226: Really... looks like my old friend

A medium-sized True Devil Pool.

Devil bodies floated on the surface, and the remaining dozen or so Profound Cave Cultivators huddled at the edge of the pool, trembling.

So ruthless!

The person before them had, in just a few breaths, slain a group of Late Stage Profound Cave Grand Sages.

In a hidden corner, Peach Blossom Fairy, who had forged a first-grade Myriad Flower Devil Body, looked at the person before her with complex eyes.

'This aura… it feels vaguely familiar… However, that person wasn't from the Senmu Clan…'

Whoosh—

Eight wisps of True Devil Qi were drawn into the painting.

Gu Changsheng's lips curled into a slight smile, his gaze sweeping around.

'Peach Blossom Fairy… Sure enough, she also made it here…'

He hadn't encountered Alcoholic Hero along the way.

But that wasn't surprising.

In the True Devil Trial, there were countless sub-pools, so not meeting him was normal.

Of course, it also didn't rule out the possibility that Alcoholic Hero had fallen midway through the trial.

However, this possibility was relatively low.

For Grand Cultivators in the Late Stage Profound Cave, the danger was still relatively low.

Suddenly, Gu Changsheng's brows furrowed, and his heart inexplicably began to pound rapidly.

His gaze swept around, but there was no abnormality whatsoever.

'A sudden premonition? Could it be that my performance was too outstanding, attracting the prying eyes of a Yang Spirit Realm Grand Power…'

Upon closer thought, the True Devil Qi in his hand had already exceeded 3,600 wisps.

This much True Devil Qi far exceeded what was needed to condense a True Devil Body.

Logically speaking, Holy Ancestor Jialan, who was willing to open the True Devil Pool and give all races a chance to obtain True Devil Qi, shouldn't care about this small amount.

But his prolonged failure to forge a Devil Body seemed very abrupt.

Even a harmless prying from a Yang Spirit Realm could easily cause considerable trouble.

'I need to leave…'

Gu Changsheng's eyes gradually turned cold.

His body slowly disappeared from everyone's sight.

"That person… left…"

"That fiend, he finally left…"

In the pool, an alligator-headed Saint Race member looked solemn, letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Hehe, such a peerless figure. In time, when we hear this person's name again, it will probably be as a Yang Spirit Realm Holy Ancestor."

"What a pity… this person didn't leave a name."

Among the crowd, Peach Blossom Fairy showed a hint of surprise: "Is it you…?"

…Spatial power swirled, like an ocean current pushing Gu Changsheng out of Jialan Holy Ancestor City, subtly appearing in a certain desolate wilderness.

"Holy Ancestor Jialan's methods are indeed remarkable.

She even considered the risk of lower-level Cultivators with valuable treasures being ambushed after the trial, thus randomly teleporting them to the wilderness."

"Once this matter is settled, I can consider returning to the Human Realm…"

Gu Changsheng murmured.

Suddenly, a stunning figure abruptly appeared in his field of vision ahead, clad in a simple, elegant long dress, like an Immortal detached from the world.

Though seemingly within reach, she felt as if separated by layers of space.

'A Yang Spirit Realm Grand Power!

Wait, this feeling… Holy Ancestor Jialan!'

The mural Gu Changsheng had seen in Guangyuan Grotto-heaven flashed in his mind.

Her appearance was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see clearly.

But her aura was unique.

Absolutely no mistake!

'Why is she here? Thankfully, I descended through the Whispering World Incarnation. Even if I die, at most I'll lose some cultivation…'

Gu Changsheng remained calm in his heart.

"The Whispering World Incarnation technique, is this your reliance for being so fearless in front of me?"

The peerless woman teased.

Immediately after, her expression turned cold, and she leisurely said, "Speaking of which, this secret art was created by me millions of years ago.

Few have cultivated this art to such a Realm, apart from a few Yang Spirit Realm Holy Ancestors.

Among the Profound Cave Realm, you are undoubtedly the first."

Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng's hairs stood on end, and he forced himself to remain calm, saying, "Greetings, Holy Ancestor Jialan."

"Oh, you recognized me."

"The Holy Ancestor's demeanor, this Junior has long admired."

"Haha, such glib flattery, spouting nonsense.

Truly… so much like my old friend."

'Old friend?' Gu Changsheng's heart was filled with uncertainty and surprise.

The woman before him seemed lost in reminiscence, remaining silent for a long time.

Suddenly, her crimson lips parted, and she spoke: "You seem unwilling to integrate into my Saint Race?"

Gu Changsheng pondered slightly, then replied, "Converting to the Saint Race, forging a supreme Devil Body, greatly increases Lifespan and Body Refining strength.

However, despite all the benefits, this Junior still wishes to walk the Dao as a Human Race member."

In front of such an ancient monster, any lie would only appear clumsy.

It was better to be sincere.

Moreover, if she were truly displeased, she would have long since killed him with a single palm, so why bother with this?

Upon hearing this, Holy Ancestor Jialan nodded, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

She merely said indifferently, "It matters not if you are unwilling to become a Saint Race member.

One day, if you advance to Yang Spirit, you will eventually stand with me on the same Dao.

What are mere races and worlds in the face of the Grand Dao…"

"This Junior does not quite understand?" Gu Changsheng only felt that Holy Ancestor Jialan's words were profound and enigmatic, shrouded in mystery.

"Have you ever felt that the cultivation methods of the Human Realm are rather strange, even more unorthodox than those of the Saint Race?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Gu Changsheng felt as if he had been struck at his core.

"Please enlighten this Holy Ancestor."

"You will understand this matter after you advance to Yang Spirit."

After saying this, the figure before him disintegrated into a cloud of mist, dissipating before his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, the entire desolate wilderness was left with only Gu Changsheng.

"Old friend… Who is this person?"

"And… the strange cultivation methods of the Human Realm…"

"Finally, why is she so certain that I will stand with her on the same Dao after I advance to Yang Spirit?"

Countless mysteries swirled in his heart.

"Forget it, everything can wait until I return to the Human Realm…"

Gu Changsheng's feet glowed with a Escape Light, and he vanished into the vast wilderness.

True Devil Pool.

On the main seat, Holy Ancestor Jialan suddenly opened her eyes, a smile appearing on her face.

"Your Excellency seems very happy…"

The nearby Longevity Ancestor exclaimed in surprise.

The person before him had always been as cold as an ice mountain, rarely smiling.

The last time she showed a smile was many years ago, when the Senmu Realm merged into the Saint Realm.

"I merely encountered someone who inherited the Legacy of an old friend… and felt an inexplicable joy in my heart."

Holy Ancestor Jialan said softly.

Suddenly, three powerful auras shot up from the True Devil Pool.

"True Devil Body! Congratulations to the three Senmu Fellow Daoists for achieving the Grand Dao Body!"

"Thus, our Saint Race gains three more Yang Spirit Realm Fellow Daoists!"

"In time, our Saint Realm will surely conquer all the myriad Realms."

Small mountain village.

"Shuisheng… he really did go to the True Devil Pool, didn't he…"

Gu Changsheng's brows furrowed slightly.

Gong Lin before him was weeping, a tearful mess. The jade pendant, symbolizing the shared heart of the couple, had shattered, meaning Su Shuisheng had already died and his Dao extinguished.

"Shuisheng heard that the True Devil Pool had opened, and there was hope of obtaining True Devil Qi.

He didn't dare trouble Revered Master, so for our son's Dao, he went.

Who knew… boo hoo…"

Gu Changsheng sighed in his heart.

As he watched, the Natal Spiritual Light within Gong Lin's body grew ever brighter, and her vitality rapidly waned.

"Gong Lin, you…"

"Revered Master, when I was young, my Family suffered a great calamity and much hardship.

Fortunately, Revered Master rescued me, and later I met Brother Shuisheng.

Now, he is dead.

I do not wish to live alone.

I only ask that Revered Master protect our son throughout his life.

Revered Master's kindness, let Gong Lin repay it with her Natal Heart."

Gong Lin bled from her seven orifices, her body gradually dimmed and became transparent, countless spiritual lights surging into her heart, slowly transforming into an exquisite, translucent green jade heart.

"Seven Orifice Exquisite Heart…"

Gu Changsheng held the green jade heart, a rich vitality washing over him.

The fortunes of the world, not one bit as desired.