Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1135 - 591: Subduing the Demon Beast (Part 2)

While the surrounding crowd shrieked in terror, Gu Sheng remained stoic, his focus entirely dedicated to the safety of his companions.

At long last, the tremors shaking the mountain subsided.

Positioned just beneath him, Lan Yao reached out urgently to make contact.

"Gu Sheng! Gu Sheng! Are you safe?"

Prompted by his panicked exclamation, the others began to call out as well.

Yet, despite their persistent efforts, Gu Sheng did not provide an answer.

For a fleeting moment, the voices of Hong Mei and Shi Lou were marred by the distinct sound of stifled tears.

Just as despair began to set in, Gu Sheng’s voice finally pierced the silence.

"Maintain your positions; we are buried under debris, and any movement could trigger another collapse."

Relief washed over them, and tears of joy streamed down their faces upon finally hearing him.

Hong Mei asked, her voice trembling with emotion, "Gu Sheng, are you truly alright?"

Gu Sheng strained to shift his arm, successfully locating her hand within the pitch-black void.

"Do not fret, I am unhurt. I shall lead you all to safety soon."

The moment he finished speaking, the Spiritual Energy surged through Gu Sheng’s body.

Detecting the shift in his aura, the small tripod began to expand rapidly.

Within moments, rocks began to fall once more.

Gu Sheng swiftly employed his Spiritual Energy to erect a protective barrier, relying on his raw cultivation to clear the path of heavy rubble.

Observing his visible exhaustion, Lan Yao interjected nervously, "Gu Sheng, conserve your Spiritual Power! Let us assist you!"

"Indeed, Brother Sheng, we face this trial together!"

Gu Sheng offered no reply to their pleas, choosing instead to focus entirely on channeling his Spiritual Power.

Before long, a faint sliver of light penetrated the gloom.

As he beheld the sky, Gu Sheng bellowed, his aura erupting with such force that the remaining debris was blasted far away.

The group emerged into the daylight, and Gu Sheng immediately collapsed to the earth in a state of exhaustion.

Alarmed by his condition, they crowded around him, bombarding him with frantic inquiries regarding his health.

Listening to their cacophony, Gu Sheng offered a soft chuckle.

"I am perfectly fine, there is no cause for concern."

"If you were truly fine, would you collapse like that? Your state is undoubtedly concerning!"

"Exactly! We called out to you earlier while trapped, and you ignored us. You are clearly hiding something!"

As the group insisted something had gone wrong, Hong Mei withdrew her hand from his wrist, a look of pleasant surprise replacing her worries.

"Gu Sheng, are you truly uninjured?"

The group fell silent in disbelief.

"That is impossible. How could there be no injury at all?"

Gu Sheng nudged his hand away and cast a glance at Bai Yu, who recoiled instantly.

"I meant nothing by it; you simply appeared quite strange just a moment ago..."

Gu Sheng flashed a reassuring smile.

Seeing his demeanor, their confusion only deepened.

"Gu Sheng, what exactly is happening? Are you really suffering from no ill effects?"

"There was indeed a slight complication earlier, but it has passed, so I am perfectly well."

"A complication? What happened? Did you mend your own wounds?"

After a brief moment of reflection, Gu Sheng nodded.

"That is one way to put it. I was struck by a boulder and knocked unconscious, but your persistent calling helped me regain my senses. It was nothing severe."

Upon hearing this explanation, everyone was left utterly speechless.

Shi Lou rubbed his ears, blinking in disbelief at Gu Sheng, "Brother Sheng, did you just state you were incapacitated by a rock? You managed to fell a Demon Beast, only to be taken down by a stone?"

"That is correct."

Gu Sheng’s nonchalant response drew a sudden outburst of laughter from his companions.

Watching them, Gu Sheng rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Had that Demon Beast not suddenly detonated, I would have had no need to rush toward you in fear for your lives. If the situation had not been so dire, I would never have been struck by a falling stone."

The laughter died instantly as guilt painted their faces.

Observing their remorse, Gu Sheng couldn't contain a laugh himself.

"Peace, the incident is behind us now. Since I am unharmed, let us set out to retrieve the carcass of the Demon Beast."

"Brother Sheng, that Demon Beast was nearly a refined creature. Its hide and fur must possess significant value, correct?"

"It is all valuable, yet we cannot keep a single piece for ourselves."

"For what reason?" Er Gou asked, entirely baffled.

"Because it is the property Wang Chunshi demands. To secure the High-level Xuan Iron, we must provide this beast as collateral."

Grasping the stakes, the group let out a collective sigh of disappointment.

"Had we not been tasked with dealing with these Death Soldiers, the materials from this creature would be worth far more than that High-level Xuan Iron."

"We have no choice; fulfilling our mission takes priority."

With those final words, Gu Sheng signaled for them to join him in the search for the beast's remains.

Because the creature had chosen self-destruction, its body was buried deep within the mountain's wreckage, forcing them to search until the evening set in.

Beneath the glow of the moon, they painstakingly overturned rocks in search of their prize.

Eventually, Huang Shan shouted in excitement, "Brother Sheng, I have located it!"

Instantly, the entire group converged on his position.

"Are you absolutely certain it is the remains of the Demon Beast?"

"Confirmed!"

Encouraged by his certainty, they all rushed forward.

Bai Yu ignited several Luminous Pearls, casting a bright glow over the site. Indeed, it was the creature, and remarkably, despite the explosion, its most valuable parts remained intact!

"Marvelous! We have secured the body, and now we can finally claim the High-level Xuan Iron."

Exhausted, Lan Yao slumped down into a seated position.

Bai Yu, however, furrowed her brow and peered at Gu Sheng.

"Gu Sheng, the High-level Xuan Iron has always been our goal, but do you genuinely believe Wang Chunshi will hand it over just like that?"

Gu Sheng contemplated this for a moment before shaking his head.

"I am uncertain, but with the beast in our possession, he is obligated to provide some form of compensation. As he stated previously, he would not sacrifice his dignity before us juniors, so he will ensure our labor is not entirely in vain."

"And if he refuses the High-level Xuan Iron?"

"Then we shall enter negotiations."

Picking up the carcass, Gu Sheng began his return journey toward the Kunming Sect.

Lan Yao called out to his retreating figure several times.

"Night has already fallen, why depart now? Surely we could rest here and depart at dawn?"

Gu Sheng did not slow his pace, calling back, "This Demon Beast was likely part of a larger pack. Now that it is dead, its kin may come seeking vengeance under the cover of the moon. If you wish to survive the night, follow me."

Realizing the grave danger, Lan Yao jumped to his feet, trembling, and sprinted to catch up.

In the depth of the night, Gu Sheng arrived back at the gates of the Kunming Sect.

From a distance, he observed several individuals pacing restlessly at the entrance, clearly not acting as mere guards.

Narrowing his eyes, Gu Sheng marched toward them.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Upon catching sight of Gu Sheng, their faces lit up with immediate relief.

"You have returned?!"

Gu Sheng arched an eyebrow in inquiry.

"Were you waiting for my return?"

"Yes—no, that is not exactly it."

One man spoke on instinct before frantically trying to correct himself, yet he refused to meet Gu Sheng’s eyes, betraying his guilt.

Reading their expressions, Gu Sheng offered a knowing, calm laugh.

"You were well aware that I would succeed in my hunt for the Demon Beast."

It was a statement, not a query.

The members of the Kunming Sect scratched their heads in awkward silence, opting not to answer directly but gesturing toward the inner gates: "Uh, perhaps you should step inside."

"If you are welcoming us so freely, might it be that Senior Wang is waiting inside for our arrival?"

Though the truth was obvious, Gu Sheng feigned ignorance to fluster them, causing their faces to turn bright red.

"Uh... the night is dark and the wilderness treacherous. As guests of Kunming Mountain, it is safer to discuss matters within our halls."

Amused by their transparent excuses, Gu Sheng suppressed another chuckle and led his group through the gates with long strides.

Behind him, the Kunming Sect members stood in embarrassment, desperate to retreat into the shadows so they might avoid further scrutiny.