Chapter 1401: Chapter 724: Healing (Part 2)
The most striking feature was the pair of golden wings that flickered behind him, not fully spread but exuding a suffocating sense of pressure.
"Gu!"
Situ Qingfeng saw Gu Sheng, his eyes glowing gold as he quickly stepped forward.
With each step he took, the ground trembled slightly, as though unable to bear his weight.
Gu Sheng smiled and cupped his hands.
"Congratulations to Situ for completing your bloodline legacy! Judging by your aura, you’ve gained quite a bit."
Situ Qingfeng couldn’t hide his excitement.
"It’s all thanks to you, Gu! Without your risky help, how could I have received the complete legacy from my mother’s relic?"
As he spoke, he knelt on one knee, performing a grand gesture.
Gu Sheng hurriedly supported him.
"Situ, what are you doing? We have stood by each other through life and death, such formalities are unnecessary."
Situ Qingfeng persisted in completing the gesture before standing up, speaking earnestly.
"Gu, you may not know this. The awakening of the Heavenly Demon Spirit Body is of great significance to me. The Golden-winged Roc bloodline within me was originally thin, making great success in life unattainable. Now, not only has the Spiritual Body fully awakened, but my cultivation has also..."
As he spoke, he released his aura; immediately, a violent wind surged in the hall, even more astonishing than the commotion when Gu Sheng broke through.
"Earth Martial Realm Peak?!"
Gu Sheng’s pupils contracted.
"Did you break through over ten realms?"
Situ Qingfeng nodded, explaining.
"The spiritual energy contained within my mother’s relic was beyond imagination, coupled with the bloodline feedback during the awakening of the Heavenly Demon Spirit Body, the surge in cultivation was expected. However..."
His expression suddenly became solemn.
"Just as you once warned me, ascending too quickly in cultivation may not be a good thing. Although I’ve reached the peak of the Earth Martial Realm, I feel my foundation is unstable, and my control over power is far less solid than taking a steady approach."
Gu Shen agreed.
"It’s quite rare for Situ to have such an understanding. In my opinion, you shouldn’t rush to break through to the Heavenly Martial Realm next; consolidating your foundation should be your main focus."
"That is my intention."
Situ Qingfeng nodded.
"I plan to head to the ancestral land of the Golden-winged Roc lineage for training. There’s a path of trials left by my ancestors, perfect for honing my foundation."
As he spoke, he took out a completely green Communication Jade Talisman from his bosom and handed it to Gu Sheng.
"This is a communication jade talisman. No matter how far apart we are, we can sense each other’s position. Should you need anything, just crush the jade talisman, and I’ll come to your aid immediately."
Gu Sheng accepted the jade talisman, feeling its warm texture, sensing the bloodline connection within.
He carefully stored it, smiling.
"Then I won’t stand on ceremony. Speaking of which, I’m still thinking about the Peng’s Relics you promised me, Situ."
Situ Qingfeng laughed heartily.
"Rest assured! Once I return from the ancestral land, I’ll surely take you to the burial site.
There, not only are my ancestors’ remains buried, but there’s also a natural wonder that greatly benefits cultivation."
The two exchanged smiles, understanding each other.
After a brief silence, Situ Qingfeng suddenly asked.
"What are your plans next, Gu?"
Gu Sheng gazed towards the exit of the main hall.
"I plan to return to Great Wilderness City. This retreat has been quite fruitful, and I need time to digest it. Also..."
His eyes gleamed coldly.
"Some scores need to be settled as well."
Situ Qingfeng understood, asking no more.
He patted Gu Sheng on the shoulder.
"In that case, we’ll part ways here. Take care!"
"Take care!"
The farewell was short and powerful.
Situ Qingfeng’s wings spread behind him, transforming into a streak of golden light that pierced through the top of the main hall, disappearing into the sky in an instant.
Gu Sheng watched him leave, only retracting his gaze after the golden light vanished from his sight.
Feeling the surging power within him, he looked forward to the upcoming journey to Great Wilderness City.
"It’s time to return."
At the entrance of the Secret Realm, the white light around Gu Sheng gradually dissipated, as he cautiously surveyed his surroundings.
The air was thick with a murderous aura.
"Who goes there?"
Gu Sheng asked coldly, his fingers already on the hilt of his sword at his waist.
A shadowy figure emerged slowly from behind a rock, cloaked entirely in black, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.
"Young Master Gu, I am Tantai Ying. I have been waiting here for over three months under the orders of Second Miss."
"Tantai Xueling?"
Gu Sheng furrowed his eyebrows slightly, the image of that cold woman reappearing in his mind.
He had been in seclusion for nearly three months and did not expect she would send people to stand guard here.
"Where are the people from the Emperor Sect?"
Gu Sheng suddenly asked, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
Tantai Ying’s voice was cold.
"They left yesterday. The people Sun and Moon Sect and Great Wilderness Alliance sent to intercept and kill have been dealt with by my men. The three from the Emperor Sect were forced to retreat due to Xuanxu Sect’s siege."
Gu Sheng’s pupils suddenly contracted, a chill running from his spine to the top of his head.
"Take me to the Emperor Sect immediately!"
Tantai Ying nodded slightly, took out a jade scroll from his bosom, and crushed it. In an instant, space twisted, and a teleportation gate unfolded in front of the two.
Inside the great hall of the Emperor Sect, the smell of blood was so thick it almost became materialized. Long Yundao was leaning against the Sect Master’s throne, his chest soaked with blood.
His gaze swept over the disciples scattered across the hall and finally landed on the dying Jiang Yuan.
"Sect Master... disciple... incompetent..."
Every word Jiang Yuan spoke brought a rush of blood from the corner of his mouth.
His chest was sunken, obviously having suffered a fatal blow.
Ye Jianjia knelt beside Jiang Yuan, her slender fingers trembling as she channeled True Qi into him.
Her left arm hung unnaturally, the sleeve stained with blood.
"Don’t speak, save your strength..."
Bursts of deafening explosions came from outside the great hall, the light screen of the Sect Protection Array trembling violently as if on the verge of shattering. The cold voice of the Master of Xuanxu Sect pierced through the array.
"Long Yundao, I’m giving you one last chance! Either hand over Gu Sheng, or let that girl come out and die!"
Long Yundao suddenly coughed, spraying blood onto the ground.
He had just broken through to the Heavenly Martial Realm recently and nearly exhausted all his True Qi in the battle with the Master of Xuanxu Sect yesterday.
"Master..."
Ye Jianjia raised her head.
"Let me go."
"Nonsense!"
Long Yundao roared angrily, but it aggravated his injuries, making his face even paler.
Ye Jianjia gently released Jiang Yuan’s hand and stood up.
Her voice was very soft.
"Three years ago, if it weren’t for the sect taking me in, I would have died in the wilderness. The Ye Family sees me as a disgrace, only the Emperor Sect provided me a place to stay."
She looked at the hazy enemies outside the great hall, and a smile unexpectedly appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"I believe in Gu... He will definitely avenge us."
Long Yundao’s hand tightly gripped the armrest of the throne, his fingers white with tension. As a Sect Master, he understood the principle of sacrificing one to save the whole sect, but as a master, how could he bear to watch his disciple go to her death?
"Enough..."
Long Yundao sighed deeply, seemingly aging ten years in an instant.
"The Emperor Sect... will remember your sacrifice."
Ye Jianjia bowed deeply and turned to walk outside the array.
Her back was straight, like a sword about to be unsheathed.
Outside the array, the Master of Xuanxu Sect showed a cruel smile.
Behind him stood dozens of elite disciples, one of whom sneered.
"Master, that girl has come out. They say she’s Gu Sheng’s closest junior disciple sister, perfect to let Gu Sheng taste the pain of losing someone important!"
"No rush."
The Master of Xuanxu Sect said sinisterly.
"Let her watch the Emperor Sect’s destruction first, then slowly torture her to death. My son’s vengeance requires the blood of the entire Emperor Sect to be avenged!"
Ye Jianjia had already reached the edge of the array, just a step away from stepping out.
She was about to take a step—
"Stop."
A cold voice suddenly rang out in the great hall. Although the voice was not loud, it exploded in everyone’s ears like a thunderclap.
Ye Jianjia shuddered all over, incredulously turning her head. A tall figure had appeared in the center of the great hall at some unknown time, his black clothing still carrying the dust of the Secret Realm.
"Gu... Gu Sheng?"
Her voice trembled so much it was almost inaudible.
Gu Sheng walked slowly forward, each step seeming to tread upon everyone’s heartbeat.
His gaze swept over the seriously injured Jiang Yuan and the wounded people all over the hall, and finally landed on Ye Jianjia.
"With the Sect’s foremost present, it’s not your place to stand out."
Gu Sheng’s voice was frighteningly calm.
"Go back and heal."
The appearance of Gu Sheng and the black-clad woman Tantai Ying was like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring thousand waves.
The oppressive aura emanating from Tantai Ying made everyone present feel suffocated, especially the Master of Xuanxu Sect, who was miserably lying on the ground, veins bulging on his forehead, unable to move even a single finger.
