CHAPTER 525: CHAPTER 286: YAOCHI HOLY LAND_2

"Since I’ve come, I cannot leave empty-handed."

Gu Sheng’s eyes flashed with a trace of resolute determination. He decided to use the Earth Vein Qi here to cultivate his technique.

He promptly sat cross-legged and began practicing the cultivation method of the Gale Nine Swords.

As he cultivated, the surrounding Sword Qi slowly began to be absorbed into his body, then merged with his True Qi.

The process of merging was excruciating, as though countless needles were piercing his flesh. Yet he gritted his teeth and endured because he knew this was the only path to grow stronger. Only by experiencing pain could one attain power.

In a courtyard within the Yaochi Holy Land, a woman of unparalleled beauty watched the scene with great interest.

"This man is no ordinary person. To think he has managed to enter the inner sacred grounds of our Sky Sword Peak."

Time flew by like a rushing river. In the blink of an eye, Gu Sheng had been cultivating at the base of Sky Sword Peak for three days and nights.

During those three days and nights, he underwent countless trials of pain and suffering, but he never wavered or gave up.

Through relentless effort, he successfully broke through from the Second Layer of the Marrow Refining Realm to the Third Layer.

At that moment, he felt as though his entire body was brimming with power, as if one punch could shatter the heavens.

Just as he was about to leave Sky Sword Peak, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

The previously tranquil sky suddenly darkened, dense clouds swirling as thunder rumbled across the heavens.

Immediately after, a massive bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking directly toward Gu Sheng’s head.

"Not good! A Heavenly Tribulation!"

Gu Sheng’s heart tightened as he instantly realized what was happening.

He hadn’t anticipated that breaking through his realm would trigger a Heavenly Tribulation. Such misfortune was beyond his imagination.

However, now that it had come to this, he could only brace himself to face this heavenly trial head-on.

"Boom~"

One by one, bolts of purple divine lightning descended from the sky, as if intent on destroying Sky Sword Peak and everything within Yaochi Holy Land.

Were it not for the protective array, this place would have been reduced to ashes.

At the Observatory, the Yaochi Saintess exclaimed in shock, "A Heavenly Tribulation descends?"

Not only the Yaochi Saintess, but the entire Yaochi Holy Land had been alerted by the terrifying phenomenon.

"Heavens, isn’t Young Master Gu only at the Marrow Refining Realm? How could he attract such an enormous Heavenly Tribulation?"

"Exactly! Normally, it would require at least the Sea Floor Realm to draw divine lightning!" Su Yao was equally astounded.

"It seems that Young Master Gu is truly extraordinary!"

At the base of Sky Sword Peak, Gu Sheng stared at the gathering tribulation clouds in the sky, his expression solemn.

Even though he had reached the Third Layer of the Marrow Refining Realm, the sudden Heavenly Tribulation still left him somewhat apprehensive.

"Boom~"

Thunder roared as though the wrath of a Heavenly God sought to annihilate the resilient young man who stood defiant beneath it.

"Young Master Gu!"

From afar, Su Yao gazed at Gu Sheng, her eyes brimming with worry.

Though she knew Gu Sheng was no ordinary person, the sheer might of the Heavenly Tribulation left her heart pounding with fear.

Gu Sheng took a deep breath, channeling the True Qi within him. His Ancient Sacred Body glowed with golden radiance, as if adorned with divine battle armor.

In his hand, the Jade Maiden Sword gleamed, its tip aimed toward the sky. He prepared to confront the descending tribulation head-on.

"Come forth, the first Heavenly Tribulation!"

Gu Sheng roared, his aura surging as though he were a War God incarnate.

As his voice echoed, a thick bolt of purple divine lightning struck down, aimed directly at his head.

Gu Sheng’s body flickered as he performed a masterful evasion, narrowly dodging the lightning while slashing at it with his sword.

"Boom!"

The clash of divine lightning and sword light erupted in a dazzling explosion of light.

Gu Sheng felt his arm go numb, but the divine lightning had been successfully dispersed by his strike.

"Such formidable Heavenly Tribulation!"

Though shocked internally, Gu Sheng’s fighting spirit burned even brighter.

At the Observatory, the Yaochi Saintess could hardly believe her eyes as she watched Gu Sheng’s display of strength.

"He... he actually withstood the Heavenly Tribulation?"

The elders nearby broke into discussions, marveling at Gu Sheng’s extraordinary power.

More waves of tribulation descended mercilessly, but Gu Sheng relied on his exceptional swordsmanship and movement technique to evade and counter them time and again.

His figure darted around the base of Sky Sword Peak like a golden streak of lightning.

"Boom~"

As the Heavenly Tribulation intensified, Gu Sheng began to feel its toll.

His robes were drenched with sweat, his complexion drained of color, but still, he gritted his teeth and stood firm. He understood this was the only way to grow stronger.

As he was nearing his limits, the Emerald Vine Demon Soul within him suddenly stirred violently.

A surge of corrosive power erupted from the Emerald Vine Demon Soul, rising straight into the heavens.

"This is... the power of the Emerald Vine Demon Soul?"

Gu Sheng’s heart trembled with realization, and he immediately channeled its strength to battle the Heavenly Tribulation.

The Emerald Vine Demon Soul morphed into a colossal dragon, its talons and fangs tearing toward the tribulation clouds.

Purple divine lightning clashed fiercely with the emerald dragon, creating an ear-shattering cacophony.

Under the influence of the powerful corrosive force, the tribulation clouds began to dissipate gradually.

The witnesses, wide-eyed and speechless, could scarcely fathom what they were seeing.

Had the Emerald Vine Demon Soul actually devoured the Heavenly Tribulation?

This defied belief!

Even Gu Sheng felt astonished yet elated. He hadn’t expected the Emerald Vine Demon Soul to possess such an astounding ability.

With its aid, he successfully overcame the Heavenly Tribulation.

"Boom!"

Gu Sheng casually threw a punch, and a nearby hill instantly crumbled. The ground cracked, and dust billowed in waves.

From a distance, the observing celestial maidens gaped in astonishment, momentarily stunned.

"How terrifying!"

"He didn’t even channel Spiritual Power!"

"That was simply raw physical strength, with one effortless punch!"

"Just how strong has he become?"

....

Gu Sheng felt an unparalleled surge of power coursing through him. Each punch delivered immense satisfaction, as though the world lay in his hands, ready to be reshaped with ease.

Though he had only advanced by one minor realm, the strength of his physical body had risen by an entire level.

Moving mountains by hand was now an effortless feat.

The sky gradually cleared, sunlight beaming down on Gu Sheng, bathing him in a golden halo.

He exhaled deeply, retracting his Jade Maiden Sword and the Emerald Vine Demon Soul before turning to walk toward Su Yao and the others.

"Young Master Gu!"

Su Yao hurried up to him excitedly. "Are you all right?"

"I’m fine," Gu Sheng replied with a calm smile. "All thanks to the help of the Emerald Vine Demon Soul."

The Yaochi Saintess also stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over Gu Sheng, a hint of admiration flickering in her eyes.

"Young Master Gu is truly gifted by the heavens, to have endured such a powerful Heavenly Tribulation."

"You’re too kind, Saintess,"

Gu Sheng cupped his hands in greeting. "Without the assistance of the Emerald Vine Demon Soul, I would have struggled against the might of the Heavenly Tribulation."

The others gathered around in congratulation, well aware that any cultivator who passed a Heavenly Tribulation was destined for greatness.

And with Gu Sheng enduring such a trial at the mere Third Layer of the Marrow Refining Realm, his future prospects were immeasurable.

A cold and detached voice suddenly rang out amidst the gathering: "Hmph! So what if you’ve survived the tribulation? In my eyes, you’re nothing more than an ant!"

The crowd turned swiftly, spotting a young man in black robes approaching slowly.

His face was sharp and sinister, his eyes brimming with an intense killing intent.

The black-robed man’s appearance instantly shattered the celebratory atmosphere, replacing it with one of wariness and tension.

Everyone stared at him, unsure of his origins.

"Who are you, to spout such arrogant words here?" the Yaochi Saintess asked coldly.

"Hahaha!"

The black-robed man laughed toward the heavens. "I am Ye Wuheng, Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect! Today, I’ve come to witness Young Master Gu’s so-called strength firsthand!"

"The Heavenly Demon Sect?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

The Heavenly Demon Sect was infamous for its wickedness and irreconcilable enmity with righteous cultivators.

As the sect’s Young Master, Ye Wuheng’s strength was undoubtedly exceptional.

Gu Sheng’s brows furrowed. He hadn’t expected such a formidable adversary to appear right after his tribulation.

But he didn’t back down. Instead, he stepped forward and said, "Ye Wuheng, is it? If you seek to test my strength, then come at me!"

"What boldness!"

Ye Wuheng’s eyes glinted with fleeting admiration, quickly overshadowed by an intense surge of killing intent.

"Let me see if your strength matches your audacity!"

With those words, Ye Wuheng’s figure blurred as he transformed into a black shadow, charging straight at Gu Sheng.

His speed was astonishing, and in the blink of an eye, he was at Gu Sheng’s side, a palm strike aiming for Gu Sheng’s chest.

"Boom!"

Gu Sheng, however, was already prepared. Utilizing the movement technique of the Gale Nine Swords, his figure shifted like the wind, deftly evading Ye Wuheng’s attack.