Chapter 699: Chapter 373 Counterkill_2 At this critical moment, a sudden flash of insight appeared in Gu Sheng’s mind. He recalled the Cultivation Techniques he had once mastered, such as Gale Nine Swords and Carefree Ascension Step—precious treasures on his path of cultivation. At this instant, he resolved to push these techniques to their limits in order to resist the erosion of the medicinal liquid. As the techniques began to operate, golden light started radiating from Gu Sheng’s body. The light seemed to form a golden shield, wrapping tightly around him. Though the medicinal liquid was scaldingly hot, under the protection of the golden shield, Gu Sheng felt a trace of coolness. "This is..." Elder Han perceived the change within the Medicine Tripod, surprise flashing across his face. He spun around and returned to the tripod, gazing at Gu Sheng enveloped in golden light. A cold glimmer flickered in his eyes. "I didn’t expect you to have such methods," Elder Han sneered. "But this cannot alter your fate. Today, you are destined to become material for my Alchemy." With that, Elder Han intensified the fire’s input. The liquid in the tripod immediately boiled more violently, as if it intended to devour Gu Sheng whole. Yet, Gu Sheng kept his eyes tightly shut, fully focused on operating his techniques. The golden shield grew even brighter. Minute by minute, second by second, the liquid inside the tripod gradually thickened. Meanwhile, the golden light emanating from Gu Sheng became increasingly dazzling, as if determined to fight the liquid to the bitter end. This was a contest between life and death and a test of will and perseverance. Gu Sheng knew he could not give up—he had to endure. Only by doing so could he grasp even the faintest chance of survival. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦 "Ah!" Suddenly, Gu Sheng let out a roar, and an even more blinding light burst forth from his body. At the same time, the medicinal liquid inside the tripod began to change, seemingly influenced by Gu Sheng’s golden rays. Elder Han sensed the abnormal changes within the tripod and displayed an expression of terror on his face. He couldn’t believe his eyes—this seemingly ordinary youth managed not only to withstand the torment in the tripod for so long but also had an impact on the medicinal liquid. "This... How is this possible?" exclaimed Elder Han. At that instant, a thunderous sound erupted from the Medicine Tripod. "Boom!" The entire tripod trembled violently. Elder Han was horrified to find that cracks had appeared on its surface, threatening to shatter at any moment. "This is bad!" Elder Han exclaimed inwardly, swiftly retreating. Meanwhile, Gu Sheng inside the tripod also felt a surge of immense power erupting within him, as if it intended to tear him apart. He gritted his teeth and endured. Finally, with a deafening "Bang!" the Medicine Tripod burst completely apart. Fragment pieces scattered, the medicinal liquid splattered everywhere, plunging the entire cavern into chaos. Gu Sheng, shrouded in golden light, soared into the sky from the ruins of the tripod. His face radiated determination, filled with an unyielding will. "Elder Han, your alchemy ambitions seem to have failed," Gu Sheng said coldly, staring at the panicked Elder Han. At this moment, he seemed like an entirely different person, emanating a formidable aura and commanding presence. Elder Han, by contrast, was pale as a ghost, looking at Gu Sheng with disbelief. He couldn’t fathom that this boy, who was meant to be alchemic material, had escaped, becoming far more powerful. What on earth had just happened? His heart sank into a pitch-black abyss of confusion and terror. Gu Sheng spared Elder Han no further time to think. His figure flashed, appearing instantly before Elder Han. With a palm strike, a golden handprint enveloped Elder Han. "Ah!" Elder Han let out a miserable scream as the golden handprint struck him. His body was sent flying like a broken kite, crashing heavily into the wall. Blood sprayed from his mouth. At this moment, he had none of his usual authority and arrogance left—only endless fear and despair. He knew he had utterly failed, not only losing his alchemic scheme but even jeopardizing his own life. Gu Sheng stared at him coldly, as if gazing at a dead man. He knew that this once domineering Elder Han had completely lost the ability to resist. What awaited him was the severe punishment of the cultivation world. "Elder Han, your ambition was too great," Gu Sheng said slowly. "To achieve your aim, you were willing to sacrifice others’ lives without hesitation. Today, your actions have finally brought you the retribution you deserve." Elder Han said nothing. He lay silently on the ground, appearing to have entirely abandoned all resistance. "Hahahaha..." Suddenly, Elder Han’s chaotic sea surged forth as his turquoise Life Spring materialized, forming a cyan-golden ribbon that snapped toward Gu Sheng. "Boom!" An immense force overwhelmed Gu Sheng to the point where he struggled to breathe. Then Elder Han’s emaciated hand reached out like an iron clamp, rendering Gu Sheng completely immobile, akin to a frog gripped tightly by the claws of a predator. "Boom!" Once again, Gu Sheng was tossed into a new Medicine Tripod. Elder Han efficiently gathered the shattered liquid fragments from the previous tripod, forming a sealing net with a few hand seals, rapidly collecting the scattered medicinal liquid. "Let me show you the wonders of the Sleeve Universe Bag!" Elder Han, looking delighted, placed the gathered liquid back into the new tripod alongside Gu Sheng for further refining. "You resist well, but you’re durable. I’ll refine you a full seven days and nights!" With a light tap from his skeletal hand, the Fire Evil reignited beneath the tripod, dancing and leaping vividly. The milky-white flames resembled bizarre, squirming milk. "Whoosh—whoosh—" Beneath the bronze tripod, the Fire Evil blazed fiercely, a flame of uniquely high temperatures and surging spiritual power capable of melting metals and stone. Under its scorching radiance, the entire stone chamber was illuminated with dazzling brilliance, as if submerged in an ocean of light. Inside the tripod, Gu Sheng lay motionless, his face pale from extreme blood loss, appearing exceptionally weak. His body was tightly bound by a powerful seal, rendering him incapable even of twitching a finger. Yet, his gaze remained resolute and profound, silently declaring: "I will never yield." "Ah—" Gu Sheng suddenly let out a low growl, feeling his Life Force being wildly extracted, as though he were on the brink of being completely drained. In this moment between life and death, an inexplicable force surged within him—ancient scripture verses from the Daoist Scripture came into play. Like a serene spring, they flowed through Gu Sheng’s mind, instantly calming his chaotic thoughts. "How can I move?!" Gu Sheng exclaimed in astonishment upon realizing his fingers could bend slightly. The Fire Evil’s spiritual energy had inadvertently loosened Elder Han’s sealing technique. Truly, heaven leaves no path entirely blocked! Gu Sheng took a deep breath and began to operate the Mysterious Skill within the Daoist Scripture. He sensed the Medicine Tripod’s Life Essence rushing into his body like tidal waves, nourishing every fiber of his skin and bones. The sensation was miraculous, akin to basking in warm sunlight. "Buzz-buzz—" Just then, strange sounds emanated from within the tripod. Gu Sheng’s heart stirred, and he seized the opportunity to swallow the lotus seed from the Black Jade Divine Lotus. Chewing it slowly, he felt an immense surge of vital Life Essence released from the seed, quickly merging with his bloodstream. "Hahaha! The Top-grade Spirit Pill is about to be forged!" Elder Han, ecstatic, babbled incoherently, completely oblivious to the tripod’s internal transformations. To him, the peculiar sounds and increasing brilliance seemed like mere signs of imminent success in creating the Spirit Pill. Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes, calculating his escape. He attempted to induce louder sounds to draw Elder Han’s attention, hoping he would open the tripod lid to investigate. Misinterpreting these movements as normal phenomena signaling the pill’s completion, Elder Han grew even more expectant, standing vigilantly beside the Medicine Tripod. "Rumble—rumble—" The thunderous commotion within the tripod grew ever more frequent, as if countless bolts of lightning were rampaging inside. Gu Sheng felt his Sea of Bitterness violently churning, waves of golden light crashing ceaselessly against the seals confining him. He knew this was a precursor to his cultivation breakthrough.