CHAPTER 711: CHAPTER 379: SIEGE BY THREE FAMILIES_2

"Is this... Saintess Tianxuan?" Jiang Hanzhong’s voice carried a trace of trembling. He had once personally witnessed the grace of this foremost Holy Daughter of the East Desolation, but the woman before him was no longer the flawless, pure maiden he remembered.

"How did she become like this?" Ji Yunfeng asked in a deep voice, his face full of disbelief.

"There’s only one possibility. She has become a ’Desolate Slave,’" Xu Daoling said, his tone filled with helplessness and regret.

The three shared a glance, and a flicker of determination flashed in their eyes. They knew that in facing such an existence, a full-force battle was the only chance to grasp a fleeting hope.

"Boom—" The three elders struck simultaneously, displaying their Divine Skills. The phantoms of mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, flowers, birds, and mystical beasts manifested behind them, as though they sought to channel the world’s powers into their combined attack.

When Saintess Tianxuan gently waved her hand, all their attacks instantly dispersed into nothingness. A strange smile appeared on her face, as though she was watching three insignificant ants futilely struggling.

"How can this be?!" Jiang Hanzhong exclaimed in shock, their combined effort utterly ineffective against this former Holy Daughter.

At that moment, Gu Sheng suddenly sensed a mighty aura surging from behind. Turning around, he saw Jiang Hanzhong holding a replica of the Desolation Tower Remnant, radiating an overwhelming force.

"This is our only hope!" Jiang Hanzhong roared, hurling the Desolation Tower Remnant fiercely at Saintess Tianxuan.

"Boom—" The Desolation Tower Remnant unleashed astonishing power, temporarily suppressing Saintess Tianxuan. But it was only a brief calm. When the tower’s impact subsided, she once again stood before them, unscathed.

"You’ve... angered me now," Saintess Tianxuan said coldly and bizarrely, her voice chilling as though emanating from deep beneath the Nine Nether Abyss.

As her words fell, the bodies of Jiang Hanzhong, Ji Yunfeng, and Xu Daoling suddenly exploded into dust. The knights and beasts at the foot of the Holy Mountain also perished in an instant, seemingly erased by an invisible force.

Gu Sheng’s heart tightened. He knew he was no match for this Desolate Slave. But now, he had no choice but to step forward—for the innocent lives, and for himself.

"Swish—" Gu Sheng’s figure flickered as he charged at Saintess Tianxuan. He activated Gale Nine Swords, Invisibility Technique, and Shadow Concealment Skill simultaneously, while employing the speed-based cultivation technique Carefree Ascension Step, making him as swift as lightning. Yet, when his strike was about to reach Saintess Tianxuan, she blocked it with a mere wave of her hand.

"Is this all you’ve got?" Saintess Tianxuan taunted, a trace of disdain in her eyes.

Gu Sheng’s heart sank, but he did not give up. Taking a deep breath, he invoked one of the Nine Mystical Secrets—the "Creation Secret." Instantly, his combat strength surged, golden radiance flowing across his body, transforming him into a golden War God.

"Daoist Scripture Golden Book!" Gu Sheng shouted, transforming the Daoist Scripture Golden Book into a golden sword and summoning it forth. The sword radiated immense power, as though capable of tearing through all obstructions. Upon seeing the sword, a hint of apprehension flickered in Saintess Tianxuan’s eyes. She dodged, narrowly evading Gu Sheng’s deadly strike.

"Interesting," Saintess Tianxuan said coolly, "but you’re still too weak."

Before her words could settle, she struck out with a palm, sending a black handprint hurtling toward Gu Sheng.

The handprint emanated a sinister aura, seeming capable of devouring all life force.

Gu Sheng’s nerves tensed, but he did not shy away.

He channeled the powers of Grass Vine Demon Soul and the Sacred Bodhi Seed, confronting the black handprint head-on.

"Boom—" The two forces collided violently in mid-air, unleashing a shockwave of tremendous energy.

Gu Sheng felt an immense force surge into his body, making his internal organs seem as though they would shatter.

Gritting his teeth, he endured the pain and poured every ounce of his strength into resisting the black handprint.

Just then, the wheel of life beneath his navel began to emit phantoms of mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, flowers, birds, and mystical beasts.

These phantoms seemed to contain boundless strength, filling Gu Sheng with an inexplicable sense of encouragement and empowerment.

Harnessing this newfound strength, he pushed back forcefully, astonishingly repelling the black handprint!

"Impossible?!" Saintess Tianxuan gasped, evidently unprepared for Gu Sheng’s hidden trump card.

Without allowing her time to react, Gu Sheng darted forward once more, the golden sword in his grasp emitting dazzling light.

"Slash—" The golden sword pierced through Saintess Tianxuan’s body instantly. Yet she did not fall—instead, she revealed an ominous smile. "Do you think this means victory?"

With her chilling words, Gu Sheng felt a powerful suction emanating from her wound, as if attempting to consume his very soul!

"This is bad!" Gu Sheng exclaimed internally, struggling desperately to escape the pull, but finding himself immobilized as his life force rapidly drained away. He was nearly at his limit.

In this moment of life and death, the green copper block in Gu Sheng’s sea of consciousness began to tremble. Sensing its master’s peril, it erupted with an intense wave of energy.

"Buzz—" The green copper block transformed into a streak of green light, shooting forward and striking Saintess Tianxuan directly. She let out a shriek, her figure sent flying, ultimately plummeting into the depths of the Ancient Abyss.

Gu Sheng exhaled deeply, feeling as though his body had been entirely drained. Struggling to his feet, he realized his life force was nearly depleted. Yet he knew he could not stop—he had to move forward, to seek the legendary Divine Medicine and restore his strength.

Slowly, he dragged his weary body forward, step by step. Finally, not far ahead, he caught sight of an extraordinary scene: several ancient trees emitting a faint glow, their leaves shimmering with spiraling spiritual energy; a crystalline spring bubbling with Divine Spring water, radiating rich life force.

"Is this... Divine Medicine?" Gu Sheng’s heart surged with joy as he staggered toward it. Unable to sustain himself, he collapsed headfirst into the clear spring.

"Ah—" Gu Sheng sighed deeply, feeling as though he had been reborn. The Divine Spring water nourished his body, rapidly replenishing his life force. He knew he had survived this ordeal.

Meanwhile, deep within the abyss, Saintess Tianxuan had vanished. Yet the mysterious green copper block continued to emit a faint glow, silently guarding its master.

Gu Sheng stood up, sensing the revitalized power coursing through him.

"Gulp, gulp—" Gu Sheng drank deeply from the Divine Spring, feeling the cool liquid stream through his body, awakening each cell within him. As the spring enveloped his wounds, it felt like being cradled in a mother’s comforting embrace, warm and secure.

The Divine Spring water brimmed with boundless vitality, streaming like gentle currents into Gu Sheng’s flesh and soul, slowly repairing the damage from his battle. He felt as though he had been transported to a magical Immortal Realm, where fatigue and pain vanished under the spring’s restoration.

"This is incredible!" Gu Sheng exclaimed, his voice echoing around the spring, tinged with amazement and gratitude.

Over time, Gu Sheng observed his strength gradually returning. His muscles grew firm with power, and his bones became resilient. Brimming with renewed vitality, he was overwhelmed by an urge to roar aloud.

At that moment, his gaze landed on eleven ancient trees surrounding the spring. Though not grand in stature, each tree exuded a mystical and primeval presence. Within their branches gleamed golden fruits, fragrant and alluring.

"Could these be the legendary Holy Medicine?" Gu Sheng wondered, his heart stirring. Carefully, he plucked one golden fruit and placed it in his mouth.

As the fruit melted instantly, an indescribably sweet and pure energy erupted in his mouth, flowing with apparent sentience into every corner of his body. The energy nourished his flesh and soul alike.