Chapter 323 Petal by Petal Poison of the Lotus
During an intense battle with the jungle lightning wolf, Su Yao was accidentally scratched by its claws, and her clothes were stained with blood. Gu Sheng, seeing this, felt a tightness in his chest and rushed forward to check her injury.
"Are you alright?" Gu Sheng asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Su Yao gritted her teeth and replied, "It's just a minor wound."
Gu Sheng looked at her steadfast demeanor, and a wave of tenderness surged in his heart. Reaching out, he gently wiped away the blood on her face. "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I won't let you get hurt," he said softly.
Their gazes locked, and the air between them was tinged with subtle intimacy. However, at that moment, an even more formidable Demon Beast—a Xuan Tian Bear—appeared before them.
"You dare trespass into my territory!" The Xuan Tian Bear roared furiously, swinging its massive bear paw at them.
Gu Sheng's mind raced as the Grass Vine Demon Soul transformed once more into the Green Lotus Vortex to meet the attack. The collision of the lotus and the bear's paw created a deafening boom. The Xuan Tian Bear's strength was overwhelmingly powerful; the Green Lotus Vortex couldn't completely absorb it.
"This is bad!" Gu Sheng cursed in his heart, realizing he needed to quickly come up with a strategy, or both of them would be in grave danger.
Just then, Su Yao suddenly shouted, "Look there, Gu Junior Brother!" She pointed to a cave behind the Xuan Tian Bear. "There's something glowing inside!"
Gu Sheng focused his gaze and indeed saw a crystal-clear Water Spirit Pearl emitting a soft glow in the cave.
"It's the fifth Water Spirit Pearl!" Gu Sheng exclaimed in surprise. "We have to find a way to get it!"
"But this Xuan Tian Bear is too difficult to deal with," Su Yao said anxiously, "What should we do?"
Gu Sheng's eyes flashed with determination. "You distract it while I go fetch the Water Spirit Pearl."
Su Yao nodded and agreed to the plan. She wielded her longsword and engaged in a fierce fight with the Xuan Tian Bear, while Gu Sheng seized the opportunity to approach the cave.
When he finally grasped the fifth Water Spirit Pearl, an uncontrollable wave of joy surged within him. With this pearl, their strength would be elevated to an
entire new level!
"Awooo~"
However, just then, the Xuan Tian Bear let out an ear-splitting roar as it noticed Gu Sheng's intent, and lunged toward him with ferocity.
"Careful, Junior Brother Gu!" Su Yao cried out in alarm.
Gu Sheng smiled faintly and, instead of evading, charged straight toward the Xuan Tian Bear. At the critical moment, he pushed the Grass Vine Demon Soul to unleash a massive Green Lotus, tightly enveloping the Xuan Tian Bear.
"Ssss…"
The corrosive power of the Green Lotus rapidly eroded the Xuan Tian Bear's flesh, causing it to let out bloodcurdling screams.
This was merely a small secret realm of the Turquoise Pool Holy Land; the Turquoise Pool contained many similar realms.
The days of happiness are always fleeting. Not long after, Gu Sheng received an invitation from Flowers Valley within the Demon Clan's domain and traveled there alone.
Inside Flowers Valley, colorful lanterns adorned the area, and the scene was bustling with excitement and festivity. As soon as Gu Sheng landed, he was amazed by the sights before him. The valley was filled with the intoxicating fragrance of flowers, with exotic blooms vying for attention in a way that resembled an Immortal Realm. The Demon Clan inhabitants were lively and jubilant, singing and dancing in celebration of this rare occasion.
"Young hero Gu, you've finally arrived!" Saint Master Yan Ruyu of the Demon Clan approached him wearing elegant ceremonial attire, her bearing dignified and graceful. Her face radiated an expression of gratitude as she greeted him warmly. "Today is a grand occasion for our Demon Clan. Thank you for coming."
"You're too gracious, Saint Master Ruyu. Being invited here is truly an honor for me," Gu Sheng replied courteously with a cupped hand salute.
At that moment, the Peacock King also approached, laughing heartily. "Gu Sheng, you've done a great service for our Demon Clan this time. Today's celebration is held specifically in your honor!"
"Oh? I wonder what merit I've achieved?" Gu Sheng asked, feigning curiosity.
"Hahaha, stop being modest, lad," Peacock King said, patting Gu Sheng's shoulder. "If not for your intervention, how could we have smoothly reclaimed the Devil Emperor's Heart?"
Speaking to this point, Peacock King paused briefly before continuing. "Moreover, your assistance not only allowed us to retrieve the Devil Emperor's Heart but also helped Yan Ruyu inherit the position of Saint Master for the Demon Clan. This kindness—our Demon Clan will never forget."
Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng felt a stir in his heart but kept his expression composed, offering only a faint smile. "Senior Peacock King flatters me. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
At this moment, numerous beauties of the Demon Clan, including Bai Qi Fairy, Elder Xuanbing, Elder Ziwei, and others, gathered around Gu Sheng, eagerly thanking him.
"Young hero Gu, you're truly the benefactor of our Demon Clan!" Bai Qi Fairy said with a charming smile.
"Indeed, indeed, young hero Gu, your kindness will never be forgotten by our Demon Clan," Elder Xuanbing chimed in.
Surrounded by numerous admirers, Gu Sheng was escorted to the seat of honor. Yan Ruyu raised her cup and proclaimed loudly, "Today is the great celebration day of our Demon Clan. Thank you all for being here. Especially to young hero Gu—you have done us an immense favor. Let us all raise our glasses in gratitude to him!"
"Cheers!" the crowd echoed in unison, their exuberance filling the air.
As night fell, the celebrations eventually grew quiet.
Yan Ruyu walked softly toward Gu Sheng's residence, her heart filled with expectation and a touch of nervousness. After more than a year apart, her longing for him surged like an unstoppable tide. Tonight, she resolved to face him as her most genuine self, setting aside any pretense.
Yan Ruyu gently knocked on the door, and Gu Sheng's voice sounded from inside, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Yan Ruyu," she replied softly.
The door creaked open, revealing Gu Sheng's silhouette standing in the doorway. His eyes flashed with surprise. "Saint Master Ruyu, what brings you here so late?"