into the Great Saint Realm, he didn''t have any extra upgrade points to use. However. Gu Qingfeng was not in a hurry. After breaking through to the Great Saint Realm, he needed some time to familiarize himself with his new power. ¡ª¡ª No one knew. In this End of Dharma Era, someone had already broken through to the Great Saint Realm. While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion in the Nine States, the Ancient Desolate World was already in turmoil. First of all. There was the chaos caused by the evil spirits. As time passed, many seals left by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty were now being undone one by one, and terrifying evil spirits were awakening as if they were about to sweep through the entire Ancient Desolate World. Facing such a situation, the forces in the Five Domains of the Ancient Desolate World were resisting the evil spirits with all their might, and many reclusive powerhouses personally stepped in to suppress the chaos. In the Eastern Domain! Black mist pervaded. Many rotting corpses revived, forming a tide of the undead, aiming to drag all living beings into the abyss of the dead. Numerous cultivators defended the cities, and many divine skills and martial arts erupted, with terrifying torrents of power continually blasting these eerie entities. At this moment. The black mist surged. A clay figure resembling an ancient deity slowly walked out from the depths of the black mist, and many cultivators felt their sea of consciousness roar just by glancing at it, as if they had suffered a severe spiritual trauma. "Ah!!!" Even worse, some let out miserable shrieks, their skin decaying at a visible speed, and they completely transformed into undead evil spirits as if they had been intensely contaminated. This scene. Made the faces of the defending cultivators change drastically. "Those below the Great Grandmaster should not gaze directly at the evil spirits!!" With these words. Many cultivators hurriedly closed their eyes or looked away. But even with the warning, some low-cultivation cultivators couldn''t evade in time and underwent bizarre and terrifying changes. "Boom!" A crying master''s head suddenly exploded, and the screaming ceased instantly. The person who acted. Was a Taoist Palace Realm powerhouse from the Taixu Sacred Land. With a cold and sharp expression, he flicked his finger, and dozens of streams of force blasted out, killing dozens of cultivators who were about to turn into eerie beings on the spot. At this moment. The clay evil spirit made its move, gathering infinite black light in its right hand and blasting it towards the city wall. Chapter 515: 337 Raising Gu_2 Chapter 515: Chapter 337 Raising Gu_2 Although the latter suppresses the former to some extent, it¡¯s impossible to say they can easily command them to serve at will. After all, when it comes to equivalent levels of cultivation, demons inherently have some ability to resist bloodline suppression. But when both bloodline and cultivation are insufficient, that¡¯s a different story. Now. Among these invading demons, the strongest cultivation has reached the Semi-Saint level, indicating that there must be at least one Demon Lord commanding them from behind. Otherwise. It¡¯s absolutely impossible to make these Semi-Saint Realm demons risk their lives. ¡°The battle armor stained with blood, I swear to slay demons!¡± Jiang Nanfeng roared, his Yanyue Blade as if slicing the sky with a mighty force, a Dao Palace Realm Demon Commander changed his expression dramatically, wanting to evade but found himself locked by a terrifying Blade Intent. Before the demon could react, he felt a chill in his body, followed by his enormous figure splitting into two, completely perishing on the spot. This scene. Boosted the morale of the Demon Suppression Army tremendously. ¡°Slay demons, defend our territory!¡± ¡°Kill¡ª¡± Numerous Demon Suppression Army soldiers roared, their blood boiling, turning the attack against demons fiercer. ¡°Insignificant ants, dare to act recklessly!¡± At this moment, a Semi-Saint level demon sneered, stepping into the air with terrifying pressure, intending to completely slay Jiang Nanfeng on the spot. But in the next breath. This Demon Semi-Saint¡¯s expression changed, his body suddenly stiffened, stopping directly in mid-air. Then. A hand crossed the void, directly grabbing the demon, who instantly vanished from sight. At the same time. Inside the Demon Suppression Immortal City. The Demon Semi-Saint appeared here, his body trembling, eyes full of fear. He wanted to plead for mercy, but under Gu Qingfeng¡¯s terrifying aura suppression, even opening his mouth was impossible. ¡°Demon Semi-Saint, let me see what confidence you have!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought moved, directly invading this Demon Semi-Saint¡¯s sea of consciousness, all hidden memories being completely unearthed at this moment. A world of blood and ruin! Massive nests formed by piles of flesh and blood. Countless human and other creature corpses hung upside down on the nests, one by one, juvenile demons tore open the corpses¡¯ abdomens, crawling out arduously. Afterward. These juvenile demons devoured the corpses that nurtured them, crawling toward other juvenile demons. A massacre. Unfolded within the nest. Ninety percent of the juvenile demons became the food for other juvenile demons. Finally. This batch of juvenile demons, after devouring countless of their kind, finally walked out of the nest. Then. An endless slaughter ensued. The vast world was like a breeding ground for Gu Worms, numerous juvenile demons like Gu Worms, slaughtering each other endlessly. When demons emerged successfully from the endless slaughter, they would be welcomed, truly entering the Demon Realm, truly accepted by the Demon Clan, becoming one of them. The Demon Semi-Saint before him was once a Gu King who emerged successfully, surviving the massacre among millions of their kind, then entering the Demon Realm, eventually growing to Semi-Saint Realm. Moreover. In this Demon Semi-Saint¡¯s memory, Gu Qingfeng saw many more worlds. These worlds. Shared a common trait. That all life forms were reduced to the nourishment for the Demon Clan. Moments later. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought moved, causing the Demon Semi-Saint¡¯s body to dissipate like ashes, leaving only a Semi-Saint level inner core behind. ¡°No wonder the Demon Clan is fearless of death and injury, it turns out there are numerous worlds behind them nourishing the Demon Clan!¡± ¡°So-called Demon Realm is not all there is to the Demon Clan¡¯s foundation¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression turned grave. He didn¡¯t expect. The foundation of the Demon Clan would be far scarier than he¡¯d imagined. The Chaotic Universe. Vast and boundless. Worlds giving birth is not something strange. But in comparison. The Human Clan of the Ancient Desolate World only focuses on its own domain, while the Demon Clan, silently invading numerous worlds, turning them into their nourishment. When contrasting the two. The disparity naturally appears. Because of numerous worlds nourishing them, the Demon Clan¡¯s numbers have surged to a frightening level. In such circumstances, the Demon Clan launching a war is naturally understandable. Their numbers are too many. Consuming a batch is of no consequence. Even if billions of demons are lost, it is but a drop in the bucket for the Demon Clan¡¯s overall numbers. Only. Ancient Desolate World¡¯s foundation is robust enough to contend with the Demon Clan. If it were any other world, they would¡¯ve likely already fallen facing the demon¡¯s invasion. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng looked outside the Demon Suppression Immortal City. Those endless demons are indeed Gu Worms bred from various worlds. Demons of this level, even if numerous perish, the Demon Clan wouldn¡¯t feel heartache. ¡°Demonic calamity!¡± ¡°Far more severe than recorded!¡± ¡°With such numbers, if the Demon Clan truly invades in full force, they could exhaust the Human Clan¡¯s foundation!¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly. But. The Ancient Desolate World isn¡¯t without its foundation. Numbers are one aspect. But strength is another aspect. In the Tai Chu Ancient Land, an Ancient Great Emperor lies dormant. Perhaps it¡¯s precisely because of this, that the Demon Clan¡¯s invasion only involves low-tier demons, and only one formidable figure like Hanhai Demon Emperor has appeared so far. Following this. Gu Qingfeng resumed his action, slaying all Semi-Saint level demons with a flick. Even numerous concealed Semi-Saint demons, waiting to strike, couldn¡¯t escape Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. Including many powerful Dao Palace Realm demons, all were obliterated by Gu Qingfeng with a single palm. This round of action. Greatly reduced the pressure on the Divine Martial Dynasty. At the same time. After Gu Qingfeng slaughtered these demons, he didn¡¯t take away the remaining inner cores, leaving them for the cultivators guarding this place. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng extended his right hand, terrifying blood and vitality energy condensing into a terrifying palm, grasping toward the Boundary Domain Channel. The enormous palm plunged into the abyss as if searching for something. ¡°Boom!¡± A powerful wave erupted from deep within the Boundary Domain Channel, destructive aftermath causing the surrounding void to shatter and disintegrate. But soon. The wave vanished. A Demon Lord comparable to a Saint has now been forcefully extracted from the Boundary Domain Channel by Gu Qingfeng. The latter¡¯s face was full of shock, seemingly not expecting Gu Qingfeng could directly traverse the Boundary Domain Channel, subdue the him from the Demon Realm. ¡°Let go of me...¡± The demon lord had just begun to speak, but before his words were finished, Gu Qingfeng seized his head, terrifying Divine Thought power crashing into his mind, instantly performing a domineering Soul Search. Even with the demon lord¡¯s strength, he couldn¡¯t block Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Soul Search. However. Precisely because the demon lord was resisting subconsciously, the memories Gu Qingfeng obtained from the Soul Search were fragmented. Yet even so. From this demon lord¡¯s memories, Gu Qingfeng acquired some information. This information. Was similar to that of the previous Semi-Saint demon. The difference was. This demon lord was not from another world¡¯s demon, but from the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s dominant Soul Search continued, the demon lord¡¯s eyes became vacant, his expression lifeless, clearly becoming a fool. ¡°Demon Lord¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng scoffed disdainfully, his palm exerted power, and the demon lord perished without even a grimace, his body instantly reduced to ashes. Only a Demon Core exuding a powerful aura remained. With this demon lord¡¯s demise, the invading demons seemed to lose their morale, no longer as fearless as before, but retreating like a tide. In an instant. All demons retreated completely. Where once the battlefield was intensely fierce, now it became much quieter. Chapter 516: 338: Accumulate Strength for a Breakthrough Chapter 516: Chapter 338: Accumulate Strength for a Breakthrough ¡°Greetings, Supreme Emperor!¡± Within the Demon Suppression Immortal City, Jiang Nanfeng replaced his battle armor with a blue long robe, exuding a somewhat scholarly elegance. But the aura of iron-blooded ruthlessness emanating from him had not yet truly dissipated. The demonic aura swirled around him, a power accumulated from slaying countless demons. Such a bloody demonic aura would easily infect an ordinary cultivator, driving them insane and making them cruel and bloodthirsty. But clearly. Jiang Nanfeng was not like that. As the Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau, Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s mind was resilient, unfazed by such traces of heaven and earth¡¯s demonic aura. ¡°Commander Jiang performed exceptionally in this battle, slaying many demons, earning great merit.¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at Jiang Nanfeng and praised him without reservation. In fact. It was indeed so. Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s performance was evident in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. From command to combat prowess, Jiang Nanfeng was unparalleled. Such a talent. Gu Qingfeng naturally was quite satisfied. ¡°Resisting demons is inherently the duty of the Demon Suppression Bureau; I dare not claim credit!¡± ¡°Though that¡¯s true, my role is always to reward merit...¡± As Gu Qingfeng said this, he directly used his vital energy to lift a demon core to Jiang Nanfeng. ¡°This is a Saint Realm demon core; I bestow it to you.¡± ¡°With your cultivation, refining the demon core should help you reach above the seventh layer of the Dao Palace realm without issue. The Divine Martial Dynasty now has too few strong individuals. Without enough foundation, hoping to resist a demon invasion would be a luxury. Though I guard this Demon Suppression Immortal City, if a strong demon emperor-level opponent appears, I will find it difficult to intervene. Therefore, to truly resist the demons, we must rely on your strength.¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words made Jiang Nanfeng, who initially wanted to modestly decline, no longer hesitate. He directly grasped the Saint Realm demon core. Afterwards. He kneeled on one knee before Gu Qingfeng, his expression serious and resolute. ¡°Rest assured, Supreme Emperor, the Demon Suppression Bureau will spare no effort to suppress the demons. Even if it means a thousand deaths, we will not retreat half a step!¡± ¡°I look forward to your future performance.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded, then waved Jiang Nanfeng away. Soon after. He opened the information panel for a look. There were no significant changes in the Gu Family offspring matters. The biggest issue. Was with Gu Xiu. Since the demon invasion began, the frequency of demon attacks on him had greatly increased, and he had suffered severe injuries, narrowly escaping death several times. This was quite normal. Many strong individuals of the Demon Clan had revived, including top beings like the Hanhai Demon Emperor. In front of such mighty beings, even the Great Saint¡¯s remnant soul within Gu Xiu was utterly insignificant. Not to mention a wisp of a Great Saint¡¯s remnant soul. Even in his prime, Emperor Extreme Great Saint was insignificant before the Hanhai Demon Emperor. The Demon Emperors are paralleled with Quasi Emperors. The gap between a Great Saint and such beings is evident. However. Gu Qingfeng currently couldn¡¯t contact Gu Xiu. Moreover, from the information panel content. Although the frequency of attacks Gu Xiu faced had increased and he had faced danger multiple times, he always retained some strength. Apparently. Having survived in the Demon Realm for so many years. Gu Xiu was no longer comparable to before. Observing the Death Soldier¡¯s information panel. The content was much richer. Demonic forces invaded en masse. Many Death Soldiers battled demons, while numerous sealed Evil Spirits were awakening one after another, aggravating the disaster caused by evil spirits. With the demon invasion ahead. Chaos from Evil Spirits behind. The Ancient Desolate World was in a state of disarray, as the information panel clearly showed. Then. Gu Qingfeng closed his eyes, silently comprehending the Great Tao of heaven and earth. During the demon invasion, Gu Qingfeng vaguely sensed some subtle changes in the world. The previously absolute suppression by the Heavenly Dao seemed to have loosened somewhat. Regarding this. Gu Qingfeng had some silent speculation. The End of Dharma Era. Could it be coming to an early end? After all, the End of Dharma Era is so named because Heavenly Dao suppresses this era, preventing all beings from advancing beyond the Dao Palace realm. No matter how astonishing a powerhouse you are or how extraordinary your talents, you cannot shake the Heavenly Dao even a little. Thus. This era of blocked paths is called the End of Dharma. However. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation deepened, he formed some personal views on the Heaven and Earth End Times. In his eyes. The so-called End of Dharma Era is a process of self-accumulation for heaven and earth. A millennium of accumulation. Followed by a three-thousand-year burst. Is to accumulate extensively and unleash sparingly. The ten-thousand-year End of Dharma Era is heaven and earth¡¯s preparation for the final three-thousand-year golden age. This cycle repeats. Like a reincarnation. Now with the Demon Clan¡¯s invasion, it might be accelerating the Heavenly Dao¡¯s accumulation, naturally leading the End of Dharma Era to gradually recede, heralding the return of the golden age. ¡°The greatest change brought by the Demon Clan¡¯s invasion is slaughter!¡± ¡°If the End of Dharma Era is a process of heaven¡¯s self-accumulation, the true foundation accumulated by heaven lies in the multitude of beings living within it!¡± ¡°When beings step into the path of cultivation, their great power returns to themselves, but this power actually originates from heaven and earth.¡± ¡°This means, all beings are plunderers in the eyes of heaven and earth, and when they fall, their power dissipates, returning to heaven and earth.¡± ¡°The millennial accumulation is actually the innumerable beings who fell over the thousand years, giving heaven the foundation to step into the golden age again.¡± Chapter 517: 338: Accumulate Deeply and Thinly_2 Chapter 517: Chapter 338: Accumulate Deeply and Thinly_2 ¡°The invasion by the Demon Clan led to a brutal war between the two races, causing countless cultivators to fall in bloody battles, accelerating the accumulation of heaven and earth¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression became solemn. He believed his speculation was mostly correct. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain. Why the invasion by the Demon Clan is causing the suppression of the Heavenly Dao to gradually relax. ¡°If the Great Struggle Prosperity Era really arrives early, it will undoubtedly cause many unexpected changes¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face turned grave. Originally, he thought that the era would arrive at least over a thousand years later. With such a long time, he could elevate his cultivation to a level that ordinary people could hardly reach. By then, even facing the Great Emperor, Gu Qingfeng would have the confidence to fight. But now, everything is changing so fast, catching Gu Qingfeng somewhat off guard. The only solace is, the suppression of the Heavenly Dao is only somewhat relaxed now and hasn¡¯t yet reached the stage of completely breaking the suppression, declaring the End of Dharma Era as truly past. ¡°But at this speed, in three to five hundred years at most, or a hundred years at least, the supposed prosperity era will undoubtedly arrive. By then, not only will the Demon Clan make major moves, but many ancient Great Emperors sleeping in places like the Tai Chu Ancient Land might also undergo changes.¡± At this thought, Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. Until now, the upgrade points he accumulated haven¡¯t changed much, still lacking two thousand to reach ten thousand points. Once the upgrade points break through ten thousand, Gu Qingfeng can seamlessly break through to the Saint King Realm. Once the cultivation reaches Saint King, his strength will rise dramatically. Prior to this, Gu Qingfeng focused on the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Through many battles, Gu Qingfeng understood the power of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. But unfortunately, the enhancement of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture consumes a lot. Just breaking through from the Second Layer to the Third Layer cost Gu Qingfeng ten thousand upgrade points. If breaking through from the Third Layer to the Fourth Layer, it would require one hundred thousand upgrade points. Such an amount of upgrade points, if invested in cultivation, Gu Qingfeng could break through straight to the Holy King Ninth Heaven, almost reaching the level of a Quasi Emperor. Therefore, Gu Qingfeng doesn¡¯t have extra upgrade points to let the Heavenly Vein True Scripture breakthrough. He must solely rely on personal comprehension to possibly let the Heavenly Vein True Scripture breakthrough. Once the Heavenly Vein True Scripture enters the Fourth Layer, Gu Qingfeng firmly believes, even without a breakthrough in cultivation, his strength can advance further. By then, when confronting the Hanhai Demon Emperor, it won¡¯t be that easy for the opponent to retreat. ¡°Thinking more now is useless, at least within the next hundred years there¡¯s no worry of the Great Struggle Prosperity Era descending. And with the current scale of the Gu Family, if truly sedimented for a hundred years, it should provide me with a lot of upgrade points!¡± ¡°However¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s time to urge the members of the Gu Family to marry quickly. Otherwise, the higher the cultivation, the lower the probability of conceiving offspring!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought of this and immediately communicated with Gu Yang, then went into self seclusion for cultivation without waiting for a response. ¡ª¡ª In the Imperial Study Room. Gu Yang, who was correcting memorials, was somewhat startled when receiving Gu Qingfeng¡¯s communication, his expression slightly peculiar. ¡°Father seems quite attentive to the marriage affairs of the younger generation of the Gu Family...¡± Gu Yang didn¡¯t think much about why Gu Qingfeng was so concerned. After all, as an elder of the Gu Family, caring about the younger generation¡¯s marriages is very normal. Which elder doesn¡¯t want to see a house full of children and grandchildren. Thinking of this, Gu Yang decided to follow and expedite these matters. Just right, both Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu were not yet married, and the Gu Family bloodline entirely came from Gu Yang¡¯s line. Thus, Gu Yang naturally had the qualification to make decisions. Days later, Gu Yang issued an order for all imperial family descendants that once they reach marriageable age, they must marry quickly to continue the Gu Family bloodline. This news, didn¡¯t shock people too much. After all, the imperial family highly values bloodlines. Moreover, when the day comes that Gu Yang abdicates, all imperial family members will have the qualification to vie for the Emperor¡¯s Throne, even though some truly hold a slight chance to ascend, it doesn¡¯t change their tiny hope. If there¡¯s no hope for themselves, who¡¯s to say a descendant might emerge as a peerless genius, catching Gu Yang¡¯s eye. By then, perhaps they could become the future ruler of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Suddenly, many descendants of the Gu Family hurriedly married. Once reaching marriageable age, about ninety percent completed their match. Thus, in just a few months, the whole Divine Martial Dynasty celebrated universally, especially in Guangyang Prefecture, where festivities and celebrations diluted some of the oppression brought by the Demon invasion. ¡°Good lad, you¡¯ve done well in this matter!¡± Gu Qingfeng, situated in the Demon Suppression Immortal City, looked at the content on the information panel with a smile on his face. For months, the information panel kept refreshing. Most content was related to the younger generation marrying. Afterward, a few descendants made breakthroughs, bringing the upgrade points Gu Qingfeng accumulated to about eight thousand five hundred. The descendants of the Gu Family married! Added a few hundred more upgrade points! To Gu Qingfeng, this was a double blessing. At this moment, within the Demon Suppression Immortal City, a formidable aura suddenly erupted, shaking the vast city. Many cultivators guarding the Immortal City looked towards the direction of the Demon Suppression Bureau with surprise. ¡°This is a breakthrough in the Taoist Palace Realm... such a strong aura is indeed rare!¡± Currently within the Demon Suppression Bureau, only one person had reached the Taoist Palace Realm, the Commander Jiang Nanfeng. Now there¡¯s a strong one making a breakthrough in the Taoist Palace Realm, causing such a stir, it¡¯s clear that the breakthrough must be Jiang Nanfeng. At this moment, within the Demon Suppression Bureau, Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s aura surged around him, unable to calm down for a long time. ¡°Taoist Palace Realm Third Layer!¡± ¡°The Saint-level Demon Core is truly incredible!!¡± Jiang Nanfeng had an unstoppable smile, the sudden increase in cultivation made him eager to head to the Demon Battlefield for some slaughter. This breakthrough, made Jiang Nanfeng deeply understand the value of the Saint-level Demon Core. Until now, Jiang Nanfeng hadn¡¯t completely refined the Demon Core, he only refined part of its power, with the rest sealed within the Dao Palace, awaiting further accumulation before refining for another breakthrough. Even so, Jiang Nanfeng swiftly broke through two small realms within a few months, directly reaching the Taoist Palace Realm Third Layer. Normally, even within ten years, Jiang Nanfeng might not break through one small realm, let alone two tiers. Of course, if Jiang Nanfeng was willing, he could completely refine all Demon Cores and directly reach the Seventh Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm or higher. However, this would inevitably cause instability in the foundation. Furthermore, this method also burns his potential. Breaking through to the Seventh Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm in this manner would limit future achievements. Hence, Jiang Nanfeng refrained from rash breakthroughs. He stepped into the Taoist Palace Realm Third Layer, sustained only by his Primordial Spirit¡¯s accumulation supporting him to this level. Beyond this, he needs further breakthroughs in True Intent. ¡°Not bad, Taoist Palace Realm Third Layer, and the foundation is stable without seeming hollow, it seems you didn¡¯t disappoint me!¡± At this moment, a calm voice sounded, making Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s face freeze, then he saw within the hall, Gu Qingfeng had appeared at some unknown point. If not for the voice, Jiang Nanfeng might not even have noticed someone quietly appeared. Seeing this, Jiang Nanfeng became increasingly respectful of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength. Upon hearing the latter¡¯s words, he bowed deeply. ¡°This minister greets the Supreme Emperor!¡± ¡°If not for the Supreme Emperor granting the Demon Core, this minister could not have broken through so quickly; I shall never forget the Supreme Emperor¡¯s grace as if it were rebirth!¡± Chapter 518: 339: Star Execution Cannon (Happy New Year!) Chapter 518: Chapter 339: Star Execution Cannon (Happy New Year!) At this moment. Gu Qingfeng and Jiang Nanfeng both seemed to sense something as they simultaneously looked outside the Demon Suppression Immortal City. In the pitch-black abyssal rift, an endless black mist suddenly surged out, entwined with demonic aura that could blot out the sun and moon, making the sky look as if it was dyed with ink. Immediately after. They saw wave after wave of demons emerging from the abyssal rift, heading towards the Demon Suppression Immortal City. A massive number of demons appeared. The soldiers of the Demon Suppression Bureau on guard duty immediately sounded the alarm. ¡°Hoo!¡± The heavy sound of the war horn echoed in the silent battlefield, quickly resonating above the Demon Suppression Immortal City, sharply raising the chilling atmosphere. All the resting Demon Suppression Army soldiers promptly donned their battle armor and rushed to the walls. They saw countless demons emerging from the Boundary Domain Channel, so densely packed that they stretched beyond the horizon. ¡°These damn things seem endless, just when we thought we could have a break, they¡¯ve returned so quickly!¡± An old soldier spat as he looked at the Demon Clan¡¯s army, showing no sign of fear in his eyes. The hundred thousand strong Demon Suppression Army were not real rookies, but elite troops handpicked by Jiang Nanfeng from various camps. Moreover, after entering the Demon Suppression Immortal City and engaging in relentless slaughter against the Demon Clan, the Demon Suppression Army had undergone a transformation. The hundred thousand Demon Suppression Army. Now only half remain. Yet the remaining fifty thousand are the elite among elites. The term ¡°elite.¡± Refers not to their Cultivation Realm but to their battle intent. Therefore. Even in the face of the Demon Clan¡¯s renewed invasion, the Demon Suppression Army guarding the Demon Suppression Immortal City harbored no fear. ¡°The Demon Clan has returned, and after this battle, the Demon Suppression Army will need replenishing with fresh blood!¡± Upon reaching the wall, Jiang Nanfeng looked at the remaining fifty thousand Demon Suppression Army soldiers, musing darkly. As for the source of replenishment. It naturally comes from the other soldiers within the Demon Suppression Immortal City. To speak bluntly. Even an average soldier, as long as they survive in the Demon Suppression Immortal City, is considered elite outside. If the Demon Suppression Army needs replenishing. This is the only approach. ¡°Bring up all the Star Execution Cannons from the Heavenly Craft Department, and let¡¯s give them a harsh blow today!¡± Jiang Nanfeng angrily ordered. As soon as these words were uttered, the deputy commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau beside him immediately received the command. Moments later. Steel beast-like cannon carriages were pushed up to the city wall, their dark barrels exuding a cold and lethal aura, with numerous mysterious and intricate patterns carved on them, akin to divine inscriptions. ¡°Fire!¡± Jiang Nanfeng directly commanded. ¡°Boom!¡± The mysterious patterns on the cannon carriages were fully activated, with blue light instantly spreading over their entire bodies, followed by dazzling beams of light converging in the cannon muzzles, immediately firing off. The blinding light erupted, causing the void to collapse and sink. The moment the terrifying power descended, any demon it touched exploded into mist and blood in the sky. ¡°Boom, boom, boom!!¡± Ten Star Execution Cannons fired in unison, claiming tens of thousands of demon lives, including those at the Tiaoist Palace Realm. This scene. Was naturally sensed by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought. Seeing the power of the Star Execution Cannon, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was tinged with emotion. ¡°A single shot can kill a demon at the Tiaoist Palace Realm. If confronted head-on, even a Semi-Saint may not survive. The Taiyi Divine Dynasty of Ancient Times had such deep reserves. Techniques combining technology and extraordinary power like this are truly terrifying!¡± Indeed! The Star Execution Cannon was not created by the Divine Martial Dynasty. Several months ago, a cosmic phenomenon appeared over the Nine States. The Divine Martial Dynasty sent cultivators to investigate and discovered a relic related to the Taiyi Divine Dynasty of Ancient Times. Within it. The Divine Martial Dynasty acquired a batch of special blueprints and ten Star Execution Cannons. These Star Execution Cannons are powered by Spirit Stones as their energy source. Each shot. Requires a hundred Top-Grade Spirit Stones. This price. Is naturally not expensive. After all, a single Lower Grade Divine Blood Stone is equivalent to ten thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones. In other words. A Lower Grade Divine Blood Stone converted into Top-Grade Spirit Stones can power the Star Execution Cannon a hundred times. Without a doubt. This is an absolute weapon for city defense. Ten Star Execution Cannons. Can make it nearly impossible for the Demon Clan to advance. Moreover. According to information left in that ancient relic, the Star Execution Cannon is not the most powerful weapon of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. There are many mysterious weapons far stronger than the Star Execution Cannon. Regarding this. Gu Qingfeng was very curious. He also felt the ancient Divine Dynasty¡¯s heritage was unfathomable. Originally thought the Taiyi Divine Dynasty was abundant in powerful figures, with flourishing cultivation, yet they also mastered such powerful weaponry. The power of the Star Execution Cannon right before their eyes was enough to indicate many things. On the other side. The Demon side. When the Star Execution Cannon appeared, many Semi-Saint demons supporting the back lines turned pale. ¡°What is this weapon! To have such terrifying power!?¡± ¡°To kill a Demon Commander in a single shot, unbelievable¡ª¡± Even hundreds of miles apart, they could clearly feel the Star Execution Cannon¡¯s dreadfulness. This kind of power. If met head-on, they feared they would face the same fate. None expected The Divine Martial Dynasty to reveal such reserves. But soon. After ten salvos, all movement ceased. Chapter 519: 339: Star Execution Cannon (Happy New Year!) _2 Chapter 519: Chapter 339: Star Execution Cannon (Happy New Year!) _2 On the city walls, the patterns on the Star Execution Cannon gradually dimmed. The enormous barrel¡¯s temperature soared, as if it might explode at any moment. Seeing this, Jiang Nanfeng understood that this was the limit of the Star Execution Cannon. Ten salvos in full force. After that, it needed to be paused for a period of relief before it could be used again. Nevertheless, he was quite satisfied with the power of the Star Execution Cannon. After ten rounds of salvos, the demon clan suffered losses exceeding half. The earth shattered and fractured, and large fissures stretched like dried riverbeds, with the blood of countless demons staining the surroundings. It could be seen, that at least a million demons died under the Star Execution Cannon. ¡°Activate the array!¡± ¡°Annihilate the demons!¡± Jiang Nanfeng issued the orders consecutively. Soon, mystical runes emerged in the air above Demon Suppression Immortal City, and a translucent barrier enveloped the entire city. Then numerous lightning storms erupted, sweeping towards the demon clan. If a cultivator were to look down from above, they would find that the entire Demon Suppression Immortal City actually encircled the boundary domain channel completely. The long city walls formed a terrifying circle, resembling undulating mountains at first glance. If the demon clan wanted to leave the Ancient Beast Mountain Range and truly enter the Nine States or the Eastern Domain, they would have to break through the blockade of Demon Suppression Immortal City. Otherwise, no matter how they operated, they would always be trapped on the battlefield. In other words, the entire Demon Suppression Immortal City was the battlefield. The difference was, as long as the demons could not breach the blockade, the city walls of Demon Suppression Immortal City would not truly be impacted. During the first invasion of demons, the Divine Martial Dynasty had insufficient preparation, so they had to rely on short-range combat, forcibly resisting the demon clan¡¯s attacks with human lives. But this time was different. After several months of recuperation and healing, the Divine Martial Dynasty had made ample preparations. Not only were there ten Star Execution Cannons guarding the city, but the first line of defense was also inscribed with a top-tier array. This array, named the Twelve Heavenly Phenomenon Formation, was a truly top-level fifth-grade array. A massive outpouring of terrifying power emerged from the array, bringing a cataclysmic blow to the demon clan. Many powerful demon clan commanders hiding in the rear had gloomy faces upon seeing this scene. ¡°The array!¡± Who would have imagined, that after just a few months, Demon Suppression Immortal City would undergo such a monumental transformation? The vast boundary domain channel now turned their side into trapped beasts. At this moment, a drop of blood suddenly appeared from within the boundary domain channel, bursting with terrifying power. Surging blood light charged at the array, attempting to dismantle it completely. But in the next moment, a giant hand formed of blood essence emerged from Demon Suppression Immortal City, effortlessly blocking the blood¡¯s attack. The strike, capable of dismantling a top-level fifth-grade array, landed on the palm without shaking it in the slightest. Such a scene, caused the hope that had risen in many demon clan commanders¡¯ hearts to plummet quickly. ¡°Hmph, trying to use other means in front of me is simply laughable!¡± Gu Qingfeng sneered with disdain for the demon clan. Clearly, he was the one who intervened. In normal battles, Gu Qingfeng usually would not intervene easily, but he would not stand idly by in cases of power surpassing the Taoist Palace Realm. The intense bombardment from the array caused fatal casualties to the demon clan. To suppress the demon clan¡¯s offensive to the greatest extent, the Divine Martial Dynasty poured substantial resources into Demon Suppression Immortal City. As a result, these resources were sufficient to sustain the array for a considerable period of time. Several hours later, the Star Execution Cannon completed its relief. The vanished brilliant light returned, the void collapsed, and several demon semi-saints were obliterated by a single cannon shot without any time to react. ¡°Boom!¡± Bodies burst apart, flesh and blood flew everywhere. Such an overwhelming battle utterly crushed the morale of the demon clan. ¡°Retreat!¡± A Demon Semi-Saint¡¯s eyes were about to burst with anger, just as he was about to order a retreat when his body suddenly exploded. Immediately after. A towering phantom appeared, looking at the other terrified Semi-Saints, its voice cold and devoid of emotion. ¡°Not a single step back!¡± ¡°Even if it means piling up corpses, you must completely breach the Demon Suppression Immortal City!¡± ¡°Anyone who dares to desert without orders will be executed without mercy¡ª¡± After these words. The phantom then dispersed. For a moment. The Semi-Saints fell silent. For a long time. A hoarse voice from a Semi-Saint asked, ¡°What should we do now?¡± ¡°The Demon Lord has commanded, who dares to disobey? Moreover, this is an order from the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court, which we cannot defy!¡± Another strong being of the Semi-Saint Realm shook his head, then looked towards the direction of Demon Suppression Immortal City with resolute eyes. ¡°Things have come to this point, our fate is already sealed!¡± ¡°Since we are doomed, why not use our lives to pave the way for our clan!¡± After speaking. The Demon Semi-Saint ascended into the sky, with wings suddenly spread from his back, his figure like a stream of light skimming through the void, untouched by the many thunderous gales. Even the power of the Star Execution Cannon struggled to catch his shadow. Within a single breath. The city wall was already within distant view. ¡°Kill!!¡± The Demon Semi-Saint¡¯s eyes showed a bloodthirsty gleam, as if envisioning himself reaching the city wall and unleashing a massacre. After all, without the Star Execution Cannon and the array¡¯s protection, the Demon Suppression Army is negligible. A force with only a few Taoist Palace Realm experts, how could it be his opponent. However. Just as the Demon Semi-Saint was about to reach the city walls, a terrifying aura descended upon him, halting his movements as if an invisible hand had forcibly restrained him in the void. ¡°No¡ª¡± The Demon Semi-Saint¡¯s bloodthirsty eyes suddenly cleared, instinctively revealing the fear of death. The next moment. The Star Execution Cannon fired. When the brilliant light touched the Demon Semi-Saint¡¯s body, he was effortlessly obliterated. Within a single breath. The powerful Semi-Saint had already fallen on the spot. The one who acted, needless to say. Was naturally Gu Qingfeng. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s presence, the Demon Clan¡¯s stance became overwhelmingly disadvantageous. And above the battlefield, a black Ancient Banner stood, drawing all the battlefield¡¯s blood and essence into itself as if by some attraction. This Ancient Banner was nothing other than the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Originally. Gu Qingfeng had entrusted the Ten Thousand Soul Banner to Gu Yang. But this time. He retrieved the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Simply because the battlefield between the two clans was the best opportunity to nurture the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. The Demon Clan was reckless in their attempt to flatten Demon Suppression Immortal City with their lives, so Gu Qingfeng used their lives to nurture the Ten Thousand Soul Banner as they wished. One by one, Demon bodies fell. A massive amount of fresh blood and scattered Divine Soul energy poured into the Ancient Banner. This mysterious Supreme Treasure began to undergo transformation bit by bit. Meanwhile. Within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. A brutal battle was also unfolding. Three Semi-Saints, nine Taoist Palace Realm Nine Layers, and thirty-six Divine Transformation Realm Nine Layers of weird entities were now fighting and devouring each other. In less than a moment. All the Taoist Palace Realm and Divine Transformation Realm weird entities perished, leaving only the three Semi-Saint Realm weird entities fighting endlessly. As time slowly passed. The first Semi-Saint Realm weird entity was defeated and devoured by the remaining two. After swallowing this Semi-Saint Realm weird entity, the remaining two¡¯s aura grew significantly stronger, seemingly on the brink of breaking through to a higher level. This transformation on the verge of breakthrough drove the two Semi-Saints into further madness. They knew. Whoever could devour the other would shatter the Semi-Saint barrier and truly advance to the Saint level. The terrifying prospect of breakthrough ascension. Made the two Semi-Saint weird entities use every possible means. Finally. One of the weird entities proved superior, successfully twisting off the other Semi-Saint¡¯s head, then voraciously devouring its body, causing itself to gradually transform. Chapter 520: 340 Deceit God Chapter 520: Chapter 340 Deceit God ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± At the moment of this eerie ascension, the ancient black banner shook furiously, rolling black mist swept across the heavens and earth, a strange and chilling aura already permeating the surroundings. At the same time. You could see mysterious patterns emerging on the banner, a mysterious shadow with eyes full of savage killing intent emerging from it, revealing unclear true visage. Such a grand commotion caused the cultivators of the two clans on the battlefield to instinctively pause, all casting their gazes towards the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Meanwhile. Gu Qingfeng also turned his gaze towards that mysterious shadow. Their gazes met. An insane and overbearing spiritual attack blasted forth, his sea of consciousness hummed, as if some terrifying entity had targeted him. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression changed. ¡°What on earth is this thing!¡± Even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current cultivation realm, facing that spiritual impact head on, it felt like a delusion of an ant trying to glimpse the azure sky. Fortunately. This was merely a shadow. If such an existence were to truly descend, Gu Qingfeng could hardly imagine how terrifying it would be. When the mysterious shadow faded away, Gu Qingfeng fell into silence. That previous scene. Caused the last remnants of arrogance in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s heart to vanish without a trace. All this time. Gu Qingfeng has been undefeated in the Ancient Desolate World. Even when ventured into the Tai Chu Ancient Land, directly facing the Ancient Great Emperor without a shred of fear. However. Upon seeing that mysterious shadow, Gu Qingfeng admitted that a feeling of fear had arisen in his heart. This wasn¡¯t because Gu Qingfeng was afraid. But rather, under such a spiritual assault, the emotion surged naturally from within. Gu Qingfeng could conclude. Even if a Great Emperor personally arrived, it would definitely not be as terrifying as that shadow. Initially. Gu Qingfeng already felt that the Ten Thousand Soul Banner¡¯s origins weren¡¯t simple. The anomaly appearing this time undoubtedly confirmed what he was thinking. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng extended his hand. The Ten Thousand Soul Banner fell back into his grasp. When Gu Qingfeng¡¯s divine thought entered the ancient banner, a new wave of information surfaced. ¡°Deceit God Banner!¡± These simple three words were etched into Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind, impossible to erase. ¡°Deceit God Banner... is this the true name of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner?¡± Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself. The words ¡®Deceit God¡¯! Already explained a lot. Before his eyes, the Deceit God Banner had transformed, with many mysterious and profound patterns appearing on the black ancient banner, holding a remarkable Dao rhythm aura. But unfortunately. Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t comprehend the intricacies of the Dao rhythm within. As another thought crossed Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind, a strange creature appeared before him. There was only one head! But it emitted an incredible aura. This was a creature that had already stepped into the Saint realm. Normally speaking. Under the suppression of the Heavenly Dao. No cultivator should be able to break through to the Saint realm. But now, with this promotion of a strange creature, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t help but suspect, is it the Deceit God Banner that is different, or that the ascension of such a supreme treasure¡¯s creatures is not restrained by the Heavenly Dao. No matter what. Gu Qingfeng understood. The Deceit God Banner was strong! And likely stronger than he imagined! With such a mysterious origin of a supreme treasure, Gu Qingfeng dared not underestimate it in the slightest. ¡°Deceit God Banner... it can now only nurture one strange entity, but in terms of function, this entity is far more useful than the previous dozens of entities!¡± Gu Qingfeng gazed at the strange entity before him, whose radiating aura wasn¡¯t comparable to the previous strange beings. It could be seen that although the number of strange entities in the Deceit God Banner sharply reduced, the quality entirely surpassed what mere quantity could compare to. Furthermore. Gu Qingfeng felt. The Saint realm. Was not the ultimate memory of this strange being. ¡°Deceit God Deceit God... could this strange entity ultimately grow to become a Deceit God... If it is a Deceit God, what kind of existence is that, is it on par with a Great Emperor, or even more powerful than a Great Emperor?¡± Gu Qingfeng instinctively thought of the mysterious shadow, could that be the legendary Deceit God? If it is. Then the terror of a Deceit God is definitely incomparable to a Great Emperor. ¡°What kind of realm is a Deceit God is a question!¡± ¡°The origins of the Deceit God Banner is also a question¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the Deceit God Banner in his hand, increasingly understanding that this world wasn¡¯t as simple as it superficially appeared. After researching the Deceit God Banner for a while without discovering anything unusual, Gu Qingfeng once again unleashed this supreme treasure, allowing the strange entity within to personally attack the demons on the battlefield. Due to the Deceit God Banner. Gu Qingfeng named this strange entity Deceit God. With the emergence of the Deceit God in the Saint realm, it commenced a massacre upon the Demon Clan. Its actions swift as a ghost, effortlessly piercing through the demons¡¯ physical defenses, forcibly extracting their hearts, and then devouring them whole. ¡°Damn it... what on earth are you!!¡± A demon Semi-Saint roared in terror and fury, unleashing full power to eliminate the Deceit God, but such an attack was utterly meaningless to the Deceit God, which had ascended to the Saint realm. The Deceit God broke through the Semi-Saint¡¯s protective Gang Qi with a single palm strike, forcefully inserting five fingers into the opponent¡¯s chest, then tugging firmly, pulling out a massive heart. Deprived of its heart. Although the demon Semi-Saint was not truly dead, its aura became much more depressed. He watched helplessly as the Deceit God ravenously devoured his heart, terror instantly manifesting on his face. Chapter 521: 340 Deceit God_2 Chapter 521: Chapter 340 Deceit God_2 ... A moment later. The head of the Demon Semi-Saint was torn off, along with the spine detached from the body. A gruesome scene. It shocked the expressions of the other demons. As demons. They are also inherently cruel. But this kind of cruelty is directed at others. If such cruelty were used on themselves, they too would feel fear. With the addition of the Deceit God. The Demon Clan was utterly defeated. At this moment. On the city walls. Some people from the Demon Suppression Bureau seemed to have discovered something, their faces suddenly changing dramatically. ¡°Look quickly!¡± Many people, upon hearing this, looked in the direction pointed, only to see black mist emerging among the many demon remnants on the ground, then turning into shadowy figures. These shadowy figures, with blood-red eyes full of killing intent, directly attacked the other demons. With the addition of these shadows, one demon after another was slaughtered in the battlefield, and in less than half a day, millions of demons were already dead or wounded. Even in the Boundary Domain Channel, no more demons appeared. It was as if the powerful being secretly commanding the demons was also shocked by this scene. ¡°It¡¯s strange!¡± Gu Qingfeng squinted his eyes slightly. These shadows were actually strange entities. He didn¡¯t expect that the Deceit God could have such means, capable of reviving the remaining Divine Souls from dead bodies as strange entities. To be precise¡ª After these bodies fell, most of the Essence Blood and Divine Souls were devoured by the Deceit God, leaving only some residual power to revive as strange entities. The strength of these strange entities was generally not strong, but they were numerous. Millions of demon corpses, thus nurturing millions of strange entities. Upon seeing the Deceit God standing atop a small mountain formed from heaps of corpses, with millions of strange entities bowing down, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression involuntarily became solemn. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng had already made up his mind in secret that the Deceit God Banner must be in his own hands. Such a Supreme Treasure, if it fell into the hands of others, would undoubtedly lead to endless troubles. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng must always be mindful of the existence of the Deceit God. As long as there was the slightest intention of escaping his control, Gu Qingfeng would immediately erase the Deceit God. There was no other choice. The means of the Deceit God before his eyes were indeed somewhat shocking to Gu Qingfeng. After all, the birth of a strange entity was usually a matter of probability. Only when people with grievances die, is there a certain chance that they will be reborn as strange entities. But looking at the scene before him. As long as living beings fall, the Deceit God can awaken and revive them as strange entities. To put it another way. Given enough time, the Deceit God could entirely create a world where only strange entities exist. At this time. Gu Qingfeng realized the weight of the word ¡°Deceit God¡± in the Deceit God Banner. Create strange entities! Claiming the title of Deceit God is not an exaggeration. After all, only the god of strange entities could truly create strange entities and command them all to bow down in submission. At this time. The Deceit God howled at the sky, its hoarse and ear-piercing voice like glass being scraped, echoed throughout the battlefield. ¡°Return...¡± With difficulty, it uttered a word. A sea of millions of strange entities transformed into surging black mist, converging toward the Deceit God. In the end. The black mist formed by these strange entities gathered behind the Deceit God into a black cloak. The faces of all beings twisted on the cloak, making others dizzy with just a glance. The Deceit God Cloak! A Supreme Treasure formed from millions of strange entities! ¡°Return!¡± Gu Qingfeng coldly ordered. The body of the Deceit God paused slightly, its blood-red eyes looking towards the Demon Suppression Immortal City, then its body turned into black mist and entered the Deceit God Banner. Gu Qingfeng extended a hand, and the Deceit God Banner fell into his grasp. Immediately after. Gu Qingfeng shook the Deceit God Banner, and the Deceit God reappeared. ¡°Let me see that cloak.¡± He ordered. The Deceit God, without any hesitation or struggle, deftly removed the cloak from its back and handed it to Gu Qingfeng. The cloak came into his possession. At once, an intensely chilling aura erupted, as if wanting to freeze Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body solid. However, such a degree of chill was naturally incapable of affecting Gu Qingfeng. His gaze fell upon the cloak, the faces of countless beings twisted and writhed, opening their mouths wide as if struggling for help, while a wave of negative and eerie spiritual power surged into his sea of consciousness, seemingly attempting to completely assimilate Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Hmph!¡± With a slightly cold gaze, Gu Qingfeng unleashed an even more powerful force of divine thought, completely dispelling and scattering the mental pollution. Then. Gu Qingfeng handed the cloak back to the Deceit God. This cloak was sinister. Birthed from the bizarre nature of millions of demons, surely it couldn¡¯t be something simple. But with the degree of sinister nature of the cloak, even if an ordinary cultivator obtained it, they wouldn¡¯t be able to wield it. In harsher terms. Let alone wielding it. Whether one could withstand this eerie mental onslaught was another question. If the mental assault couldn¡¯t be endured, at best, one¡¯s mind would descend into insanity, becoming a madman; at worst, they would completely fall, becoming a new aberration. Though Gu Qingfeng could withstand the cloak¡¯s sinister nature, for him, it didn¡¯t hold much significance. Rather than keeping it, he chose to return it to the Deceit God. Then. Gu Qingfeng probed further to understand the cloak¡¯s function. Upon hearing, the Deceit God¡¯s expression was slightly dazed, and then a chaotic and sporadic set of thoughts were transmitted, allowing Gu Qingfeng to instantly comprehend the cloak¡¯s function. The cloak was named the Deceit God Cloak. The more it absorbed the bizarre, the stronger the cloak would become. When the cloak was worn, it could be equivalent to a defensive supreme treasure. Simultaneously. The bizarre energies this cloak absorbed could also be released, forming an eerie army in an instant. ¡°Do you possess Spiritual Wisdom... able to understand my words?¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the Deceit God before him, with a slight frown. With these words spoken. The Deceit God¡¯s face grew expressionless, as if entirely unable to comprehend. Immediately following. Gu Qingfeng asked a few more things, such as the origin of the Deceit God Banner. To this. The Deceit God again transmitted chaotic and jumbled thoughts. But unfortunately, the aura contained within was so disorderly, it held little value. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng dismissed the idea of inquiring further about the Deceit God Banner¡¯s origin. The multifaceted probing. Allowed Gu Qingfeng to gain some insight into the Deceit God¡¯s state. The Deceit God before him was birthed from the Deceit God Banner, yet its spiritual wisdom seemed as fragile as a newly awakened life form, but it would gradually grow over time. This was not necessarily good news for Gu Qingfeng. After all, if the Deceit God truly developed spiritual wisdom and grew, it would mean facing many risks to truly control it. Should the day come. If the Deceit God broke free from the shackles of the Deceit God Banner, it might cause considerable trouble. But after some thought. Gu Qingfeng still chose not to destroy the Deceit God. After all, even if the Deceit God were destroyed, as long as the Deceit God Banner remained, a second Deceit God could always be nurtured. Regrettably. The material of the Deceit God Banner was unique, so much so that even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current strength, it was difficult to move it in the slightest. Beyond that. The eventual dangers posed by the Deceit God were matters for the future. It couldn¡¯t be denied. The role of the Deceit God was significant. If cultivated properly, it could indeed become a valuable assistant. Abandoning it out of fear was not in line with what Gu Qingfeng desired. Thus. He placed the Deceit God back into the Deceit God Banner, choosing not to concern himself further with this matter. Meanwhile, on the other side. The Deceit God¡¯s massacre of millions of demons and subsequent awakening of the bizarre energies of millions of demons sent shockwaves through the Demon Clan. The demon powerhouses responsible for overseeing the Boundary Domain Channel, at the first opportunity, reported this news back. The Hanhai Demon Emperor, upon learning of this, wore a deeply furrowed brow. ¡°Awakening the bizarre... could it be a kind of supreme treasure?¡± In the understanding of the Hanhai Demon Emperor, there were indeed many sinister supreme treasures, nurtured with the essence blood and divine souls of beings, and gradually evolving and growing stronger. Hence, according to the received news, the Hanhai Demon Emperor deduced that the Deceit God Banner was likely something similar. As such. The Hanhai Demon Emperor found himself in some hesitation. After all, knowing that the other side possessed such a supreme treasure, if they continued sending demons to their deaths, it would be tantamount to providing the opponent with experience, which was not what the Hanhai Demon Emperor wished to see. Chapter 522: 342: Nine Demon Emperors Chapter 522: Chapter 342: Nine Demon Emperors Despite this. The Hanhai Demon Emperor pondered for a moment but still continued to send demons to invade. There is no other reason. Every Supreme Treasure has its limits. The Hanhai Demon Emperor does not believe that the Deceit God Banner in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s hand could endlessly rise in power. Even for an Imperial Weapon. It¡¯s impossible to achieve such a step. Moreover. The main issue is. The number of the Demon Clan is too vast, reaching an immeasurable extent. Over the years. The Demon Clan has been constantly invading other realms, using the resources and life from those realms as nourishment, eventually nurturing their massive population. The demons that died in the Ancient Desolate World are just a drop in the ocean to the Demon Clan; they are simply insignificant. Such a huge number is a burden for the entire clan. This is also why. The Demon Clan wants to stir up war for another reason. There are too many demons! So many that it is outrageous! And ¡ª¡ª The large number of demon deaths also brings some benefits. ¡°It¡¯s almost time!¡± ¡°When the billion beings¡¯ lethal energy matures, then all conditions will be ripe!¡± The eyes of the Hanhai Demon Emperor burned with passion, and his expression became somewhat frantic. Moments later. The Hanhai Demon Emperor took a deep breath, calmed his inner turmoil, and immediately summoned other high-levels of the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court, ordering a fierce attack on the Boundary Domain Channel. Soon after. The Hanhai Demon Emperor moved his Divine Thought. In the next breath. A few majestic silhouettes suddenly appeared. The terrifying Emperor Mighty spread, causing great pressure upon the hall¡¯s void. These silhouettes. Each one is an existence at the Demon Emperor level. ¡°Hanhai, why have you summoned us?¡± ¡°I wish to open more Boundary Domain Channels to expedite the gathering of the beings¡¯ lethal energy, but to prevent the Human Clan from invading the Demon Realm, every Boundary Domain Channel must be guarded by a Demon Emperor. Therefore, I hope all of you can take action to open and guard a domain!¡± The Hanhai Demon Emperor sat at the main seat of the great hall, looking at the other silhouettes, and spoke in a deep voice. His words. Caused these Demon Emperors to furrow their brows slightly. ¡°You¡¯ve already opened one Boundary Domain Channel, isn¡¯t it enough to break through the Ancient Desolate World¡¯s barrier?¡± ¡°Indeed... right now we¡¯re in the End of Dharma Era, surely the Ancient Desolate World doesn¡¯t have much foundation to mobilize, with your strength combined with billions of demons, can¡¯t you already open up the situation?¡± These Demon Emperors were reluctant to open too many Boundary Domain Channels. After all, the more Boundary Domain Channels are opened, the higher the risks. This type of thing. Is easy to open. But extremely difficult to destroy. Although the Demon Clan is invading the Ancient Desolate World this time, at least they must ensure that their own foundation remains unharmed. The Demon Realm is the foundation for the Demon Clan, and absolutely cannot allow the Human Clan to set foot there. Ten thousand years ago. The Human Clan Emperor led many powerful beings into the Demon Realm, causing quite an impact, which took several tens of thousands of years to barely eliminate. The scene from those years. These Demon Emperors do not wish to see it again. The Hanhai Demon Emperor shook his head: ¡°Although it is the End of Dharma Era now, a top-tier expert has emerged from the Human Clan, and he holds an extraordinary Imperial Weapon. I once fought against him and lost an arm. Now that person has established a fortress at the channel, all entering demons are besieged and hardly able to take a single step!¡± The Hanhai Demon Emperor did nothing to cover up the fact he lost an arm. Defeat is defeat! There¡¯s nothing worth denying. Only this matter could persuade the other Demon Emperors to step forward and open and guard the Boundary Domain Channel. Sure enough. Upon hearing the Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s words, the faces of several Demon Emperors changed. ¡°You were severed by a Human Clan, could it be some hidden old relic?¡± ¡°Not sure... that person showed no signs of old age, and was quite peculiar, not looking like a Quasi Emperor, but possessing extraordinary combat power!¡± ¡°Even ¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°I suspect, is it possible he is a strong figure who proved the Dao during the End of Dharma Era!¡± Recalling that past battle, the Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s expression involuntarily grew heavy. Once these words were spoken. A Demon Emperor immediately rebutted. ¡°Impossible, the End of Dharma Era has Heavenly Dao suppression, no life can become Saint, let alone step into the Quasi-Emperor Realm!¡± Heavenly Dao suppression! Even the Great Emperor finds it difficult to break. The Hanhai Demon Emperor said: ¡°Heavenly Dao suppression is true, but who can truly ensure that no method exists to break the shackles of the End of Dharma Era? Moreover, the provenance of this one¡¯s importance is irrelevant, what matters is that there is now a strong figure in the Ancient Desolate World comparable to an Upper Demon Emperor level presiding. Therefore, I hope all can take action to open Boundary Domain Channels¡ª¡ª¡± Upon finishing his words. The several Demon Emperors fell into silence. Moments later. In the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court. A lifeless-like Life Ancient City trembled violently, then began to crumble inch by inch. A formidable entity with double horns, a burly body, filled with terrifying scorching energy, stepped out of the Life Ancient City. ¡°Roar!¡± This existence let out an angry roar to the heavens, its surging force sweeping across all directions, violently shattering the void, causing the court¡¯s cultivators to be astonished. ¡°An ancient Demon Emperor has emerged!¡± This lineage suppression, together with that magnificent Emperor Mighty, sufficiently illustrates the origin of this existence. After the Hanhai Demon Emperor. Another ancient Demon Emperor revived. Shortly after. Before other cultivators of the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court could be shocked further, another presence with no less potent aura exploded forth. One force! Two forces! Three forces! ¡ª¡ª In a brief moment. Eight forces soared across the sky. Chapter 523: 342 Nine Demon Emperors_2 Chapter 523: Chapter 342 Nine Demon Emperors_2 Resonating with the aura of Hanhai Demon Emperor in the ancestral court hall, a full nine waves of Emperor Mighty swept across the heavens and the earth. It¡¯s not only the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court that trembled; even demons separated by millions of miles could clearly perceive this fluctuation. Such suppression from the level of life left all demons utterly shocked. ¡°Nine Demon Emperors!¡± ¡°This is the foundation of the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court¡ª¡± A powerful figure from the ancient Demon clan looked towards the direction of the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court, their expression becoming serious, even with some alarm in their heart. Any one Demon Emperor is a top existence within the Demon clan. Such a level of a strong figure; their bloodline could directly nurture a top-notch royal clan. A single drop of blood. Could suppress stars. A single breath. Could destroy mountains. Many peak forces do not even have one such figure. But the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court now has nine Demon Emperors emerging at once. Everyone knows. This is definitely not the full foundation of the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court. After all, given the Heaven and Earth End Times of today, it is impossible for the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court to reveal all its cards. Nine Demon Emperors! Are merely the tip of the iceberg of the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court. Even so. With such strength, it¡¯s enough to guarantee the transcendent status of the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court. ¡ª¡ª Northern Domain! The firmament crumbles! The void shatters! A large amount of demon power suddenly surged out, making the entire Northern Domain tremble, causing many sects and hidden powerful figures to look towards the source of that wave, their expressions involuntarily serious. ¡°Boundary Domain Channel!¡± An ancient Saint, reawakened, seemed to realize something, his expression drastically changing. To open a Boundary Domain Channel! Only a strong figure at the level of a Demon Emperor can achieve it. At the same time. Ancient Feng Family. All strong figures gathered here. In the Feng Family grand hall, a middle-aged cultivator in a black robe appeared, his demeanor elegant, with a long beard under his jaw, resembling a well-read scholar. If it weren¡¯t for his seating at the main position, and the terrible aura emanating from him, it would be easy for one to misunderstand. This. Was the Feng Family¡¯s old ancestor, Feng Muqing, a powerful figure of ancient Saint King Realm. Early on, Feng Muqing did not like cultivating but enjoyed calligraphy and literature and only awoke in his later years, then suddenly grasped the Dao, reaching directly to Great Saint Sixth Layer Heaven in just thousands of years. It¡¯s just a pity that at that time, the End of Dharma approached, otherwise with Feng Muqing¡¯s qualifications, he might have gone further. ¡°Greetings, Ancestor Muqing!¡± With Feng Family Head Feng Tiansi at the lead, numerous high-ranking members of the Feng Family respectfully saluted. Among them. Was Fang Chen. Initially, with Fang Chen¡¯s cultivation at the Tiaoist Palace Realm, he naturally did not have the qualifications to appear here. But Fang Chen was married into the Feng Family, and the person he married was Feng Family Head¡¯s daughter, Feng Qingyue, so his status was naturally not low. Add to that Fang Chen¡¯s Sword Heart Clarity, with inherently outstanding qualifications, the Feng Family nurtured him quite a bit. Because of this. For various reasons. Fang Chen could now be considered half of the Feng Family¡¯s high-ranking member. Feng Muqing looked at the group of Feng Family juniors in front of him, his gaze pausing slightly on Fang Chen before retracting. A Sword Heart Clarity genius indeed deserves some attention from Feng Muqing. Of course. It is just a little attention. After all. With Feng Muqing¡¯s cultivation and age, he had seen many, many geniuses, and among them were those even more outstanding than Fang Chen. Not to mention. Being able to cultivate in his later years, and then reach Saint King Sixth Layer Heaven, Feng Muqing himself is a top genius. ¡°Recently, demon auras have appeared in the Northern Domain; if I am not mistaken, it should be caused by demons forcibly opening the Boundary Domain Channel!¡± Upon hearing Feng Muqing¡¯s words, all Feng Family members¡¯ expressions changed dramatically. Boundary Domain Channel! They naturally understood what these four words represent. Feng Tiansi urgently asked, ¡°If the Boundary Domain Channel is opened, it signifies a Demon Emperor¡¯s involvement; if so, how can our Feng Family resist!?¡± Demon Emperor! That is an existence enough to rival a Quasi Emperor! In the most glorious ancient times of the Feng Family, they only produced one Quasi Emperor. Yet even so. The lingering glory of that Quasi Emperor allowed the entire Feng Family to shine until now. It clearly shows. How terrifying a Quasi Emperor Realm existence is. Even if the Feng Family now has the reawakened Feng Muqing, the Saint King Sixth Layer Heaven strong figure, the other high-ranking Feng Family members do not have any confidence at all. There was no way. Saint King Sixth Layer Heaven and Quasi Emperor, differ by several minor realms and one great realm. Saint King Ninth Heaven! Step by step reaching heaven! Let alone the gap from Saint King to Quasi Emperor, which is an insurmountable chasm. Compared to the panic of others, Feng Muqing seemed much calmer. ¡°The opening of the Boundary Domain Channel is inevitable, but you all need not worry, our Northern Domain is not without any foundation. A Demon Emperor wanting to act recklessly in the Northern Domain does not have that qualification yet. Moreover, such level figures would not easily enter the Ancient Desolate World; all we need to do is face the continuous flow of demon armies!¡± With these words. People instinctively breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at their expressions. Feng Muqing shook his head slightly: ¡°Don¡¯t think it¡¯s easy, demons number exceedingly, and that continuous demon army is not a small trouble either. From what I know, the Demon clan has stepped into the Chaotic Starry Sky, not knowing how many worlds they have conquered and turned into their own nourishment. Now the number of the Demon clan, I¡¯m afraid, has reached an absolutely staggering degree. If billions upon billions of demons sweep through, the consequences can be imagined¡ª¡± Speaking towards the end. Feng Muqing¡¯s expression was also unusually solemn. Billions and billions of demons! This is an extremely terrifying number. The originally relieved Feng Family members¡¯ expressions changed once again. ¡°Please instruct us, Ancestor!¡± Feng Tiansi, being the Family Head, was the first to recover, bowing to Feng Muqing once again. Feng Muqing said: ¡°Our Feng Family is part of the Human Clan power, now face demon invasion, it cannot be ignored, presently should dispatch heavy troops to guard each city to prevent demon disturbances. At the same time, assemble a batch of elite cultivators to immediately head to the location of the Boundary Domain Channel to resist the demon main force!¡± After a pause. Feng Muqing continued speaking. ¡°You can rest assured this matter; the demon calamity is not a concern for our Feng Family alone, other forces will also act, even some ancient noble families and sects will not stand idly by. Additionally... I will personally step forward!¡± In the end. Feng Muqing added a sentence. His words. Made the numerous high-ranking members of the Feng Family all appear solemn. Feng Muqing personally leading the team, is enough to show the importance of this matter. Soon. Feng Tiansi strictly followed Feng Muqing¡¯s instructions and began issuing orders downward. The Feng Family, as a force continuing from ancient times to the present, holds numerous industries, with numerous cities owned by the Feng Family. To say unkindly. The Feng Family is more of a small dynasty than a family. It¡¯s just saying. The Feng Family has not condensed the Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune. But just based on the territories and number of cultivators under the Feng Family, not to mention a dynasty, even many dynasties and imperial dynasties fall short. It¡¯s just usually, the Feng Family acts low-key, coupled with the reputation of ancient noble families, no one comes to provoke without reason, so only a few forces truly understand the Feng Family¡¯s foundation. But this time is different. With Feng Muqing¡¯s command, and Feng Tiansi¡¯s communication. The entire Feng Family was shaken. Numerous hidden foundations were revealed at this moment. Tens of millions formed of cultivators at least at the Master Realm, directly taking over the defense lines of numerous cities, ensuring the demon side would not take advantage. Following closely. Another batch of at least Divine Transformation Realm ten thousand elites, personally led by Feng Muqing, headed towards the Boundary Domain Channel. This news spread. The entire Northern Domain and forces from other major domains were all shocked. At this moment. These forces finally understood what the true foundation of an ancient noble family was. When these ancient forces ordinarily don¡¯t reveal their capabilities, but when their foundations are truly unveiled, they are enough to shock the world. Chapter 524: 343: The Severed Arm of the Mysterious Being Chapter 524: Chapter 343: The Severed Arm of the Mysterious Being ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Fang Chen¡¯ led the ancient Feng Family cultivators in battling the demons!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Fang Chen¡¯ set up an ambush, slaying three hundred thousand demonic army in one battle, earning the admiration of the upper ranks of the Feng Family!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Fang Chen¡¯ suffered a deadly demon ambush, severely wounded, but luckily survived thanks to the intervention of powerful ancient Feng Family members!¡± ¡°Your death soldier...¡± ... Gu Qingfeng remained stationed at the Demon Suppression Immortal City, tirelessly monitoring the changes on the information panel. The descendants¡¯ interface naturally saw little change, with the Gu Family¡¯s younger generation progressing steadily, occasionally with one or two breakthroughs providing Gu Qingfeng some upgrade points. Viewing the death soldiers¡¯ interface, however. The situation was much more harrowing. It was precisely because of the information panel that Gu Qingfeng could immediately know that the Demon Clan had already opened boundary domain channels throughout the Ancient Desolate World, initiating large-scale invasion. The Five Directions Great Domain of the Ancient Desolate World is vast without boundaries. Once the event occurs, spreading the news truly takes time. Thus. Having more death soldiers has another advantage. That is, Gu Qingfeng can immediately learn about changes occurring throughout the Human Clan. ¡°Aside from the Eastern Domain, boundary domain channels have appeared in the other four Great Domains, indicating that other Demon Emperors in the Demon Clan have acted!¡± ¡°Among the Five Directions Great Domain, the Eastern Domain is the weakest in strength, while the other four Great Domains possess profound heritage. Even though the Demon Clan is immensely powerful, they cannot easily breach the four Great Domains.¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the text on the information panel, his heart not swayed much. The fundamental reason for the Eastern Domain¡¯s weakness traces back to the battle ten thousand years ago. Although the other Great Domains have also seen repeated demon invasions, time has healed the war-inflicted wounds. Only the Eastern Domain¡¯s time interval hasn¡¯t been very long, preventing it from regaining its primordial qi. As a result. The demon invasion resurfaces now. To put it bluntly. If not for the Divine Martial Dynasty stepping in, with Gu Qingfeng overseeing the Demon Suppression Immortal City, this invasion would be disastrous for the Eastern Domain. Now, with Gu Qingfeng directly suppressing the true forces of the Demon Clan, while the remaining demons infiltrate the Ancient Desolate World through various arrays, it¡¯s not too critical. In this way. The Eastern Domain¡¯s strength suffices to withstand the invasion. At this moment. Amidst the battlefield. The numerous arrays and siege equipment are overloaded, temporarily unable to be deployed again, forcing the Demon Suppression Army into direct combat with demons. Fortunately. The Deceit God, already proven in the Saint Realm, is now also acting. With such a strong and unusual leader, the Demon Clan cannot stir up much trouble. Though the Deceit God has just entered the initial Saint Realm, its strength surpasses typical First Layer Heavenly Saints. Moreover, the Deceit God possesses many deceptive manipulation methods, and its cloak can summon numerous powerful oddities it has revived. To be blunt. The Deceit God alone is like an army. Thus. Under such suppressive power, the Demon Clan is naturally not a match. Despite their anger towards the Deceit God¡¯s presence, the powerful demons backing the demonic army dare not easily intervene. After all. The demons are aware. The Deceit God is fearsome. But truly terrifying is Gu Qingfeng stationed at the Demon Suppression Immortal City. The one who once severed the arm of the Hanhai Demon Emperor, a top-tier expert. The demon elites know that if they dare step beyond the boundary domain channel, they will surely be slain. No one would forgo such a powerful entity. Fortunately. The Demon Clan has enormous numbers. Relentlessly, demons emerge from the boundary domain channel, fearless of minor casualties. Furthermore, nine Semi-Saint Realm demons and over a hundred Dao Palace Realm demons altogether charged towards the Deceit God, attempting to overpower the Saint-level oddity through sheer quantity. Regarding this. The Deceit God did not fear. Its movements were ghostly fast, with hands easily piercing many demon experts¡¯ protective gang qi, sharp nails tearing flesh and extracting their innards. In just a moment, five Semi-Saint demons had their innards gouged out, and then the Deceit God ruthlessly beheaded them. This scene. Makes the other demon experts¡¯ faces change drastically. ¡°Saint-level oddity¡ª¡± They know oddities comparable to Saints are strong, but they did not expect to be this powerful. Their demon selves felt like children, weak before the opponent. Not to mention the potential to join forces and destroy. Surviving was already a question. Suddenly. Some Semi-Saint demons couldn¡¯t suppress their inner fear, escaping towards the boundary domain channel without looking back. But at this moment, a strange black light shot out, effortlessly piercing that Semi-Saint demon¡¯s body, and the Deceit God emitted fearful black mist, countless hands grasping at it. ¡°No!! Don¡¯t!!!¡± The Semi-Saint demon struggled fiercely, its face full of terror. But as many hands enveloped it, they quickly engulfed its entire body. The next moment. A sound of chewing emanated from those hands, as if something were gnawing on flesh and bones, accompanied by extremely sorrowful screams. After a moment. The hands dispersed. Leaving only a blood-stained and broken skeleton, falling from mid-air. ¡°!!!¡± Witnessing this scene causes the other demon experts to feel their hairs stand on end. Nothing is more terrifying than watching one¡¯s own powerful being be alive and eaten to death. Chapter 525: 343: The Severed Arm of the Mysterious Being_2 Chapter 525: Chapter 343: The Severed Arm of the Mysterious Being_2 ¡°Escape!¡± Someone shouted, and whatever morale was left immediately dissipated. Even with the Demon Lord¡¯s order beforehand, these formidable demon cultivators dared not continue to stay. Disobeying orders doesn¡¯t necessarily mean death! But staying surely means death! Moreover, It means being literally gnawed to death. No one wants to experience such pain. Thus, Running away, Is the only path forward. As numerous Demon Semi-Saints and Tiaoist Palace Realm experts fled, this assault by the Demon Clan once again ended in failure. Regarding this outcome, Gu Qingfeng was not surprised. His Divine Thought was focused on the Deceit God throughout. The Deceit God was slaughtering numerous demons, and many fallen beings on the battlefield ¡ª their blood energy and Divine Soul power all flowed into the Deceit God Banner, eventually becoming pure energy to enhance the Deceit God¡¯s strength. The Deceit God had just broken through to Saint not long ago, but after many battles until now, in half a month, its cultivation had progressed significantly, faintly possessing the qualifications to break into Second Layer Heaven of Saint. ¡°As long as there is enough blood and flesh from living beings, the Deceit God¡¯s strength can continuously be enhanced, and it seems to have no bottleneck at all. Such a Supreme Treasure as the Deceit God Banner is truly beyond conventional measure!¡± Gu Qingfeng increasingly felt the extraordinary nature of the Deceit God Banner. He too was curious. If the Deceit God Banner were allowed to continue devouring, how far could the Deceit God nurtured by it grow? It is worth noting that, Gu Qingfeng specifically instructed that the Deceit God must not devour Human Clan blood and Divine Soul. After all, the Demon Suppression Army and other cultivators defending Demon Suppression Immortal City were citizens of the Divine Martial Dynasty; Gu Qingfeng naturally wouldn¡¯t let it happen. At this moment, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s brows slightly furrowed as he looked towards a certain direction outside Demon Suppression Immortal City, where there were many murderous auras rushing together, as if drawn by something. Immediately, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought moved, and his figure vanished from within the great hall. ¡ª¡ª In the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. A strange black mist lingered here, space violently trembled and twisted, a torrent of murderous aura madly gathered towards a spot in space, and it seemed something was about to be born from within. ¡°Strange... or an Evil Spirit?¡± Gu Qingfeng stood in the void with hands behind him, gazing at the space and the overwhelming murderous aura ahead, his expression indifferent. With his current Divine Thought sensitivity, he could perceive the hidden seal and prohibition power behind the space. This power was strong and ancient, as if it had existed for a long era. And behind the prohibition, An evil power was surging. Suddenly, The space shook violently and collapsed, a formidable sinister aura erupted forth. ¡°Boom!¡± A fearsome power covered the sky and the earth, a terrifying Evil Spirit exuding sinister aura walked out from the shattered space, its eyes blood red, and its gruesome face was filled with brutality. However, Before the Evil Spirit could make a move, Gu Qingfeng, waiting outside, immediately sprang into action upon seeing this. He drew the Evil Slayer Blade, a blood energy force like the Divine Brilliance Great Sun scorched the heavens and the earth, instantly dispersing all sinister aura upon contact. ¡°Roar!!¡± The newly awakened Evil Spirit saw this scene, rage appeared on its gruesome face, unleashing its most powerful strike. But unfortunately, This Evil Spirit had just broken free, its strength was vastly diminished, far from matching Gu Qingfeng in level. The supremely pure and intense blade light cleaved through the world, even splitting the Evil Spirit¡¯s body in two, the overwhelming blood energy melted and obliterated the Evil Spirit¡¯s form. Moments later, The Evil Spirit vanished without a trace. Only a severed arm appeared there. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng reached out and grabbed the severed arm. ¡°Is this the root of the Evil Spirit before me?¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the severed arm in his hand, it was only a segment, wholly dark cyan, with pitch-black and sharp nails ¡ª clearly not a normal human hand. Simultaneously, the severed arm exuded a horrifying sinister aura, constantly attempting to infiltrate Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body, corroding his mind. More importantly, Within this severed arm, Gu Qingfeng sensed an aura that shared the same origin as that Evil Spirit. If left untreated, after countless years, this severed arm could once again nurture a new Evil Spirit. Then, Gu Qingfeng tried using his own blood energy force to forcibly destroy the severed arm. But regrettably, The scorching and intense blood energy on Gu Qingfeng, hotter than the Great Sun, didn¡¯t even affect the severed arm. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression grew much more solemn. ¡°Even with my current blood energy power it¡¯s difficult to move this severed arm, it seems the owner of this severed arm is not simple, and though that Evil Spirit just awakened, its power is comparable to an average Great Saint...¡± A segment of the arm had existed for countless eras, yet remains indestructible. Furthermore, The severed arm nurtured a powerful Evil Spirit. From the condition of that Evil Spirit, if allowed to fully awaken, its power would at least rival a Saint King. This level of Evil Spirit, Is by no means ordinary. Gu Qingfeng was familiar with the severed arm before him; he also possessed a drop of extraordinary blood and a severed finger. Then, Gu Qingfeng temporarily stored the severed arm in the Divine Emperor Tripod for suppression and then examined the shattered space ahead. Behind the space, Lays another realm. Gu Qingfeng contemplated for a moment, then stepped into it. ... And at the moment Gu Qingfeng entered the space, the Nine States and various forces of the Eastern Domain were also startled by this powerful Evil Spirit aura. Instantly, Many powerful figures headed towards the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. However, the first to arrive were from the Divine Martial Dynasty. After all, the Nine States were close to the Ancient Beast Mountain Range; if something happened, the Divine Martial Dynasty would naturally be the fastest. Nanyue Mountain gazed at the shattered space and the lingering, unfading aura of Evil Spirit, his face unusually solemn. ¡°There should have been an Evil Spirit born here, but judging from the situation, that Evil Spirit has already been eradicated. This Evil Spirit¡¯s lingering aura is powerful, in life it was at least the level of a Saint ¡ª¡± Nanyue Mountain, as the Commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard, had long broken through the Tiaoist Palace Realm, yet the lingering aura here made him feel an inexplicable oppression, revealing the Evil Spirit¡¯s power when it lived. The Heavenly Patrol Guard by his side turned pale upon hearing this. ¡°An Evil Spirit at the Saint level!!!¡± The word Saint carried immense shock for them. Nanyue Mountain slightly shook his head: ¡°Do not worry, the Evil Spirit has been slain. Now, there¡¯s likely only one who could so swiftly eliminate such a powerful Evil Spirit.¡± ¡°The Commander means... the one who acted was the Supreme Emperor?¡± ¡°Correct!¡± Nanyue Mountain nodded. ¡°The Supreme Emperor presides over Demon Suppression Immortal City, not too far from here. If an Evil Spirit were born, it could not escape the Supreme Emperor¡¯s notice. Only with his intervention could such an Evil Spirit of this level be vanquished with thunderous force!¡± Saying this, Nanyue Mountain revealed an expression of reverence. The weak have always worshipped the strong. Besides, Gu Qingfeng is recognized as a top-tier powerhouse in the Ancient Desolate World. And this top-tier status, No longer has the prefix of the End of Dharma Era. The battle with the Hanhai Demon Emperor solidified Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength. After all, to sever an upper-tier Demon Emperor¡¯s limb, such prowess is at least Late Tier Quasi Emperor, even Quasi Emperor Peak. Unless the Great Emperor emerges, few could rival Gu Qingfeng. This level of power, Not only during the End of Dharma Era, but even during other flourishing eras, is considered top-tier. In the end, The Great Emperor is scarce. Like the rarest feathers on a phoenix. Since the Ancient era, few have genuinely attained the Emperor Realm. Not to mention the Great Emperor. Even stepping into the Quasi Emperor realm is limited. This shows, The terrifying extent of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power. Chapter 526: 344: Chaotic Ancient Divine King Chapter 526: Chapter 344: Chaotic Ancient Divine King Then. Nanyue Mountain looked at the shattered space before him. With his vision, he could naturally tell that there was another world hidden behind this broken space. ¡°An Ancient Ruins has appeared. We must immediately report this to the court, and then send people to explore the ruins!¡± Nanyue Mountain made a prompt decision, ordering the Heavenly Patrol Guard beside him. He did not choose to explore the ruins on his own. After all, any ancient ruins could contain numerous risks. Moreover. Discovering ruins must be immediately reported. This was the court¡¯s decree. Nanyue Mountain, as the Commander of the Heavenly Patrol Guard, naturally couldn¡¯t disobey. Shortly after. The news of the Ancient Ruins appearing in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range was relayed back to the court, and Gu Yang was the first to dispatch the court¡¯s strongmen to go there. Gu Yang would not turn a blind eye to such an Ancient Ruins. Powerful weapons like the Star Execution Cannon were obtained from ancient ruins. Thus. An Ancient Ruins. Means unimaginable opportunities. Not just the Divine Martial Dynasty. Other forces and cultivators who learned of this rushed to the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. In an instant. Winds and clouds gathered in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. Most cultivators came to seize the opportunities within; there were no exceptions. While the other cultivators made their moves, Gu Qingfeng had already fully entered this space. Upon entering the space, he found himself in a vast and desolate land. The sky here was fractured, with shocking cracks and black gaps emanating a aura of destruction, the terrifying Dao Rhythm lingering after countless ages had not truly dissipated. Looking at the land again. Mountains collapsed. Rivers dried up and were cut off. Many places seemed to have been forcibly torn apart by a terrifying force, leaving numerous scars. ¡°This is Emperor Realm Dao Rhythm!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the remnants of Dao Rhythm in this world, some of which filled with a terrifying aura, and with just a slight touch of his Divine Thought, a mighty Emperor¡¯s Power erupted. This kind of Emperor¡¯s Power. Gu Qingfeng was no stranger to it. He had felt it on the Black Abyss Emperor before. Obviously. A battle at the Emperor Realm had erupted here once, and the terrifying Dao Rhythm ravaged all directions, severing the vitality of one world. Emperor Realm Dao Rhythm remains. Making this world full of danger. However. This place posed little threat to Gu Qingfeng. Though an Emperor Realm powerhouse is unmatched by a Quasi Emperor, the Dao Rhythm here had existed for too long. Even though Emperor Realm Dao Rhythm was terrifying, it couldn¡¯t withstand the erosion of time. So. Such levels of Dao Rhythm power were not considered a threat to Gu Qingfeng. Walking through the land. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought spread. The scenes within thousands of miles were in his mind. Many broken weapons were scattered on the ground, and many white bones came into view, some having eroded over time, turning to dust at a touch. Under the perception of Divine Thought, such images were quite shocking. ¡°It seems that not only did an Emperor Realm battle occur here, but an extremely tragic war, or else there wouldn¡¯t be so many fallen cultivators!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. Suddenly. His Divine Thought touched a set of white bones, and then the bones quivered, seemingly bursting with undying battle intent. At the same time. A voice exploded in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s ear. ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°Slaughter all Evil Spirits!!!¡± Boom! As the voice came, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s vision changed, the once broken world disappeared, replaced by a vibrant, vast land. In the land. Cities stood tall. Countless armies came into view, their towering battle intent clearly heard even across endless time and space. Meanwhile. The sky shattered. Endless darkness appeared. Heads of Evil Spirits and bizarre beings emerged from the fractured sky, invading this world. Both sides clashed. The slaughter was fierce. Just as Gu Qingfeng watched this, the scene abruptly ended. ¡°Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng noticed the soldiers¡¯ armor in the image was identical to the Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡¯s. It was clear. This was once a world governed by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. But the Evil Spirits and bizarre beings invaded. Thus erupted one brutal war. Judging from the remaining scars of the world, it seemed the Taiyi Divine Dynasty never truly won this battle. On the contrary. The battle devastated this world, and the Taiyi Divine Dynasty subsequently retreated. However¡ª These are Gu Qingfeng¡¯s speculations, as the specifics are unknown to him. Then. Gu Qingfeng continued his exploration. Not long after. He triggered the remnants of Dao Rhythm battle intent, and scenes from Ancient Times reappeared. This time, Gu Qingfeng saw fierce war, countless soldiers slaughtered mercilessly by Evil Spirits and bizarre beings, yet many of the latter also perished. Suddenly. The sky collapsed. An imposing figure exuding a bizarre, terrifying aura descended from the nine heavens, striking the Taiyi Divine Dynasty with a palm, a terrifying abyss-like power engulfing the heavens, causing the Great Tao to wail. ¡°Mere Evil Spirits dare to invade my Taiyi Divine Dynasty, they shall perish!¡± A furious voice shattered the void, then a middle-aged strongman in a dark robe tread in the air, punching forth, with an aggressive and overbearing force collapsing the Great Tao, as if piercing through the heavens with one punch. Chapter 527: 344: Chaotic Ancient Divine King_2 Chapter 527: Chapter 344: Chaotic Ancient Divine King_2 The moment terrifying power erupted, the sun and moon lost their brilliance. Afterwards. The scene shattered. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression became solemn. ¡°Great Emperor!¡± The middle-aged expert in a dark robe, was undoubtedly a Great Emperor. This was Gu Qingfeng¡¯s first time truly facing a Great Emperor in their full state, even if it was just a residual Dao Rhythm apparition, he could feel the terrifying power within. As for the Evil Spirit confronted by the Great Emperor of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, Gu Qingfeng was not unfamiliar at all. That Evil Spirit. Was the one he had previously slain. Gu Qingfeng initially thought he had already estimated the Evil Spirit¡¯s strength to his best ability, but now seeing it, he realized he had underestimated the opponent. In its peak, this Evil Spirit was an existence comparable to the Great Emperor. Clearly. The battle in the Ancient Times. This Evil Spirit was severely injured and even now could not truly regain much Primordial Qi. If not. It would not be easy for Gu Qingfeng to suppress and kill it. Nonetheless. This also indirectly proved something. That the mysterious existence who left the severed arm must be above the Great Emperor. If not. How could a severed arm nurture an Evil Spirit comparable to the Great Emperor? Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath and continued to explore the world in front of him. Numerous ruined cities gradually appeared, some places had been completely weathered away over the long years, yet there were still parts that have been preserved. Among them. Some barely preserved temples still had some prohibitive powers. But such prohibitions were as good as non-existent in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes. He swept through them with Divine Thought, effortlessly breaking the prohibitions and saw inside. There were some opportunities. But not many. Gu Qingfeng did not pay much attention, heading towards the place where the Great Emperor¡¯s Dao Rhythm was most profound. He wanted to see the results of the battle back in those days. This world had many Dao Rhythms, many of which recorded the events of the battle of that year, but scenes involving a battle of the Great Emperor were not easily preserved. Only a Great Emperor¡¯s Dao Rhythm could preserve such scenes. Yet. When Gu Qingfeng truly delved into the place where the Great Emperor¡¯s Dao Rhythm was most intense, it was a shattered void, everything turned into chaotic currents. Only one figure stood amidst the chaos, its body like towering mountains, the terrifying aura suppressed the void of heaven and earth, making the chaotic currents stagnate. Upon seeing this figure, it instantly overlapped with the dark figure in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. Without question. This was the Great Emperor of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. Strictly speaking. This was an Emperor Corpse. One could see a vicious blood hole in the Great Emperor¡¯s chest, with traces of Emperor Blood faintly flowing, yet despite this, the aura remained overwhelming, guarding this world. But at this moment. Light flowed over the Emperor Corpse, and a figure emitting faint divine light suddenly emerged, seemingly reborn as the Great Emperor of the past. ¡°Unexpected that after such a long separation, there are still cultivators entering this world!¡± The being¡¯s expression was calm, eyes falling on Gu Qingfeng, gaze somewhat surprised. ¡°Your aura is a bit unusual, clearly only at Great Saint Nine Layers Heaven, yet stronger than many Saint Kings... No, you are barely over a hundred years old, how can you reach the Great Saint Realm!¡± ¡°Hmm... now is the Heaven and Earth End Times, you can achieve the Great Tao in the End Times!?¡± The being¡¯s calm expression finally had a hint of surprise, as if witnessing something unbelievable. Gu Qingfeng looking at the person before him bowed slightly and said: ¡°Junior of the Human Clan, Gu Qingfeng, greets the Great Emperor, may I know your name?¡± ¡°I am the Chaotic Ancient Divine King, one of the Twelve Divine Kings of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty!¡± The Chaotic Ancient Divine King stood in the void with hands behind, speaking his name with a domineering presence. Twelve Divine Kings! Upon hearing the words of the Chaotic Ancient Divine King, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression changed slightly. The Chaotic Ancient Divine King before him was an Emperor Realm expert, then the others who are ranked among the Twelve Divine Kings must be similarly powerful. The Twelve Divine Kings represent twelve Great Emperors. With just a few words, the Chaotic Ancient Divine King made Gu Qingfeng feel the terrifying foundation of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. At this time. The Chaotic Ancient Divine King asked: ¡°Since my demise, how is the Taiyi Divine Dynasty now?¡± ¡°Ancient Great Tribulation, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty suddenly disappeared and has not been seen again!¡± Gu Qingfeng replied truthfully. His words. Made the Chaotic Ancient Divine King¡¯s expression change slightly, then his face turned somewhat complex. ¡°I see!¡± ¡°May I ask the Divine King, where did the Evil Spirit come from?¡± Looking at the Chaotic Ancient Divine King before him, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t help but ask what he had been pondering. His words. Made the Chaotic Ancient Divine King come to his senses, looking at the void above, eyes flowing with divine light and Dao Rhythm, as if able to penetrate the Chaotic Starry Sky. ¡°The Evil Spirit comes from the Upper Realm!¡± ¡°The Upper Realm¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s heart shook slightly. The Chaotic Ancient Divine King then withdrew his gaze, calmly saying: ¡°The so-called Upper Realm has another name, which is the Immortal Realm!¡± ¡°In the year of Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡¯s peak power, it not only ruled the entire Ancient Desolate World, even the universe¡¯s starry sky, vast chaos, all bore the footprints of Taiyi Divine Dynasty. That was the peak era of Taiyi Divine Dynasty, the most glorious era for the Human Clan!¡± ¡°As the ruler of Taiyi Divine Dynasty, the Divine Emperor made an astounding decision, that was to ascend the entire dynasty into the vast Immortal Realm, seeking immortality opportunities!¡± Ascend the entire dynasty! With one phrase, the Chaotic Ancient Divine King made Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face change again. He had not met the Divine Emperor. But from the Chaotic Ancient Divine King¡¯s words, Gu Qingfeng truly understood the other¡¯s ambitious aspirations. ¡°I once heard that in ancient times there were Great Emperors who ascended, but not much faith was left in them; some say ascension is just a rumor, and the so-called Immortal Realm doesn¡¯t truly exist!¡± ¡°For many, ascension is indeed a rumor, as for whether the Immortal Realm truly exists, this I cannot answer you. Only because whether that place can truly be considered the Immortal Realm, I too am unclear!¡± The Chaotic Ancient Divine King stood with hands behind, his expression turning somewhat melancholy. ¡°In that year, the Divine Emperor searched across the entire Chaotic Starry Sky for ancient inheritances, then together with us Twelve Divine Kings deduced, eventually creating a Secret Technique called Immortal Casting Court. This Secret Technique could gather the fortune of a dynasty, ascend the entire dynasty, and all subjects regardless of cultivation level could have the hope of entering the Immortal Realm and thus gaining eternal longevity!¡± ¡°However, when we opened the passage to the Upper Realm painstakingly, what we encountered was not the heavenly light guiding us but countless bizarre Evil Spirits!¡± ¡°They were strong, numerous, some powerful Evil Spirits and bizarre beings even undying.¡± ¡°Their arrival plunged the entire universe and chaos into disarray.¡± ¡°Some powerful beings from behind the Immortal Gate witnessed a bloody setting sun, saw the Immortals wailing, the so-called Immortal Realm, lacked the opportunity for eternal life!¡± Speaking to this, the Chaotic Ancient Divine King¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t show fear, only boundless murderous intent. ¡°Yet my Taiyi Divine Dynasty dominated the world, why fear mere bizarre Evil Spirits, so under the Emperor¡¯s lead, the dynasty fought vigorously against the bizarre Evil Spirits. This land was originally a significant place for the dynasty, I was ordered to guard here. But later, bizarre Evil Spirits invaded this world, an Evil Spirit of extinction level appeared, I could suppress it, yet such bizarre Evil Spirits came from mysterious origins, hard to truly kill.¡± ¡°Ultimately, I sacrificed my life to obliterate the Evil Spirit¡¯s body, leaving only a severed arm to remain. Later I sensed the Evil Spirit hadn¡¯t truly fallen, thus I placed a Great Tao prohibition, allowing this world and the Evil Spirit to be buried here!¡± After speaking. The Chaotic Ancient Divine King looked at Gu Qingfeng, his eyes seemed to penetrate everything about Gu Qingfeng, seeing the Divine Emperor Tripod and the severed arm within. ¡°However¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect, this Evil Spirit painstakingly resurfaced, only to be directly suppressed by you. But this severed arm remains, that Evil Spirit will ultimately rise again one day!¡± Chapter 528: 345: Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet Chapter 528: Chapter 345: Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet From the mouth of the Chaotic Ancient Divine King, Gu Qingfeng learned many ancient secrets. Among them. Is the reason why the Taiyi Divine Dynasty sealed numerous Evil Spirits in the Ancient Desolate World. The reason is simple. They couldn¡¯t destroy them! If it were ordinary Evil Spirits, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty could easily annihilate them. But some powerful Evil Spirits have strength comparable to a Great Emperor, and utterly destroying them is not an easy task. Just like the Evil Spirit sealed in this world. Its body is a severed arm of a mysterious existence. As long as the severed arm remains. The Evil Spirit is not truly fallen. Over time. The vanquished Evil Spirit will resurrect. This. Is the fundamental reason for the Taiyi Divine Dynasty¡¯s sealing of Evil Spirits. Chaotic Ancient Divine King stood with hands behind his back, expression somewhat complicated: ¡°Imagine the Taiyi Divine Dynasty roamed the world, its power shook the seas, traces of our dynasty could even be found in the distant starry sky. In the end, it was destroyed by the Evil Spirits!¡± Although Gu Qingfeng mentioned that the Taiyi Divine Dynasty vanished into thin air. However, the Chaotic Ancient Divine King is well aware that given the strength of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, it could not have disappeared easily, and if the entire dynasty ascended, it would certainly have left some trace. This way. The disappearance of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty seems rather intriguing. Upon hearing this. Gu Qingfeng said: ¡°No need for concern, elder, the disappearance of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty doesn¡¯t necessarily mean it was destroyed by Evil Spirits, perhaps they defeated the Evil Spirits and then ascended the entire dynasty!¡± ¡°Impossible... If the whole dynasty ascended, how could no trace remain!¡± Chaotic Ancient Divine King shook his head. ¡°Only an existence beyond description could erase all traces of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty.¡± Saying this. Deep within the eyes of the Chaotic Ancient Divine King, there is a profound dread. To erase the entire Taiyi Divine Dynasty, it is hard to imagine what kind of existence that would be. ¡°However...¡± ¡°I, having perished years ago, now am just a remnant soul, unable to survive much longer, the matters of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty are beyond my ability to intervene!¡± As he spoke, the Chaotic Ancient Divine King looked at Gu Qingfeng, raising his hand to send out a burst of divine light, which Gu Qingfeng instinctively tried to resist, but the divine light immediately merged into his body. Then next. A vast Dao Rhythm emerged. This powerful Dao Rhythm ultimately settled in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Dantian, transforming into an ancient Stele. On this Stele, four natural characters suddenly appeared. As Gu Qingfeng internally viewed the Stele, corresponding information naturally surfaced in his mind. Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet! ¡°Although I have fallen, my legacy must not be buried in the long river of time, I sealed this remnant soul here in hopes that a successor would one day arrive. Having attained Dao in the End of Dharma Era, it¡¯s believed you possess unique fate, even I struggle to see it clearly. Thus, I leave you the Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet, it contains all my lifelong learning, I hope you cultivate well!¡± The Chaotic Ancient Divine King paused here, looking up towards the void, his gaze piercing the Chaotic Universe, seeing the ethereal Immortal Gate. ¡°Remember... the Upper Realm has undergone great changes, it may already be a bizarre place of Evil Spirits, do not open the Immortal Gate, otherwise it will bring disaster to the world... do not... ascend!¡± The figure of the Chaotic Ancient Divine King gradually dissipated, as if never existed. Watching the disappearing figure and the words just spoken, Gu Qingfeng bowed to the Emperor Corpse. ¡°Farewell, Great Emperor!¡± Although Gu Qingfeng had only met the Chaotic Ancient Divine King for the first time, he had ultimately received the legacy left by the latter, both emotionally and rationally he had to send him off. As for the last words of the Chaotic Ancient Divine King¡ª ¡°Do not ascend!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the void, his eyes growing deep. For now, Gu Qingfeng did not dwell much on the warning of the Chaotic Ancient Divine King. After all, he was still far from the rumored ascension. But in any case. If the Immortal Realm exists. Then it means there is hope for immortality. But according to the Chaotic Ancient Divine King, the Upper Realm experienced great changes, leading to the birth of sinister Evil Spirits. Shaking his head. Gu Qingfeng dismissed these stray thoughts. Afterwards. He looked at the void before him, like Chaos, and the Emperor Corpse suppressed within, Gu Qingfeng immediately summoned the Divine Emperor Tripod, enclosed the Emperor Corpse within the Supreme Treasure, and then flew away. The greatest fortune of this world is the legacy left by the Chaotic Ancient Divine King and the Emperor Corpse. Such a Great Emperor¡¯s corpse is for other forces an unimaginable Supreme Treasure. If refined into a Puppet Divine Weapon, it would be an unimaginable existence. Of course¡ª Not to mention whether Gu Qingfeng possesses such means. Just by the Chaotic Ancient Divine King leaving his legacy to him, Gu Qingfeng could not possibly refine the corpse into a puppet. The reason for taking away the Chaotic Ancient Divine King¡¯s corpse, Gu Qingfeng naturally had other uses. Upon leaving this Chaotic Void, Gu Qingfeng discovered many cultivators entering herein, constantly exploring the fortunes left here. In response to this. Gu Qingfeng did not intervene. This world, once held by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, where later an earth-shaking battle erupted, such that even Great Emperors perished here. It is no surprise. The army of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty guarding this world should all be buried here. Countless strong ones fell, naturally leaving opportunities behind. Without startling anyone, Gu Qingfeng directly left this space. Chapter 529: 345: Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet_2 Chapter 529: Chapter 345: Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet_2 When he reappeared in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, a furious shout erupted instantly. ¡°Someone has come out!¡± ¡°The opportunity is mine, no one shall take it!¡± A powerful aura suddenly struck towards Gu Qingfeng, as if to completely annihilate him on the spot. Yet in the next moment. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes turned cold, divine light pierced through the void, and all attacks disintegrated instantly. Immediately after, a terrifying pressure erupted, causing the attacking cultivator¡¯s face to turn horrified, just as he was about to beg for mercy. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± The cultivator¡¯s body exploded, instantly transforming into a blood mist scattered in the air. This scene caused the other cultivators¡¯ faces to change drastically. At this moment. Someone finally saw Gu Qingfeng¡¯s appearance clearly and recognized his identity. ¡°He is Gu Qingfeng!!¡± Upon these words. The entire audience was amazed. Gu Qingfeng!!! In the Human Clan nowadays, these three words are truly thunderous. The Supreme Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty, the Gu Family Master, who once severed the arm of an Upper Demon Emperor, guarding the Boundary Domain Channel, his battle achievements are extremely astounding. Instantly. These cultivators were silently cursing the person who had just attacked. If he dared to act against Gu Qingfeng and died, his death was deserved; but if Gu Qingfeng were to take his anger out on them, none of them might leave alive today. This was no joke. For such a strong person of this level, a Tiaoist Palace Realm is like an ant. Moreover. Since Gu Qingfeng¡¯s rise to fame, his hands have been stained with much blood, and his fame was established by a battle in which he wiped out an army of a hundred thousand of the Guiyuan Dynasty. Therefore. No one naively believed that Gu Qingfeng was a kind-hearted person. Fortunately¡ª Gu Qingfeng did not put the present cultivators in his eyes. After slaying the cultivator who tried to intercept and kill him, he merely gave a light sweep of the crowd and then disappeared. After a long time. Everyone let out a long sigh of relief, with shocked expressions on their faces. ¡°What a terrifying aura, worthy of being a top powerhouse in the Human Clan, enough to rival a Quasi Emperor, just the aura he emits almost suffocated me!¡± An old man in dark robe showed a relieved expression. Facing such a powerhouse, no matter how strong the heart is, it¡¯s inevitable to feel fear. This is an emotion born from the instincts of life, hard to truly control. The feeling was. As if Gu Qingfeng only needed a thought to suppress and kill him. ¡°Old Lu really hit the iron plate this time, of all people to intercept, attempting to intercept this one, now his death is not unjustified. Fortunately, Old Lu is just a Loose Cultivator; if there were a Sect Family behind him, they might also be implicated!¡± A cultivator sneered. What he referred to as Old Lu was naturally the person who tried to kill Gu Qingfeng. The other was a well-known robbery cultivator in the Eastern Domain, his hands stained with much blood, countless major sect cultivators perished at his hands. But because Old Lu had powerful strength, a strong practitioner of the Nine Layers of the Dao Palace Realm, many forces, although dissatisfied with him, found it difficult to truly besiege him. It was precisely for this reason. That Old Lu managed to roam freely until now. Unfortunately. This time he chose the wrong target. Intercepting Gu Qingfeng! Even a Saint wouldn¡¯t dare to do so. From the moment he struck, the outcome was already destined. ¡ª¡ª Meanwhile. Gu Qingfeng returned to the Divine Martial Dynasty, then directly appeared in Jiuyang Mountain. This place, as the holy mountain of the Divine Martial Dynasty, and the site of the Dragon Vein, had long been defended by the Forbidden Army. Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s arrival, the Forbidden Army leader Wang Hu hastily saluted. ¡°Subordinate Wang Hu, pays respect to the Supreme Emperor!¡± ¡°Arise.¡± Gu Qingfeng said indifferently, while his Divine Thought covered the entire Jiuyang Mountain, seeing everything in detail. Three thousand Forbidden Troops! Their cultivation uniformly in the Divine Transformation Realm. And the Forbidden Army leader Wang Hu before him was even a cultivator of the First Layer Heaven of the Dao Palace. Such power, in the Divine Martial Dynasty, is already considered quite strong. The significance of Jiuyang Mountain is immense. This place nurtures a Holy-grade Spirit Vein. Such a site. Naturally, cannot be lost. ¡°You wait for me here, no need to follow me.¡± Gu Qingfeng said indifferently, and without waiting for Wang Hu, he headed directly towards the heart of Jiuyang Mountain. Before long. The Holy-grade Spirit Vein appeared in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s sight. Over twenty years later, the Holy-grade Spirit Vein had not changed much since then. For spirit veins, especially Holy-grade ones, even in hundreds or thousands of years, it¡¯s difficult to change much. Looking at the spirit vein before him, Gu Qingfeng took out the Divine Emperor Tripod, and the Emperor Corpse sealed within suddenly appeared. ¡°Buzz¡ª¡± At the moment the Emperor Corpse appeared, a horrifying might spread out, instantly pervading the entire Jiuyang Mountain, even affecting the Imperial Palace in the capital. Such overwhelming Emperor Mighty made all cultivators¡¯ faces change drastically. ¡°Leader, is there some mutation in Jiuyang Mountain!¡± A deputy leader of the Forbidden Army¡¯s face changed drastically; before such a terrifying might, he felt as small and weak as an ant, with his speaking tone unconsciously tinged with fear. Only Wang Hu, forcing some calmness, said in a deep voice: ¡°The Supreme Emperor personally visited Jiuyang Mountain, no need to panic!¡± The Supreme Emperor! These three words caused that deputy leader¡¯s face to change again, yet the fear on his face faded substantially. If that dignitary personally visited, such commotion was normal. Originally thought that a strong enemy invaded Jiuyang Mountain, it turned out to be a false alarm. After all, with Gu Qingfeng present, the deputy leader did not think anyone dared to invade. At least. Even if someone really invaded, so what? With that Supreme Emperor around, the intruder had no chance to stir up any trouble. ¡ª¡ª Unconcerned with external disturbances, after Gu Qingfeng took out the Emperor Corpse, he completely buried it within the Holy-grade Spirit Vein. Using the Spirit Vein as a coffin, burying the Emperor Corpse! At the moment the Emperor was buried in the Spirit Vein, terrifying Dao Rhythm circulated, fusing with the Holy-grade Spirit Vein¡¯s power, followed by a violent upheaval in Jiuyang Mountain, the once unchanged Holy-grade Spirit Vein underwent a tremendous transformation. ¡°Boom!!¡± An earth-shattering burst of Spiritual Energy erupted. The Great Tao¡¯s Divine Rhythm permeated the mountain. In Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes, the Holy-grade Spirit Vein was undergoing a maddening transformation, in an instant, directly ascending one grade, entering the ranks of Divine Grade Spirit Veins. This elevation by one grade. Caused the Spiritual Energy condensed by the Holy-grade Spirit Vein to surge tenfold. The moment the Spiritual Energy surged. In the sky above the capital of the Divine Martial Dynasty, the illusion of a Sixth Grade Green Lotus reappeared, vast Qi Fortune turned into a torrential current, converging towards the Green Lotus Illusion. As the massive Qi Fortune gathered, the illusion of the Sixth Grade Green Lotus also became more tangible, hinting at an impending transformation. ¡°Qi Fortune is rising!¡± While handling state affairs, Gu Yang first noticed the dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune change. In just a moment. He noticed the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty had risen by fifty percent. Such substantial evolution in Qi Fortune, though it didn¡¯t elevate the Divine Martial Dynasty directly to an Imperial Dynasty, at least saved hundreds of years of hard work. Soon. Gu Yang discovered. The reason for the Qi Fortune rise came from Jiuyang Mountain. When the Spirit Vein transformed, the surging Spiritual Energy tide already erupted from Jiuyang Mountain, spreading in all directions. Seeing this scene. Gu Yang could no longer sit still and directly set off for Jiuyang Mountain. ... ¡°Divine Grade Spirit Vein!¡± ¡°With the Emperor Corpse buried here, given time it may well ascend to an Imperial Grade Spirit Vein, I¡¯m confident there won¡¯t be any problem!¡± Gu Qingfeng felt the immensely rich Spiritual Energy here, with a faint smile on his face. Imperial Grade Spirit Vein! It is the most supreme Spirit Vein! Normally, nurturing an Imperial Grade Spirit Vein isn¡¯t so simple, even some Ancient Noble Families may not possess one. The birth of an Imperial Grade Spirit Vein requires stringent conditions. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s method of directly using an Emperor Corpse as a foundation is exceedingly rare. In the end. Emperor Corpse is rare. The corpse of such a level of a strong person, not everyone can obtain. Chapter 530: 346: Suppression of Qi Fortune Chapter 530: Chapter 346: Suppression of Qi Fortune When Gu Yang stepped into the heart of Jiuyang Mountain, he immediately felt the terrifying emperor¡¯s mighty pressure. The powerful force came crashing down, making his shoulders suddenly heavy, as if a dreadful mountain was pressing on him, almost making it difficult to move. Such a change. Caused Gu Yang¡¯s expression to change dramatically. This pressure. Was the strongest presence he had ever encountered, without exception. Since reaching the peak of Ninth Layer in Tiaoist Palace Realm, with cultivation comparable to a Semi-Saint, Gu Yang believed that aside from some ancient strong beings, no one could threaten him anymore. Even when faced with some ancient saints, Gu Yang admitted he wasn¡¯t their match but was confident in retreating safely. But now. Just a mere pressure. Made Gu Yang unable to even muster a thought of resistance. The gap between them. Was like a vast, insurmountable chasm. Yet, before Gu Yang could be shocked for long, he felt a familiar power envelop him, reducing the previous pressure considerably. Seeing this. Gu Yang let out a breath of relief and continued to venture deeper. Before long. He saw a familiar figure. ¡°Father!¡± Gu Yang bowed deeply. Gu Qingfeng turned to look at him, having already sensed Gu Yang¡¯s arrival. Moreover. If it weren¡¯t for his intervention, Gu Yang wouldn¡¯t have qualified to venture this far. The emperor¡¯s mighty pressure. Was no joke. Even if the Great Emperor had fallen, that terrifying pressure was enough to make any cultivator below saint level struggle to move. Even saints. Would find it challenging to truly withstand the emperor¡¯s mighty pressure. Gu Yang at the moment looked at the spirit vein, the source of the terrible pressure seemingly originated from here, as if something extremely terrifying was dwelling within. ¡°Father, this is...¡± ¡°Recently, an entrance to another world opened in Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and I discovered the corpse of a Great Emperor from the Taiyi Divine Dynasty inside. So I brought it out and buried it in the spirit vein. Thanks to the profound mysteries of the emperor¡¯s corpse, given time, this spirit vein can ascend to Imperial Grade!¡± Gu Qingfeng explained slowly. His words. Made Gu Yang¡¯s face display shock. Emperor corpse! The spirit vein before him was actually burying an emperor¡¯s corpse! This news fell upon Gu Yang¡¯s ears like the ringing of an ancient bell, making him feel faint and dazed. He couldn¡¯t help but be shocked. After all, something like a Great Emperor¡¯s corpse was not something he could ever come into contact with. But soon. Gu Yang was overcome with intense joy. ¡°According to Father¡¯s words, with this emperor¡¯s corpse buried here, it can protect our Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s qi fortune. If this spirit vein truly ascends to Imperial Grade, it would indeed be an unparalleled foundation!¡± Don¡¯t mention the Imperial Grade spirit vein! Even the newly promoted Divine Grade spirit vein is extremely important for the Divine Martial Dynasty. As this spirit vein has just ascended, it has caused the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s qi fortune to surge. In Gu Yang¡¯s view, the spirit vein before him is less of a spirit vein and more of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s Dragon Vein. The source of Nine States¡¯ spiritual energy originates from here. Without hesitation. This spirit vein is the chief among Nine States¡¯ spirit veins. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°With the emperor¡¯s corpse buried here, it is no longer appropriate to call it Jiuyang Mountain. I believe it should be renamed Emperor Sun Mountain, and this spirit vein, being a Divine Grade, can one day ascend to Imperial Grade. The Divine Martial Dynasty backed by such a presence can one day rise to become an imperial dynasty or even further, reaching the pinnacle of a divine dynasty, with this spirit vein playing a significant role!¡± ¡°Thus, this spirit vein can rightly be considered the Dragon Vein of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Upon hearing this. Gu Yang nodded: ¡°Father¡¯s thought aligns with my own. From today, this shall be named Emperor Sun Mountain, and this spirit vein shall be the Divine Martial Dragon Vein!¡± Upon saying this. The spirit vein trembled. The terrifying imperial dynasty qi fortune suddenly converged towards Emperor Sun Mountain, ultimately settling within the spirit vein. Immediately after. ¡°Roar!!¡± A thunderous dragon roar echoed through the nine skies, with the divine tonal essence and overwhelming qi fortune gathering into a Nine Heavens Dragon soaring from the spirit vein, directly into the azure darkness of the nine skies, swirling high above the firmament. Roaring dragon sounds vibrated through the heavens and the eight wildernesses. All cultivators raised their heads to gaze upon the void, and seeing the true dragon illusion, their expressions were filled with shock. ¡°True Dragon...¡± Witnessing this scene, many cultivators were bewildered, not understanding the current situation. Yet some seasoned strong beings could clearly sense the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s qi fortune abruptly becoming much more stable. If previously the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s qi fortune was scattered and not consolidated, like rootless duckweed, then now it is as steady as the earth, almost unshakeable. ¡°Suppressing qi fortune... Divine Martial Dynasty possesses a supreme treasure for suppressing qi fortune!¡± Some strong beings¡¯ expressions shifted slightly. Only a supreme treasure that suppresses qi fortune can bring about the transformation seen here. Yet. Such treasures that suppress qi fortune are extremely rare. Even many imperial dynasties may not possess such levels of treasure in their holdings. Now. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s qi fortune is solid, clearly due to a supreme treasure suppressing the qi fortune. If any other dynasty obtained such level treasure, it would be a crime worthy of envy, causing many imperial dynasties to be unable to remain idle, acting against such a dynasty. Yet¡ª¡ª The Divine Martial Dynasty is different. Even though it is a newly ascended dynasty, its foundation surpasses that of many established imperial dynasties. Moreover. The Divine Martial Dynasty currently has a peerless strong being in the world. Thus. No matter if the Divine Martial Dynasty does indeed hold a supreme treasure that suppresses qi fortune, other forces dare not act rashly. ¡ª¡ª At this moment. Chapter 531: 346: Suppression of Qi Fortune_2 Chapter 531: Chapter 346: Suppression of Qi Fortune_2 The True Dragon Illusion circled the sky several times, then dove towards Emperor Sun Mountain, returning into the Dragon Vein. At this point. Gu Yang could clearly feel that the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty was now connected to the Dragon Vein before him. The vast and robust fortune felt as solid as mountains and earth, seemingly unshakeable. This change. Naturally brought immense joy to Gu Yang. Although this enshrinement of the Dragon Vein did not cause the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s fortune to soar. But the difference was. The appearance of the Dragon Vein. Made the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s fortune much more stable. In the past, lacking a Supreme Treasure to suppress it, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s fortune would bleed away under natural disasters, calamities, mass civilian deaths, or a loss of public support. But now it was different. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s fortune became stable. Ordinary disasters and calamities could no longer truly shake the dynasty¡¯s fortune; even if something major happened, the actual loss of fortune would be minimal. ¡°If I had known enshrining the Dragon Vein would have such an effect, I should have acted sooner!¡± Gu Yang slightly shook his head, his face showing a hint of regret. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°If enshrining the Dragon Vein casually could suppress fortune, then every dynasty could imitate this, and ordinary Spirit Veins couldn¡¯t have the effect of suppressing fortune. This time, the Dragon Vein¡¯s true capability to suppress fortune is likely related to the Emperor Corpse!¡± For Gu Yang¡¯s words, Gu Qingfeng had a different viewpoint. Even if a dynasty enshrined a Dragon Vein, it usually had no such suppressive effect on fortune. In his view. The reason for the suppression of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s fortune this time lay with the Emperor Corpse. The Great Emperor¡¯s body was endlessly mysterious; such an existence, even in death, was akin to the Nine Heavens Deities and could not be looked upon by mere mortals. Its naturally emanating mighty Emperor aura could even halt a Saint. Gu Qingfeng naturally believed an Emperor Corpse could have the power to suppress fortune. Upon hearing this. Gu Yang showed understanding. ¡ª¡ª The movement of the Divine Martial Dynasty soon spread far and wide. There was no other choice. The Divine Martial Dynasty was no longer what it used to be. Many powerful entities focused their attention on the Divine Martial Dynasty, watching its every move. Now. The changes in the Divine Martial Dynasty. Naturally became known to all sides. ¡°Suppression of fortune!¡± In the Star Dynasty, Lu Zhen looked at the intelligence report in his hand, his face dark and grim. The stronger the Divine Martial Dynasty, the worse it was for the Star Dynasty. Although both sides were currently at a ceasefire without starting new conflicts. Lu Zhen was very aware. The real reason for both sides not engaging lay in the root of the Demon invasion. If the Demon disaster were alleviated, the Divine Martial Dynasty could mobilize against the Star Dynasty at any moment. This point. Lu Zhen had no doubt. If he were in Gu Yang¡¯s position, he wouldn¡¯t easily make peace with the Star Dynasty either. Since Jiang Chen led his army against the Nine States, both sides tore away the pretense and reached a deadlock. Stepping back. Even if the Divine Martial Dynasty didn¡¯t act, Lu Zhen was still uneasy. The threat from the Divine Martial Dynasty was like a sharp blade hanging overhead, ready to fall at any moment. This feeling was far from pleasant. Therefore. Upon learning the Divine Martial Dynasty obtained a Supreme Treasure to suppress their fortune, Lu Zhen¡¯s killing intent reached its peak. But soon. Lu Zhen forcibly suppressed the impulse in his heart. He understood. The current Divine Martial Dynasty was beyond what the Star Dynasty could challenge. Simply because the Divine Martial Dynasty now had a peerless powerhouse, an existence capable of driving back an Upper Demon Emperor. If Gu Qingfeng decided to move against the Star Dynasty, even if the Star Dynasty used all its resources, it couldn¡¯t be his match. After all¡ª¡ª At its peak, the Star Dynasty had only produced a Quasi Emperor. But that Quasi Emperor had long fallen. Now, although the Star Dynasty still had some depth, contending against a true Quasi-Emperor level power was out of the question. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng was not an ordinary Quasi Emperor. Having driven back an Upper Demon Emperor, his strength was at least Late Tier Quasi Emperor. If it had been known earlier that the Divine Martial Dynasty possessed such strength, Lu Zhen would never have allowed the Star Dynasty to get involved. But now. It¡¯s too late for any regrets. For a time. The Imperial Study Room was dimly lit. Lu Zhen¡¯s expression suddenly changed, and he sternly shouted, ¡°Who!¡± As his voice fell, a strange shadow stirred within the shadows of the dim light. Moments later, an individual clad in a black robe slowly appeared before Lu Zhen. ¡°Deceit Servant Shen Shan under the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, greets the Emperor Venerate!¡± ¡°Deceitful Heavenly Emperor...¡± Lu Zhen¡¯s face changed instantly upon hearing the name, followed by a gleam of killing intent in his eyes. ¡°So, a lackey serving the Evil Spirit dares to appear here. Are you not afraid I will act to kill you on the spot!?¡± As he spoke. A terrifying killing intent erupted from Lu Zhen, bearing down on Shen Shan like a landslide or tsunami. Yet this terrifying aura fell upon Shen Shan like a stone in the ocean, causing no disturbance at all. Seeing this. Lu Zhen¡¯s heart grew more resolute. At this time. Shen Shan said quietly, ¡°Why should the Emperor Venerate be so angry? Evil Spirits, or deceit, are different only in the perspective of race. The Emperor Venerate should know the world values interests above all. Just like the Divine Martial Dynasty and the Star Dynasty, although both belong to the Human Clan, they still confront each other with weapons and forces. Though I serve the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, I bear no conflicting interests with the Star Dynasty. On the contrary, my purpose here is to propose collaboration with the Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°Collaboration?¡± The anger on Lu Zhen¡¯s face vanished, and he looked at Shen Shan with indifferent eyes, his smile filled with disdain. ¡°Why should I collaborate with your kind?¡± ¡°Quite simple, we share a common enemy, the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± As Shen Shan uttered the name of the Divine Martial Dynasty, a subtle change flickered in Lu Zhen¡¯s pupils. Noticing this, Shen Shan smiled again. ¡°The world¡¯s aware of the enmity between the Star Dynasty and the Divine Martial Dynasty. Coincidentally, the Sovereign of the Divine Martial Dynasty also harbors notable animosity towards the Heavenly Emperor. Thus, His Majesty has instructed me to discuss the possibility of cooperation with the Emperor Venerate.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll admit, I do have grudges against the Divine Martial Dynasty, but to betray the Human Clan for mere animosity and join forces with you Evil Spirits, that¡¯s out of the question.¡± Lu Zhen rejected the proposal with righteousness. To this. Shen Shan was not angered but gently clapped his hands. ¡°Good, as expected from Emperor Venerate Lu Zhen, truly noble and righteous. But while the Emperor Venerate harbors the grand righteousness of the Human Clan, the same cannot be said for the Divine Martial Dynasty. Even if the Emperor Venerate refrains from acting against the Divine Martial Dynasty today, can you guarantee it won¡¯t act against you in the future?¡± ¡°From what I know, Gu Qingfeng is known for bearing grudges and no force that has offended him has ever met a good end. Since he stepped into the Cultivation World, countless have fallen by his hand. First, it was the Ancient Desolate Holy Land, then the Guiyuan Dynasty, both bloodied examples!¡± ¡°If the Emperor Venerate maintains such thoughts, once the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s forces march toward the Star Country Capital, you might find your regret comes too late!¡± Shen Shan¡¯s words. Made Lu Zhen¡¯s face turn completely grim. Indeed. His words hit the nail on the head. This was what Lu Zhen feared most. ¡°What do you propose?¡± Lu Zhen pondered in silence, then slowly spoke. Upon hearing this. Shen Shan immediately broke into a smile. ¡°Should the Emperor Venerate agree, then His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor is willing to join forces with you to deal with the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength may be formidable, but with the Heavenly Emperor restored, dealing with him would be a mere trifle.¡± ¡°Additionally¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°The Emperor Venerate needn¡¯t worry about the consequences of our cooperation being leaked, causing a melee.¡± ¡°After all, it won¡¯t be long before the entire Human Clan faces potential extinction. If the Star Dynasty first cooperates with the Heavenly Emperor at that time, it might just avert its catastrophe. At that time, the Star Dynasty would preserve the roots of the Human Clan¡¯s bloodline, and others would undoubtedly hold no words against you!¡± Chapter 532: 347 Ancient Divine King Scripture Chapter 532: Chapter 347 Ancient Divine King Scripture Demon Suppression Immortal City. Gu Qingfeng has once again returned here to oversee the situation. Although the ruins of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty have emerged, they have had no effect on the Demon Suppression Immortal City. During this period. Within the ruins of the Divine Dynasty, there has been constant strife. Some cultivators have gained ancient opportunities, causing their cultivation to advance rapidly, reaching the peak of the Dao Palace Realm¡¯s Nine Layers, becoming top-tier in the End of Dharma Era. However, some powerful individuals have triggered dangers, leading to their demise. Some rejoice while others grieve. It¡¯s not unusual at all. As the former battlefield of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty against the Evil Spirit, it has left behind countless dangers, some of which even Saints find hard to withstand. Just like the Great Emperor¡¯s Dao Rhythm. Even a wisp. Can suppress and kill a Saint. However. Gu Qingfeng paid no heed to these matters. His current full attention is focused on the Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet. This stele, which embodies the lifetime inheritance of the Chaotic Ancient Divine King, is Gu Qingfeng¡¯s greatest gain on this journey. Even the Emperor Corpse of the Chaotic Ancient Divine King isn¡¯t as important as the Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet before him. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s divine thought entered it, comprehending the mysteries of the Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet. As soon as his divine thought touched the tablet, a terrifying might erupted, as if to completely suppress Gu Qingfeng. For other cultivators in the Great Saint Realm, directly facing such Emperor¡¯s pressure would be hard to withstand. However. Gu Qingfeng, despite being in the Great Saint¡¯s Nine Layers Heaven. His true cultivation strength could not be measured by realm. Thus. Even the overwhelming aura of the Emperor Tablet couldn¡¯t truly shake Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. His mind was like a stone pillar, unshaken by the ferocious and surging Great Emperor¡¯s pressure. Simultaneously. In this Emperor¡¯s pressure, Gu Qingfeng also comprehended the profoundness from the Emperor Realm. Time flowed. Numerous profound insights flooded his mind. Great Emperor Inheritance. Gu Qingfeng had once obtained the Abyss Scripture. But even though the Abyss Scripture was profound, it had some gap when compared to the Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet before him. Evidently. Even within the Emperor Realm. There are distinctions between the strong and the weak. As one of the Twelve Divine Kings of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, the Chaotic Ancient Divine King¡¯s strength within the Emperor Realm was among the most powerful. After half a year. Gu Qingfeng finally comprehended an Imperial Scripture left by the Chaotic Ancient Divine King from the Chaotic Ancient Emperor Tablet. Ancient Divine King Scripture! Top-Grade Imperial Scripture! While the Abyss Scripture was only a lower-grade Imperial Scripture, which could only allow one to cultivate to the initial tier of the Great Emperor, the Ancient Divine King Scripture pointed directly to the pinnacle of the Great Emperor as supreme cultivation technique. ¡°Ancient Divine King Scripture... can be cultivated to the pinnacle of the Great Emperor. That the Chaotic Ancient Divine King could pass on this cultivation technique to me means that he too was at that same level!¡± Gu Qingfeng appeared somewhat shocked. He had already overestimated the Chaotic Ancient Divine King¡¯s strength as much as possible, but didn¡¯t expect the latter to be even stronger than he imagined. Great Emperor Peak! Throughout the Ancient Era to the present, it has always been a realm of true supreme beings. After all, an Imperial Scripture, if not cultivated to a certain level by oneself, is extremely difficult to pass on. For such level of cultivation technique involves the realm of Dao. Only by one¡¯s own understanding of the Dao, mastering the Dao, can one pass the Dao down. This kind of explanation may seem mysterious, but ultimately, it means only those who truly understand the profoundness of the Imperial Scripture can pass it on to others. Therefore. The fact that the Chaotic Ancient Divine King left behind an Emperor Tablet recording the complete Ancient Divine King Scripture indicates the Chaotic Ancient Divine King¡¯s strength had reached the Great Emperor Peak. However¡ª The Chaotic Ancient Divine King at the Great Emperor Peak, in the end, also died in battle. This also indirectly shows the horror of the Evil Spirit. Next. Gu Qingfeng quietly cultivated the Ancient Divine King Scripture. With his current cultivation, practicing the Ancient Divine King Scripture was easy. It didn¡¯t take too long. Gu Qingfeng cultivated the Ancient Divine King Scripture to the Dao Palace Realm¡¯s Nine Layers Peak. Beyond that. It involves the realm of Saints. ¡°Currently, I have two Imperial Scriptures, the Abyss Scripture cultivated to the Great Saint¡¯s Ninth Layer, and the Ancient Divine King Scripture cultivated to the Dao Palace Realm¡¯s Ninth Layer!¡± ¡°The priority is still on enhancing the Abyss Scripture¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng mused. The reason for prioritizing the Abyss Scripture is simple. The realm cultivated by the Ancient Divine King Scripture is too low. To cultivate the Ancient Divine King Scripture from the Dao Palace Realm¡¯s Ninth Layer up to the Great Saint Realm¡¯s Ninth Layer, Gu Qingfeng would have to invest at least tens of thousands of upgrade points. But the issue is. So many upgrade points, if invested in the Abyss Scripture, could easily enter the Saint King Realm. But it should be clear. Even if the Ancient Divine King Scripture is simultaneously enhanced to the Great Saint Realm¡¯s Ninth Layer, possessing two Great Saint Realm¡¯s Ninth Layer Imperial Scriptures, the combined strength may not be superior to the Abyss Scripture reaching the Saint King Realm. The Great Saint is always the Great Saint! Unable to be compared to the Saint King! Moreover. Although the Abyss Scripture may not match the Ancient Divine King Scripture, the former is still an Imperial Scripture. The gap between the Abyss Scripture and the Ancient Divine King Scripture is reflected in their upper limits. If below the Great Emperor, the Abyss Scripture isn¡¯t much inferior to the Ancient Divine King Scripture. Therefore. For Gu Qingfeng, it¡¯s better to enhance the highest tiered Abyss Scripture. Once the Abyss Scripture advances to the Emperor Realm, returning to upgrade the Ancient Divine King Scripture will be most appropriate. Thinking of this. Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 121/8000 Realm: Great Saint Realm¡¯s Ninth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Third Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Perfect), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Perfect), Nine Heavens Scripture (Great Saint Chapter First Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfect), Nine Yang Tao Scripture (Perfect), Ten Thousand Spirit Taoist Scripture (Perfect), Abyss Scripture (Great Saint Chapter Ninth Layer), Ancient Divine King Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer) (and more) Chapter 533: 347 Ancient Divine King Scripture_2 Chapter 533: Chapter 347 Ancient Divine King Scripture_2 Upgrade Points: 9700 ... ¡°Nine thousand seven hundred upgrade points!¡± ¡°Just three hundred more upgrade points, and the Abyss Scripture can break through the Saint King Realm, and I can also step into the Saint King level!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the upgrade points that were about to be completed, his heart was steady and composed. As long as he can enter the Saint King Realm, Gu Qingfeng believes his strength will undergo a fundamental transformation. The remaining three hundred upgrade points. Not much to say. Not too little either. With another three to five months, Gu Qingfeng believes collecting three hundred upgrade points shouldn¡¯t be a problem. If luck is on his side, perhaps in the next instant, a Gu Family descendant might break through, allowing him to naturally step into the Saint King Realm. Then. Gu Qingfeng began to check the information panel¡¯s activity. ... ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Yan Yun¡¯ was attacked by an evil spirit and fell accidentally!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Gu Liang¡¯ was attacked by an evil spirit and fell accidentally!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Jiushan¡¯ was attacked by an evil spirit, escaped alive through sheer personal strength, but was ambushed by a strong figure from the Star Dynasty and died miserably on the spot!¡± ¡°Your death soldier ¡®Lu Tian¡¯ witnessed the slaughter of a city by the Star Dynasty, attempted to resist but was no match for the dynasty¡¯s strong figures, ultimately perishing!¡± ¡°Your death soldier...¡± ... The offspring information panel showed no activity, but when Gu Qingfeng saw the death soldier information panel, his brow immediately furrowed. No wonder. In just half a year, his death soldiers had suffered significant casualties. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng looked at the information panel¡¯s prompts and ultimately discovered that most of the fallen death soldiers were located within the Star Dynasty¡¯s territory. ¡°Evil spirit...¡± ¡°Slaughter of a city...¡± ¡°There seems to be a major upheaval in the Star Dynasty!¡± Gu Qingfeng sharply caught two key words, a vague suspicion arose in his heart, but he couldn¡¯t immediately confirm it. After all, colluding with evil spirits is a major crime. If this news were to spread, it would be enough to make the world disdain them. As long as the Star Dynasty is not foolish, they wouldn¡¯t do such a thing. Besides. The Human Clan and evil spirits are two different races, and their stances are different. To say the Star Dynasty is secretly colluding with evil spirits, this possibility is indeed low. But the problem lies in... The information from the death soldier panel made Gu Qingfeng have to think in this direction. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng exited seclusion and took out a communication jade token, immediately spreading this news. ... At the same time. Eastern Domain. Within the Netherworld Pavilion. A woman in red, with eyebrows like willow leaves and a cool and beautiful face, suddenly opened her eyes. With an instant movement of her divine thought, a communication jade token appeared in her hand. ¡°The esteemed one finally remembered me!¡± Hong Ye smiled slightly, her formerly cool expression melted like an iceberg, causing the surrounding chilly temperature to rise slightly. Then. Hong Ye¡¯s smile faded as she stepped forward and disappeared from the main hall. And within the main hall of the Netherworld Pavilion. Hong Ye appeared here. And in front of her was the high-level group of the Netherworld Pavilion. ¡°Greetings, Pavilion Master!¡± Everyone bent over, their faces full of respect. Hong Ye had wielded the Netherworld Pavilion for years with many iron-blooded means, making the entire pavilion respect her greatly. Even her stunning beauty didn¡¯t make anyone dare to harbor any covetous intentions. Because those who had such thoughts, well, the grass on their graves was already over three meters high. Hong Ye looked at the crowd, her red lips gently parted, and her cool voice came forth. ¡°Is there anyone from the pavilion within the territory of the Star Dynasty now?¡± After her words fell. One person stepped forward and said, ¡°Reporting to Pavilion Master, currently we have three branches within the Star Dynasty, with three hundred seventy-two assassins!¡± ¡°Contact them immediately, have them investigate if there¡¯s any unusual activity in the Star Dynasty, and any news regarding evil spirits.¡± Hong Ye ordered. Her words. Made the expressions of many high-level members in the Netherworld Pavilion change slightly. The first person who spoke couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°May I ask Pavilion Master, is there any upheaval in the Star Dynasty?¡± ¡°I received news that the Star Dynasty might have secretly colluded with evil spirits, but this matter isn¡¯t confirmed yet, it needs further investigation in secret. Remember, do not easily leak this matter, or if I find out, you won¡¯t be spared!¡± As Hong Ye spoke at the end, a chilling intent seeped out from between her brows. Seeing this, everyone bowed their heads and accepted the command. However. The information revealed by Hong Ye made them realize the seriousness of the matter. If the Star Dynasty really secretly colluded with evil spirits, the implications would be extensive. Yet. Faced with Hong Ye¡¯s orders, no one dared to utter a word of dissent. In the Netherworld Pavilion, the one before them was the true king. Seeing the crowd take their leave, Hong Ye lazily reclined on the throne. She believed it won¡¯t be long before news from the Star Dynasty arrived. After all, the Netherworld Pavilion had developed for decades, secretly absorbing many cultivators, and its forces had already spread throughout the Eastern Domain. Though. The Netherworld Pavilion has few top-tier experts, but the number of assassins is alarming. Like in the Star Dynasty, the Netherworld Pavilion had established three branches. To put it bluntly. Across the one hundred eight states of the Eastern Domain, there exist divisions of the Netherworld Pavilion. In each state covering three thousand six hundred prefectures, although not every prefecture has the presence of the Netherworld Pavilion, most do have branches set up. It shows. How far the Netherworld Pavilion has developed over these years. ... Not making Hong Ye wait too long. Within ten days, news came from the Star Dynasty. The person reporting was an elder from the Netherworld Pavilion, named Yu Feng. ¡°Reporting to the Pavilion Master, news has come that all three branches of the Netherworld Pavilion in the Star Dynasty are normal, and there isn¡¯t any unusual activity throughout the Star Dynasty.¡± Dressed in a black long robe, Yu Feng clasped his fists, his slightly aged face calm. Upon hearing this. Hong Ye¡¯s brow furrowed tightly. ¡°Impossible... how can there be no abnormality in the Star Dynasty, have you truly investigated thoroughly?¡± At this point. Yu Feng curiously asked, ¡°May I ask Pavilion Master, where exactly did you get the information about the Star Dynasty¡¯s upheaval, could this information be incorrect?¡± ¡°It is certainly correct... wait, who are you really to dare impersonate an elder of the Netherworld Pavilion!!¡± Hong Ye casually said, then immediately seemed to realize something, her eyes suddenly turned cold, fixedly staring at Yu Feng as if to identify traits from him. Hearing these words, Yu Feng¡¯s face changed dramatically, expressing fear, ¡°What does Pavilion Master mean by this!?¡± ¡°Still not admitting!¡± Hong Ye sneered, her palm suddenly producing a long sword, the powerful sword qi tore through space and swiftly slashed toward Yu Feng. Seeing the sword qi approaching, Yu Feng¡¯s tense expression suddenly turned calm, his right hand casually pointed and flicked out, completely breaking the sword qi. Seeing this scene. Hong Ye¡¯s pupils shrunk, her figure then seemed to vanish like an apparition, and hundreds of sword lights filled the main hall, enveloping Yu Feng with terrifying sword qi. The latter¡¯s body trembled, black Gang Qi appeared, and all the sword qi around him shattered the moment they touched the Gang Qi. ¡°I¡¯m very curious, where did you find out I¡¯m an impersonator...¡± Yu Feng stood with hands poised, his expression turned cold, looking at the reappeared form of Hong Ye, a hint of curiosity deep in his eyes. Clearly. Even he didn¡¯t realize how he was exposed. After all, Yu Feng considered himself very well-hidden. Indeed¡ª¡ª He had devoured the head and brains of the original Netherworld Pavilion elder, absorbed all memories, and believed no issue should arise. Chapter 534: 348 Evil Spirits Gather Chapter 534: Chapter 348 Evil Spirits Gather ¡°Because within the Netherworld Pavilion, no one has ever dared to question my authority!¡± Hong Ye¡¯s voice was icy cold, and as she spoke, she once again made her move. Her long sword struck out like a phantom, the chilling Sword Qi filled with terrifying killing intent. This was the true path of assassination! As the Pavilion Master of the Netherworld Pavilion, Hong Ye¡¯s assassination skills required no further elaboration. She did not make many moves. But each time, she succeeded in assassinating her target. Among them. Hong Ye¡¯s most pinnacle achievement. Was assassinating a formidable figure at the Seventh Layer of the Dao Palace Realm with her cultivation at the Second Layer of the Dao Palace Realm. Though they were five minor realms apart, she still killed with one strike and then safely retreated. But such an attack had no effect on the cultivator before her; the opponent merely waved a hand casually, and the terrifying force dominated the entire great hall. The immense pressure made Hong Ye¡¯s breathing somewhat labored. ¡°Boom!¡± The sword light shattered. Hong Ye¡¯s body flew backward. Immediately after. ¡®Yu Feng¡¯ reached out with his right hand, intending to completely suppress Hong Ye. But at that moment. Hong Ye crushed a talisman, and a profound fluctuation erupted, instantly enveloping her and making her disappear in an instant. ¡°Damn it... she got away!¡± ¡®Yu Feng¡¯s¡¯ expression turned dark, his aura shifting, and soon he took on a different appearance. This person. Was precisely Shen Shan. When the Netherworld Pavilion was investigating the Star Dynasty, Shen Shan had already been aware of it. Or rather. The forces of the Evil Spirit had already infiltrated the three branches of the Netherworld Pavilion within the Star Dynasty. Therefore. In such circumstances. The Netherworld Pavilion¡¯s attempt to probe into the Star Dynasty could hardly escape Shen Shan¡¯s notice. After killing the true elder Yu Feng of the Netherworld Pavilion, Shen Shan devoured him entirely, gaining his memories. He followed the clues to the Netherworld Pavilion to see who had directed them to act so. Unfortunately. No matter how Shen Shan calculated. He never expected Hong Ye to be so cautious. And he never expected. The opponent to have a powerful life-saving trump card, even though he personally acted, he couldn¡¯t keep her. Now, with Hong Ye¡¯s escape already a fact, Shen Shan spread out his Divine Thought, soon covering the entire Netherworld Pavilion. Since Hong Ye had left. He could only start with others within the Netherworld Pavilion. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Hong Ye¡¯ sent a cultivator to investigate the anomalies of the Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ led the Heavenly Martial Sect¡¯s strongmen to resist the demons; both sides fought fiercely!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Wu¡¯ broke through during the battle, reaching the Fourth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm in cultivation!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yi¡¯ followed Gu Yang¡¯s orders, secretly leading the Hidden Guard experts to search for the Star Dynasty¡¯s movements!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yi¡¯ was attacked by the Evil Spirit *1136!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yi¡¯ was attacked by the Evil Spirit *2369!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Gu Yi¡¯ used his trump card to kill a powerful Evil Spirit, leading the Hidden Guard cultivators away from the Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier ¡®Hong Ye¡¯ was attacked by a mysterious strongman, used her trump card to abandon the Netherworld Pavilion and escape!¡± ¡°Your Death Soldier...¡± ... In Demon Suppression Immortal City, Gu Qingfeng looked at the text on the information panel, his expression gradually darkening. He could already determine. The Star Dynasty indeed had a problem. After all, the frequency with which Gu Yi was attacked by the Evil Spirit was too high. In the past, the Evil Spirits always acted alone, even if attacked by an Evil Spirit, it was no more than once or twice. But now. The frequency of Evil Spirit attacks on Gu Yi in the Star Dynasty had reached four digits. Such frequency. Gu Qingfeng had only seen on Gu Xiu and a few others. The difference is. Gu Xiu was attacked by demons. Gu Yi was attacked by Evil Spirits. This alone. Was enough to prove. The current Star Dynasty is probably overrun by Evil Spirits. Otherwise. This situation could not occur. ¡°The anomalies in the Star Dynasty are also known to the court, which shows that the development of the Jinyi Guard and the Hidden Guard over these years is indeed good!¡± ¡°However, considering Gu Yi¡¯s current cultivation at the Sixth Layer of the Dao Palace Realm, but being forced to leave the Star Dynasty by Evil Spirits, the Evil Spirits in the Star Dynasty aren¡¯t simple at all¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s fingers lightly tapped the armrest, his eyes slightly moving. As for Hong Ye being attacked in the Netherworld Pavilion, coupled with the situation Gu Yi faced earlier, it was understandable. If the Star Dynasty had indeed become a gathering place for Evil Spirits, then any probing by the Netherworld Pavilion would inevitably attract their attention. It is known. Evil Spirits excel at beguiling people¡¯s hearts. This point. Gu Qingfeng had long experienced. In some respects, Evil Spirits and mysteries are of the same type, with extremely powerful spiritual capabilities; sometimes, what is seen with one¡¯s own eyes might not be true. The emergence of such changes in the Star Dynasty isn¡¯t good news. However¡ª This matter, for the time being, isn¡¯t something Gu Qingfeng can intervene in. He needs to oversee the Demon Suppression Immortal City. Currently, demons wreak havoc. Their severity is actually not much less than that of the Evil Spirits. Gu Qingfeng believes that the Demon Clan is undoubtedly watching the Boundary Domain Channel here, and if he were to leave, even temporarily, and be discovered by the Demon Clan, it might lead to a Demon Emperor-level expert coming back in force. From then on. Gu Qingfeng stayed in the Demon Suppression Immortal City, personally overseeing the battlefield. Under the Deceit God Banner, the Deceit God slaughtered many demons, steadily increasing in power. Gu Qingfeng even wondered, if the Deceit God¡¯s slaughtering continued, would it ultimately achieve the Great Emperor status? Chapter 535: 348: Evil Spirits Gathering_2 Chapter 535: Chapter 348: Evil Spirits Gathering_2 However¨C Gu Qingfeng equally understood. Even if the Deceit God could truly become a Great Emperor, it¡¯s not something that could be achieved by slaughtering mere hundreds of millions of demons. After all, until now, the Deceit God had already slain no less than tens of millions, but up to this point, he was still only at the level of the First Layer Heaven of the Saint Realm. It shows. Slaughtering ordinary demons is of little use to the Deceit God at the present. Only when the number reaches a certain level can it trigger a transformation. However. Gu Qingfeng was not anxious. After all, according to the information he received about the Demon Clan, right now the Demon Clan has attacked many worlds, and in terms of numbers, they have already reached an astonishing level. This fact. Can be seen from the Demon Clan continuously invading the Demon Suppression Immortal City without regard for casualties. A few demon casualties. Are trivial to the Demon Clan¡¯s powerful figures. Now. With the Deceit God presiding over the battlefield, it is difficult for the Demon Clan to stir much trouble. If it were not for the concern of losing control without his suppression, Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t have to worry too much. But now, things are different. The stronger the power of the Deceit God, the more likely issues will arise. This Supreme Treasure, mysterious and eerie in origin, has never been taken lightly by Gu Qingfeng. ... Three days later. Someone stepped into the Demon Suppression Immortal City to meet Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Subordinate Hong Ye, pays respects to the Lord!¡± ¡°No need for ceremony.¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at the person in front of him, a figure donned in red with a comely visage, as if time had left no mark on her charming face. But unlike before. After years apart. Hong Ye appeared much colder than before, intent on keeping distance from others. Yet in front of Gu Qingfeng, Hong Ye maintained her respectful demeanor. ¡°The Lord had tasked me to investigate the Star Dynasty. There are now some leads, with a mysterious figure replacing an elder of the Netherworld Pavilion, mingling beside me, but was eventually detected by me. Judging from the powers displayed by that person, it seems there is some link to an Evil Spirit!¡± ¡°Therefore, I have reason to suspect that the Star Dynasty might secretly have connections with an Evil Spirit. Unfortunately, the Netherworld Pavilion has faced changes, making it difficult to gather more information!¡± Hong Ye was filled with guilt. She felt she let Gu Qingfeng down. After finally establishing the Netherworld Pavilion with hard work over the years, just when it had a chance to serve Gu Qingfeng, it was nearly wiped out by the others upon its emergence. In this regard. Hong Ye naturally felt embarrassed. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°Regarding the Star Dynasty, I am already informed. This time, the Star Dynasty and their secret collusion with an Evil Spirit, your Netherworld Pavilion ultimately lacks a solid foundation, preventing detection was impossible. Since the Netherworld Pavilion is destroyed, you shall remain by my side henceforth!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Hong Ye felt joy in her heart, her face immediately blooming into a captivating smile, like glaciers melting. In her view. If she could stay by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s side, it¡¯s not regrettable even if the Netherworld Pavilion was destroyed. In the subsequent time. The interior of the Demon Suppression Immortal City seemed to return to its usual tranquility. Only the battlefield remained intense with fighting, but with the Deceit God presiding, coupled with numerous Ancient weapons, the demon side couldn¡¯t stir any trouble. It¡¯s notable. Last time when Gu Qingfeng entered the Ancient World, the Divine Martial Dynasty obtained another batch of ancient weapons from there, greatly increasing the number of town defense equipment in the Demon Suppression Immortal City. The Star Execution Cannon alone increased by more than twenty. So many Star Execution Cannons, if all fired, could even cause trouble for a Saint in person. Moreover, because of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s presence, no Demon Lords equals to Saints dared to step into the Demon Suppression Immortal City. This. Made the Demon Suppression Army¡¯s side much more relaxed. At the same time. Since Hong Ye followed Gu Qingfeng around, she was also sharpening her skills in the battlefield. As the former Pavilion Master of the Netherworld Pavilion, though Hong Ye¡¯s cultivation was only at the Second Layer of the Daoist Palace Realm, her assassination swordsmanship was consummate, almost reaching the miraculous. Especially in the midst of battle, many powerful figures couldn¡¯t truly focus entirely, being alert to their surroundings. Therefore. This gave Hong Ye a vast room for operation. Under her full-scale assassination, demons up to the Ninth Layer of the Daoist Palace Realm bled. For this. The demon side was naturally enraged. Numerous Demon Sem-Saint were eager to strike, forcibly killing Hong Ye. But alas, once the opponent strikes, whether successful or not, they immediately fled swiftly without the slightest hesitation. This left the other Demon Semi-Saint with no chance to take down Hong Ye. Simultaneously. Gu Qingfeng also imparted part of the Ancient Divine King Scripture to Hong Ye. Although Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t cultivated this Imperial Scripture to its peak, he had cultivated the Dao Palace Chapter to Perfection. Therefore. It¡¯s of no issue to simply pass the Dao Palace Chapter¡¯s cultivation technique to Hong Ye. Upon learning that the Ancient Divine King Scripture was an Imperial Scripture, Hong Ye was naturally shocked beyond words. Nonetheless. As a Death Soldier. Hong Ye was absolutely subservient to Gu Qingfeng. Therefore. After Gu Qingfeng imparted the Ancient Divine King Scripture, Hong Ye¡¯s power increased significantly. Though the Imperial Scripture was indeed difficult to cultivate, Hong Ye herself was already a Dao Palace Realm cultivator, so cultivating the Ancient Divine King Scripture was akin to transferring her pre-existing cultivation from her original technique to the Ancient Divine King Scripture. Though this process is cumbersome, it is far better than starting anew. Additionally. As a Death Soldier. Hong Ye¡¯s talent was not lacking either. Added to Gu Qingfeng¡¯s guidance, along with numerous Spiritual Medicines and Pills as supplements, cultivating the Ancient Divine King Scripture naturally carried little difficulty. And once Hong Ye began cultivating the Ancient Divine King Scripture, though her realm made no breakthrough, her strength nevertheless soared. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Emperor, the Star Dynasty harbors many Evil Spirits, and I even witnessed Evil Spirits besieging and slaughtering cities; among them, the stronger ones have already reached the Lower natural disaster level. Even... I glimpsed the aura of a Middle natural disaster. Luckily, I retreated in time; otherwise, the Hidden Guard would likely have been entirely lost there!¡± Inside the Imperial Study Room of the Divine Martial Dynasty, Gu Yi reported truthfully, showing deep apprehension in his eyes when mentioning Evil Spirits. Clearly. The sights witnessed in the Star Dynasty deeply shook this Dark Guards Commander and the Jinyi Guard Commander internally. Gu Yang¡¯s expression was indifferent: ¡°So, the Star Dynasty indeed collaborated with Evil Spirits without a doubt?¡± ¡°Correct!¡± Gu Yi nodded. ¡°According to the current intelligence gathered, the Star Dynasty must have concluded some agreements with the Evil Spirits, the former assisting the latter in slaughtering towns and blood-sacrificing lives. It¡¯s just unknown what kind of terms Evil Spirits offered to make the Star Dynasty willingly collude with them!¡± ¡°Terms... It¡¯s likely related to our Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Yang sneered. Enemies are often the most knowledgeable about each other. As the greatest foe of the Divine Martial Dynasty back then, how could Gu Yang be unfamiliar with Lu Zhen? Even though he never faced him directly, it did not hinder his understanding of him. ¡°Lu Zhen is extremely cautious and stubborn, but now with my father presiding over the Divine Martial Dynasty, he naturally feels unease in the Star Dynasty. It¡¯s only due to the current demon invasion that the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s advance has been impeded. Otherwise, I would have already deployed the army to the Star Dynasty, rectifying past grievances.¡± ¡°Lu Zhen evidently realized this, which is why he dared to take risks and collaborate with Evil Spirits, hoping to seize a chance for survival!¡± ¡°Unfortunately... As a human emperor, he has ultimately taken the wrong path!¡± ¡°Once the news of the Star Dynasty¡¯s collaboration with Evil Spirits spreads, not only will the Divine Martial Dynasty make a move, but other forces will likely join together to uproot the Star Dynasty¨C¡± Thus, Gu Yang¡¯s eyes revealed a touch of coldness. Chapter 536: 349: Proclamation Chapter 536: Chapter 349: Proclamation Upon learning that the Star Dynasty was associated with the Evil Spirit, Gu Yang naturally would not miss this opportunity. Immediately. He issued a proclamation, publicly denouncing the Star Dynasty. ¡°Now the Star Dynasty defies the Heavenly Dao, colludes with the Evil Spirit, harms living beings, and throws the universe into chaos! Now our Divine Martial Dynasty inherits the mandate of heaven, upholds the great righteousness, and swears to wield the power of Thunderbolt to crusade against the unrighteous and rescue the people from calamity!¡± Once this proclamation was issued. It instantly shocked the world. The Star Dynasty colluded with the Evil Spirit!? This news. Naturally made other forces disbelieve. After all, the Star Dynasty had stood in the Eastern Domain for many years; how could it collude with the Evil Spirit? However. Now that the Divine Martial Dynasty has released the proclamation, even if other forces do not believe, they at least have to send people to investigate. At the beginning. The interior of the Star Dynasty seemed peaceful, with no apparent issues. However. When an ancient Saint entered the Star Dynasty, he immediately discovered the illusion realm created by the Evil Spirit. What seemed like a prosperous city was actually a forest of bones, with not a single living person remaining. This scene enraged that ancient Saint, who directly took action to slay all the Evil Spirits in the city. But precisely because of this action, it thoroughly angered the hidden powerful Evil Spirit within the Star Dynasty. In the end. That ancient Saint left heavily injured. Once this news was released. The Eastern Domain was instantly stirred. At this time. Everything the Star Dynasty tried to cover up was thoroughly exposed to the public¡¯s view. Immediately. Many forces were enraged, voicing denouncements against the Star Dynasty, and some even directly declared war upon it. ... ¡°What an audacious Lu Zhen, daring to act in such a manner. It seems that the foundation of the Star Dynasty built over years will all be buried in Lu Zhen¡¯s hands!¡± Within the Taixuan Dynasty, the Taixuan Emperor Nangong Zhu, upon seeing the passing news, showed a smile on his face. The Star Dynasty colludes with the Evil Spirit! In his view, it was self-destruction! Evil Spirit! Demon! These two are extremely sensitive topics. The Star Dynasty secretly colluding with the Evil Spirit, and even blood-sacrificing citizens for the Evil Spirit¡¯s consumption, undoubtedly touches the Reverse Scale of the entire Human Clan. Frankly speaking. Since the Star Dynasty¡¯s actions were exposed, it has already completely severed itself from the Human Clan. Don¡¯t mention one Star Dynasty. Even if ten or a hundred Star Dynasties were combined, they could not stand against the entire Human Clan. Therefore. In Nangong Zhu¡¯s view. Lu Zhen seems destined for death. This battle has yet to truly begin, but Nangong Zhu can already foresee the defeat and demise of the Star Dynasty. Since ancient times. The Taixuan Dynasty and the Star Dynasty have been neighbors, with constant friction between them. Over a decade ago, the former even publicly declared war on the latter, leading to years of conflict. Only later did the Demon calamity emerge, causing the prolonged war to temporarily cease. It can be said. Nangong Zhu is the person who most hopes to annihilate the Star Dynasty. Not just because of grudges with the Star Dynasty, but also because it holds a rich and ancient heritage. If the Taixuan Dynasty could exterminate the Star Dynasty and divide its resources, it would be hugely significant for the Taixuan Dynasty. At this moment. Someone stepped forward, cupping his fists, and said, ¡°Your Majesty, the Star Dynasty¡¯s collusion with the Evil Spirit harms living beings, which is a disgrace to our Human Clan. I believe our Taixuan Dynasty should demonstrate righteousness and dispatch troops against the Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°We agree!¡± As the words fell, other ministers also spoke in unison. Upon hearing this. Nangong Zhu¡¯s expression immediately turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice, ¡°Since all of you think that our Taixuan Dynasty should dispatch troops, I hereby order the military to mobilize thirty million soldiers, led by Victory King, to attack the Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°I accept the order!¡± The Minister of Defense and Victory King both cupped their hands, accepting the command. Nangong Sheng, honored with the title Victory King, is because he once led troops into battle with few defeats, being a famed Great General of the Taixuan Dynasty. However, as he voluntarily sealed himself away, news about Nangong Sheng has gradually faded. But as a member of the Nangong family, Nangong Zhu certainly understands Nangong Sheng¡¯s capabilities. With his Saint Eighth Layer Heaven cultivation, alongside thirty million troops aiding him, attacking the Star Dynasty would be more than sufficient. Normally speaking. The Star Dynasty has deep reserves, and if both dynasties were to fight with full force, thirty million troops would naturally be somewhat insufficient. But Nangong Zhu knows well that once this news spread, many forces would dispatch troops against the Star Dynasty. Thus. The Taixuan Dynasty doesn¡¯t need to deploy excessive power. Just relying on Nangong Sheng and the thirty million troops is enough to divide the entire Star Dynasty. And as the Taixuan Dynasty prepared for war, other forces also began dispatching troops. After all, the chance to divide an entire dynasty was right before them, and no one would miss it. As the instigator. The Divine Martial Dynasty also refuses to fall behind. Gu Yang, Xue Cheng, and Jiang Mo, each leading ten million soldiers, divided into three paths, rushed towards the Star Dynasty. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s desire to divide the Star Dynasty is already blatantly obvious. However. Gu Yang has never hidden his intentions. The three million reserves of the Star Dynasty have long made Gu Yang envious. The current Divine Martial Dynasty has progressed significantly down the path of becoming a dynasty; if they take one or two steps further, upgrading to an imperial dynasty would be assured. Now. If the Divine Martial Dynasty can successfully divide the Star Dynasty, they could save at least hundreds of years of accumulation. At that time. Ascending in a single step wouldn¡¯t be an impossible task. Chapter 537: 349: Proclamation_2 Chapter 537: Chapter 349: Proclamation_2 If it were any other newly established dynasty, naturally it wouldn¡¯t hope to elevate itself to the ranks of an imperial dynasty in just under a century. But the Divine Martial Dynasty is different. Despite being founded not long ago, the Divine Martial Dynasty has already accumulated a rather substantial foundation. The past decade or so of recuperation and growth has further advanced the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Although so far, the Divine Martial Dynasty hasn¡¯t produced many Semi-Saint Realm powerhouses, the number of cultivators in the Dao Palace Realm has increased significantly. Furthermore. On the side of the Tribute Institute. There are also quite a few Semi-Saints. Although those Semi-Saints weren¡¯t cultivated by the Divine Martial Dynasty, they still serve it. Adding to this, with a powerhouse like Gu Qingfeng overseeing, to put it bluntly, the Divine Martial Dynasty stands as the strongest among all dynasties. Even some ancient dynasties that have existed for hundreds of thousands of years are not as strong in terms of foundation. Therefore. The Divine Martial Dynasty indeed has sufficient qualifications to rise to an imperial dynasty. But the problem is. A dynasty¡¯s rise. Doesn¡¯t solely depend on its strength, but also on its foundation and national fortune. Only when the populace is prosperous, the territory vast, and the national fortune at its peak, can it truly ascend to the ranks of an imperial dynasty. If done step by step, the Divine Martial Dynasty would need at least several hundred to a thousand years to achieve this transformation. During this period. Gu Yang can wait. But he doesn¡¯t want to wait. If there are ways to let the Divine Martial Dynasty ascend faster, Gu Yang certainly wishes to expedite the process. Heaven is unpredictable. No one can guarantee when the Divine Martial Dynasty might face a great catastrophe. Therefore. What Gu Yang needs to do is to enhance his strength and that of the entire Divine Martial Dynasty as much as possible, so they have enough confidence when facing future calamities. Initially. Gu Yang didn¡¯t want to move against the Star Dynasty so quickly. But the effect of the proclamation was too good. Once the collusion between the Star Dynasty and the Evil Spirit was fully verified, the reactions of various forces exceeded Gu Yang¡¯s expectations. However. Upon further thought. Gu Yang also found it reasonable. After all, the Star Dynasty colluding with the Evil Spirit and causing harm, many righteous people couldn¡¯t bear to see it, not to mention that more forces smelled the scent of benefit. The great justice of the Human Clan ultimately pales in comparison to the word benefit. Now all forces are eager to take action and divide the Star Dynasty, so Gu Yang can¡¯t just sit back and do nothing. Given the current situation, if the Divine Martial Dynasty hesitates, it might not even get a sip of the soup. ¡ª¡ª Guxing State! A battle between two armies. One side led by Yan Yun from the Divine Martial Dynasty, and the other being the army of the Star Dynasty. The latter holds the city and defends, both sides engaged in fierce combat. In the void. Many strong individuals secretly watch this scene, as the Star Dynasty has become a target of many, with numerous Human Clan powerhouses entering to gain a share. Such large-scale wars inevitably attract attention. ¡°Is the Divine Martial Dynasty truly a new dynasty!? With such military strength, it fears many old dynasties are not as good!¡± A Dao Palace Realm master was shocked, seeing the morale of the army was astonishing, and many strong individuals were within, some even exuding an aura that unsettled him. If he hadn¡¯t known the Divine Martial Dynasty was established less than a hundred years ago, he might have thought it was an ancient dynasty. Others, hearing this, sneered: ¡°Gu Qingfeng is the Supreme Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty. With him overseeing, how can the Divine Martial Dynasty be measured by common sense? If a full-scale war were to break out, many imperial dynasties would bow before the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Upon hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s name, everyone fell silent. He is truly a mountain pressuring above everyone. Whether you¡¯re a top talent or a peerless powerhouse, you must bow your head before him. Since Gu Qingfeng¡¯s emergence, his power and achievements have been astonishing, and no one doubts the truth of his strength. As that master just said. In terms of the foundation and strength of the entire Divine Martial Dynasty, many imperial dynasties must bow. Gu Qingfeng alone. Can suppress an entire imperial dynasty. Even at the peak of many imperial dynasties, they might not compare to Gu Qingfeng. This is the terrifying nature of a top powerhouse. In the face of absolute strength, numbers often become insignificant. Unless¡ª¡ª The numbers reach a level deemed extraordinary, then maybe they can overwhelm a supreme powerhouse. But clearly. A mere imperial dynasty doesn¡¯t have this qualification. If there¡¯s no equally powerful master overseeing, trying to encircle and kill a supreme quasi-emperor level master is nothing but a fool¡¯s dream. It¡¯s precisely because of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s name that many cultivators watching the battlefield below with ill intentions suppressed their thoughts. Some things, although good, are not meant for them to touch. If they really did make a move, they would be asking for trouble. The Divine Martial Dynasty cannot be offended. To be precise. It¡¯s the one behind the Divine Martial Dynasty that cannot be offended. As long as Gu Qingfeng is alive, unless a Great Emperor appears, no one can touch the Divine Martial Dynasty. This fact. Is beyond doubt. At this moment. A Tribute Institute master traveling with the army came to Yan Yun¡¯s side and whispered. ¡°General Yan, many cultivators are secretly coveting, at least three or four Semi-Saint level powerhouses among them, we must be cautious!¡± ¡°Just Semi-Saints, no need to mind them, as long as they don¡¯t interfere in the war,¡± Yan Yun glanced at the void, speaking indifferently. He anticipated cultivators watching in secret. Therefore. Yan Yun didn¡¯t care much. After all, even if these Semi-Saints had ten guts, they wouldn¡¯t dare meddle in the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s affairs. Because the consequences of offending the Divine Martial Dynasty aren¡¯t something everyone can bear. Even some ancient and archaic noble families must remain respectful to the Divine Martial Dynasty, let alone a few mere Semi-Saints. That Tribute, hearing this, looked relieved. He had joined the Tribute Institute for just a few years and hadn¡¯t yet adapted to the change of status. Before joining the Tribute Institute of the Divine Martial Dynasty, he was just a loose cultivator, and though a Semi-Saint master, he had to be cautious in his actions. Especially when vying for opportunities, he must guard against secret attacks from other cultivators. There was no choice. Loose cultivator. Meant having no backing. If truly offended, just being killed meant no worries of repercussions. But now things are different. Having joined the Divine Martial Dynasty, his identity differs from that of a former loose cultivator. If someone offends him, they offend the entire Divine Martial Dynasty. Afterwards. Yan Yun looked toward the battlefield direction, with a frown: ¡°The people of the Star Dynasty seem somewhat out of sorts, Tributor Zhang, have you noticed anything peculiar?¡± ¡°Indeed, something¡¯s wrong!¡± Tributor Zhang nodded, his expression becoming much more serious. ¡°I found that the people of the Star Dynasty are unafraid of pain, and even more so of death. By all accounts, a siege of this extent should have sapped their morale. Even the truly elite cannot remain unchanged. But the current state of the Star Dynasty clearly indicates something is amiss...¡± Hearing this. Yan Yun was also sure of his suspicions. ¡°So this must be a method similar to some mind-bewitching Evil Spirit technique, or perhaps, these people have already become puppets of the Evil Spirit!¡± ¡°Yet it makes sense. Ever since the news broke that the Star Dynasty was sacrificing civilians and colluding with the Evil Spirit, it¡¯s impossible there wasn¡¯t something fishy when the troops still willingly defend without retreat. Send orders down, accelerate the siege. I want this city taken before sunset!¡± The final sentence, Yan Yun addressed to the adjutant beside him. The latter immediately complied. Immediately after. Yan Yun turned to the Tributor Zhang: ¡°Following might trouble the talented ones from the Tribute Institute to take action, to open the way for the army!¡± ¡°Rest assured, General Yan, leave this to our people of the Tribute Institute.¡± Tributor Zhang nodded, leading others from the Tribute Institute, they rose directly into the air and charged towards the city walls. Chapter 538: 350 Ancient Divine King Body Chapter 538: Chapter 350 Ancient Divine King Body Star Dynasty. Within the Imperial Palace of the Capital. Now, more than half of the council seats are vacant, and the remaining ministers all have a dazed expression, their eyes shimmering with an unusual red light, while the hall itself seems to have grown significantly darker. Lu Zhen sat ominously on the Emperor¡¯s throne, before him lay the military reports sent from various factions in Guxing State. In just half a month. Half of Guxing State has already fallen. Although the Star Dynasty has a heritage of millions of years, it cannot possibly stand against the entire Eastern Domain. Originally. The situation should not have developed to this extent. But ever since the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s proclamation, it has completely shattered the truth hidden by the Star Dynasty. ¡°Divine Martial Dynasty... Gu Family! My Star Dynasty will fight to the death with you!!¡± Lu Zhen¡¯s chest boiled with killing intent, blood seemed to surge in his eyes, and the aura around him suddenly erupted, sweeping through the entire hall like a hurricane. At this moment. Darkness emerged within the hall. The figure of Shen Shan appeared before Lu Zhen. ¡°Now that all forces in the Eastern Domain are attacking the Star Dynasty, what does the Emperor of Heaven plan to do?¡± ¡°If things continue like this, it may not take a month for the Star Dynasty to face total defeat!¡± Lu Zhen spoke coldly. He did not blame Shen Shan for leading him astray, after all, it was a choice he made himself. However. Now that things have come to this, Lu Zhen also needed a solution. Otherwise, all his hard work will end in such a way, Lu Zhen would never be reconciled. Shen Shan sinisterly said: ¡°Emperor Venerate Lu, since this matter can no longer be concealed, why not directly pledge allegiance to my Netherworld Immortal Court. As long as the Emperor Venerate is willing, sacrifice all the people of Guxing State, and the Emperor¡¯s strength will be greatly restored, and even breaking the End of Dharma¡¯s shackles to achieve a realm above Semi-Saint is not impossible. The problem facing the Star Dynasty now, after all, comes down to a lack of power. If the Star Dynasty had sufficient power, all the problems could be solved easily!¡± Sacrifice all the people! Upon hearing Shen Shan¡¯s words, Lu Zhen squinted his eyes. He was not soft-hearted. After all, those who accomplish great things do not trouble themselves with trivial matters. Ever since he truly witnessed a glimpse of the Evil Spirit¡¯s power, Lu Zhen completely lost faith in the Human Clan, which is also why he turned coat so decisively. ¡°If it were a sacrifice of just one city or region, it would be easy, but to say to sacrifice all the people of Guxing State, once the news leaks, it will certainly cause many troubles!¡± Lu Zhen said slowly. Shen Shan shook his head: ¡°Things have come to this, why would the Emperor Venerate fear so-called troubles, a blood sacrifice of billions of lives to help you and I tread the path to the heavens is their lifelong honor. Moreover, the Human Clan is already at its end, even if the Ancient Great Emperor was reborn, it would be hard to truly change the situation. Although the Emperor Venerate is pledging allegiance to the Netherworld Immortal Court, he is essentially still part of the Human Clan, and this can be seen as a way to leave behind a bloodline inheritance, which counts as boundless merit!¡± These words. Made Lu Zhen¡¯s eyes turn fierce, and he immediately made a decision. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ issued a proclamation to condemn the Star Dynasty, causing various forces in the Eastern Domain to respond, elevating the reputation of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has silently cultivated, successfully breaking through the second layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was ordered to lead the army of Taixu Sacred Land to raid the Star Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by Evil Spirit *6961!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was attacked by Evil Spirit *1369!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ slayed Evil Spirit *886!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ slayed Evil Spirit *2691!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ has slain numerous Evil Spirits, significantly raising the reputation of the Taixu Nine Sons, with powerful Evil Spirits secretly attempting to obliterate him!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ utilized his trump card to severely wound the secretly attacking Evil Spirit!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... Gu Qingfeng steadied the Demon Suppression Immortal City, and could glean the intelligence from the Eastern Domain just from the attribute panel. Gu Qingfeng was not surprised by Gu Yang¡¯s issuance of the proclamation. What truly shocked him was that Gu Yang had actually successfully cultivated the second layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. By now. Gu Qingfeng was extremely certain. The origin of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture is absolutely extraordinary. At least. Even the Ancient Divine King Scripture left by the Chaotic Ancient Divine King, and the Abyss Scripture left by the Black Abyss Emperor, are not as profound as the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. The former two Imperial Scriptures had some insights and mysteries that Gu Qingfeng could see, but in comparison, the Heavenly Vein True Scripture was completely enigmatic, with true intent of the Great Tao that he at his current stage simply cannot comprehend. Gu Qingfeng suspected that the origin of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture might be akin to the Deceit God Banner and not something that should exist in the Ancient Desolate World. Or in other words. It is not a product of this Corner of the Chaotic Universe. The greater possibility. Is that it comes from the so-called Immortal Realm. The Deceit God Banner aside, Gu Qingfeng used the attribute panel to elevate the Heavenly Vein True Scripture to the third layer, which was enough to understand the power of such a Cultivation Technique. If someone were truly able to condense the Nine Great Heavenly Veins, even a Saint King would not fear a Great Emperor. If a Great Emperor mastered the Nine-layered Heavenly Veins Scripture, condensing the Nine Great Heavenly Veins, it¡¯s even possible to rival the immortals spoken of in legends. Even now. With the power of the Three Great Heavenly Veins, Gu Qingfeng can truly not fear a Quasi Emperor-level powerhouse. This. Is merely with the condensation of three Heavenly Veins. If truly condensed nine Heavenly Veins, Gu Qingfeng believes that in that past battle, the Hanhai Demon Emperor would certainly not have left alive. Chapter 539: 350 Ancient Divine King Body_2 Chapter 539: Chapter 350 Ancient Divine King Body_2 In the past, when cultivation was weak, the importance of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture hadn¡¯t truly manifested. But as cultivation progresses, each slight change in strength becomes quite noticeable to a cultivator. At this moment. The importance of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture is fully highlighted. Precisely because the Heavenly Vein True Scripture¡¯s origin is extraordinary, the difficulty of cultivating this technique is extremely high. Gu Yang being able to cultivate the Heavenly Vein True Scripture to the second layer is enough to show his comprehension has reached an astonishing level. ¡°With Gu Yang¡¯s Semi-Saint Realm power, if he could condense two more Heavenly Veins, then even if a Saint comes to the world, he could wrestle them!¡± ¡°If he can condense the Nine Great Heavenly Veins, slaughtering Saints with Semi-Saint cultivation would also be an easy task.¡± But in reality, Gu Qingfeng was only daydreaming about this. It¡¯s a joke. To condense Nine Great Heavenly Veins. Even with god-like comprehension, achieving this without a long duration of accumulated effort is nearly impossible. Gu Qingfeng doesn¡¯t deny Gu Yang¡¯s comprehension, but to say he truly wants to condense Nine Great Heavenly Veins isn¡¯t that simple. ¡°Hmm...¡± At this moment, Gu Qingfeng looks at his own attribute panel, only to see the previously static upgrade points suddenly leap, breaking through the ten thousand barrier. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ comprehends sword truths, successfully opening up Dantian Primordial Spirit, cultivation breakthrough to the First Layer of Dao Palace Realm!¡± ¡°Reward points *500!¡± ... ¡°Shengnan broke through!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes flicker, a smile instantly appearing on his face. Gu Shengnan breaking through the First Layer of Dao Palace Realm brought five hundred upgrade points, precisely allowing the accumulated points to breach the ten thousand threshold. This breakthrough. It just helps Gu Qingfeng gather enough upgrade points to ascend to the Saint King Realm. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng doesn¡¯t hesitate, immediately leaving Demon Suppression Immortal City, heading into Chaos Void. Upon leaving the scope of the Ancient Desolate World, Gu Qingfeng, in a thought, allows the Abyss Scripture to break through from the Ninth Layer of the Great Saint Chapter to the First Layer of the Saint King Chapter in one go. As the Abyss Scripture breaks the barriers of the Great Saint Chapter and enters the Saint King Chapter, an unprecedented powerful force suddenly nurtures and births within Gu Qingfeng¡¯s body. Immediately afterward. Gu Qingfeng feels akin to breaking a certain shackle, his stagnant cultivation and strength soaring at an astonishing speed. Simultaneously. In Chaos Void. Instantly terrifying tribulation clouds coalesce. The majestic heavenly tribulation causes the entire void to quake incessantly. ¡°Saint King Tribulation!¡± Gu Qingfeng gazes upwards into the void, eyes not showing fear facing the heavenly tribulation, but intense battle spirit instead. This is a tribulation all Great Saints must truly face when moving towards Saint King. Only by overcoming the heavenly tribulation can one break through to the Saint King Realm. Meanwhile. The more profound the foundation of the cultivator, the stronger the heavenly tribulation faced. Of course. Under such circumstances, the benefits gained upon breakthrough are also greater. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s foundation is beyond words, hence the Saint King Tribulation faced is the most powerful heavenly tribulation. Tribulation clouds vibrate, terrifying thunderbolts, thick as a hundred feet, strike fiercely from the void, dazzling lightning illuminating the vast void like daylight, heaven-destroying earth-exterminating thunder tribulation aura permeating all directions, annihilating the void inch by inch. This strike. Not to mention Great Saint Nine Layers Heaven, even some newly ascended Saint Kings find it hard to truly withstand. If one forcibly receives it. In an instant, they might perish. However. Gu Qingfeng is different from other cultivators. Even against such a powerful heavenly tribulation, Gu Qingfeng remains unperturbed, even without trying to block, allowing the heavenly tribulation to strike fiercely, the dreadful power entering his body. In that moment. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s physical body blood and energy boil violently, arcs of lightning flicker, making him as eye-catching as a Deity of Nine Heavens. ¡°Refine!!¡± Gu Qingfeng takes a deep breath, instantly refining the power of the thunder tribulation according to the Ancient Divine King Scripture, integrating it into his physical body. The Ancient Divine King Scripture is divided into two parts, one for cultivation, the other for the physical body. If truly perfected, one could cultivate the Great Success of the Ancient Divine King Body, the physical body would be comparable to Imperial Weapons, nearly unmatched at the same level. Currently. Under Heaven and Earth End Times. With the Heavenly Dao¡¯s suppression, no matter how extraordinary the cultivator¡¯s aptitude, it¡¯s impossible to break the Heavenly Dao¡¯s shackles and let cultivation surpass Semi-Saint Realm. But the physical body is different. With sufficient resources and aptitude, the physical body can be forcibly forged upward. The two chapters of the Ancient Divine King Scripture complement each other; if only one trains the physical body without cultivating the other, the former achieves half the results with double the effort, making true cultivation completion exceptionally difficult. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng now aims to use the heavenly tribulation¡¯s power to cultivate the Ancient Divine King Scripture¡¯s physical body chapter, initially condensing the Ancient Divine King Body. Such a Divine Body isn¡¯t the Innate Divine Body naturally birthed by the Heavenly Dao and doesn¡¯t alter the cultivator¡¯s inherent qualities. The role of the Ancient Divine King Body is singular. That is strength! Exceptional combat prowess! ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!!¡± The thunder tribulation continuously strikes, causing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s physical body skin to crack, golden blood flowing within the wounds, carrying radiant luster. Immediately. Gu Qingfeng channels the power of the Ancient Divine King Scripture, causing subtle waves to appear, continuously healing his wounds. Destruction! Recovery! Destruction! Recovery! ... Each time the thunder tribulation falls, seemingly destroying Gu Qingfeng¡¯s physical body, most of the power is actually being refined for his own use. Up to now. Gu Qingfeng clearly senses his physical body strength transforming bit by bit. No one knows how much time has passed. When the last heavenly tribulation descends, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s aura surges, his eyes radiating divine light, seemingly like Sun and Moon in the Sky; a mere glare emits divine rays piercing endless void, lingering for a long time. Afterwards. Gu Qingfeng throws a punch, instantly shattering the void, spaces spanning a million miles turn to dust under this punch, the massive force turning the vast void into turbulent currents. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng pulls out the Evil Slayer Blade, gently slices his left arm. Gu Qingfeng feels slight resistance before seeing his skin split open, and before the blood flows, the wound heals as if untouched. ¡°The Ancient Divine King Body truly lives up to its name; although it can¡¯t fully withstand the power of Imperial Weapons, it¡¯s far stronger than before!¡± Gu Qingfeng is very satisfied with this result. Do not be deceived into thinking the Evil Slayer Blade effortlessly broke his physical defense. But one thing is clear. The Evil Slayer Blade is now an Imperial Weapon. In today¡¯s universe, such Divine Weapon ranks among the most supreme existences. Peak Imperial Weapons, even feared by those in the Emperor Realm. Even many Ancient Great Emperors can¡¯t truly rely solely on their physical bodies to withstand the sharpness of Imperial Weapons. The slight resistance when Gu Qingfeng¡¯s skin was sliced actually already indicates his physical strength has reached a certain level, surpassing his peers by a wide margin. Then. Gu Qingfeng activates the power of the Ancient Divine King Body, a heavy aura emanating from him, terrifying blood aura dispersing into the void, forming a powerful and dreadful silhouette. Such power, compared to his pre-Saint King Realm self, is far more than just doubled in strength. ¡°Condense the Divine King silhouette!¡± ¡°This marks the Small Success of the Ancient Divine King Body!¡± ¡°And according to the Ancient Divine King Scripture, if the Ancient Divine King Body reaches Small Success, the physical strength matches Quasi-Imperial Weapons, ranking among the strong even within the Quasi-Emperor Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face lights up with a smile. Simply reaching Small Success of the Ancient Divine King Body grants him power not lesser than a Quasi Emperor; factoring in his breakthrough cultivation and other ace cards, his strength has ascended to a considerably fearsome level. ¡°` Chapter 540: 351: Chaotic Divine Phenomenon Chapter 540: Chapter 351: Chaotic Divine Phenomenon Before breaking through the Saint King Realm. If Gu Qingfeng doesn¡¯t utilize the power of the Three Great Heavenly Veins and other trump cards, his true strength should be around the seventh or eighth layer of the Saint King Realm. But now, having one breakthrough in the Saint King Realm, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength soared to the Half-step Quasi-Emperor Realm. Originally. Gu Qingfeng thought. With his cultivation breakthrough, his strength could rival that of a true Quasi Emperor. But now, looking at the Quasi-Emperor Realm, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s breakthrough in cultivation still falls short by a margin. From this, it¡¯s also clear. After the Saint King, the gap between each level is considerable. However. Now cultivating the Ancient Divine King Body, it allows Gu Qingfeng¡¯s physical body to rival a Quasi-Imperial Weapon, giving him the real power to contend with a Quasi Emperor. If he uses the power of the Heavenly Vein, then even without using an Imperial Weapon, Gu Qingfeng can wrestle with a peak Quasi Emperor. If he further employs an Imperial Weapon. Gu Qingfeng believes. Below the Great Emperor. There should be very few who can threaten him. No¡ª Not entirely like this. If there are strong individuals in the Quasi-Emperor Realm wielding Imperial Weapons, they can still pose a threat to him. After all, the Heavenly Vein True Scripture is ultimately an external force, not a sustainable method. However. Now with the cultivation of the Ancient Divine King Body, Gu Qingfeng finds the pressure of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture significantly reduced. The usage time of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture is greatly related to the cultivator¡¯s physical body; only a sufficiently strong body can withstand the sudden surge of power. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng glanced at his attribute panel. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 121/9000 Realm: Saint King Realm First Layer Martial arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (third layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Perfect), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Perfect), Nine Heavens Scripture (Great Saint Chapter First Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfect), Nine Yang Tao Scripture (Perfect), Ten Thousand Spirit Taoist Scripture (Perfect), Abyss Scripture (Saint King Chapter First Layer), Ancient Divine King Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer) (slightly) Upgrade Points: 200 ... Although Gu Qingfeng has cultivated the Ancient Divine King Body to the Small Success stage this time, it is ultimately just a part of the Ancient Divine King Scripture, so in the attribute panel, the Ancient Divine King Scripture is still at the Dao Palace Chapter level. As for the Abyss Scripture. No need to say much. Gu Qingfeng has naturally cultivated it to the Saint King Chapter level. Other cultivation techniques and divine skills are basically stepping into the Perfection level. After all, with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current cultivation and insight, many divine skills are nothing in his eyes, and achieving Perfection is not much of a challenge. To be frank. These divine skills no longer hold much significance for Gu Qingfeng. The only use. It¡¯s probably as material for future fusion. But so far. Gu Qingfeng has no intention to fuse yet. After all, to fuse, there must be sufficient cultivation techniques and divine skills as material, and ample upgrade points. To break through the Saint King Realm, Gu Qingfeng has used up the foundation accumulated over these years. In the following long period, seeking another breakthrough won¡¯t be as easy. Each breakthrough in the Great Saint Realm requires only five thousand upgrade points, but entering the Saint King Realm, each enhancement requires ten thousand upgrade points. Even with the current number of Gu Family juniors, collecting enough is a time-consuming task for Gu Qingfeng. And then. There¡¯s the aspect of lifespan. A Saint King can live a thousand years longer than a Great Saint. So. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s lifespan now is exactly nine thousand years. With further breakthroughs, reaching the threshold of ten thousand years is quite easy. ¡°Quasi Emperor ten thousand years!¡± ¡°Great Emperor twelve thousand years!¡± ¡°These are the limits every cultivator can reach; to continue living, either self-sleeping like other Great Emperors within forbidden ancient sites, which isn¡¯t much different from being dead. Or stepping into the Immortal Realm to seek the path of immortality!¡± ¡°Back then, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty attempted such a method, but unfortunately, they failed¡ª¡± Looking at his attribute panel, Gu Qingfeng sees that currently, lifespan is merely a number to him. So far, he¡¯s just slightly over a hundred years old, and a lifespan of nine thousand years is quite lengthy. If further advanced, breaking through to ten thousand years or even twelve thousand, time would be even more ample. In the past life. A few thousand years could witness the vast changes of seas turning into land, the rise and fall of empires, the shifts of time. Therefore. This span of time is no trivial matter. However. If really reaching the point where lifespan dwindles, there would inevitably be a sense of crisis. ¡°The affairs of the Immortal Realm aren¡¯t for now to consider; I am merely at the Saint King Realm. Until one day, after reaching the peak of the Great Emperor, it will be the time for other preparations!¡± ¡°The Taiyi Divine Dynasty failed; it doesn¡¯t mean I will fail as well!¡± ¡°If at the peak of the Great Emperor, combined with the power of the Nine Great Heavenly Veins, at that time, what extent could my strength breakthrough to, and whether I could break the stalemate of the Ancient Times!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze subtly moved, even just imagining it stirred some excitement within him. Nine Great Heavenly Veins! Peak of the Great Emperor! If these two appear simultaneously, the unleashed power must surely be unimaginable. Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to return to the Ancient Desolate World, suddenly, a violent disturbance arose in the depths of the starry sky, as if terrifying forces were stirring the chaos, an extremely violent aura had already surged in. Chapter 541: 351: Chaotic Divine Phenomenon_2 Chapter 541: Chapter 351: Chaotic Divine Phenomenon_2 ¡°Roar!¡± An earth-shattering roar echoed, a ferocious aura shattering the void. A Chaotic Beast, as large as a mountain and resembling a giant elephant, suddenly appeared, trampling everything under its four hooves, charging directly at Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Chaotic Divine Phenomenon!¡± The name of the fierce beast surfaced in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mind. Chaotic Divine Phenomenon! A powerful beast born from chaos, possessing boundless strength, naturally comparable to a Saint at birth, able to break through to the Saint King Realm upon maturity, not much inferior to the legendary Phoenix True Dragon. More importantly, the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon is known for its brute strength. A mature one can suppress even a Saint King Peak with sheer power alone. Without a doubt. This Chaotic Divine Phenomenon before him was already a mature entity. Such an extremely savage aura, if it were any other newly ascended Saint King, they would definitely be unable to withstand it. After all, the reason Chaotic Beasts are known as such is due to their terrifying physical forms, making it almost impossible for human cultivators of the same level to be their match. However. Gu Qingfeng was not an ordinary newly ascended Saint King. He looked at the attacking Chaotic Divine Phenomenon, divine light bursting from his eyes, and a terrifying blood and energy force shook the air, emanating from his body an aura even more dreadful than the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon. ¡°Just in time, I¡¯ll use you to test the power of my Small Success Ancient Divine King Body!!¡± Gu Qingfeng let out a long howl, his right fist suddenly blasting forward. The collision of two terrifying forces caused the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon to let out a mournful cry, with its turbulent eyes, comparable to stars, reflecting a newfound, humanoid-like incredulity. The next moment. Boom¡ª¡ª The Chaotic Divine Phenomenon¡¯s body, as massive as a mountain, was sent flying, smashing through countless layers of the Chaotic Starry Sky. ¡°Hiss!!¡± The eyes of the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon revealed a look of terror, as if it hadn¡¯t anticipated the sheer strength of Gu Qingfeng. It had come here, drawn by the powerful aura of a living creature, with the intent to engulf it. The result. Was encountering someone tenacious like Gu Qingfeng. Despite the bloodthirsty and violent nature of Chaotic Beasts, they weren¡¯t brainless. Knowing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s formidable power, it naturally wouldn¡¯t choose to stay. Yet¡ª¡ª The Chaotic Divine Phenomenon wanted to escape, but would Gu Qingfeng give it the chance? A Chaotic Beast is a treasure trove, and slaying it would yield unimaginable benefits. Thus. Seeing the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon try to flee, Gu Qingfeng immediately unleashed his full power, his Ancient Divine King Body suppressing the void. A majestic shadow stood proudly in chaos, with a mere raise of his hand, the starry sky toppled, and the universe collapsed and crumbled. ¡°Since you¡¯ve come, why leave!¡± ¡°With your Chaotic Beast¡¯s flesh and blood, it will undoubtedly forge an ultimate foundation for the Gu Family¡¯s sons!!¡± Gu Qingfeng laughed heartily, waves of terrifying power surging from him, giving the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon no moment of respite. Boom! Rumble!! In the Chaotic Starry Sky, a vast space spanning a million miles shattered, with the mature Chaotic Divine Phenomenon letting out a mournful cry. Its incredibly formidable body ruptured, and its scales were already tattered. It is unknown how much time passed. The Chaotic Divine Phenomenon¡¯s struggles gradually weakened until, as Gu Qingfeng delivered another punch, the massive chaotic beast finally ceased all motion. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng summoned the Divine Emperor Tripod, directly storing the body of the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon within. As a Great Saint Weapon, the Divine Emperor Tripod naturally held its own cosmos inside, making it effortless to accommodate even the largest of Chaotic Beasts. Having done this, Gu Qingfeng then turned and departed. Simultaneously. Amidst the vast Chaotic Starry Sky, a black coffin gently floated, covered with the profound divine rhythm of the Great Tao, as if sealing something within. ¡°Just after passing the Saint King Tribulation, he could physically slay a mature Chaotic Divine Phenomenon. It seems the Human Clan has produced a peerless figure again!¡± The black coffin slightly trembled, and a deep voice emerged, causing the surrounding void to twist and shatter violently, but the voice soon fell silent. All the anomalies disappeared without a trace. Only the black coffin continued to float quietly in the Chaotic Starry Sky, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. ¡ª¡ª Elsewhere. Gu Qingfeng had already returned to Demon Suppression Immortal City. He looked towards the direction of the Chaotic Starry Sky, his expression becoming much more solemn. ¡°It appears there are indeed many secrets hidden within the chaos...¡± During his battle with the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon, Gu Qingfeng had already noticed a vague, intermittent probing. However, that probing force was extremely subtle and obscure, no matter how Gu Qingfeng tried, he couldn¡¯t precisely grasp it. This was why, after slaying the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon, Gu Qingfeng left so decisively. A mysterious presence of unclear true strength lurking in the shadows, Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t be entirely unconcerned. Such unclear cultivations are most worthy of caution. Thus. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s retreat was decisive. Gu Qingfeng also did not want to engage with such unclear powers. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s Divine Thought expanded, effortlessly covering the entire Demon Suppression Immortal City. Currently, the city housed five to six million cultivators, mainly military soldiers and those from the Demon Suppression Army. Beyond that. There were no other cultivators present. Soon. Gu Qingfeng arrived at a location within the city, proceeding to carve out a massive pit in the ground. Then. He took out the Divine Emperor Tripod, and the colossal corpse of the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon suddenly appeared, falling to the ground with a thud, causing the earth to hum, as if a terrestrial dragon turned over. Simultaneously. The fearsome aura belonging to the Chaotic Beast spread, causing all the cultivators in the city to be alarmed, as they felt the presence of a terrifying entity within that aura. At the same time. Jiang Nanfeng and the other military leaders arrived upon hearing the news. Upon witnessing the massive corpse of the Chaotic Beast, comparable to a mountain, their eyes were filled with shock, especially with the aura that emanated from the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon, causing them to feel unable to move even half a step closer. The dead tiger¡¯s might still lingers! As a Chaotic Beast comparable to the Saint King Realm, even in death, the remaining astounding aura would deter anyone below a Saint¡¯s level. ¡°May I ask, Supreme Emperor, what sort of beast¡¯s corpse is this!!¡± Jiang Nanfeng swallowed hard, then turned to Gu Qingfeng beside him, asking with a face full of reverence. Undoubtedly. The powerful beast before him was certainly related to Gu Qingfeng. Only someone of his caliber could slay such a formidable beast. Ever since breaking through to the Third Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm, Jiang Nanfeng had confidence in his abilities, considering himself formidable even within the entire Ancient Desolate World. In the current End of Dharma Era, even with the revival of some ancient beings, they were still very few in number. But now. The aura from a single beast made it difficult for him to move, leaving Jiang Nanfeng feeling small and insignificant. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°This is no ordinary beast, but a Chaotic Beast, known as the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon, born as a Saint and upon maturity comparable to the Saint King Realm!¡± ¡°Born as a Saint, upon maturity comparable to a Saint King!!!¡± As these words left his mouth, not only did Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s face fill with shock, but the expressions of the other military leaders also changed dramatically. Chaotic Beast! Which means, the beast before them was a terrifying presence comparable to the Saint King Realm. No wonder. The sheer aura alone made it impossible for them to approach any closer. A Saint King Realm beast, even in death, its lingering aura was not to be underestimated. However. What shocked them even more was that such a powerful beast had been directly slain by Gu Qingfeng. Though they had long heard of the Supreme Emperor¡¯s might. But. Hearing is one thing. Witnessing such an astounding feat is another. Afterward. Everyone¡¯s gaze towards the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon became much more fervent. A Saint King Realm Chaotic Beast is truly a treasure trove! Chapter 542: 352 Rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau Chapter 542: Chapter 352 Rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau Gu Qingfeng did not speak much to Jiang Nanfeng and others, but directly extracted all the blood from the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon under everyone¡¯s gaze, and poured it into the deep pit. It only took a moment. The original deep pit turned into a blood-colored lake. However, everyone understood that the blood-colored lake was not ordinary lake water, but the blood of a Saint King Realm Chaotic Beast. Fierce Beasts of this level, even a single drop of blood, could crush a mountain, deemed extremely terrifying. The preciousness of this blood lake from the Chaotic Beast needs no further words. Thereafter. Gu Qingfeng further disintegrated the Chaotic Beast¡¯s flesh, and collected the inner core nurtured within its body, storing it in the Divine Emperor Tripod. After completely disintegrating all the flesh and blood of the Chaotic Beast, Gu Qingfeng looked at Jiang Nanfeng and the others beside him, speaking. ¡°From today, any Imperial guards below Divine Transformation Realm who slay ten Demons of the same realm will be rewarded with a drop of diluted Chaotic Beast blood. If Divine Transformation Realm guards slay ten Demons of the same realm, they will receive one or two pieces of Chaotic Beast flesh, and Tiaoist Palace Realm guards will get one pound of Chaotic Beast flesh for the same feat!¡± Upon hearing these words. Everyone¡¯s faces changed dramatically, their eyes filled with excitement. Chaotic Beast blood! Chaotic Beast flesh! Such items involve top-level Fierce Beasts of the Saint King Realm, and are nothing less than Supreme Treasures. Now Gu Qingfeng openly provides such treasures as rewards, naturally surprising and delighting them greatly. ¡°We thank the Supreme Emperor!¡± Jiang Nanfeng and others promptly showed their respect, while Gu Qingfeng waved his hand. ¡°Dismissed.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Jiang Nanfeng and others bowed and exited. Gu Qingfeng acted swiftly because the soldiers in the Demon Suppression Immortal City had considerable merits, despite the presence of the Deceit God, the battlefield remained perilous. Now, as Divine Martial soldiers charged into battle, Gu Qingfeng was naturally generous with rewards. The Saint King Realm Chaotic Beast was precious to other forces, but to Gu Qingfeng it was a mere trifle. Given the corpse of the Chaotic Phenomenon was as vast as a mountain, its flesh weighed far more than a million pounds; even with generous rewards, it could last for quite a while. ¡°Even if the Chaotic Beast¡¯s blood and flesh run out, it wouldn¡¯t matter, I¡¯ll just journey into chaos once again.¡± Having broken through to the Saint King Realm and achieved Small Success in the Ancient Divine King Body, Gu Qingfeng was absolutely confident, positioned well to traverse the Chaotic Starry Sky. As long as he didn¡¯t directly face a Great Emperor level existence, Gu Qingfeng had the confidence to fight. Even when facing a Great Emperor, although he may not be an opponent, he would still likely escape unharmed. Furthermore. Great Emperors are rare. Even if the Chaotic Starry Sky holds true secrets, the existence of a Great Emperor remains uncertain. Even if there is indeed one, their numbers would likely be extremely scarce. Looking at the lake formed from the Chaotic Beast blood in front, Gu Qingfeng further employed methods to create several small lakes, diverting parts of the Chaotic Beast blood into them. Next. He began the dilution process. After all, the blood of a Saint King Realm Chaotic Beast was not something anyone could withstand. If a Tiaoist Palace Realm cultivator were thrown into it, they wouldn¡¯t await a surge in cultivation but rather an immediate death by explosion. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng naturally had to dilute it a bit. However. The concentration of each small lake differed. Some were diluted ten times, others fifty times, and some were even diluted directly a hundred times. As Gu Qingfeng mentioned earlier, Divine Transformation Realm and below slaying ten Demons would be rewarded with a drop of diluted Chaotic Beast blood, based on the hundred times dilution standard. Only such diluted Chaotic Beast blood could barely allow those below the Divine Transformation Realm to absorb and refine it; if the concentration were any higher, it would be unbearable. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Chaotic Beast!¡± Within the Imperial Palace, Gu Yang looked at the message sent by his subordinates, his expression momentarily in shock. This message was not discovered by his subordinates, but sent by Gu Qingfeng through others. Soon. Gu Yang reacted, his face immediately showing joy. ¡°Father has slain a mature Chaotic Phenomenon, rumored to be comparable to a top Fierce Beast of the Saint King Realm. Such a beast was a treasure itself, a dynastic opportunity for our Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± The message Gu Qingfeng sent indicated he wanted a batch of Gu Family descendants to go to the Demon Suppression Immortal City to temper their bodies with Chaotic Beast blood. Simultaneously. In the court, some who have rendered meritorious service could also receive it as reward. As for what level of merit was needed to receive such an opportunity, it was entirely up to Gu Yang. Gu Yang understood clearly. This was the authority given to him by Gu Qingfeng. In addition. With the news of Chaotic Beast flesh appearing in the Demon Suppression Immortal City, Gu Yang believed once it spread, many other cultivators would autonomously head there. After all, given the current news ¡ª anyone fighting on the battlefield in the Demon Suppression Immortal City who slays the corresponding number of Demons can obtain rewards regarding Chaotic Beast flesh. The flesh of beasts at this level is an irresistible temptation for other cultivators. Thus. The pressure on the Divine Martial Dynasty could sharply decrease. As long as other Eastern Domain cultivators entered the Demon Suppression Immortal City, the pressure on the Divine Martial Dynasty regarding Demons wouldn¡¯t be as great. Moreover. With other cultivators sharing the burden, casualties could also significantly reduce. Just as Gu Yang expected, once the opportunity within the Demon Suppression Immortal City spread, cultivators across the Eastern Domain were in uproar; many powerful figures from sects and families couldn¡¯t hold back and headed to Demon Suppression Immortal City. Chapter 543: 352 Rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau_2 Chapter 543: Chapter 352 Rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau_2 Even. Some reclusive experts are now beginning to find it hard to sit still. No choice. The words ¡°Chaotic Beast¡± alone are enough to be enticing. And when you add the prefix of a ¡°Saint King Realm¡± to a Chaotic Beast, it becomes even more extraordinary. Many cultivators who are stuck at a cultivation bottleneck are now eager to obtain a piece of Chaotic Beast¡¯s flesh to help themselves break through to higher realms. After all, the flesh of such a level of fierce beast, even a small piece, is comparable to Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Not to mention. According to the messages received. If enough merit is established, one might even have the hope of entering the Blood Pool to cultivate. The so-called Blood Pool is a lake formed by the convergence of the blood of Chaotic Beasts. In an instant. A large number of cultivators headed toward the Demon Suppression Immortal City. At the same time. Jiang Nanfeng also came to report. ¡°Reporting to the Supreme Emperor, these days a large number of cultivators have come to the Demon Suppression Immortal City. What should we do next? Please instruct, Supreme Emperor!¡± ¡°For the time being, all these external cultivators should be organized together, and as for the rules and order aspects, they will be handled and maintained by your Demon Suppression Army. Moreover, the buying and selling of many houses within the Demon Suppression Immortal City can proceed gradually. If this goes on for long, the Demon Suppression Immortal City will not merely be a simple empty city but will gradually become prosperous and flourishing!¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly. With just a sweep of his Divine Thought, he could grasp the entire scene of the Demon Suppression Immortal City. In just a few days. There are already hundreds of thousands of external cultivators present. With this situation, Gu Qingfeng naturally had some ideas in mind. Previously, besides soldiers, there were no other external cultivators in the Demon Suppression Immortal City. The large city was simplistic and vacant, with all supplies transported from the capital. But if the Demon Suppression Immortal City were built into a grand and magnificent city, many resources would be able to circulate among each other, making it much more convenient for soldiers to receive supplies. Furthermore. If the Demon Suppression Immortal City were open, it could provide continuous benefits to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Do not underestimate the benefits brought in by one city of cultivators. Even charging a single Lower Grade Divine Blood Stone upon entering the city, if the numbers are vast, they become a staggering figure. Of course¡ª As of now, it is naturally impossible for the Demon Suppression Immortal City to collect entry fees, but if cultivators in the city require a place to reside or various cultivation resources, as long as there is a demand, profits will naturally arise. However, Gu Qingfeng was disinclined to waste time meddling in such matters and instead left it all for Jiang Nanfeng to handle. As the commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau, he did possess some capability. Indeed. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thinking was not wrong. Jiang Nanfeng was indeed quite capable and quickly came up with a solution. However. The Demon Suppression Army is also facing a problem: with the increase in the number of cultivators, there are inevitably some mixed with good and bad, and some unruly cultivators even openly defy the rules set by the Demon Suppression Bureau, refusing its governance. If they were of average power, it could be overlooked, but some top-tier Tiaoist Palace Realm experts even caused Jiang Nanfeng quite a headache. ¡°Hmph, I came to the Demon Suppression Immortal City to help your Divine Martial Dynasty suppress demons, and now you charge for accommodations. Do you really think it¡¯s easy to bully me? Today I¡¯ll stay here, what can you do about it!¡± A middle-aged cultivator with a rough face and a defiant, violent demeanor sneered arrogantly, not taking the members of the Demon Suppression Bureau seriously. As the commander, Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s expression was also gloomy. ¡°This is the rule of our Demon Suppression Bureau...¡± ¡°What does your bureau¡¯s rule have to do with me? I¡¯m not one of your bureau¡¯s people!¡± The middle-aged cultivator said mockingly. Seeing this. Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s face became increasingly difficult to look at. With numerous cultivators observing, if the Demon Suppression Bureau could not resolve this issue, its prestige would surely decline greatly. But the problem was. The middle-aged cultivator in front was a top-tier Tiaoist Palace Realm expert at the Nine Layer level, with quite formidable power, and it was naturally impossible to use large-scale lethal weapons in the city. However, therefore, genuinely suppressing the opponent was not so easy. But just at this moment. A terrifying pressure swept across the entire Demon Suppression Immortal City, and many cultivators¡¯ faces drastically changed when they sensed this aura. The middle-aged cultivator who had an arrogant expression on his face now also showed a look of fear. Before the opponent could truly speak, his body suddenly exploded, as if crushed by an invisible hand. This scene. Made the rest of the cultivators¡¯ hearts tremble. At this moment. A majestic voice exploded in their ears. ¡°From today onwards, the rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau are my rules. If you do not wish to comply, then leave the Demon Suppression Immortal City. If you choose to stay, you must comply. If there is the slightest breach, this person will be your fate!¡± With this word. That might retreated like a tide. Only then did all the cultivators realize that their backs were already soaked in sweat, with fear still lingering on their faces. ¡°The one who just acted was probably the Gu Family Master!¡± ¡°Such an aura, truly terrifying...¡± Only now did the cultivators suddenly remember that the real deterrent power within the Demon Suppression Immortal City had never been the so-called Demon Suppression Bureau but rather the Gu Family Master who has never shown his face, now the Supreme Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Although the number of times he has acted is few, the number of cultivators who have fallen by his hand is countless. The fact that he didn¡¯t show his face and only relied on his aura to directly eliminate a famous Ninth-layer Tiaoist Palace Realm cultivator, made these cultivators truly hold him in awe. Recalling that terrifying pressure just now, they still felt greatly unsettled. In the face of such heavenly might, even a Semi-Saint was no different from an ant. If there has to be any difference, perhaps a Semi-Saint is just slightly a bigger ant. At this moment. The members of the Demon Suppression Bureau all straightened their backs, as Jiang Nanfeng surveyed the surroundings with a cold expression. ¡°You must have all heard the words of the Supreme Emperor. Moving forward, I hope that you can abide by the rules of our Demon Suppression Bureau. Otherwise not only yourselves, even the forces behind you may not withstand the wrath of that individual!¡± ¡°Rest assured, Lord Jiang. Since I have come to the Demon Suppression Immortal City, I will naturally follow the rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau!¡± Once Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s words fell, a Semi-Saint cultivator immediately chimed in with a fawning smile and a face full of flattery. Though Jiang Nanfeng was merely a Tiaoist Palace Realm expert of the Third Layer, the presence of Gu Qingfeng, such an unquestionable powerhouse behind him, made them fear to offend him. A third-rank official under the Prime Minister¡¯s gate. Don¡¯t say Jiang Nanfeng was a Third-layer Tiaoist Palace Realm; even if he were a mere mortal without the strength to truss a chicken, they dared not to offend him. Just as Jiang Nanfeng said. If they truly angered that person, not only themselves, even the forces behind them would find it difficult to bear the wrath. At that time. They would have died in vain. As a result. Naturally, no one was willing to challenge the rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau with their lives. Seeing this. Jiang Nanfeng was quite satisfied in his heart, all the more so filled with reverence and gratitude toward Gu Qingfeng. Had it not been for the deterrence shown by him, it certainly would not have been easy for the Demon Suppression Bureau to curb these cultivators. Now that these cultivators were being intimidated, future management would become much easier. Meanwhile, elsewhere. Inside the City Lord¡¯s Hall. Gu Qingfeng withdrew his Divine Thought perception. His strike to eliminate that cultivator served as a warning to set an example, thus establishing authority for the Demon Suppression Bureau. The sheer number of cultivators entering the Demon Suppression Immortal City this time made a certain number of troublemakers inevitable. Dealing with these troublesome cultivators required the simplest and most straightforward method. The current changes also showed that Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thoughts were not incorrect. Directly killing a cultivator from afar, using blood to teach them a lesson, was enough to make these cultivators dare not to challenge the rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau again. Chapter 544: 353: The Pinnacle Genius of the Gu Familys 4th Generation Chapter 544: Chapter 353: The Pinnacle Genius of the Gu Family¡¯s 4th Generation ¡°Greetings, Father!¡± In the City Lord¡¯s Hall, Gu Yang arrived in plain clothes, followed by other offspring of the Gu Family. ¡°Greetings, Grandpa!¡± ¡°Greetings, Great Grandpa!¡± ¡°Greetings, Ancestor¡ª¡± Everyone paid their respects reverently, and many of the younger generation felt somewhat anxious, as it was their first time meeting the legendary patriarch of their family. This group mostly consisted of the fourth generation of the Gu Family. Different from the fourth generation descendants. People like the third-generation Gu Yunfeng and Gu Yunyue, as well as second-generation Gu Sheng¡¯an and Gu Shengxing, were not too unfamiliar with Gu Qingfeng. Of course. Not all of the third-generation descendants were familiar with Gu Qingfeng. But from the third generation onward, Gu Qingfeng paid less attention to his descendants. This was unavoidable. The more descendants there were, the harder it became to pay full attention to all, unless an exceptionally talented prodigy emerged, which might catch Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attention. But unfortunately. So far, none of the younger members of the Gu Family had shown outstanding talent. Of course. This does not mean the Gu Family lacked prodigies. In fact. Many younger members of the Gu Family had decent talent; they just hadn¡¯t reached a level that astonished people. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng slightly nodded. He looked at the Gu Family descendants in front of him, numbering thirty to forty, both male and female. It can be said. Gu Yang brought over most of the people this time. ¡°We are all family, no need to be so restrained!¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly, and his smile seemed capable of infecting others, easing the previously serious atmosphere in the hall. Many younger members of the Gu Family also appeared a bit more relaxed. At this moment. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze fell upon them, each of the Gu Family descendants coming into view. Suddenly. Gu Qingfeng looked at one person and then asked, ¡°What is your name?¡± ¡°Junior Gu Fengchen, pays respect to the Ancestor!¡± The one speaking was a handsome young man, with a somewhat excited expression on his face, hastily bowing in response. The others looked at Gu Fengchen with eyes full of envy. To be asked one¡¯s name by the Ancestor was a great honor. At this moment. Gu Yang also spoke: ¡°Fengchen is Yunfeng¡¯s son, Sheng¡¯an¡¯s grandson!¡± ¡°Mm, you¡¯re quite good!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, and his gaze toward Gu Fengchen was filled with a bit of appreciation. Hearing this, Gu Yunfeng¡¯s expression became somewhat excited. After all, his own son gaining Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attention meant a promising future. Along with Gu Sheng¡¯an and Gu Yang, their attention toward Gu Fengchen increased. They were much like Gu Qingfeng; as their own descendants grew more numerous, their attention was no longer extensive. Especially Gu Yang, as the ruler of the Divine Martial Dynasty, he had more affairs to handle, making it impossible to cover everything. This time, it was Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words that prompted Gu Yang to bring all the available younger members of the Gu Family; only a few who could not come at the moment were left behind temporarily. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng led everyone to the location of the Blood Pool. Gu Qingfeng had already set numerous powerful prohibitions here, isolating this place completely from the outside world. From the outside, there appeared to be nothing unusual. But upon truly passing through the barrier, one could immediately feel that terrifying pressure like an abyss. ¡°This is the Blood Pool. As descendants of the Gu Family, you all may enter the Blood Pool to cultivate once. The First Tier Blood Pool is for cultivators below the Divine Transformation Realm, where the Chaotic Beast blood is diluted a hundred times!¡± ¡°The Second Tier Blood Pool is for those in the Divine Transformation Realm, with Chaotic Beast blood diluted fifty times!¡± ¡°The Third Tier Blood Pool requires cultivators of the Dao Palace Realm to enter, with Chaotic Beast blood diluted ten times!¡± ¡°As for the Fourth Tier Blood Pool, only those at least in the Saint Realm can enter because it is the actual Chaotic Beast blood, with no dilution. Anyone below the Saint Realm, or with insufficient foundation, will meet the single fate of exploding and dying on entering!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words were listened to intently by everyone, as they looked at the several blood pools before them, their faces filled with an emotion of excitement hard to contain. A Blood Pool formed from the blood of Chaotic Beasts! Even without actually entering, they could feel the terrifying energy contained within the Blood Pool. ¡°Remember, the opportunity to enter the Blood Pool is rare. Try to last as long as possible inside the Blood Pool!¡± Gu Qingfeng gave a reminder and then let everyone enter the Blood Pool. To this. Others naturally did not hesitate. Except for Gu Yang, everyone else entered different tiers of the Blood Pool. Gu Yang did not enter because he was now at the Peak of the Taoist Palace Realm, with one foot into the Saint Realm. If not for the Heavenly Dao¡¯s suppression, Gu Yang would have already become Saint. So. Under these circumstances. Even if Gu Yang entered the Blood Pool, there would be little opportunity for advancement. After all. The power of the Undying Divine Medicine had advanced his cultivation to the utmost limit. In this aspect. He was different from ordinary Semi-Saints. Other Semi-Saints, despite reaching this level, still had some room for improvement due to foundational issues, and even using the Blood Pool to temper themselves could add some confidence for future breakthroughs into the Saint Realm. At this moment. Gu Sheng¡¯an entered the Third Tier Blood Pool. As soon as he entered. A terrifyingly powerful energy erupted violently, pouring into his body at an incredible speed, causing his meridians to swell painfully, as though unable to withstand such energy and about to explode at any moment. Chapter 545: 353 Gu Familys Fourth Generations Outstanding Talent_2 Chapter 545: Chapter 353 Gu Family¡¯s Fourth Generation¡¯s Outstanding Talent_2 In such a scene. Gu Sheng¡¯an was greatly terrified, and he gained a clear understanding of the horror of the Third Tier Blood Pool. Immediately. Gu Sheng¡¯an dared not hesitate, and directly activated the cultivation technique he practiced, forcefully refining all the raging energy pouring into his flesh, then tempered his body, and polished his foundation. But this process was not easy, because the chaotic beast blood was wild and forceful, as if countless knives were slicing his flesh and blood, a pain that was difficult for ordinary people to bear. In fact. That was indeed the case. Many Gu Family juniors let out cries of pain as soon as they entered, instinctively wanting to rush out of the blood pool. However, when they saw others enduring the pain brought by the blood pool and noticed the figures of Gu Qingfeng and Gu Yang, they forcibly suppressed the urge to flee. Now, both elders were watching, and if they were the first to leave the blood pool, they would instantly lose the qualification to receive family nurturing and be marginalized at once. For their future¡¯s sake, they had to endure. Seeing the ferocious red faces of these Gu Family juniors, Gu Yang couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Father, how long can a normal cultivator sustain in the blood pool?¡± ¡°There is no definitive time to sustain, it depends entirely on one¡¯s willpower.¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head. Since the Blood Pool was opened for the first time in a true sense, no cultivator had entered before, so it¡¯s impossible to know how long a normal cultivator can persist inside. At this moment, Gu Yang looked towards Gu Fengchen in the First Tier Blood Pool. ¡°Father, do you think Fengchen has something different?¡± To be honest. Gu Yang didn¡¯t see anything unusual. Gu Fengchen, as a junior of the Gu Family¡¯s ¡°Feng¡± generation, with a cultivation at the Peak of Grandmaster, naturally would be quite good in the outside world. But within the Gu Family, it would be considered average. After all, the Gu Family was not like before, all offspring have sufficient resources for cultivation, Fengchen reaching the Peak of Grandmaster at this age could hardly be called exceptional, at most it was passable. But Gu Yang knew, since Gu Qingfeng had an interest in Gu Fengchen, it meant he must have some remarkable qualities. ¡°This child¡¯s foundation is not simple, it seems like the Peak of Grandmaster, but even an ordinary Divine Transformation Realm cultivator may not be his match. Moreover... I suspect he possesses a certain special physique, initially I couldn¡¯t be sure, but now seeing him enter the Blood Pool, it confirms this suspicion!¡± Gu Qingfeng said slowly. His words. Changed Gu Yang¡¯s expression. Special physique! Yet no matter how Gu Yang looked, he couldn¡¯t see any clue. Seeing his expression, Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly: ¡°You haven¡¯t entered the Saint Realm, not resonated with Heaven and Earth, naturally it¡¯s hard for you to see the clues. Once you enter the Saint Realm, you¡¯ll find this child can induce faint star power just through breathing. You must know, the stars reside high in the Nine Layers Heaven, it¡¯s not easy for ordinary people to induce star power.¡± ¡°But this child can resonate with the stars through breathing, causing their power to fall and temper himself. However, this star power is still weak, thus you¡¯re unable to detect it. This time, as he entered the Blood Pool to cultivate, perhaps he can utilize the chaotic beast blood to awaken the special physique!¡¯ ¡°If my Gu Family can produce another divine body, the foundation will progress further!¡± Upon hearing. Gu Yang naturally understood what Gu Qingfeng meant. A divine body! The significance it brings is certainly extraordinary. To date. The Gu Family has two divine bodies. The first one is Gu Xuan¡¯s Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, the second is Gu Xiu¡¯s Undying Divine Body, the latter was known through Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words. Gu Yang didn¡¯t know much about Gu Xiu¡¯s situation, but Gu Xuan, the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, has been one of the Taixu Nine Sons years earlier, a renowned prodigy in the Eastern Domain. Such a prodigy excelling not only in cultivation speed, but also unmatched battling power and amazing potential. After all, any divine body¡¯s potential is an unreachable limit for normal cultivators. If Gu Fengchen truly possesses a divine body, then the fourth generation of the Gu Family would have a true leading figure. In comparison. The third generation is somewhat mediocre. Even with talents like Gu Yunfeng and Gu Yunyue, they are only good relativity. Within a big family like the Gu Family, such talents are barely satisfactory, carrying the banner for a generation is certainly impossible. As for the second generation, the real leading figure is Gu Shengxing. He entered the Dao by martial arts, gathered the Literary Heart, trained Vast Righteous Qi, with talent and learning being exceptional, ancient Confucianism reappears on him, and the Great Wise Master¡¯s fame extends beyond the Nine States, even renowned in the Eastern Domain. The first generation of the Gu Family, needs no further elaboration. Including Gu Yang, the three brothers are all remarkable. Perhaps the least recognized is Gu Xiu. This is due to his long stay in the Demon Realm, and not appearing in the Ancient Desolate World. So to speak. Both the first and second generation of the Gu Family are excellent, but starting from the third generation, the Gu Family seemed to decline somewhat. Such matters, Gu Yang does not wish to see. But there¡¯s nothing one can do. Each person¡¯s talent remains as it is, beyond his control. But things are different now. According to Gu Qingfeng, after the mediocre third generation, the fourth generation seems to have a prodigious figure emerging again. Thus. Gu Yang was very much looking forward to seeing what kind of divine body Gu Fengchen possesses, and whether it can truly awaken. On Gu Yang¡¯s thoughts, Gu Qingfeng paid no mind, as his attention was focused on the information panel. ... ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ entered the Third Tier Blood Pool for cultivation, using chaotic beast blood to temper himself, his strength gradually improved!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ strength gradually improved!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yunfeng¡¯ entered the Second Tier Blood Pool for cultivation, using chaotic beast blood to temper himself, successfully breaking through the bottleneck, advancing to the Second Layer of Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yunyu¡¯ entered the First Tier Blood Pool for cultivation, using chaotic beast blood to temper himself, advancing to Mid-Tier Great Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Reward Points*200!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yunyue¡¯ entered the Second Tier Blood Pool for cultivation, using chaotic beast blood to temper herself, significantly improving her cultivation!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Yunyue¡¯ advanced to the Fourth Layer of Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points*300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fenghao¡¯ entered the First Tier Blood Pool for cultivation, using chaotic beast blood to temper himself, advancing to the Peak of Master!¡± ¡°Reward Points*120!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fenghao¡¯ advanced to Initial Tier Great Grandmaster!¡± ¡°Reward Points*200!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯ entered the First Tier Blood Pool for cultivation, using chaotic beast blood to temper himself, stimulating physical potential, a special divine body seemed to be awakening!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯ passively attracted star power, a special divine body is about to awaken!!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯¡ª¡ª¡± ... Only to see abundant words refreshing on the information panel, while splendid starlight from high above the Nine Layers Heaven had descended from the firmament, directly onto Gu Fengchen. This starlight was extremely dense, visible to the naked eye. Even a cultivator like Gu Yang, who hasn¡¯t broken through to the Saint Realm, could clearly witness this Heaven-sent phenomenon. At the moment the starlight fell, Gu Yang already understood that Gu Qingfeng was right, Gu Fengchen indeed possessed some special divine body, otherwise such a Heaven-sent phenomenon would never appear. Seeing this. Gu Yang¡¯s face showed excitement. Chapter 546: 354: Preaching Across the Long River of Time Chapter 546: Chapter 354: Preaching Across the Long River of Time At this moment. Starlight descended from the nine heavens. The aura surrounding Gu Fengchen was climbing steadily, and when it reached a critical point, it erupted with a bang. ... ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯ has had his body refined by star power, breaking through to the First Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯ has had his body refined by star power, breaking through to the Second Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯ has had his body refined by star power, breaking through to the Third Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!¡± ¡°Reward Points *300!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯ has refined his body with star power successfully, awakening the Star Tao Body!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯ has, due to the awakening of the Star Tao Body, attracted the river of time and the gaze of the ancient Star Tao Body, and is receiving its inheritance!¡± ¡°Your descendant...¡± ... As the text on the information panel continued to refresh, in the void, starlight transformed into a river flowing, and a majestic phantom seemed to emerge from eternity. In an instant, the Great Tao surged forth, and various celestial phenomena appeared. Such a grand commotion naturally caused the entire Demon Suppression Immortal City to tremble with astonishment. Everyone looked up at the void; the majestic figure that came from antiquity could not be clearly seen, but its terrifying aura seemed eternal and indestructible, causing even Semi-Saints to tremble in their hearts. At the same time. Gu Qingfeng looked at the phantom appearing in the void. Through the information panel¡¯s hints, he understood that this was the Great Success of the Star Tao Body from the past. Because of Gu Fengchen¡¯s awakening of the Star Tao Body, the power within it triggered the imprint¡¯s power of the ancient Star Tao Body, thereby granting the inheritance across space. Just by such a means, one could perceive the terrifying nature of the Great Success of the Star Tao Body from the past. The other party was at least a Great Emperor and might not be just an ordinary one. Moments later. The phantom disappeared. All the celestial phenomena also gradually hid away. After awakening the Star Tao Body, Gu Fengchen did not immediately awaken but continued refining the power in the Blood Pool, seemingly aiming for a higher level. Upon seeing this. Gu Qingfeng, with a thought, directly moved him from the First Tier Blood Pool to the Second Tier Blood Pool. After all, with Gu Fengchen now having broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm, staying in the First Tier Blood Pool would naturally be less effective than training in the Second Tier Blood Pool. Later on, members of the Gu Family emerged from the Blood Pool one after another, all with smiles on their faces, indicating significant gains from the Blood Pool. The truth was indeed so. Everyone basically made breakthroughs in the Blood Pool; even those with average aptitudes could break through one or two small realms, and some even made breakthroughs in Great Realms. Like Gu Fengchen, who awakened the Star Tao Body, he broke through to the Fifth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm in one go. With many of the Gu Family¡¯s younger generations breaking through, Gu Qingfeng also gained a massive amount of Upgrade Points. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 121/9000 Realm: First Layer of Saint King Realm Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (third layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Lei Feng Scripture (Perfection), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Perfection), Nine Heavens Scripture (Great Saint Chapter First Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfection), Nine Yang Tao Scripture (Perfection), Ten Thousand Spirit Taoist Scripture (Perfection), Abyss Scripture (Saint King Chapter First Layer), Ancient Divine King Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer) (etc.) Upgrade Points: 11500 ... ¡°Eleven thousand five hundred!¡± Looking at his attribute panel, Gu Qingfeng once again smiled. This time, the overall strength improvement of the Gu Family¡¯s younger generation brought him as many upgrade points as years of the past. However. Gu Qingfeng also understood. Such explosive breakthroughs could not be sustained. After all, the Blood Pool was composed of the blood of Chaos Beasts, containing the will of the Chaos Beast. Occasionally training in it posed no problem. But long-term training in the Blood Pool could easily lead to corrosion by the Chaos Beast¡¯s will, making one bloodthirsty and completely losing their true self. Yet, regardless, the existence of the Blood Pool was a powerful foundation for the Gu Family. As long as the Blood Pool did not run dry, the Gu Family could continually produce strong individuals from it. At least. Below the Saint Realm. Relying on the Blood Pool¡¯s power is enough to bring forth a group of top-tier Dao Palace Realm experts. It¡¯s just that. This process requires some time. But anyway, this time is still much faster than painstaking self-cultivation. However, Gu Qingfeng also foresaw that one day, as more strong individuals emerged from the Gu Family, the blood of Chaos Beasts would eventually be exhausted. Moving on. Gu Qingfeng needed to make further preparations. Then. Looking at everyone, Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°Entering the Blood Pool for breakthroughs may easily destabilize your foundation. Currently, demons are invading the Demon Suppression Immortal City. As members of the Gu Family, you should serve the court. For the next period, you can stay in the Demon Suppression Immortal City and assist the Demon Suppression Army in repelling the demon invasion. If you achieve any military feats, you will receive the same recognition as other cultivators!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Everyone, hearing this, did not dare to offer any objections. Immediately following. Gu Qingfeng glanced at Gu Fengchen. ¡°As for Fengchen, temporarily stay by my side for training!¡± ¡°I understand, Grandfather!¡± Gu Fengchen¡¯s face lit up with joy, having no reason to refuse. The other younger members of the Gu Family seeing this all showed expressions of envy, knowing that training by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s side represented a heaven-defying opportunity. Chapter 547: 354: Preaching Across the Long River of Time_2 Chapter 547: Chapter 354: Preaching Across the Long River of Time_2 However. No one voiced any objections. After all, when Gu Fengchen awakened the Star Tao Body, the phenomenon caused by that heaven and earth shocked all directions, even those cultivating in the Blood Pool noticed it. Although they were not clear about what exactly happened to Gu Fengchen, it surely wasn¡¯t simple. Otherwise, Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t have intervened. After the many young members of the Gu Family departed, Gu Qingfeng led Gu Fengchen to the City Lord¡¯s Hall, while Gu Yang excused himself and returned to the Capital to handle governmental affairs. ... Inside the City Lord¡¯s Hall. Gu Qingfeng looked at the respectful Gu Fengchen before him and spoke lightly, ¡°We are family, no need to be so restrained.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Fengchen slightly relaxed his expression but still did not dare to be reckless. Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng inwardly shook his head and refrained from further persuading. There was no way around it. The times that the other party met with this ancestor were too few to count, so it was difficult to adapt immediately, which is normal. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng naturally wouldn¡¯t waste time on this matter. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you awakened the Star Tao Body and received the ancient Star Tao Body inheritance, right?¡± ¡°Ancestor is indeed insightful!¡± Gu Fengchen¡¯s heart trembled; he didn¡¯t expect Gu Qingfeng to know so much about it. At once, Gu Qingfeng appeared even more profound and unfathomable in his mind. However. Gu Fengchen didn¡¯t deny it, and instead, he frankly confessed. ¡°Grandson received a cultivation technique named Taixu Star Domain Scripture, created by the first generation of the Star Tao Body. It is rumored that when perfected, the physical body can rival an Imperial Weapon!¡± Taixu Star Domain Scripture! Upon hearing Gu Fengchen¡¯s words, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression slightly changed. He understood that the perfected Star Tao Body transmitted through the river of time surely wouldn¡¯t be simple, but a technique whose perfected physical form can rival an Imperial Weapon obviously wasn¡¯t of a lower grade than the Ancient Divine King Scripture. After all, the Ancient Divine King Scripture, when cultivated to its peak, the perfected Ancient Divine King Body could also rival an Imperial Weapon. But speaking of whether the Ancient Divine King Scripture or the Taixu Star Domain Scripture are stronger or weaker, that¡¯s still unknown. ¡°Unfortunately, though grandson received the Taixu Star Domain Scripture inheritance, the technique formed as a Dao Seed in grandson¡¯s sea of consciousness. If grandson can¡¯t successfully cultivate it, it can¡¯t be passed to someone else!¡± ¡°Rest assured, although an Imperial Scripture is precious, it won¡¯t compel me to seize a junior¡¯s opportunity. Since you possess the Ancient Star Domain Scripture inheritance, just cultivate well in the future, and if you encounter anything unclear, feel free to ask me!¡± Saying this. Gu Qingfeng raised his hand and pointed, and a terrifying Dao Rhythm surged into Gu Fengchen¡¯s mind. ¡°Today I also transmit to you another Imperial Scripture, named Abyss Scripture. However, considering your current cultivation, I will temporarily impart the cultivation method up to the Saint King Chapter. When you reach the Great Saint Peak, I will transmit the subsequent methods!¡± Now. Gu Fengchen heard Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words and had no way to respond, as the frightening Dao Rhythm from the Abyss Scripture filled his consciousness, rendering him dazed in place. After an unknown amount of time, Gu Fengchen gradually regained clarity. He reflected on the profound cultivation techniques in his mind, and like the Taixu Star Domain Scripture, which gave him a sense of immeasurable depth. ¡°Grandson thanks Ancestor for the bestowed techniques!¡± Gu Fengchen took a deep breath, barely suppressing his inner excitement, and respectfully bowed to Gu Qingfeng. Imperial Scripture! Another Imperial Scripture! Gu Fengchen naturally understood the preciousness of an Imperial Scripture, something many top experts covet and even go mad for. But now. He possesses two Imperial Scriptures. One is the Taixu Star Domain Scripture, and the other is Abyss Scripture. With two Imperial Scriptures in hand, even with Gu Fengchen¡¯s disposition, his heart couldn¡¯t settle easily. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng further inquired about the Taixu Star Domain Scripture, enhancing his understanding of the Imperial Scripture, making it easier to guide Gu Fengchen¡¯s future cultivation. Though Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t cultivated the Taixu Star Domain Scripture, once reaching a certain level of cultivation, many techniques are no longer secret in his eyes. The Taixu Star Domain Scripture is undoubtedly an Imperial Scripture, but its foundational aspect isn¡¯t hard for Gu Qingfeng. From Gu Fengchen¡¯s mouth. Gu Qingfeng finally grasped what the Taixu Star Domain Scripture was. This cultivation technique involves opening one hundred and eight thousand acupoints in the physical body, then nurturing ancient stars in the acupoints, likening oneself to a star domain. Once the one hundred and eight thousand ancient stars are fully consolidated, the technique is perfected. At that time. The cultivator of this technique embodies the terrifying might of one hundred and eight thousand ancient stars with every gesture. Just the thought of it implies how fearsome this perfected technique would be. After all¡ª¡ª These ancient stars aren¡¯t as simple as those in the Nine Layers Heaven but are the ancient stars residing in the Chaotic Starry Sky. Only such stars can be called ancient stars. Like the Heavenly Desolate Seal Gu Qingfeng obtained earlier, which was refined by a Saint King of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land using an ancient star to create a Saint King Soldier. An ancient star can refine a Saint King Soldier. This shows. Just how terrifying the ancient stars are. If someone could wield the power of one hundred and eight thousand ancient stars, it would be an earth-shattering scene, likely unstoppable even by the Great Emperor reborn. Gu Qingfeng asked himself whether his perfected Ancient Divine King Body could withstand a strike from one hundred and eight thousand ancient stars. To this. Gu Qingfeng placed a question mark in his heart. Without a real battle, Gu Qingfeng couldn¡¯t rashly conclude. However. This also indirectly indicates the terror of the Taixu Star Domain Scripture. ¡ª¡ª Next. Gu Qingfeng instructed the servants at the City Lord Mansion to arrange a side hall for Gu Fengchen to reside temporarily. In actuality, the servants of the City Lord Mansion were also members of the Demon Suppression Army. Ordinary individuals have no qualifications to serve in the City Lord Mansion. Once Gu Fengchen retreated, Gu Qingfeng introspected himself, directly advancing his cultivation from the First Layer of the Saint King Realm to the Second Layer of the Saint King Realm. The breakthrough from the First Layer to the Second Layer of the Saint King Realm didn¡¯t cause much of a stir, unlike the powerful wave that comes with the Great Saint Peak breakthrough to the Saint King Realm. This breakthrough seemed as smooth as flowing clouds and running water, exceedingly fluent. Once his cultivation stabilized at the Second Layer of the Saint King Realm, Gu Qingfeng felt his strength enhanced by at least fifty percent. The gap between the First Layer and Second Layer of the Saint King Realm was already quite apparent. ¡°Another seventy thousand Upgrade Points, and I can reach the pinnacle of the Ninth Heaven of the Saint King Realm. If further successful, I can break into the Quasi-Emperor Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes slightly. Seventy thousand Upgrade Points aren¡¯t much, and if a repeat of the mass breakthroughs like the Gu Family¡¯s earlier happens, it won¡¯t be long before Gu Qingfeng steps into the Ninth Heaven of the Saint King Realm. Unfortunately. Such scenarios cannot be frequently replicated. But Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t in a hurry. As long as the Gu Family is given time, the number of bloodlines will surely increase, and the time till he truly breaks through to the Ninth Heaven of the Saint King Realm is estimated not to be too long. Once reaching the Ninth Heaven of the Saint King Realm, going further will allow one to ask the Quasi-Emperor Realm. Thinking like this. Gu Qingfeng found that the gap between him and a Great Emperor seemed not so distant. ¡°I just wonder how much, with my current strength, I differ from a true Great Emperor?¡± Earlier at the First Layer of the Saint King Realm, using the power of the Three Great Heavenly Veins, Gu Qingfeng was confident he could fight a Quasi Emperor Peak expert. Now, after breaking into the Second Layer of the Saint King Realm, his strength was further enhanced. But describing the gap with a Great Emperor, Gu Qingfeng indeed did not know. However. He wouldn¡¯t naively assume. As a Saint of the First Layer, he could compare to a Quasi Emperor Peak, and when at the Second Layer, he could compare to a Great Emperor. Known as the utmost realm in the ages, the strength at the level of a Great Emperor is certainly not that simple. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng temporarily had no plan to challenge a Great Emperor. Chapter 548: 355: Meeting the Hanhai Demon Emperor Again Chapter 548: Chapter 355: Meeting the Hanhai Demon Emperor Again The army presses the border. Yan Yun looked at the city before him, which exuded an eerie sense of tranquility, causing his brows to furrow tightly. ¡°Someone, open the city gates!¡± Yan Yun ordered. Immediately, a powerful figure from the Tribute Institute stepped forward, striking the heavy city gates with a mighty palm, instantly causing the iron-forged gates to explode into pieces, shattering in an instant. In the next moment. The face of the Tribute who struck changed dramatically. ¡°General Yan, look quickly!!¡± Without needing him to speak, Yan Yun had already turned his gaze toward the scene in the city. What filled his vision was a mass of civilian corpses, piled across the entire street, emitting a foul stench of decay. ¡°Be careful, see if anyone is still alive in the city!¡± Yan Yun¡¯s expression was grim, yet he didn¡¯t rashly enter the city, instead instructing a group to first investigate. A moment later. A scout reported. ¡°Reporting to the General, the citizens in the city have all perished, and judging by the degree of decomposition, it seems they¡¯ve been dead for some time!¡± ¡°Such ruthless methods!¡± Rage flickered in Yan Yun¡¯s eyes. There was no need to guess, the perpetrators of such an extermination must surely be the Star Dynasty. The city of civilians was blood sacrificed! And these were citizens under the command of the Star Dynasty! Such cruel acts left Yan Yun not only enraged but also a bit stunned. Immediately. Yan Yun sent this message back to the Divine Martial Dynasty, then left a group to collectively burn and bury the bodies of the citizens, and also dispatched people to temporarily take over this empty city, to prevent any sudden occupation that might cut off their retreat. Subsequently. Yan Yun continued to advance with the troops. All along the way. The resistance of the Star Dynasty seemed to have vanished completely, each city becoming a dead city, with all the citizens sacrificed. This news quickly spread, causing the entire Eastern Domain¡¯s factions to become furious. Though they knew the Star Dynasty colluded with the Evil Spirit, they hadn¡¯t expected such brutality, daring to sacrifice countless subjects. In an instant. More cultivators joined the campaign against the Star Dynasty. Within the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Yang looked at the intelligence from the frontline, his expression also darkening. ¡°Slaughtering the cities for blood sacrifice, it seems the Lu Family truly intends to wholly align with the Evil Spirit. Such actions that even anger heaven and earth lead the Star Dynasty to the path of destruction!¡± Gu Yang was internally furious at this inhumane act. One more point was. The Star Dynasty had slaughtered all its citizens for sacrifice, so even if the Divine Martial Dynasty occupied the cities, they were merely empty shells, offering no benefit to the court. Moreover. To develop these territories, citizens would have to be migrated, which was even more troublesome. Keep in mind. Not everyone is willing to leave their long-established home; persuading people to voluntarily relocate would require significant effort. Furthermore. The migration process is also fraught with difficulty. Strictly speaking. Such an approach is inadvisable. Unless. Other places in the Divine Martial Dynasty are already overcrowded, necessitating relocation, in which case it would be a different matter. But the problem is. Currently, the Nine States and the three hundred seventy-three counties of Shenyuan State make the territory of the Divine Martial Dynasty extensive enough, with no immediate population overflow issues. Ultimately. The Divine Martial Dynasty hasn¡¯t existed for very long, less than a century; even with full development, population growth is limited. However. Upon learning of the Star Dynasty¡¯s actions, Gu Yang also had someone inform Gu Qingfeng at the Demon Suppression Immortal City. The latter had not paid much attention to the information panel recently, and upon hearing the message from Gu Yang, he glanced at the information panel, immediately noticing the fall of many Death Soldiers within the Star Dynasty. The reasons for these Death Soldiers¡¯ demise matched external rumors, involving the Star Dynasty¡¯s collusion with the Evil Spirit for blood sacrifices. ¡°The Star Dynasty occupies Guxing State, with billions of civilians; if half were sacrificed, it would certainly be an astronomical number!¡± ¡°If all these sacrifices were to nourish a particular Evil Spirit, it might mean a cataclysmic Evil Spirit has emerged from the Star Dynasty!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression slightly hardened. Sacrificing over half the state¡¯s citizens would inevitably summon an incredibly powerful Evil Spirit. If this issue isn¡¯t addressed, the consequences would be unimaginable. But the problem is. Gu Qingfeng looked at the Boundary Domain Channel before him, finding it equally impossible to leave unauthorized. After all, no one could guarantee whether the Demons had a Demon Emperor constantly watching the Boundary Domain Channel. If news of his departure from the Demon Suppression Immortal City were to leak, the Demons might launch a massive invasion, making the Demon Suppression Immortal City indefensible. More importantly. The Demon Suppression Immortal City is located in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, next to the Nine States. If the Demon Suppression Immortal City were to fall, it would inevitably endanger the Nine States. Thus. Gu Qingfeng naturally couldn¡¯t easily leave the Demon Suppression Immortal City. Additionally. The foundations of the Eastern Domain aren¡¯t as simple as they appear. Even if a cataclysmic Evil Spirit were to emerge, the strength of the Eastern Domain could likely handle it. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t in a great rush. However. Just at this moment. He looked towards the Boundary Domain Channel, where a strong aura appeared, one that seemed quite familiar. When Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes shone brightly, he penetrated the abyss-like Boundary Domain Channel, witnessing the scene of the Demon Realm. ¡ª¡ª Boom! BOOM!! In a green robe, Gu Xiu¡¯s fists shook the void, slaughtering Demon strongmen; even those in the Semi-Saint Realm could not withstand a single blow from him. Chapter 549: 355: Meeting the Hanhai Demon Emperor Again_2 Chapter 549: Chapter 355: Meeting the Hanhai Demon Emperor Again_2 Compared to the past, Gu Xiu¡¯s strength has grown immensely. Even the Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist, he has cultivated to a terrifying level. At this moment. In the void. A terrifying pressure suddenly descended. Gu Xiu felt a strong premonition in his heart, then punched upwards towards the sky, followed immediately by a powerful shockwave bursting out. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s figure slightly shook, then retreated several steps. In front of him. A middle-aged cultivator in blood-red attire slowly appeared, with a face that was enchantingly handsome, but his eyes were not like those of an ordinary person, they had a strange green glow. ¡°You are the one from the Human Clan with the Undying Divine Body!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that by guarding this place, I would have such a harvest!¡± Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s face revealed a greedy expression, looking at Gu Xiu as if he were gazing at some peerless Divine Medicine. The Undying Divine Body¡¯s reputation had long spread throughout the Demon Realm, with many strong practitioners from the Demon Clan trying to surround and kill him. However, Gu Xiu was quite slippery, coupled with his decent power, even demons comparable to Saints couldn¡¯t truly suppress him. Now. Gu Xiu appeared. Erosion Moon Demon Monarch naturally wouldn¡¯t let him go. One must know. The person from Human Clan before him possesses a Divine Body. If he could devour a Divine Body, Erosion Moon Demon Monarch believed he could advance further. After all, the Divine Body is powerful, and although Gu Xiu is only at the Semi-Saint Realm at present, his flesh is extremely nourishing. When Erosion Moon Demon Monarch appeared, Gu Xiu also heard the solemn voice of Emperor Extreme Great Saint in his mind. ¡°Be careful, this should be one of the Demon Clan¡¯s Erosion Moon Demon Wolves, the strength of this demon likely isn¡¯t just at the First Layer Heaven of the Saint Realm!¡± As someone who watched Gu Xiu grow, Emperor Extreme Great Saint was naturally aware of his strength. If Gu Xiu¡¯s Undying Divine Body reached Small Success, then even if the person before him was a Saint Realm Demon Monarch, Emperor Extreme Great Saint wouldn¡¯t have any concerns. But the problem was. Although Gu Xiu¡¯s Undying Divine Body had awakened, it hadn¡¯t reached the stage of Small Success. Helplessly. Achieving Small Success with a Divine Body is easier said than done. Over the years, although Gu Xiu delved deeply into the potential of the Undying Divine Body, he has always been in a state of awakening, far from entering the stage of Small Success. Upon hearing Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s words, Gu Xiu¡¯s expression remained unchanged. Just then, his figure standing still suddenly shattered like an illusion, and Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s pupils slightly contracted, without thinking, he retreated. At the instant he backed away, the void before him shattered, and Gu Xiu¡¯s figure appeared there. ¡°Kill¡ª¡ª¡± Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s eyes were filled with killing intent, his terrifying strength belonging to the Saint Realm erupted, overwhelming blood vitality condensed into the phantom of a peerless demon wolf in the void. Boom!! The moment he struck. Erosion Moon Demon Monarch went all out. The immense force comparable to the Saint Realm made Gu Xiu¡¯s breath nearly stagnate. In the next moment. Gu Xiu waved his sleeve, and a half-broken long sword suddenly appeared, making Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s heart surge with a strong warning, instinctively wanting to retreat. But unfortunately, there wasn¡¯t time for anything. Gu Xiu poured his strength madly into the broken sword, and with just one swing, it seemed to cut down the entire sky, the sword capable of piercing the heavens and earth split the demon wolf phantom in two with a painful howl. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± The sword light filled the sky, the blinding brilliance seemed on par with the sun and moon. All demons were astonished, watching the scene, their bodies seemingly frozen by an invisible force, unable to move. As the sword light dissipated. They saw Erosion Moon Demon Monarch remain still in mid-air. Then. A blood mark appeared on Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s forehead, rapidly spreading over his entire body. ¡°Poof!¡± Blood spurted from the blood mark, Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s huge body split in two, completely falling from the void. ¡°Erosion Moon Demon Monarch is dead!!¡± ¡°Impossible, how could such a powerful demon monarch fall to a mere Semi-Saint from the Human Clan!!?¡± All demons were stunned, looking at Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s fallen corpse with eyes full of disbelief. Anyone witnessing this scene would find it hard to believe. Powerful as Erosion Moon Demon Monarch was, he couldn¡¯t withstand Gu Xiu¡¯s sword, completely executed on the spot. The other demons, facing such power, felt a chill penetrating deep into their bones. At the same time. Gu Xiu grabbed Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s inner core, heading towards the Boundary Domain Channel. From an outsider¡¯s perspective. Gu Xiu seemed to have effortlessly slain Erosion Moon Demon Monarch. But only Gu Xiu knew that to unleash the power of that incomplete Imperial Weapon, he exhausted his last ounce of strength. If other demon cultivators attacked now, Gu Xiu would struggle to resist. Thankfully. The other demons were too shocked by Erosion Moon Demon Monarch¡¯s downfall, momentarily forgetting to act. Just as Gu Xiu was about to enter the Boundary Domain Channel, a terrible force suddenly descended, causing the world to change colors, the vast sky crumbling inch by inch. ¡°You slay a strong one from the Demon Clan and still wish to leave, stay here by my command!¡± A commanding voice spoke, then a hand crossed a million miles of void, pressing down towards Gu Xiu. The terrifying force made Gu Xiu¡¯s blood freeze, his face revealing a look of alarm. ¡°Demon Emperor!!¡± Even Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s face changed drastically, his soul trembling as if he saw a terrifying presence. Demon Emperor! That¡¯s a being that can rival the Quasi Emperor! Even during Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s prime, he was merely at the Great Saint Peak, a notch below the Saint King, let alone the Quasi Emperor. Facing the attack from a Demon Emperor comparable to the Quasi Emperor, despair filled Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s heart. However. Just as Gu Xiu was about to be suppressed, a radiant blade sliced through the darkness, effortlessly splitting the Demon Emperor¡¯s hand, accompanied by a cry of pain, demon emperor blood spilled down. Everything happened so quickly that by the time Gu Xiu and other demons realized, a figure in blue had appeared here. ¡°Hanhai, you, as a noble Demon Emperor, yet attack a junior of the Gu Family, seems like you really don¡¯t know when enough is enough!¡± Gu Qingfeng sneered, the Evil Slayer Blade in his hand dripping blood. Once his words fell. The void trembled. Hanhai Demon Emperor suddenly appeared, his gloomy face also showing a hint of shock. ¡°Gu Qingfeng, you dare enter my Demon Realm, aren¡¯t you afraid this emperor will make you stay!¡± ¡°Entering the Demon Realm as I please, if this seat feared you, I wouldn¡¯t be here today!¡± In making his speech, Gu Qingfeng glanced towards the Demon Realm, where many powerful presences no weaker than the Hanhai Demon Emperor were felt. However. His expression showed no fear. Had it been before breaking into the Saint King Realm, Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t dare enter the Demon Realm so boldly. But now, not only has he broken into the Saint King Realm, he has advanced to the Second Layer Heaven of the Saint King Realm, except for a Demon Emperor, Gu Qingfeng believed he could escape unscathed. ¡°You¡¯ve made a breakthrough!¡± Seeing the confident Gu Qingfeng before him, recalling the power of that earlier strike, Hanhai Demon Emperor was silent for a while before speaking slowly. Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly: ¡°Whether I¡¯ve made a breakthrough, you¡¯ll know if you try!¡± ¡°Do you really think this emperor fears you?¡± Cold gleams erupted from Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s eyes, terrifying pressure exploded as if ready to attack at any moment. Facing the enraged Hanhai Demon Emperor, Gu Qingfeng remained calm. ¡°If you want to fight, this seat will gladly accompany you, but if you don¡¯t take action, don¡¯t expect this seat to.¡± With these words spoken. Hanhai Demon Emperor remained silent. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng said no more, he directly grabbed Gu Xiu¡¯s shoulder, turned and stepped into the Boundary Domain Channel, disappearing instantly. Chapter 550: 356: Third Great Grandpa Chapter 550: Chapter 356: Third Great Grandpa ¡°Gu Qingfeng!¡± The Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s expression was icy as he stared intently at the boundary domain channel, but he did not make a move. The previous exchange from a distance made the Hanhai Demon Emperor realize that after some time apart, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength had become much more terrifying than before. In response. The Hanhai Demon Emperor could not help but suspect. If the other party had been hiding his strength from the beginning. Otherwise. How could Gu Qingfeng have changed so much in such a short time? After all, at their level, even over a hundred years, one might not advance a single step, let alone from the first battle to now, the time has been short. At this moment. Other Demon Emperors arrived. ¡°Hanhai, could it be that a Human Clan Quasi-Emperor has entered the Demon Realm?¡± ¡°The person who came is the one I mentioned before, the Supreme Emperor of the Divine Martial Dynasty, the Gu Family Master Gu Qingfeng. I originally thought I had overestimated his strength as much as possible, but now it seems I still underestimated him. This person¡¯s strength is probably already at the level of a Half-step Great Emperor!¡± The Hanhai Demon Emperor spoke each word with solemnity. His words. Made the arriving Demon Emperors¡¯ expressions slightly change. Half-step Great Emperor! This level of powerhouse surpasses a general Quasi Emperor and in the Demon Realm could be considered a Half-step Demon Emperor. ¡°Hanhai, are you sure you didn¡¯t see it wrong?¡± ¡°Look for yourself!¡± Hanhai Demon Emperor opened his palm, where a blade scar hadn¡¯t fully healed, the shocking Blade Intent at the wound made another Demon Emperor¡¯s brow jump wildly. ¡°The power of this strike truly isn¡¯t something an ordinary Demon Emperor could possess, perhaps this person is indeed as you say, with strength on par with a Half Emperor!¡± Quasi Emperor! Half Emperor! Though both bear the emperor title. But in fact. A Half Emperor is infinitely closer to the Emperor Realm, much stronger than an ordinary Quasi Emperor, and even the top demon emperors may not match. Now. The appearance of such a powerhouse in the Human Clan is naturally not good news. The Hanhai Demon Emperor looked toward the boundary domain channel, his eyes deep: ¡°The Demon Emperor is about to awaken, this is a time I, the Demon Clan, have prepared for many years, a Half Emperor does not have the qualifications to stop our pace. During the Ancient Times, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty dominated the Ancient Desolate World, even in the Chaotic Starry Sky its shadow was cast. But since the disappearance of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, the Human Clan has already declined!¡± ¡°Now this era shall belong to us, the Demon Clan!¡± The Hanhai Demon Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes looking towards the void above, where it seemed a gate to immortality was opening. Upon hearing this. That Demon Emperor did not relax much. ¡°It¡¯s rumored that the disappearance of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty is related to the opening of the Immortal Gate, behind which might be a great terror!¡± ¡°No matter, we, the Demon Clan, have made all preparations, the failure of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty won¡¯t be repeated by us!¡± The Hanhai Demon Emperor smiled. For this day. The Demon Clan had been preparing for a very long time. That Demon Emperor nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with the Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s words. Then. The Hanhai Demon Emperor looked at the boundary domain channel and said, ¡°The blood of billions of humans and our Demon Clan has already set the Heavenly Dao to its final stage of transformation. Right now, we must hasten the pace to bring about the Great Struggle Prosperity Era as quickly as possible!¡± As he spoke. The Hanhai Demon Emperor paused. ¡°This boundary domain channel is guarded by Gu Qingfeng, it¡¯s difficult to truly open the situation, we can only act from other boundary domain channels!¡± ¡°Moreover¡ª¡± ¡°Dispatch more demons to locate the coordinates of the Ancient Desolate World, if we can find the Ancient Desolate World¡¯s location from the starry sky, then we don¡¯t need the boundary domain channel to enter the Ancient Desolate World!¡± If the coordinates of the Ancient Desolate World could be found, the Demon Clan could launch large-scale attacks continuously based on those coordinates, avoiding the double-edged sword nature of the boundary domain channel. After all, the Human Clan does not know the coordinates of the Demon Realm, but the Demon Realm knows the Human Clan¡¯s coordinates. In this way. The Demon Realm¡¯s actions would truly take the initiative. The Demon Emperor understood the Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s meaning. ¡°We have long instructed other demons to find the Ancient Desolate World¡¯s coordinates, however, the Chaotic Starry Sky is vast and boundless, wanting to find a world¡¯s coordinates is not that easy!¡± ¡ª On the other side. Within the Demon Suppression Immortal City. It wasn¡¯t until coming out from the Demon Realm that Gu Xiu could finally sober up. When Gu Qingfeng gave a light cough, Gu Xiu¡¯s body shook, and he promptly snapped out of his daze. ¡°Father!¡± He looked at the person in front of him, both familiar and incredibly strange. What had he just witnessed? His own father had struck and wounded a Demon Emperor with a single blow, intimidating the opponent into not daring to act, a level of power far beyond Gu Xiu¡¯s expectations. Not only was Gu Xiu shocked, even Emperor Extreme Great Saint wore a face of horror. Recollecting back to the years. When Gu Qingfeng appeared in the Ancient Desolate World, Emperor Extreme Great Saint already had some understanding of his strength. But now, in just a few short decades, the transformation in the other¡¯s strength was earth-shattering. Even in his prime, Emperor Extreme Great Saint hadn¡¯t the qualification to make a Demon Emperor retreat, much less intimidate one into not daring to act. One can imagine. The extent of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power. ¡°Many years gone, your cultivation has not disappointed me, slaying a Demon Lord comparable to Second Layer Heaven of the Saint with a Semi-Saint sword, you have done well!¡± Gu Qingfeng looked at Gu Xiu in front of him, nodding slightly, his words carrying a tone of praise. Truth be told. Regarding Gu Xiu¡¯s achievement. Gu Qingfeng was also somewhat incredulous. Despite the incomplete Imperial Weapon in his hand, to truly annihilate a Demon Lord in an instant was no easy feat. Chapter 551: 356: Third Great Grandpa_2 Chapter 551: Chapter 356: Third Great Grandpa_2 ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Father stepping in this time, I¡¯m afraid I would have come to an end in the Demon Realm. It¡¯s been years since we last met, and I must say, Father¡¯s power has truly opened my eyes!¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s expression was complex, and then he cautiously asked. ¡°May I ask, Father, have you already reached the Quasi-Emperor Realm now?¡± ¡°Not quite... at most, it¡¯s the Saint King level!¡± Gu Qingfeng paused for a moment before adding another word. ¡°However, generally speaking, killing a Quasi Emperor should not be much of a problem!¡± This sentence. Left Gu Xiu even more astonished. Not a Quasi Emperor, yet capable of killing one. His own father¡¯s strength is indeed unfathomable. In these years within the Demon Realm, Gu Xiu thought his power had surged quickly enough, feeling that even in a direct confrontation with Gu Qingfeng, he would be able to narrow the gap between them somewhat. But now, upon seeing it. Gu Xiu realized he had been somewhat naive. After so many years. The gap between him and Gu Qingfeng not only hadn¡¯t shrunk but had expanded to an insurmountable level. At this moment. The Divine Soul of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint also appeared; after many years, his Divine Soul is now more condensed than before, though not fully restored, it had become considerably stronger. ¡°The Emperor Extreme greets Mr. Gu!¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint cupped his hands towards Gu Qingfeng, his expression becoming significantly more respectful. In the Cultivation World, respect for strength is paramount. The power Gu Qingfeng displayed made the Emperor Extreme Great Saint dare not have any hint of superiority. If they hadn¡¯t already been addressing each other as Taoist friends, the present Emperor Extreme Great Saint might have to change it to address Gu Qingfeng as a senior. Nevertheless. When the Emperor Extreme Great Saint spoke, his tone was cautious, afraid of offending Gu Qingfeng. After all, with this person¡¯s current strength, wanting to obliterate himself, in the eyes of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, would be just a matter of lifting a hand. ¡°Emperor Extreme Taoist Friend, it¡¯s been a long time!¡± Gu Qingfeng also nodded slightly. ¡°In these years, Gu Xiu has been greatly cared for by the Taoist friend; I indeed owe you a debt of gratitude!¡± At this point. Gu Qingfeng suddenly flipped his palm, and a completely black lotus flower appeared abruptly, with an exotic fragrance wafting out. As soon as Gu Xiu and the Emperor Extreme Great Saint caught a whiff, they had the illusion of their Divine Souls being stabilized. ¡°This is... the Nine Netherworld Flower!!¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s pupils shrank, and he couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. Nine Netherworld Flower! Eighth-Tier Divine Medicine! This is the supreme treasure capable of refining the Divine Soul and repairing the damages to the Divine Soul, having great effects even on Saint Realm powerhouses. To be blunt. This kind of Eighth-Tier Divine Medicine is extremely rare across the world. The further advanced Ninth-Tier Divine Medicine and Tenth-Tier Divine Medicine relate to the Quasi Emperor and Great Emperor levels, which is beyond the reach of most cultivators. In fact. Not to mention the Ninth-Tier or Tenth-Tier Divine Medicines, even the Eighth-Tier Divine Medicines are exceedingly rare in the entire world. Even during his peak, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had never possessed an Eighth-Tier Divine Medicine. Now. Seeing the Nine Netherworld Flower appear, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s breath quickened slightly, with desire in his eyes, yet with a hint of hesitation. He was well aware. Now that Gu Qingfeng took out this Nine Netherworld Flower, it is likely intended for him. But the Emperor Extreme Great Saint equally understood the rarity of such Divine Medicine, accepting it recklessly made him feel uneasy inside. While the Emperor Extreme Great Saint struggled in his heart, Gu Qingfeng said: ¡°This Nine Netherworld Flower was something I fortunately obtained when I entered the Tai Chu Ancient Land years ago. I believe this Nine Netherworld Flower should suffice to mend your Divine Soul¡¯s deficiencies!¡± ¡°Furthermore, there¡¯s no need for you, Taoist friend, to refuse it. After all, Gu Xiu over these years has often been cared for by you; the Gu Family always owes you this favor!¡± ¡°Additionally... I have a bit of a selfish request, hoping that once you recover, you might join the Tribute Institute of the Divine Martial Dynasty, becoming a court Tribute!¡± ¡°Considering the current situation where the Evil Spirits in the Ancient Desolate World are rampant, not to mention the massive invasion of demons, the situation of the Human Clan is tense, and the Divine Martial Dynasty is yet young, with a shallow foundation. I hope you can understand this from that perspective!¡± Reaching this point, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint naturally had no reason to refuse. He took a deep breath and said while cupping his hands, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Gu, for the Divine Medicine. Once I¡¯ve recovered, I shall definitely serve the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Although the Emperor Extreme Great Saint had once founded a Holy Land, the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land had long since faded to nothing. To him, rebuilding the Holy Land was more like an optional ambition. Since Gu Qingfeng brought out the Nine Netherworld Flower and spoke these words, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint felt it right to accept with peace of mind. Moreover. With a powerhouse like Gu Qingfeng presiding over the Divine Martial Dynasty, joining it might not be such a bad thing. Considering all these reasons, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint straightforwardly agreed. Right away. Gu Qingfeng made arrangements, assigning a quiet residence for the Emperor Extreme Great Saint to retreat and heal, allowing him to refine the Nine Netherworld Flower well and recover from his injuries. As for Gu Xiu, Gu Qingfeng intended for him to stay by his side. ¡°Ancestor, may I ask who this is?¡± In the City Lord¡¯s Hall, Gu Fengchen stared at the person before him, whose appearance was unfamiliar, yet the binding from his bloodline intuitively hinted to him that the person¡¯s identity was anything but simple. While Gu Fengchen was scrutinizing Gu Xiu, the latter was also evaluating the person in front of him. He could see. Gu Fengchen, though young, had already attained the Fifth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm in terms of cultivation. At such an age and with such cultivation, it was quite impressive. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°This is your third great grandfather, Gu Xiu!¡± ¡°Third great grandfather...¡± Upon hearing Gu Xiu¡¯s name, Gu Fengchen¡¯s face froze momentarily, and then he quickly bowed in salute. ¡°Grandson greets the third great grandfather!!¡± ¡°Ahem... no need for formalities!¡± Gu Xiu almost choked; he looked at Gu Fengchen, who seemed to be around the same age as himself, and the address of third great grandfather left him a bit unable to react initially. Gu Xiu never expected that after leaving home for just a few decades, his seniority had climbed to such a high level. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°Fengchen is the son of Gu Yunfeng, grandson of Gu Sheng¡¯an, and great-grandson of Gu Yang. By seniority, he naturally should call you third great grandfather!¡± This statement. Let Gu Xiu fully understand Gu Fengchen¡¯s background. He also hadn¡¯t expected that Gu Yang¡¯s lineage had already flourished to such an extent. But thinking about it, it seemed reasonable. Given that he had been away from home for decades, having a great-grandchild seemed entirely plausible. Subsequently. Gu Xiu took out the inner core of the Erosion Moon Demon Monarch. ¡°I haven¡¯t prepared any meeting gift, so this Demon Monarch¡¯s inner core should be for you. Yet, with your current cultivation, to truly refine the inner core of the Demon Monarch, you need to take it step by step, do not rush. Otherwise, it could be detrimental!¡± ¡°Grandson understands!¡± Upon hearing the words ¡°Demon Monarch¡¯s inner core,¡± Gu Fengchen¡¯s eyes immediately lit up. He accepted the inner core without hesitation. Meanwhile. Gu Xiu¡¯s status in his mind also soared rapidly. This third great grandfather, able to possess the inner core of a Demon Monarch, must have unfathomable strength. Gu Fengchen, for all this time, believed he had a sufficient understanding of his family, yet upon seeing Gu Xiu appear, he realized he still didn¡¯t truly know much about his family. A mysterious third great grandfather, a rarely seen second great grandfather, and the great grandfather who presides over the Divine Martial Dynasty, none of these three figures seemed to have simple strengths. Watching Gu Fengchen accept the Demon Monarch¡¯s inner core, Gu Xiu also smiled calmly. After all, two people are connected by blood, and upon recognizing the family tie, he found Gu Fengchen near and dear, taking a posture somewhat of an elder looking at a younger generation. If not so. Gu Xiu wouldn¡¯t have so readily taken out the Demon Monarch¡¯s inner core as a meeting gift. Considering that this level of inner core, even if Gu Xiu couldn¡¯t use it now, once the suppression of the Heavenly Dao dissipates and the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, he could rely on this Demon Monarch¡¯s inner core to push for the Saint Realm. Now gifting it to Gu Fengchen also spoke to Gu Xiu¡¯s regard for him. Chapter 552: 357: Stalemate Chapter 552: Chapter 357: Stalemate When Gu Fengchen departed, Gu Xiu¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Gu Qingfeng beside him. ¡°Father, it seems that my great-grandson is not simple!¡± Being someone with a Divine Body himself, Gu Xiu was quite sensitive to the aura of other Divine Bodies. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°Gu Fengchen only recently awakened the Star Tao Body!¡± ¡°Star Tao Body!¡± This statement caused Gu Xiu¡¯s complexion to change slightly. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the Star Tao Body, ranked twenty-seventh!¡± The world has many special constitutions. Any special constitution that can rank within the top hundred is considered top-notch. Of course. It¡¯s not to say that just because it¡¯s ranked in the top hundred, it¡¯s stronger than those after one hundred. This ranking. Is based on the strength and achievements of past holders of the constitution. Gu Xiu¡¯s Undying Divine Body, for instance, is ranked ninth, but this doesn¡¯t mean the ninth-ranked Undying Divine Body is definitely stronger than the twenty-seventh-ranked Star Tao Body. Any Divine Body that can rank within the top hundred has mostly seen someone emerge at the Emperor Realm. On this point. Divine Bodies after the one-hundred mark are not as remarkable. Therefore. Upon learning Gu Fengchen awakened the twenty-seventh ranked Star Tao Body, Gu Xiu felt quite shaken inside. Then. He was overjoyed: ¡°This means our Gu Family has three Divine Bodies!¡± One Undying Tao Body! One Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body! One Star Tao Body! Even many ancient and archaic forces may not produce a single Divine Body, yet the Gu Family now possesses three, which is truly astonishing. To put it bluntly. With these three Divine Bodies alone, the Gu Family could grow into a top-tier Imperial Clan. After all¡ª Three Divine Bodies. Each ranked within the top hundred. Given enough resources, the probability of entering the Emperor Realm in the future is not trivial. ¡°Currently, I must oversee the Demon Suppression Immortal City; the Star Dynasty has colluded with Evil Spirits, sacrificing an entire province¡¯s creatures in a blood ritual. It¡¯s incited wrath among the heavens and people. The Divine Martial Dynasty and other forces have dispatched troops against the Star Dynasty, and the situation there is likely far from optimistic. Right now, aside from your father, the Divine Martial Dynasty has no combat strength above the Saint Realm. You have just come from the Demon Realm. It would be opportune for you to go to the Star Dynasty; perhaps you can make a difference!¡± ¡°But before heading to the Star Dynasty, first visit the capital and meet your elder brother!¡± Gu Qingfeng said. He had already acknowledged Gu Xiu¡¯s strength. The latter¡¯s cultivation has reached the Semi-Saint tier, at the peak level of Semi-Saint combat strength. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng remembers. Gu Xiu has already completed the first layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. If he utilizes the Heavenly Vein¡¯s power, he can easily match a Saint; with the incomplete Imperial Weapon in hand, Gu Xiu¡¯s strength surpasses many Saints. Otherwise. Gu Xiu couldn¡¯t have instantly slain the Erosion Moon Demon Monarch of the Second Layer Heaven. To be blunt. Gu Xiu¡¯s current strength ranks first among many Gu Family descendants. Of course. This refers to overall strength. Excluding Divine Weapons and Supreme Treasures, in a one-on-one fight, Gu Xiu¡¯s strength might not necessarily compare to Gu Yang. Although Gu Xiu possesses an Undying Divine Body, Gu Yang has also cultivated the Heavenly Vein True Scripture to the second layer. The advantage of an extra Heavenly Vein makes it possible to bridge the gap between Divine Bodies. Furthermore. Gu Yang¡¯s foundation itself is extraordinary. ¡°I understand, Father!¡± Gu Xiu naturally nodded at Gu Qingfeng¡¯s advice. However. Just as he was about to leave, Gu Qingfeng brought out the last Undying Immortal Medicine. ¡°This is the Undying Immortal Medicine. Consuming it can grant you another lifetime. Your elder brother and second brother have already consumed it; this remaining one is reserved for you!¡± ¡°But with your current cultivation, consuming the Undying Immortal Medicine isn¡¯t necessary. You might as well wait until after the Heavenly Dao suppression lifts and use this Immortal Medicine to reach the Saint Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng added a reminder at the end. Gu Xiu looked at the Undying Immortal Medicine before him, his face overwhelmed with shock. ¡°Undying Immortal Medicine!!¡± Gu Xiu had only occasionally heard the Emperor Extreme Great Saint mention such legendary medicine. This kind of medicine defies the heavens, nearly unreachable for the Quasi Emperor. No matter how Gu Xiu racked his brain, he never thought a day would come where an Undying Immortal Medicine would be presented to him so openly. Subsequently. Gu Xiu took a deep breath and solemnly accepted the medicine with both hands. ¡°Thank you, Father!¡± He did not refuse. Because Gu Xiu knew well, Gu Qingfeng presenting the Undying Immortal Medicine indicated the latter had no shortage of such treasures. Moreover. From what Gu Xiu understood. The Undying Immortal Medicine only affects cultivators below the Emperor Realm. Once a cultivator enters the Emperor Realm, the traits gained from the medicine will be entirely stripped away. Gu Xiu was unsure about others but believed Gu Qingfeng¡¯s attainment of the Great Emperor was inevitable. With his father¡¯s strength, breaking through to the Emperor Realm would be a breeze. For others, the Undying Immortal Medicine is invaluable, but his father may not even regard it. Honestly speaking. Even with the Undying Divine Body, Gu Xiu lacked confidence in guaranteeing his own breakthrough to the Emperor Realm. Because throughout history, not every Undying Divine Body attained the Emperor Realm. The Great Emperor is the end goal of cultivation. All beings strive. Yet truly reaching the pinnacle is limited to a handful. Receiving the Undying Immortal Medicine, Gu Xiu did not consume it immediately but followed Gu Qingfeng¡¯s instructions to go to the capital to meet Gu Yang. Gu Xiu is not yet a century old; with the thousand-year lifespan of a Semi-Saint, he has no need for such medicine. Chapter 553: 357 Stalemate_2 Chapter 553: Chapter 357 Stalemate_2 Just as Gu Qingfeng said. Rather than wasting the Undying Immortal Medicine now, it¡¯s better to wait until later when breaking into the Saint Realm to use it. Such an extraordinary immortal medicine. Is greatly beneficial for cultivation. ¡ª¡ª Leaving the Demon Suppression Immortal City. In less than half a day¡¯s time. Gu Xiu stepped into the Nine States. But before meeting Gu Yang, Gu Xiu first returned home to see Xu Yulan. Mother and son reunited. The scene was naturally warm. For her youngest son, whom she hadn¡¯t seen in decades, Xu Yulan missed him greatly. However, after the warm scene ended, Xu Yulan¡¯s expression turned angry, and her voice became stern as she began to scold directly. ¡°Do you have me in your heart, your mother? You¡¯ve been away from home for decades without even bringing back a message, do you know of your mother¡¯s worries!?¡± ¡°I know I¡¯ve erred, but at that time I was in the Demon Realm, and it was difficult to escape quickly, so I hope mother won¡¯t hold it against me!¡± Gu Xiu bowed his head to admit fault, not daring to talk back to Xu Yulan at all. Seeing Gu Xiu¡¯s obedient appearance, most of Xu Yulan¡¯s anger dissipated, and her voice softened once more. ¡°Since you¡¯re back, stay home a few more days, it¡¯s been decades since I¡¯ve seen you, and I have some things I¡¯d like to talk to you about. Moreover... you¡¯re not young anymore, you should carefully consider finding a partner, what kind do you like, one from the sect or a noble lady?¡± After all, a piece of her flesh, Xu Yulan couldn¡¯t bear to be angry at Gu Xiu and began to care about his life matters. Gu Yang is already married, and has developed the Gu Family into prosperity. But in the end. Gu Yang is not her own child. The issue is. Both Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu, the two brothers, have reached the age to become Great Grandpa, yet still have no partner, which naturally worries Xu Yulan. In the past, Gu Xuan stayed in Taixu Sacred Land, and Gu Xiu was in the Demon Realm, even if Xu Yulan had some thoughts, she was helpless. But now things are different. With Gu Xiu back, Xu Yulan certainly wants to arrange his lifelong matters. Upon hearing this. Gu Xiu showed a bitter smile: ¡°Marriage requires fate, such things cannot be forced!¡± ¡°No way, your second brother sneaked away last time, this time don¡¯t think you can escape, since you can¡¯t decide, let your mother help you choose. Just right, many daughters of nobles and ministers are quite good, your mother will carefully pick one for you!¡± Xu Yulan¡¯s attitude was very firm, giving Gu Xiu no room to refuse. Seeing this. Gu Xiu secretly bemoaned. If he had known this was the situation, he would have stayed outside a bit longer. But now, it¡¯s too late to say anything. Seeing Xu Yulan¡¯s stance, she clearly doesn¡¯t want to let him go. Gu Xiu took a deep breath and helplessly said: ¡°Father asked me to meet with elder brother this time, then head to support the Star Dynasty, matters of marriage should be discussed later.¡± ¡°Since your father has spoken, you should hurry to him!¡± After hearing Gu Xiu¡¯s words, Xu Yulan¡¯s tone softened visibly. Just when Gu Xiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Xu Yulan¡¯s voice came again. ¡°Once you¡¯re done with the court¡¯s matters, come home right away, I¡¯ll arrange a match for you, don¡¯t think about sneaking away, your father will personally bring you back!¡± ¡°Yes...¡± Gu Xiu was full of a bitter smile. ¡ª¡ª After staying a half-day with the Gu Family, Gu Xiu went to the Imperial Palace to meet Gu Yang. Upon seeing Gu Xiu, Gu Yang was very pleased, and the two brothers had a long talk. Afterward. Gu Yang issued a decree, instructing Gu Xiu to take it to the Star Dynasty; later when he encounters the court army, he can use this decree to demonstrate his identity. Seeing this. Gu Xiu naturally didn¡¯t linger long in the Imperial Palace. After obtaining the decree, he hurried to Guxing State. Upon entering Guxing State, Gu Xiu could feel the eerie aura of the Evil Spirit, where all the cities he saw were nearly deserted, with some cities even having unburied corpses. These scenes made Gu Xiu¡¯s face gradually look somewhat grim. ¡°Poisoning lives!¡± ¡°The Star Dynasty indeed has no reason to exist anymore!¡± Over the years in the Demon Realm, Gu Xiu had grown deeply disdainful of evil, and faced with such a situation, a surge of anger naturally arose in his heart. Subsequently. Gu Xiu continued to delve deeper into the Star Dynasty. After several days. On a battlefield. Upon Gu Xiu¡¯s arrival, he saw the two armies engaged in brutal slaughter. One army was clearly from the Divine Martial Dynasty, while the other army seemed quite strange. These so-called armies were in fact walking corpses, and Gu Xiu saw some continue to fight after their arms were severed without flinching. Moreover, from the wounds of these people flowed foul-smelling, dark fluid, rather than normal blood. Only when their heads were severed would they truly die. ¡°Evil Spirit!¡± Gu Xiu looked towards the back of the corpse army, where terrifying aura surged, chilling and dreadful, like a source of darkness. He understood. That was where the Evil Spirit resided. The corpse army was being manipulated by the Evil Spirit behind. ¡°General Yan, these corpses feel no pain and fear no death, if this continues, we¡¯ll suffer heavy losses!¡± A commander accompanying the expedition turned pale witnessing the scene on the battlefield, while his heart was bleeding. These soldiers were from the Divine Martial Dynasty, and each loss was heartbreaking. Though war inherently results in death. The problem is. The opponent isn¡¯t human at all. These are merely citizens¡¯ corpses sacrificed by the Star Dynasty, and killing more of them is of no use. In response. Yan Yun¡¯s expression was likewise unfavorable, but his face remained incredibly resolute. ¡°This battle must defeat the opponent, the Star Dynasty sacrificed many citizens, there¡¯s surely an underlying plan, if we retreat now, then all prior efforts are for naught!¡± At this point. The Capital of the Star Dynasty was already within sight. Thus. Yan Yun was naturally unwilling to retreat. More importantly. The army had come this far, having paid a tremendous price, with no less than a million soldiers who shed blood and died on the battlefield. If retreating now, Yan Yun would not be able to face those who died. Therefore. This battle. The Divine Martial Dynasty cannot retreat. Upon finishing his words. Yan Yun looked to the person beside him. ¡°Tributor Zhang, do you have a way to find that hidden Evil Spirit and then slay it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to say... that Evil Spirit¡¯s movements are mysterious, furthermore, being able to control this army indicates its strength is definitely not weak. If we delve deeper, the chance of truly succeeding in slaying it is extremely slim!¡± Tributor Zhang naturally understood Yan Yun¡¯s intent, so he answered very cautiously. If the Tribute Institute intervened and took the risk, the likely result would be total defeat. Moreover. Even then. It couldn¡¯t guarantee the slaying of that Evil Spirit. At this point. Tributor Zhang seemed to fear Yan Yun misunderstanding, and quickly offered an explanation. ¡°General Yan, this is not about cowardice, if we venture alone and fall into the Evil Spirit¡¯s trap, without a Semi-Saint maintaining the army, we¡¯re unlikely to resist the Evil Spirit behind. Right now it¡¯s not daring to emerge, probably wary of our presence!¡± In Tributor Zhang¡¯s view, the current situation saw the Evil Spirit refraining from action, maintaining a tentative balance between both parties. But should the Tribute Institute personnel risk deep exposure, a potential defeat might trigger a chain reaction, leading to the risk at the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s army as well. Yan Yun naturally understood Zhang¡¯s reasoning. Without the Tribute Institute¡¯s Semi-Saint deterrence, he didn¡¯t doubt the Evil Spirit would directly act against them. However. If that Evil Spirit isn¡¯t drawn out, given the current conditions, breaking through and achieving victory wouldn¡¯t be easy for the Divine Martial Dynasty. Chapter 554: 358 Prince Yun Gu Xiu Chapter 554: Chapter 358 Prince Yun Gu Xiu Just when Yan Yun was in a dilemma, a terrifying aura suddenly erupted, with amazing blood energy soaring to the sky, dispersing all the bizarre coldness like the Divine Brilliance Great Sun. Furthermore, Sword Qi pierced through the void like a long rainbow, seemingly able to tear apart an entire realm. ¡°Saint!¡± Tributor Zhang felt the intense fluctuations and his face turned horrified. With his cultivation at the Semi-Saint Realm, he seemed as insignificant as an ant under such Sword Qi. Only a Saint could possess such power. Clearly. This is a Saint Realm expert targeting that hidden Evil Spirit. Such a change immediately made Tributor Zhang realize this was a perfect opportunity. ¡°General Yan, a Saint is dealing with the Evil Spirit, this is our prime chance to suppress the army ahead!¡± ¡°Relay my orders, launch a full-power assault on the enemy army, and definitely do not let them obstruct the Saint from slaying the Evil Spirit!¡± Yan Yun quickly reacted and then gave a stern order. Just as Tributor Zhang said, this was a perfect opportunity. As long as the Saint is able to kill the Evil Spirit, the problems faced by their army would naturally be solved. Conflicts involving Saints. Are naturally beyond the reach of Yan Yun and the others. Therefore, all Yan Yun could do now was block the returning corpse army. However. This wave didn¡¯t last long before all corpses seemingly lost their power, collapsing almost simultaneously with no further movement. ¡°The Evil Spirit is dead!¡± Upon seeing this, Yan Yun¡¯s face instantly relaxed. At this moment. A cultivator arrived through the air. Yan Yun instantly understood that the person was the mysterious expert who slew the Evil Spirit. ¡°Yan Yun of the Divine Martial Dynasty, pays his respects to Your Excellency, may I know your name?¡± ¡°Gu Xiu!¡± Upon hearing this. Yan Yun¡¯s face immediately changed. ¡°You are Prince Yun Gu Xiu!!?¡± Prince Qing Gu Xuan! Prince Yun Gu Xiu! These are two princes of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Regarding Gu Xuan, Yan Yun was not unfamiliar. Although he had not met the other numerous times, he was acquainted nonetheless. But Gu Xiu was different. Yan Yun had only heard of a Prince Yun in the court, but had no idea of his appearance. Though Gu Xiu¡¯s eyebrows seemed to resemble Gu Qingfeng a little, appearances can be disguised, so Yan Yun wasn¡¯t one hundred percent certain. As if seeing Yan Yun¡¯s doubts, Gu Xiu spoke no nonsense and directly took out the royal decree given by Gu Yang. ¡°This is the royal decree from my imperial brother, General Yan can take a look!¡± Upon hearing these words, Yan Yun did not dare to hesitate and immediately took the decree, seeing the seal distinct to the Divine Martial Dynasty and the royal Qi Fortune it contained. If seals could be forged, the aura of national fortune absolutely could not be fake. ¡°Subordinate Yan Yun pays respects to Prince Yun!¡± Having confirmed Gu Xiu¡¯s identity, Yan Yun immediately bowed respectfully. Other generals and people from the Tribute Institute also did not dare be rude. The weight of the words Prince Yun was not just ordinary in the Divine Martial Dynasty. Simply because the father of this Prince Yun was Gu Qingfeng. Just these three words carried tremendous energy. Moreover. Earlier, Gu Xiu himself slew the Evil Spirit, showing strength clearly at the level of a Saint, making it impossible to be disrespectful for Yan Yun and others. ¡°General Yan is courteous.¡± Gu Xiu smiled slightly, without putting on the air of a prince. At this moment. Yan Yun asked the question in his heart: ¡°May I ask Prince Yun¡¯s purpose in coming here this time?¡± ¡°My imperial brother asked me to come, to assist you in attacking the Star Dynasty. General Yan can request whatever is needed subsequently, and I will not refuse anything that I can achieve!¡± ¡°So that¡¯s it!¡± Yan Yun¡¯s face instantly lit up with joy. With Gu Xiu overseeing the army, they could naturally have more confidence. Thinking of this. Yan Yun couldn¡¯t help but testingly ask: ¡°May I know Prince Yun¡¯s current realm?¡± ¡°I am considered at the Nine Layers of the Dao Palace Realm, as General Yan is aware, nowadays in the End of Dharma Era nobody can become Saint, but in terms of strength, I should be able to handle ordinary Saints!¡± Speaking these words, Gu Xiu silently added in his heart, except my father. The notion in the End of Dharma Era that sanctification is impossible doesn¡¯t hold in front of his father. After all, Gu Qingfeng had long entered the Saint King Realm, where Heavenly Dao suppression simply didn¡¯t exist. As for how Gu Qingfeng broke through the barrier, Gu Xiu hadn¡¯t asked, but he was sure that it was definitely something that normal people couldn¡¯t achieve. Otherwise. Gu Qingfeng would definitely share this method with him. At the very least. His big brother should be able to become a Saint too. Such matters, in Gu Xiu¡¯s view, were something Gu Qingfeng would never cover up. After all, the one who was willing to give away the Undying Immortal Medicine showed deep fatherly love. On the other side. Upon hearing that Gu Xiu was only at the Nine Layers of the Dao Palace Realm, Yan Yun was slightly disappointed internally, but with the next sentence, the disappointment instantly vanished. Meanwhile. He felt slightly shocked inside. The Nine Layers of the Dao Palace Realm capable of matching Saints. These individuals are called Demons of the time. Regardless of whether it¡¯s the Emperor or Gu Xuan or Gu Xiu, their strengths cannot be measured by ordinary means. Afterwards. Yan Yun led his troops to commandeer the city as a temporary resting place for the army. This time. Yan Yun did not act recklessly. He waited. Awaiting the arrival of Jiang Mo and Xue Cheng. This expedition against the Star Dynasty saw the Divine Martial Dynasty divided into three paths, and Yan Yun¡¯s was just one of them. The remaining two armies were respectively led by Jiang Mo and Xue Cheng. Chapter 555: 358: Prince Yun Gu Xiu_2 Chapter 555: Chapter 358: Prince Yun Gu Xiu_2 Although the three armies were separated, they were ultimately to unite together. Here. is the location for the rendezvous. Ten days later. The two armies finally arrived, albeit belatedly. Both armies suffered significant losses, with more than half of the soldiers carrying injuries, indicating the numerous challenges they faced along the way. As the armies entered the city to rest, many displayed expressions of relief. Inside the government office. Several people took their seats. ¡°We pay our respects to Prince Yun!¡± Those who were originally with Gu Yang, like Jiang Mo and Xue Cheng, naturally were not unfamiliar with Gu Xiu, but they hadn¡¯t expected to see him here. Upon hearing those words, Gu Xiu also smiled slightly: ¡°General Xue, General Jiang, it has indeed been a long time!¡± At this moment. Yan Yun said, ¡°This time, Evil Spirit was guarding and manipulating the corpses of the people to wreak havoc. If it weren¡¯t for Prince Yun personally killing that Evil Spirit, taking this city wouldn¡¯t have been so easy for us. Ahead is the Tianshu Prefecture, the core of the Star Dynasty.¡± ¡°According to reports from spies, the Tianshu Prefecture is shrouded in a mysterious dark fog, so dense that even sunlight can barely penetrate it. From what we¡¯ve seen along the way, it¡¯s likely that the people of the Tianshu Prefecture have long perished!¡± Yan Yun first complimented Gu Xiu, then got straight to the point. His words. made everyone else¡¯s faces turn grim. Jiang Mo exclaimed in anger, ¡°The Lu Family Imperial Family is truly inhumane, slaughtering the people loyal to them. What are they thinking, siding with the Evil Spirit!!¡± Having traveled with the army, Jiang Mo had witnessed the horrors, fueling his rage against the Star Dynasty, though still unclear as to why. Regarding this. Yan Yun and the others were all tacitly aware. The reason the Star Dynasty took such risks could be suspected to be somehow connected to the Divine Martial Dynasty. However. This is not a justification for the Star Dynasty to ally with Evil Spirit and massacre their subjects. Yan Yun approached the center of the government office hall where a large sand table was placed, adorned with flags of various colors mixed together. But upon closer inspection, it could be seen that these flags entirely surrounded a central area. There. was the Tianshu Prefecture, the core of the Star Dynasty. Yan Yun said, ¡°Now, forces from all sides have surrounded the Tianshu Prefecture, but no one has acted rashly, as the situation within it remains unknown. Even though Lu Zhen has sided with the Evil Spirit, he is no ordinary strategist and wouldn¡¯t wait to be executed. Therefore, there must be a formidable force within Tianshu Prefecture, giving Lu Zhen the confidence to contend with our allied forces!¡± ¡°Three days ago, an envoy from another force stated that the forces have reached an agreement: whoever beheads Lu Zhen can occupy the territory of the Star Dynasty!¡± At this revelation. Those previously unaware of this matter had their expressions dramatically change. To occupy the territory of an Imperial Dynasty! This is no trivial matter. It is known that the Star Dynasty has been established for many years, and its territory has reached a provincial level with only one hundred and eight provinces existing in the vast Eastern Domain. The Star Dynasty encompasses one province, indicating how large a province is. Even though Guxing State is now a wreck, incomparable to other major provinces. Nonetheless. It is still one of the 108 provinces. Not to mention anything else. The resources of a single province alone are enough to entice anyone. If the Divine Martial Dynasty could conquer the entire Guxing State, their territory would expand to a staggering size, potentially becoming the largest among all dynasties worldwide. Moving forward. With significant population development, advancing to an Imperial Dynasty would be a straightforward matter for the Divine Martial Dynasty. However. Everyone understood equally well. Truly taking Guxing State would be far from easy. Beheading Lu Zhen would be extraordinarily challenging. Xue Cheng looked at the sand table, his expression serious: ¡°Slaying Lu Zhen isn¡¯t that simple. Without knowing the current state of Tianshu, whoever acts first risks serving others their success. For now, we must wait patiently and not act rashly!¡± ¡°I share the same view as General Xue!¡± Jiang Mo nodded. The others held similar opinions. Acting rashly without knowing the state of the Tianshu Prefecture carried too great a risk. The resistance encountered from the Star Dynasty along the way had already showcased the terror of this dynasty. Venturing into Tianshu alone would not even cause a ripple among the thirty million soldiers. However¡ª There are no longer thirty million soldiers now. With significant losses among all armies, integrating all three armies now leaves fewer than 23 million. At this moment. Yan Yun looked at Gu Xiu, who had remained silent. ¡°What does Prince Yun think about this?¡± ¡°Warfare isn¡¯t my strong suit, but the generals do make a good point. With the state of Tianshu unclear, deploying forces hastily is likely to lead to unforeseen circumstances. The more crucial matter is that survival is improbable for the citizens of Tianshu, with all forces encircling it entirely. For Lu Zhen now, escape is unlikely. In that case, why shouldn¡¯t we wait patiently and let others who can¡¯t bear the wait act first!¡± Gu Xiu expressed his viewpoint. He too did not advocate directly entering Tianshu. With his sharp intuition, Gu Xiu was certain that Tianshu concealed unpredictable dangers. Having survived the Demon Realm for decades, despite being hunted fiercely, Gu Xiu relied on his sharp sixth sense to remain unfazed and at ease. Or perhaps. The environment of the Demon Realm honed Gu Xiu¡¯s acute perception of situations. Nonetheless, Tianshu harbored immense danger. After speaking. Gu Xiu paused and added, ¡°Additionally, I believe this matter should be reported to my royal brother, allowing him to make a decision!¡± ¡°Prince Yun¡¯s words make sense!¡± Yan Yun nodded. Reporting this issue to Gu Yang would simplify matters considerably. Soon after. Yan Yun reported this situation back to the Divine Martial Dynasty. In less than half a two-hour period. The Divine Martial Dynasty relayed a message back. Gu Yang¡¯s reply comprised only four words. Wait for opportunity! Upon seeing this, Yan Yun, Jiang Mo, and others visibly relaxed. Since Gu Yang instructed them to wait for the opportunity, it indicated they were not being rushed into Tianshu, and everything could be strategically planned first. What they feared was Gu Yang acting impetuously, ordering the army to storm directly into Tianshu to behead Lu Zhen first, in which case they would be unable to object. After all, in the face of imperial orders, who could speak against them? At that moment. It would be a genuine dilemma. Fortunately. Gu Yang didn¡¯t give a direct order but instead handed the initiative over to them, allowing subsequent actions to be much more manageable. Jiang Mo said, ¡°Since His Majesty has instructed us to wait for the opportunity, we should observe the situation for now. Moreover, send some spies first into Tianshu to gather information and monitor the movements of other forces. Currently, with all forces awaiting the right moment, even if we aren¡¯t taking immediate action, we must not miss the chance!¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± ¡°I also agree!¡± Many generals nodded in agreement, and Gu Xiu naturally had no differing opinions. As he mentioned, warfare wasn¡¯t his forte. When it came to matters he wasn¡¯t adept at, Gu Xiu always refrained from interfering, allowing professionals to make informed decisions. Seeing that everyone shared the same perspective, Yan Yun naturally couldn¡¯t oppose. Moreover. Without clarifying the situation within Tianshu, Yan Yun also dared not act hastily. As the Divine Martial Dynasty held their forces, other powers adopted a similar approach, stationing their armies while dispatching numerous spies to gradually delve into Tianshu, intending to reveal the situation before taking action. Chapter 556: 359 Dharma Decree Chapter 556: Chapter 359 Dharma Decree ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ learned about the situation in Tianshu Prefecture and ordered Yan Yun and others to act accordingly!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ entered seclusion for enlightenment, seemingly touching the bottleneck of the Saint but could not break through due to the suppression of the Heavenly Dao!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯, struck by a sudden idea, attempted to use Qi Fortune to shake the Heavenly Dao, only to find the Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune lacking somewhat. If it could be promoted to an Imperial Dynasty, it might indeed shake the Heavenly Dao¡¯s suppression and forcibly attain sainthood!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ learned of this and increasingly anticipates the day the Divine Martial Dynasty ascends!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ accompanied the powerful figures of Taixu Sacred Land on a campaign against the Star Dynasty, attacked by an Evil Spirit *1369!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯, in a desperate battle, at the cost of being severely injured, forcibly killed a natural disaster-level Evil Spirit comparable to a Saint!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯, severely wounded, triggered the nirvana effect of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, not only fully recovering from the injury but also subtly improving in strength!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ attempted to leverage the nirvana characteristic to forcibly break into the Saint Realm, only to be suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, ultimately failing to break through!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ was quite troubled by the breakthrough failure, not understanding why you could successfully break through while he could not!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by an Evil Spirit *1336!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by an Evil Spirit *2587!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by an Evil Spirit *5666!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯, with a thunderous approach, killed a natural disaster-level Evil Spirit comparable to a Saint, shaking the surroundings with awe!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ led many powerful figures of the Divine Martial Dynasty deep into Tianshu Prefecture, intending to participate in the encirclement battle against Lu Zhen!¡± ¡°Your progeny ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by a mighty Evil Spirit, severely injured, barely survived thanks to the Undying Divine Body¡¯s trait!¡± ¡°Your progeny...¡± ... Sitting in the Demon Suppression Immortal City, Gu Qingfeng observed the information panel, fully aware of the many affairs happening to his descendants. Having had the information panel for so long, Gu Qingfeng discovered that many trivial matters were not displayed, only specific or important events appeared one by one. Upon learning that Gu Yang planned to break the Heavenly Dao¡¯s restrictions using Qi Fortune to forcibly attain sainthood, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Confronting the Heavenly Dao with Qi Fortune, such a method is novel. However, it seems that if the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune is high enough, there is indeed a possibility of success!¡± Of course. Under normal circumstances. Qi Fortune is difficult to shake. Not to mention the Dynasty¡¯s Qi Fortune, even that of the Imperial or Divine Dynasty, might not shake the Heavenly Dao. But now is different. With the invasion of demons and the turmoil of Evil Spirits, that arising malice is already shaking the Heavenly Dao¡¯s suppression. Even with no measures, the suppression might completely disappear in a hundred years. At that time. The Great Struggle Prosperity Era will arrive. Everyone can become a Saint. However. Becoming a Saint a hundred years early is another matter altogether. A moment¡¯s fortune is mysterious; it involves more than just power but also touches on other realms. Precisely because of this. Qi Fortune can shake the Heavenly Dao. If replaced with another cultivator, even one as powerful as Gu Qingfeng at this stage, it would be impossible to assist someone in directly breaking the Heavenly Dao¡¯s suppression to forcibly attain sainthood. Furthermore. There are Gu Xuan, Gu Xiu, and others¡¯ situations. The Star Dynasty colludes with Evil Spirits, and even Taixu Sacred Land wants a share; this is quite normal. Now. All forces converge. Tianshu Prefecture¡¯s situation is extremely severe. Just seeing how Gu Xiu was severely injured, it¡¯s clear that the situation in Tianshu Prefecture is by no means simple. Then. Gu Qingfeng thought to himself, and a piece of beast hide suddenly appeared, sketching a mysterious character with his own Divine Thought as the ink, integrating it into the beast hide. A moment later. The character faded. The power contained within also dissipated. ¡°Still no success!¡± Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, looking a bit helpless. However. Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t failing for the first time, so he quickly adjusted, continuing to use Divine Thought to write characters, embedding them into the beast hide. This beast hide was no ordinary hide, but the hide of a Chaotic Divine Phenomenon. Only beast hides of such caliber can truly bear Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power. Not knowing how many times he failed. Gu Qingfeng felt his Divine Thought somewhat exhausted. With yet another failure, Gu Qingfeng decided to change his method, using his own Divine Thought as the pen and blood as the ink, writing another mysterious character. After this character was embedded in the beast hide, the divine light dimmed at a visible speed, quickly merging with the beast hide. ¡°Go!¡± Gu Qingfeng infused his qi and blood power into the beast hide, instantly unleashing terrifying divine light from the character, tearing through the firmament, seemingly capable of piercing through the Nine Layers Heaven. Such commotion naturally caused the entire Demon Suppression Immortal City to tremble, all the cultivators looking at the astonishing strike, their expressions dramatically changing. ¡°Succeeded!¡± Ignoring the changes outside, Gu Qingfeng looked at the beast hide, now devoid of divine light, lightly pinching it to shatter. ¡°It seems that the hide of the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon can only bear a single strike¡¯s power. After one strike, the beast hide¡¯s power is exhausted, serving no further purpose!¡± Gu Qingfeng understood in his heart. Yet despite this, he was quite satisfied. Using the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon¡¯s hide to bear his power, this beast hide now equated to embodying Gu Qingfeng¡¯s full-force strike. Chapter 557: 359 Dharma Decree_2 Chapter 557: Chapter 359 Dharma Decree_2 Sure, here¡¯s the translation of the provided Chinese text into English: Even though the power of this strike isn¡¯t utilizing the strength after engaging the Three Great Heavenly Veins, it¡¯s still enough to suppress everything. After all. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current cultivation of Saint King Second Layer Heaven, his strength is enough to be comparable to a true Quasi Emperor. In other words. This is equivalent to a Quasi Emperor¡¯s strike. In an era without the Great Emperor¡¯s emergence, a strike comparable to a Quasi Emperor¡¯s is enough to solve many troubles. ¡°Though I oversee the Demon Suppression Immortal City, it¡¯s always inconvenient to move, but with this Dharma Decree, it should be much easier to act!¡± Now, the Divine Martial Dynasty lacks top-tier experts, and Gu Qingfeng himself is restrained by the Demon Suppression Immortal City, making it difficult for him to leave. If encountering top-tier experts, the foundation of the Divine Martial Dynasty is certainly hard to contend with. Thus. Gu Qingfeng wished to create such a method to bear his own power. In fact. Many ancient forces have corresponding foundations. Before ancient strong ones fell, they left a Dharma Decree with profound means, as a trump card to suppress family or sect. Now. Gu Qingfeng is emulating such a method. But he didn¡¯t obtain such a means of bearing power, so he can only explore step by step. Fortunately. Such methods are not too difficult. After attempting it for a while, Gu Qingfeng achieved success. Then. Gu Qingfeng wrote five Dharma Decrees in one go. The reason for not continuing to write is that writing such Dharma Decrees extremely consumes spiritual power, even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current Cultivation Realm, writing five is almost reaching the limit. Continuing to write would surely harm the Divine Soul. However. Five Dharma Decrees are also enough. After all, this is equivalent to the power of five Quasi Emperor¡¯s strikes, capable of resolving most issues. ¡°But¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°The biggest problem now is the thing to bear my own power, it must at least be something like the grown skin of a Chaotic Divine Phenomenon.¡± ¡°Moreover, not just any skin from the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon is useful, it must be the toughest part of the skin.¡± ¡°Even with the Chaotic Divine Phenomenon¡¯s mountain-like body, the maximum number of Dharma Decrees produced would be just a dozen or twenty!¡± Gu Qingfeng pondered. A dozen or twenty Dharma Decrees seem a lot, but it depends on usage. Unfortunately. This level of treasure is hard to find. Gu Qingfeng hadn¡¯t obtained more for the time being. The simplest way. Is for him to enter the Chaotic Starry Sky again to hunt Chaotic Beasts. But the problem is. The Chaotic Starry Sky is vast, truly finding the phantom of Chaotic Beasts is not easy, as for encountering Chaotic Beasts comparable to Saint King level, the difficulty is even greater. At this moment. A powerful fluctuation came from the sky, Gu Qingfeng put away the five Dharma Decrees and promptly walked out of the main hall. He looked at the sky over the Demon Suppression Immortal City, where unknowingly, tribulation clouds gathered densely. The grand power of Heavenly Tribulation, filled with a breath of destruction. ¡°Heavenly Punishment!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. The tribulation clouds before him looked like normal Heavenly Tribulation, but Gu Qingfeng could sense a different aura from it. This aura. Comes from Heavenly Punishment itself. Heavenly Tribulation is the Heavenly Dao¡¯s test, much like the Saint Heavenly Tribulation, Great Saint Heavenly Tribulation, and Saint King Heavenly Tribulation, etc., these Heavenly Tribulations are strong, but at least half a chance of survival. But Heavenly Punishment is different. Heavenly Punishment is the Heavenly Dao¡¯s chastisement for cultivators trying to defy heaven. Under Heavenly Punishment. One survives with nine deaths. Moreover, the stronger the cultivator defying heaven, the more terrifying the Heavenly Punishment faced. Even Gu Qingfeng, now, does not wish to face Heavenly Punishment directly. Not because he can¡¯t resist Heavenly Punishment, but even if he successfully resists, he must pay a considerable price. Now. There is Heavenly Punishment appearing in the Demon Suppression Immortal City. Gu Qingfeng looked at another direction, where the Emperor Extreme Great Saint was closing. ¡°It seems this one has reached the final step, as long as he can weather the Heavenly Punishment, he can truly be reborn!¡± Technically speaking, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint is considered fallen, only a remnant soul surviving. But the other has now reassembled the flesh from the remnant soul, equivalent to rebirth from death, in the Heavenly Dao¡¯s eyes it¡¯s disrupting yin-yang, disordering the heavenly order. Thus. The Heavenly Dao bringing down Heavenly Punishment is reasonable. If the other can weather Heavenly Punishment, then Emperor Extreme Great Saint will succeed. But if he cannot weather Heavenly Punishment, then he will completely evaporate, no possibility of rebirth. At this moment. A divine light turned into a changhong and fled away, instantly leaving the Demon Suppression Immortal City, stopping deep in the Ancient Beast Mountain Range. When the rainbow light dispersed, a middle-aged cultivator in a dark robe was seen standing with hands behind, gazing at the tribulation clouds gathering in the sky, no fear on his face, eyes bright, then loudly laughing. ¡°Come, mere Heavenly Punishment, I Emperor Extreme fear no one in life, why fear Heavenly Punishment!¡± Upon these words. The Heavenly Dao seemed angered. The tribulation clouds brewing for long suddenly moved, then saw black thunderbolt suddenly strike down, making the light of the sun and moon appear engulfing, instantly darkening the surroundings. ¡°Fight!!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint shouted in rage, terrifying blood and qi power boiling like a river, stepping out, tremendous blood qi shone on the void like Divine Brilliance Great Sun, all darkness receding like a tide. Following. Emperor Extreme Great Saint punched, fiercely dominant power tearing through the darkness, crashing hard into the thunderbolt. Two powerful forces collided like mountain and sea roar, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s body trembled, the solid fist suddenly shattered, seemingly splattering blood. But next breath. The fist¡¯s wound healed instantly. Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s fists shook heaven, Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture operated to the limit, engaging completely with Heavenly Punishment. As a strong one at Great Saint Peak, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s strength is naturally needless to say. Even though now he¡¯s just recovered, no actual weakening compared to before. Not only that. These years. Emperor Extreme Great Saint comprehended dao with remnant soul, the originally created Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture and Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist are promoted to new heights, vaguely intended to transform to higher levels. Thus. After obtaining Nine Netherworld Flower, fully amending the Divine Soul¡¯s defect, Emperor Extreme Great Saint used all resources accumulated these years, then successfully gathered a new flesh body. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint at this level, in terms of strength comparison to the peak period is superior. But¡ª¡ª Heavenly Punishment is formidable. Though Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s current strength is frightening, whether he can weather Heavenly Punishment is still unknown. In Demon Suppression Immortal City. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze pierced the void, seeing the tribulation scene. Upon seeing Emperor Extreme Great Saint confronting Heavenly Punishment with the flesh, he nodded secretly. ¡°Worthy of Ancient Great Saint, this one¡¯s strength is indeed outstanding, just the flesh just recovered, not yet truly refined to a perfect level, otherwise, the success rate of weathering Heavenly Punishment would be higher!¡± ¡°But even seeing now, this one¡¯s success rate of weathering Heavenly Punishment can be at least 30%!¡± 30% probability. It¡¯s quite high. Normally, a 10% probability of weathering Heavenly Punishment is good, now Emperor Extreme Great Saint can have 30%, showing the extent of the other¡¯s strength. This one is not only a Great Saint Nine Layers Heaven but also in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s view, even compared to actual Saint King Realm strong ones, likely not far off. In any era. Anyone able to fight across Great Realms is considered profoundly strong. Moreover. The gap from Great Saint to Saint King is astonishing, far beyond the gaps of the previous Great Realms. Under such circumstances, Emperor Extreme Great Saint still qualifies to fight across realms, indicating his exceptional nature. Now. Heavenly Punishment persists. Emperor Extreme Great Saint strikes heaven with fists, Emperor Extreme Dominator Fist in his hands exerting unimaginable power, layers of thunderbolts blasted to fragments, injured himself gravely, robe torn, flesh cracked bleeding. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± Another Heavenly Punishment fell, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s right arm exploded, massive flesh flying, the body already falling from mid-air. Chapter 558: 360 Brides Dress Chapter 558: Chapter 360 Bride¡¯s Dress Above the nine-layered heavenly vault, the heavenly punishment thunderbolt seemed to transform into a colossal flood dragon, violently surging, with terrifying aura spreading vast and wide. Below, the body of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint was shattered, with golden blood flowing from his seven apertures. Seriously injured! Even with the current power of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, facing such heavenly punishment was somewhat unbearable. Seeing a new heavenly punishment about to descend, a trace of despair and unwillingness appeared in the eyes of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. ¡°Must I truly fall here...¡± The Emperor Extreme Great Saint was unwilling. Having exhausted everything, he had finally taken this last step. Once he overcame the heavenly punishment, he could be reborn. However. The heavenly punishment was formidable. It was simply impossible for him to contend against. Despite his myriad unwillingness, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint seemingly had to resign himself to fate. Just as the heavenly punishment was about to strike down and completely obliterate the Great Saint, suddenly ripples appeared in the void, and a dharma decree abruptly materialized. The decree unfolded. Terrifying dao rhythm flowed. A word ¡°Slash¡± appeared naturally, followed by a sky-shattering blade that instantly severed the heavenly punishment, along with most of the tribulation clouds. This scene. Changed the expression of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. At this moment. A voice suddenly exploded by his ear. ¡°If not now, when is the time to act!¡± Upon hearing this. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint hesitated no longer, his body shot up, and his cultivation at the Great Saint Peak exploded completely, with an earth-shattering punch smashing through the vast firmament, causing even the tribulation clouds to scatter overwhelmingly. As the tribulation clouds dispersed. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint exhibited a relieved expression. Heavenly punishment vanished. This signified he had successfully overcome the heavenly punishment, truly resurrecting. Afterward. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint traveled through the air, returning to the Demon Suppression Immortal City to meet Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Gu, for your intervention!¡± His expression was grateful, knowing well that his recent ability to overcome the heavenly punishment was entirely because of Gu Qingfeng. If it wasn¡¯t for the dharma decree sent at the crucial moment, he would have surely perished in the heavenly punishment. Though normally, heavenly punishment does not permit other cultivators to openly intervene, indirect intervention posed no issues. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s dharma decree able to shatter most of the heavenly punishment, the Great Saint felt immense awe within. ¡°Congratulations to Emperor Extreme Taoist Friend for overcoming heavenly punishment and living again. Now I have a matter that requires your assistance.¡± ¡°Please speak, Mr. Gu!¡± The Great Saint¡¯s expression was respectful. Although the two still referred to each other as Taoist friends, the Great Saint had long placed himself in a lower position. Facing such a formidable person, he certainly dare not show any disrespect. Gu Qingfeng flicked his finger, four dharma decrees containing terrifying pressure appeared before the Great Saint. ¡°Now demons invade, evil spirits bring chaos, and the Star Dynasty blood sacrifices a state, poisoning the realm¡¯s beings. I, as a member of the human clan, cannot stand idly by. But presently, the Demon Suppression Immortal City is crucial, thus I hope you will take these four dharma decrees to Guxing State¡¯s Tianshu Prefecture and slay Star Dynasty¡¯s Emperor Lu Zhen!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The Great Saint respectfully accepted the four dharma decrees, without a doubt, the dharma decrees before him were exactly like the previous one. And that previous dharma decree made him feel a suffocatingly dreadful power, exceeding even the Saint King, reaching a level akin to a Quasi Emperor. Four Dharma Decrees! Equivalent to four strikes from a Quasi Emperor. Frankly speaking. Such level of decrees, any one placed within some noble family holy lands, would be considered their final trump card. This is no joke. A dharma decree equal to a Quasi Emperor¡¯s strike is a great deterrence. No need to use it. Simply letting others know of these decrees¡¯ existence is enough to prevent other cultivators from acting rashly. Even though it¡¯s only one decree, no one wants to become the sacrifice for its consumption. Equal to a Quasi Emperor¡¯s strike, even the Saint King would bleed. Therefore. The Great Saint naturally understood the immense value of these four dharma decrees. Then. Gu Qingfeng handed over a demon core directly to the Great Saint. ¡°This is a Saint Realm demon core and should be enough for you to heal your injuries!¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Gu!¡± The Great Saint did not decline, knowing that to the person before him, a Saint Realm demon core was insignificant. Afterward. The Great Saint departed. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s divine thought covered the entire Demon Suppression Immortal City. Seeing the Great Saint leave, he withdrew his divine thought. ¡°A Great Saint at the Nine Layers Heaven, along with four dharma decrees, should be enough to settle the Star Dynasty¡¯s issue. As long as no overwhelming evil spirit emerges, no great turmoil will arise!¡± In this regard. Gu Qingfeng was confident enough. Then. He closed his eyes, continuing his closed-door cultivation of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. For Gu Qingfeng, the greatest breakthrough now was to condense the fourth Heavenly Vein. If the fourth Heavenly Vein could be condensed, then even faced with the Great Emperor, Gu Qingfeng would have the confidence to fight. Do not think that one Heavenly Vein only doubles strength, seemingly having an insignificant change, but in reality, when a cultivator¡¯s power doubles, the effect is often greater than that of two cultivators of the same rank. Two Quasi Emperor Peak experts cannot be a match for a Great Emperor. But if a Quasi Emperor Peak expert¡¯s power doubles, that might not be the case. Sometimes. One plus one is greater than two. This is the result of qualitative change. Chapter 559: 360 Brides Dress_2 Chapter 559: Chapter 360 Bride¡¯s Dress_2 However. The Heavenly Vein True Scripture is difficult to cultivate, and truly condensing the fourth Heavenly Vein is not an easy task. Even though Gu Qingfeng has also condensed three Heavenly Veins, he still doesn¡¯t have much clue about the fourth one. But Gu Qingfeng is not in a hurry. Cultivation emphasizes accumulation. As long as he gives himself enough time to break through to the Fourth Layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, it¡¯s not entirely impossible. ¡ª¡ª Guxing State! Tianshu Prefecture! Now all forces have fully marched their armies into it. Upon entering Tianshu Prefecture, everyone suddenly discovers that it has unknowingly become a breeding ground for Evil Spirits. Countless Evil Spirits appear, forming a pure Evil Spirit army, dealing a striking blow to all forces. These Evil Spirits are bizarrely powerful and formidable, with many reaching the level of a natural disaster, so even though each force has more than one Saint and Great Saint Realm expert present, they find it difficult to be their match for a while. Attacking Tianshu Prefecture took half a month, with very limited advancement from various armies. Forces like the Divine Martial Dynasty have suffered significant losses. Currently. In an ancient city. All the commanders of the Divine Martial Dynasty gather here, everyone wearing a solemn expression, as the atmosphere appears very heavy. ¡°How is Prince Yun¡¯s injury?¡± Yan Yun looks at Gu Xiu above, whose face appears slightly pale, with a sluggish aura, indicating significant injury. The latter slightly shakes his head upon hearing this: ¡°The injury is not serious, but the current Evil Spirit army is strong, and truly capturing the Star Dynasty and killing Lu Zhen will not be easy!¡± As they originally expected, all of Tianshu Prefecture¡¯s people have already been sacrificed. Initially. Gu Xiu was unclear about the Star Dynasty¡¯s purpose in sacrificing these people. Until he saw the Evil Spirit army in Tianshu Prefecture, he finally understood the opponent¡¯s intention. Blood sacrifice of the people! Using the blood of countless Human Clan members to nurture a large number of Evil Spirits. Most of these Evil Spirits are not strong, but their vast numbers make various armies unable to advance for a while, especially since some Evil Spirits in the army are extremely powerful. Furthermore, with Demons acting up, many forces must allocate some strength to resist them. Thus. The challenges each force faces are more severe. ¡°That Evil Spirit named Bride¡¯s Dress, its power is at least at the level of an Upper natural disaster. If Prince Yun hadn¡¯t acted at the crucial moment, we would likely have perished!¡± Remembering the battle, Yan Yun¡¯s face turns grim. Upper natural disaster! That is a presence comparable to a Great Saint. If not for Gu Xiu blood-sacrificing a damaged Imperial Weapon to repel the enemy at a crucial time, the consequences would¡¯ve been unimaginable. But the issue is. There is more than one Evil Spirit of this level on the Star Dynasty¡¯s side. Imagining such power reveals how terrifying it is. ¡°To prevent a surprise attack by Evil Spirits, the entire city must be on alert. Also, this must be reported back to the court, and await my brother¡¯s decision!¡± Gu Xiu said helplessly. In this situation, it¡¯s beyond his control now. However. As soon as Gu Xiu finishes speaking, he seems to sense something, his expression changing drastically, and immediately steps out of the government office. Others, seeing this, also hurriedly follow out. Upon leaving the government office, everyone realizes that it¡¯s supposed to be daylight, but at some point, the entire city is shrouded in a thick black mist, seemingly isolating the sunlight and plunging the city into a night-like scenario. ¡°Evil Spirit!¡± Gu Xiu uttered the words, his face extremely grim. Without him knowing, Evil Spirits have already infiltrated this city. Now, the entire city is dead silent, as if everyone has vanished into thin air. Suddenly. A piercing suona sound travels from afar to near. Following the sound, Gu Xiu notices at the end of the street in front of the government office, an elaborate sedan chair has appeared, surrounded by dozens of people, with several leading figures playing suonas, which appear especially eerie in the silent city. Meanwhile. As the sedan procession appears, the surrounding air suddenly turns chilly, some people carrying large red lanterns, and under the eerie red glow, their faces are as pale as if devoid of any blood. ¡°The Bride¡¯s Dress... It¡¯s here!!¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s face changes as he gazes at the sedan chair, his eyes full of dread. This is the Evil Spirit that seriously injured him, a terrifying presence suspected to be of an Upper natural disaster. Gu Xiu never expected this Evil Spirit to infiltrate unnoticed, while the entire city remains dead silent, unaware of the condition of the soldiers. As for Yan Yun and others, upon seeing the red sedan chair, their faces turn grave. Bride¡¯s Dress! Upper natural disaster! The appearance of such a horrifying presence fills many hearts with uncontrollable fear. ¡°Prince Yun, what should we do now...¡± Someone speaks with fear, their body trembling uncontrollably. Helpless. The looming terror, despite a firm mind, inevitably breeds fear. Gu Xiu takes a deep breath and says sternly: ¡°You all leave first, I will deal with this!¡± ¡°No, Prince Yun¡¯s status is noble, you can¡¯t risk yourself!¡± As soon as Gu Xiu finishes speaking, Yan Yun firmly opposes. The former slightly shakes his head and says: ¡°Right now, I¡¯m the only one who can stand against this Evil Spirit. If you stay behind, it¡¯s only unwarranted sacrifice with no meaning. Besides, without you, I have a chance to escape¡ª¡± Upon hearing this. Everyone falls into silence. Eventually. Yan Yun grits his teeth and reluctantly says: ¡°Prince Yun commands, we retreat first!¡± Then. Yan Yun leads everyone to withdraw. However. As they are about to move, the scene shifts again, the original government office has vanished, and in its place stands an ancient mansion. The mansion¡¯s doors are fully open, revealing a disturbing darkness inside, with large red lanterns hanging on either side, casting eerie red glows, as if drenched in blood. It¡¯s over! Upon seeing this, Yan Yun and others feel a sinking dread in their hearts. They realize they¡¯ve entered a restricted zone. It¡¯s a complete forbidden zone formed by a natural disaster-grade Evil Spirit, unlike any ordinary Evil Spirit Forbidden Zone. Seeing this, Gu Xiu¡¯s expression also changes. ¡°It seems you can¡¯t escape either. We have no choice but to fight desperately, perhaps there¡¯s a glimmer of hope!¡± As he speaks, the sedan procession arrives in front, a putrid, foul smell permeates the air. Simultaneously, the red curtain of the sedan shivers, and a cyan-black hand suddenly extends from inside, swiftly pulling the curtain open, revealing the scene inside. Inside the red curtain, a woman dressed in a bride¡¯s dress, her head covered with a red veil, sits upright. Her hands are cyan-black, with sharp and long nails. As she appears, an eerie, chilling aura erupts, instantly sweeping everything away. While under the onslaught of this chilling aura, Yan Yun and others feel their blood stagnate, as if unable to move. ¡°My dearest... I¡¯ve been searching so hard for you...¡± A hoarse voice echoes, akin to nails screeching on a mirror, unsettling and grating, while the red veil flutters in the wind, as if about to fall. ¡°Demon... How dare you act crafty before me!!¡± Gu Xiu roars in anger, his terrifying energy erupts, illuminating all directions like a Great Sun, forcefully dispelling all onrushing chilling auras. Then a broken sword suddenly appears, as Gu Xiu spits Essence Blood onto the sword, causing it to tremble instantly. Terrifying sword light cuts through the heavens, seemingly brightening the city as if it¡¯s daytime, directly striking towards the Bride¡¯s Dress¡¯s face. Chapter 560: 361 Sixth Sense Chapter 560: Chapter 361 Sixth Sense The cold wind swept by, lifting a corner of the red bridal veil, revealing a ghastly, pale, and decayed face. Then, the darkened hand was raised, directly crushing the Sword Qi. But likewise. The power of the Sword Qi erupted, causing the hand to shatter, as if black blood splattered out. The next moment. The bridal dress suddenly moved, and a terrifying aura instantly engulfed Gu Xiu. A blur appeared before his eyes, and when he reemerged, he found himself inside the bridal sedan without knowing when. ¡°Damn¡ª¡± How could Gu Xiu not understand that he had fallen under the spirit influence of the Evil Spirit, trapped within some kind of environment? Immediately. Gu Xiu bit the tip of his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of scorching blood, causing the bridal sedan before him to melt away like a candle. The Illusion Realm disappeared. The bridal dress was somehow already in front of Gu Xiu, with its sharp black fingertips touching his skin. The strange, cold aura made his blood stagnate, and the sharp feeling seemed as though it could slice open his chest with just a touch. ¡°Wretched beast, how dare you act recklessly!¡± However, at that moment, an angry shout rang out. A terrifying Blade Qi followed, slashing through darkness, as if it destroyed the heavens and earth directly. The dreadful power caused the bridal dress¡¯s body to freeze in place. The next moment. The opponent¡¯s body shattered inch by inch, completely perishing on the spot. With the destruction of the bridal dress, the space before them rippled like a lake, and all the scenes disappeared like bubbles, restoring everything to its original state. Only at this moment. Gu Xiu realized that all of them had been sitting in the main hall of the government office from the beginning, and all the experiences were merely the Evil Spirit¡¯s illusions. The difference was, now the main hall was in ruins, as if something had been forcibly plowed through it, while the black blood on the ground and the tattered red bridal dress indicated what had just happened. At this time. Everyone discovered a stranger, a middle-aged cultivator, unknown when he appeared in the government office. ¡°Who are you¡ª¡± ¡°Master!¡± Just as Yan Yun was about to ask, Gu Xiu stepped forward first, bowing to the newcomer. Master!? Upon hearing this word, everyone¡¯s expressions changed. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint looked at Gu Xiu and smiled faintly, ¡°It seems I wasn¡¯t a step too late, or else I fear explaining this matter to your father would be difficult!¡± He was ordered to come and coincidentally encountered the Evil Spirit¡¯s attack on the government office, seeing that Gu Xiu was about to die. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint couldn¡¯t make it in time to take action, so he could only use the power of a Dharma Decree, and that was how he completely destroyed the bridal dress. Although it was somewhat distressing, it couldn¡¯t be helped. After all, a high-level natural disaster, its power rivaled a Great Saint. Even if the Emperor Extreme Great Saint acted, it wasn¡¯t certain he could save Gu Xiu from the opponent¡¯s grasp. In the end. Time was too tight. So. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint resorted to using the power of a Dharma Decree. Just as he thought, the power of the Dharma Decree was terrifying, powerful as a high-level natural disaster, could not withstand the power of the Dharma Decree. ¡°Congratulations, Master, on reforming your physical body!¡± Gu Xiu at this time also came to his senses, looking at the Emperor Extreme Great Saint with a smile, then introduced to Yan Yun and the others. ¡°This is my master¡¯s master, the former master of the Emperor Extreme Sacred Land, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint!¡± ¡°Greetings to the Emperor Extreme Great Saint!¡± Hearing this, Yan Yun and others¡¯ faces changed instantly, hurriedly bowing. A Great Saint Realm powerhouse. This was not a simple figure. Not to mention. The opponent was also Gu Xiu¡¯s master. Either of these two identities wasn¡¯t something they could offend. In response, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint only smiled gently, not displaying the airs of a Great Saint. Then Gu Xiu asked, ¡°Why did Master come here?¡± ¡°Mr. Gu was worried about changes in Tianshu Prefecture¡¯s situation, so he had me come personally. Little did I know that the Evil Spirit had already grown rampant to the point of openly attacking the government office. Had I arrived a moment later, the consequences would have been unimaginable!¡± As the Emperor Extreme Great Saint said this, he looked at the fragments of the red bridal dress on the ground, and his face turned grim. Just a bit more! Just a bit more and Gu Xiu would have died at the hands of the Evil Spirit. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint could hardly imagine how enraged Gu Qingfeng would be if Gu Xiu died. If it came to that point, the entire Ancient Desolate World would likely shake with earth-shattering turbulence. This. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint had no doubt. Although Gu Qingfeng seemed indifferent to all things, how could the Emperor Extreme Great Saint not see the domineering nature within? Truly provoke such an existence, and the consequences are unimaginable. Just as well. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power was astonishing. A furious Quasi Emperor really choosing to act regardless of the cost would be enough to make all forces fear. ¡°I see...¡± Gu Xiu heard these words, and his expression instantly relaxed. ¡°With Master stepping in, the matters of Tianshu Prefecture should become much simpler!¡± At this point. Yan Yun spoke: ¡°Prince Yun, Emperor Extreme Senior, this is not the place to speak, why not head to the Inner Hall first and sit down!¡± ¡°That would be best!¡± Gu Xiu nodded, then looked at the ruined main hall of the government office and spoke again. ¡°The Evil Spirit attacked the government office, possibly targeting other places as well. Next, please trouble General Yan to meticulously inspect and see if there are other losses.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Yan Yun clasped his fist in acceptance. ©¤©¤ Tianshu Prefecture. Capital of the Star Dynasty. At this moment, the vast capital was in a deathly silence, ruins scattered everywhere, as if a fierce battle had taken place here. Within the Imperial Palace. The atmosphere was eerie. The once assembly hall of the hundred officials had now become a nest for the Evil Spirit. Chapter 561: 361 Sixth Sense_2 Chapter 561: Chapter 361 Sixth Sense_2 On the Emperor¡¯s Throne, a mighty figure sat in dignity, dressed in imperial robes, wearing a crown with tassels. His expression was pale, devoid of any color of blood, yet his eyes were eerily crimson. If members of the Ancient Qin Family and Gu Qingfeng were here, they would realize that this was the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, who had disappeared for many days. At the same time. Below. There were a group of Deceit Servants, various evil spirits, and the former Emperor Lu Zhen of the Star Dynasty. However, the current Lu Zhen exuded a chilling aura, giving off a bizarre sensation. His eyes faintly glowed red, as if ready to devour someone. ¡°The Bride¡¯s Dress is dead!¡± Suddenly, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor spoke slowly, his calm voice breaking the silence of the grand hall. As soon as he spoke. Many evil spirits trembled, and even Lu Zhen¡¯s expression changed. The Bride¡¯s Dress¡ªwhat kind of existence was that? They naturally were not unfamiliar. An upper-level calamity. With strength comparable to a Great Saint. They had thought that with the Bride¡¯s Dress taking action, dealing with the cultivators of the Divine Martial Dynasty would be a breeze. However, learning of the Bride¡¯s Dress¡¯s fall now was incredibly shocking to them. ¡°Could it be that Gu Qingfeng took action?¡± Lu Zhen asked solemnly. In the entire Divine Martial Dynasty, only Gu Qingfeng had the qualifications to slay the Bride¡¯s Dress. When the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor heard this name, a chill also flashed in his crimson eyes, even now he still remembered the battle with the Great Zhou Dynasty. ¡°Whether Gu Qingfeng took action is still unknown, but even if Gu Qingfeng comes, so what? It merely adds more blood food to this Emperor!¡± The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s pale face revealed a bizarrely cruel smile. The blood sacrifice of an entire state had already greatly increased the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s power, even restoring it to the level of middle destruction. At this level. Sufficient to rival a Quasi Emperor. This time. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor intended to devour the entire Eastern Domain Alliance Army, using the power of human blood and flesh to advance further, reaching the upper-level destruction realm again. Once cultivation reaches upper-level destruction, it would be able to rival a Human Clan Emperor. In this End of Dharma Era, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was confident enough to push through everything. ¡°With this Emperor¡¯s breakthrough to upper-level destruction, the Ancient Desolate World has no opponents, you should feel fortunate for siding with this Emperor in the past, because you will have the privilege to touch previously unreachable realms. Eternal life is not merely a luxury!¡± ¡°Everything follows His Majesty¡¯s orders!¡± Lu Zhen¡¯s body trembled, hastily bowing. He had already sided with the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor; naturally, the stronger the latter¡¯s power, the better. For the sake of allying with evil spirits, Lu Zhen had sacrificed everything, so his heart had long since twisted. He only wished to annihilate the Divine Martial Dynasty and other Human Clan. As for the Lu Imperial Family, as long as he lived, in Lu Zhen¡¯s view, the bloodline of the Lu Imperial Family wasn¡¯t truly extinct. ¡°Go, slaughter all humans stepping into Tianshu Prefecture and take their hearts; this Emperor has great use for them!¡± The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor commanded, and Lu Zhen along with many evil spirits compliantly accepted the order. ¡ª¡ª In Demon Suppression Immortal City. While the evil spirits were taking action, Gu Qingfeng, who was in seclusion, slightly furrowed his brow, as if something ominous was about to happen. A sixth sense in the back of his mind made his expression somewhat grave. ¡°What is about to happen, why am I so uneasy!?¡± Gu Qingfeng harbored no doubts about his sixth sense. The higher a cultivator¡¯s cultivation, the sharper their sixth sense. It¡¯s no exaggeration to call it a harbinger of good or ill. Of course. Though the sixth sense doesn¡¯t always alert, when it does, something bad is definitely about to happen. Gu Qingfeng instantly spread his Divine Thought, covering the entire Demon Suppression Immortal City and battlefield. Now. The demon clan held no advantage. With many cultivators and the Demon Suppression Army jointly guarding, the demon clan naturally had little chance of victory. However. The biggest beneficiary of this battle was still the Deceit God. The Deceit God Banner, having devoured a large amount of demon blood and Divine Soul, ultimately nourished the Deceit God, allowing its strength to steadily rise. So far. The Deceit God had already broken through the first layer of the Saint Realm, reaching the second layer of the Saint Realm. In a short time. The Deceit God¡¯s strength had broken through a minor level. The speed of this breakthrough made Gu Qingfeng pay more and more attention to the Deceit God Banner. It¡¯s hard to imagine. If the Deceit God were to be completely unleashed, how terrifying it might become. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng had always been closely watching the Deceit God Banner, fearing the Supreme Treasure would escape his control. Now, with the alert from the sixth sense, Gu Qingfeng immediately thought of the Deceit God Banner. However. The Deceit God Banner seemed normal. Gu Qingfeng also checked the Deceit God and found no signs of rebellion. Following that. Gu Qingfeng then sent messages to people of the Divine Martial Dynasty, checking if there were any internal changes within the dynasty, while also viewing the information panel. Finally¡ª¡ª Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze focused on a line of information. ... ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ was attacked by an upper-level calamity-level evil spirit, narrowly avoiding death, thanks to the intervention of Emperor Extreme Great Saint at a critical moment, and thus escaped danger!¡± ¡°Your descendant ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ thought that with the arrival of Emperor Extreme Great Saint, their side¡¯s strength had considerably increased, deciding to mobilize troops against Tianshu Prefecture again, striving to slay Lu Zhen as quickly as possible!¡± ... ¡°Upper-level calamity-level evil spirit!¡± ¡°Tianshu Prefecture¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes shifted. He could now conclude that this sixth sense alert was definitely related to Tianshu Prefecture. Moreover. An attack by an upper-level calamity-level evil spirit. Such an evil spirit comparable to the Great Saint Realm, launching a sudden attack, suggested that a stronger evil spirit might be orchestrating everything from behind. Previously, Gu Qingfeng had not paid much attention to the Star Dynasty, believing that even if they colluded with evil spirits, their strength was limited and couldn¡¯t possibly counter the entire Eastern Domain. But as things developed, Gu Qingfeng increasingly understood that the evil spirits allied with the Star Dynasty were not so simple. Up till now. The appearance of an upper-level calamity-level evil spirit confirmed Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thoughts. ¡°To command an upper-level calamity-level evil spirit, it must at least be a lower-level destruction evil spirit, or possibly a middle-level destruction!¡± ¡°If it¡¯s the former, that¡¯s fine, but if it¡¯s the latter, then the four Dharma Decrees I left for Emperor Extreme Great Saint may not be enough to counter such an evil spirit...¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression grew solemn. Lower-grade destruction is the best-case scenario. Such evil spirits, although equal to a Saint King, can be slain with the power of the Dharma Decrees. But if it¡¯s middle-level destruction, things are different. The difference between lower and middle tiers might just be one level, but it¡¯s the difference between a Saint King and a Quasi Emperor. Facing directly an evil spirit comparable to the Quasi-Emperor Realm, it is absolutely impossible to suppress it with four Dharma Decrees. After all, the power of the Dharama Decrees tops off at the Quasi Emperor level. Given such a situation. Gu Xiu and the people of the Divine Martial Dynasty are indeed in big trouble. Understanding the crux of the matter, Gu Qingfeng immediately took a deep breath and sent a message to Gu Fengchen. Moments later. Gu Fengchen walked in from outside and bowed to Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Grandson greets the Ancestor, I wonder why the Ancestor summoned me, is there any command?¡± ¡°I must leave the Demon Suppression Immortal City for a period. You will take my place to guard the Demon Suppression Immortal City. This is the Imperial Weapon, the Evil Slayer Blade. If there¡¯s any danger, wielding this blade should resolve it!¡± Gu Qingfeng paused, and without waiting for Gu Fengchen to speak, he flicked a drop of blood which fell right in the middle of the grand hall. ¡°This blood here can simulate my aura, even if a Demon Emperor comes, they won¡¯t be able to tell the difference. Your task now is not to let anyone into this grand hall, otherwise, if the news of my departure from Demon Suppression Immortal City is leaked, the demon clan may launch a massive invasion!¡± Gu Qingfeng earnestly warned. His words. Made Gu Fengchen¡¯s expression change slightly, then he hurriedly nodded. ¡°Rest assured, Ancestor, I certainly understand what to do!¡± Chapter 562: 362: Tianshu Prefecture Great Battle Chapter 562: Chapter 362: Tianshu Prefecture Great Battle Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng left Demon Suppression Immortal City. Gu Fengchen stood guarding outside the great hall, not allowing anyone to enter. Anyone coming to seek Gu Qingfeng, Gu Fengchen would temporarily refuse by saying the former was in secluded cultivation for a breakthrough. And he informed others that unless it was a matter concerning the survival of Demon Suppression Immortal City, no one was to disturb. This way. No one dared to come and interrupt. Seeing this. Gu Fengchen let out a sigh of relief secretly. Then he looked toward the direction of the great hall, revealing a bitter smile. ¡°Ancestor, please return soon, otherwise I can¡¯t bear this pressure!¡± Although up to now, everything in Demon Suppression Immortal City was as usual. But who could guarantee that there wouldn¡¯t be problems later? Without Gu Qingfeng, Gu Fengchen always felt uneasy. However. Thinking about Gu Qingfeng leaving behind an Imperial Weapon, he felt slightly relieved. With the ability to activate an Imperial Weapon, it could handle many matters. Then. Gu Fengchen immediately began cross-legged cultivation. Upon awakening the Star Tao Body, Gu Fengchen could absorb the stellar power from the skies at all times to temper himself, so he had no specific requirements for the cultivation environment. As soon as he started cultivating, faint starlight from the Nine Heavens descended, enveloping his body entirely, emanating auspicious divine light. If others saw this scene, they would definitely be shocked. After all, stellar power is hard to capture; without a specific method, even a strong Semi-Saint Realm cultivator cannot use stellar power as a cultivation source. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s guidance and the advantage of his Star Tao Body, Gu Fengchen¡¯s cultivation in the Taixu Star Domain Scripture advanced rapidly, reaching the First Layer of the Divine Transformation Chapter in a short period. At his current pace, it wouldn¡¯t be long before he could cultivate to the Fifth Layer of the Divine Transformation Chapter, matching his own cultivation level. Originally. With the strength of the Star Tao Body, coupled with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s guidance and resource provision, Gu Fengchen¡¯s cultivation speed in the Divine Transformation Realm would be very fast. But because of cultivating the Taixu Star Domain Scripture and transitioning to the Abyss Scripture, it slowed down the cultivation speed somewhat. Regarding this. Gu Fengchen didn¡¯t care much. The speed of cultivation isn¡¯t important; what matters is whether the foundation is solid enough. Now that he is cultivating two Imperial Scriptures, Gu Fengchen¡¯s foundation is destined to be much more solid than other cultivators. Just like now. Though Gu Fengchen hadn¡¯t broken through again, since he entered the Divine Transformation Chapter with the Taixu Star Domain Scripture, he found that he could easily suppress his previous self before cultivating the Taixu Star Domain Scripture. This shows. The impact brought by an Imperial Scripture is immense. As the fourth-generation prodigy of the Gu Family and a leading figure among his peers, Gu Fengchen certainly did not want his strength to be too weak. After all, cultivating alongside Gu Qingfeng, it would be embarrassing if he were not as strong as his other peers in the Gu Family. ¡ª¡ª In Tianshu Prefecture. An army was pressing forward. Many powerful figures from different forces entered Tianshu Prefecture, clashing with the Evil Spirits. In the direction of the Taixu Sacred Land. Fu Shenjun was stern, looking at the many Evil Spirits in front of him, his eyes filled with cold light. ¡°Just how many Evil Spirits are there in Tianshu Prefecture? With the power of these Evil Spirits, even though we at Taixu Sacred Land may win this battle, I¡¯m afraid it will come at a great cost!¡± This battle saw all the strong of Taixu Sacred Land, with many prodigies accompanying, aimed at eradicating the Star Dynasty, which colludes with Evil Spirits, and also to get a share. After all, the foundation of an Imperial Dynasty is enough to tempt Taixu Sacred Land. Yet. As the march progressed. The resistance from the Star Dynasty left Taixu Sacred Land somewhat struggling. But with things reaching this point, Taixu Sacred Land certainly couldn¡¯t retreat. This battle. Either the Star Dynasty would be destroyed. Or the allied forces would suffer a crushing defeat. Besides this. There¡¯s no third possibility. As he spoke. Fu Shenjun looked toward the leading Daoist, namely Taoist Monarch Taixuan, the only awake Saint Eighth Layer Heaven power in Taixu Sacred Land. This battle was held with Taoist Monarch Taixuan in position, barely allowing Taixu Sacred Land to withstand the pressure from the Evil Spirits. Otherwise. Just relying on Fu Shenjun and others would definitely not be able to contend with the Evil Spirits. ¡°The Star Dynasty isn¡¯t that simple, with so many Evil Spirits, including numerous in the middle Natural Disaster level, it¡¯s rumored the Divine Martial Dynasty even faced an upper Natural Disaster attack. With just one Star Dynasty, it¡¯s impossible to foster so many Evil Spirits in such a short period. Behind this, there might be an even greater Evil Spirit lurking!¡± Taoist Monarch Taixuan¡¯s voice was heavy, his eyes gazing at the battlefield in front, with several strands of Gang Qi piercing through the void, instantly killing several lower Natural Disaster levels, equivalent to the Tiaoist Palace Realm Evil Spirits. With this said. Gu Xuan¡¯s face immediately changed. ¡°What did Ancestor say... there¡¯s an upper Natural Disaster attacking the Divine Martial Dynasty army?¡± Upper Natural Disaster. That is formidable. From what Gu Xuan understood, his third brother is now stationed in the army. If there¡¯s an upper Natural Disaster attack, Gu Xiu might fall. Thinking of this. Gu Xiu grew anxious. Taoist Monarch Taixuan shook his head, ¡°No need to worry, Saint Heir. Though an upper Natural Disaster made a move, an Ancient Great Saint from the Divine Martial Dynasty side came forward, allegedly the Emperor Extreme Great Saint who once dominated the world in the Southern Domain tens of thousands of years ago. That person took action to suppress the upper Natural Disaster, resolving the crisis for the Divine Martial Dynasty.¡± Upon hearing this. Gu Xuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Chapter 563: 362: Tianshu Prefecture Battle_2 Chapter 563: Chapter 362: Tianshu Prefecture Battle_2 An Ancient Great Saint has taken action. That¡¯s much better. Fu Shenjun was shocked: ¡°Emperor Extreme Great Saint... Saint Gu, your Gu Family truly has deep foundations!¡± ¡°Peak Master jokes, why the Emperor Extreme Great Saint would take action, even I, as a disciple, do not know.¡± Gu Xuan smiled helplessly, having truly little understanding of the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Nonetheless. Upon learning that the Divine Martial Dynasty army possesses an Ancient Great Saint, Gu Xuan felt little concern. After all, the strength of an Ancient Great Saint is much stronger than even Taoist Monarch Taixuan. Fu Shenjun, hearing this. Became increasingly alarmed at the foundation of the Gu Family. At the same time. He also felt silently relieved. Fortunately. For a long time. The Taixu Sacred Land has stood on the side of Gu Family and Divine Martial Dynasty, the relationship between the two is very close, and now the stronger the Gu Family becomes, the greater the benefits for Taixu Sacred Land. On the surface, the two sides are allies, but in reality, Taixu Sacred Land has already subtly depended on the Gu Family. The rise of the Gu Family. Fu Shenjun believes that no one can stop it anymore. Taoist Monarch Taixuan spoke: ¡°Although that Upper-Level natural disaster has fallen, I believe that the Evil Spirit side definitely has more than just one Upper-Level natural disaster. Furthermore, being able to secretly command an Upper-Level natural disaster, the strength of that Evil Spirit likely has stepped into the Destruction level!¡± Upon hearing this. Everyone¡¯s expressions changed again. Destruction level! That is at least equivalent to the Saint King Realm. Taoist Monarch Taixuan said: ¡°But it¡¯s useless to talk about this now, the foundation of the Eastern Domain is not so shallow, even a Destruction-level natural disaster, we can suppress it together. Now it¡¯s just a matter of seeing how much foundation the Evil Spirit side truly has hidden!¡± Just as Taoist Monarch Taixuan finished speaking, a terrifying spiritual power abruptly erupted from the Evil Spirit army side, followed immediately by a sound akin to a baby¡¯s cry suddenly resounding on the battlefield, entering everyone¡¯s ears, causing them to shake, a great sense of terror uncontrollably rising within. ¡°Middle-Level natural disaster!¡± Taoist Monarch Taixuan¡¯s face changed. Suddenly, the void shattered, and a being like a child appeared, its body round and wearing a festive red coat, lacking any facial features, yet emitting a strange baby¡¯s cry. Many cultivators, upon seeing this Evil Spirit, were swept by a terrifying and eerie polluting power, losing control of their minds, faintly showing signs of falling into the abyss. ¡°Awake!¡± Taoist Monarch Taixuan commanded angrily, the terrifying Divine Thought of the Saint Eighth Layer Heaven swept across, purging all spiritual polluting powers. Immediately after. Taoist Monarch Taixuan sternly ordered: ¡°Everyone must avoid focusing on this Evil Spirit, and concentrate on eliminating other Evil Spirits!¡± The top-level Evil Spirit naturally carries strong spiritual pollution, such an existence is like a walking natural disaster plague, corrupting all it passes by. This is why. Such level of Evil Spirits are called natural disaster level. Because the Evil Spirit itself is a dreadful calamity. Even without deliberately killing, the spiritual power it emits is enough to corrupt, causing all living beings to fall and transform into Evil Spirit servants. A powerful natural disaster level Evil Spirit can autonomously pollute an entire domain. A Lower-Level natural disaster is still manageable, but a Middle-Level natural disaster is even more terrifying. Presently, only Taoist Monarch Taixuan from the Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s side can contend with such a natural disaster. As the words fell. Taoist Monarch Taixuan directly took action, wielding the Taixu Ancient Mirror, with terrifying divine light piercing through the void, striking the strange Evil Spirit like a child. A Middle-Level natural disaster. Taoist Monarch Taixuan naturally dared not be careless. Especially with the current battlefield, no one knows what will happen in the next moment. Thus. Upon taking action. Taoist Monarch Taixuan unleashed full power. The cultivation of the Saint Eighth Layer Heaven, combined with the power of the Great Saint Weapon, this terrifying strike breaks the Saint barrier, stepping into the genuine Great Saint realm. ¡°Ah!!¡± The Evil Spirit child let out a piercing scream, seemingly sensing the threat of the strike, and then a short, round hand launched forth, seemingly conjuring a surging blood sea. But when the two forces clashed, the divine light of the Taixu Ancient Mirror pierced through the blood sea, causing the Evil Spirit child¡¯s arm to explode, scattering large amounts of dark blood mingled with flesh. This strike. The Evil Spirit child was evidently wounded. The pain seemed to completely enrage this Evil Spirit, and the eerie crying echoed across the battlefield, a terrifying spiritual power pressing towards Taoist Monarch Taixuan, various phantoms and illusions seemed to materialize. ¡°Vile creature!¡± Taoist Monarch Taixuan, unafraid, infused terrifying vitality into the Taixu Ancient Mirror, divine light pierce the void like celestial stars falling, rendering the Evil Spirit child unable to cope momentarily. And at the moment Taoist Monarch Taixuan was engaged with the Evil Spirit child, allied forces from other powers were also attacked by different levels of Evil Spirits. Some forces, like the Taixu Sacred Land, have top experts to hold the line, and are unafraid of Evil Spirits¡¯ methods. But some slightly weaker forces faced extremely severe consequences. On the battlefield. An Ancient Saint was bleeding, torn apart viciously by a strange Evil Spirit, the severe pain causing painful screams, no matter how they struggled, they could only watch helplessly as their body was gradually devoured by the Evil Spirit. ¡°Ancestor!!¡± The strongmen of their faction were disheartened upon witnessing this, wanting to save their ancestor but had no means. After all, their Saint Realm ancestor was gruesomely dismembered and devoured by the Evil Spirit, their strength to intervene would be in vain. At once. The leader of the faction reddened eyes, painfully commanded. ¡°Retreat!! Everyone retreat!! Leave the Tianshu Prefecture¡ª¡± Yet. They wished to withdraw. But the Evil Spirit side offered no opportunity. After the Evil Spirit finished devouring the Saint¡¯s body entirely, crimson eyes fell upon those below, a terrifying Forbidden Domain unfolded, instantly covering a hundred leagues. All cultivators within the Forbidden Domain were trapped. From outside, the situation within the Forbidden Domain was unclear, but the numerous screams and agonizing cries illustrated what was transpiring within. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Six sects and three major noble families¡¯ armies have been destroyed!¡± On the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s side, Gu Xiu looked at the intelligence from the Jinyi Guard, his expression grim. The battle has begun so shortly, yet nine factions have been annihilated. Moreover, among these factions, several had Saint Realm experts stationed. Yet even so. These factions still met destruction. Even the Saint Realm ancestors perished brutally on the spot. Besides this. More forces suffered severe damage from the Evil Spirits, losses varied greatly. Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s expression was grim: ¡°It seems my speculation was correct, the Evil Spirit side indeed has powerful foundations, now that all forces are attacking Tianshu Prefecture, they have shown their true ferocity!¡± But even knowing the Evil Spirit side¡¯s foundations, Emperor Extreme Great Saint understood, the Divine Martial Dynasty and other forces have no retreat. At this point. This battle must destroy the Star Dynasty. Otherwise. If the allied forces suffer defeat and retreat, it will inevitably cause turmoil in the Eastern Domain. At that time. With the demon invasion yet unresolved, if the Evil Spirit side dominates a province, allowing them to develop unchecked, it will inevitably become a dreadful latent threat. If care is lacking, the Human Clan could face enemies on both fronts. Therefore. This fight requires the Star Dynasty¡¯s destruction. Otherwise. For the entire Eastern Domain Human Clan, this will be an apocalyptic disaster. In this situation. Emperor Extreme Great Saint can see clearly, and believes other factions can also perceive that no matter the sacrifice, this malignant tumor must be eradicated completely. Since things have reached this point, retreat is no longer viable. Chapter 564: 363: Advancing 3,000 Miles Chapter 564: Chapter 363: Advancing 3,000 Miles In the Tianshu Prefecture. War spread across the land. The once prestigious mansion has now become dilapidated, with corpses and skeletal remains everywhere, a harrowing sight to behold. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor presided over the Imperial City, and unbeknownst to many, a Blood Pool had been established within the former Imperial Palace. A large amount of blood and entrails were thrown into the Blood Pool, for the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor to consume. The latter opened his mouth wide, as a torrent of blood from the Blood Pool was continuously devoured into his body. As time passed. The Blood Pool gradually emptied. The aura emanating from the latter seemed to grow even more formidable. ¡°Not enough!¡± ¡°The blood of these ordinary Humans is far from enough. I need more blood to restore my power to the Upper Destruction level!¡± In his crimson eyes, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor revealed a bloodthirsty desire. He needed to consume more blood. And it had to be the blood of powerful Humans. The blood of ordinary Humans was already of little significance to the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. Unless. The quantity could reach an astonishing level. Otherwise. Blood of this level was nothing more than that. Now within the Tianshu Prefecture, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor had already sensed many powerful presences, all at least at the Saint level among Humans. The mere thought of the taste of Saint flesh made the red in his eyes fill with greed. At this moment. Shen Shan suddenly appeared. ¡°Greetings, Your Majesty!¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°The Human armies are pressing forward step by step, and many Evil Spirits are retreating continuously. At this rate, they will enter the Imperial City¡¯s range in no more than three days!¡± Shen Shan said in a deep voice. The determination of the Eastern Domain also unsettled him somewhat. Knowing full well how difficult the Tianshu Prefecture was to conquer, the Eastern Domain still persisted, sacrificing heavily with the intent to completely obliterate the Star Dynasty. This led to a situation in the Tianshu Prefecture. The Eastern Domain suffered heavy losses. Yet the Evil Spirits¡¯ losses were even greater. The Human Clan from the Eastern Domain fought with the intent of mutual destruction. This led to the Evil Spirits being unable to stop the Human armies despite their strength. The latter seemed utterly indifferent to casualties, and nothing could be done about it. Upon hearing Shen Shan¡¯s words, a bizarre smile appeared on the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s eerie face. ¡°Let them come if they wish. I¡¯ll be here waiting for them, ready to catch them all in one net to avoid any escapees!¡± Upon hearing this. Shen Shan let out a sigh of relief. In his eyes, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was an invincible existence. Previously chased by the Ancient Qin Family, it was due to his lack of restored power. Now, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s cultivation had reached the Middle Destruction level, rivalling Quasi Emperor Realm experts. Throughout the Ancient Desolate World, few could contend with him. Currently, in the Eastern Domain. Only the Divine Martial Dynasty had one with strength comparable to a quasi-emperor. But as Shen Shan knew, he was constantly guarding the Demon Suppression Immortal City, preventing a full-scale invasion by the Demon Clan, making it impossible for him to set out. With that. None among the Eastern Domain¡¯s army could pose a threat to the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. Once the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor steps further into the Upper Destruction level, even the one guarding the Demon Suppression Immortal City, in Shen Shan¡¯s view, would not be a match. At that time. The Netherworld Immortal Court would certainly dominate the Eastern Domain and even further, ruling the entire Ancient Desolate World. As a Deceit Servant who first pledged loyalty to the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, Shen Shan naturally would gain immense benefits. Everyone has desires. Shen Shan¡¯s desire was to live and to live better and better. Otherwise. He would not have surrendered his dignity to pledge allegiance to the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor in the face of death. Thanks to the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s rewards, Shen Shan¡¯s strength has been steadily increasing and was now close to touching the Saint level. No¡ª It should be called Middle Natural Disaster now. Shen Shan knew well. If not for pledging allegiance to the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, he would never have reached this level in his lifetime, unable to even reach the peak of Lower Natural Disaster, on par with the Semi-Saint level, almost an impossible feat. ¡°Send down the order, let the other Evil Spirits slightly lessen their resistance, draw all the Humans here to the Imperial City. I will be here waiting for them!¡± The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor said with a sinister tone. Previously, he let the Evil Spirits launch a massive counterattack, slaughtering many Human cultivators. Now, with the blood and flesh of these Human cultivators consumed by the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, his strength had advanced further. This emboldened the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor to confront the Eastern Domain army head-on. At his level, every increment in strength was a significant change. Upon hearing this. Shen Shan acknowledged and stepped back. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Boom!¡± An Evil Spirit was killed on the spot by a terrifying force without even letting out a scream. Nangong Chuan remained indifferent as if subduing a Middle Natural Disaster was a trivial matter for him. With the fall of this Evil Spirit, the remaining Evil Spirit army retreated like a tide. Seeing this. The side of the Taixuan Dynasty was overjoyed. ¡°The Evil Spirit army has retreated!¡± Having fought fiercely till now, the Taixuan Dynasty also suffered considerable losses. Seeing the Evil Spirit army retreat, others naturally felt that the Evil Spirits were at their wits¡¯ end. Only a handful, seeing this, frowned deeply. ¡°King Chuan, there¡¯s something odd about the Evil Spirits¡¯ retreat; there might be an ulterior motive behind it!¡± Wang Junze cautioned. He was initially guarding one side against Demons, but when the Evil Spirits emerged, he led his army straight for the Star Dynasty. Strictly speaking. The commander of this army was Wang Junze. An ancient Saint like Nangong Chuan merely played a supporting role. Chapter 565: 363: Advancing 3,000 Miles_2 Chapter 565: Chapter 363: Advancing 3,000 Miles_2 Upon hearing this. Nangong Chuan¡¯s expression was subtle: ¡°General Wang is right, this retreat of the Evil Spirit is indeed bizarre, as if trying to lure us directly in!¡± As an Ancient Saint, Nangong Chuan had seen far too many conspiracies, the poor acting of the Evil Spirit naturally couldn¡¯t escape his eyes. If it were a normal battle between two armies, Nangong Chuan would not rashly advance, to avoid falling into a trap. However. The current command of the army is held by Wang Junze, he still had to heed the other¡¯s opinion. The latter pondered for a moment, then said: ¡°Now we and the Evil Spirit are in a fight to the death, the battle of Tianshu Prefecture must end with the extermination of the Evil Spirit, so even if there is a conspiracy, we cannot halt our advance. However, this battle is ultimately not fought by Taixuan Dynasty alone. I suggest that we first advance three thousand li, then wait for other forces to join, to conduct the final decisive battle together!¡± Although Wang Junze was stepping into Tianshu Prefecture for the first time, he also knew that advancing five thousand li would bring them to the Imperial City of Star Dynasty. Therefore. If the Evil Spirit¡¯s side had any backup plan, it would surely be within the Imperial City. To this. Nangong Chuan nodded. ¡°Then let¡¯s proceed according to General Wang¡¯s suggestion, advance three thousand li first, then the army will rest on the spot, revitalizing and preparing for the final battle!¡± While speaking. Nangong Chuan looked at Wang Junze with eyes filled with admiration. Such talent is indeed rare. Moreover. The other¡¯s aptitude is not low. At the age of merely a hundred, he had already entered the Third Layer of the Taoist Palace Realm. This cultivation may not compare to the top prodigies of the Ancient Noble Families, but it surpasses most ordinary prodigies by far. If nurtured, the likelihood of later breaking through to becoming Saint is considerable. Even further. A chance to ascend to the Great Saint Realm. Never mind that Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s Ancient heritage has the support of thousands of years of foundation, but any Saint is of great importance to the Dynasty. Furthermore. Wang Junze¡¯s talent in military leadership is unparalleled. Such a prodigy is much more important than other prodigies. Hence. Nangong Chuan had considered taking the other as a disciple. However¡ª The court internal affairs are complex, despite Nangong Chuan being an Ancient Saint and having princely respect, he could not act recklessly. If it were an ordinary cultivator, naturally there would be no issue. But Wang Junze holds significant power, making the situation different. Therefore. Nangong Chuan suppressed this thought. Subsequently. Under Wang Junze¡¯s orders, the Taixuan Dynasty army advanced three thousand li, while the Evil Spirit¡¯s side seemed to entirely abandon resistance, collapsing upon encounter. Considering this situation, Wang Junze became more certain there was something amiss. Otherwise. The Evil Spirit would not be utterly defenseless. Hence, after advancing three thousand li, Wang Junze directly ordered a rest, not venturing further. This move fell into the eyes of the Evil Spirit, leaving many frustrated yet helpless. Meanwhile. Other forces encountered similar situations. Recently, the Evil Spirit¡¯s counterattack resembled the last glimmer of hope, after one strong surge, they could no longer sustain. However. Many forces discovered something amiss within. Especially when they learned that Taixuan Dynasty had advanced three thousand li before resting, they were more convinced in their thoughts. Thus. These forces acted with much caution, imitating Taixuan Dynasty, ceasing operations after advancing a certain distance, waiting for a true opportunity for decisive battle. ... Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Xiu looked at the intelligence sent by the Jinyi Guard, and his expression subtly shifted. ¡°It seems the Evil Spirit is preparing for its final stand!¡± After all, the Evil Spirit was so fierce earlier, yet now it directly collapses, which makes no sense. Anyone who isn¡¯t foolish can see that this may be the Evil Spirit¡¯s deliberate ploy to appear weak, intending to consolidate all its strength for a last-ditch effort. Of course. Nothing is absolute. Gu Xiu naturally wanted to handle this cautiously. Yan Yun furrowed his brows: ¡°Prince Yun¡¯s speculation is indeed likely, since other forces stopped at advancing three thousand li, we can do the same. Only by consolidating all the Eastern Domain¡¯s strength can we minimize the losses of this battle!¡± This battle until now. The Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s thirty million troops had already suffered losses of twelve million, with countless soldiers buried here. If the losses continue, even if victory is achieved later, it would still be a significant blow to the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s Primordial Qi. Therefore. Yan Yun now hoped to minimize losses. Despite the fight against the Evil Spirit being a fight to the death, it is still necessary to preserve one¡¯s own side as much as possible in the effort to exterminate the Evil Spirit. It is said that the merciful do not lead armies. But Yan Yun could not just watch his men die. This proposal received nods of agreement from others. Gu Xiu here naturally had no reason to object. Subsequently. The Divine Martial Dynasty army advanced, the Evil Spirit encountered was defeated with ease, and advancing three thousand li posed very little pressure. This advance was even easier than when the Divine Martial Dynasty first entered Star Dynasty. Upon advancing three thousand li, Gu Xiu ordered to encamp and refrain from rash movements. Just then. A Jinyi Guard approached, respectfully delivering a Jade Talisman to Gu Xiu¡¯s hand. ¡°Report to Prince, this is a Jade Talisman sent by Taixuan Dynasty, please inspect it!¡± The latter took the Jade Talisman immediately upon hearing, then sent Divine Thought into it, and information began to emerge. A moment later. The Jade Talisman shattered into powder. Yan Yun immediately asked: ¡°Prince, what is Taixuan Dynasty¡¯s intention?¡± ¡°Taixuan Dynasty wishes to form an Evil Extermination Alliance, hoping that I represent Divine Martial Dynasty to attend, to discuss dealing with the Evil Spirit!¡± Gu Xiu paused, then spoke. ¡°Since Taixuan Dynasty sent the message, I shall represent Divine Martial Dynasty this time, affairs here will be temporarily entrusted to General Yan!¡± ¡°No problem... Just that Taixuan Dynasty sends messages, the Prince must remain cautious and not be careless!¡± Yan Yun nodded, then issued a reminder. Gu Xiu¡¯s prestigious status makes him the only suitable representative of Divine Martial Dynasty, but likewise, Yan Yun worries Taixuan Dynasty might have other schemes. Although this possibility is small, it cannot be ignored. If something happens to Gu Xiu, Yan Yun is certain that he and others may bear inescapable responsibility. At this time. The always silent Emperor Extreme Great Saint spoke. ¡°Let me accompany you on this journey!¡± ¡°With Master accompanying, all will be secure!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Xiu did not decline. Others, seeing this, breathed a sigh of relief. As an Ancient Great Saint, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s strength is unmatched in the entire Ancient Desolate World, and in today¡¯s End of Dharma Era, few can genuinely threaten him. Even if Taixuan Dynasty truly has some conspiracy, it cannot threaten Emperor Extreme Great Saint. Then. Emperor Extreme Great Saint handed a Dharma Decree to Yan Yun. ¡°This is a Dharma Decree entrusted by Mr. Gu to me. When used, simply infuse your essence and blood power into it, whereby the decree will activate against the enemy. The power of this decree, those below Quasi Emperor level would find challenging to withstand, only use it in crucial moments!¡± ¡°Thank you, Senior!¡± Yan Yun took a deep breath, respectfully accepting the Dharma Decree with trembling hands. A decree capable of suppressing opponents below Quasi Emperor, such a remarkable treasure. Its rarity requires no further elaboration. However. Yan Yun did not refuse. He fully understood that once Gu Xiu and Emperor Extreme Great Saint departed, the court¡¯s army would lack a top-tier expert to oversee, making any attack by powerful Evil Spirits dire. Having this Dharma Decree prevented this possibility to the greatest extent, significantly raising safety factors. Chapter 566: 364: Straight to the Heart Chapter 566: Chapter 364: Straight to the Heart Heavenly Star City. This place was once a significant city of Tianshu Prefecture and the most critical barrier of the Imperial City. For millions of years, the Star Dynasty has experienced multiple rebellions, but all the rebel armies that entered Tianshu Prefecture were stopped by Heavenly Star City, unable to advance even an inch. But now. This significant city has fallen into the hands of the Taixuan Dynasty. At the same time. This former gateway to the Imperial City has become a powerful weapon for attacking the Star Dynasty. Currently. The Taixuan Dynasty has gathered many powerful figures, and for a time, Heavenly Star City was teeming with them. Yin Yang Sacred Land! Taixu Sacred Land! Yuhua Sacred Land! Divine Wind Dynasty! ... Various forces, big and small, have all sent their powerful figures. And representing the Taixuan Dynasty is naturally Nangong Chuan. ¡°It¡¯s an honor for me to have you all here today!¡± ¡°King Chuan, you are too kind!¡± ¡°Saint Nangong, you flatter us¡ª¡± In the presence of Nangong Chuan, all the powerful figures smiled politely, for before them stood a prince of the Taixuan Dynasty, whose strength reaches the pinnacle of the Saint Nine Heavens. It should be noted. A strong figure at this level is just a step away from entering the Great Saint Realm and is already among the top ranks of power. At this moment. A voice was heard. ¡°Prince Yun, Gu Xiu of the Divine Martial Dynasty, and his mentor, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, have arrived!¡± As these words were spoken. The entire scene fell silent, and everyone looked outside the main hall as the voices of Gu Xiu and the Emperor Extreme Great Saint followed. ¡°Greetings, Prince Yun!¡± ¡°Greetings, Emperor Extreme Great Saint!¡± Everyone bowed and saluted. Prince Yun, Gu Xiu! Emperor Extreme Great Saint! The former needs no introduction; he is the direct son of Gu Qingfeng, of noble status. After all, Gu Qingfeng is currently in the End of Dharma Era, the only top figure in the Eastern Domain capable of repelling an Upper Demon Emperor. His direct son, naturally, is extraordinary. Following him. Then comes the Emperor Extreme Great Saint. When this ancient Great Saint appeared, all parties had already received intelligence. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint has never hidden his whereabouts, and with many eyes from the Divine Martial Dynasty watching, it is very normal to know of his existence. Even Nangong Chuan, at this moment, saluted Gu Xiu and the Emperor Extreme Great Saint politely. ¡°Prince Yun, Emperor Extreme Senior!¡± ¡°King Chuan!¡± Gu Xiu nodded. At this time. The eyes of everyone in the main hall fell upon him, but Gu Xiu¡¯s expression remained unchanged, showing little to no reaction. At that moment. Nangong Chuan spoke: ¡°Since Prince Yun and Emperor Extreme Senior have arrived, please take your seats!¡± Once the two were seated. Nangong Chuan looked at everyone present, then got straight to the point. ¡°I won¡¯t say much in terms of pleasantries. The reason the Taixuan Dynasty has invited you today is to deal with the Star Dynasty and the Evil Spirit behind it!¡± Upon hearing this. Everyone¡¯s expressions became much more serious. The Star Dynasty. Is the problem they currently face. Fu Shenjun spoke in a deep voice: ¡°Does the Taixuan Dynasty have any information about the Evil Spirit behind the Star Dynasty?¡± ¡°Our Taixuan Dynasty has indeed uncovered some information¡ª¡± Nangong Chuan looked at Fu Shenjun, not hiding anything, and directly nodded to confirm. ¡°I suspect that the Evil Spirit behind the Star Dynasty is the same entity that once destroyed the Great Zhou Dynasty!¡± At these words. Everyone¡¯s expressions changed. Holy Man Yang Yingtian of the Divine Wind Dynasty furrowed his brow: ¡°Is King Chuan suggesting that the Evil Spirit behind the Star Dynasty is the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor?¡± ¡°Saint Yingtian is correct!¡± Nangong Chuan nodded. Taoist Monarch Taixuan said: ¡°If it¡¯s truly the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, should we inform the ancient Qin Family? After all, the ancient Qin Family has been tracking the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor for a long time, always seeking to kill him. If the ancient Qin Family could lend a hand, our losses in the Eastern Domain might be reduced!¡± ¡°I once sent a message to the ancient Qin Family, but over in the Central Domain, demons rampage, along with the revival of many ancient Evil Spirits, so they find it hard to intervene. Ultimately, the Five Domains of the Ancient Desolate World rarely interfere in the matters of other domains. To get the ancient Qin Family to act, unless our Eastern Domain offers something to tempt the ancient noble family, it is unlikely!¡± Nangong Chuan shook his head. Ultimately. Everything boils down to the word ¡®interest¡¯. Without any relevant interests, the ancient Qin Family cannot possibly act to aid the Eastern Domain. Although everyone belongs to the Human Clan, realistically speaking, it still comes down to interests. Even the many forces gathered here are purely for interests. As for the so-called great righteousness of the Human Clan, one cannot say it doesn¡¯t exist at all, but it¡¯s not abundant. Nangong Chuan¡¯s words, everyone else understood inwardly. Even Taoist Monarch Taixuan had nothing more to say. The issue of the ancient Qin Family was merely a suggestion. To say that someone from the ancient Qin Family might actually come, Taoist Monarch Taixuan didn¡¯t believe it either. ¡°Right now, the matters in the Eastern Domain can only be resolved by the forces within. All the major armies are gathered here, and overwhelming force could likely annihilate the Star Dynasty. The only variable now is that same Evil Spirit that annihilated the Great Zhou Dynasty!¡± Nangong Chuan paused, looking at the powerful figures present. Currently, most of the top figures in the Eastern Domain are here; there are nine Great Saints alone, with an additional twenty-three Saints. Among them. There is even an ancient existence such as the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, who stands at the pinnacle of the Great Saint Nine Heavens. In terms of strength. It is not at all weak. ¡°To my knowledge, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was severely injured previously by the ancient Qin Family, causing significant loss of power, and he may not have fully recovered. Chapter 567: 364: Charging Straight at Huanglong_2 Chapter 567: Chapter 364: Charging Straight at Huanglong_2 ¡°Therefore, our chances of winning this battle are not low!¡± ¡°Today, I¡¯ve invited all of you here with the hope that the numerous forces among us can join hands, so we aren¡¯t defeated one by one by the Evil Spirit¡¯s side!¡± ¡°After all, only by working together can we unleash our full potential!¡± Nangong Chuan continued speaking. His words. made others nod slightly. Everyone harbors their own selfish thoughts. If we cannot come together, fighting separately benefits no one. ¡°King Chuan¡¯s suggestion has no opposition from me. The Taixuan Dynasty is an Ancient Dynasty, and King Chuan is the initiator of this endeavor. How about letting the Taixuan Dynasty take charge and lead? All our forces will follow orders!¡± At this moment, Gu Xiu spoke up, clearly indicating the position of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Gu Xiu had no interest in the position of commander. In his view. The position appears important, but it¡¯s essentially not. Commanding all heroes from this position is impossible. At most, sitting in this position makes issuing commands more convenient. Rather than waste time fighting for the position, why not do a favor that comes naturally? Just as expected. Upon hearing Gu Xiu¡¯s words, Nangong Chuan smiled slightly, then modestly declined. ¡°Although the Taixuan Dynasty is the initiator, the forces behind each friend present here are formidable. It doesn¡¯t fall upon the Taixuan Dynasty to take charge!¡± ¡°King Chuan is modest. Prince Yun¡¯s proposal is supported by the Taixu Sacred Land!¡± The Taoist Monarch Taixuan spoke, showing Taixu Sacred Land¡¯s stance. With the Divine Martial Dynasty and Taixu Sacred Land speaking, other forces didn¡¯t say much, simply agreeing. To them, the commander position is unimportant, and since some forces have already spoken, offering a differing opinion now might upset the Taixuan Dynasty. It¡¯s unnecessary to offend a Dynasty over a trivial title. Seeing this. Nangong Chuan, half-heartedly, let the Taixuan Dynasty take the position. Then. Nangong Chuan took a formal tone: ¡°Since everyone says this, I won¡¯t decline further. Now that the matter is settled, we should focus on dealing with the Evil Spirit!¡± His words concluded. Nangong Chuan waved his sleeve, and the Great Tao¡¯s divine essence swirled, transforming swiftly into an illusory interface sand table before them. The images within the sand table showed the scenes of the Tianshu Prefecture. ¡°Currently, within a thousand miles around the Imperial City of the Star Dynasty, numerous Evil Spirits have gathered. To prevent them from fleeing in defeat, I propose a heavy military guard led by Heavenly Star City, with fortifications along the way to intercept fleeing Evil Spirit forces. Twenty-three Saints, six should stay to maintain order and prevent desperate actions by the Evil Spirit. The remaining seventeen Saints and nine Great Saints should directly target key enemies, focusing on eliminating Lu Zhen and the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor!¡± ¡°The rest of the army should restrain other Evil Spirit forces, providing cover for us!¡± Nangong Chuan had already thought through his plan, and once the topic shifted, he revealed his thoughts without reservation. Once his speech ended. Everyone exchanged looks, then nodded in agreement. ¡°Let¡¯s proceed according to King Chuan¡¯s plan!¡± ¡ª¡ª After leaving Heavenly Star City, many strong figures returned to their respective forces and made the necessary arrangements. Returning to the Divine Martial Dynasty, Gu Xiu summoned Yan Yun and others, commanding them to hold the rear and gather forces to counter the Evil Spirit army for time, as originally agreed. Meanwhile. Gu Xiu also stayed to guard their position. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty lacked top-tier power. As one of the nine Great Saints, the Emperor Extreme Great Saint couldn¡¯t remain to hold the position. Thus. Gu Xiu had to stay. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint was well aware of his disciple¡¯s strength. Although at the Peak of Ninth Layer in the Taoist Palace Realm, possessing the Undying Divine Body, he could hold his own even against a Saint. If all cards were played, killing a Saint wouldn¡¯t pose a problem. Yet for caution. The Emperor Extreme Great Saint left the Dharma Decree initially intended for Yan Yun with Gu Xiu, providing a life-saving asset. With a decree akin to a Quasi Emperor¡¯s strike, along with Gu Xiu¡¯s strength, guarding the rear posed no major issues. Three days later. Led by the Taixuan Dynasty, all forces advanced toward the Imperial City of the Star Dynasty. As anticipated, the defeated Evil Spirit side resisted fiercely, seemingly sensing their impending doom, fighting desperately. ¡°Humph, these Evil Spirits are merely making futile resistance!¡± Yang Yingtian¡¯s face showed disdain as he spoke, waving a hand to slay numerous Evil Spirits, clearing the area within a thousand feet. Such is the power of the Saint Realm. Yang Yingtian wasn¡¯t an ordinary Saint, standing at the Seventh Layer Heaven among Saints, easily handling ordinary Evil Spirits. Other Saints now also took action, slaying all obstructing Evil Spirits. The reason for this was to preserve the peak strength of other Great Saint Realm experts for combating Lu Zhen and the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. Strictly speaking. They primarily aimed to confront the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. As for Lu Zhen, truthfully, the various Saints and Great Saints didn¡¯t regard him highly. Regardless of Lu Zhen being the leader of a Dynasty, he couldn¡¯t escape the fact he was only a Semi-Saint. A Semi-Saint, no matter how strong, is still just a Semi-Saint, akin to an ant before Saints. Soon. The Imperial City was in sight. A powerful Evil Spirit aura covered the sky, making everyone¡¯s expression grow serious. At that moment. Space trembled. A majestic figure clad in imperial attire slowly appeared from space, with a throne made of bones behind him and numerous Evil Spirits exuding intense energy below. Among them. Lu Zhen stood prominently. ¡°You¡¯ve finally arrived, I¡¯ve waited long for this!¡± The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s lips curled into an eerie smile, his crimson gaze sweeping over the crowd, his mighty aura causing many to frown. ¡°Deceitful Heavenly Emperor!¡± Nangong Chuan spoke solemnly. Then. He looked toward the other Evil Spirits, growing more apprehensive internally. Thirteen Evil Spirits. The weakest had Middle natural disaster strength, with three reaching Upper natural disaster level, alongside an unfathomable Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. This scene. Was troubling for Nangong Chuan. ¡°You Evil Spirits harm the Human Clan and slaughter life in a prefecture, inciting heaven¡¯s wrath. Today, we have come to eradicate you!¡± Yang Yingtian¡¯s expression remained cold as he turned to Lu Zhen. ¡°Lu Zhen, you¡¯re unworthy as an Emperor of a Dynasty, now willingly falling to the Evil Spirit side. How will you face the ancestors of the Lu Family someday in death!?¡± ¡°In victory or defeat, what need is there for words!¡± Lu Zhen¡¯s face showed indifference, unaffected by Yang Yingtian¡¯s words. Having chosen this path, Lu Zhen wouldn¡¯t regret it. ¡°No need for more words, just kill them!¡± Finally, an impatient strong figure struck, launching an attack at Lu Zhen, a full-force strike from a Great Saint Realm that collapsed space within a hundred miles, a threat of destruction with overwhelming momentum. However. At that very moment. The figure seated on the bone throne suddenly moved, gently tapping the void with his right hand¡¯s fingers, causing space to ripple with mystical waves, immediately sweeping all directions. The terrifying power from the prior Great Saint¡¯s strike vanished upon contact with the waves. Simultaneously. A terrible pressure enveloped the space. Including the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, everyone felt this pressure, their expressions dramatically changing. Chapter 568: 365 Undying Chapter 568: Chapter 365 Undying ¡°Evil Spirit Forbidden Zone!¡± ¡°He¡¯s not a lower-tier apocalypse, but a mid-tier apocalypse!!!¡± The Divine Feather Great Saint¡¯s face changed dramatically, his pupils contracted as if he had seen some terrible existence. Mid-tier apocalypse! On par with a Quasi Emperor! In the end, they underestimated the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s power. The Star Dynasty¡¯s blood sacrifice of a state¡¯s people ultimately restored the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s strength to the level of a Quasi Emperor. At this moment. The domain of the forbidden region oppresses. Just the pressure alone caused all Saints¡¯ blood to stagnate, their bodies seemingly unable to move, only the nine Great Saint Realm strong could barely withstand it. But it¡¯s only a stand-off. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor pointed down from the void, the vast celestial universe seemed to collapse, a terrifying force, making all cultivators¡¯ faces turn aghast. ¡°Fight¡ª¡± The Divine Feather Great Saint roared in anger, as things had come to this point, he couldn¡¯t afford any hesitation; behind him instantaneously, the Wind and Thunder Wings spread out, winds and thunder intertwined to form a hurricane capable of obliterating the heavens. And as the Divine Feather Great Saint took action, other Great Saint Realm experts also lashed out furiously. What if he¡¯s a mid-tier apocalypse! With things so dire, everyone knew there was no retreat. This battle. Only by fighting to the death can there be a glimmer of hope. Any bit of fear would lead to annihilation. Nine Great Saints unite to strike. Astonishing momentum. However. Such a force gathered from nine Great Saint Realm experts couldn¡¯t withstand a single finger of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s long finger seemed capable of crushing galaxies, a powerful and terrifying force that suppressed everything, all attacks dissolved instantly upon touching his fingertip. When the residual force struck, the nine Great Saints trembled, spewing blood from their mouths. Each showed an expression of shock. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s power far exceeded their expectations. They thought they could at least resist somewhat, even if not being his match, but truly confronting him now revealed the vast difference between sides. ¡°Could it be that the Eastern Domain human clan will truly fall to the hands of Evil Spirits!!¡± A Great Saint¡¯s face twisted in despair and unwillingness. On the other side. Emperor Extreme Great Saint wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, showing shock but also resolution. ¡°Everyone, I¡¯ll tear apart this forbidden zone; don¡¯t hesitate to leave immediately and command the army to retreat, we¡¯ll discuss the rest later!¡± ¡°Emperor Extreme Taoist Friend, are you confident you can break the domain of the forbidden region?¡± Hearing the Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s words, the crowd showed slight surprise, seemingly not expecting him to have such a trump card. However. Emperor Extreme Great Saint didn¡¯t reply. Because the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor had already struck again. The opponent extended his right hand, seemingly encompassing the world, crushing a group of Great Saints and Saints with the force of obliterating all paths. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s aim was apparent: eradicate these cultivators, then annihilate the entire Eastern Domain army, thus restoring himself to the upper-tier apocalypse level. Seeing the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s attack approaching, Emperor Extreme Great Saint didn¡¯t hesitate, immediately using the Dharma decree given by Gu Qingfeng. ¡°Boom!¡± The Dharma decree unfolded, terrifying Dao Rhythm exploded, followed by the sudden emergence of an ancient Heavenly Blade, slashing through the void universe, breaking even the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s strike. As the two forces dissolved each other, Emperor Extreme Great Saint used the second Dharma decree. This Dharma decree. Aimed directly at the entire forbidden region¡¯s domain. ¡°Tear!¡± Seeing the immense domain of the forbidden region torn apart like a curtain, the pressure on everyone vanished instantly. Retreat! Ignoring the shock, everyone retreated backward. Meanwhile. Emperor Extreme Great Saint also escaped like a stream of light. Gu Qingfeng gave him four Dharma decrees; the first was used on slaying the Bride¡¯s Dress Evil Spirit, the second was reserved for Gu Xiu as a trump, and the third and fourth were used here. It¡¯s fair to say. Emperor Extreme Great Saint had now exhausted his foundations. If he didn¡¯t retreat, he could only wait for death. ¡°Quasi Emperor¡¯s Dharma decree!¡± ¡°Trying to stop me with two decrees? Delusional!¡± The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was enraged, his crimson eyes seemed to burst forth with raging flames, the fearsome pressure of a mid-tier natural disaster shook the void, then his right hand pierced through endless void, directly crushing toward Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s back. ¡°My life is over!¡± Feeling the terrifying aura behind, Emperor Extreme Great Saint¡¯s face turned hopeless. Just as he thought he would perish here, space suddenly split open, and a person emerged, effortlessly resolving the power of the strike with a single palm. ¡°Mr. Gu!¡± Seeing the newcomer, Emperor Extreme Great Saint showed a post-disaster relief of fortune. Gu Qingfeng! He never expected him to appear at this moment. But soon. Emperor Extreme Great Saint reacted and hurriedly said, ¡°Mr. Gu, be careful; the Star Dynasty¡¯s Evil Spirit is the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor who destroyed the Great Zhou Dynasty, his power has reached the level of a Quasi Emperor!¡± ¡°Rest assured, Emperor Extreme Taoist Friend, I¡¯m aware of this matter!¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly and spoke calmly again. Chapter 569: 365 Undying_2 Chapter 569: Chapter 365 Undying_2 ¡°Leave the matters here to me, Emperor Extreme Taoist Friend, you go handle the other Evil Spirits!¡± ¡°Then I shall rely entirely on Mr. Gu!¡± Emperor Extreme Great Saint did not show off, and upon hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words, he directly left into the sky. He was well aware of his own limitations, this level of battle was not one he could intervene in. Rashly involving himself. Would only hinder Gu Qingfeng. On the other side. While speaking, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze was fixed ahead, where the Skeletal Imperial Throne was forming, a towering figure sat atop it, resembling the high Nine Heavens Deities. ¡°We meet again!¡± ¡°It¡¯s you...¡± Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s scarlet eyes turned icy, a dense killing intent seemed to seep out, upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, an uncontrollable anger surged within him. The battle with the Great Zhou Dynasty was vividly remembered by Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. Since the Ancient Times, being sealed by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, Deceitful Heavenly Emperor first encountered such a devastating defeat. Towards the cultivators involved in that battle, Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s heart was filled with resentment. Now. Gu Qingfeng appeared. Naturally causing Deceitful Heavenly Emperor to forget others, with only one thought¡ªto tear the human before him into pieces. ¡°You¡¯ve come at the right time, I shall use your flesh and Divine Soul to assist me in stepping into the Upper Destruction level!!¡± Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s voice was cold, and the Evil Spirit Forbidden Zone suddenly descended. Facing Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s attack, Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow slightly, his right hand punching out fiercely, the powerful force pierced through thousands of miles of sky, causing the Forbidden Zone Domain to explode before it truly descended. At the moment the Forbidden Zone Domain exploded, Gu Qingfeng stepped into the air, his aura and blood force shook the Nine Heavens, like Divine Brilliance Great Sun illuminating the world, dispelling the darkness throughout Tianshu Prefecture. Everyone was attracted by this sudden change, when they looked toward the source of the wave, they saw a towering figure, akin to suppressing ages of time. ¡°That¡¯s... father!¡± Standing guard at the rear, Gu Xiu showed an excited expression upon seeing that figure. He never expected Gu Qingfeng to personally come. Originally. Gu Xiu had worries about whether Emperor Extreme Great Saint and others could deal with Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. But now seeing Gu Qingfeng arrive, his worries disappeared entirely. No matter what Deceitful Heavenly Emperor does! His father is an unparalleled existence capable of suppressing even the Upper Demon Emperor. If they truly battle. Deceitful Heavenly Emperor would surely not be a match. ¡°Supreme Emperor!¡± At the same time, on the Divine Martial Dynasty side, everyone showed a respectful expression, looking at the figure as if gazing at a supreme Immortal. Aura like the Great Sun. Shattering the Nine Layers Heaven. What else could such a being be if not an Immortal? When this power erupted, even Tai Chu Ancient Land trembled greatly. ¡°Such dense blood aura, could it be the resurrection of an ancient existence¡ª¡± ¡°Such aura is enough to match that of countless living beings!!¡± In numerous Life Ancient Cities, greedy eyes were cast toward the direction of Tianshu Prefecture, all attracted by Gu Qingfeng¡¯s immense aura, wishing to emerge from Tai Chu Ancient Land and devour such aura immediately. But soon. They suppressed this urge. Now was not the time to come out. The Great Struggle Prosperity Era had yet to arrive. Emerging recklessly was too risky. However. In one Life Ancient City, an ancient being opened its eyes, glancing toward Tianshu Prefecture with a certain shock, also mixed with some skepticism. ¡°This aura... is the aura of the Abyss Scripture, could it be that child who entered Tai Chu Ancient Land!?¡± ¡°No, impossible, such aura is already akin to Half Emperor, back then that child¡¯s strength was commendable, but at best could match Saint King¡ª¡± Black Abyss Emperor was somewhat shocked, feeling uncertain. However. Amidst that aura, Black Abyss Emperor indeed sensed the Abyss Scripture¡¯s presence. Abyss Scripture! He spent thousands of years crafting that Imperial Scripture. This Imperial Scripture. Black Abyss Emperor never passed to anyone, except for Gu Qingfeng who entered Tai Chu Ancient Land back then. Precisely due to this, it shocked Black Abyss Emperor greatly. ¡°Impossible, even the reincarnation of a Great Emperor could not step into Half Emperor level in such a short time. Seems I¡¯ve been asleep too long, my perception is flawed!¡± Black Abyss Emperor thought so, calming his inner turmoil. Half Emperor existing. They truly surpassed Quasi Emperor Peak, with half a foot into the Emperor Realm. The gap between such a being and a Great Emperor is only slight. Throughout ages. The number of Half Emperors barely exceeds that of Great Emperors. This illustrates. How challenging it is to reach this level. ¡ª¡ª Within Tianshu Prefecture. Gu Qingfeng had thoroughly engaged Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. Activating the Three Great Heavenly Veins, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength instantly rose to an unparalleled level, even the simplest punch or kick contained world-shattering power. In just one round, Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was fully pushed to a disadvantage. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s overwhelming strength caused the Evil Spirit that lived from Ancient Times till now to change expressions drastically. ¡°Impossible, after so few years, how could your strength grow to such an extent!!!¡± Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was incredulous, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s immense strength terrified him greatly. No matter how Deceitful Heavenly Emperor pondered, he could not fathom how Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength had advanced to this level in such a short span. Back then. Though defeated, Deceitful Heavenly Emperor attributed it to a combined assault by many strong entities. He believed he feared none in singular combat. Moreover. Deceitful Heavenly Emperor now had the blood aura of a state, fully recovered from past wounds incurred in the Great Zhou Dynasty, not to mention a certain strength breakthrough compared to back then. Yet, even so, facing Gu Qingfeng, Deceitful Heavenly Emperor remained at a complete disadvantage. From start to finish. The other was being pressured by Gu Qingfeng. Boom! Rumble!! Tremendous force shook the heavens, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s fists contained unrivaled power, causing Deceitful Heavenly Emperor to retreat incessantly, physical body shattered and split, vast amounts of black blood scattered down. Each drop of blood corroded the earth, leaving a series of grim pits. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± Another punch struck, Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s body descended like a cannonball from the void, causing the ground to tremble as if dragons were awakening. Witnessing this scene, the other Evil Spirits turned pale. ¡°Impossible, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength is actually at such a level, even the Emperor is no match!!¡± Shen Shan watched this scene, feeling as if the heavens had collapsed, once believed to be invincible, now at Gu Qingfeng¡¯s mercy, completely powerless. Such a sight. Naturally gave Shen Shan the illusion of his faith breaking. Beside him, Lu Zhen was equally shocked. From the moment Gu Qingfeng appeared, Lu Zhen felt events spiraling out of control, now seeing Deceitful Heavenly Emperor utterly subdued, his heart grew increasingly astonished. ¡°Why... why is Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength so formidable, why!!!¡± Lu Zhen inwardly roared, his eyes filled with unwillingness, yet helpless, he understood his side had lost the momentum. Once Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was defeated, all his plans would be in vain. Faced with personal failure, Lu Zhen considered the possibility, but when the matter truly occurred, he still found it hard to accept. At this moment. The battle transformed again. Only to see Gu Qingfeng shatter Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s body with one punch, causing it to burst into a mist of blood, yet, in the next moment, Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s body reformed, seemingly indestructible. ¡°Useless, I am an undying existence, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty could not kill me back then, what makes a mere ant who hasn¡¯t entered the Emperor Realm think they can threaten me¡ª¡± Deceitful Heavenly Emperor laughed wildly, eyes filled with mockery as he looked at Gu Qingfeng, seemingly certain the latter could do nothing to him. Chapter 570: 366 The True Form of Deceitful Heavenly Emperor Chapter 570: Chapter 366 The True Form of Deceitful Heavenly Emperor ¡°Undying?¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s see how long you can maintain it!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was indifferent. As he spoke, his blood and energy surged mightily, and in the void, a supreme Heavenly Blade was born, transforming into a million blade qis that crashed down in an instant. Although the Heavenly Blade was merely a Saint Divine Power, when wielded with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current cultivation, even the most basic divine skill could unleash a terrifying power. Moreover. The Heavenly Blade was created by Gu Qingfeng. This divine skill resonated with him. Now. As Gu Qingfeng once again performed the Heavenly Blade divine skill, the force it unleashed was truly capable of destroying the heavens and the earth. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor couldn¡¯t withstand it at all. His body disintegrated, and at the moment the million blade qis descended, his bones and blood were severed, and his flesh couldn¡¯t keep up with the speed of the destruction. Gu Qingfeng remained expressionless, continuously suppressing the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, preventing his physical body from truly recovering. Who knows how much time passed. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s body dissipated completely, leaving only an eyeball floating in the void, which, despite Gu Qingfeng¡¯s relentless attacks, was never completely annihilated. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng realized that this eyeball was the true essence of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. Only by destroying the eyeball could he completely annihilate the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. Gu Qingfeng had long prepared for such a situation. He activated the Divine Emperor Tripod and directly absorbed the eyeball into the Ancient Cauldron, then turned his gaze towards Lu Zhen and the other Evil Spirits. Without any superfluous words, Gu Qingfeng shattered the void with a flick of his finger, and millions of blade qis descended like a sky-covering deluge, annihilating both Lu Zhen and the other Evil Spirits on the spot. Unlike the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, these Evil Spirits were incomparable in origin, not even ancient spirits that survived from the Ancient era. Given Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current strength, slaying such spirits was naturally a trifling matter. In just a moment, there was no longer a single living Evil Spirit in the vast Imperial City. Even the so-called upper natural disasters, Evil Spirits with power rivaling the Great Saints of the Human Clan, could not withstand a single strike from Gu Qingfeng. Once these Evil Spirits were eradicated, many others who were warring against the Human Clan vanished in an instant, leaving only a few Evil Spirits struggling futilely, unable to contend with the strength of the Human Clan. ¡ª¡ª Imperial City. Seated on the throne, Gu Qingfeng sat composedly, with the top experts from various factions seated below him. As everyone gazed at the figure on the throne, they couldn¡¯t suppress an awe-stricken expression on their faces. This was reverence for the supreme power. Especially Divine Feather Great Saint and others, who dared not show the slightest impudence before Gu Qingfeng. The strength of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. They were well aware. The so-called Great Saints of the Human Clan were no match for such spirits. Yet. Even a being as powerful as the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was suppressed and slain by Gu Qingfeng alone, along with all the Evil Spirits in Imperial City. If not for Gu Qingfeng¡¯s intervention, the Eastern Domain of the Human Clan would have had to pay a heavy price to achieve victory, even without the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s presence. At that moment. With a wave of his sleeve, Gu Qingfeng presented a menacing head in front of everyone. ¡°This is Lu Zhen¡¯s head. I recall that you claimed whoever could kill Lu Zhen would have the right to command the Star Dynasty and control Guxing State. Now that Lu Zhen has been slain by me, according to the original agreement, Guxing State belongs to the Divine Martial Dynasty. Do any of you object?¡± Upon hearing this. Taoist Monarch Taixuan immediately spoke, ¡°Naturally, since Mr. Gu has slain Lu Zhen, the Divine Martial Dynasty is entitled to control Guxing State. This was the agreement among all factions.¡± With the Taixu Sacred Land taking the lead, even if other factions felt displeased, they couldn¡¯t oppose it at this moment and could only bow and submit. After all, the person before them was an unrivaled presence who suppressed the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor and annihilated the many Evil Spirits in Imperial City. Even during the Ancient and»Ä¹Å periods, his strength was considered top-tier. There were rumors. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength might have already reached the Quasi Emperor Peak, possibly even stepping into the Half Emperor realm. A strong presence like this was considered the most powerful below a Great Emperor. Combined with the existing agreement, no factions would seek conflict. ¡°Since no one objects, this matter is settled. However, let me make it clear: I won¡¯t tolerate any attempts to reneg on the established facts or ambitions towards Guxing State in the future. Otherwise, I shall not agree!¡± As these final words were spoken, a terrifying pressure erupted from Gu Qingfeng, instantly sweeping across the hall, causing everyone¡¯s expression to change drastically. Even those at the pinnacle of the Great Saint Realm felt as insignificant as ants under this pressure, finding it much stronger than when they faced the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s forbidden domain. Clearly. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength was indeed extraordinary. If he wished to kill them, it would be as easy as moving a finger. Viewing their expressions, Gu Qingfeng remained calm. Though his words were blunt, he wasn¡¯t worried about offending these factions. The weak must tread cautiously. For the strong, there is nothing to fear. If not for the fact they were of the same Human Clan, Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t even bother to speak much. Subsequently. The crowd dispersed. Gu Qingfeng met privately with Gu Xiu. ¡°Father!¡± ¡°You will temporarily stay in Guxing State to oversee the situation. Your elder brother¡¯s people will probably come to take over soon!¡± Chapter 571: 366 The True Form of Deceitful Heavenly Emperor_2 Chapter 571: Chapter 366 The True Form of Deceitful Heavenly Emperor_2 Gu Qingfeng said. An entire state is not something to be taken lightly. Although Guxing State is now riddled with holes and most of the people have perished at the hands of the Star Dynasty, only a few have managed to survive. These survivors don¡¯t wish to stay in Guxing State, but they have no way to leave. Because the land of a state is vast, crossing it is not an easy task for ordinary people. The vastness of a state. Is enough to take a lifetime to traverse. But no matter what. As one of the hundred and eight states of the Eastern Domain, Guxing State is rich in resources, unmatched even by the Nine States. The Divine Martial Dynasty has now reached the peak of a dynasty, needing only one more step to advance to an imperial dynasty. Gu Qingfeng wants to increase his strength now, and the quickest way is for the Divine Martial Dynasty to ascend to an imperial dynasty, thereby elevating the Gu Family members. After all, the previous two court promotions brought significant benefits to Gu Qingfeng. The advancement to an imperial dynasty will naturally be no exception. ¡°I understand, Father!¡± Upon hearing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s instructions, Gu Xiu did not refuse. Gu Qingfeng looked at him and said calmly, ¡°Your performance this time wasn¡¯t bad either, and if I¡¯m not mistaken, the Great Struggle Prosperity Era is likely fast approaching. You must gather your foundation now so that when the Great Struggle Prosperity Era arrives, you can immediately strive for the Saint Realm!¡± ¡°The Great Struggle Prosperity Era!¡± Gu Xiu¡¯s expression changed slightly. ¡°Isn¡¯t it said that there are ten thousand years of the End of Dharma, followed by three thousand years of prosperity? The last Great Struggle Prosperity Era was less than nine thousand years ago; it should take at least a thousand years to await the second Great Struggle Prosperity Era!¡± Gu Xiu had some understanding of these matters. After all, he had the Emperor Extreme Great Saint at his side and was not unfamiliar with many secrets of the Ancient Desolate World, including the Great Struggle Prosperity Era. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°Under normal circumstances, the Great Struggle Prosperity Era would still be a thousand years away, but now with the Demon invasion and the rise of Evil Spirits, the world is already in a great calamity. Countless lives are perishing, and the heavens are shrouded in murderous energy, causing the Great Struggle Prosperity Era to descend early. Unexpectedly, within no more than a century, the Great Struggle Prosperity Era will begin!¡± ¡°However, not everyone can perceive the changes in the world today, so you should prepare in advance to stay ahead of others!¡± Gu Qingfeng spoke. His words. Left Gu Xiu shocked, rendering him somewhat dazed. At most a century. The Great Struggle Prosperity Era will arrive. It¡¯s undeniable that this news took him by surprise. Meanwhile. Gu Xiu also understood. If this news spreads, it could shake the entire Ancient Desolate World. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°In Ancient Times, when the Taiyi Divine Dynasty attempted to ascend as a whole, they eventually opened the Immortal Gate, leading to the Evil Spirits¡¯ descent and triggering the Ancient Tribulation, which ended an era completely. Now, the Evil Spirits sealed and suppressed in the Ancient Times have reappeared, and with the Demon invasion, it seems this time¡¯s Great Struggle Prosperity Era is not just a prosperity era, but a great calamity akin to that of Ancient Times!¡± ¡°A Great Calamity...¡± Gu Xiu took a deep breath, hardly able to calm his internal turmoil. The information revealed in Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words left him astounded. ¡°Father, is there a way to counter it?¡± ¡°With the great calamity descending, no one can escape it; to counter it, one must enhance their own strength. You possess the Undying Divine Body, and in terms of aptitude, there¡¯s no need to worry. Additionally, you cultivate the Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture passed down by the Emperor Extreme Great Saint, which is top-tier among Great Saint Realm cultivation techniques. However... as strong as the Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture is, its limit is only the Great Saint Realm, so today, I will pass on to you an Imperial Scripture as your foundation for the future. However, I have not yet cultivated this Imperial Scripture to Great Success, so I cannot impart the complete scripture to you for now, but it should suffice for you at present!¡± As Gu Qingfeng finished speaking, without waiting for Gu Xiu to respond, he raised his hand and sent a powerful Dao Rhythm Divine Thought directly into the latter¡¯s Sea of Consciousness. The cultivation technique passed down by Gu Qingfeng was naturally the Ancient Divine King Scripture. He mastered two Imperial Scriptures, with the Abyss Scripture being at a higher level of cultivation, which should logically be taught first. But in fact. The upper limit of the Ancient Divine King Scripture is much higher than that of the Abyss Scripture. Both are for Great Emperor Realm experts. The Black Abyss Emperor is naturally not comparable to the Chaotic Ancient Divine King. Though both Imperial Scriptures aim at the Great Emperor Realm, the Ancient Divine King Scripture leads directly to the Great Emperor Peak. More importantly. The body chapter of the Ancient Divine King Scripture can cultivate the Ancient Divine King Body, and if achieved to Great Success, the physical body can rival an Imperial Weapon. In some respects, the Ancient Divine King Body is extremely compatible with Gu Xiu¡¯s Undying Divine Body. The Undying Divine Body. Is known as Undying. If cultivated to Great Success, it can achieve the feat of rebirth from a single drop of blood. If combined with the strength of the Ancient Divine King Body, Gu Xiu would truly stand invincible. This. Is why Gu Qingfeng decided to pass on the Ancient Divine King Scripture to him. As for the Abyss Scripture passed down to Gu Fengchen, it was because he had acquired the ancient Star Tao Body¡¯s legacy and cultivated the Taixu Star Domain Scripture. According to Gu Fengchen, Gu Qingfeng was also somewhat familiar with the Taixu Star Domain Scripture. This cultivation technique is somewhat similar to the Ancient Divine King Scripture, and if cultivated to Great Success, it can also form the Great Success Taixu Battle Body, with an extremely formidable physical body. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng did not pass on the Ancient Divine King Scripture but rather only the Abyss Scripture. After all. This is because the Ancient Divine King Scripture conflicts somewhat with the Taixu Star Domain Scripture. Even though cultivating both Imperial Scriptures to Great Success could greatly enhance a cultivator¡¯s strength. By comparison. The Abyss Scripture is ultimately a better choice. The Dao Rhythm of the Ancient Divine King Scripture is terrifying, taking Gu Xiu, considering his current cultivation, a full two-hour time to recover from the shock of that Dao Rhythm. ¡°The Ancient Divine King Scripture!¡± Gu Xiu observed the Dao Rhythm seed in his own Sea of Consciousness, marveling at the profound wonders of this technique, incomparable to the Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture. Although the current Ancient Divine King Scripture only covered the Nine Layers Heaven of the Dao Palace Realm, it already demonstrated the unfathomable depth of this Imperial Scripture. In comparison. The Emperor Extreme Immortal Scripture fell short by more than one tier. ¡°This is the Imperial Scripture!¡± Gu Xiu took a deep breath; it was the first time receiving such a cultivation technique legacy, leaving him unable to entirely calm his heart. Gu Qingfeng said, ¡°The Ancient Divine King Scripture hails from Ancient Times, cultivated by the Chaotic Ancient Divine King, one of the twelve Divine Kings of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty. This cultivation technique allows a cultivator to forge the Ancient Divine King Body, and if it reaches the Great Success Realm, the physical body can rival that of an Imperial Weapon, very compatible with your original Undying Divine Body!¡± ¡°Thank you, Father, for the bestowed technique!¡± Gu Xiu exclaimed excitedly, fully aware of the Ancient Divine King Scripture¡¯s power. Not to mention, simply advancing in the Dao Palace Realm to the Ninth Layer Perfection could elevate his strength significantly beyond its previous level. With this move. Even without utilizing the Heavenly Vein and the incomplete Imperial Weapon, Gu Xiu had the confidence to battle a Saint head-on. The foundation provided by the Imperial Scripture is unmatched by other cultivation techniques. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng asked, ¡°To my knowledge, all Divine Bodies in the world have ranks, and your Undying Divine Body hasn¡¯t reached the Small Success stage, right?¡± ¡°What you said is true, Father.¡± ¡°How can the Undying Divine Body achieve Small Success?¡± ¡°According to my master, the Undying Divine Body requires a mature Nine Death Immortal Grass and an Undying Spirit Spring to reach Small Success. Unfortunately, I haven¡¯t discovered any information about the Undying Spirit Spring. As for the Nine Death Immortal Grass, it is said to exist in the Emperor Venerate Ancient Land of the Demon Realm. However, the Emperor Venerate Ancient Land is a Life Forbidden Zone, making it very difficult to enter and seek the Nine Death Immortal Grass!¡± Gu Xiu did not hide anything, directly revealing the conditions required for the Small Success of the Undying Divine Body. Nine Death Immortal Grass! Undying Spirit Spring! Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly. ¡°I will keep an eye out for these two items; as for the Demon Realm, with many ancient Demon Emperors awakening, entering it won¡¯t be easy!¡± Chapter 572: 367 Dynasty Limit Chapter 572: Chapter 367 Dynasty Limit The depths of the Demon Realm¡¯s foundation are unfathomable. Gu Qingfeng naturally would not be overconfident. Even though in his current strength, no one among the Quasi Emperors can match him, he still has no confidence when facing a true Great Emperor. Gu Qingfeng believes. Within the Demon Realm. There must be the foundation of a Great Emperor. Before truly having the strength to rival a Great Emperor, Gu Qingfeng naturally cannot risk delving deep. After all, he¡¯s not who he used to be. Countless hidden eyes must be watching him. If he were to enter the Demon Realm, Gu Qingfeng doesn¡¯t doubt that strong adversaries would surface to intercept him. Therefore. Even knowing that the Emperor Venerate Ancient Land has the Nine Death Immortal Grass, Gu Qingfeng temporarily has no intention of entering. However¡ª Since the Demon Realm can have the Nine Death Immortal Grass, the Ancient Desolate World might also have it. There are many forbidden zones in the world. Places like the Tai Chu Ancient Land can nurture Undying Immortal Medicine, so they might as well nurture other immortal medicines. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng quietly left. At the same time. On the court¡¯s side. Gu Yang received Gu Qingfeng¡¯s transmission, and his spirit was instantly lifted with excitement. ¡°Great, Lu Zhen has been executed, and Guxing State has already fallen into the hands of our Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± Gu Yang couldn¡¯t help but feel thrilled and excited. One prefecture of land! Vast and boundless. Though the Nine States can also bear the title of a state, they are completely incomparable to the 108 states of the Eastern Domain. Don¡¯t even speak of one prefecture of land. Even a single prefecture of the Eastern Domain is much more expansive than the Nine States. Now. Guxing State has fallen into the hands of the Divine Martial Dynasty. As a result. Gu Yang no longer needs to worry about territorial issues. Next. He only needs to arrange for people to take control of Guxing State, then the Divine Martial Dynasty can enter a stage of explosive growth. ¡°Ascend to an Imperial Dynasty!¡± ¡°It¡¯s right before our eyes¡ª¡± Gu Yang took a deep breath and then summoned a person. The person was an old man, his temples touched with gray, yet his back was still straight, eyes bright and sharp, face stern and righteous, greeted Gu Yang with a salute. ¡°Minister Liang Jin, paying respects to Your Majesty!¡± ¡°Prime Minister Liang, you may dispense with the formalities!¡± Gu Yang looked at the person in front of him and also gave a slight smile. Liang Jin! A great scholar from the previous dynasty, later joined the court when the Divine Martial Dynasty rose. Originally just an ordinary minor official, but during his tenure, his achievements were outstanding, so he was promoted exceptionally and now holds the position of a prime minister. Gu Yang had a high regard for Liang Jin¡¯s capabilities. The thriving state of the Divine Martial Dynasty, peace, and prosperity in recent years have undoubtedly been linked with his efforts. ¡°Someone, bring a seat!¡± As soon as Gu Yang¡¯s voice fell, an eunuch immediately brought over a chair, and Liang Jin cupped his hands again. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± ¡°I summoned you here today because the Supreme Emperor has already slain Lu Zhen of the Star Dynasty. According to the agreed divisions of power in the Eastern Domain, Guxing State is now part of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s territory. Regarding this matter, what¡¯s your view?¡± Gu Yang did not waste many words, directly addressing the main point. His words. Made Liang Jin¡¯s face show a slight reaction, and then he revealed a smile. ¡°Guxing State is a top-tier prefecture; having such a domain under our Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s control is indeed a great blessing for the nation!¡± ¡°However¡ª¡± ¡°From what I have gathered, the Star Dynasty¡¯s blood sacrifices to their people have left less than one percent of Guxing State¡¯s populace; even with the evil spirits eliminated, there are still many latent issues. More importantly, the people¡¯s hearts are unstable, and winning their allegiance is the foremost task!¡± Liang Jin paused. ¡°Therefore, besides that, Your Majesty might as well let the Heavenly Patrol Guard head to Guxing State to oversee, stabilize the people¡¯s hearts, and then reduce taxes, so that the people will rally¡ª¡± Liang Jin spoke openly of his views and subsequent plans without hiding anything. Hearing this, Gu Yang frequently nodded. It must be said. Many of Liang Jin¡¯s proposals coincided with his own thoughts. In the end. Gu Yang made the decision to follow all of Liang Jin¡¯s suggestions and then arranged for a batch of officials to go directly to Guxing State to open up and expand the territory. Currently, Guxing State is in ruins, akin to restarting everything from scratch. As for the officials, of course, arrangements must be made properly. Once Gu Yang issued the decree, the court quickly dispatched personnel to Guxing State, officially taking over this major state. Seeing this, other Eastern Domain forces couldn¡¯t help but feel envious. ¡°With Guxing State under their control, the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s foundation advances further; it shouldn¡¯t take long for them to ascend to an Imperial Dynasty!¡± ¡°I remember the Divine Martial Dynasty was founded less than a century ago, and now they¡¯re about to ascend to the rank of an Imperial Dynasty; this speed is truly astonishing¡ª¡± Gazing across any Imperial Dynasty in the Eastern Domain, none have achieved such a feat without accumulating strength for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, before taking step by step towards advancement. After all, ascending to an Imperial Dynasty is not an easy task. Without a long period of accumulation, reaching this level is incredibly challenging. However. Some cultivators understood in their hearts. The Divine Martial Dynasty has been able to progress so quickly primarily due to the Gu Family¡¯s efforts. After all, having such a top-tier strong presence can directly push forth an Imperial Dynasty; it¡¯s not an impossible feat to achieve. With the Divine Martial Dynasty taking over Guxing State, within just three months, the restless populace gradually settled down. Then. Gu Yang instructed arrangements to send some people from the Nine States to Guxing State and establish a teleportation array between the two regions. As for the Martial World sects. In fact. Without Gu Yang¡¯s orders, many Martial World sects from the Nine States had already volunteered to head to Guxing State to expand the territory and stabilize the situation for the court. Chapter 573: 367 Dynasty Limit_2 Chapter 573: Chapter 367 Dynasty Limit_2 Just right. Guxing State has faced great calamities back and forth. Even though the people¡¯s hearts have settled down, it is still in chaos. So for the requests of these Martial World sects, Gu Yang waved his hand and agreed to all of them. ... Iron Sword Sect. Sect Master Lv Ying said in a deep voice, ¡°Now that the court has agreed to our Iron Sword Sect¡¯s request, should we really leave after operating in Blood Mountain Mansion for so many years?¡± ¡°If the Iron Sword Sect wants to grow stronger, it must leave!¡± Sword Daoist slightly shook his head, his eyes like torches. ¡°Blood Mountain Mansion is too small!¡± ¡°Moreover, with the court¡¯s might now shaking the Nine States and various Martial World forces standing tall, there is little real growth space for the Iron Sword Sect. To expand further, a different path must be taken. Although Guxing State is chaotic now, it also represents opportunity!¡± ¡°Back when the Star Dynasty offered a blood sacrifice to the world, countless lives were lost, and many sects were destroyed, with numerous Cave Heaven Blessed Lands becoming ownerless!¡± ¡°As long as our Iron Sword Sect can occupy one Cave Heaven Blessed Land, we can establish a foothold in Guxing State and then aim for higher levels!¡± At this point, Sword Daoist paused, then spoke again. ¡°You should also know that with our talent, without other opportunities, the Divine Transformation Realm is the endpoint, and attempting to enter the Dao Palace Realm is but a vain hope!¡± Sword Daoist¡¯s words. Made Lv Ying fall silent too. He naturally knew the truth in what the other party said. Currently, within the Iron Sword Sect, only Lv Ying and Sword Daoist have stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm, which is due to the Iron Sword Sect¡¯s achievements, receiving considerable court rewards. However. Reaching this step, the Iron Sword Sect is also almost at its limit. Without other opportunities, it¡¯s very difficult to move further. Up to now. Lv Ying¡¯s cultivation stopped at the third layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, while Sword Daoist had reached the ninth layer. Despite the seemingly quick breakthroughs, they both used a lot of resources, just barely reaching this realm. If Sword Daoist had even a slight chance to enter the Dao Palace Realm, Lv Ying knew that without other opportunities, he truly had no chance for further breakthroughs in the future. At this thought. Lv Ying took a deep breath, ¡°The Supreme Elder is absolutely right!¡± ¡°Make proper arrangements. Everything about this trip to Guxing State is still unknown. The chaos in an entire state is overwhelming, and for our Iron Sword Sect to establish a foothold and assist the court in stabilizing the situation won¡¯t be easy either!¡± Sword Daoist stood with hands clasped behind his back, with a hint of melancholy in his eyes. The roots of the Iron Sword Sect are in Blood Mountain Mansion, and now, relocating the entire sect, for Sword Daoist to say he feels nothing is naturally impossible. However. Sword Daoist also understands. The current Iron Sword Sect must make changes. Otherwise. One day. The Iron Sword Sect would fade into oblivion among the masses. Having witnessed the vastness of the Ancient Desolate World and the brilliance of cultivation, Sword Daoist is naturally unwilling to stop here. For other sects, they might have the resources to send only part of their strong forces to Guxing State to expand, but the Iron Sword Sect cannot. Their foundation is shallow, so they must use the strength of the entire sect. Moreover. The entire Nine States. Most sects are like the Iron Sword Sect, or even inferior to it. Only a few truly have the ability to manage both fronts. ... The plight of the Iron Sword Sect is a microcosm of the Nine States¡¯ sects. As soon as the court¡¯s decree was issued, all parties in the world were greatly shocked. A large number of sects emptied their foundations and went directly to Guxing State to seek prospects. Wuzhou. Within the Divine Martial Sect. All high-ranking officials of the sect gathered. After decades, not only did time leave no marks on Gu Yun, but he even became slightly younger. Because he had already broken the shackles of the Divine Transformation Realm three years ago, his cultivation stepped into the Dao Palace Realm. A Dao Palace Realm cultivator. With a lifespan of six thousand years. Given Gu Yun¡¯s age, he naturally does not appear old. Even though. It is difficult for cultivation to truly rejuvenate, maintaining the original appearance or appearing slightly younger is not a big problem. ¡°The court has now taken Guxing State, countless sects in the Nine States are requesting to go there, our Divine Martial Sect cannot lag behind!¡± ¡°However... The foundation of our Divine Martial Sect is ultimately in Wuzhou, the sect¡¯s heritage cannot be abandoned, so I believe, an elder can lead some disciples to establish roots in Guxing State!¡± Gu Yun¡¯s words. Made the elders¡¯ eyes light up. Everyone could hear the meaning in Gu Yun¡¯s words and the hidden benefits behind them. If one could lead the sect¡¯s disciples to expand in Guxing State, the benefits gained are naturally incomparable to staying within the sect. Instantly. Many elders began to recommend themselves. To this. Gu Yun raised his hand to stop everyone¡¯s words. ¡°Let Elder Yue Feng represent the sect this time. With Elder Yue¡¯s sixth-layer Divine Transformation Realm cultivation, it matches many sect masters and leaders in the Nine States. Now that Guxing State has been greatly calamity-stricken, with only one-tenth of the cultivators left, and a large reduction in strong individuals, Elder Yue¡¯s strength should have no problem establishing a foothold there.¡± ¡°I will certainly go all out and will not disappoint the sect¡¯s expectations!¡± Yue Feng stood out excitedly, directly clasping his fists to accept the mission. The other elders looked on, with eyes full of envy and jealousy. They also wanted to go to Guxing State. But there¡¯s no way. Because among all the elders, Yue Feng¡¯s strength is within the top three. More importantly. Yue Feng is Gu Yun¡¯s trusted aide. Now that Gu Yun has personally given the order, even if others have different ideas, they cannot refuse. Within the Divine Martial Sect. It is now essentially a one-man show by Gu Yun. As the only Dao Palace Realm powerhouse in the entire sect, Gu Yun has absolute authority over the sect. To be blunt. Now Gu Yun¡¯s strength can be considered the strongest among all cultivators in the history of the Divine Martial Sect. Even the Martial Ancestor who founded the Divine Martial Sect was not as strong as Gu Yun. The former, when he fell, was only at the ninth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, while Gu Yun had already broken the shackles of the Divine Transformation Realm and stepped into the Dao Palace Realm. This shows. The kind of prestige Gu Yun holds within the sect. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Your Majesty, now all the sects in the Nine States are heading to Guxing State!¡± In the Imperial Study Room, Gu Yi presented the intelligence gathered by the Jinyi Guard before Gu Yang. The latter glanced casually and gave a slight smile. ¡°Good, with these sects going to Guxing State, the court should be able to control the land faster!¡± Guxing State is too vast. It is not an easy task for the court to cover everything. Thus. Gu Yang deliberately spread the news about Guxing State, aiming to have these sects volunteer, using their power to help the court stabilize the situation. The development of events was just as Gu Yang expected. After hearing about Guxing State, each sect could not contain themselves and all came forward requesting to go. As a result. Gu Yang naturally went with the flow, waving his hand and agreeing to all the requests. As for whether these sects might fake compliance but secretly disrupt the court¡¯s plans after going to Guxing State, Gu Yang had little concern. Because the authority of the Divine Martial Dynasty had already deeply influenced people¡¯s hearts, even if these sects had ten times the courage, they dare not oppose the court. Currently. With numerous sects going to Guxing State. The situation in the state is gradually stabilizing. Gu Yang could clearly feel that the Qi Fortune of the entire Divine Martial Dynasty was slowly rising, and the Sixth Grade Green Lotus representing the Dynasty¡¯s fortune was also becoming more solid, hinting at a transformation into substance. Gu Yang understood. This indicated that the Qi Fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty had grown to the limit of a Dynasty, awaiting a transformative opportunity. Once the Qi Fortune completes its final transformation step, the Divine Martial Dynasty could formally ascend to an Imperial Dynasty. In Gu Yang¡¯s view, this time will not be long. As short as three to five years. As long as one to two decades. The Divine Martial Dynasty is bound to ascend to an Imperial Dynasty. Chapter 574: 368 Ancient Sect Chapter 574: Chapter 368 Ancient Sect ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has issued numerous royal decrees, and many Martial World sects have stepped into Guxing State to assist the court in suppressing one side!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ sensed the changes in the Qi Fortune of the Dynasty and believes that it won¡¯t be long before the Divine Martial Dynasty is upgraded to an Imperial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ experienced a battle against the Star Dynasty and deeply felt his inadequacy in strength, thus he went into secluded cultivation in the Forbidden Land after returning to Taixu Sacred Land!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xuan¡¯ gained guidance from the ancient strong ones of Taixu Sacred Land across space, and his strength has improved!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ presided over Guxing State and slew numerous cultivators who intended to wreak havoc!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ killed human clan cultivators *136!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ killed demons *1337!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ reached enlightenment in battle, and his strength increased!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Xiu¡¯ diligently cultivated the Ancient Divine King Scripture, and his power has grown!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ emerged from closed cultivation, and with a single sword, she slew a Third Layer Dao Palace Realm demon, then subdued a Sixth Layer Dao Palace Realm demon with three strikes, and finally risked injury to her body to slay a Semi-Saint demon, astonishing all factions!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ was attacked by a Demon Lord and was fortunately saved by a mysterious expert!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... Returning to the Demon Suppression Immortal City, Gu Qingfeng restored his previous calmness, as if the battle in Guxing State had no impact on him. In the meantime. Gu Qingfeng looked at the information panel, having a thorough grasp of the external situation. Regarding the matters in Guxing State. Gu Qingfeng believed that Gu Yang could handle it well. The fact has proven. Guxing State is indeed gradually coming out of the great tribulation, with the most obvious sign being the gradual rise of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s fortune, vaguely indicating a transformation to a higher level. From this, one can see the changes in the Divine Martial Dynasty. In the current stable situation of the Nine States, it is naturally impossible for a significant transformation to occur in the Divine Martial Dynasty, which leaves only Guxing State. As for Shenyuan State. The current situation is also similar to that of the Nine States. Regarding Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu, what they did was also expected by Gu Qingfeng. Especially Gu Xuan. Taixu Sacred Land, as an ancient power existing for hundreds of thousands of years, had produced Great Saints in the past, so its foundation is naturally not simple. The so-called Forbidden Land is one of the foundations of Taixu Sacred Land. In comparison. The person who truly surprised Gu Qingfeng was Gu Shengnan. ¡°To sever a Semi-Saint demon at the First Layer Dao Palace Realm, what kind of defying method is the Unrivaled Sword Bone to enable Shengnan to achieve this?!¡± Gu Qingfeng was somewhat amazed. To be honest. He did not have much understanding of the Unrivaled Sword Bone. It was only after knowing that Gu Shengnan cultivated the Unrivaled Sword Bone, causing a rapid breakthrough in her strength, that Gu Qingfeng paid a little attention, yet did not delve deeply into it. Until now. Seeing the words on the information panel. Gu Qingfeng suddenly understood. The Unrivaled Sword Bone is not only extraordinary in aptitude but also astonishing in combat power. The First Layer Dao Palace Realm slewing a Semi-Saint demon! Not everyone can achieve this. Gu Qingfeng himself, naturally, is an exception. Moreover. Gu Qingfeng is aware that his path is unique and unreplicable. For others, even Gu Xuan, who possesses the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Body, and Gu Xiu, with the Undying Divine Body, it is probably impossible for them to have the ability to slay a Semi-Saint at the First Layer of Dao Palace Realm. It shows. The extraordinariness of the Unrivaled Sword Bone. Such combat power, even Gu Qingfeng was somewhat in awe. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng glanced at other pieces of information, and then summoned a person. ¡°What are your orders, my lord!¡± ¡°I want you to investigate what exactly the Unrivaled Sword Bone is, and also find out where Shengnan is currently located since she has left the Gu Family for a while!¡± Looking at Hong Ye in front of him, Gu Qingfeng spoke. The latter heard and obediently accepted the order with a fist salute. ¡°Yes!¡± Once Hong Ye retreated, Gu Qingfeng continued his closed-door cultivation. ¡ª¡ª Half a month passed. Hong Ye came again. ¡°Greetings, my lord!¡± ¡°Is there any news?¡± Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, his expression indifferent. Hong Ye nodded: ¡°Subordinate has obtained some news, the lady is currently in the Southern Domain, accompanied by powerful figures, making it difficult for the Hidden Guards to truly approach her. As for the Unrivaled Sword Bone, I have sent people to investigate, and it seems to be related to a sect called the Sword Sect from Ancient Times! Unfortunately, there is too little information about the Sword Sect, and I have not been able to gather much useful information yet!¡± Southern Domain! Ancient Sword Sect! Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng slightly nodded. ¡°Alright, I understand this matter. You may withdraw for now!¡± ¡°Subordinate takes leave!¡± Hong Ye bowed and retreated. Gu Qingfeng took out a Communication Jade Token, which contained intelligence gathered by other Hidden Guards, and found it largely consistent with what Hong Ye reported. The reason for having two preparations wasn¡¯t due to distrust in Hong Ye, but rather to provide an additional layer of security through another channel. What Hong Ye might not know well, other Hidden Guards might have insights on. However. Based on the current situation. The information collected by both parties is almost the same. ¡°Sword Sect... an ancient lineage passed down since the Ancient Times!¡± ¡°Considering that even the Taiyi Divine Dynasty was destroyed in the Ancient Great Tribulation, yet the Sword Sect managed to survive until now, it signifies its foundation is by no means simple!¡± Gu Qingfeng squinted his eyes slightly, silently noting the name Sword Sect in his heart. He did not continue to have the Hidden Guards investigate the Sword Sect¡¯s news further. Because such an ancient sect from the Ancient Times is definitely not something easily investigated by ordinary people. Chapter 575: 368 Ancient Sect_2 Chapter 575: Chapter 368 Ancient Sect_2 If the Hidden Guard really delves into the investigation, it might provoke the Sword Sect, leading to unforeseen consequences. For Gu Qingfeng. The Hidden Guard cannot be easily sacrificed. Moreover, from the information panel, the Sword Sect seems to bear no ill intentions toward Gu Shengnan. What puzzles Gu Qingfeng, however, is what method Gu Shengnan used to successfully join the Sword Sect. Shaking his head. Gu Qingfeng decided not to concern himself further with this matter. Upon discovering that the Sword Sect is an Ancient Sect, Gu Qingfeng abandoned any further investigation. Ancient Times. That was the oldest era in the Ancient Desolate World. If there is a source to the Ancient Desolate World, then it can only be traced back to Ancient Times. In that era. The Taiyi Divine Dynasty oppressed the world, and it was also the most prosperous period for the Human Clan. Top-tier sects were everywhere. Strong individuals were as numerous as clouds. The Taiyi Divine Dynasty was merely the most dazzling existence of Ancient Times, but it did not mean other forces of Ancient Times were completely weak. ¡°Legend has it that in the Early Ancient Period, the Human Clan was ignorant, lived primitively, fought with beasts, and later strong individuals realized the Tao from between heaven and earth, creating a civilization and disseminated the practice technique.¡± ¡°The Tao of the Ancient Times was the simplest, yet closest to the essence of the Great Tao!¡± ¡°So-called Great Tao is simple!¡± ¡°Thus, Ancient Times was also the most powerful era of the Ancient Desolate World¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng recalled information about Ancient Times in his mind, and had some longing for that olden era. Barbaric land! All clans standing in multitude! But in the end, it was the Human Clan who won and became the rulers of this world. Sadly. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s understanding of Ancient Times is limited. Regarding the cultivation technique of Ancient Times, Gu Qingfeng only acquired one Ancient Divine King Scripture. Nevertheless. Gu Qingfeng could see the brilliance of that era from the Ancient Divine King Scripture. The Sword Sect could establish itself in Ancient Times and continue the legacy to this day, indicating formidable strength and profound heritage. Gu Qingfeng even wondered if there might be an Emperor Realm expert behind the Sword Sect. Although Great Emperors are rare. Many top-tier forces of a given era might not necessarily foster an Emperor Realm expert. But¡ª The Sword Sect is different. As a mysterious and ancient force inherited from Ancient Times, Gu Qingfeng must assess the opposing capabilities as much as possible. Still. While Gu Qingfeng held some reservations about the Sword Sect, he was not overly cautious. Considering the relationship with Gu Shengnan, Gu Family and the Sword Sect do not appear to have any conflicts. Furthermore. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power is steadily advancing, and soon he might rival a Great Emperor eventually. In this way. Gu Qingfeng has even less reason to fear the Sword Sect. Thinking of this. Gu Qingfeng suddenly had an idea, and immediately produced the Divine Emperor Tripod. Inside, billowing black fog surged, transforming into menacing and frightening apparitions, as if it were suppressing some peerless devil. At the same time. Echoes of faint screams wafted through the grand hall, chilling to the listener¡¯s core. ¡°Almost forgot about you!¡± Staring at the Divine Emperor Tripod, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes pierced through the rolling black fog, seeing the scene within clearly. In the black fog was an eyeball suspended in place, emanating all the black mist. As Gu Qingfeng looked at the eyeball, a wave of terrifying and violent Divine Thought rushed toward him. However. Faced with such a level of Divine Thought attack, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression remained unchanged, and his Sea of Consciousness remained stable like a mountain, unaffected in the slightest. ¡°Release me... I will grant you immortality!!!¡± The eyeball morphed into the visage of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, its hoarse voice reaching Gu Qingfeng. The latter smiled slightly: ¡°If you want freedom, it¡¯s quite simple; reveal your origin, and I might grant you release!¡± With these words. The black fog suddenly paused. Immediately thereafter. A cold and eerie voice emanated. ¡°You dare negotiate with me? You¡¯re nothing but an ant, unaware of how high the heavens reach. Release me, pledge allegiance, and I will grant you eternal life, allowing you to witness the true heavens and earth!¡± This statement carried a potent Divine Thought aura, seemingly capable of manipulating hearts. In response. Gu Qingfeng made his right hand tremble, pouring a torrent of fierce, fiery Qi and blood power into the Ancient Cauldron. In an instant. The temperature of the entire Bronze Ancient Cauldron skyrocketed, making the black fog feel as if it were in a furnace, causing the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor to emit a chilling wail. ¡°Ah!!!¡± Such Great Sun-like Qi and blood power is overwhelmingly restraining to evil spirits, akin to snow exposed to sunlight. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor felt as if their soul was enduring the torture of a thousand cuts. Such agony. Made the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor wish for immediate Divine Soul demise. But unfortunately. They are inherently almost undying, even enduring such torture cannot erase them entirely. ¡°Ant... Ah!! I won¡¯t let you off!!!¡± ¡°Ah!!!¡± ¡°I was wrong, spare me!!¡± ¡°Ah¡ª¡± The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s change from shouting curses to yielding and begging came quickly. But unfortunately. Gu Qingfeng showed no intention of stopping. The terrifying power of Qi and blood enveloped the entire Divine Emperor Tripod; its dreadful heat appeared capable of incinerating everything, making the vast tripod seem as if bathed in sunlight. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s wails echoed continuously. This sound. Persevered for several two-hour cycles. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor appeared increasingly weak, their cries gradually subdued. Those unaware might suspect the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor had been completely refined. But only Gu Qingfeng, who continually monitored the happenings within the Divine Emperor Tripod, realized the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s essence remained unaffected. This Qi and blood burning torture merely inflicted pain, far from causing demise. ¡°Truly undying? Seems I¡¯ve underestimated you!¡± Gu Qingfeng observed the still-unchanged essence of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, understanding that while his strength was formidable, it wasn¡¯t enough to truly eliminate the latter. This situation didn¡¯t surprise Gu Qingfeng much. After all, even the Taiyi Divine Dynasty once failed to kill the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, only sealing them away, indicating their fearsome nature. If the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor could be so easily slain, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty wouldn¡¯t have left such malicious spirits. Therefore. Slaying an evil spirit isn¡¯t simple. Ordinary evil spirits might be manageable. However, eliminating a mysterious being like the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s essence is no simple task. Half a day later. Gu Qingfeng ceased his actions. Having endured continuous torture, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor now felt a sense of post-disaster relief. ¡°You weren¡¯t lying, in some respects you might indeed be considered undying, but you should know, though I can¡¯t kill you, torturing you poses no issue. So refrain from futile threats; next, answer whatever I ask to avoid some Divine Soul agony. Otherwise, I don¡¯t mind refining you every few days!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s words carried a cold smile, making the spirit within the Divine Emperor Tripod flinch, their eyes reflecting fear mixed with barely detectable resentment. However. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor dared not fully unleash it. Simply because the several two-hour-long agony had instilled fear. That soul-tearing torture reached deep into the spirit, even for such a malicious entity becoming unbearable. Seeing the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s silence, Gu Qingfeng knew they had temporarily conceded. With this. Gu Qingfeng asked the first question weighing on his mind. ¡°Where exactly do you come from!?¡± Chapter 576: 369: Evil God Chapter 576: Chapter 369: Evil God ¡°I come from the Immortal Domain!¡± The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was silent for a moment, a cold voice emanating from the Divine Emperor Tripod. Immortal Domain! To this answer, Gu Qingfeng had little reaction. After all, he had already learned a lot from the Chaotic Ancient Divine King. The Taiyi Divine Dynasty opened the Immortal Gate, leading to the descent of Evil Spirits upon the world. Immortal Realm! Immortal Domain! They are merely names. In reality. Both refer to the same place. ¡°What is the current situation in the Immortal Domain, and what is the status of you Evil Spirits there?¡± ¡°Evil Spirit... you should call me Divine!¡± Within the Divine Emperor Tripod, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s lips curled into a bizarre smile, his demeanor growing haughty, truly like those lofty Divine beings. ¡°I am the Evil God!¡± ¡°Since endless ages ago, the Immortal Domain has already been conquered by us Evil Gods, who spread throughout the Upper Realm¡¯s Immortal Domain, the countless dust-like Universes!¡± ¡°You Human Clan in the Upper Realm are merely livestock raised by us Evil Gods, mere Blood Food. If you submit to me now, I can make you my servant, granting you eternal life... Ah!!!¡± Before the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor could finish speaking, that terrifying and soul-burning power surged again, causing him to emit a piercing scream. Gu Qingfeng looked indifferent: ¡°You seem to still not understand the current situation; answer whatever I ask, or you will only invite pain!¡± After a bit of reprimanding, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor quickly fell silent. Then. Gu Qingfeng asked again: ¡°What is the Deceit God?¡± ¡°Deceit God... In a sense, Deceit Gods and us Evil Gods share the same origin. In the ancient ages, Evil Gods and Deceit Gods coexisted in the Immortal Domain.¡± Later, we Evil Gods suppressed the Deceit Gods, becoming the absolute rulers of the Immortal Domain!¡± Upon hearing the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s words, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face showed a slight change, then he continued to inquire about other matters related to the Immortal Domain. Unfortunately. The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor seemed to have suffered from the suppression by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, continuously receiving severe injuries, causing his memories to be somewhat incomplete, making it difficult for him to answer many things. Initially. Gu Qingfeng thought it was intentional concealment by the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, but upon further torture, he found that the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor indeed had memory issues. Due to the torment of the Divine Soul, his memories were in further disarray. ¡°I am the Evil God... No... I am the Deceit God!!!¡± ¡°Deceit God... Evil God... Who am I really!!!!¡± The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s expression was fierce, his face constantly changing, filled with immense doubt about his own identity. Deceit God! Evil God! Looking at the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor trapped in chaos within the Divine Emperor Tripod, Gu Qingfeng did not continue interrogating. Whether it was an Evil God or a Deceit God, such an existence wasn¡¯t completely undying and indestructible. According to the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, neither Evil Gods nor Deceit Gods are immune from falling, but truly slaying them requires a sufficiently powerful strength. Clearly. A cultivator from the lower realm. Wishing to slay a Deceit God from the Immortal Domain is a mere fantasy. Seeing the chaotic Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, Gu Qingfeng directly faced the other¡¯s essence, his expression indifferent. ¡°The Deceitful Heavenly Emperor should be the so-called Deceit God, and his essence might belong to an even more powerful Deceit God, though such an existence is not something I can directly face now. If it were in his prime, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s power had already surpassed the Emperor Realm. When he descended into the lower realm, he was already heavily injured. Yet even so, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor caused overwhelming turmoil, ultimately sealed away by the Chaotic Ancient Divine King at the cost of his own life!¡± An eyeball! That could give rise to a Deceit God more terrifying than a Great Emperor! It is imaginable. How terrifying the Deceit God of the eyegod¡¯s essence truly is. Such an existence. Could likely kill a Great Emperor with a mere glance. However. In the lower realm. The Great Emperor is already the pinnacle of cultivation. Any Great Emperor can suppress all ages, unmatched in the world. ¡°The Immortal Domain has fallen!¡± ¡°To tread upon the Immortal Domain is but a dead-end!¡± ¡°But if one doesn¡¯t enter the Immortal Domain, eventually there will be a day when life¡¯s span runs out¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression fluctuated, it seemed the entire world was faced with a road without exit. Entering the Immortal Domain means death. Not entering the Immortal Domain also means death. Of course. Any situation is not without a solution. If one does not break through the Emperor Realm and continues to live by surviving through the Undying Immortal Medicine, it is possible to achieve a sort of pseudo-eternality. However¡ª Such a life of mere survival is not what Gu Qingfeng desires. Moreover. If one does not enter the Emperor Realm, no matter how long life is, what does it matter; in the eyes of true powerhouses, they are still mere ants. If one stops progressing. It is equivalent to digging one¡¯s own grave. Furthermore. From the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s words. The Evil God tribe does not just occupy the Immortal Domain; the countless dust-like Universes all have traces of Evil Gods. Like the Universe where the Ancient Desolate World resides, it is not the only Universe; outside of this one, there exists billions of such dust-like Universes. Above all these myriad dust-like Universes is the true Immortal Domain. However. Now, all these myriad dust-like Universes have traces of Evil Gods; some have even utterly fallen, with entire Universes under Evil God enslavement. No one can assure when an even more powerful Evil God may descend. If that truly happens, it would be the end for the entire Ancient Desolate World. Thinking of this. Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath. ¡°The Immortal Domain must be entered... but needs careful planning!¡± ¡°Given the current situation, it is necessary to first enhance one¡¯s strength, only with sufficiently strong power can one have the ability to respond to the impending great catastrophe!¡± Gu Qingfeng calmed his mind, looking at the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor sealed within the Divine Emperor Tripod, he layered several more seals to ensure the entity couldn¡¯t break free. Chapter 577: 369: Evil God_2 Chapter 577: Chapter 369: Evil God_2 If possible, Gu Qingfeng naturally wants to eliminate the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. But unfortunately. The existence of the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor is not something he can eliminate at present. Even if he breaks through to the Emperor Realm later, trying to eliminate the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor is just a dream. Before then. Gu Qingfeng temporarily seals away the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. If the other party were at full strength, relying solely on the Divine Emperor Tripod, there would be no chance of suppressing the seal. But now, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor has been severely injured, and apart from possessing nearly undying traits, his strength has reduced to one-tenths; even a Saint King could easily suppress him. And as a Great Saint Weapon, the Divine Emperor Tripod naturally has no problem sealing the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng takes out the Deceit God Banner. Looking at the black ancient banner before him, he is now completely certain that the Deceit God Banner is a product of the Upper Realm. ¡°Deceit God... Evil God!¡± ¡°According to the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor, this Deceit God Banner should be related to the Deceit God clan, but it¡¯s unknown to what extent the Deceit God nurtured within this banner will ultimately reach!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought to himself. Heavenly Venerate! Or the Immortal Heavenly Venerate! Through the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor¡¯s words, Gu Qingfeng also learned about the realm above the Great Emperor. This level, regardless of whether it¡¯s Evil God or Deceit God, or other beings, has a unified realm title. Above the Great Emperor! Is the Heavenly Venerate! Above the Heavenly Venerate! Is the Immortal Heavenly Venerate! Even with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s current eyesight, he couldn¡¯t see the subtleties of the Deceit God Banner, and where the Deceit God nurtured within it might ultimately reach, he was uncertain. However. As it stands now. Gu Qingfeng has recognized the Deceit God Banner as his master, so he doesn¡¯t have to worry about the banner retaliating for the time being. ¡°Above the Great Emperor is the Heavenly Venerate, above the Heavenly Venerate is the Immortal Heavenly Venerate... At full strength, the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor was an Evil God at the Heavenly Venerate level!¡± It¡¯s a pity. Although Gu Qingfeng is aware of the existence of the Heavenly Venerate and Immortal Heavenly Venerate, he temporarily does not know the exact differences at this level. Taking a deep breath. Gu Qingfeng ceases to think about this matter. Whether it¡¯s the Heavenly Venerate or the Immortal Heavenly Venerate, they¡¯re not levels he can reach. After all, until now, Gu Qingfeng has not truly stepped into the Emperor Realm, let alone the levels above that. At the same time. Gu Qingfeng is also somewhat curious. With the mystique of the attribute panel, if he doesn¡¯t enter the Upper Realm, can he still rely on this ability to directly break through the Great Emperor barriers and advance to the Heavenly Venerate or even Immortal Heavenly Venerate levels. If he could, then the threats from the Immortal Domain would be insignificant. Afterwards. Gu Qingfeng secludes himself to continue practicing the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. ¡ª¡ª Time passes. Three years in the blink of an eye. In three years. Significant transformations also took place in the Ancient Desolate World. With more Evil Gods awakening and the relentless invasion from the Demon Realm, the entire Ancient Desolate World has been engulfed in the flames of war. In the Eastern Domain. The situation is even grimmer. Previously, the Star Dynasty allied with Evil Spirits, sacrificing the lives of a state in blood rituals; various forces joint efforts to annihilate the Star Dynasty, but suffered significant injuries. Later, the Demon Realm launched large-scale invasions, creating immense pressure. As a force in the Eastern Domain, the Divine Martial Dynasty found it difficult to stay out of the fray. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty now controls the entire Guxing State, and when the Evil Gods and demons invaded, Guxing State was affected as well. However. A great number of Guxing State¡¯s citizens and cultivators perished, causing its strength to plummet to the lowest point. Among the 108 states in the Eastern Domain. After being heavily damaged, Guxing State is almost at the bottom. Fortunate. Gu Yang, years ago, issued numerous edicts, not only allowing the Nine States¡¯ cultivators to go to Guxing State to establish sects, but also recruiting many loose cultivators externally, promising corresponding benefits. In doing so. A large quantity of loose cultivators flocked to Guxing State, received court commission, occupied various Cave Heaven Blessed Lands to establish foundations. Subsequently. Some sects large and small, all coveted some Cave Heaven Blessed Lands in Guxing State, thereby relocating the whole sect there. Such actions allowed Guxing State¡¯s declining strength to recover rapidly in a short period. Though in three years, Guxing State¡¯s strength has not been restored to its former peak, it has improved significantly. Because of this. When demons invaded, Guxing State was able to block their erosion, preventing a full collapse. ... ¡°Reporting to the Emperor, there are signs of a Demon Lord in Tiankui Prefecture, the number of demons has surged, it¡¯s likely they aim to use this opportunity to completely crush Tiankui Prefecture and open up the situation in Guxing State!¡± In the court, a minister steps forward to report. Gu Yang hears the words and immediately speaks: ¡°Institute Envoy Chu!¡± ¡°Your servant is here!¡± ¡°With signs of a Demon Lord in Tiankui Prefecture, this matter will be handled by the Tribute Institute.¡± ¡°Your servant accepts the order!¡± Chu Daoxuan bows and accepts. Upon this sight. Gu Yang nods slightly and says no more. Now the Tribute Institute is crowded with strong individuals, and there are already more than fifty Semi-Saint level powerhouses there, with over five hundred cultivators in the Tiaoist Palace Realm. Moreover. The entrance threshold for the Tribute Institute has been raised again and again; without being at the seventh layer or above of the Tiaoist Palace Realm, there¡¯s no qualification to join the Tribute Institute. Though in the Eastern Domain, cultivators at the Tiaoist Palace Realm belong to top-tier powerhouses. The Eastern Domain is vast. Strong individuals are numerous. Compared to the whole human clan in the Eastern Domain, the number of cultivators in the Tiaoist Palace Realm is not particularly rare. Coupled with the current demon invasions, which are both a disaster and a great opportunity for the human clan. Therefore. Over the years. The human clan¡¯s powerhouses have emerged just like bamboo shoots after rain. Coupled with the battle against the Star Dynasty, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s terrifying combat might shocked the world, and the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s prestige rose once more. Nowadays, anyone with discernment can see that the Divine Martial Dynasty advancing to an Imperial Dynasty is simply a matter of time. Even stepping into the Imperial Dynasty might not be the limit of the Divine Martial Dynasty. Thus. Numerous cultivators naturally want to ally with the Divine Martial Dynasty and willingly enter the Tribute Institute for cultivation. Now the Tribute Institute not only possesses numerous strong individuals, but also has some Holy Weapons and Great Saint Weapons. Although the Demon Lord is formidable, he does not have the audacity to act arrogantly in front of the Tribute Institute. Later. Another minister reports other matters. Guxing State is vast. There are signs of demons in many places. Adding to this the appearance of Evil Gods. These matters ultimately must be reported to Gu Yang, and then he makes arrangements. In response. Gu Yang also provides countermeasures. Once all matters are settled, in the end, Gu Yang looks at the ministers below and speaks with a solemn tone. ¡°Now the court has subdued Guxing State, national fortune is steadily rising, I have a premonition that it won¡¯t be long before our Divine Martial Dynasty can ascend to the ranks of Imperial Dynasties. Therefore, before this, we must guard against demon and Evil Spirit invasions; if either appears, it must be fully suppressed, cannot allow it to harm the Divine Martial people and hinder the court¡¯s progression!¡± As these words are spoken. Everyone is invigorated, their faces showing excitement. ¡°Your servants follow the order!¡± Elevation to an Imperial Dynasty! Though over the years, there have been rumors stating the Divine Martial Dynasty could ascend to an Imperial Dynasty, until now, whether it truly would ascend, or when it might, remained uncertain. Yet now Gu Yang personally speaks, affirming this matter, dispelling all doubts within everyone¡¯s hearts. Advancing national fortune. This offers immense benefits to everyone. Especially officials with governmental positions; if the Divine Martial Dynasty ascends to an Imperial Dynasty, they would also receive national fortune blessings and corresponding benefits. Realm breakthrough. At that time, it would merely be routine. Currently, those truly able to maintain their calm are probably just a few individuals like Chu Daoxuan. Their strength already reached the Semi-Saint Realm, and before the Great Struggle Prosperity Era truly arrives, no matter how great the opportunity, it won¡¯t break the Semi-Saint barrier to truly advance to the Saint Realm. Of course. If the Divine Martial Dynasty does indeed ascend to an Imperial Dynasty, it is ultimately beneficial for them. Chapter 578: 370: The Fourth Heavenly Vein Chapter 578: Chapter 370: The Fourth Heavenly Vein Demon Suppression Immortal City. Three years have passed. The demon invasion has become increasingly rampant. A large number of cultivators have entered the Demon Suppression Immortal City, joining the ranks to resist the demons, with the goal of obtaining the flesh and blood of chaotic beasts. Only with enough flesh and blood from the chaotic divine phenomenon can they withstand for such a long time. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!!¡± The war drums sounded, echoing throughout the Demon Suppression Immortal City. Jiang Nanfeng, responsible for defending the Immortal City, immediately headed to the city wall, where he witnessed demons pouring endlessly from the boundary domain channel, their numbers seemingly blotting out the sky. ¡°Hmph, these demons are here again, as if they never run out!!¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? I¡¯ve killed at least eight thousand demons if not ten thousand. As long as they dare to come, I will dare to kill. Now that my cultivation is stuck in a bottleneck, it¡¯s just right to break through with demon cores!¡± ¡°The Demon Clan¡¯s numbers cannot be endless; one day, we will annihilate them all!¡± Each loose cultivator defending the Immortal City looked at the demons flooding in and showed no trace of fear on their faces. Those who were afraid have either died on the battlefield or left the Demon Suppression Immortal City long ago. Those who remain are fearless in battle. Especially after years of warfare, even the weakest cultivators have stained their hands with the blood of hundreds or thousands of demons, and the iron-blooded aura surrounding them is not easily hidden. ¡°Prepare the army!¡± Jiang Nanfeng shouted deeply, and the hundred thousand-strong Demon Suppression Army had fully assembled, their terrifying, murderous aura permeated the void, making other cultivators show apprehension on their faces. ¡°The Demon Suppression Army is here!¡± ¡°No matter how many times I¡¯ve seen them, every encounter with this army still makes my heart palpitate instinctively!¡± ¡°Hmph... The Demon Suppression Army has slain billions of demons; it¡¯s hard to imagine the Divine Martial Dynasty has trained such fearsome elites. If such a force appeared outside, how many armies could withstand it?¡± Cultivators looked at the Demon Suppression Army with both seriousness and admiration. Over the years. Countless soldiers of the Demon Suppression Army have died, and even more fresh blood has been added, yet the so-called fresh blood are all seasoned veterans from the Demon Suppression Immortal City. To be blunt. Each living soldier of the Demon Suppression Army has stained their hands with blood numbering in the thousands, if not more. Such a bloodstained elite force, if they truly left the Demon Suppression Immortal City, would surely shake the world. It¡¯s clear to any intelligent person that this elite force is what the Divine Martial Dynasty has honed using the Demon Clan. As to why the Divine Martial Dynasty does this, opinions differ. But regardless. The strength of the Demon Suppression Army is undeniable. At this moment. The void trembled. Endless demonic aura surged into the skies, its terrifying pressure whipped up a hurricane on the battlefield, as if it wanted to tear the vast sky to shreds. ¡°Demon Lord!¡± Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s gaze slightly narrowed. It¡¯s not the first time a Demon Lord has acted; over the years, multiple Demon Lords have attempted to break the defense of the Demon Suppression Immortal City. But each time a Demon Lord made a move, they were repelled by the Demon Suppression Army. Today¡¯s Demon Suppression Army. Is far more formidable than at its inception. Even Jiang Nanfeng, the Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau, has advanced to the seventh layer of the Tiaoist Palace Realm, with true strength comparable to a Semi-Saint. Together with the hundred thousand-strong Demon Suppression Army, they can battle even a Demon Lord. Moreover. Besides the Demon Suppression Army. The Divine Martial Dynasty has a mighty Deceit God. In this way. The Demon Lord poses little threat. Of course. This only refers to the Demon Lords. A year ago. A powerful being at the Demon King level mingled with the demon army and abruptly attacked, killing many human warriors and causing chaos in the defense. But before that Demon King could truly breach the defense, Gu Qingfeng struck from afar, killing him on the spot. From start to finish. Gu Qingfeng never appeared. Just one strike from afar slaughtered the Demon King. With Gu Qingfeng overseeing the overall situation, Jiang Nanfeng has sufficient confidence to face anything. Now, as Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s thoughts solidified, the Demon Lord had already fiercely struck, shattering space with terrifying power, seemingly aiming to demolish the entire city wall. ¡°Demon, dare you act so brazenly in front of me?¡± Jiang Nanfeng roared angrily, his long blade unsheathed abruptly, and the dazzling blood-colored blade light split the sky, directly colliding with the force of that palm. The void trembled and shattered, and the blade light disintegrated momentarily under a powerful force, sending Jiang Nanfeng retreating in mid-air, each retreating step shattering the space beneath. Diverting Force! Facing a Demon Lord equating to a Saint, even if Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s strength is comparable to a Semi-Saint, he cannot be an equal opponent in single combat. Only with special techniques to redirect force could he ensure his safety. ¡°Being able to withstand one palm, you indeed have some skill!¡± The White Winged Demon Monarch¡¯s gaze shifted slightly, with a hint of surprise as he looked at Jiang Nanfeng. He could not have anticipated. That an ant seemingly in the Tiaoist Palace Realm could withstand one of his palms unscathed. However. The White Winged Demon Monarch did not overly concern himself. The Tiaoist Palace Realm is still just the Tiaoist Palace Realm; in his presence, it means little. As the words fell, the White Winged Demon Monarch struck again, the vast power of the Saint Realm unfolded, making the earth and sky seem too weak to bear such terrible pressure. Chapter 579: 370: The Fourth Heavenly Vein_2 Chapter 579: Chapter 370: The Fourth Heavenly Vein_2 ¡°Demon Suppression Army, follow me to meet the enemy!¡± Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s face was filled with killing intent. As his words left his mouth, the hundred thousand Demon Suppression Army had already formed their formation, their terrifying power seeming to merge with the former. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± Jiang Nanfeng stepped into the air, wielding the combined strength of the hundred thousand Demon Suppression Army to unleash a powerful strike. Instantly, the space for miles around turned into dust, and the blood-red blade light seemed solid, making the White Winged Demon Monarch¡¯s eyebrows twitch. Boom! Rumble!! A mighty force erupted, the earth-shattering waves sweeping all around. At this moment. In the Boundary Domain Channel. Several forces no weaker than the White Winged Demon Monarch erupted. ¡°Five Demon Monarchs!¡± ¡°The Demon Clan has gone mad¡ª¡ª¡± Seeing this, others¡¯ faces drastically changed. In the past, even if a Demon Monarch appeared, it was at most only one. Now, five Demon Monarchs had appeared all at once. This situation was indeed unusual. Soon. The news of the five Demon Monarchs spread throughout the Demon Suppression Immortal City and quickly reached the hands of Gu Yang. Upon receiving this news, a look of concern did not appear on his face. ¡°With the Supreme Emperor in Demon Suppression Immortal City, I believe that mere five Demon Monarchs can¡¯t stir up much trouble!¡± ¡°You are absolutely right, Your Majesty... However, it¡¯s unusual that the Demon Clan, knowing full well that the Supreme Emperor is stationed at Demon Suppression Immortal City, would still send five Demon Monarchs!¡± In the Imperial Study Room, Liang Jin slowly spoke, appearing slightly more worried. In his view, even though the Demon Clan had many powerful individuals, they wouldn¡¯t randomly send Demon Monarch-level powerhouses to their deaths. A year ago, the appearance of a Demon King was to test whether Gu Qingfeng was still in Demon Suppression Immortal City. However, after finding out the results, the Demon Clan, after a year, again sent five Demon Monarchs, which was curious. After all, even if the Demon Clan had large numbers, the number of beings who could reach the level of a Demon Monarch was certainly limited. Such a level of powerhouse would not recklessly come to court death. Liang Jin¡¯s words. Made Gu Yang¡¯s expression also become much heavier. ¡°You¡¯re saying... that the Demon Clan plans to launch a major invasion this time, to completely shatter the defenses of Demon Suppression Immortal City!?¡± ¡°This is merely my assumption, but it¡¯s a possibility that cannot be ruled out!¡± Liang Jin nodded. Gu Yang took a deep breath, his gaze shifting. Clearly. Liang Jin¡¯s words also gave him some bad premonitions. After a moment. Gu Yang said: ¡°The Supreme Emperor¡¯s strength is not as simple as they imagine. Unless a Demon Emperor-level powerhouse emerges, the Demon Clan won¡¯t easily challenge the Supreme Emperor. Currently, my Divine Martial Dynasty is on the verge of ascending to the Imperial Dynasty. I plan to fully open the Treasury of the Ministry of Revenue, allocate abundant resources to all sides to enhance the court¡¯s strength and stabilize the people¡¯s hearts!¡± ¡°As long as Guxing State becomes a bit more stable, I believe it could allow the court to ascend to the ranks of the Imperial Dynasty!¡± ¡°I agree with Your Majesty¡¯s idea!¡± Liang Jin nodded. Even though doing so would greatly deplete the resources of the Divine Martial Dynasty, necessary means must be employed at necessary times. As long as the Divine Martial Dynasty could ascend to the Imperial Dynasty, many problems could be solved. ¡ª¡ª Meanwhile. In the City Lord Mansion¡¯s main hall. Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, and his physique seemed to have a profound Dao Rhythm flowing. If someone possessed x-ray vision, they would find that four Heaven-Reaching Divine Pillars had already formed within him. The so-called Heaven-Reaching Divine Pillars. Are the Heavenly Veins. After years spent. Gu Qingfeng successfully cultivated the Fourth Layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, condensing a fourth Heavenly Vein. ¡°Heavenly Vein True Scripture Fourth Layer!¡± ¡°If I use the power of the four Heavenly Veins, I wonder if I would have the qualifications to truly contend with a Great Emperor!¡± Gu Qingfeng introspected himself, and the four Heaven-Reaching Divine Veins came into view. Even though these four Heavenly Veins were condensed by himself, witnessing them still emanated a majestic pressure as vast as the abyss. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation became higher, he could increasingly feel the extraordinary nature of the Heavenly Veins. The four Heavenly Veins penetrate the heavens and the earth. With just a thought, Gu Qingfeng could bestow himself with boundless great power. When he had three Heavenly Veins, Gu Qingfeng could at most triple his strength. Now, with four Heavenly Veins, he could increase his power fourfold. With thrice the power, Gu Qingfeng could easily suppress the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor at the Quasi Emperor level, and even face the Hanhai Demon Emperor with ease. Now with fourfold power, facing the Hanhai Demon Emperor, Gu Qingfeng was confident in directly slaying him. Moreover¡ª¡ª This was not Gu Qingfeng¡¯s ultimate strength after three years of secluded cultivation. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 124/9000 Realm: Saint King Realm Second Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Fourth Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfection), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfection), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfection), Lei Feng Scripture (Perfection), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Perfection), Nine Heavens Scripture (Great Saint Chapter First Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfection), Nine Yang Tao Scripture (Perfection), Ten Thousand Spirit Taoist Scripture (Perfection), Abyss Scripture (Saint King Chapter Second Layer), Ancient Divine King Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer) (abbrev.) Upgrade Points: 13600 ... As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thoughts turned inward, his attribute panel appeared once again. Three years of accumulation. His upgrade points had already surpassed thirteen thousand. This amount of upgrade points could allow Gu Qingfeng¡¯s cultivation to advance another level. Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate. He directly used ten thousand upgrade points to elevate his cultivation to the Third Layer of the Saint King Realm. ¡°Saint King Third Layer!¡± ¡°Compared to the Saint King Second Layer, my overall strength has improved significantly again!¡± ¡°Thus, with the power of the four Heavenly Veins, plus my cultivation at the Saint King Third Layer, no one below a Great Emperor could be my match, I reckon!¡± ¡°As for the Great Emperor...¡± Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng slightly shook his head. He hadn¡¯t truly faced a Great Emperor, so he couldn¡¯t fully comprehend the strength of this realm. After all, powerhouses of that level are considered the pinnacle of the Lower Realm, the culmination of the path of cultivation. Only those at this level have the qualification to enter the Immortal Domain. It is evident, that a Great Emperor is no simple matter. But Gu Qingfeng wasn¡¯t too worried. From what he learned from the Deceitful Heavenly Emperor about some affairs of the Upper Realm, the pressure of a Great Emperor on him wasn¡¯t as intense as it once was. Besides, considering that it took three years to break through one realm, Gu Qingfeng believes it won¡¯t take many years for him to break into the Quasi-Emperor Realm. Once he enters the Quasi-Emperor Realm, and with the power of the four Heavenly Veins, even if a Great Emperor personally arrives, Gu Qingfeng would not fear in the slightest. Then. Gu Qingfeng looked out beyond the main hall. The scenes on the battlefield were now all within his sight. ¡°Five Demon Monarchs!¡± ¡°The Demon Clan refuses to give up!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes were slightly cold. In his eyes, the appearance of the five Demon Monarchs presently also brought no small trouble to the Human Clan. No matter how much the overall strength of Demon Suppression Immortal City had improved over the years, dealing with five Demon Monarchs was not so easy. Seeing this. Gu Qingfeng had no intention to stand by idly. Previously, he didn¡¯t intervene because he was in secluded cultivation and had no time to spare. Back then, if it wasn¡¯t for that Demon King¡¯s near breach of the defenses of Demon Suppression Immortal City, Gu Qingfeng wouldn¡¯t have wanted to interrupt his cultivation. After all, much of cultivation relies on timing. If that timing is disrupted by external factors, finding it again is not as easy. But now it¡¯s different. With the breakthrough of the Fourth Layer of the Heavenly Vein True Scripture, further breakthroughs to the Fifth Layer can¡¯t be achieved in a short time. Thus, there was no need for further seclusion for Gu Qingfeng. With that thought, Gu Qingfeng took a step forward, his form instantly disappearing from the main hall. At the same time. On the battlefield. A terrifying pressure swept across heaven and earth, instantly causing the cultivators of both the Human Clan and the Demon Clan to feel their hair standing on end, as if being watched by some terrifying existence. Many cultivators couldn¡¯t help but break out in cold sweat. Chapter 580: 371: Six Great Demon Emperors Attack Chapter 580: Chapter 371: Six Great Demon Emperors Attack ¡°Who is it!¡± The White Winged Demon Monarch¡¯s entire body bristled, as if he was being watched by a terrifying presence. A sense of impending doom overwhelmed him, and his expression changed dramatically. At this very moment. A figure in a blue robe slowly emerged. ¡°Gu Qingfeng¡ª¡± When the White Winged Demon Monarch saw who had appeared, his face turned pale with fright. Without a second thought, he headed towards the Boundary Domain Channel. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, why not stay?¡± Gu Qingfeng reached his right hand into the void. Though it looked like an ordinary action, he directly captured the White Winged Demon Monarch who had fled a hundred miles away. The dignified demon monarch, now seemed as frail as a chick. Facing imminent death, the White Winged Demon Monarch cried out in terror. ¡°Save me¡ª¡± Before he finished speaking, A blood-colored cold light pierced through the void, hurtling toward Gu Qingfeng¡¯s face with killing intent. The strike¡¯s power was subtle and delicate, leaving Gu Qingfeng no chance to react. But his expression remained unchanged. Even as the blood-colored cold light appeared before his eyes, he showed no emotional response. He held the White Winged Demon Monarch with his right hand and flicked his fingers with his left. ¡°Boom!¡± The blood-colored cold light shattered. The space before him swiftly disintegrated and collapsed. Then, Gu Qingfeng clenched his right hand forcefully, causing the White Winged Demon Monarch¡¯s body to explode. A blood-stained inner core fell into his hand. Gu Qingfeng did not care about the demon monarch¡¯s inner core and casually tossed it to Jiang Nanfeng, then looked towards the direction of the Boundary Domain Channel. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here, there¡¯s no need to hide. Let me see what confidence your Demon Clan has to dare invade our Demon Suppression Immortal City at this time!¡± As his voice fell. The void trembled. One by one, figures emitting powerful auras appeared from the void. ¡°Demon Emperors!!¡± ¡°Six Demon Emperors¡ª¡± Any cultivator who witnessed this scene had a drastic change in expression. Six Demon Emperors! Each one was comparable to a Quasi Emperor. The shock brought by such a sight could be easily imagined. Many of the Human Clan felt a deep sense of despair when they saw the six Demon Emperors appear. Even though they had Gu Qingfeng, an unparalleled strong presence, it was hard to truly find peace of mind. After all, in these cultivators¡¯ eyes, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength was merely at the level of a Quasi Emperor. Facing six Demon Emperors, it would be difficult for him to be a match. Even within the Demon Suppression Bureau, Jiang Nanfeng¡¯s face was now filled with shock, his fists clenched tightly. The immense pressure from the six Demon Emperors caused the commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau to tremble in his mind. ¡°Six Demon Emperors... Is this the confidence for your invasion of Demon Suppression Immortal City?¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes shifted slightly, and his gaze finally landed on Hanhai Demon Emperor. Among the six Demon Emperors. He was the only one considered a half acquaintance. Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s expression was indifferent: ¡°Gu Qingfeng, I acknowledge your strength is formidable, but unfortunately, with us six Demon Emperors present, you are destined to fall here today!¡± Despite witnessing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s terrifying power, Hanhai Demon Emperor still had tremendous confidence. The reason was simple. Behind him stood five other powerhouses of the same realm. Six Demon Emperors in person. Even dealing with a Great Emperor may qualify them for a battle. Handling a mere human Quasi Emperor posed no problem. Even though Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength had surpassed that of an ordinary Quasi Emperor, reaching the level of a Half Emperor, Hanhai Demon Emperor was unafraid. Half Emperor! Ultimately, it¡¯s just a stronger Quasi Emperor. Failing to truly step into the Emperor Realm, he had not completed that final transformation. ¡°Why waste so many words with him? Kill him, then annihilate the entire Eastern Domain, and with the blood of these Human Clan ants, fulfill our Demon Clan¡¯s long-cherished wish completely!¡± A burly Demon Emperor spoke coldly. As he spoke, he had already stepped forward, his right fist striking out suddenly. The terrifying, fierce power caused the space for tens of thousands of miles to collapse, the tangible aura shaking the heavens. The power of this strike. Unexpectedly reached the level of an Upper Demon Emperor. Seeing the blow from this Demon Emperor, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes flashed coldly. If it were before he broke through the Saint King Realm, Gu Qingfeng would need to handle such a powerful opponent cautiously. But now, not only had he broken through the Saint King Realm, he had also leapt straight to the Saint King Third Heaven. Therefore, When facing this Demon Emperor¡¯s attack, Gu Qingfeng silently activated four Heavenly Veins and struck with his own punch. Boom¡ª The two punches collided. A terrifying force, as if overturning the heavens, bore down, making the sneer on that Demon Emperor¡¯s face vanish, replaced instantly by a face full of shock. ¡°Boom!¡± In an instant, The Demon Emperor¡¯s arm exploded, a massive cloud of blood mist gushed out. The relentless force sent his body flying sideways, breaking through a hundred miles of void before finally coming to a stop. Silence! A deathly stillness! Whether they were from the Human Clan or the Demon Clan, when they witnessed this scene, their faces were filled with astonishment. They looked at the blue-robed figure in the void as if staring at a terrifying entity. Among them, The one most shocked was the Hanhai Demon Emperor. The attacking Demon Emperor was named Tiankui Demon Emperor, similarly an Upper Demon Emperor like himself. Truthfully speaking, Hanhai Demon Emperor did not consider himself much stronger than the opponent. From this, it could be seen just how fearsome Tiankui Demon Emperor¡¯s strength was. Yet, Despite Tiankui Demon Emperor¡¯s formidable strength, he was defeated by Gu Qingfeng in just a single encounter. This frightening level of power not only left Hanhai Demon Emperor shocked, but made the other Demon Emperors look grim as well. ¡°To subdue Tiankui Demon Emperor with a single punch... Even the usual Half Emperors might not achieve that!¡± Chapter 581 371: The Six Great Demon Emperors Attack_2 At this moment, a young Demon Emperor slowly spoke, a terrifying power awakening from his body, and as his voice fell, an illusion of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood seemed to appear in the void. Feeling the powerful aura emanating from the other party, Gu Qingfeng raised his eyebrows slightly. "And who might you be?" "I am the Rakshasa. You must have heard of my existence!" The Rakshasa Demon Emperor said. With these words, many veteran human experts below suddenly changed their expressions dramatically. "Rakshasa Demon Emperor!" "He is the very Demon Emperor who led the Demon Clan to invade the Eastern Domain a hundred thousand years ago!" "Could it be that even after the Heavenly Abyss Emperor took action, he couldn''t slay him!?" The name of the Rakshasa Demon Emperor reminded many veteran experts of the Eastern Domain of some ancient legends from a hundred thousand years ago. And the Heavenly Abyss Emperor they spoke of was the newly emerged Great Emperor from the Central Domain a hundred thousand years ago, and it was his intervention that repelled the Demon Clan, resolving the crisis in the Eastern Domain. At the same time, information about the Rakshasa Demon Emperor also surfaced in Gu Qingfeng''s mind. Top-tier Demon Emperor! No¡ª Observing the current aura of the Rakshasa Demon Emperor, Gu Qingfeng realized he was far above an ordinary top-tier Demon Emperor, and in terms of power, he estimated the Rakshasa to have reached the level of a Half Emperor. However. Even when facing a Half Emperor-level Demon Emperor directly, Gu Qingfeng was not afraid. "A hundred thousand years ago, you led the Demon Clan to invade the Eastern Domain, and the Heavenly Abyss Emperor suppressed you all, driving you back to the Demon Realm. I never thought you''d dare to return. If that''s the case, then stay today!" As Gu Qingfeng''s voice fell, he stepped forward, shaking heaven and earth with his terrifying vitality, and with a raised hand, he suppressed, covering the six Demon Emperors including the Rakshasa Demon Emperor. "Such audacity!" The Rakshasa Demon Emperor laughed in anger, not expecting Gu Qingfeng to be so daring, to challenge him and the six Demon Emperors alone. In an instant. The Rakshasa Demon Emperor shattered the void, his hands unleashing Great Tao Divine Skills, and a vast power collided with Gu Qingfeng''s. But as the two powers clashed, Gu Qingfeng''s palm was immovable, like a heaven-supporting mountain, and the Rakshasa Demon Emperor''s attack, which he considered formidable, failed to achieve anything. This scene. Even caused the Rakshasa Demon Emperor''s pupils to contract. "Impossible!!" He had long reached the Half Emperor level in strength and believed he feared no cultivator below a Great Emperor, but now, facing Gu Qingfeng directly, he felt an extremely terrifying sense of oppression. At the same moment. The other several Demon Emperors also took action one after another. Boom! Rumble!! The dreadful fluctuations swept across the void, engulfing the entire battlefield. Both clans'' cultivators now tacitly withdrew from the battlefield, giving way to Gu Qingfeng and the six Demon Emperors. "With six Demon Emperors present, does Lord Jiang believe our forefather stands a chance?" Gu Fengchen watched the battle on the battlefield, his face filled with concern, where the Great Tao''s essence surged, twisting the very void. To him, this level of battle was completely beyond his ability to intervene. Intervene? Impossible even to approach. Jiang Nanfeng looked grave: "I am also unsure, but the Supreme Emperor''s strength is unfathomable, and even with six Demon Emperors present, they may not be a match for the elder!" Though he said so. Jiang Nanfeng also had little confidence in his heart. After all, the strength of a Quasi Emperor was beyond his current understanding. Whether it was Gu Qingfeng or the six Demon Emperors, either could kill him as easily as crushing an ant. ¡ª¡ª Boom! Gu Qingfeng suppressed the void with his fists, capable of shattering galaxies with a flick. Even when facing the siege of the six Demon Emperors, he appeared confident and at ease. The power of the four Heavenly Veins had elevated Gu Qingfeng''s strength to the peak of the Quasi Emperor level. Although he hadn''t truly broken through the Quasi Emperor barrier to reach the Great Emperor level, he was far stronger than ordinary Half Emperors. Even an ancient Half Emperor like the Rakshasa Demon Emperor was no match for Gu Qingfeng. With a single punch from Gu Qingfeng, the Rakshasa Demon Emperor crossed his arms to block, only to see his arms'' flesh rupture, revealing golden bones within. "Kill!" Just at that moment, the Hanhai Demon Emperor''s attack arrived, the Great Tao''s river piercing through the void, aiming to suppress Gu Qingfeng on the spot. Without even turning his head, Gu Qingfeng merely punched backhandedly, shattering the Great Tao''s river, with billions of droplets shooting everywhere, piercing and destroying numerous spaces. "Human, die for me!" The Tiankui Demon Emperor roared, transforming into an unparalleled demon ape, with a body-length golden divine staff shattering the heavens, smashing down toward Gu Qingfeng. This strike''s power, the Tiankui Demon Emperor held nothing back. Divine Staff Breaking Heaven! Unstoppable! Yet facing the Tiankui Demon Emperor''s staff, Gu Qingfeng merely caught it with his right hand, directly stopping the full-force attack of an upper Demon Emperor. As the two forces met, the Tiankui Demon Emperor felt Gu Qingfeng''s hand as immovable as a primordial rock. Seeing this. The Tiankui Demon Emperor''s pupils contracted sharply. Among the many Demon Emperors, the Tiankui Demon Emperor prided himself on his unparalleled strength, believing even the Rakshasa Demon Emperor at Half Emperor level couldn''t match him in pure power. However. The strength the Tiankui Demon Emperor had always prided himself on now crumbled before Gu Qingfeng. The gap between them was as vast as a chasm. Just as the Tiankui Demon Emperor was about to withdraw, Gu Qingfeng gripped tightly, leaving the former unable to budge regardless of how much strength he used. "Begone!" Following this, Gu Qingfeng''s right hand rose sharply, and the Tiankui Demon Emperor, along with his staff, was hurled away. At this moment, other Demon Emperors'' attacks came again. Seeing the harmonious cooperation of the six Demon Emperors, Gu Qingfeng grew impatient. He moved his Divine Thought, and the Evil Slayer Blade appeared in his hand. As celestial energy poured into the Divine Blade, the power of this Imperial Weapon was fully unleashed. "Boom!" Gu Qingfeng slashed out with the blade, the bloody blade light tearing through the heavens, and a Demon Emperor''s expression changed dramatically, realizing too late to dodge. Without hesitation, that Demon Emperor summoned a shield to block in front of him. But the next moment. The shield, comparable to a Quasi-Imperial Weapon, exploded, along with the Demon Emperor''s body, being cleaved in two by the bloody blade light. In the eyes of the other Demon Emperors, they saw the Demon Emperor''s body split in half, with copious blood spilling, the corpse falling permanently from the void. "Howling Moon Demon Emperor!" Hanhai Demon Emperor''s face changed drastically. He hadn''t expected that so soon after the battle started, one of their Demon Emperors would fall. Yet. Hanhai Demon Emperor had no time to grieve. Because after slaying the Howling Moon Demon Emperor, Gu Qingfeng, without a pause, charged toward the other Demon Emperors. Initially, with the activation of the four Heavenly Veins, Gu Qingfeng already imposed massive pressure on the six Demon Emperors, and now, with the Imperial Weapon in hand, his power further increased. The fall of the Howling Moon Demon Emperor thoroughly broke the stalemate! In just moments, the Tiankui Demon Emperor lost both arms, a terrifying wound opening upon his chest, nearly splitting his body in two. "Save me!!" The Tiankui Demon Emperor, terrified, spoke desperately while hurriedly retreating, fearing he''d be slain on the spot if delayed. At this time. The Rakshasa Demon Emperor''s expression turned fierce, directly summoning a golden ancient tower. "An Imperial Weapon? I have one too!!" As he spoke. Power surged from the Rakshasa Demon Emperor into the golden ancient tower, with majestic Emperor Might erupting. The once palm-sized tower expanded to a mountainous size, crushing layers of void, bearing down on Gu Qingfeng. This Imperial Weapon was the Rakshasa Demon Emperor''s secret trump card, rarely used. But everything happened too quickly. Two Demon Emperors fell, one dead and one severely injured, all occurring in the blink of an eye. When the Rakshasa Demon Emperor reacted, he immediately used this trump card. Chapter 582: 372 Kushan Immortal City Chapter 582: Chapter 372 Kushan Immortal City ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± When the blood-red blade light collided with the ancient tower, a world-destroying force spread out wildly. A powerful rebounding force surged forth, with Gu Qingfeng¡¯s blood and energy churning, but he forcibly suppressed it. Observing the Rakshasa Demon Emperor. The rebounding force from the two Imperial Weapons caused his body to crack, spilling a large amount of golden blood. ¡°Kill!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s gaze was frigid, and the Evil Slayer Blade slashed out once more, its terrifying force shattering the sky, making the Rakshasa Demon Emperor¡¯s expression fearful. Despite having an Imperial Weapon in hand, the Rakshasa Demon Emperor was completely unable to gain any advantage. Other Demon Emperors could not afford to be shocked and attacked Gu Qingfeng again. Boom! Boom! Boom!! Gu Qingfeng wielded the Imperial Weapon, his terrifying blood energy pushed to the extreme; four Heavenly Veins seemed to connect heaven and earth, with ceaseless power gathering from all directions, pushing his strength beyond limits. If powerhouses in the Saint Realm can only begin to borrow the power of heaven and earth, then the four Heavenly Veins seize the power of heaven and earth. Between the two. They cannot be compared in any way. ¡°Boom¡ª¡ª¡± With a slash, Gu Qingfeng sent the demon¡¯s Imperial Weapon flying, then backhanded another slash, fully killing a Demon Emperor on the spot. As this Demon Emperor¡¯s physical body exploded, Gu Qingfeng did not stop, the Evil Slayer Blade blossoming with shocking blood light; the crescent-like blade light shattered everything, making it impossible for the demons to hold on. ¡°No¡ª¡ª¡± A moment later, another Demon Emperor let out an unwilling roar, then was slain by Gu Qingfeng on the spot. Thus. Six Demon Emperors. Three had already fallen. The remaining Rakshasa Demon Emperor, Hanhai Demon Emperor, and Tiankui Demon Emperor, all injured, looked at Gu Qingfeng with eyes full of shock. Before this. No one had imagined. The result of this battle would be such. ¡°Retreat!!¡± Seeing Gu Qingfeng coming to kill again, the Rakshasa Demon Emperor finally said unwillingly and then was the first to withdraw towards the Boundary Domain Channel. Succeeding. The Hanhai Demon Emperor and Tiankui Demon Emperor did not hesitate either and headed towards the Boundary Domain Channel. But as the three Demon Emperors retreated, Gu Qingfeng was just one step behind them. The next breath. In the Boundary Domain Channel erupted a terrifying extreme power fluctuation. After a while. This fluctuation gradually subsided. Then. Gu Qingfeng emerged from the Boundary Domain Channel, his blue robe stained with blood, holding a fierce monkey-like head in his right hand, its eyes wide with anger, as though it died unwillingly. ¡°Tiankui Demon Emperor!¡± Upon seeing this head, everyone was shocked. No doubt. This fallen Demon Emperor. Was the Tiankui Demon Emperor. ¡°Won...Won!!¡± Someone¡¯s voice cut in, breaking the silence of the scene. Won!! This battle the Human Clan won! At this moment. Everyone looked at Gu Qingfeng with eyes full of reverence for a strong one. Everyone understood that this battle would surely shake the Ancient Desolate World. Six Demon Emperors. Including the Rakshasa Demon Emperor from ten thousand years ago, whose power reached the Half Emperor level, even bringing out his Imperial Weapon. But despite this, they were still defeated miserably by Gu Qingfeng. Four of six Demon Emperors fell, and the other two were defeated and returned. Such strength. Is enough to make Gu Qingfeng the number one below a Great Emperor. Even. Some people suspect. Even facing a real Great Emperor, could this person also have the ability to battle them? At this moment. Gu Qingfeng crushed the Tiankui Demon Emperor¡¯s head, then loudly declared: ¡°From today onwards, the Demon Suppression Immortal City¡¯s battle line will push into the Demon Realm, no demon shall take a single step out!¡± At these words. Jiang Nanfeng immediately shouted: ¡°All Demon Suppression Army heed the command, follow my orders into the Boundary Domain Channel!¡± ¡°Kill!¡± Others were also invigorated, rushing towards the Boundary Domain Channel to attack. With the defeat of six Demon Emperors, there was no longer any cultivator from the demon side entering the Boundary Domain Channel, and the remaining troops were in total rout. At once. Led by the Demon Suppression Army, many cultivators of the Human Clan directly crossed the Boundary Domain Channel, killing into the Demon Realm. ¡ª¡ª Kushan Holy Land! Here, the demon powerhouses saw the large number of Human Clan appear, and their expressions were both shocked and angry. ¡°Human Clan invasion!!!¡± The horn of war sounded, alarming several Demon Lord-level powerhouses. However. As these Demon Lords appeared, a world-ending blade light swept over them, their bodies exploded without having time to react, falling utterly on the spot. ¡°Mr. Gu Divine Might!¡± ¡°Emperor Qingfeng!!!¡± Someone seeing this scene was full of excitement and awe. Great Emperor! This is our Human Clan Emperor! Although Gu Qingfeng had not truly stepped into this level yet, at the moment when four of six Demon Emperors died and two were heavily injured in succession, in everyone¡¯s eyes, he was no longer much different from a Great Emperor. Several Demon Lords fell. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s imposing aura swept through the inner heaven and earth, instantly suppressing the entire Kushan Holy Land. Any demon here was completely slain. Subsequently. Gu Qingfeng, with a raise of his hand, inscribed the Daoist Prohibition in Kushan Holy Land, terrifying Dao Rhythm power infiltrating the void, then he carved array patterns in the void, creating a top-tier Fifth Tier array directly. Although Gu Qingfeng is currently still a Sixth Tier Array Master, with his current cultivation, setting up a Fifth Tier array is a relaxed and effortless task. Even with the Sixth Tier array, there isn¡¯t much difficulty to speak of. In just a moment. Gu Qingfeng had set up twenty-seven Fifth Tier arrays in Kushan Holy Land, these arrays interlocked, triggering all at once, could unleash power not weaker than a Sixth Tier array at a critical moment. Chapter 583: 372 Kushan Immortal City_2 Chapter 583: Chapter 372 Kushan Immortal City_2 Set up the array. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s divine thought moved, and a magnificent city suddenly appeared, directly situated in the Kushan Holy Land. ¡°This is Kushan Immortal City. Human cultivators entering the Demon Realm can seek refuge in Kushan Immortal City whenever they encounter danger!¡± Although Gu Qingfeng¡¯s voice was not loud, it reached everyone¡¯s ears. Kushan Immortal City! The others, seeing that majestic city, showed even more awe on their faces. The establishment of the Immortal City! This indicated that the human clan had firmly established a foothold in the Demon Realm. Subsequently, everyone could completely use Kushan Immortal City as a foundation to reverse and invade the Demon Realm. Although the Demon Realm is different from the Ancient Desolate World, as an ancient world, it also harbors numerous opportunities. To take a step back. Even if there are no other opportunities in the Demon Realm, just the inner cores on the demons are a great temptation for human cultivators. Then. Gu Qingfeng stepped into Kushan Immortal City, and his figure disappeared. ¡ª¡ª ¡°Kushan Immortal City!¡± ¡°Damn Gu Qingfeng... when did his strength become so great!!¡± In the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court, the Hanhai Demon Emperor was both shocked and angry, looking toward the direction of Kushan Holy Land, his eyes filled with venomous killing intent. What he never expected. In just a few years. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength had reached such a terrifying level. Initially, although Gu Qingfeng was very powerful, the Hanhai Demon Emperor still had confidence in contending against him. But this time. Six demon emperors visited the Ancient Desolate World, but Gu Qingfeng killed four with thunderous power, leaving only him and the Rakshasa Demon Emperor to flee in disgrace. Each time he recalled such strength, the Hanhai Demon Emperor was filled with dread. On the other side. The Rakshasa Demon Emperor also looked grim: ¡°Even if Gu Qingfeng hasn¡¯t reached the Great Emperor realm, he¡¯s probably just a step away. From the Primordial Era to now, his strength is at the very pinnacle among the Half Emperor level. Otherwise, it would be impossible to achieve this step¡ª¡± Ten thousand years ago. I had already reached the Half Emperor level. At that time. The Rakshasa Demon Emperor was high-spirited, led the demon clan army to invade the Ancient Desolate World, causing many strong ones in the Eastern Domain to wail incessantly. If it weren¡¯t for the intervention of the Heavenly Abyss Emperor, the Rakshasa Demon Emperor was confident in taking the entire Eastern Domain by force. Yet even so. The Rakshasa Demon Emperor had absolute confidence in his strength. Though he lost ten thousand years ago, it was a defeat in the hands of a Great Emperor, an honorable defeat. After all, not everyone has the qualifications to be an opponent of a Great Emperor, nor can just anyone survive a Great Emperor¡¯s hand. The Rakshasa Demon Emperor did, which was enough for pride. Even though the battle ten thousand years ago, the Heavenly Abyss Emperor left almost indelible wounds on the Rakshasa Demon Emperor, it took a full ten thousand years to barely heal. Earlier, upon hearing the Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s words, the Rakshasa Demon Emperor thought little of it, and directly went to the Eastern Domain together. Originally thought that relying on his strength and that of the other five demon emperors, suppressing a mere human Quasi Emperor wouldn¡¯t be a big deal. No matter how the Rakshasa Demon Emperor thought, he never imagined that the strength of a mere human would be so terrifying. The six demon emperors were entirely no match for him. Now seeing Gu Qingfeng establish an immortal city in the Kushan Holy Land, the Rakshasa Demon Emperor, though angry, had no way to act. Every time he thought of the previous battle, the Rakshasa Demon Emperor was filled with dread. The opponent¡¯s strength was definitely something he couldn¡¯t contend against. If all the remaining demon emperors in the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestor Court were awakened, even if they could forcibly kill the opponent, the demon clan would pay a tremendous price. As for recalling other demon emperors from other boundary domain channels, that¡¯s even more impossible. The boundary domain channels must not be compromised. Now that the Eastern Domain¡¯s boundary domain channel is lost, the other channels must absolutely remain intact. Otherwise. The demon clan would be reaping the consequences. ¡°This person¡¯s strength can only be suppressed by a Great Emperor, temporarily avoid conflict with him, wait until a Demon Emperor awakens, and he will pay the price for this!¡± The Rakshasa Demon Emperor said in a deep voice. This sentence clearly implied the momentary abandonment of actions against Kushan Immortal City. The Hanhai Demon Emperor, naturally, had no objections to this either. The battle of the Demon Suppression Immortal City. Instilled fear in the Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s heart. That battle was like a nightmare, lingering in his mind, even if the Rakshasa Demon Emperor genuinely wanted to continue targeting Gu Qingfeng, the Hanhai Demon Emperor lacked the courage. Unless¡ª A Demon Emperor emerged. Thus. The Rakshasa Demon Emperor¡¯s intention to give up on targeting was in line with the Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s wishes. ¡°With Gu Qingfeng in the Eastern Domain, unless a Demon Emperor emerges, he¡¯s utterly unmatched. To open the situation in the Ancient Desolate World now, we have to start from other places in the Ancient Desolate World. I don¡¯t believe, in this End of Dharma Era, the Ancient Desolate World can produce another like Gu Qingfeng!¡± The Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s eyes were filled with murderous intent. This defeat must be redeemed with other human clans. They cannot deal with Gu Qingfeng, but it¡¯s different with other forces. The demon clan has been dormant for years, and their strength is definitely unmatched by the human clan now. Now that other demon emperors are opening boundary domain channels, despite facing human resistance, the demon clan is advancing step by step, holding an absolute advantage. This is also why the Hanhai Demon Emperor originally thought to join forces with other demon emperors to kill Gu Qingfeng. It was precisely because of the overall situation in other large domains of the Ancient Desolate World that the Hanhai Demon Emperor decided to thoroughly conquer the Eastern Domain, leading to the events that followed. Just a pity. In that battle, the demon clan suffered heavy losses. Yet. The demon clan still has opportunities. Even if the human clan now establishes Kushan Immortal City, in Hanhai Demon Emperor¡¯s view, it doesn¡¯t pose too much of a threat to the demon clan. After all, as long as the human side isn¡¯t foolish, they cannot rashly delve deep into the Demon Realm. Even the Heavenly Abyss Emperor had to retreat after venturing deep into the Demon Realm, showing how profound the foundations of the Demon Realm were. Although the Hanhai Demon Emperor is unwilling to casually use such foundations, if truly faced with a large-scale invasion by the human clan, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate. The Rakshasa Demon Emperor nodded slightly: ¡°You are correct; for now, we can only open the situation from other places in the Ancient Desolate World and also search thoroughly for the Ancient Desolate World¡¯s coordinates. Once we grasp the Ancient Desolate World¡¯s coordinates, our demon clan can stand invincible!¡± In the vast chaotic starry sky. Grasping the coordinates of a world is not easy. But once the coordinates are mastered, they can attack the Ancient Desolate World continuously, and if they can¡¯t withstand it, the demon clan can retreat leisurely. Looking at the human side, without knowing the Demon Realm¡¯s coordinates, wanting to counterattack the Demon Realm is practically impossible. As for the boundary domain channels¡ª Such channels. Great Emperors can destroy. They are not truly indestructible. ¡ª¡ª Ancient Desolate World. The battle of the Demon Suppression Immortal City. Like a whirlwind sweeping through the entire Eastern Domain, then spreading throughout the Ancient Desolate World. Anyone who heard the results of the battle in the Demon Suppression Immortal City experienced intense shock on the human side. ¡°Six demon emperors!¡± ¡°Mr. Gu¡¯s strength has advanced yet further!¡± In the Central Domain¡¯s Ancient Qin Family, Qin Xiongdao was full of shock at this news, almost doubting his ears. Back then, Qin Xiongdao was also amazed at Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, but the opponent was never this powerful before. Frankly speaking. Rather than believing Gu Qingfeng made a significant breakthrough over these years, Qin Xiongdao would prefer to believe that Gu Qingfeng was hiding his strength all along. Naturally. That option is unlikely. In other words. Gu Qingfeng must have a heaven-defying opportunity. Otherwise, whether he was the Great Emperor¡¯s reincarnation or not, it¡¯s impossible to elevate his cultivation to such a dreadful level in such a short time. When Gu Qingfeng was weak, knowing he had a heaven-defying opportunity, Qin Xiongdao would never let it pass. But now¡ª Though Qin Xiongdao might suspect some things, he dared not let his mind stray. Chapter 584 373 Divine Martial Imperial Guard Opportunities such as these! To grasp them, one must have sufficient power. Without enough strength. Attempting to seize opportunities is courting death. Gu Qingfeng''s current power is enough to reach the pinnacle of the Ancient Desolate World, even if ancient strong individuals were to revive, they might not be able to threaten him. In this way. Though Gu Qingfeng possesses opportunities. No others can covet them. Fortunately. The relationship between the Ancient Qin Family and the Gu Family has always been good. Moreover, the direct lineage of the Ancient Qin Family has become a direct disciple under him. The relationship between both parties. Is naturally extraordinary. At this moment. Qin Zhentian couldn''t help but say, "Ancestor, why don''t we invite Gu Qingfeng here, with his power, he might be able to suppress the demon turmoil in the Central Domain." "Don''t think about that; as long as the Boundary Domain Channel still exists, he will not be able to leave the Eastern Domain!" Qin Xiongdao gave him a glance, then shook his head and said. Gu Qingfeng is now the stabilizing force of the Eastern Domain, even if he wanted to leave, the cultivators of the Eastern Domain wouldn''t be willing to let him. After all, without Gu Qingfeng, who can withstand the invasion of the Demon Clan? If another six Demon Emperors were to attack, it would be a nightmare for the cultivators of the Eastern Domain. Even though the Eastern Domain has some foundations, truly opposing such a force would require a tremendous price. Therefore. At present. For the Eastern Domain. Gu Qingfeng is the key. Do not look at the current favorable situation of the Eastern Domain, compared to the losses of other great domains, it has been reduced to the extreme. But this is also because of Gu Qingfeng''s protection. Otherwise. The losses in the Eastern Domain would certainly be the most severe among the Five Directions Great Domain. The reasoning is simple. Just refer to one hundred thousand years ago. One hundred thousand years ago, when demons invaded, it was led by the Rakshasa Demon Emperor, who led a group of powerful demons to wreak havoc in the Eastern Domain, and it was only the intervention of the Heavenly Abyss Emperor of the Central Domain that truly suppressed the demon turmoil. If not. The Eastern Domain would probably have perished long ago. Upon hearing this, Qin Zhentian also fell into silence. He naturally understood that Qin Xiongdao was right. It''s just that now, with the Central Domain facing the threats of demons and Evil Spirits, he couldn''t help but think of the Gu Family. If he could get assistance from the Gu Family Head, the pressure on the Ancient Qin Family could be alleviated significantly. However. As Qin Xiongdao said. As long as the Boundary Domain Channel remains, he will not be able to leave. At this moment. A stream of light shot over. Qin Xiongdao reached out and grabbed the stream of light, and immediately a jade talisman appeared in his palm. When he saw the mottled bloodstains on the jade talisman, Qin Xiongdao frowned immediately, then his divine thought fell into the jade talisman. In just a moment. Qin Xiongdao''s face turned furious, and with a firm squeeze, the jade talisman turned into powder and scattered. "Ancestor, what happened?" "A Demon Emperor personally attacked our Qin Family''s ancient city, and all the cultivators in the city perished!" Qin Xiongdao''s words caused Qin Zhentian''s expression to dramatically change. A Demon Emperor made a move! This is a big problem. Without a powerful person to resist, a Demon Emperor is truly an overwhelming force against other cultivators. "Ancestor¡ª" "I will personally handle this battle!" Qin Xiongdao left with these words, heading directly to the front line, along with him, the Ancient Qin Family''s Imperial Weapon, the Four Symbols Tao Plate. After all, without the Imperial Weapon, Qin Xiongdao cannot truly contend with a Demon Emperor. A Demon Emperor against a Quasi Emperor. Only by using the power of the Imperial Weapon can one fight across tiers. ¡ª¡ª In Kushan Immortal City. Gu Yang entered alone. "Father!" "Do you know why I asked you to come?" "I don''t know, father!" Gu Yang shook his head. Recently, his emotions have been fluctuating greatly. Initially, upon learning that six Demon Emperors had come to the Demon Suppression Immortal City, Gu Yang was also shaken, fearing that Gu Qingfeng would be unable to resist the powerful figures of the Demon Clan alone. As a result. Before Gu Yang could make any arrangements, good news came again. Gu Qingfeng, with his power alone, killed four Demon Emperors and severely injured two Demon Emperors. Not only that. He even led the Demon Suppression Army to directly invade the Demon Realm. Everything happened so quickly that Gu Yang was completely caught off guard. Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng again, he looked at him with even more awe. Every time Gu Yang thought he understood Gu Qingfeng''s abilities, the latter would reveal even more terrifying power, refreshing his perceptions. Now if Gu Qingfeng said he was a Great Emperor, Gu Yang wouldn''t doubt it for a moment. So. When Gu Qingfeng summoned him, Gu Yang naturally came to Kushan Holy Land immediately. "This is for you!" With a wave of his sleeve, Gu Qingfeng suddenly made four blood-stained inner cores appear before Gu Yang. When his gaze fell on the inner cores, an overwhelming Emperor Mighty burst forth, a terrifying pressure akin to a landslide and tsunami enveloped him, causing his complexion to change drastically. "This is... Demon Emperor inner cores!?" Gu Yang''s voice trembled slightly, his eyes full of disbelief. The aura contained within the four inner cores, even though he was now at the Semi-Saint level, was oppressively terrifying. Especially with the traces of blood on them, which exuded an aura capable of annihilating the heavens and earth. Such an aura. Could suppress the Tiaoist Palace Realm and flatten mountains and rivers. Gu Yang had faced Saint-level powerful entities before, but their aura could not compare to the terror of the aura from these inner cores. Chapter 585: 373 Divine Martial Imperial Guard_2 Chapter 585: Chapter 373 Divine Martial Imperial Guard_2 So. Gu Yang naturally thought of the Demon Emperor¡¯s inner core the first moment. Gu Qingfeng nodded: ¡°What you said is correct, these are the inner cores of those four Demon Emperors; such inner cores are useless to me. Currently, the Divine Martial Dynasty lacks top-level experts, and the four Demon Emperor inner cores are enough to create a batch of experts.¡± But one thing must be remembered: absolutely no one should refine a Demon Emperor inner core alone; otherwise, they will surely be invaded by the remnants of the Demon Emperor!¡± Saying these final words, Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expression had become much more severe. The Demon core itself contains Demon remnants, and without special methods, rashly refining too much can easily lead to remnants invading the Divine Soul, thus becoming crazily murderous. And as for the Demon Emperor¡¯s inner core, it is even more so. This level of inner core, even a Saint dares not rashly refine, otherwise they absolutely cannot withstand the Demon Emperor¡¯s remnants. However. This also indirectly demonstrates the power of a Demon Emperor¡¯s inner core. ¡°I thank my father on behalf of the court!¡± Gu Yang took a deep breath and then bowed as he spoke. He naturally understood what four Demon Emperor inner cores represented. Not to mention. The terrifying energy contained in each Demon Emperor inner core is enough to create a million Divine Transformation Realm Ninth-layer cultivators. This is no joke. The Demon Emperor is a strong being comparable to a Quasi Emperor, whose single drop of blood can suppress galaxies; such an existence leaves behind an inner core that is naturally a great nourishing thing for others. Even a portion of a Demon Emperor inner core¡¯s power can easily make a Semi-Saint cultivator explode. So. If used properly, one Demon Emperor inner core producing a million Divine Transformation Realm Ninth-layer cultivators is considered a relatively conservative estimate. Four Demon cores. Could allow the Divine Martial Dynasty to have an additional four to five million Peak Ninth-layer Divine Transformation Realm cultivators. If such a batch of cultivators forms an army, then it truly is the elite among the elite, enough to establish the divine foundation for the Divine Martial Dynasty and gain the qualification to sweep across the entire Eastern Domain. Next. Gu Yang said: ¡°I plan to leave one Demon Emperor inner core for Kushan Immortal City here; the Demon Suppression Bureau and other defending soldiers have fought against demons for years, worthy of the court¡¯s focus on training.¡± ¡°You can decide this matter yourself.¡± Gu Qingfeng nodded, not interfering too much in these matters. Regarding the court¡¯s affairs, Gu Qingfeng rarely pays attention. Half a day later. Gu Yang summoned Jiang Nanfeng at the Demon Suppression Bureau¡¯s headquarters. ¡°Minister Jiang Nanfeng pays respects to His Majesty!¡± This Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau displayed a respectful demeanor, without the slightest sign of disrespect. Gu Yang looked at him and smiled slightly: ¡°Commander Jiang has guarded the Immortal City for many years, your deeds are all seen by me; such people as Commander Jiang can be considered pillars for the court!¡± ¡°This is my duty, I do not dare to take credit!¡± Jiang Nanfeng responded with trepidation. Gu Yang waved his hand and laughed indifferently: ¡°When I say you have merit, then you have merit. I ask you, aside from the Demon Suppression Bureau, how many soldiers are there in the former Demon Suppression Immortal City and the current Kushan Immortal City?¡± ¡°To report to His Majesty, currently there are about one hundred and thirty thousand soldiers in both Immortal Cities!¡± Jiang Nanfeng replied without hesitation. Initially. The number of soldiers was certainly more than one hundred and thirty thousand. But after years of battled deaths in Sand City, the remaining one hundred and thirty thousand are considered capable elites. Upon hearing this, Gu Yang nodded and said: ¡°These one hundred and thirty thousand people will all be incorporated into the Demon Suppression Army, under your command!¡± ¡°Minister obeys the order!¡± Jiang Nanfeng rejoiced internally, then immediately cupped his fists and accepted the command. Having one hundred and thirty thousand people incorporated into the Demon Suppression Army is considered a direct increase in the strength of the Demon Suppression Bureau. As the Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau, Jiang Nanfeng naturally cannot refuse such a good thing. Moreover. These one hundred and thirty thousand additional people are seasoned elites, far beyond the average recruits. Subsequently, Gu Yang took out a Demon Emperor inner core and handed it to Jiang Nanfeng. ¡°This is a Demon Emperor inner core, you can use its power to enhance the strength of the entire Demon Suppression Army; I have only one request, within one year, at least one hundred and forty thousand of the Demon Suppression Army must enter the Divine Transformation Realm Ninth-layer!¡± Gu Yang instructed solemnly. If one hundred and forty thousand soldiers can all enter the Divine Transformation Realm Ninth-layer, it would tremendously benefit the Divine Martial Dynasty. After all, the rise of national fortune is related to the people and also to the cultivators across the world. If the number of people is large enough, and the general strength of the cultivators is elevated, then the national fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty can naturally grow. Of course. The rise of national fortune has never relied on any single person but rather the overall comprehensive enhancement. The elevation of one person¡¯s strength has actually very limited impact on national fortune. Otherwise. With Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength, the Divine Martial Dynasty could ascend to an Imperial Dynasty in a moment. So. If one hundred and forty thousand of the Demon Suppression Army all enter the Divine Transformation Realm Ninth-layer, it could greatly increase the national fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty. ¡°Demon Emperor inner core¡ª¡± Jiang Nanfeng gazed at the supreme treasure in front, unable to suppress the radiant expression of excitement on his face; he could not even imagine the court would actually give this to the Demon Suppression Bureau. Immediately. Jiang Nanfeng solemnly stored the Demon Emperor inner core, then cupped his fists and said. ¡°Rest assured Your Majesty, within one year, this minister will certainly have one hundred and forty thousand Demon Suppression Army all breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm Ninth-layer!¡± If it was before, Jiang Nanfeng would not have had this confidence. Not to mention a year. Even in a hundred years. He didn¡¯t have the assurance to have one hundred and forty thousand Demon Suppression Army all reach the Divine Transformation Realm Ninth-layer. After all, unless one is an exceptionally talented Demon, for ordinary people wanting to rise to Divine Transformation Realm Ninth-layer within a hundred years, the required resources are considered immense. But now it is different. One Demon Emperor inner core is enough to solve all problems. The energy contained within such an inner core is stronger by hundreds of times than the resources of an entire Dynasty¡¯s treasury. Under these circumstances. With this Demon Emperor inner core, Jiang Nanfeng naturally has enough confidence in enhancing the strength of one hundred and forty thousand Demon Suppression Army. Seeing Jiang Nanfeng making a guarantee, Gu Yang was also satisfied in his heart; then he left the Demon Suppression Bureau. The issue with the Demon Suppression Army was solved. Gu Yang next planned to deal with the remaining three Demon Emperor inner cores. Any supreme treasure must be converted into strength to be truly useful. If not. A supreme treasure left idle is no different from waste. So upon returning to the Divine Martial Dynasty, Gu Yang first summoned Gu Yi, handing one Demon Emperor inner core to him, to enhance the strength of the Jinyi Guard and the entire Hidden Guard. The Jinyi Guard is the court¡¯s visible blade, while the Hidden Guard is Gu Yang¡¯s covert eyes and ears, their strength must naturally be improved. Then. It was the turn of the Heavenly Patrol Guard. However, the number of people in the Jinyi Guard and the Heavenly Patrol Guard was not many; one Demon Emperor inner core was more than enough. For this reason. Gu Yang convened other ministers to discuss matters. Finally. Gu Yang decided. To recruit elites from each army and then form the true Imperial elite of the Divine Martial Dynasty. ¡°Draw a part of people from all armies and formations to form the Divine Martial Imperial Guard, I initially decide the number of Divine Martial Imperial Guard will be about three million!¡± ¡°The Second Prince Gu Sheng¡¯an can serve as the Military Commander of the Divine Martial Imperial Guard, leading the Guard army!¡± Gu Yang ordered drafting an edict to let Gu Sheng¡¯an lead the Divine Martial Imperial Guard. After all, three million Divine Martial Imperial Guard is the most important card of the Divine Martial Dynasty, this army must listen absolutely to the court. It¡¯s not that Gu Yang doesn¡¯t trust others, but the bloodline of the Imperial Family provides more assurance. Thus. After much thought. Only Gu Sheng¡¯an is most suitable to lead the Divine Martial Imperial Guard. Upon hearing this, even if some had inner regrets, they could only obey and did not dare speak against it. They were very aware that even if they opposed, it would not change the fact that Gu Sheng¡¯an leads the Divine Martial Imperial Guard. On the contrary. If they objected now, it would antagonize the Second Prince. Therefore, no one would dare become this antagonist. It¡¯s better to go along, not saying they are doing Gu Sheng¡¯an a favor, but at least not offend him in the process. Chapter 586: 374: Promotion to Imperial Dynasty Chapter 586: Chapter 374: Promotion to Imperial Dynasty ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ decided to draw a batch of elites from various armies to form the Divine Martial Imperial Guard, as the imperial card of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Sheng¡¯an¡¯ has become the Military Commander of the Divine Martial Imperial Guard!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ enhances the strength of the Divine Martial Imperial Guard with the Demon Emperor¡¯s core, leading to a steady rise in the national fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ was attacked by demons *13369!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯ was attacked by demons *25012!¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Shengnan¡¯...¡± ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Fengchen¡¯ broke through to the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm in cultivation!¡± ¡°Reward of Upgrade Points *300!¡± ¡°Your offspring...¡± ... Gu Qingfeng sat in Kushan Immortal City, observing the activity on the information panel, feeling calm and unperturbed. The establishment of the Divine Martial Imperial Guard by Gu Yang was not surprising in his view. After all, the Demon Emperor¡¯s core was precious and must be truly controlled in one¡¯s own hands. The other offspring were either cultivating or training outside. ¡°Fengchen took three years to break through from the Fifth Layer to the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm, the Star Tao Body indeed is extraordinary!¡± Gu Qingfeng thought silently. Gu Fengchen¡¯s breakthrough was different from others, as he did not merely consume demon cores and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to forcibly raise his cultivation. Each step he took was steady and solid, yet even so, he reached the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm in three years. Such talent. Was truly exceptional. Then. Gu Qingfeng glanced at the Death Soldier panel. Now, numerous Death Soldiers were spread across the Ancient Desolate World, with a handful deeply infiltrating the Demon Realm, where every once in a while a Death Soldier would fall, but some also gained opportunities for breakthroughs. To date. The highest cultivation among all Death Soldiers had reached the Ninth Level of the Dao Palace Realm. The only issue. Was that Heavenly Dao¡¯s suppression had not yet completely disappeared. Otherwise. Gu Qingfeng suspected some Death Soldiers could have used the opportunity to break through to the Saint Realm. Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng looked in the direction of the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestral Court. ¡°There must be a Demon Emperor sleeping within the Ten Thousand Demon Ancestral Court. Though the reason these Demon Emperors have not truly awakened is unknown, they remain a threat. To counter the Demon Emperors, it¡¯s essential to wait for the Divine Martial Dynasty to ascend!¡± Once the Dynasty ascends to an Imperial Dynasty, the benefits are immeasurable. Such benefits. Are absolutely beyond what can be achieved by individual offspring enhancements. Therefore. Gu Qingfeng is waiting. Waiting for the moment of the Divine Martial Dynasty¡¯s ascension. From many of Gu Yang¡¯s decisions, it¡¯s clear he¡¯s also indirectly enhancing the country¡¯s fortune, attempting to speed up the Dynasty¡¯s ascension. The ascent of the Dynasty. Won¡¯t take much longer now. And though the Divine Martial Dynasty has invaded the Demon Realm and established Kushan Immortal City, as long as they refrain from large-scale offensives, the demons are unlikely to rashly awaken the Demon Emperors. As long as the Demon Emperors do not emerge, everything remains under control. Upon this thought. Gu Qingfeng continued to cultivate the Heavenly Vein True Scripture in seclusion. The power of the four Heavenly Veins allowed him to easily suppress six Demon Emperors, including the Rakshasa Demon Emperor at the Half Emperor¡¯s level. If he could condense five Heavenly Veins, Gu Qingfeng would have the confidence to confront a Demon Emperor. In the current End of Dharma Era, the only cultivation possible for Gu Qingfeng is the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. The remaining cultivation techniques are all suppressed by Heavenly Dao, making it challenging to break the Saint barrier. Regarding divine skills. To be frank. Divine skills are merely embellishments. Only self-strength is the root of everything. With enough strength, one can wield world-destroying power, unmatched by any so-called divine skills. Take a simple example. If a powerful being in the Emperor Realm strikes a Quasi Emperor, No matter how many top-tier divine skills the latter cultivates, challenging an Emperor is nearly impossible. Unless. One cultivates a Secret Technique like the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. However¡ª Such level of Secret Techniques is exceedingly rare. Therefore. Self-strength is of utmost importance. Many other things can be discarded. ¡ª¡ª While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, the establishment of Kushan Immortal City gave more cultivators the eligibility to set foot in the Demon Realm. Also, the advancement of the Boundary Domain Channel significantly eased the demon pressure on the Eastern Domain¡¯s human race. Although bloody events occasionally erupted as altars appeared, allowing demons to enter the Eastern Domain, they were quickly suppressed. Without the emergence of Demon Emperor-level figures, they posed no real threat to the Eastern Domain¡¯s human race. Meanwhile. The Divine Martial Dynasty. Was also striving to enhance its foundation. Soon. Three years passed in the blink of an eye. In these three years. The Divine Martial Dynasty utilized all its resources to enhance national fortune, bringing stability to both Shenyuan State and Guxing State. The swiftness of this stabilization was due to Gu Yang¡¯s redeployment of a portion of the Demon Suppression Army to Guxing State, and the joint mobilization of the Heavenly Patrol Guard and Jinyi Guard. The Demon Suppression Army needs no further explanation. With 1.4 million soldiers, Their cultivation levels skyrocketed with the aid of the Demon Emperor¡¯s core. Though Gu Yang redeployed only 300,000 of the Demon Suppression Army, all had at least the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm cultivation, a formidable force in the End of Dharma Era. Many sect leaders¡¯ strongest members were only in the Divine Transformation Realm. Truly stepping into the Dao Palace Realm was rare. Three hundred thousand at the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm. Wherever they were, they could suppress a region. When the Divine Martial Dynasty revealed its 300,000 Demon Suppression Army, the entire Eastern Domain was in shock. They had believed that despite the power of the Divine Martial Dynasty, its true strength lay in Gu Qingfeng. Chapter 587 374: Promotion to Imperial Dynasty_2 If not for Gu Qingfeng. The strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty would only be mediocre. But up until now. These forces suddenly realized. Unknowingly. The Divine Martial Dynasty itself had grown into a formidable entity. Three hundred thousand at the Ninth Level of the Divine Transformation Realm. This was not even the full power of the Demon Suppression Army. Such a terrifying army, many Ancient Dynasties do not possess. Only some Imperial Dynasties can cultivate such a level of army. However. Any side of an Imperial Dynasty would have foundations of millions of years. The Divine Martial Dynasty has been established for only around a hundred years, the time difference is at least ten thousand times. Therefore. When the three hundred thousand Demon Suppression Army appeared, the turmoil in the entire Guxing State vanished instantly. Whether it was other demons, loose cultivators, or so-called evil spirits, all were suppressed under the iron methods of the Demon Suppression Army. It is because of this. The Divine Martial Dynasty could completely conquer Guxing State and suppress all chaos in such a short time. However. Regarding the external shock. Gu Yang had no mood to care for it. Because now, he was preparing for the imperial ascension. In his induction, the national fortune of the Divine Martial Dynasty had reached the extreme, the phantom of the Sixth Grade Green Lotus had become fully substantial, a wisp of yellow cloud hung down, able to suppress all cultivators below saints. When Gu Yang merged his divine thought into the national fortune, it felt as if he transformed into a Nine Heavens Divine Being, the vast Divine Martial Dynasty appeared before him. "The Nine States flourish!" "Shenyuan State prospers!" "Guxing State stabilizes!" "The accumulation of the Divine Martial Dynasty is enough, the imperial ascension is just ahead!" ... Three days later. The court ceremonial procession headed towards Emperor Sun Mountain. Emperor Gu Yang, along with civil and military officials and a crowd of people, moved majestically. The strong figures from many Martial World sects were also invited by the court, heading to Emperor Sun Mountain to observe the ceremony. When they entered Emperor Sun Mountain, they were shocked by the terrifying spiritual energy. "Hiss... The spiritual energy of Emperor Sun Mountain is so terrifying, there must be a top-notch spirit vein underneath!" Some knowledgeable cultivators witnessed this scene, their hearts were deeply shaken. Such spiritual energy. It is much more terrifying than the so-called holy-grade spirit vein. It is evident. The spirit vein of Emperor Sun Mountain is at least of divine grade. However. Divine-grade spirit veins are rare. Throughout the entire Eastern Domain, truly divine-grade spirit veins are few. Any divine-grade spirit vein is controlled by top forces, only some Imperial Dynasties and ancient, even archaic forces possess such spirit veins. As for higher imperial-grade spirit veins, they are even more scarce. However. The movement during the ascension of Emperor Sun Mountain''s spirit vein was not small, there are more than a few who knew about this matter. If it were purely dense spiritual energy, it would not cause such a great uproar. Also because this spiritual energy contains elusive emperor mighty. Some cultivators even suspected that there was an ancient Great Emperor hidden in Emperor Sun Mountain. "Emperor Sun Mountain has a great secret!" Taoist Monarch Taixuan pondered. As an ancient saint, his knowledge is not something ordinary people can compare to. But even if he guessed that Emperor Sun Mountain held secrets, Taoist Monarch Taixuan had no intention to delve deeper. After all, the Divine Martial Dynasty is no ordinary force, even if there is some secret, it is not something a mere saint can covet. Beside him, Fu Shenjun remarked with emotion: "The foundation of this Emperor Sun Mountain is beyond comparison with ordinary forces, who would have thought that the Divine Martial Dynasty reached this point in less than a hundred years!" This Sacrificial Ceremony, the Taixu Sacred Land was also invited, and those who came were Taoist Monarch Taixuan and Fu Shenjun along with a few powerful figures from Taixu Sacred Land, and a few outstanding juniors came to broaden their horizons. Behind Fu Shenjun, a few disciples of Taixu Sacred Land wore expressions of shock. Evidently. Everything here was enough to open their eyes. On the other side. In some place of Emperor Sun Mountain, a middle-aged cultivator dressed in black, looking ordinary, watched the scene before him, his expression slightly changed. "The spiritual energy contains emperor mighty, if I guessed correctly, there should be an emperor corpse hidden here!" "Master, is this true?" The speaker was a gallant-looking woman, dressed in a plain, dark-colored outfit, with skin as smooth as jade, an absolutely beautiful complexion like an untainted celestial fairy. If other members of the Gu Family were here, they would discover this woman is the long-missing Gu Shengnan. The person beside Gu Shengnan was Sect Master Xiao Jianjun of the Sword Sect. A formidable figure whose cultivation has reached the Ninth Level of the Dao Palace Realm, strong enough to rival a semi-saint. "It''s not wrong, the sect also possesses ancient emperor corpses, the aura is identical, your Divine Martial Dynasty''s foundation is truly extraordinary, to even have control over emperor corpses!" Sect Master Xiao Jianjun showed a hint of shock. Emperor corpse! That is the corpse of a Great Emperor! Since ancient times, Great Emperors among the human clan have been rare. The Sword Sect has emperor corpses because the Sword Sect has been passed down since ancient times, considered the oldest forces. Yet even so, the Sword Sect has produced only a handful of Great Emperors. Thinking about this. Sect Master Xiao Jianjun looked at Gu Shengnan beside him, and couldn''t help but ask: "Are you sure your Gu Family was truly an ordinary family, your grandfather only practiced for more than a hundred years?" "It should be right... but as a disciple, I''m not too sure!" Gu Shengnan''s expression showed some hesitation, speaking a bit uncertainly. After all, the current fame of the Gu Family, even if Gu Shengnan had not returned to the Nine States for a long time, is still well-known. The Gu Family is strong. Her grandfather is even more terrifyingly powerful, having slain four Demon Emperors years ago, his fame shook the world. According to her master, Gu Qingfeng''s strength has reached the level of the strongest below a Great Emperor, and it''s certain that he will become a Great Emperor in the future. Sect Master Xiao Jianjun took a deep breath: "If the rumor is true, your grandfather is definitely extraordinary, even if the Sword Sect has a deep foundation, passed down since ancient times, countless geniuses have joined, yet none had reached this point. Even the nine former Great Emperors of the Sword Sect, each took at least several hundred years to achieve Quasi-Emperor Realm. Attaining Quasi-Emperor in several hundred years. Is already quite extraordinary. But compared to Gu Qingfeng, the gap is even greater. However. Looking at Gu Shengnan beside him, Sect Master Xiao Jianjun smiled again. The Gu Family is strong. His disciple is also excellent. Trained in Unrivaled Sword Bone! Is the perfect heir of the Sword Sect. Throughout history in the Sword Sect, those who truly cultivated Unrivaled Sword Bone are merely two-digit in number. Unfortunately. Most of those geniuses died prematurely. But the nine who did not die prematurely, all eventually reached the Emperor Realm. In other words. Gu Shengnan already possesses Emperor Talent. This is why, as her master and Sect Master of the Sword Sect, Xiao Jianjun personally protects his disciple''s path. Gu Shengnan''s talent is the opportunity for the Sword Sect to rise again. For such a treasure, Sect Master Xiao Jianjun naturally would not be careless. At this moment. Gu Yang and his party had arrived at the peak of Emperor Sun Mountain. The altar had long been completed here. An altar towering ninety-nine zhang, nine chi, nine cun high reached into the clouds, making all cultivators need to look up just to really see the scene above the altar. Gu Yang, dressed in his imperial robe and crowned with emperor headgear, walked slowly toward the altar to begin the sacrificial ceremony. When Gu Yang lit the incense in the ancient cauldron, the entire Divine Martial Dynasty shook violently, the terrifying power of the national fortune manifested, converging towards Emperor Sun Mountain like thousands of rivers flowing into the sea. "Boom boom boom!!" Emperor Sun Mountain trembled. The world trembled. An incredibly substantial Sixth Grade Green Lotus covered the sky, releasing terrifying pressure. Immediately. The Green Lotus swayed, revealing heavenly might, fresh lotus leaves grew suddenly, with each new leaf, the heavenly might intensified, all the cultivators witnessing this held solemn expressions, not daring to move even slightly. Chapter 588: 375 Breaking the Heavenly Dao Chains Chapter 588: Chapter 375 Breaking the Heavenly Dao Chains ¡°Your offspring ¡®Gu Yang¡¯ has founded the Divine Martial Dynasty, ascending to the Imperial Dynasty, achieving the accomplishment ¡®Emperor¡¯s Ascension to the Nine Heavens¡¯ (can only be triggered once)!¡± ¡°Reward: 100,000 Upgrade Points!¡± ¡°Reward: 3 Direct Ascension Pills to Saint Realm!¡± ¡°Reward: 30,000 Death Soldiers (Top-tier Genius)!¡± ¡°Reward: Perfection-Level Great Emperor¡¯s Divine Power ¡®Netherworld Rebirth Pupil¡¯!¡± ... ¡°Finally ascended!¡± Gu Qingfeng¡¯s eyes shot with divine light. 100,000 upgrade points! Such abundant rewards left him somewhat astonished, but it was also within Gu Qingfeng¡¯s expectations. After all, the difficulty of ascending to the Imperial Dynasty is a hundredfold greater than that of the Dynasty. Even though the territory of the Divine Martial Dynasty expanded a hundredfold, it still took years to gradually accumulate the foundation for ascending to the Imperial Dynasty. So. 100,000 upgrade points. It¡¯s not much at all. However. 100,000 upgrade points are just a part of the reward. Three Direct Ascension Pills to Saint Realm! Thirty thousand Death Soldiers! Each item is indeed a good reward. The former needs no further explanation. Three Direct Ascension Pills to Saint Realm are enough to add three peak experts of the Saint Nine Heavens to the Divine Martial Dynasty. As for the thirty thousand Death Soldiers, if utilized properly, their future impact could even surpass that of the three Direct Ascension Pills. After all, the potential of Death Soldiers is limitless, and talent is merely the lower limit of a person, not the upper limit. Thirty thousand Death Soldiers. This quantity is more than the sum of all the Death Soldiers Gu Qingfeng has obtained in the past. With such a batch of Death Soldiers, Gu Qingfeng could indeed spread them throughout the Ancient Desolate World and may even aim to touch the Chaotic Starry Sky in the future. However. What Gu Qingfeng cares about the most. Is the last reward. Perfection-Level Great Emperor¡¯s Divine Power ¨C Netherworld Rebirth Pupil! This is the first time Gu Qingfeng has obtained a Great Emperor-Level Divine Skill, and it can be used to directly step into the level of Perfection. Just seeing Gu Qingfeng¡¯s divine thought move, a treasured object carrying the Netherworld Rebirth Pupil instantly turned into a stream of light, merging into his sea of consciousness. Then. A surging memory emerged. Gu Qingfeng seemed to have cultivated arduously for thousands of years, finally cultivating this Great Emperor Divine Power to the utmost level. Like a thousand years. Yet like an instant. When Gu Qingfeng opened his eyes, a terrifying Dao rhythm was reflected in his pupils, a dreadful power permeating the void, seemingly able to swallow everything up. Netherworld Rebirth Pupil! Can kill invisibly! Just one glance can obliterate the divine soul of living beings, akin to falling into the Nine Nether Yellow Springs, utterly perishing and vanishing. ¡°Top-Grade Great Emperor¡¯s Divine Skill!¡± ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s extraordinary¡ª¡± With this Divine Skill. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s strength further advanced. If faced with the scenario of six Demon Emperors coming in person, relying on such Divine Skill, Gu Qingfeng could ensure Rakshasa Demon Emperor and other demons have no return. This. Is the terror of Top-Grade Great Emperor¡¯s Divine Skill. Though the power of cultivators is the root of everything, mastering a top-notch Divine Skill can equally lead to a substantial enhancement in strength. The difference is. The time required to cultivate a top-notch Divine Skill to Great Success would be quite long. But now, Gu Qingfeng instantly achieved Great Success with the Netherworld Rebirth Pupil, saving at least a thousand years of arduous effort. After all, a Top-Grade Great Emperor¡¯s Divine Skill cannot be hoped to reach Great Success without a thousand years. Then. Gu Qingfeng glanced at his cultivation, without any hesitation, directly using upgrade points to enhance his cultivation. ... Saint King Fourth Heaven! Saint King Fifth Heaven! Saint King Sixth Heaven! Saint King Seventh Heaven! Saint King Eighth Heaven! Saint King Ninth Heaven! ... Gu Qingfeng used just a moment to elevate his entire cultivation from Saint King Third Heaven to the peak level of Saint King Ninth Heaven. One step further. Would be able to break the Saint King barrier, directly stepping into the Quasi-Emperor Realm. ... Name: Gu Qingfeng Age: 127/9000 Realm: Saint King Ninth Layer Martial Arts: Heavenly Vein True Scripture (Fourth Layer), Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Great Wilderness Fist Scripture (Perfect), Ancient Heavenly Blade (Perfect), Purple Extreme Dao Scripture (Perfect), Lei Feng Scripture (Perfect), Nirvana Dao Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer), Heavenly Phoenix Divine Skill (Perfect), Nine Heavens Scripture (Great Saint Chapter First Layer), Divine Sky Heavenly Thunder (Perfect), Nine Yang Tao Scripture (Perfect), Ten Thousand Spirit Taoist Scripture (Perfect), Abyss Scripture (Saint King Chapter Ninth Layer), Ancient Divine King Scripture (Dao Palace Chapter Ninth Layer), Netherworld Rebirth Pupil (Perfect), (etc.) Upgrade Points: 49,600 ... ¡°Reached Saint King Ninth!¡± ¡°To further break through to Quasi-Emperor Realm, each stage needs fifty thousand upgrade points!¡± ¡°Currently, with just four hundred more upgrade points, I can step into the Quasi-Emperor Realm!¡± Gu Qingfeng mused. Four hundred upgrade points could be a matter of the next moment. Once stepping into the Quasi-Emperor Realm, his strength would ascend further. Now having breakthrough to Saint King Ninth Layer, Gu Qingfeng feels his strength has multiplied several times compared to before, and should he enter the Quasi-Emperor Realm, he is uncertain to what level his strength might break through. ¡°I wonder if the current me has any gap with the Great Emperor!?¡± Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself. The Great Emperor is indeed powerful, but cannot be overwhelmingly invincible. Back when he was at Saint King Third Layer, using the power of the four Heavenly Veins, he could rival the top-tier Half Emperor, directly suppressing ancient Half Emperors like the Rakshasa Demon Emperor. Now, with his own strength breakthrough to Saint King Ninth Layer, having multiplied several times over, if exerting full effort, Gu Qingfeng is confident he won¡¯t be weaker than the Great Emperor. If he could take it a step further, breaking through to the Quasi-Emperor Realm, then his strength would grow even stronger. Chapter 589: 375 Breaking the Heavenly Dao Chains_2 Chapter 589: Chapter 375 Breaking the Heavenly Dao Chains_2 Afterward. Gu Qingfeng flicked his fingers and a drop of Essence Blood appeared, falling into the grand hall. The golden blood emitted an aura as terrifying as an abyss; if any other Quasi-Emperors were present, they could truly understand the horror of this drop of blood. Afterward. Gu Qingfeng took out the Evil Slayer Blade. ¡°With this Essence Blood and the power of the Imperial Weapon, I believe that overseeing Kushan Immortal City for a period isn¡¯t a problem. As long as a Great Emperor doesn¡¯t make a move, there should be no issue in resisting.¡± As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thought finished, he took a step forward, and his figure vanished from the grand hall. He needed to return. Emperor ascension. As the Supreme Emperor, both sentimentally and rationally, he had to take a trip. In the past. Gu Qingfeng dared not easily leave Kushan Immortal City. Since this place was in the Demon Realm, news of his absence might cause the Demon Clan to invade. Without his presence here, the Human Clan could in no way resist the demons. But now things are different. Gu Qingfeng¡¯s power transformation. Even a single drop of Essence Blood possesses the power to suppress a Quasi Emperor. Such power paired with an Imperial Weapon is enough to secure the safety of Kushan Immortal City. As long as the Demon Emperor doesn¡¯t invade, relying on these measures will stabilize the situation. To put it another way. Even if the defense fails, Gu Qingfeng can perceive it first and return to support Kushan Immortal City. After all. The Boundary Domain Channel behind Kushan Immortal City connects to the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, and the Ancient Beast Mountain Range adjoins the Nine States. For a powerhouse of Gu Qingfeng¡¯s level, it¡¯s a mere thought. ¡ª¡ª Currently. On Emperor Sun Mountain. With the ascension of the Divine Martial Dynasty, a terrifying force of Qi Fortune descended onto Gu Yang, causing the aura on his body to soar suddenly. At the same time. The void trembled violently. Heavenly Dao Rules manifested as chains in everyone¡¯s sight, each chain exuding a terrifying abyss-like aura, as if capable of suppressing all eternity. When the Heavenly Dao Chains appeared, everyone¡¯s expression changed, and those who recognized the origin of these chains looked even more alarmed. ¡°These are the Heavenly Dao Chains!¡± ¡°Your father intends to forcefully break into the Saint Realm!!¡± When the Heavenly Dao Chains emerged, Sword Lord Xiao¡¯s expression changed drastically, his pupils contracted as if witnessing something unbelievable. Beside him, Gu Shengnan¡¯s cool visage showed a trace of shock and doubt upon hearing this. ¡°Master¡¯s meaning... Father intends to break through to the Saint Realm!?¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Sword Lord Xiao nodded, his expression becoming extremely serious. ¡°This is the End of Dharma Era, the Heavenly Dao naturally suppresses, making it difficult for beings to truly break through barriers to ascend to higher levels. Whenever a cultivator tries to do so, Heavenly Dao Rules manifest as chains, forcibly suppressing those breakthroughs!¡± ¡°With the ascension of the imperial dynasty, your father wants to use the Qi Fortune force to forcibly prove the Dao of the Saint... but the chance of success is extremely slim!¡± ¡°Ultimately, Heavenly Dao Chains aren¡¯t easily broken, even if a Great Emperor were present, it would be difficult to truly break the shackles¡ª¡± At this point. Sword Lord Xiao did not continue speaking. For in his sight, he saw Gu Yang directly utilize the nation¡¯s fortune of the entire Divine Martial Dynasty, and the Nine Tripods that once suppressed the Nine States appeared suddenly, each Bronze Tripod brimming with the terrifying Qi Fortune of countless people. Immediately. Gu Yang also offered the Jade Seal, its overwhelming Qi Fortune transformed into supreme Green Lotus, attacking the Heavenly Dao Chains. Such powerful force landing on the Heavenly Dao Chains only caused a mere tremor, seemingly without cracking. ¡°People say the End of Dharma Era cannot become a Saint, yet I am determined otherwise. What of the Heavenly Dao Chains? Today, none can stop me from proving the Dao to become a Saint... People of the Divine Martial Dynasty, I need your strength, please raise your right hand to help me break the Heavenly Dao Chains!!!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s eyes burned with battle will, his resolute voice resounded throughout the domain of the Divine Martial Dynasty, reaching the ears of every person. For a moment. Many people instinctively raised their right hand, beams of faint light arose from across the Divine Martial Dynasty, finally converging into a cosmic river towards Emperor Sun Mountain. Boom!!! The power of billions of citizens in an imperial dynasty, along with the dynasty¡¯s entire nation¡¯s fortune, now gathered in Gu Yang¡¯s body. Subsequently. He once again offered the Jade Seal, launching an attack on the Heavenly Dao Chains. ¡°Break for me!!¡± Gu Yang¡¯s momentum was overwhelming, the substantial aura utterly shattered the limits of the Dao Palace Realm, seemingly reaching a higher level. ¡°Crack!¡± A crisp sound was heard, and under everyone¡¯s shocked gaze, the unshakeable Heavenly Dao Chains showed cracks, then visibly crumbled and disintegrated. As the Heavenly Dao Chains broke, the aura on Gu Yang¡¯s body surged instantly, completing the final step of transformation. Boom!! Terrifying Heavenly Tribulation suddenly appeared, dense tribulation clouds covering the entire sky. ¡°Saint Heavenly Tribulation!¡± ¡°He succeeded¡ª¡± Sword Lord Xiao¡¯s expression drastically changed; he didn¡¯t expect Gu Yang could truly succeed, marshaling an entire imperial dynasty¡¯s populace and fortune to eventually shatter the Heavenly Dao Chains, forcibly breaking through to the Saint Realm. Now. The Saint Heavenly Tribulation¡¯s arrival suffices to explain everything. In an instant. Sword Lord Xiao waved his sleeves, a strong Divine Thought enveloped him and Gu Shengnan, swiftly leaving Emperor Sun Mountain, escaping the range of the Saint Heavenly Tribulation. Simultaneously. Other cultivators did the same. They ignored the shock of the present scene, hurriedly fleeing towards the outside of Emperor Sun Mountain, fearing that the Saint Heavenly Tribulation might endanger them. Such a level of tribulation is by no means ordinary. Even the top Semi-Saints experiencing the Saint Heavenly Tribulation could face the possibility of demise. In such circumstances, no one dared be careless. ¡°Saint Heavenly Tribulation!¡± When Gu Qingfeng stepped into the Nine States, he witnessed the mighty tribulation gathered on Emperor Sun Mountain. Earlier, as Gu Yang rallied the power of thousands, Gu Qingfeng had already witnessed it. Now. The Saint Heavenly Tribulation descends. It signifies that Gu Yang truly succeeded. ¡°If Yang¡¯er succeeds in this breakthrough, he will have set a precedent, correct?¡± Gu Qingfeng stood with hands behind his back, gazing toward Emperor Sun Mountain, his expression full of satisfaction. They say no one can become a Saint in the End of Dharma Era, yet Gu Yang forcibly broke through using his own means, indeed setting a precedent. Of course. Gu Qingfeng also understood. Gu Yang¡¯s success was because of being at the End of Dharma Era¡¯s late period; the Great Struggle Prosperity Era is soon to descend. This is when the Heavenly Dao¡¯s suppression is the weakest. If it were at its prime, Gu Yang would have no chance of succeeding. However¡ª Such weakness. Is merely relative. Even in this period, not everyone can break through. Gu Yang achieved what no one ever has. Gu Qingfeng didn¡¯t include himself in comparison since his own breakthrough method is non-replicable, naturally without comparative significance. As for whether Gu Yang would fail the tribulation, Gu Qingfeng had no concern. With Gu Yang¡¯s foundation. The trivial Saint Heavenly Tribulation poses no threat. After all, even without breaking through to the Saint Realm, Gu Yang¡¯s strength rivals that of a Saint. His current breakthrough is unparalleled. ¡°Once Yang¡¯er breaks through to the Saint Realm, he can provide me with more Upgrade Points. Subsequent breakthroughs to the Quasi-Emperor Realm will be no issue!¡± Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly; it was truly a double celebration. Not only did Gu Yang break through to the Saint Realm, but he himself also entered the Quasi-Emperor Realm, enhancing the power of the Gu Family and the Divine Martial Dynasty. As Gu Qingfeng¡¯s thought ended, the long-nurtured Saint Heavenly Tribulation finally fell. Boom!!! With the fall of thunder, the dazzling light of the Thunderbolt illuminated the world, seemingly silencing all things. Chapter 590 376: Pioneering Saint Heavenly Tribulation. Its momentum is vast and powerful. For many cultivators, it''s their first time facing such a level of Heavenly Tribulation. After all, in the End of Dharma Era, no one could become a Saint, so there was naturally no mention of the so-called Saint Heavenly Tribulation. But no one expected. Gu Yang could pioneer the way, directly certifying Dao and becoming a Saint in the End of Dharma Era. Everyone understands. After today. The name Gu Yang will definitely shake the Ancient Desolate World. Even tens of thousands of years later, his fame will still be passed down. After all. This is the first powerful being to openly become a Saint in the End of Dharma Era. As for Gu Qingfeng, many people believe he is an ancient mighty being; it''s impossible for him to have reached this stage in just over a hundred years. Boom! Boom!! The Heavenly Tribulation continuously strikes down, but with Gu Yang''s deep foundation, even the powerful Saint Heavenly Tribulation couldn''t shake him in the slightest. When the last strike of the Heavenly Tribulation dissipated, immediately there were celestial phenomena present, and at the same time, a terrifying aura as vast as an abyss spread out, sweeping across the heavens and eight directions in an instant. ... "Your offspring ''Gu Yang''s'' cultivation broke through to the First Layer of the Saint Realm!" "Reward points *1200!" "Awarded Quasi-Imperial Weapon ''Karma Fire Divine Mirror''!" ... At the moment when Gu Yang successfully broke through, the information panel in front of Gu Qingfeng revealed text. The upgrade points instantly broke through from forty-nine thousand to over fifty thousand. Such change. Means that as long as Gu Qingfeng desires, he can break through to the Quasi-Emperor Realm. Afterwards. With a thought from Gu Qingfeng, a completely scarlet divine mirror appeared in his hand, with mysterious and unpredictable divine patterns engraved on it, exuding an extremely astonishing aura. "Quasi-Imperial Weapon!" Gu Qingfeng looked at the Karma Fire Divine Mirror, his expression showing little change. For him now, a Quasi-Imperial Weapon is merely dispensable. However. Gu Qingfeng might dismiss a Quasi-Imperial Weapon, but for others in the Gu Family, it''s a different story. Throughout the Ancient Desolate World, Quasi-Imperial Weapons are rare. Without delay, Gu Qingfeng stowed away the Karma Fire Divine Mirror, and with one step, appeared within the Emperor Sun Mountain. At this moment. Gu Yang broke through to the Saint Realm. A body filled with unparalleled strength, allowing himself to be somewhat immersed within it. This level of power is entirely beyond what the previous so-called Semi-Saint can compare to. Until this moment. Gu Yang truly understands. What it means that beneath a Saint, all are ants. To truly match a Saint with Semi-Saint strength, only peerless demons can achieve it. Gu Yang once managed it, but it was by forcibly enhancing his strength through the Heavenly Vein True Scripture. Otherwise. To match a Saint, he would still be far from it. Now. With his cultivation breaking through to the Saint Realm, Gu Yang''s strength increased significantly. However. He could still sense that the Heavenly Dao Chains have not truly dissipated but have always existed. Yet, as long as he remains within the Divine Martial Dynasty, he need not worry about the suppression of the Heavenly Dao Chains, and his cultivation can still progress. The difference is. Due to the presence of the Heavenly Dao Chains. Gu Yang was aware that his cultivation advancement would ultimately not be as swift as others. At this time. The void trembled. A figure appeared from it. Upon seeing the newcomer, Gu Yang bowed in salute: "Greetings, Father!" "Breaking the Heavenly Dao Chains, certifying Dao to become a Saint, well done!" Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, then flicked his finger, and a scarlet mirror suddenly appeared, landing directly in front of Gu Yang. "This is the Quasi-Imperial Weapon Karma Fire Divine Mirror, consider it congratulations from your father on your success in certifying the Dao and becoming a Saint!" "Thank you, Father!" Gu Yang took a deep breath and collected the Karma Fire Divine Mirror; a Quasi-Imperial Weapon was also of significant importance to him. But Gu Yang understands. This level of Divine Weapon, to his father, was nothing extraordinary. However. Although Gu Yang''s expression was much calmer, others witnessing this scene couldn''t help but have their pupils contract. Quasi-Imperial Weapon! Such a supreme treasure was taken out so casually, causing envy among many strong beings. Let alone a Quasi-Imperial Weapon. Even a Saint King Soldier or Great Saint Weapon, they might not possess. Anyone who could wield a Quasi-Imperial Weapon would be qualified to be at the pinnacle of the Ancient Desolate World. With such a supreme treasure. As long as it''s not against a Quasi Emperor directly, there''s the capability to battle. However, considering Gu Qingfeng''s identity and strength, the cultivators felt at ease in their hearts. Though Quasi-Imperial Weapons are powerful. With this person''s identity, it''s nothing extraordinary. At this time. Gu Qingfeng looked towards a certain direction in Emperor Sun Mountain, his gaze resting on Sword Lord Xiao. The latter only felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down, causing his breath to halt, and his vitality to stagnate, making his body seem immobile. This change. Struck fear into Sword Lord Xiao''s heart. As the Sect Master of the Sword Sect, his strength had reached the Semi-Saint level, and even when facing a Saint, Sword Lord Xiao felt confident to battle. But now, with just a glance, he found it hard to withstand. Gu Qingfeng''s terrifying strength filled Sword Lord Xiao with apprehension. He knew Gu Qingfeng''s strength was immense, understanding that he was a being who single-handedly slew four Demon Emperors. But rumors were rumors, and only when witnessing could one truly grasp the other''s might. Such strength. Looking throughout the history of the Sword Sect, it probably ranks within the top twenty. Though being in the top twenty might not seem high, one must be aware that from the ancient times of the Sword Sect to the present, there have been nine Great Emperors. The remaining strong figures of the Sword Sect, although not reaching the Emperor Realm, were not without the existence of those who dominated an era. Merely those with strength comparable to a Half Emperor numbered in the double digits.