Chapter 393: Chapter 220: Breakthrough, Golden Bone Realm!_2 Gu Sheng entered together with the people from the Thousand Poison Sect. He was well aware of the might of the Demon Suppression Golden Scroll and the Vajra Demon Suppression Bell—treasures of such caliber that exceeded the Dark Level. Naturally, Gu Sheng wasn’t going to give up on them so easily. However, given the current strength of the barrier, it would take at least another half month for it to disappear. Gu Sheng wasn’t willing to waste that time idly. The reason he told Lin Miaomiao and the other two to retreat early was simple: once the barrier disappeared, a brutal power struggle was bound to ensue, with a large number of Golden Bone Realm combatants joining the fray. Given Lin Miaomiao and her companions’ current strength, they wouldn’t be of much use even if they stayed inside, and retreating early was safer. Gu Sheng shook his head and said, "I will go, but now is not the time. For now, I have a favor to ask of you, senior brother and sisters." Lin Miaomiao and Huang Miaoyin immediately glared at Gu Sheng and said in unison, "Junior Brother Gu, you’re being too formal! What is there to talk about favors? Just say what you need!" "I’m about to make a breakthrough, and I need your help to guard me!" The three of them were stunned upon hearing this. "You’re going to break through to the Golden Bone Realm?" Gu Sheng had only advanced to the Silver Bone Realm a few months ago, and his speed of progression was nothing short of shocking! Gu Sheng nodded. "Yes! Practicing the sword has greatly accelerated the tempering of my bones. My bones have already reached perfection, and I’ve been touching the boundary of the Golden Bone Realm for quite some time. Given the current situation, even a special status won’t help without sufficient strength to hold the ground. If the four powerful families decide to ally with us, they won’t dedicate much effort unless I have the power to sway the situation. After breaking through to the Golden Bone Realm, I’ll gain more influence through the advantage of sword momentum, and perhaps even create some opportunities for myself." "The Demon Suppression Golden Scroll and Vajra Demon Suppression Bell are extraordinary treasures, each capable of altering the power dynamics within the Red Cloud Prefecture. If I get the chance, of course, I’ll try to seize them." The three of them recognized the gravity of the situation. With stern expressions, they said, "Junior Brother, find a suitable location to begin your breakthrough. We’ll guard you! Most people are currently exploring the relic, so the three of us should be enough to protect you safely." Gu Sheng brought Lin Miaomiao and the other two to a secluded cave a hundred miles away. After Gu Sheng sat cross-legged and started cultivating, Lin Miaomiao and the others didn’t idle. They gathered stones and branches to disguise the cave entrance. With the help of the Spirit-Stimulating Jade Pendant, Gu Sheng’s bones had long reached perfection. Furthermore, the presence of his cultivation panel made the concept of bottlenecks nonexistent. Gu Sheng sat cross-legged and began channeling the power of the Mixed Element Body Refining Skill through his bones. As the power of the Mixed Element Body Refining Skill circulated, Gu Sheng’s originally silvery-white bones gradually began to radiate a faint golden glow. Unlike others who needed a so-called opportunity to break through the barrier of a realm, Gu Sheng’s process was more natural, akin to steady progress. All he needed to do was advance methodically. Fourteen days later, Gu Sheng’s aura surged suddenly, and a faint wave of energy emanated from his body. His presence grew significantly stronger. Gu Sheng opened his eyes and couldn’t help but chuckle quietly upon sensing the immense power within him. "Golden Bone Realm—my strength has truly skyrocketed. With an ordinary punch now, I probably wield the force of ten thousand jins!" Breaking through to the Golden Bone Realm had enhanced the power of the Mixed Element Body Refining Skill within him significantly. He could even feel an integrated and harmonious essence bridging his skin, qi and blood, and bones. This special harmony granted him precise control over his strength, far exceeding his previous abilities. "Could this mean that the Mixed Element Body Refining Skill has advanced greatly?" Gu Sheng pondered and hurriedly opened the cultivation panel for confirmation. [Name]: Gu Sheng [Age]: 18 [Realm]: Bone Refining Realm (Golden Bone) [Martial Arts]: Chopping Wood (First-level Torn), Archery (First-level Penetration), Mixed Element Body Refining Skill (First-level 50%, Blood Burn Phase), Shapeshifting (First-level Strong Body), Snake Breath Skill (First-level Snake Breath), Three Styles of Furious Blood (Perfect 44%), Helian Weapon Casting Skill (Small Success 75%), Blood Activation Skill (Small Success 85%), Shadow Concealment Skill (Small Success 1%), Sword Qi (Entry-level 5%), Gale Nine Swords (Entry-level 10%) ... "Hmm? Blood Burn Phase?" Seeing the new addition next to the Mixed Element Body Refining Skill, Gu Sheng grew curious. During his time practicing in the Sword Qi Wind Cavern, the Mixed Element Body Refining Skill had progressed decently, reaching 50%. Previously, new features only appeared when martial skills reached 100%. Unexpectedly, this time Blood Burn Phase appeared at just 50%. Gu Sheng immediately focused on the description of Blood Burn Phase. "Blood Burn Phase: Burns one’s own qi and blood, resulting in a 30% increase in strength and speed." Reading the effect of Blood Burn Phase left Gu Sheng pleasantly surprised. In essence, the Blood Burn Phase was similar to the Blood Activation Skill in temporarily boosting combat power, but it seemed significantly stronger. "Junior Brother Gu, you’ve broken through?" Lin Miaomiao and the others noticed the change in Gu Sheng’s aura and immediately came over to ask. Gu Sheng nodded and clasped his hands toward them in gratitude. "Yes! I’ve broken through. Thank you, senior brother and sisters." "Senior Sister Lin, how long did this breakthrough take me?" The saying ’time flies in cultivation’ was no joke. During cultivation, one’s perception of time became extremely dull. Although Gu Sheng felt it hadn’t taken long, he still asked to estimate when the barrier within the Demon Suppression Sect relic might disappear. "Junior Brother Gu, your breakthrough took fourteen days," Lin Miaomiao replied. "Fourteen days—that’s good, still on time! Senior Sister Lin, I must head to the relic now. When the barrier disappears, surely a ferocious battle will erupt inside. It’ll be too chaotic for me to keep an eye on you all. You should stay outside to be safe." Lin Miaomiao and the others understood his reasoning. Given their current level of power, they wouldn’t make a difference in the upcoming battle. If Gu Sheng lost focus and failed in the competition due to protecting them, their guilt would be immeasurable. Lin Miaomiao worriedly reminded Gu Sheng, "Junior Brother, go forth! But please, be cautious. If it becomes too dangerous, don’t hesitate to retreat—you’re still young. As the saying goes, better to live and fight another day!" "I understand, Senior Sister. With the area’s activity low during this period, you can try searching for resources while I’m away," Gu Sheng said. He then pulled a storage pouch from his waist and handed Snow Cutting Sword to Lin Miaomiao. "Senior Sister, this sword suits you better. I’ll leave Thunder Sword for Brother Dai." "Oh my!" Watching Lin Miaomiao’s shy expression, Huang Miaoyin teasingly muttered with a hint of envy, "Junior Brother Gu, you’re so biased!" Gu Sheng laughed. "Senior Sister Huang, you jest—everyone gets their share." He took out the Ink Bamboo Saber and handed it to Huang Miaoyin. "The Ink Bamboo Saber is small and powerful—it’s much more suitable for you than the Thunder Sword." Both Dai Sen and Huang Miaoyin were overjoyed as they received Thunder Sword and Ink Bamboo Saber, thanking Gu Sheng profusely. Though these Yellow Level Low-grade treasures weren’t particularly significant for Gu Sheng at this point, they were still dream weapons for Dai Sen and Huang Miaoyin. With these treasures in hand, their strength would grow substantially. Even against ordinary Golden Bone Realm combatants, they wouldn’t be entirely defenseless. If the three worked together, even standard Golden Bone Realm opponents might struggle against them. Snow Cutting Sword, being a Yellow Level Top-grade treasure, was exceptionally powerful. Lin Miaomiao’s strength in the Silver Bone Realm was already notable, and with Snow Cutting Sword, she could even rival ordinary Golden Bone Realm martial artists alone. With Huang Miaoyin and Dai Sen’s support, they could likely handle eliminations with ease. Having equipped them with superior weapons, Gu Sheng felt more assured. After bidding farewell to the trio, he hurried back to the relic within the Demon Suppression Sect.