Gu Sheng turned around and saw an elder dressed in a Daoist robe, holding a Green Jade Dragon-Patterned Staff, descending from the sky—it was none other than Elder Wei Dubu from the Destruction Hall.

"Junior Gu Sheng greets Elder Wei." Gu Sheng saluted respectfully yet confidently. "This Gathering Spirit Immortal Herb is a natural treasure of the heavens and earth, meant for those fated to obtain it. Junior merely came across it by chance and had no intention of stealing it."

"Hmph! Such glib words!" Wei Dubu snorted coldly. "This Gathering Spirit Secret Realm belongs to my Destruction Hall, and all treasures within it naturally belong to us. You entered this place without permission and now seek to lay claim to the Gathering Spirit Immortal Herb. How audacious!"

Gu Sheng frowned slightly. "Elder Wei, you are mistaken. Heaven and earth's treasures should belong to all cultivators under the heavens. How can one hall monopolize them for selfish reasons? Besides, Junior has broken none of your hall's rules and merely stumbled upon this herb."

"Sophistry!" Wei Dubu's eyes flashed with a chilling light. "If I don't teach you a lesson today, you might really think my Destruction Hall lacks enforcers!"

The moment his words fell, he swung his Green Jade Dragon-Patterned Staff toward Gu Sheng. The staff's shadows multiplied, its power overwhelming, clearly aiming to capture Gu Sheng in one strike.

Seeing this onslaught, Gu Sheng dared not be careless and immediately activated his cultivation technique to defend himself. From below his navel, his Wheel of Life emerged. Visions of mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, exotic birds, and beasts swirled around it. Golden waves surged ceaselessly, radiating an awe-inspiring aura.

Dodging Wei Dubu's attack with swift movements, Gu Sheng struck back with a counterpalm. The golden handprint carried the power of his Ancient Sacred Body, clashing with the staff shadows in an earth-shaking explosion.

"Oh? Sacred Body vision? You're an Ancient Sacred Body!" Wei Dubu's eyes showed a hint of surprise, which quickly turned to greed. "Haha! Heaven truly favors me! Today, not only will I reclaim the Gathering Spirit Immortal Herb, but I'll also take this Ancient Sacred Body to refine into medicine!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng felt a chill in his heart. He realized his identity was exposed. At this moment, Wei Dubu seemed like a ravenous wolf staring at its prey, filling Gu Sheng with an unprecedented sense of danger.

"You old scoundrel! Don't even think about it!" Gu Sheng roared furiously. Golden light coursed through his body, his fighting spirit surging. He knew that retreating now would only make him a target for medicinal refinement.

The two engaged in fierce combat once more. Although Gu Sheng's cultivation was inferior to Wei Dubu's, he relied on the formidable physique of his Ancient Sacred Body and the profound visions from his cultivation technique to hold his own against Wei Dubu.

However, good times did not last. As time went on, Gu Sheng began to feel his strength waning. After all, Wei Dubu was a Divine Bridge Realm powerhouse from the Wheel Sea Secret Realm, far surpassing him in both cultivation and battle expertise.

Just as Gu Sheng was about to falter, a thought struck him—his spatial jump secret technique! A gleam of resolve appeared in his eyes, and his figure suddenly vanished from the spot, reappearing a thousand meters away.

"Hmm? A spatial secret technique?" Wei Dubu's eyes revealed a flash of surprise, soon overcome by greed. "Do you think this will let you escape my grasp? How naive!"

With a flicker of his figure, Wei Dubu transformed into a stream of light, chasing after Gu Sheng. The two engaged in a heart-pounding chase through the mountain valley.

Gu Sheng continuously used his spatial jump secret technique, trying to elude Wei Dubu's pursuit. Yet Wei Dubu's strength was overwhelming, allowing him to catch up swiftly and launch relentless attacks.

"This can't go on!" Gu Sheng was filled with urgency. "I must find a way to defeat him!"

Just then, his eyes lit up. "Wait! I haven't used the *Jie* Secret, one of the Nine Secrets!"

He concentrated his mind and activated the power of the *Jie* Secret. Instantly, he felt his combat strength multiply, as though an invisible force had surged into his body, filling him with confidence.

"Old scoundrel! Prepare to die!" Gu Sheng shouted, turning to charge at Wei Dubu. Golden light flowed around him, his fighting intent towering—he resembled a War God descending upon the world.

Wei Dubu was not alarmed but instead laughed heartily. "Finally showing your true might? Now this is getting interesting!"

He brandished his Green Jade Dragon-Patterned Staff, meeting Gu Sheng head-on in a battle of immense intensity.

The two clashed with fierce strikes, their attacks colliding in midair with thunderous explosions.

With the power of the *Jie* Secret, Gu Sheng fought Wei Dubu on equal footing, startling the latter.

"This brat's strength increased so much?" Wei Dubu inwardly remarked. "I mustn't underestimate him!"

He discarded all reservations and unleashed his full strength against Gu Sheng.

Their battle reached a fever pitch, with each strike powerful enough to shake the valley and alter the heavens and earth.

Then, in a sudden twist, an unexpected phenomenon occurred!

The once-clear sky darkened abruptly, clouds converging into dense layers. Thunder crackled and lightning flashed, as though the apocalypse was near.

"This is… a Heavenly Tribulation?" Wei Dubu's face changed drastically, and he hastily retreated. "That brat actually triggered a Heavenly Tribulation! What rotten luck!"

In a flash, his figure vanished from the valley, leaving Gu Sheng alone to face the impending calamity.

Gu Sheng also felt an unprecedented crisis. "A Heavenly Tribulation? I've triggered it at a time like this?"

Looking up, he saw thick clouds enveloping the sky, lightning intertwining like chains that seemed poised to consume the world.

*Gu Sheng's Tribulation*

"So be it! Come what may, I, Gu Sheng, will not fear a Heavenly Tribulation!" Gu Sheng declared boldly. The heavens seemed to respond to his challenge, and the thunder roared even louder.

Taking a deep breath, he sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and adjusted his state, preparing to face the challenge posed by the tribulation.

The clouds in the sky grew heavier, as if bearing the wrath and resentment of the cosmos. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning tore through the sky, followed by rolling thunder akin to the roar of a Heavenly God.

"BOOM——"

The first bolt of the Heavenly Tribulation descended, causing the entire valley to tremble as if it would collapse. The lightning resembled a giant dragon, roaring as it charged toward Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng remained calm, and with a thought, his Wheel of Life began to spin. From its navel point emerged a golden sea that expanded rapidly. In moments, a tiny compressed sea formed, radiating immense energy and aura.

"So this is the power of the Wheel Sea Secret Realm?" Gu Sheng thought. At the same time, he directed the golden sea's energy toward the sky to confront the tribulation.

*"CRACK—"*

Another bolt of tribulation lightning struck, colliding with the golden sea. The impact unleashed blinding light and deafening sound as the two forces vied for supremacy.

Though Gu Sheng felt a shock course through his body, he did not retreat. Instead, he activated the power of his Ancient Sacred Body, his golden glow intensifying until he appeared like a golden War God. With palms and fists aglow, he met the tribulation head-on in a fierce battle.

"BOOM—"

Lightning fell incessantly, and Gu Sheng defended persistently. His silhouette flashed amidst the dazzling lightning, narrowly evading each destructive strike. Meanwhile, his counters grew ever sharper, as golden handprints and fist shadows painted an awe-inspiring scene in the stormy sky.

Then, the clouds thickened further, as though to crush the valley completely. A terrifying aura emanated from within, making it hard to breathe.

"Is this… the tribulation's final strike?" Gu Sheng thought. He knew he could not hold back anything now and would have to give his all to pass this trial. Otherwise, the consequences would be fatal.

He took a deep breath, concentrating all his cultivation into a single point, readying himself for the last strike. Simultaneously, he prepared to self-detonate if he couldn't withstand the blow, determined to preserve his soul.

"BOOM——"

The final bolt of tribulation descended—it was a silver dragon plunging from the heavens, carrying apocalyptic power as it charged at Gu Sheng!

Clenching his teeth, Gu Sheng summoned the full might of his Ancient Sacred Body and faced it head-on! Golden light and silver lightning collided intensely, shaking the valley to its core!

"AH—"

Gu Sheng roared defiantly! His figure flickered within the lightning, each clash pushing him to his limits. But he did not relent—he fought with unwavering resolve, his golden fists and palms striking against the heart of the tribulation!

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