"Run!" Gu Sheng grabbed Ji Yewei's wrist, and the two fled the scene at full speed. The Shadow Split Beast let out a low growl, relentlessly chasing after them.

"Kkrrrk~"

"What the hell is this thing?" Ji Yewei asked while running.

"It's a Shadow Split Beast. It's extremely fast and can move through shadows—an incredibly tricky opponent!" Gu Sheng explained, recalling what he had read about this Demon Beast in the *Western Wasteland Chronicles*.

The two darted through the twisting, complex caves, trying to evade the creature's pursuit. The glow of the Fluorescent Insects illuminated their tense but resolute faces.

"We can't keep running. We need to figure out how to take it down!" Ji Yewei said.

Gu Sheng nodded in agreement. "Do you have any good ideas?"

A cunning glint flashed in Ji Yewei's eyes. "We can use the Fluorescent Insects here to confuse it!"

The two quickly devised a plan and began luring the Shadow Split Beast into a preset trap.

In a narrow passage, Gu Sheng and Ji Yewei suddenly split up, running in two different directions.

"Krrrraaa~"

The Shadow Split Beast roared furiously and chose to pursue Ji Yewei.

Seizing the chance, Gu Sheng circled behind the creature, clutching a dagger gleaming with cold light in his hand. Just as the Shadow Split Beast was about to pounce on Ji Yewei, Gu Sheng leaped out and plunged the Jade Maiden Sword fiercely into its back.

"Awooo~"

The Shadow Split Beast let out a blood-curdling screech and turned to attack Gu Sheng. The two engaged in a heart-stopping battle. Gu Sheng's movements were swift and precise, but the Shadow Split Beast was no ordinary beast. Its ability to move freely through shadows made it an elusive foe.

"Gu Sheng, watch out!" Ji Yewei shouted in alarm.

At a critical moment, Gu Sheng rolled to the side, narrowly dodging a fatal blow. He quickly drew the Longsword from his waist and stood shoulder to shoulder with Ji Yewei. Together, they fought the Shadow Split Beast amid the stunning underground scenery. Their figures flickered in and out of the light cast by the Fluorescent Insects, as the battle raged on in breathtaking intensity.

"Splat!"

With a muffled sound, Gu Sheng's Longsword finally pierced the Shadow Split Beast's heart. The beast collapsed with a thunderous thud, leaving the two utterly exhausted and sprawled on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Gu Sheng asked with concern.

Ji Yewei shook her head. "I'm fine. Thank you." Her eyes shimmered with gratitude and respect. She had never felt such warmth before in a moment of crisis—not from someone who was essentially a stranger.

Gu Sheng smiled faintly. "We're companions. It's only right that we support each other." With that, he extended a hand to help Ji Yewei up. Their shared glance dispelled any lingering grudges between them, as if the tension had vanished in an instant.

Exhausted both physically and mentally, the two allowed themselves to be carried along by the Grass Vine that swept them downstream along an underground river.

When they emerged from the underground cave, dawn had already broken. The sunlight bathed them in its golden glow, as though nature itself was celebrating their survival. They rested for a while by a lakeshore, savoring the rare peace.

Just then, an Emerald Bird flew overhead, leaving a faint, fragrant scent in its wake.

Both of them suddenly felt their bodies go limp. Their vision blurred, and they collapsed, unconscious. When they awoke, they found themselves tightly bound to a large tree.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled patterns onto their restrained forms.

Standing in front of them was Ji Yewei's cousin—Ji Yefu.

At that moment, Ji Yefu stood there, watching them with a mix of interest and malice.

"You're finally awake," Ji Yefu said with a sly smile, her eyes glinting with cunning and ruthlessness. "I'm the Guardian of this place. You trespassed on my territory and even killed my pet Shadow Split Beast. Ji Yewei, you finally crawled out of hiding. This time, let's see how you die!"

Ji Yewei's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the familiar face. "Ji Yefu? What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" Ji Yefu snorted coldly. "This is my domain, of course I'm here. But you, Ji Yewei, how dare you trespass on my land!"

"Your land? This is clearly a neutral area!" Ji Yewei retorted.

"Hmph! If I say it's mine, then it's mine!" Ji Yefu declared arrogantly. "And not only did you invade my territory, but you also killed my beloved Shadow Split Beast! Do you have any idea how much effort I put into raising it? Today, you'll pay the price for your actions!"

Ji Yewei felt a chill run down her spine. She knew that this conflict wouldn't be resolved easily. From childhood, Ji Yefu had always envied her beauty and talent, constantly scheming against her. Now, in Ji Yefu's clutches, she understood that things were about to get much worse.

"What do you want, Ji Yefu?" Gu Sheng asked calmly, attempting to diffuse the tension.

"What do I want? Ha!" Ji Yefu laughed maniacally. "Ji Yewei, did you really think I'd let you off so easily? And you," she turned her gaze to Gu Sheng, "your Ancient Sacred Body is quite a treasure. I've heard that its flesh and blood can be used to refine the Immortality Pill!"

Hearing this, Gu Sheng frowned slightly, though he didn't show much panic. He knew the power of his Ancient Sacred Body, but also understood it wasn't invincible. Studying Ji Yefu, he calmly assessed her strength and determination.

"Ji Yefu, do you think you've won?" Ji Yewei suddenly sneered. "Just because you've captured us, you think you can do as you please?"

"Hmph! And why not?" Ji Yefu shot back, "You're now my prisoners. I can do whatever I like!"

"Then you're gravely mistaken!" Ji Yewei's eyes grew resolute. "Do you truly understand the Ancient Sacred Body? Do you really think it's so easily used for alchemy? Laughable!"

Ji Yefu's anger flared. "Ji Yewei, you dare speak to me like this? You're in my hands now!"

"So what?" Ji Yewei retorted fearlessly. "Do you think I'm afraid of you? You've never beaten me, not once, since we were kids."

Ji Yewei's words enraged Ji Yefu to the breaking point. With a furious wave of her hand, she unleashed an energy blast toward Ji Yewei. But just before it hit, Gu Sheng broke free of his restraints and pulled Ji Yewei behind him, delivering a powerful punch to meet the attack.

"Boom!" A thunderous explosion echoed as Gu Sheng's fist dissipated the energy blast. He rose slowly, his gaze icy as he stared down Ji Yefu. "You've made me angry."

Ji Yefu stared at Gu Sheng in shock. She had never imagined that this seemingly ordinary young man could wield such strength. Her First Level cultivation in the Sea Floor Realm seemed like a joke in front of him.

"You… how is this possible…" Ji Yefu stammered, her voice trembling.

"There's nothing impossible about it." Gu Sheng's tone was cold and detached. "Now, it's our turn to strike back."

With a swift motion of his hand, the ropes binding him and Ji Yewei snapped instantly. Unbeknownst to Ji Yefu, the Grass Vine Demon Soul had been silently working to sever the enchanted ropes ever since their capture.

The sunlight glittered on the lake's surface. Gu Sheng and Ji Yewei stood side by side, facing the terrified Ji Yefu.

"Ji Yefu, your crimes are countless," Ji Yewei said icily, her gaze filled with fury and disappointment. "From childhood, you've always envied and sabotaged me. But today, your malice ends here!"

Ji Yefu's face turned ashen. Trembling, she pleaded, "Yewei, I was wrong! Please, spare me!"

Gu Sheng remained silent, his expression grave. He left the decision to Ji Yewei, understanding that this was her family's affair to resolve.

"Your sins can't be erased with mere apologies," Ji Yewei declared, her voice firm as she recounted Ji Yefu and her family's litany of misdeeds.

With each word, Ji Yefu grew paler, realizing there was no escape. When Ji Yewei finally finished, she took a deep breath, staring down at her defeated cousin trembling on the ground.

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