On a moonlit night, mystical phenomena suddenly erupted within the Turquoise Pool. The originally tranquil night sky split open, a brilliant divine radiance descending from above, streaking across the heavens like meteors, breathtakingly beautiful. These divine lights converged into beams that shot straight into the secluded cavern where Gu Sheng was undergoing his closed-door cultivation.
"Could it be that Gu Sheng is about to breakthrough?" Su Yao exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.
The crowd quickly gathered around, watching as the divine light grew increasingly intense, seemingly bright enough to illuminate the entire Turquoise Pool. Simultaneously, a powerful aura emanated from the cavern, an aura as impactful and awe-inducing as a dragon stirring from its slumber.
Suddenly, a deafening clap of thunder resounded, and flashes of divine lightning appeared in the sky, raging like furious dragons. These bolts of divine lightning thundered down toward the cavern, seemingly intent on obliterating it.
Yet the cavern remained unscathed. Instead, those divine lightning strikes were absorbed by an invisible force the moment they touched the cavern. The crowd was stunned by the spectacle, realizing this was Gu Sheng displaying extraordinary strength during this critical moment of breakthrough.
Moments later, even more wondrous phenomena unfolded within the Turquoise Pool. Lotus flowers blossomed across the water’s surface, each radiating a serene glow. Golden leaves floated down from the sky, dancing elegantly as though celebrating Gu Sheng’s breakthrough.
At this moment, Gu Sheng’s secluded cavern seemed to transform into a mystical Immortal Realm: divine light enveloping it, divine thunder roaring, and celestial wonders unfolding—everything signified the extraordinary and momentous nature of Gu Sheng’s breakthrough.
Inside the resplendent cavern, Gu Sheng sat cross-legged, his expression serene yet resolute. He sensed the external phenomena and commotion, but his mind remained as calm as a still pond. He knew this was the crucial moment of his breakthrough—any distraction could result in failure. The source of thɪs content is novｅlfire.net
He circulated his cultivation technique, guiding the spiritual power within his body along his meridians. The divine light and lightning, seemingly guided by some unseen force, flowed into his body and merged with his spiritual power. At this moment, he felt as though he had become one with the heavens and earth, integrated into the cosmos itself.
As the spiritual power continued to accumulate and ascend, Gu Sheng felt his body suffused with overwhelming energy. His meridians expanded and strengthened under the force of this power, as though preparing to accommodate even greater spiritual energy.
"Boom!"
When the final bolt of divine lightning struck the cavern and was absorbed, Gu Sheng abruptly opened his eyes. In his gaze shone a radiance unprecedented—a combination of confidence and determination following his breakthrough. Rising slowly, he felt the surging spiritual power within him and revealed a triumphant smile.
The stone gates of the cavern gradually opened, and Gu Sheng’s figure emerged. His entire demeanor had undergone an earthshaking transformation, as if he had been reborn. His eyes deep and luminous, as though capable of piercing through all mysteries; his posture taller and more commanding, as though embodying an unshakable mountain.
"Gu Sheng!" Su Yao cried out involuntarily, her eyes shimmering with tears of excitement, "You truly broke through!"
"Yes." Gu Sheng nodded, his face displaying a confident smile. "I’ve already advanced to the ninth level of the Marrow Refining Realm." His voice was calm, yet brimming with power and self-assurance, as though declaring his return and ascension to the world.
The crowd rushed forward to congratulate Gu Sheng, their expressions filled with admiration and envy. They understood that the prodigious youth once renowned as the foremost talent had risen once again, climbing higher and reaching farther!
Yet Gu Sheng did not allow himself to revel in pride or arrogance. Raising his head toward the sky, his heart surged with anticipation and determination for the future. "This is only the beginning," he murmured, "The path ahead is still long... very long..."
Not long after the breakthrough, an old acquaintance arrived at the Turquoise Pool.
Under the moonlight’s silvery sheen, the waters of the Turquoise Pool shimmered brilliantly. Within the Sky Sword Institute, sword qi wove across the air, imbued with a tranquil beauty.
"Gu Sheng! An old friend has come to visit," Su Yao’s voice broke the tranquility, her figure appearing at the end of the corridor, followed by a graceful woman in fire-red garments, her gaze resolute.
Gu Sheng lowered the sword in his hands and turned around, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. The woman in red—none other than Su Ling, an acquaintance he had met years ago in Jianghu. Back then, she was a standout disciple of the Fire Worshiping Sect. He didn’t expect to reunite here.
"Su Ling, is it really you?" Gu Sheng’s voice carried a trace of incredulity.
Su Ling smiled faintly, her gaze complex and glimmering: "Gu Sheng, it’s been many years."
The two faced each other silently, their eyes conveying what no words could. Memories of the past unfurled within their minds like a painting—days of fighting side by side, unspoken sentiments—all surged to the forefront in this moment.
"Take a seat, let’s talk." Breaking the silence, Gu Sheng led Su Ling to a stone table within the Sky Sword Institute.
Su Yao poured wine for the two before quietly retreating to the sidelines. She knew there were too many untold stories between them.
"Why did you leave the Fire Worshiping Sect?" Gu Sheng opened the conversation, wanting to know what led Su Ling to make that decision.
Su Ling sighed lightly. "Strife within the sect was endless; I grew weary of such a life. Moreover, I felt my path in Martial Arts had hit a dead end there. I wanted to seek broader horizons, to push past my limits."
Gu Sheng nodded, understanding Su Ling’s resolve. The journey of Martial Arts is inherently a defiance of fate that demands relentless challenge and persistence.
"How did you end up joining the Heavenly Dao Sect?" he continued to ask.
Su Ling sipped her wine, recounting slowly: "After leaving the Fire Worshiping Sect, I wandered across lands, searching for opportunities for a breakthrough. Eventually, I heard of a powerful Sect in the Central Continent—the Heavenly Dao Sect. I decided to test myself there, and after enduring countless trials and challenges, I finally became one of its disciples."
Gu Sheng couldn’t help but reflect deeply. "Su Ling, you’ve truly changed. The you of old would never give up so easily."
Su Ling chuckled. "People will always change. Besides, I believe I’m stronger and more steadfast than I’ve ever been."
The two conversed at length, sharing tales of their past and discussing their futures. Su Ling revealed her aim in coming to the Heavenly Dao Sect—seeking a mysterious cultivation technique rumored to help surpass the limits of the Marrow Refining Realm. Gu Sheng in turn shared insights from his time training within the Sky Sword Institute.
Su Ling reminisced fondly about their days of solitary training together. She mentioned discovering a secret realm within the Heavenly Dao Sect reminiscent of the Enlightenment Valley on the Red Cloud Continent—a hidden underwater realm—inviting Gu Sheng to train there.
Gu Sheng readily agreed and followed her into the underwater secret realm.
It was an endless expanse of vast ocean, the spiritual energy here so concentrated it nearly liquified, as though the waters themselves condensed from spiritual energy. Here, attention focused deeply on describing the realm’s magnificence.
The underwater secret realm lacked any islands, and the two ventured below the ocean surface, descending into a mystical world isolated by an array that kept seawater at bay. Verdant greenery flourished, rare celestial flowers bloomed in vibrant competition, birds sang, fragrances lingered—all suffused with vitality. Many beings awakened their innate divine abilities under the dense spiritual energy.
Frogs soared gracefully through the skies, birds swam freely underwater, carp leapt across grassy fields—everything appeared astonishingly surreal.
"This place is truly incredible!" Gu Sheng marveled, "These creatures seem to have transcended the natural order."
Su Ling nodded in agreement. "Indeed, the spiritual energy here is almost overwhelming, fostering the birth of such extraordinary beings. Let’s cultivate here."
The two selected a Dao platform where the spiritual energy was densest and began their seated meditation. Spiritual energy converged from all directions, flooding into their Bai Hui Acupoints. It was an entirely novel cultivation experience, as though the entire secret realm’s spiritual energy flowed unreservedly into their control.
Three days later, anomalies began to manifest around Gu Sheng’s body. Within the bounds of the realm’s sea floor, a Spirit Wheel began to coalesce—a vortex of spiritual energy forming a circular halo. The Spirit Wheel spun increasingly faster until morphing into a deep, all-devouring black hole, seemingly capable of consuming all light.