CHAPTER 489: CHAPTER 268 SPLURGING A FORTUNE_2

Seven towering Holy Mountains encircled the area, their grandeur overwhelming. At the center stood a colossal stone slab, as though guarding some ancient secret.

"This is the place."

Lu Biluo spoke in a low, composed voice, tinged with determination, like a cold-blooded assassin.

Her figure was voluptuous, her curves exquisite. She climbed with agile elegance that made it impossible to look away.

Gu Sheng nodded, exchanging glances with Lin Tianhao and Lin Qingyu. The three understood—the challenges ahead would be perilous.

As the stone slab was moved aside, a bottomless abyss of a well revealed itself before them.

A chilling aura emanated from its depths, sending shivers down their spines.

"I’ll go first."

Without unnecessary words, Lu Biluo swiftly climbed into the well. Her figure vanished into the darkness.

Gu Sheng followed closely, with Lin Tianhao and Lin Qingyu immediately behind.

The walls of the well were slippery, and the four cautiously descended. The pitch blackness was cut only by the light from their torches.

After an unknown passage of time, they finally reached the bottom of the well.

The atmosphere was eerie and suffocating, as if they had entered another world.

Lu Biluo stood ahead, her back illuminated by flickering torchlight, exuding an icy allure.

Suddenly, a deafening roar sounded—a massive fiery Volcanic Crocodile lunged out of the darkness, its crimson eyes ominous, its body radiating scorching heat.

"A Demon Beast at the peak of the Marrow Refining Realm!" Lin Tianhao exclaimed in shock.

Gu Sheng’s eyes narrowed, knowing this battle would be extraordinarily dangerous.

His figure turned into a streak of golden light, charging at the Volcanic Crocodile. The Jade Maiden Sword and Thirsty Blood Battle Axe danced in his hands, while Gale Nine Swords and Carefree Ascension Step seamlessly coordinated.

Lin Tianhao and Lin Qingyu quickly joined the fray. Lin Tianhao’s Haoyang Swordsmanship was strikingly powerful, while Lin Qingyu’s Jade Maiden Sword Skill was agile and graceful.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

The Crocodile’s tough hide resisted their attacks, which left only shallow cuts on its body.

Lu Biluo was not idle. She began playing the Heavenly Earth Flute. The hauntingly captivating melody emitted streams of eerie green water from its holes—corrosive Heavenly Earth Water that steadily attacked the Crocodile’s body.

The fierce battle dragged out for dozens of rounds, leaving the four fighters exhausted.

The Volcanic Crocodile, though severely injured, was astonishingly resilient, continuing its ferocious assaults.

At this critical moment, Lin Qingyu made a mistake. The Crocodile’s tail swept her aside with a violent blow. She screamed in agony as she fell to the ground, her left leg broken and bleeding profusely.

"Qingyu!"

Lin Tianhao cried out, rushing to help his sister up.

Gu Sheng’s eyes flickered coldly—he knew this was their only chance.

Inhaling deeply, he summoned the power of the Ancient Sacred Body within him. His body glowed with golden brilliance as he unleashed a golden palm strike aimed straight at the Crocodile’s head.

"Bang!"

A thunderous crash echoed. The Crocodile’s head exploded under the force of the golden palm, and its massive body collapsed to the ground.

The four heaved a sigh of relief, yet their vigilance remained unwavering.

"Qingyu, how are you feeling?" Lin Tianhao inquired with concern.

Lin Qingyu, pale-faced, stubbornly shook her head. "I’m fine..."

Gu Sheng, knowing her strong-willed nature, said nothing further. He emitted wisps of green gas to heal Lin Qingyu’s injuries.

Lin Qingyu’s broken leg rapidly recovered under the visible effects of Gu Sheng’s treatment with green tendrils.

The transformation left Lin Tianhao and the others marveling secretly.

Once Lin Qingyu had healed, the group began processing the Volcanic Crocodile.

They gathered the crocodile meat and moved toward a spacious area further inside the cave. As night fell, the firelight cast turmoil shadows, reflecting the silhouettes of the group sitting together.

The meat of the Volcanic Crocodile, refined and tender after being roasted over flames, released an irresistible aroma that filled every corner of the cave.

Gu Sheng sat by the fire, his gaze casually drifting over Lin Qingyu’s fully recovered left leg, feeling silently proud of his green energy’s healing prowess.

Meanwhile, Lin Qingyu wore a smile, her eyes glowing with trust and affection toward Gu Sheng.

"Gu Sheng, this crocodile meat is delicious. Your cooking skills keep improving!"

Lin Qingyu spoke with a melodious voice.

Gu Sheng smiled faintly. "Qingyu, your praise is enough to make me walk on air. Still, my cooking isn’t nearly as good as yours."

They shared a look and laughed, the mood turning warm and harmonious.

The peaceful moment didn’t last long. Lin Qingyu suddenly stood and headed toward Gu Sheng’s tent.

Gu Sheng stiffened, knowing what she intended but unable to stop her.

He could only watch as Lin Qingyu entered the tent, sighing inwardly.

Mere moments later, Lin Qingyu’s determined voice echoed from within the tent: "Gu Sheng, I’ve grown up now—I decide what happens with my body!"

Gu Sheng shook his head helplessly. He knew he couldn’t stay in the tent anymore.

He stood, left the tent, and found a nearby flat stone to sit on.

The firelight cast his silhouette against the cavern walls, appearing both lonely and resolute.

He gazed up at the cave ceiling, his mind awash with emotions.

He understood that his feelings for Lin Qingyu had surpassed mere friendship, yet he also realized that this bond might spell trouble and complications for them.

"Gu Sheng, why did you...?" Lin Qingyu’s voice called out again, tinged with discontent and sorrow.

Gu Sheng inhaled deeply, saying, "Qingyu, you know this—it’s not simple between us. And besides, your brother..."

"What about my brother? Would he oppose us being together?" Lin Qingyu’s defiant tone held a trace of rebellion.

Gu Sheng fell silent briefly before responding, "I don’t know what he would think, but I won’t allow you to be hurt because of me."

"Gu Sheng, you underestimate me. I’m not afraid of pain or harm. As long as I can be with you, I fear nothing." Lin Qingyu’s voice was resolute and unwavering.

Gu Sheng was deeply moved but remained outside the tent.

He wasn’t lacking in admirers and knew Lin Tianhao, his friend, didn’t deserve such complications. It just wasn’t worth stirring emotions unnecessarily.

But the resonance of the Jade Maiden Sword often stirred Lin Qingyu into emotional tides and endless reverie.

Lin Qingyu was more than alluring in a conventional sense. She resembled an elegant schoolgirl—pure and radiant, a refreshing breeze amidst chaos.

Just as the two basked briefly in tenderness, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the cavern.

Lin Tianhao and the others rushed in, their faces clouded with urgency and alarm.

"Gu Sheng, Qingyu—something’s wrong! We’ve found the Volcanic Crocodile’s lair. It seems there’s an even stronger Demon Beast inside!" Lin Tianhao gasped.

Gu Sheng and Lin Qingyu exchanged a look, their eyes filled with determination.

"Let’s go check it out!" Gu Sheng declared, gripping his Jade Maiden Sword and walking beside Lin Qingyu toward the cave entrance.

The midnight darkness loomed, and deep within the Volcanic Crocodile’s lair, a momentous battle was about to erupt.

Within the lair, they discovered a remarkable figure shackled—one whose strength rivaled legends.

Gu Sheng, Lin Qingyu, Lin Tianhao, and Lu Biluo teamed up against the mighty locked warrior whose chains weighed heavily with mystery.

"Swish!"

Gu Sheng gripped his Jade Maiden Sword tightly. With Golden Bone Realm pinnacle cultivation erupting, his body surged with golden light, like a radiant metal warrior.

The Gale Nine Swords unleashed torrents of golden Sword Qi, each strike raining violently upon the prisoner.

Lin Qingyu executed her Jade Maiden Sword Skill with stunning grace—her sword a flowing stream in her hands. The Mystical-level top-grade Treasure, Jade Maiden Sword, exuded sharp and deadly Sword Qi, amplifying Gu Sheng’s efforts.

Lin Tianhao’s cultivation excelled, his Haoyang Swordsmanship powerful and unpredictable. His movements varied between the rising sun and the fading twilight, putting immense pressure on the chained opponent.

Lu Biluo, enchanting yet lethal, played the Heavenly Earth Flute. Its haunting melody materialized the corrosive Heavenly Earth Water, attacking the chains and the prisoner’s protective Gang Qi relentlessly.

The warrior bound by chains was astonishingly strong. Despite his restraints, his sheer power was awe-inspiring.

"Om Mani Padme Hum..."

He chanted ancient spells, his fingers weaving seals as waves of mysterious energy radiated outward. Barriers formed around him, neutralizing each incoming assault.

"Hmph, insolent youths—how dare you challenge me!"