Now, isnât this the perfect opportunity?
"Alright, I wholeheartedly agree!"
As Gu Shengâs spirited voice rang out, Wu Tianxiong, Xing Lie, Ying Tianxing, and Black Emperor all expressed their determination, vowing to pillage the Ji familyâs ancient mine.
Driven by purpose, the group sprang into action.
The night was as dark as ink, with stars scattered like specks of light. Beneath the cover of night, Gu Sheng and his companions stealthily approached the Ji familyâs ancient mine. The mine was brightly lit, and the sounds of labor filled the air. Yet, all of this was about to become history.
"Move!" Gu Sheng commanded in a low voice, his figure darting into the depths of the mine like a phantom.
Their goals were clear, heading straight for the core of the mine. Along the way, the mine guards fell one after another under Gu Shengâs groupâs swift assaults, powerless to resist.
Soon, they reached the core region, where Spirit Stones were piled high like mountains. Scattered Purple Spirit Stones shimmered enticingly, their glow tempting discovery.
"Haha, weâve hit the jackpot this time!" Kou Hai laughed exuberantly, immediately starting to gather Spirit Stones.
Just then, an alarm pierced the air, and two Sea Floor Realm elders, flanked by a group of guards, stormed in.
"Who are you people? How dare you trespass into the Ji familyâs mine?" one of the elders bellowed in fury.
"Hmph, weâre here to steal your Ji familyâs treasures!" Wu Tianxiong sneered coldly, initiating the attack without hesitation.
A fierce battle erupted instantly. Though Gu Shengâs group was outnumbered, their strength vastly surpassed that of their opponents. With the shimmering golden radiance of Gu Shengâs Ancient Sacred Body, he resembled a War God, striking down an elder with a single golden palm.
Xing Lie, Kou Hai, and the others also unleashed their Divine Skills, engaging the enemies relentlessly. It didnât take long for the two elders to fall in battle, prompting two remaining elders to flee in panic.
"Donât let them escape!" Gu Sheng shouted, chasing after them.
But at that moment, an even stronger presence descended from the skiesâJi familyâs young geniuses, Ji Xuri and Ji Yewei, had arrived on the scene with five elders in tow.
"Who are you people, to dare cause chaos in my Ji familyâs mine?" Ji Xuri demanded coldly, his cultivation already at the Third Layer Heaven of the Sea Floor Realm, his cultivation technique evoking the phenomena of the rising sun over the seaâan aura that struck fear in all those present.
"Hmph, weâre here to steal your Ji familyâs treasures!" Gu Sheng declared fearlessly, "Now that youâre here, letâs settle this once and for all!"
"Arrogant fool!" Ji Xuri roared angrily, his figure flashing as he launched an attack on Gu Sheng. Each of his strikes carried the weight of mountains, capable of annihilating all.
Gu Sheng refused to back down. Activating his cultivation technique, visions of rivers, mountains, lakes, seas, mythical creatures, and wild beasts materialized around him, his aura surging to the heavens. He struck a golden palm to counter Ji Xuriâs attack directly.
With a deafening explosion, both combatants retreated several steps. Gu Sheng felt a numbing pain in his arm but knew he couldnât afford to retreat.
Meanwhile, Xing Lie, Kou Hai, and the others clashed fiercely with the Ji familyâs elders and Martial Artists. Despite being outnumbered, Gu Shengâs group relentlessly attacked, forcing their opponents onto the back foot.
"Withdraw!" Gu Sheng saw the time was ripe and shouted decisively, leading the group in retreat from the mine. He knew their mission had succeeded, and there was no need to further entangle with the Ji family.
Gu Shengâs group fought as they retreated, quickly disappearing into the night. Though Ji Xuri and the others burned with rage, they knew pursuit was futile, forced to watch helplessly as their enemies escaped.
The raid on the Ji familyâs mine yielded considerable bounty for Gu Shengâs group. Not only did they acquire abundant Spirit Stones and Purple Spirit Stones, but they also unearthed several primal stones pulsing with the essence of life. This haul was enough to elevate their cultivation significantly.
"Hahaha! This time, weâve really struck it rich!" Kou Hai laughed heartily, "Gu Sheng, you truly are our lucky star!"
"Donât get too complacent." Gu Sheng warned coolly, "The Ji family wonât let this matter rest. We need to be prepared for whatâs to come."
"Whatâs there to fear? With you around, weâve nothing to worry about!" Wu Tianxiong exclaimed boldly.
"Exactly! With Brother Gu by our side, we fear nothing!" echoed the others.
As Gu Sheng gazed at their increasingly confident faces, his own heart swelled with resolve.
The night remained ink-dark, the stars sparse. Gu Sheng and his group sped through dense forests. Though they had put some distance between themselves and the Ji familyâs mine, their nerves were still taut.
"Stay alert. The Ji family could catch up at any moment," Gu Sheng cautioned, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings vigilantly.
Just then, the sound of cutting wind arose from the rear. Gu Shengâs group instantly turned, alert. Ji Xuri and Ji Yewei, accompanied by a few elders, were rapidly closing in.
"Haha, you sure retreat quickly!" Ji Xuri sneered scornfully, his figure flashing eerily as he appeared before them, "But do you honestly think you can evade my grasp?"
Gu Sheng stared icily at him. "Ji Xuri, since we dared to raid your Ji familyâs mine, rest assuredâweâve already planned our escape."
"Escape? Hah! What a joke!" Ji Yewei scoffed, her icy gaze piercing through them, "Today, all of you will pay the price for your audacity."
"Pay the price? That depends on whether you have the strength to demand it!" Gu Sheng retorted defiantly, subtly signaling his companions to prepare for combat.
"Whoosh!"
Ji Xuri launched the first strike, flashing into position in front of Gu Sheng and striking with a fierce palm wind. "Die!"
Gu Sheng swiftly dodged, countering with his cultivation technique and releasing a golden palm in response. "How about tasting this palm yourself!"
The two palms collided with a thunderous boom, sending both adversaries retreating several steps.
"Not bad, but itâs far from enough!" Ji Xuri sneered, launching another barrage of ferocious attacks.
Simultaneously, Xing Lie, Kou Hai, and the others locked horns with the Ji family elders.
"Clang! Clang! Bang!"
The clash of weapons and bodies filled the air.
However, despite their formidable strength, Gu Shengâs group was ultimately outnumbered and began to falter. Gu Shengâs eyes glinted cunningly as he suddenly activated the Grass Vine Demon Soul, unleashing corrosive energy toward Ji Xuri.
"Ah!" Ji Xuri hadnât anticipated this move. Though he managed to avoid critical harm, the corrosion had eaten into his sleeveâa realization that visibly darkened his expression. "What is this infernal trickery?"
"Hmph! This is the price you pay for underestimating us!" Gu Sheng snickered coldly.
The battle resumed, chaotic and intense. Gu Shengâs group gradually regained their rhythm. Their synchronized teamwork enabled them to fend off the Ji familyâs onslaught without fear. Gu Sheng, especially, shone with unstoppable vigor. Each swing of his golden fists was imbued with overwhelming power as visions of rivers, lands, mythical creatures, and wild beasts erupted from his cultivation.
Eventually, the Ji family elders succumbed, one after another, leaving only Ji Xuri and Ji Yewei holding their ground. However, even they were clearly outmatched and struggling.
In a sudden move, Gu Sheng seized the opportunity to capture Ji Yewei. "Stop, all of you! Or donât blame me for what happens next!"
Ji Xuri paused his attack when he saw her predicament. "Gu Sheng, release her immediately!"
"Release her? Fine. But only after you guarantee our safe departure!" Gu Sheng demanded, his grip firm on Ji Yeweiâs throat.
Ji Xuriâs gaze wavered briefly before he reluctantly opened the path. "Leave!"
Gu Shengâs group quickly withdrew, but Ji Xuri wasnât about to let things end there. As they began disappearing into the night, Ji Xuri launched a sudden attack, attempting to rescue Ji Yewei.
Gu Sheng was prepared. Utilizing the Grass Vine Demon Soul, he burrowed underground, escaping rapidly via the subterranean river with Ji Yewei in tow, embarking on an extraordinary journey.
"Let me go!" Ji Yewei struggled and protested.
"Stay still, or I canât guarantee your safety!" Gu Sheng warned.
Trapped within the underground riverâs confines, a tense silence reigned between them. Curious despite herself, Ji Yewei started observing Gu Sheng more closely as their journey stretched on.
"Why are you opposing my Ji family?" she finally asked.
"Hmph! Your Ji family exploits and oppresses the common people. I couldnât stand back and do nothing," Gu Sheng retorted coldly.
"There are countless injustices in the world. Will you intervene in all of them?" Ji Yewei countered sharply.