"Hmm? What might be possible?" Gu Sheng feigned ignorance as he asked back.

"Oh come on, you know what I mean," Ji Yewei's cheeks flushed slightly as she mumbled softly, "It's—it's that kind of thing."

Gu Sheng looked at Ji Yewei's bashful expression and couldn't help but laugh. "Are you saying we might duel every day?"

"Heh heh... Blockhead!" Ji Yewei glared at Gu Sheng, her face bright red with embarrassment. She turned her head away from him, pretending to be angry while secretly sneaking glances at him and pouting playfully.

Meanwhile, by the shore of the Turquoise Pool, a few female disciples were staring enviously at the pair by the lake.

"Look at how well-matched they are!" one female disciple sighed.

"Indeed! Senior Brother Gu Sheng is not only powerful but also so gentle and considerate. Truly admirable," added another disciple.

"Speaking of which, Senior Brother Gu Sheng's duel with Senior Brother Ji Xuri was absolutely breathtaking. Who would've thought Senior Brother Gu Sheng could defeat Senior Brother Ji Xuri? It's simply incredible!" another disciple said excitedly.

The female disciples all nodded in agreement, sincerely blessing Gu Sheng and Ji Yewei's happiness.

On the small boat in the lake, Gu Sheng and Ji Yewei seemed to have forgotten everything around them, immersed in this rare moment of bliss. They exchanged smiles, as if the entire world contained only the two of them.

Hand in hand, Gu Sheng and Ji Yewei departed from Yaochi Holy Land to embark on their journey of worldly training. Their first destination was the mysterious and perilous Taotie Forest.

Taotie Forest was filled with towering ancient trees and dense foliage, blocking most of the sunlight and creating a dim and shadowy atmosphere within. The two cautiously made their way through, alert to any potential dangers.

Suddenly, a strange ripple of energy arose. Gu Sheng and Ji Yewei immediately heightened their vigilance, scanning their surroundings. Out of the woods emerged a stooped old woman, leaning on a cane with a blade affixed at its tip. Wrinkles lined her face, but her eyes shone with a sharp and threatening gleam.

"Ji Wanyou!" Ji Yewei gasped, clearly recognizing the elder from the Ji family.

"Yewei, why are you associating with someone like him?" Ji Wanyou cast a chilly glance at Gu Sheng, her tone dripping with disdain. "This man is nothing but a nobody—how could he possibly deserve to accompany you?"

"Elder, you misunderstand!" Ji Yewei hurried to explain, "Gu Sheng, he's..."

"There's no need for explanations," Ji Wanyou interrupted resolutely. "I didn't come here to talk. I've come to take this man's life."

With that, she raised her bladed cane and pointed it at Gu Sheng. "Boy, prepare to die."

Before she finished speaking, Ji Wanyou moved like a flash, suddenly appearing before Gu Sheng. Her cane transformed into a gleaming streak of cold light as it slashed toward him.

Gu Sheng reacted quickly, sidestepping to evade the strike and simultaneously activating his Cultivation Technique. Behind him, the golden illusion of crashing ocean waves materialized, and his aura soared to its peak.

"Gale Nine Swords!" Gu Sheng shouted, as the Seven-colored Jade Maiden Sword in his hand radiated blinding brilliance. Nine streams of Sword Qi surged forward, slashing toward Ji Wanyou.

Ji Wanyou, being a master at the First Layer Heaven of the Navel Wheel Realm, casually waved her cane, dissipating all the Sword Qi effortlessly.

"Hmph, trivial tricks," Ji Wanyou sneered coldly, launching another assault. Her cane stirred up a cascade of icy light, forcing Gu Sheng to continually retreat.

As it looked like Gu Sheng was on the brink of defeat, he suddenly summoned the Grass Vine Demon Soul. Massive vines spanning over seven thousand meters immediately entangled Ji Wanyou, beginning to corrode her body.

"Ah!" Ji Wanyou let out a painful cry, struggling to break free from the vines' grasp but sustaining significant injury in the process.

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Sheng counterattacked. Activating the Ancient Sacred Body, streams of golden light enveloped him, and he unleashed a powerful Handprint. The golden palm imprint shot toward Ji Wanyou instantaneously.

"Boom!" With a thunderous impact, Ji Wanyou was struck directly by the palm imprint, spewing blood and her body crumbling.

"No!" Ji Wanyou's soul emerged from her shattered form, her face filled with terror as she pleaded, "Spare me, I'm willing to..."

Gu Sheng gave her no chance. He struck another palm, obliterating Ji Wanyou's soul completely.

"Boom—rumble—"

With Ji Wanyou's demise, the depths of Taotie Forest erupted with deafening rumblings. Moments later, an enormous beast emerged from the shadows. Its form resembled a tiger, with twin horns sprouting from its head and eyes ablaze with crimson light. It exuded a murderous aura so fierce it made the surroundings tremble. This was the Taotie—a Divine Beast with cultivation reaching the Seventh Layer Heaven of the Sea Floor Realm.

"Roar—" The Taotie unleashed a deafening roar and charged toward Gu Sheng and Ji Yewei.

"Careful!" Gu Sheng pulled Ji Yewei to him, retreating quickly.

The Taotie was astonishingly fast, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. Opening its gaping maw lined with razor-sharp fangs, it seemed determined to devour the two in one bite.

A glint of determination flashed through Gu Sheng's eyes as he released Ji Yewei's hand to confront the Taotie head-on. Activating his Cultivation Technique once more, the golden vision of crashing ocean waves reappeared, his aura unrivaled.

"Boom—" Gu Sheng and the Taotie collided, a thunderous explosion erupting. Gu Sheng staggered backward a few paces, while the Taotie also retreated slightly.

In this initial clash, both sides were probing each other's strength. Gu Sheng realized that this would be a grueling battle.

The Taotie roared again, lightning-fast as it lunged at Gu Sheng. Its attacks were fierce and merciless, each move imbued with lethal intent.

Relying on the formidable physical resilience of the Ancient Sacred Body and the nimble movement technique of the Gale Nine Swords, Gu Sheng engaged in an intense battle with the Taotie. Their combat generated immense turmoil, causing the entire Taotie Forest to quake.

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