Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1129 - 588: A War Sparked by an Herb_2

Gu Sheng resolved himself, prompting the entire group to rush toward the elevated terrain at once.

The ascent up the mountain proved treacherous and arduous. Lan Yao led the way, clutching the rocks firmly with hands and feet alike.

He had already activated his Divine Power, yet a fierce wind gust battered him, sending his body rocking wildly.

Witnessing his peril, an Elf Clan member couldn't restrain a cry: "Second Young Master, watch out!"

Despite the chorus of voices from below, Lan Yao refused to glance back.

The ledge under his grip narrowed further, complicating every shift. He couldn't afford to turn, so he simply called out and pressed onward.

Noticing the Elf Clan attempting to pursue, Gu Sheng halted them sharply.

"Hold back—don't follow anymore. The rocks up there won't support extra weight; your climb could send him plummeting."

At those words, the Elf Clan halted right away.

"Brother Sheng, is there anything we can do to assist the Second Young Master?"

"Impossible. The route forward is far too perilous; he must fetch those herbs using only his own power. All we can do is observe from a distance."

Gu Sheng delivered these lines steadily, though the Elf Clan fretted endlessly and had no choice but to linger where they stood.

Venturing solo, Lan Yao encountered diminishing hurdles, but his form trembled with greater force. Beads of sweat streamed down his brow nonstop, still he inched ahead relentlessly.

As his frame stretched out, dangling entirely from a midair outcrop, the onlookers' pulses raced in dread.

Gu Sheng monitored him intently, his palms swirling with ready Divine Power.

All understood he had a contingency ready; should Lan Yao tumble, Gu Sheng's Divine Power might catch him. Nevertheless, tension gripped everyone tightly.

While Lan Yao crept nearer, merely a single step from the herb, urgent footfalls echoed from behind the assembly.

Startled, Gu Sheng whipped around to spot a band of unfamiliar figures, their visages twisted in hostility, advancing unchecked. The odd energy radiating from them hit him clearly.

Sensing their hostile designs, Gu Sheng pivoted swiftly to position himself as the sole barrier before the rest.

"Who are you people?!"

Gu Sheng attacked verbally first, drawing mocking guffaws from the foes.

"We discovered this herb before anyone and marked it with our aura. You lot dare steal it outright, yet question our identity?!"

Amid their killing intent, Gu Sheng's eyes narrowed faintly.

"You don't hail from Kunming Mountain."

His statement rang as fact, and none denied it.

"Does it matter if we're not from Kunming Mountain? Neither are you. We found this herb first—it's ours by right!"

With their origins confirmed, a frosty grin crept across Gu Sheng's features.

"Since we're both outsiders to Kunming Mountain, it's only fair—first arrival claims it."

"Rubbish! Our aura has lingered here for ages; you're the thieves grabbing our prize! Want to claim it? Surrender your lives first!"

Outraged by such claims, Gu Sheng's icy smile widened.

"Crave our lives? Prove you've got the ability to claim them!"

Noting Gu Sheng's unyielding stance, the man erupted his Divine Power.

Right then, yet another party dashed up in haste.

"Halt! Meddling in Kunming Mountain's affairs—do you seek death?"

The shout elicited a booming laugh from the speaker.

"Kunming Mountain or not, I act freely on this land. Even all of you together couldn't touch me—yet you challenge me? You're begging for oblivion!"

"Death or no, we won't allow your scheme! These treasures are Kunming Mountain's; you'll never lay hands on them!"

"Let me warn you—this prize will be mine without fail!"

With that, he spun toward Gu Sheng, dialing back his hostility as he proposed, "Care to ally with me? After we crush these Kunming Mountain fools, we'll divide the herbs evenly."

Gu Sheng could only scoff inwardly at the offer.

Mere instants prior, they plotted murder, and now this invitation to partner?

Before Gu Sheng could retort, the Kunming Mountain group bellowed, "Refuse that scoundrel! This is Kunming Mountain's domain; he won't seize it, and you shan't either!"

Gu Sheng felt a twinge of exasperation, meeting the man's gaze squarely.

"Should I side with him, you'd be no match for us combined."

"And? You're on Kunming Mountain soil now; slay us if you dare, but our endless disciples will hunt you down!"

Irked by the bravado, Gu Sheng rubbed his temple.

"Truth be told, he could enlist my aid, much like you might."

Stunned by Gu Sheng's reply, the man faltered.

"What are you saying? You're not aligned with him?"

Such a query left Gu Sheng and his allies in utter disbelief.

In that instant, doubts arose about the man's sanity—how else to explain his muddled grasp of alliances?

"Which part of me looked partnered with him? Before your arrival, we were set on slaughtering one another!"

"Then what? You two ganged up against Kunming Mountain?"

"Absurd! Since when did I accept his offer? How does Kunming Mountain tolerate fools like you!"

Gu Sheng's furious outburst flushed the man's cheeks with rage.

"You deny ties to him? I insist you do—now forfeit your life!"

The declaration barely ended before he lunged recklessly.

As the energy surged, a voice near Gu Sheng urged, "Observe how these Kunming Mountain dolts behave. Wouldn't it suit us to team up, snag the herbs fast?"

Ignoring the plea, Gu Sheng drew his Fire Spirit Dagger, fixing the man with a chilling stare.

"Lacking or not, Kunming Mountain remains a prestigious sect—you're mere deviants on a twisted path."

The words twisted the man's face, his killing vibe surging fiercer.

Clutching the Fire Spirit Dagger, Gu Sheng barreled straight at him.

His force outstripped the Kunming Mountain contingent by far. His initial assault left them gaping in shock.

Spotting their inaction, Gu Sheng snarled through clenched teeth, "Why hesitate? Awaiting his fatal blow?"

His strikes with the Fire Spirit Dagger flowed unceasing, each one unleashed at maximum potency.

The man wavered briefly, as if weighing options, then joined the fray alongside Gu Sheng.

Relieved by the response, Gu Sheng drew a heavy breath, unleashing his full Divine Power to spearhead the assault.

Gu Sheng's brutal strikes targeted lives outright, and with Shi Lou and the rest committing fully, they repelled the Kunming Mountain and enemy lines decisively.

Witnessing the overwhelming might from Gu Sheng's side, the antagonist reeled under blows, barely enduring, and called to Gu Sheng: "Ally with me this instant, and the herbs are all yours. Refuse, and once I'm slain, Kunming Mountain denies you the prize!"

Enraged by the divisive ploy, the Kunming Mountain folks seethed.

"Stay out of our affairs! Priority now: we upright sects unite to crush you vile wanderers!"

He cast a quick look at Gu Sheng afterward.

"Ignore his taunts; aid me, and the herbs become yours!"

Gu Sheng arched a brow at the words, glancing toward Lan Yao's persistent efforts.

"Lan Yao, catch that?"

Afraid to look, Lan Yao shouted back forcefully, "Yes!"

Swiveling around, Gu Sheng launched into action again.

"Kunming Sect has it right; you deviants merit death! Daring to stir chaos on their turf—you're courting doom! Get ready to perish!"

Thus declared, Gu Sheng surged forward with clear lethal purpose. Inspired, the Kunming Sect members charged in tandem.

The merged powers dominated utterly, steamrolling the opposition.

Seizing a vulnerable instant, Gu Sheng's Fire Spirit Dagger cleaved down savagely, claiming the man's life in a flash!