CHAPTER 455: CHAPTER 251: BATTLE OF THE HEADLESS KNIGHT AND THE PEERLESS TWIN PRIDES_2

His heart stirred, and he shouted to Lin Tianhao:

"Tianhao, seize the right moment—let’s launch our strongest attack together!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Tianhao immediately adjusted his state, focusing entirely as he awaited Gu Sheng’s signal.

At the moment Gu Sheng’s Gale Nine Swords collided with the white-clad duo’s Jade Maiden Sword Skill, Lin Tianhao’s Haoyang Swordsmanship followed with a ferocious explosion.

The two streams of Sword Qi converged in midair, forming a blinding brilliance.

Although the white-clad duo fought back with all their might, their defense finally shattered under the immense power.

Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao’s attack struck their bodies with full force, sending them flying instantly.

Just as they thought the battle was over, the white-clad duo suddenly dissolved into a wisp of cyan smoke, vanishing into thin air.

All that remained were two longswords and the stunned figures of Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao staring at each other.

They exchanged glances, their hearts filled with shock and confusion.

"They... were they living corpses?" Lin Tianhao’s voice trembled a little.

Gu Sheng nodded, his eyes gleaming with profound light:

"Indeed, this pair was nothing more than puppets bound by Law Seals.

Their sole purpose must’ve been to guard some secret or treasure."

Each of them took one Jade Maiden Sword as spoils of the battle.

As the treasure-hunting trial at Crimson Cloud Abyss concluded, sects hurriedly began taking stock of their harvests. Anticipation and discussion filled the air.

"Have you heard? Holy Pill Sect’s haul this time is absolutely shocking!"

A disciple from Thousand Poison Sect murmured, his gaze tinged with envy and reluctance.

"Yeah, I heard Gu Sheng alone managed to obtain a Mystical-level top-grade Jade Maiden Sword along with a shard that might surpass Mystical-level Treasure quality!"

One of the elders from Mad Saber Sect widened his eyes, his tone full of astonishment.

At this moment, the elders of the Holy Pill Sect wore proud expressions; indeed, their sect’s rewards exceeded all others.

"That kid Gu Sheng is ridiculously lucky—not only did he gain such precious treasures, but also a bottle of Divine Spring and two Divine Fruits. It’s truly enviable."

A Holy Pill Sect elder remarked with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Lin Tianhao, the representative of Haoyang Sect, stood smiling nearby. Although their sect’s rewards didn’t surpass the Holy Pill Sect’s, they were still substantial.

"Lin Tianhao, your Haoyang Sect didn’t do too badly this time either. I heard you gained quite a few excellent treasures,"

The head of the Qian family praised.

"Indeed, our Haoyang Sect gained quite a lot this time,"

Lin Tianhao responded humbly.

At this moment, Gu Sheng and Wen Mingyan approached the crowd. Gu Sheng refrained from showing off his acquisitions; after all, such things drew too much attention.

Wen Mingyan, meanwhile, held a Mystical-level top-grade Qinggang Sword in one hand and a Mystical-level mid-grade Jade Bamboo Flute in the other, a smug smile on his face.

Confident by nature, he never feared attracting envy.

"Gu Sheng, Wen Mingyan, you two truly are the pride of our Holy Pill Sect!"

An elder exclaimed in admiration.

"Elder, you overpraise us. It was merely a matter of luck," Gu Sheng modestly replied.

At this time, Lu Junyi also stepped forward, his primary haul consisting of various Divine Medicines—several stalks of Mystical-level and above herbs like Ginseng, Immortal Herbs, and Lingzhi.

"Lu Junyi, your gains in this trial aren’t small either,"

Remarked an elder from Haoyang Sect approvingly.

"Indeed, this trial was truly an eye-opening experience,"

Lu Junyi responded enthusiastically.

Discussions among the sects roared like waves, and each person brimmed with pride for their sect’s achievements.

Following the conclusion of the Crimson Cloud Abyss trial, Gu Sheng’s fame soared to new heights, with countless factions extending invitations towards him.

Invitations arrived like snowflakes, piling into a mountain.

With a discerning eye, Gu Sheng declined all offers from men, accepting only Princess Yun Zishuang’s hunting invitation.

You could call him a philanderer, but he simply didn’t care.

What mattered more to him was living life on his own terms.

"Gu Sheng, how dare you be so arrogant and refuse our invitation!"

Crown Prince Yun Tingyu’s face darkened, his voice trembling with anger and indignation.

Gu Sheng merely let out a faint smile, unconcerned by Yun Tingyu’s rage.

He shook his head slightly and said, "Your Highness, it’s not arrogance on my part. I’ve merely made my choice—I only wish to join those of kindred spirits in this hunt."

Yun Tingyu choked on Gu Sheng’s words, his face turning ashen before he stormed away, his resolve to suppress Gu Sheng further hardening.

Gu Sheng found the Crown Prince to be utterly immature. He didn’t even know the meaning of shrewdness—how could someone so foolish compete for Princess Zishuang’s favor?

After all, she was a woman of both extraordinary beauty and intellect.

The royal hunt day finally arrived, sunlight streaming over a lush forest as countless beasts roared and thundered, igniting boundless excitement.

Gu Sheng formed a formidable team with Yun Zishuang, Linghu Qingwan, Mu Yuanyuan, Lin Qingyu, and others.

It wasn’t that Gu Sheng went out of his way to gather these beauties but rather that they insisted on teaming up with him.

A princess brought a Linghu Qingwan, and others each had their own agenda, all clustering around him.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Yun Tingyu and other noble sons and daughters formed a rival team, joining forces with Jiang Xiaotian of the Governor Mansion, Zhu Bao from Mad Saber Sect, and Qian Duoduo from the Qian family, intending to suppress Gu Sheng during the hunt.

"Gu Sheng, do you really think you can stand against us? Today, we’ll show you what we’re capable of!"

Yun Tingyu declared coldly.

Gu Sheng merely smiled faintly, ignoring Yun Tingyu’s provocations.

Turning to the beauties beside him, he said, "Ladies, let’s show them what we’ve got today!"

The hunt commenced, with Gu Sheng showcasing astonishing martial prowess and razor-sharp insight.

He led his team of beauties to bag the most high-tiered beasts and bloodline beasts, leaving everyone in awe.

Conversely, Yun Tingyu’s team suffered repeated setbacks, crushed by Gu Sheng’s versatile skills.

"Gu Sheng, you truly are an extraordinary man!"

Yun Zishuang gazed at Gu Sheng, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

Gu Sheng responded with a modest smile, unfazed by her praise.

"Princess, you flatter me. It’s merely luck,"

He replied lightly.

"Hmph!"

A discordant voice interrupted.

"Gu Sheng, don’t get too complacent! Do you really think you stand a chance against us?" Qian Duoduo objected indignantly.

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow but remained calm as he replied:

"Mr. Qian, I never intended to compete with you. After all, it’s just a hunt. Why take it so seriously?"

Qian Duoduo was left speechless, his frustration evident, though he could only begrudgingly keep quiet.

As the argument seemed to dissipate, Crown Prince Yun Tingyu suddenly spoke:

"Gu Sheng, you’re indeed a remarkable person. If you’re willing to ally with us, I promise you greater status and power."

Gu Sheng looked at him, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

He smiled and said, "Your Highness, I appreciate the offer. But I’ve grown used to living freely and dislike being constrained. Besides, spending time hunting with these lovely ladies is far more fulfilling than any power or status!"

Gu Sheng’s straightforwardness drew cheers from the beauties.

"So bold!"

Mo Buwen chimed in, acting as the brightest third wheel, a veritable little sun among lightbulbs.

Yun Tingyu seethed internally, shocked that Gu Sheng showed him no respect.

But he didn’t explode, merely commenting coldly: "Gu Sheng, you may regret refusing me today!"

Gu Sheng simply chuckled faintly, unfazed by Yun Tingyu’s threats.

He turned to the beauties beside him and said, "Ladies, let’s keep hunting!"

Gu Sheng led his team of beauties in a dazzling demonstration of skill, bagging even more rare beasts and bloodline beasts.

Meanwhile, Yun Tingyu and his group suffered defeat after defeat, forced to reluctantly accept Gu Sheng’s commanding presence.

As the hunt progressed, Gu Sheng’s fame grew.

Not only was he skilled in combat, but his barbecue techniques were second to none.

Each evening, he would grill delicacies over an open flame, using advanced techniques, and the aroma of roasted meat would make everyone’s mouths water.

The final day of the hunt culminated in a grand poetry competition.