Chapter Thirty-Two

"These mechanisms are indeed not simple, but for me, they are nothing more than child's play." Gu Liuyun’s expression remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He quickly formed a seal and whispered, "Supreme Profound Nine Cycles, Second Cycle!"

Instantly, a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from Gu Liuyun’s body, forming a transparent shield that enveloped both him and Chen Jiaojiao. The rain of arrows struck the shield, only to be deflected and vanish without a trace.

"Let’s go, we must continue forward." Gu Liuyun gripped Chen Jiaojiao’s hand, his gaze fixed firmly ahead. Their figures moved deeper into the cavern, leaving a trail of resolute footprints behind.

Deep within the cave, more unknown challenges awaited them, and the path of immortality in Gu Liuyun’s heart became increasingly clear and steadfast.

With a slight smirk, Gu Liuyun treated the traps within the cave as if they were mere toys. He strolled forward, his fingers tracing mysterious patterns in the air as he chanted incantations. Suddenly, the once lethal arrows froze in mid-air, then turned around, firing back toward their origin.

"Petty tricks, daring to show off in front of an expert?" Gu Liuyun scoffed with disdain.

As they ventured further, the cave opened up. An ancient stone gate appeared, engraved with complex runes that emitted faint fluctuations of spiritual energy. Gu Liuyun recognized it instantly as an ancient formation. When he touched the gate, a cool sensation permeated his entire body.

"It seems this is the treasury."

He closed his eyes, concentrating as he recalled the methods for breaking such formations from his past life. A moment later, he opened his eyes, a glint of confidence shining within them. His hands moved rapidly, weaving seals, and golden runes flew from his fingertips to merge with those on the stone gate. With a series of clicks, the gate slowly creaked open, revealing a dazzling sight.

The chamber was filled with all manner of rare treasures, shimmering in a kaleidoscope of colors. Spirit stones, medicinal pills, magical artifacts, cultivation manuals—everything one could imagine was there, leaving Chen Jiaojiao dazzled.

"My goodness, so many treasures!" She exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Gu Liuyun was also struck by the sight, but he quickly regained his composure. He knew that while these treasures were precious, the most important thing for him was to improve his own strength. He sat down cross-legged before a pile of spirit stones and began to absorb the spiritual energy within them.

Just then, a deafening roar echoed from the depths of the chamber. A massive beast, exuding a fierce and malevolent aura, emerged slowly from the shadows. It was gargantuan and hideous, its scarlet eyes locked onto Gu Liuyun as if to tear him to shreds.

"I didn't expect a guardian beast here. It seems we are in for a show." Gu Liuyun’s lips curled upward. He stood up slowly, a golden longsword manifesting in his hand, pointing directly at the beast. "Beast, let me test your worth!"

Man and beast engaged in a fierce battle. The beast’s claws and fangs, accompanied by sharp gusts of wind, launched relentless attacks at Gu Liuyun. Relying on his rich combat experience and immense power, Gu Liuyun dodged nimbly, waiting for the perfect moment to counter. Golden sword light flashed through the chamber, each strike drawing pained roars from the monster.

"Gu Liuyun, be careful!" Chen Jiaojiao watched from the side, her eyes filled with a mixture of anxiety and trust, acting like his most loyal cheerleader.

Feeling her gaze, a mysterious strength surged within Gu Liuyun; his combat prowess skyrocketed. His golden sword became a whirlwind of steel, each strike possessing the power to cleave mountains. The guardian beast shrieked in agony, suffering a miserable defeat. Finally, with a heaven-shaking howl, the beast collapsed under Gu Liuyun’s blade, dissolving into a cloud of black smoke.

Gu Liuyun sheathed his sword, a devilish smile on his face, looking impossibly dashing. He strode toward Chen Jiaojiao and pulled her into his arms. They embraced tightly, the air thick with romantic tension, as if a fire of love had been ignited within the dangerous cavern.

After their moment of intimacy, Gu Liuyun returned to business. He sat down and began to absorb the spiritual energy of the chamber ravenously, like a whale gulping down the ocean. The surrounding energy converged toward him at a visible rate. His internal power climbed like a volcanic eruption until, with a sharp crack, he broke through to a new realm, his strength soaring as if propelled by a rocket.

He felt invigorated, as if he could crush a bull with one punch—no, shatter a mountain! Gu Liuyun rose to his feet, his body radiating a formidable aura like a walking warhead, distorting the very air around him. With a confident smile, he wrapped his arm around Chen Jiaojiao’s waist and led her out of the cave.

The clouds and mist that had shrouded the cavern were instantly dispersed by his powerful aura. Sunlight streamed down, bathing them in a golden radiance. The immense pressure made the cultivators watching from afar tremble in fear, as if they were witnessing the descent of an ancient demon god.

As soon as Gu Liuyun and Chen Jiaojiao returned to the gathering place, they instantly became the center of attention, as if accompanied by their own theme music. The cultivators who had previously mocked him now shivered like quails, not daring to even breathe loudly.

When Elder Zhao and the others saw Gu Liuyun, he merely offered a smile that chilled them to the bone. Sweeping his gaze over the crowd, he declared domineeringly, "From this day forward, if anyone dares to target me, do not blame me for being ruthless!" His voice rolled like thunder, numbing the eardrums of everyone present.

The various factions dared not utter a sound. They watched him in silence, as if looking upon a deity, with no trace of their former arrogance left.

With this, Gu Liuyun firmly established his footing in the world of cultivation. His bond with Chen Jiaojiao grew stronger, and the legend of his journey continued to unfold. Gu Liuyun took Chen Jiaojiao’s hand, looked at her meaningfully, and said, "Jiaojiao, I’m taking you somewhere."

As Gu Liuyun and Chen Jiaojiao stepped back into the cultivation assembly, the atmosphere froze as if a pause button had been pressed. Every gaze turned toward them—some filled with awe, others with curiosity, and some with deeply hidden hostility, scanning them like searchlights.

During the last assembly, Gu Liuyun had made a powerful debut, shaking the entire cultivation circle like a bolt of lightning. His reappearance now made him the undeniable focus of the event. The market remained bustling, filled with shouts of peddlers and the haggle of prices, while the air was thick with the scents of various herbs and artifacts. Yet, beneath the chaotic facade, Gu Liuyun keenly sensed something amiss—an undercurrent was flowing, like the calm before a storm. He scanned his surroundings calmly, taking everything in.