"Come out, you coward! If you have guts, donât hide!"
Qingmu replied.
"Have the guts for a duel!"
Gu Shengâs voice echoed again.
Qingmu hovered in mid-air, pondering to himself, then nodded and said, "Fine, a duel it is! I swear Iâll take you down!"
After speaking, Qingmu glanced at his Qingxia Sect followers.
But what Qingmu didnât know was that Gu Sheng saw all this in the Void.
Yet dragging it out like this was pointless; time was limited in the Void, so better to turn the tables.
Thinking this, Gu Sheng suddenly emerged from the Void.
"Whoa!"
Seeing Gu Sheng abruptly appear from thin air indeed startled Qingmu.
"Why are you hiding? Come on!"
Qingmu braved up, pointing his curved blade at Gu Sheng, shouting.
Gu Sheng said nothing more, a chill flashing in his eyes.
Taking advantage of the Qingxia Sect members not yet reacting, he charged directly at Qingmu.
At this moment, Gu Shengâs speed reached its pinnacle!
Like an unexpected lightning bolt, difficult to catch.
Qingmu couldnât dodge and instinctively blocked with his curved blade.
"Clang!"
A piercing sound echoed again.
Gu Sheng summoned Mystic Yellow Power, his force unbelievably strong, seeming to distort the air around.
In an instant, dust flew and stones scattered, wind and clouds surged, the scene was spectacular and heart-stirring.
"Boom!"
With a loud crash, Qingmuâs curved blade was knocked to the ground by Gu Shengâs attack.
Qingmu looked at his palm, which had split open, blood flowing down his hand.
Meanwhile, Gu Sheng did not give Qingmu a chance to catch his breath.
He gripped the Fire Spirit Dagger like a fiery snake, stabbing directly at Qingmuâs chest.
"No!"
Qingmu shouted in despair, his eyes full of reluctance.
The other Qingxia Sect cultivators beside him wanted to rush forward to help.
But it was all too late...
The Fire Spirit Dagger pierced Qingmuâs chest, bringing forth a spray of blood.
"Pu!"
Qingmuâs body jerked violently, spitting out blood, then fell straight to the ground.
"Boom!"
Qingmuâs body hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The other Qingxia Sect members saw this and retreated in fear.
Their eyes were filled with terror; they hadnât expected the young manâs power to be so formidable.
They knew that in a solo fight, none of them were a match for Gu Sheng; even in practice, they might not be able to defeat him.
Gu Sheng looked at them coldly, and said chillingly, "Go back and tell the Qingxia Sect not to provoke me again, or Qingmu will be your fate."
Those Qingxia Sect members didnât dare say more; they picked up Qingmuâs corpse and fled like frightened dogs.
Gu Sheng returned to the ground, with traces of blood on him, his eyes still murderous.
"This kid has offended the Qingxia Sect; thereâll be consequences."
"Who is he? So powerful, never seen him before."
"As the Yangtze River pushes forward with new waves, I see this child has the potential to become the new leader of the Northern Territory!"
Gu Shengâs figure gradually faded away on the streets of Sun City, leaving a trail of gossip.
The residentsâ eyes were full of awe, quietly discussing everything that had happened.
At the same time, Gu Shengâs name spread amongst them.
Soon, Gu Sheng returned to his room at the inn.
Upon entering, what he saw surprised him.
Qing Shan stood guard beside Shi Lou and Er Gou, vigilantly watching the surroundings, not letting anyone approach.
"Big brother!"
Qing Shan greeted Gu Sheng eagerly upon seeing him.
Gu Sheng heard the title and nodded slightly.
He hadnât expected Qing Shan to stand by him without taking advantage of the situation, proving to be quite loyal.
"Qing Shan, thank you."
Gu Shengâs voice carried a hint of appreciation.
Qing Shan shook his head, his gaze firm, saying, "I know Qingmu was using public vengeance for personal revenge, so naturally I stand by you."
Gu Sheng nodded, pleased with Qing Shanâs loyalty.
In this world, loyalty is a rare trait.
"Big brother, you should leave here quickly."
Qing Shan advised, "Once I return, Iâll try to stop Qingxia Sect from retaliating."
Gu Shengâs eyes flashed coldly, saying lightly, "Iâm not afraid of them; if they want revenge, they can come directly."
Qing Shan knew Gu Shengâs strength, but he was still worried.
"Big brother, Qingxia Sectâs power is not to be underestimated. Be careful, besides, itâs not just you, there are others."
Qing Shan said, glancing at Er Gou and Shi Lou.
Gu Sheng nodded, knowing Qing Shan meant well.
Thinking it over, Gu Sheng nodded and said, "I will leave the Northern Territory, but not to escape."
"Good, thatâs a relief."
Hearing Gu Shengâs response, Qing Shan breathed a sigh of relief, then cautioned, "Big brother, when leaving the Northern Territory, circumvent Qingxia Mountain Range. Thatâs Qingxia Sectâs territory; once you enter, you will be detected. Be careful!"
Gu Sheng nodded, knowing Qing Shan spoke truthfully.
He patted Qing Shanâs shoulder, "Thank you, Qing Shan, take care after you return too."
"Donât worry, itâs my good fortune to meet such a big brother."
Qing Shan nodded, then left the room.
Gu Sheng approached Er Gou and Shi Lou, examining Shi Louâs injuries.
By now, the bleeding wounds had mostly healed, and Er Gou had also regained clarity.
"How are you? Can you walk?"
Gu Sheng asked.
"Iâm fine."
Shi Lou replied with difficulty.
"Iâm good too."
Er Gou chimed in.
"Alright, itâs not safe here anymore; Iâll call a carriage, letâs return to Stone Village."
Gu Sheng said sternly.
"Alright."
Er Gou and Shi Lou nodded simultaneously.
Soon, Gu Sheng found a carriage in Sun City, let Shi Lou and Er Gou ride in it, while he sat in front, heading towards Stone Village.
After two daysâ journey, the three finally returned to Stone Village.
Throughout, Er Gouâs injuries mostly healed.
As for Shi Lou, due to both internal and external injuries, he only recovered halfway.
Upon seeing her son, who had left the village for several days, Shi Louâs mother rushed over.
"Lou, whatâs happened to you?"
Shi Louâs mother asked worriedly.
"Itâs nothing, just a small injury."
Shi Lou smiled lightly.
"Small injury? You... Oh dear! Quickly, letâs go home, Iâll change your medicine."
Shi Louâs mom said, glaring at Gu Sheng, then pulled Shi Lou home.
Gu Shengâs face bore an apology, after all, Shi Lou had followed him intact.
But returned injured.
Shi Louâs mother had also been gracious enough to Gu Sheng; otherwise, she might have yelled insults.
"Xiao Sheng!"
Suddenly, Master Zhangâs voice sounded.
Gu Sheng turned to look at Master Zhang, whose face was somber.
"Youâre back."
Master Zhang asked with a low voice.
"Yes."
Gu Sheng nodded.
"Follow me."
Master Zhang said, turning to leave.
"Er Gou, go rest; call me if you need anything."
As Gu Sheng prepared to leave with Master Zhang, he reminded Er Gou.
"Got it."
Er Gou replied as he headed home.
Soon, Gu Sheng followed Master Zhang to the village council hall.
Currently, the hall held only Elder Shi.
"Elder Shi."
Gu Sheng entered the hall, greeting Elder Shi.
"Xiao Sheng is back."
Elder Shi was very different from Master Zhang, looking quite happy.
"Sit."
Elder Shi gestured to a nearby chair.
After sitting, Elder Shi smiled and asked, "Was the trip smooth? Did you retrieve the Goblin Source Stone?"
Gu Sheng glanced at Master Zhang, thinking he was upset over the Goblin Source Stone, so he hurriedly took it out.
"Here, Iâve got it all."
Gu Sheng said with a faint smile.
Seeing the Goblin Source Stone returned to the village, Elder Shi breathed a sigh of relief, "Good, it wasnât a wasted trip."