"I accept your sincerity."
Gu Sheng’s fingertips suddenly shone with a golden light that pierced into the Jade Talisman. The shadow emitted a silent howl and dispersed into blue smoke.
"Let bygones be bygones."
Guardian Envoy Chen let out a long sigh of relief, his robes drenched in cold sweat.
He laughed heartily.
"I must confess, our past grievances were all due to my son’s obstinate behavior. If Master Gu doesn’t mind, I wish to have him join the Emperor Sect..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a point of gold light abruptly appeared at Gu Sheng’s brow. The sharp warning from the Innate Spirit Embryo exploded in his Sea of Consciousness.
"Master, be careful! There’s a murderous intent!"
At the instant the Innate Spirit Embryo warned, all the hair on Gu Sheng’s body stood on end, a chill rushing from his feet straight to his Heavenly Spirit cap.
Almost instinctively, he leaped back several yards and shouted sternly.
"Elder Chen, be careful!"
Chen Zhongting, worthy of a Heavenly Martial Realm powerhouse, had already sensed something was amiss as Gu Sheng warned.
He opened his eyes wide and roared in anger.
"Lu Chongshan, how dare you plot against me!"
Before his words could finish, his mighty Heavenly Martial Realm True Qi surged out, instantly forming a pale gold True Qi shield, enclosing Gu Sheng and himself tightly.
"Go!"
With a mighty shout, Chen Zhongting wrapped Gu Sheng and charged at the wall.
The wall, made of special materials, shattered like paper under the force of a Heavenly Martial Realm expert.
Just as the two charged out, a deafening explosion sounded behind them.
"Boom——"
The entire Huang City trembled violently. Centered on Linyin Pavilion, terrifying energy ripples spread outward.
Wherever it passed, whether buildings or streets, all turned to dust.
Gu Sheng looked back to see the lower two floors of the five-story Linyin Pavilion reduced to ashes in the explosion.
Just as the energy ripples were about to reach further areas, countless rune lights suddenly lit up in the ruins of Linyin Pavilion.
These lights wove into a net, forcibly containing the blast’s aftermath within a hundred-foot radius.
"The Pavilion Protection Array has been activated."
Chen Zhongting said gravely, with a look of lingering fear in his eyes.
"If not for your warning, we would have already..."
Gu Sheng’s face was calm, but his gaze was chillingly cold.
"Elder Lu, what is the meaning of this?"
Chen Zhongting’s face darkened.
"That old scoundrel Lu Chongshan, because I refused to ally with him, intends to end me!"
"Hahaha——"
A sinister laugh suddenly came from the air.
Five figures flew through the sky, with Lu Chongshan in gray robes, his expression murderous and menacing.
"Master Xiao, it’s been a while."
Lu Chongshan looked down coldly at Xiao Yun, who had emerged from the ruins.
Xiao Yun’s clothes were torn, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, having sustained injuries in the explosion.
He glared at Lu Chongshan.
"Lu Chongshan! How dare you attack Linyin Pavilion!"
"Master Xiao, you misunderstand."
Lu Chongshan said leisurely.
"Stalling for time?"
Lu Chongshan sneered.
"Even if Chen Zhongting and Long Yundao of the Emperor Sect come to help you, I have five Heavenly Martial Realm experts on my side. You can’t escape death today!"
Having said that, he waved his hand.
"Attack!"
Two figures responded, rushing towards Gu Sheng and Chen Zhongting respectively.
Chen Zhongting gritted his teeth and confronted one of them, instantly engaging in a fierce battle, the sound of True Qi clashing reverberating in the sky.
The other moved straight for Gu Sheng, about to succeed when a golden tunneling light suddenly descended from the sky.
"Even a dog from the Lu Family dares to touch an honored guest of the Emperor Sect?"
Long Yundao, wielding a golden spear like a Heavenly God descending, blocked in front of Gu Sheng, forcing the enemy back with a single thrust.
"Elder Long!"
Gu Sheng was overjoyed.
Long Yundao, with his back to Gu Sheng, sent a message.
"Gu, today it’s likely that I will die in this battle. But before I self-destruct, no one can harm you!"
Lu Chongshan saw that both Heavenly Martial Realm experts stood by Gu Sheng’s side, his gaze becoming even colder.
"It’s fortunate that the two Pavilion Masters of Linyin Pavilion are not present; otherwise, it could have been troublesome. However, just two Heavenly Martial Realm experts are not enough to fear!"
"Gu Sheng! Today is the day you die!"
Lu Chongshan’s loud voice echoed as he and two Heavenly Martial Realm fighters formed a triangle, charging towards Gu Sheng.
Their True Qi emanated, forming an intangible cage, sealing all of Gu Sheng’s escape routes.
Standing firm in place, Gu Sheng’s black robe fluttered without wind, yet there was no trace of panic on his face.

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