Here is the translation of the provided text:
"Hah!"
Gu Sheng was brimming with energy at this moment. He stretched out his limbs, stood up, and suddenly punched forward. A burst of explosive power emanated from his fist, producing a low, muffled bang.
Feeling the surge of power within him, Gu Shengâs face lit up with joy. "So this is the Silver Bone Realm! My strength is now at least twice as powerful as when I was in the Bronze Bone Realm! I reckon my punch carries about five thousand pounds of force now!"
After sensing the transformation in his strength, Gu Sheng retrieved the wooden box containing the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe, preparing to head to the Red Cloud Mountain Range to adapt to his new realm.
Just as Gu Sheng walked to the exit of the Fire Bamboo Forest, he encountered Lin Miaomiao rushing toward him.
Lin Miaomiaoâs expression was serious and carried a hint of cold resolve in her brows.
"Senior Sister Lin, whatâs the matter? Why do you look like this?"
Upon seeing Gu Sheng, Lin Miaomiao got straight to the point. "The Liu Yiming you spoke of has been found."
Gu Sheng was elated upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Where is he?"
Lin Miaomiao sighed deeply. "Heâs dead. His corpse was found in the depths of the Red Cloud Mountain Range. I went to examine it myselfâheâs been dead for some time now. The flesh on his body has been mostly scavenged by wild beasts, with only his face relatively intact. If not for that, I wouldnât even have recognized him."
Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng furrowed his brows tightly. "Why would he go to the Red Cloud Mountain Range out of nowhere?"
Lin Miaomiao shook her head. "His limbs and spine were forcefully broken by external force; he doesnât seem to have died at the hands of wild beasts. From my perspective, he was most likely murdered, and his body was dumped in the wilderness."
Anger surged in Gu Shengâs heart as he clenched his fists tightly. "He was always kind and amicable, never harboring grudges. Who would want to kill him?!"
At that moment, a flash of Shi Lezhiâs image crossed Gu Shengâs mind.
"It was him! It must be him!"
Lin Miaomiao appeared puzzled. "Youâre referring to...?"
"Shi Lezhi! Heâs petty and vengeful. After what happened last time, he couldnât retaliate against me, so he turned against Liu Yiming, who was close to me! It must be this way! Iâll kill that scum!"
Gu Sheng was so enraged that his eyes burned crimson. He spoke fiercely and was about to leave to find Shi Lezhi.
Lin Miaomiao hurriedly stopped him. "Junior Brother Gu, calm down! You canât act impulsively without evidence! Shi Lezhiâs father is an official, and if you recklessly kill him without proof, what good could come of it for you?!"
Gu Shengâs neck stiffened as he replied firmly, "Then Liu Yiming will have died in vain?"
To an errand disciple, their life was worth little. Even if clear evidence pointed to Shi Lezhi as the culprit, with his fatherâs status, he could easily bury the truth. Lin Miaomiao initially wanted to persuade Gu Sheng to let it go. However, seeing the fury in his bloodshot eyes, she hesitated.
"Junior Brother Gu, thatâs only your suspicion. You must not rush into action!"
Although Gu Sheng was filled with resentment, he had no choice but to hold off for lack of concrete evidence.
"Senior Sister Lin, where is his body? Please take me there."
Led by Lin Miaomiao, Gu Sheng saw Liu Yimingâs corpse.
Liu Yimingâs body was now unrecognizable. Most of the flesh had been scavenged by wild beasts, and what remained had turned purplish and rotten, emitting a foul stench. Gu Sheng did not show the slightest disgust. He crouched down and laid Liu Yimingâs still somewhat intact head flat.
It was already December, and the weather had turned cold. Though Liu Yimingâs head had swollen and begun to rot, his features could still be discerned.
Even now, his eyes remained wide open, a testament to the fear he must have felt before his death.
Guilt welled up in Gu Shengâs heart. To him, perhaps Liu Yiming wouldnât have died if not for him.
Overwhelmed by grief, Gu Sheng opened the wooden box, assembled the Thirst Blood Axe, and used it as a shovel to dig a pit on the spot, burying Liu Yimingâs remains.
Looking at the mound, Gu Sheng murmured softly, "Junior Brother Liu, rest in peace! I swear Iâll find the one who killed you and tear them to pieces to avenge you!"
"Senior Sister Lin, you should return first!"
Lin Miaomiao hastily tried to dissuade him. "Junior Brother Gu, the Thousand Poison Sectâs influence hasnât waned yet! Wu Xinyu made it clear lately that if you dare set foot in the Red Cloud Mountain Range, heâll ensure you donât come out alive! The Thousand Poison Sect has been showing their power recently. Even we disciples of War God Peak have suffered significant losses. Please, do not act recklessly!"
Gu Sheng released his Silver Bone Realm aura and smiled. "I feared him not even when I was in the Bronze Bone Realm, let alone now when Iâve reached the Silver Bone Realm! Rest easy, Senior Sister. I value my life and will proceed with caution."
When Lin Miaomiao sensed the aura of Gu Shengâs Silver Bone Realm, she was utterly shocked.
The Bone Cleansing Pill could indeed enable a cultivator in the Bronze Bone Realm to ascend to the Silver Bone Realm, but only after fully refining the medicineâs power!
Even someone like Huang Miaoyin, who was a step away from reaching the Silver Bone Realm, had yet to fully refine the pillâs effects, but Gu Sheng had succeeded. The disparity was evident.
Gu Sheng already had the ability to fight beyond his level while in the Bronze Bone Realm. With his cultivation now elevated and his weapon upgraded, he had transformed completelyâlike exchanging a musket for a cannon.
Lin Miaomiao couldnât help but feel a twinge of admiration. "People really arenât the same!"
"Alright! Stay safe!"
Gu Sheng faintly acknowledged her concerns, then carried the Thirst Blood Axe on his back as he headed toward the Thousand Poison Sectâs territory.
Once he left Lin Miaomiaoâs sight, Gu Sheng immediately activated the Shapeshifting technique, altering his appearance.
His features now appeared more mature, his figure significantly bulkier. Additionally, he employed the Snake Breath Skill to suppress his aura to the Copper Bone Realm.
In a certain brothel within Holy Pill City, Shi Lezhi had just finished his business and was engaged in intimate flirtation with a beauty when his door was suddenly knocked.
"Who is it?" Shi Lezhi asked impatiently.
A sycophantic voice responded from outside, "Lord Shi, itâs me!"
Recognizing the voice, Shi Lezhi quickly rose and put on his clothes. Turning to the naked woman on the bed, he commanded, "Get out!"
The woman pouted, seemingly wanting to protest, but Shi Lezhiâs expression turned dark. "Out!"
Seeing his anger, the woman reluctantly grabbed a thin veil and stepped out.
After the woman left, a servant disciple Shi Lezhi had previously threatened walked into the room.
Looking at the servant disciple, Shi Lezhi eagerly asked, "Did Gu Sheng enter the Red Cloud Mountain Range?"
The servant disciple nodded. "Yes! About two hours ago, he was with Senior Sister Lin. However, she returned after about thirty minutes, and I waited for a long time but didnât see Gu Sheng come back. So I rushed here to report to you."
Upon hearing this, Shi Lezhi burst into laughter. "Haha! I thought heâd hide like a coward forever! Good, good, good! Since he dared to enter the Red Cloud Mountain Range alone, he has chosen his path to death!"
Hearing these words, the servant disciple wished he could sew his ears shut, lowering his head to pretend he hadnât heard.
Within the Holy Pill Sect, the act of disciples killing each other was a grave offense. Hearing such things made him anxious.
Seeing the servant disciple trembling, Shi Lezhi sneered. "Why are you shaking? Relax. Since youâre working for me, I wonât treat you unfairly! You seem young and inexperienced... havenât enjoyed the pleasures of being a man, have you? Youâve done well today, so Iâll reward you properly!"
Shi Lezhi suddenly pressed him onto the bed, grinning. "Enjoy yourselfâIâll pay for it!"
Fully dressed, Shi Lezhi stepped out of the room and handed two silver notes to the woman who hadnât gone far. "That boy inside is inexperienced. Make sure to take good care of him!"
The woman accepted the silver notes with a delighted expression. "Lord Shi, donât worry! You know my skillsâitâll be a night he wonât forget!"
Leaving the brothel hurriedly, Shi Lezhi returned to his residence, grabbed a birdcage, and set off for the Red Cloud Mountain Range.
He swiftly moved through the mountain range, and as he approached the Thousand Poison Sectâs territory, he found a secluded spot to take off the Holy Pill Sect uniform and change into a purple-black outfit.
It was clearly a Thousand Poison Sect uniform!
After changing clothes, he continued heading toward the Thousand Poison Sectâs area. Shortly after, he encountered two Copper Bone Realm disciples of the Thousand Poison Sect.
These two disciples noticed Shi Lezhi and, finding him unfamiliar, exchanged glances before immediately drawing their blades!