Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1087 - 567: Stirring Public Outrage (Part 2)

Previously on Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World...
The crowd erupts in chaos after accusations that the Fan Sect deceived them about the Spiritual Pearl, leading to a unified assault that wipes out the sect's members. Gu Sheng, observing the two suspicious groups with dark expressions, suspects further incidents and urges his companions to rest while staying alert. As night falls, he detects rising Evil Qi and witnesses stealthy figures emerging from a rival camp, alerting other sects by signaling with stones and traces of Evil Qi before trailing the evildoers with his group hidden nearby.

Gu Sheng scanned the surroundings intently for a brief period, yet failed to spot any other group radiating Evil Qi at the moment. This caused a crease to form on his forehead, although he refrained from making any impulsive decisions.

While Gu Sheng remained lost in contemplation, the small group ahead of him began to advance. Rather than spreading out, they bunched up tightly and moved in the direction of the camp's gateway.

All onlookers felt confused and instinctively shifted closer by a step.

In that instant, the group revealed that they had produced a bamboo tube, which they thrust into the fabric of the enemy camp's tent.

The bystanders were stunned as one member promptly placed his mouth to the tube and exhaled with great vigor.

Sensing something amiss, Gu Sheng dashed ahead with tremendous speed.

Witnessing Gu Sheng's sudden motion, the assembled crowd, who had been suppressing their urges for quite some time, could no longer hold back and surged forward en masse.

"Villains! Dare you still try to injure members of our sects? You're begging for death!"

A voice bellowed as an individual lunged toward the culprits, blade in hand.

The assailants recoiled in alarm; faced with such a large throng, their faces twisted in panic, and they whirled around to escape.

Observing their flight, cultivators from various other sects, concealed in the nearby gloom, leaped forth successively, sealing off every escape route and trapping them in a tight ring.

Right when the confrontation reached its height, figures emerged from within the tent.

They stumbled out, faces ashen and bodies trembling, and prior to uttering a single syllable, each retched up a gush of crimson blood.

Only at that point did Gu Sheng understand that these folks were representatives from the targeted sects! Shockingly, these rogues had schemed against them; it was a vile outrage!

Unsheathing the Fire Spirit Dagger, Gu Sheng barreled directly into the fray.

Beholding Gu Sheng's aggressive charge, the adversaries instantly became alert and hastily arranged themselves into a protective formation.

Gu Sheng let out a cold smirk, ignoring their setup, and plunged straight toward the heart of their cluster.

Upon unleashing Divine Power, the foes were thrown into utter chaos without delay.

As the opponents dispersed in confusion, Gu Sheng slashed vigorously with the Fire Spirit Dagger, sending arcs of blood spraying forth at once.

He made no effort to evade, allowing the warm blood to splatter across his form.

Spotting him drenched in gore, Bai Yu and his companions hurried to his side immediately.

Numerous others dove into the skirmish, and the attackers toppled one after another at their onslaught.

It wasn't due to any lack of prowess on the part of their foes, but because Gu Sheng's allies vastly outnumbered them. Within mere moments, every last enemy lay lifeless.

Once the battle concluded and the bodies hit the dirt, Gu Sheng pivoted to examine those sprawled on the ground.

While approaching, he retrieved a bundle of healing herbs, knelt beside one man, and checked his vital signs.

After assessing the pulse, Gu Sheng exhaled a deep sigh of relief.

Noting his demeanor, Hong Mei inquired with urgent concern, "How are they faring? What poison has beset them?"

"It's merely a standard toxin; Elixir Pills will counteract it effectively."

No sooner had Gu Sheng uttered the words than disciples from different sects produced their own Elixir Pills.

"Take mine; our sect's Elixir Pills are famed throughout Jianghu."

"Use mine, use mine; this follows my exclusive formula, potent against every kind of venom."

Surveying the array of Elixir Pills, Gu Sheng selected the one held by Hong Mei.

After all, with lives hanging in the balance, he couldn't gamble with the well-being of strangers. Who could say if Fan Sect infiltrators lurked among them? Relying on Hong Mei seemed the securest choice.

Grasping the Elixir Pills, Gu Sheng administered them straight to the victims.

Before long, signs of recovery appeared on the sufferers' faces.

"Assist me in transporting them back to our camp."

Upon hearing Gu Sheng's command, the group sprang into action without hesitation.

Once they had returned the injured to the safety of the camp, Gu Sheng pried apart two wooden panels to allow a breeze of fresh air to circulate.

He chose not to send away the gathering but instead drew forth a set of silver needles.

With a single precise insertion, color returned swiftly to the face of the nearest patient.

Having demonstrated the technique to Hong Mei, Gu Sheng proceeded to apply the needles to the remaining afflicted.

Their features brightened progressively; it was then that he channeled Spiritual Power, allowing it to envelop them gently and steadily.

Sensing the dense and vibrant Spiritual Energy flowing from Gu Sheng, the onlookers stood in awe.

They had long recognized him as an extraordinary expert beyond the worldly realm, yet none had anticipated the sheer intensity of his Spiritual Energy!

Even those Gu Sheng had previously warned felt a jolt of surprise, now grasping why he had so swiftly sensed the assailants' Evil Qi.

After the passage of time equal to one incense stick, Gu Sheng withdrew the needles from the group, and they gradually stirred to consciousness.

Upon seeing the crowd encircling them with worried gazes, a startle overtook the awakened.

"What... what is it you intend to do?"

Observing their wary attitudes, the assembly couldn't help but feel a mix of laughter and frustration.

"We're not here to cause you pain, so why the fear?"

"Don't you recall the events from earlier?"

Even amid the flurry of inquiries, bewilderment lingered on their expressions.

Gu Sheng advanced and recounted the full account.

As he stowed the silver needles during his narration, the sect members dropped to their knees in unison before him.

Gu Sheng recoiled in surprise and hurriedly lifted them to their feet.

"Why this formality?"

"Brother, you've preserved the lives of our entire sect; such gratitude is only right!"

"It was merely a minor deed. I cannot permit such profound respect; rise at once."

Following Gu Sheng's words, Bai Yu and the rest moved in to assist them upright.

One of them fished out a handful of Silver Taels from his pouch and, with a hint of shyness, presented them forward.

"Brother, we departed so abruptly without any treasures, just these Silver Taels as a humble token of thanks. You must take them!"

Hardly had he concluded when his companions followed suit, pooling their own Silver Taels into a single pile.

"Benefactor, accept this symbol of our heartfelt thanks."

Faced with their sincere pleas, Gu Sheng found the situation rather comical.

"Rescuing you was a trifling effort; how could I take your Silver Taels? Moreover, everyone present played a part. Would you offer payment to each? Your appreciation is noted; keep your possessions."

Gu Sheng resolutely handed back the offerings, and despite repeated protests, they relented in the end.

In that instant, Gu Sheng faced the assembled throng, his countenance shifting to one of stern gravity.

"Our journey brought us here in pursuit of the Fan Sect's Spiritual Pearl. Upon reaching the base of East Mountain, we found ourselves stranded in this place. Nightly disturbances plague our vigil, and the perpetrators invariably bear Evil Qi. Clearly, they share ties with the Fan Sect, preying solely on sects rich in Spiritual Energy. Though we've escaped their notice so far, should they strike us, our own Spiritual Energy might be siphoned away."

Gu Sheng's explanation drew nods of consensus from all.

What began as whispers of mistrust had, through these trials, transformed into unwavering conviction.

"Brother, what course of action do you suggest?"

One voice broke the silence, soon echoed by a chorus of others.

Abruptly, a cry rang out, "With all these sects united here, we ought to storm their stronghold as one! The Fan Sect alone, with its wounded Sect Leader—why tolerate their insolence? We've suffered long enough; let's assail and obliterate them outright, ensuring they never threaten Jianghu again!"

The proposal ignited a wave of fervent endorsements.

As the discussion swelled, every eye turned inevitably toward Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng swept his gaze across the encircling faces, finally settling it upon the Qikong Sect Leader.

"What say you?"

"Brother Gu, I stand with the consensus. The Fan Sect's atrocities demand retribution, and our numbers guarantee their downfall, easing my burdens at last."

With that affirmation, Gu Sheng inclined his head in agreement.

"Given the unified resolve, we'll advance according to this plan."

Suddenly, a query arose, "Brother, with such profound and refined Spiritual Power, might I inquire as to your sect's affiliation? Your face is unfamiliar to us."

As the question hung in the air, intrigued looks spread across the group.

Across the past couple of days, it had become evident that Gu Sheng was far from commonplace, though his sect's identity eluded them all. Now, they yearned to learn which lineage had forged such a formidable figure.

Hearing the inquiry, Gu Sheng tiredly rubbed his temple.