The mythical creature roared repeatedly, unleashing Thunder Fire attacks in an attempt to force the two to retreat.
Gu Sheng and Shangguan Yudie cooperated seamlessly, one attacking and the other defending, thwarting the creatureâs intentions.
"This creature is truly formidable. We must handle it carefully," Gu Sheng said while attacking.
"Yes, its physical body is extraordinarily toughâour attacks might not be able to break through its defenses," Shangguan Yudie agreed with a nod.
Both understood that to defeat the mythical creature, they would have to find its weakness.
Thus, they began their persistent probing and attacking, searching tirelessly for its flaws.
After a grueling battle, the two finally discovered the creatureâs weaknessâits eyes.
"Boom!"
Gu Sheng activated his Ancient Sacred Body, his whole body radiating golden light. After feinting several punches, he seized the moment to deliver a powerful blow straight to the creatureâs eyes. It let out a piercing scream, raging furiously, charging chaos all around.
"Great Vajra Palm!"
The golden radiance of the Ancient Sacred Body expanded, manifesting a colossal palm-shaped shadow. Overlaying his physical palm, it pressed down like a towering mountain toward the mythical creatureâs massive frame.
"Boomâ"
With a deafening crash, the ground quaked violently as Gu Sheng summoned the Jade Maiden Sword. A massive golden sword shadow descended forcefully, cleaving the mythical creature in two.
"Swish!"
Green vines shot out swiftly, wrapping around the mythical creature, emitting sizzling corrosive sounds as its flesh rapidly dissolved into streams of energy absorbed by the vines.
The battle concluded, leaving the two exhausted but fulfilled as they sat by the fallen creature.
Flames danced in Gu Shengâs hand as the creatureâs meat roasted over the flame, releasing a tantalizing aroma. The sizzling sound of oils contrasted starkly with the surrounding silence.
Shangguan Yudie leaned in gently, her eyes brimming with curiosity and anticipation.
She delicately picked up a piece of golden roasted meat and tasted it. Instantly, its rich juices burst in her mouth.
"Wow, this creatureâs meat is incredibly delicious! Iâve never tasted anything so extraordinary!" Shangguan Yudie exclaimed in admiration.
Gu Sheng chuckled and handed her a pot of wine:
"Not only is this creatureâs body exceptionally tough, but its meat is also an excellent resource for cultivation. Here, try this fruit wineâitâs a perfect complement to our adventure."
They drank together, the fragrance of the wine intermingling with the aroma of the meat, as if dispelling some of the tension and fatigue from earlier.
Under the influence of the wine, Shangguan Yudieâs cheeks bloomed with a faint blush. The way she looked at Gu Sheng carried a hint of dazed tenderness.
Gu Sheng brought out a wooden barrel, his green vine transformed into a pipe to draw from the richly saturated life essence below the ground within the mystic realm.
Soon, the barrel was filled with vibrant emerald liquid, brimming with boundless vitality.
"Such concentrated life energy! If absorbed, it will considerably enhance our cultivation," Shangguan Yudie marveled.
Gu Sheng nodded and made a suggestion: "You should sit inside the barrel and absorb it; youâll gain better results."
Though hesitant at first, Shangguan Yudie warmed to the idea when she saw the sincerity in Gu Shengâs eyes. She nodded softly.
She stepped into the barrel gracefully, instantly feeling a cool current entering her body, as though countless tiny spirits were dancing through her meridians.
Watching Shangguan Yudieâs blissful expression, a wave of warmth surged in Gu Shengâs heart.
He removed his outer garment and stepped into the barrel slowly, sitting shoulder to shoulder with Shangguan Yudie.
Their bodies pressed closely together, and Shangguan Yudieâs heartbeat resonated in Gu Shengâs ears, like a harmonious melody.
Bathed in the life essence, the light radiating from both of them seemed serene, as if they had become divine lovers of the mystical realm.
"Gu Sheng, you... youâre so wonderful," Shangguan Yudie said softly, her voice tinged with shyness and ambiguity.
Gu Sheng chuckled lightly and stretched his arm to pull Shangguan Yudie into an embrace:
"Yudie, weâve weathered so many storms together. I hope we can continue walking this path side by side."
Their hearts aligned at that moment, as if the entire world had vanished, leaving only the two of them.
They embraced quietly, savoring the rare tranquility and warmth.
Amidst the enchanting beauty of the mystic realm, their feelings flowed like the life essenceâendlessly, gently, and beautifully.
After engaging in Dual Cultivation, both Gu Sheng and Shangguan Yudie radiated an aura of greater stability and profundity.
The two exchanged a knowing smile, understanding the unspoken bond between them, before continuing their quest for the Dragon Ball.
At the center of nine Holy Mountains lay a majestic golden dragon, its mouth spewing life-infused Divine Liquid like a cascading waterfall. A fist-sized Dragon Ball rested within the Divine Liquidâs nourishing embrace, gleaming with vibrant vitality.
Shangguan Yudie gazed at the Dragon Ball, a flicker of disappointment crossing her eyes:
"Why is there only one Dragon Ball? Do we have to keep searching for the others?"
Gu Sheng gently patted her shoulder, consoling her:
"Donât worry; thereâs no way the Dragon Ball exists alone. Since there are seven Holy Mountains surrounding this place, there must be other Dragon Balls around. Letâs take our timeâweâll find them eventually."
Just as the two moved closer to the Dragon Ball, arrays of light abruptly lit up, forming dazzling barriers.
Suddenly, an ethereal voice echoed: "Youâve fallen into my Binding Immortal Arrayâyouâll never escape in this lifetime!"
They looked up, and in the sky appeared an elder carrying a jade scepter, his gaze sinister and cruel, like a Demon Lord controlling all.
"For countless years, numerous prodigies have become nothing more than fodder to nurture the Dragon Ball!"
The elder sneered coldly, saying, "The two of you have decent potentialâitâs fitting for you to serve as nutrients... Donât be afraid; becoming food for the Dragon Ball is your glory."