CHAPTER 460: CHAPTER 254: THE GENIUS FROM A SMALL PLACE

Gu Sheng frowned slightly, just about to speak, but saw Princess Zishuang take graceful steps forward.

"This is my esteemed guest. Who dares to obstruct him?" The princess’s voice was icy cold, and her gaze sharp as lightning.

The guards’ expressions changed, and they dared not say another word.

Right then and there, Princess Zishuang dismissed the guard from his position, a scene that drew the astonishment of all present.

Upon entering the poetry gathering, Gu Sheng felt as though he had stepped into a den of tigers and dragons.

Qian Duoduo, Crown Prince Yun Tingyu, Jiang Xiaotian of the Jiang family, and others all stepped forward, ridiculing and suppresing him.

"A country bumpkin—doesn’t he seem completely out of place at such occasions?"

"That outfit—makes sense that the guards tried to stop him. I wonder what kind of poetry you even have to offer?"

The noblemen hastily presented their poems, attempting to showcase their talents before the princess.

Gu Sheng, indifferent to competing for attention, simply busied himself with eating palace confections and sipping tea and wine.

"Ah... the palace wine truly lives up to its reputation!"

Gu Sheng exaggerated his enjoyment of drinking and feasting, earning disdainful stares from the group of noble youths.

"Is that guy reincarnated from a starving ghost?"

"Such unsightly table manners—how disgraceful!"

Princess Zishuang observed with calm eyes, and decisively shifted the focus onto Gu Sheng.

"It seems everyone has contributed their poems," she said, her gaze settling on Gu Sheng, "Young Master Gu, might you have a poem to offer?"

Gu Sheng stood, bowed respectfully to the princess, then raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

Only then did he feign seriousness and recite, "My boldness red as raging rivers, I lash my anger against my crown. Lament as rain halts at the bannister’s edge, gaze upward, bellow to the heavens, my mighty resolve burning fiercer still..."

"Young Master Gu, did you truly compose this verse?" Princess Zishuang looked at Gu Sheng, a glimmer of surprise flickering in her eyes.

"Your Highness flatters me. It’s merely a quick scribble," Gu Sheng replied humbly, yet there was a trace of firm confidence in his gaze.

In the midst of the gathering, the talents of Linghu Qingwan, Mu Yuanyuan, Mu Tiantian, Lin Qingyu, and others were drawn toward Gu Sheng, all stepping forward to engage with him.

Gu Sheng’s poem *"Rivers Ablaze in Fury"* set off a tidal wave of poetry within the gathering, captivating everyone in attendance.

"What a stirring ’Waste not your youth in idleness, lest white hairs claim your head.’"

"This poem burns with boundless passion, resonating with the voice of untold valiant men."

"Gu Sheng, I, the Crown Prince, truly admire your talent. Would you consider serving me?"

After the gathering, Crown Prince Yun Tingyu approached to recruit him.

Gu Sheng smiled faintly and declined politely:

"Your Highness, Gu Sheng only wishes to live life his own way,

without being dependent on anyone."

Standing quietly to the side, Princess Zishuang’s admiration for Gu Sheng deepened further.

Following the gathering, she sought out Gu Sheng privately, hoping to learn of his aspirations.

"Gu Sheng, what dreams do you hold in your heart?" Princess Zishuang asked softly.

Gu Sheng’s gaze was resolute as he looked at Princess Zishuang:

"Your Highness, my dream is to live freely and unhindered, focused solely on becoming the supreme master of martial arts."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zishuang sighed inwardly.

She knew she couldn’t compel Gu Sheng to serve her, but she continued to admire his talent and character.

Deciding to shed the formalities of royalty, she resolved to become Gu Sheng’s genuine friend.

"Here, let us drink!" Princess Zishuang raised her glass, and no more words were needed.

As they shared drinks and exchanged reflections, Princess Zishuang suddenly tested Gu Sheng’s resolve.

"Gu Sheng, would you be willing to help me unify the realm and establish an everlasting legacy?" Princess Zishuang asked softly, her eyes fixed upon him.

Gu Sheng chuckled lightly, understanding that the princess’s ambitions had now been laid bare.

Yet he showed no signs of fear, meeting her gaze with serene composure.

"Your Highness, though I am but an unremarkable man, I understand that such matters of the world cannot be achieved through one person alone. Princess, though you have lofty ambitions, you must also consider the well-being of all living souls under Heaven."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zishuang’s admiration for Gu Sheng grew even deeper.

"Young Master, surely you know my unification of the realm is precisely for the sake of all living souls!"

Princess Zishuang expressed that only through unification could ceaseless wars be ended, and repeatedly appealed for Gu Sheng’s assistance, only to be turned down each time.

In the end, the pair could only share a round of drinks before parting ways.

Princess Zishuang thought long-term, realizing there was no rush to sway him then and there.

Gu Sheng, on the other hand, thought, *I walk my solitary bridge; you tread your grand road.*

In the days that followed, Gu Sheng neither ventured out nor entertained any invitations from noblemen.

He devoted himself entirely to cultivation.

"Gu Sheng, care for a spar?"

Since the Crimson Abyss trials, Wen Mingyan’s strength had increased greatly; his cultivation had broken through to the ninth tier of the Marrow Refining Realm, and he had obtained the mystical-level top-grade treasure Qinggang Sword.

Within the Holy Pill Sect, the duel between Gu Sheng and his master Wen Mingyan drew the attention of nearly all disciples.

Above, the sky was densely clouded, as if heralding an earth-shattering clash about to unfold.

Gu Sheng, clad in azure robes, stood tall with firm resolve and agile bearing. Within him, his golden bones shimmered brightly, as if brimming with limitless strength.

Wen Mingyan, meanwhile, wore pristine white robes emanating an aura of immortality; his ninth-tier Marrow Refining cultivation made him seem an insurmountable mountain.

"Gu Sheng, today I will test the fruits of your cultivation,"

Wen Mingyan said evenly, his tone carrying an undeniable authority.

Gu Sheng nodded, his eyes sparkling with fighting spirit.

He knew this was his best opportunity to break through his realm.

Taking a deep breath, his figure vanished in the blink of an eye.

This was his Invisibility Technique—the Shadow Concealment Skill.

Wen Mingyan’s brow furrowed slightly; though he sensed Gu Sheng’s presence disappear, he was unable to pinpoint his location.

Inwardly, he couldn’t help but praise his disciple’s extraordinary talent.

At that moment, a sharp streak of Sword Qi tore through the void, aiming straight for Wen Mingyan’s throat.

This was none other than Gu Sheng’s Gale Nine Swords, refined with the essence of the Dugu Nine Swords, its might unparalleled.