CHAPTER 524: CHAPTER 286: YAOCHI HOLY LAND

"Reading ten thousand volumes of books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. That’s probably the reasoning behind it!" Gu Sheng mused silently.

Although the Yaochi Holy Land is also located in the western part of Central Province, the west is vast. The distance from Dream Lake to the Turquoise Pool is roughly two hundred thousand miles, requiring the aid of a powerful teleportation array.

Su Yao paid two hundred Spirit Stones, and the two stepped onto the teleportation array.

As beams of dazzling light soared into the sky, the pair embarked on an arduous spatial journey.

Even with the teleportation array, it took them an hour to reach the Yaochi Holy Land.

In a flash of light, Gu Sheng felt his vision brighten. He and Su Yao had been teleported to the Yaochi Holy Land.

This was a realm as dreamlike and ethereal as an Immortal Realm.

White clouds swirled, Immortal Energy wafted, and distant mountain ranges loomed faintly, shrouded in a veil of mystery like a layer of delicate mist.

The waters of the Turquoise Pool rippled with emerald hues, reflecting the azure sky, white clouds, and the surrounding vibrant flowers and exotic plants—so breathtakingly beautiful it left one speechless.

"Young Master Gu, behold, this is our Yaochi Holy Land."

Su Yao pointed ahead, her tone infused with a hint of pride.

Gu Sheng cast his gaze forward and saw grand palaces floating in midair. Each palace radiated a gentle glow, resembling celestial stars.

Between the palaces were iridescent rainbow bridges upon which celestial maidens gracefully strolled, their flowing garments dancing as though painting an enchanting tableau.

"This truly is an earthly Immortal Realm!" Gu Sheng exclaimed in genuine admiration.

"Young Master Gu flatters us."

Su Yao replied modestly, "While our Yaochi Holy Land is indeed beautiful, its true significance lies in cultivation. If Young Master Gu is interested, I can show you our training facilities."

"I shall trouble Miss Su then." Gu Sheng bowed lightly.

The pair proceeded along a winding, serpentine path, encountering numerous disciples of the Yaochi Holy Land along the way.

These disciples greeted Su Yao respectfully, and Su Yao responded to each one in turn.

Gu Sheng noticed that the disciples here had extraordinary cultivation, their spirits vigorous and brimming with vitality.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Su!" A young girl in a pink dress appeared ahead and bowed respectfully upon spotting Su Yao.

"Hello, Junior Sister."

Responding with a warm smile, Su Yao added, "This is Gu Sheng, Young Master Gu—a distinguished guest of our Yaochi Holy Land."

"Greetings, Young Master Gu!"

The girl in the pink dress sized Gu Sheng up curiously before bashfully lowering her head.

Gu Sheng nodded slightly in acknowledgment and continued on his way.

Along the path, he encountered many remarkable sights.

For instance, mountain peaks enshrouded in Immortal Energy, with diverse rare flowers and exotic plants growing abundantly while enigmatic spiritual beasts frolicked freely.

Or shimmering pools of the Turquoise waters, where multicolored fish darted about playfully—these lively creatures exuded such adorable essence that one was tempted to reach out and touch them.

"Young Master Gu, look over there."

Suddenly, Su Yao pointed toward a distant mountain peak.

"That peak is called ’Sky Sword Peak.’ It’s one of the critical cultivation areas in our Yaochi Holy Land. Legend has it that the peak harbors an infinite reservoir of Sword Qi. Those who can grasp its mysteries may master formidable Sword Dao powers."

"Oh? Such a place truly exists?"

Gu Sheng’s interest was piqued. "Miss Su, have you ever been to Sky Sword Peak?"

"I’ve visited a few times," Su Yao nodded, "but the Sword Qi atop Sky Sword Peak is excessively sharp. With my cultivation, enduring it is still beyond me. If Young Master Gu is curious, you might want to give it a try."

"Then I shall see for myself," Gu Sheng resolved, excitement welling in his heart as he prepared to venture to Sky Sword Peak.

Sky Sword Peak soared into the heavens, resembling a giant sword piercing the clouds.

Thin mists swirled around the peak’s surroundings, and sharp Sword Qi occasionally emerged from the clouds, producing shrill whistling sounds that sliced through the air.

Standing at the base of Sky Sword Peak, Gu Sheng looked up to see a massive stone tablet towering on the summit. Engraved upon it were three bold characters: "Sky Sword Peak."

These characters’ strokes intersected intricately, resembling three swords entwined, emanating an awe-inspiring sharpness.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Sheng stepped forward toward Sky Sword Peak.

As he reached the stone tablet, a sudden surge of potent Sword Qi blasted him head-on.

Caught off-guard, he hastily channeled his internal power to counter the force. A muffled sound echoed—"Bang!"—as the Sword Qi repelled Gu Sheng several steps backward.

"Such powerful Sword Qi!"

Gu Sheng marveled inwardly. Just a tentative touch of Sky Sword Peak’s Sword Qi had already subjected him to such relentless opposition.

If venturing deeper, wouldn’t the dangers escalate exponentially?

Yet Gu Sheng was not one to give up easily.

With steady breaths, he recalibrated his Energy Flow before once again stepping toward Sky Sword Peak.

This time, he treaded cautiously, attentively alert to every surrounding shift.

As he gradually advanced deeper into Sky Sword Peak, the intensity of the Sword Qi around him escalated.

The myriad streams of Sword Qi converged into a vast, intricate web, poised to shred him to pieces.

However, Gu Sheng did not falter but instead stoked an unyielding spirit within.

Simultaneously parrying the Sword Qi’s assaults and seeking openings amidst its chaos, he pressed on.

Minutes turned into hours as Gu Sheng traversed farther into the heart of Sky Sword Peak.

By now, the density of Sword Qi reached an extreme—each strand carried lethal potency enough to vanquish him with ease.

At that moment, an extraordinary surge suddenly welled up beneath his feet.

This force erupted akin to a mighty dragon, breaking through the barriers of Sword Qi and soaring toward the heavens.

"Could this be... Earth Vein Energy?"

Gu Sheng’s heart stirred as he instantly discerned the origin of this force.

To his astonishment, he realized that beneath Sky Sword Peak lay a boundless source of Earth Vein Energy, melded elegantly with the pervasive Sword Qi, constituting an unparalleled and unique power.