Chapter 697: Chapter 372: Seizing the Source_2 "Pfft—" A soft sound echoed as the Mystical Sky Sword pierced through his chest. His eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Gu Sheng as though he couldn’t comprehend how this mere mortal boy possessed such power. Gu Sheng did not linger. He knew his location had been exposed and he must leave this place immediately. His figure flashed and vanished into the dense bamboo grove. His escape was far from over. More disciples from the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven were alarmed and began chasing towards his direction. Relying on the incredible prowess of the Gale Nine Swords and Carefree Ascension Step, Gu Sheng maneuvered nimbly through the bamboo forest, evading his pursuers. "Swish, swish—" Several strands of Sword Qi shot toward him, but Gu Sheng dodged them deftly. His movements were like the wind, appearing sometimes at the treetops, sometimes hidden in the underbrush, leaving his pursuers helpless. Suddenly, one of the pursuers spotted Gu Sheng and shouted, "He’s over there!" Instantly, several disciples swarmed in to attack. Gu Sheng sneered coldly and activated the Secret of Multiplication, doubling his combat strength in an instant. Wielding the Mystical Sky Sword, he engaged the pursuers in a fierce battle. Sword Qi crisscrossed, golden lights shimmered, and several disciples were already lying in pools of blood. The remaining pursuers were terrified and began to retreat. But Gu Sheng had no intention of letting them go. His figure flashed, now appearing behind one of the disciples, and plunged his sword through the disciple’s chest. "Ah—" A tragic scream rang out, and another disciple collapsed to the ground. Witnessing this scene, the other disciples scattered in all directions to escape. Gu Sheng did not continue chasing. He knew he had achieved his goal. Taking a deep breath, he sheathed the Mystical Sky Sword and disappeared into the dense bamboo forest. As he fled, he sensed others approaching from behind. Without turning back, he merely quickened his pace, sprinting forward. He knew that only by escaping this place could he find a quiet area to cultivate and enhance his strength. Night fell like ink; the clouds were dense, and the stars sparse. Gu Sheng raced through the dense forest, with the disciples of Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven in relentless pursuit. His heartbeat thudded like a drum, but his footsteps grew firmer by the second. "Whoosh—" An air-tearing sound rang out, and Gu Sheng instantly dodged a hidden weapon thrown by a disciple, his figure moving like the wind as he continued fleeing. "Gu Sheng! You can’t escape!" Angry shouts echoed from behind, only serving to steel Gu Sheng’s determination as he sped ahead. Suddenly, two disciples from Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven blocked him from the front. They held longswords, their eyes gleaming with a frosty light. Gu Sheng sneered coldly, his figure streaking like the wind, and within a blink, was behind them, his hands striking their necks as fast as lightning. "Thud! Thud!" Two muffled sounds rang out as the two disciples collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Gu Sheng did not rely on the Golden Tome’s power, instead using his own skill and wit to craft this illusion, fooling the pursuers into thinking he only relied on brute force and ambush tactics. The sound of pursuit grew nearer. Gu Sheng knew he couldn’t keep fleeing like this. Taking a deep breath, he invoked the Golden Tome’s power, causing his figure to vanish in an instant. "Whoosh—" Gu Sheng’s silhouette suddenly appeared behind one of the pursuers, his Mystical Sky Sword radiating dazzling brilliance as he slew the disciple in one strike. The other disciples, horrified, quickly backed away. Gu Sheng did not pause. His figure moved like the wind, weaving through the disciples, each strike claiming a life. His swordsmanship was unparalleled, every thrust precisely targeting the enemy’s vital spots. At that moment, a resonant chime echoed from the direction of Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven. All pursuing disciples halted, their faces showing doubt and confusion. Seizing the opportunity, Gu Sheng fled the scene, vanishing into the night. He speculated that something significant might have occurred in Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven, prompting the disciples to halt their chase. Gu Sheng took the chance to hide the "Source" in the river and found a secluded cave to remain out of sight. Over the span of half a month, he cautiously eluded the pursuers while diligently cultivating his techniques. During this time, his cultivation advanced rapidly, reaching a new realm. Once he confirmed his safety, Gu Sheng departed from the mountain range where Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven was located. He remained vigilant, knowing that knights from the Jiang family were still tracking him. Gu Sheng began to suspect that other treasures on him might have caught their attention. He carefully examined his belongings, ultimately focusing on the Bodhi Seed in his hand. The seed was translucent and shimmering faintly, as though it contained limitless Buddhist power. He thought to himself, "Could it be this Bodhi Seed attracting the Jiang family knights?" To test his guess, Gu Sheng decided to hide the Bodhi Seed and observe the knights’ reactions. Sure enough, after concealing the Bodhi Seed, the frequency of the knights’ tracking noticeably decreased. Gu Sheng was secretly delighted, affirming his suspicions. Nonetheless, he did not lower his guard. He knew the abundance of treasures he carried would inevitably draw attention from others. He resolved to tread with even greater caution to avoid falling into new peril. During his escape, Gu Sheng arrived in an ancient city. This city was steeped in history, with towering ancient trees lining the streets and elegantly austere architecture on either side. Walking through the streets, Gu Sheng felt the cultural richness of the city. Suddenly, he sensed a powerful aura locking onto him. Alarmed, he raised his gaze to find an elder standing nearby, staring straight at him. The elder, clad in a gray robe with white hair and beard, had eyes that gleamed sharply. "Gu Sheng, my young friend, I am Elder Han of Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven," the elder said with a smile. "I’ve been searching for you for quite some time." Gu Sheng’s heart sank. He knew Elder Han’s reputation was far from good. This man excelled in alchemy and often used powerful cultivators as the main ingredient in his concoctions. Taking a deep breath, Gu Sheng strained to maintain his composure and said, "What brings you to look for me, Elder Han?" "Ha ha!" Elder Han laughed heartily. "No need to be nervous, young friend. I heard you possess extraordinary treasures and came to verify this myself." Gu Sheng cursed inwardly, calling him "old fox," but kept a smile and replied, "Elder Han must be joking. I am merely an ordinary cultivator. What treasures would I possibly have?" "Hmph!" Elder Han scoffed. "No need to hide it anymore, young friend. I’ve already uncovered the truth. The treasures you carry are rare beyond measure, especially the Bodhi Seed, which has deeply tempted me." Gu Sheng’s heart tightened. Knowing his secrets had been exposed, further denial would be useless. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Since you already know my secrets, Elder Han, I won’t deny it. But I would like to ask—what exactly is your purpose for seeking me out?" "Ha ha!" Elder Han laughed again. "You are refreshingly straightforward! Allow me to cut to the chase—I seek to borrow the treasures you carry for a time." "Borrow?" Gu Sheng sneered. "Elder Han’s borrowing sounds more like ’take without returning,’ doesn’t it?" "Hmph! Don’t push your luck!" Elder Han’s face darkened. "I’ve spared you courtesy. If you refuse to show respect, don’t blame me for being merciless!" Gu Sheng took a deep breath, knowing there was no avoiding a fight today. Activating his cultivation technique, his body radiated golden light, as though a War God had descended to the mortal world. His eyes blazed with determination as he prepared for a deadly battle with Elder Han! Shadows deepened as the moonlight spilled, unable to penetrate the murky depths of the forest. Gu Sheng was held captive by Elder Han, led deeper into the barren hills of Yan. Elder Han’s withered face bore a pair of cold, glinting eyes, resembling a predator savoring its prize. "Boy, don’t think about escaping." Elder Han uttered coldly, his tone commanding and absolute. "Your treasures, along with the flesh of your Ancient Sacred Body, will serve as ingredients for my Returning Yang Pill." Gu Sheng’s heart sank but retained hope. Secretly channeling his energy, he prepared to strike back when the opportunity arose. His Ancient Sacred Body emitted faint golden light under the night’s veil, embodying his indomitable will. Suddenly, Elder Han halted, his gaze darting warily around. Gu Sheng, too, sensed the subtle disturbance in the air. Could it be reinforcements arriving?