Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1187 - 617: Still Alive (2)

Fury surged even more intensely in Gu Sheng's heart, yet he couldn't afford to worry about the figure beyond the door; the agonizing torment in his body almost stripped away his capacity for thought.

His resolve started to waver, his frame shuddering without control. Over and over, he fought to rise, only to collapse back to the floor with a heavy thud each time.

"I won't die... I've endured countless dire crises on the Holy Road; how could I perish in this place!" Unyielding refusal burned in Gu Sheng's mind. He bore the unbearable agony and frantically sought solutions to his dire straits.

Deep inside, Gu Sheng detected a subtle radiance. It came from the Taiji Hunyuan Heavenly Book. He also felt a stir in the aura of the enigmatic woman resting within the Heavenly Book.

A sudden inspiration struck Gu Sheng; he recalled refining barren tree energy with a certain mental method. Maybe that same method could purify this toxin!

Faced with this mortal crisis, Gu Sheng had no alternatives. Clenching his teeth against the overwhelming pain, he activated the Nine Dragon Heaven and Earth Technique.

While chanting the incantation, a mighty devouring power erupted from his core, surging straight toward the poison.

Ignoring his body's torment, Gu Sheng turned his focus inward to monitor the chaos within. He observed the devouring force inching closer to the toxin. Everything rested on this critical gamble; his life and his sister's security hung in the balance.

A sharp sting hit Gu Sheng's lips as a bitter, salty flavor flooded his mouth. The intense suffering drilled into his mind, snapping him back to sharp awareness for an instant.

Bloodshot eyes locked onto the raging poison ravaging his insides. Jaw set tight, he resolved with desperate determination in his soul—to employ the Nine Dragon Heaven and Earth Technique to consume this horrific toxin designed for Body Refiners.

The poison proved utterly strange beyond imagination, and Gu Sheng inwardly cursed. His mighty Sacred Body turned into a fatal weakness right now. The robust his physique, the fiercer the poison raged.

Though his form was frail to the extreme, a world-shaking force exploded from his depths. The incredible devouring energy unleashed a savage attack on the odd toxin coursing through him.

Every single cell in Gu Sheng's body seemed to scream and writhe in agony.

Should this attempt fail, the lethal poison would rapidly seize his heart. Even with the Sacred Body, salvation would come too late. A fierce, silent life-or-death struggle raged chaotically within him.

Luckily, the Nine Dragon Heaven and Earth Technique's devouring might perfectly countered this wicked toxin. Before this force, the poison quivered in fear.

With effort, Gu Sheng pried open his leaden lids, thrillingly eyeing the fierce confrontation, hope swelling in his chest. But his awareness blurred further, darkness claiming his sight as he blacked out.

No telling how long had elapsed when Gu Sheng's mind floated amid swirling mists of disorder,

vaguely catching the gentle patter of rain. Refreshing droplets drummed softly on his skin, delivering a cherished chill.

A well-known voice, laced with tears, reached him: "Brother, wake up, don’t scare me..." His sister Gu Yu was calling!

With great strain, Gu Sheng lifted his heavy eyelids, beholding his sister's face first. Gu Yu clutched him fiercely, sobs wracking her body.

Gu Sheng lifted a hand to caress her cheek tenderly, the solid warmth confirming reality, overwhelming relief washing over him after the ordeal. He lived.

Weak as his body remained, Gu Sheng examined his inner state, noting the poison's ravage on his organs, scars plainly visible. His sister's unharmed presence let him finally exhale in ease.

Parting his lips faintly, he rasped, "Yu’er, do you remember how we got poisoned?"

Tears streaming, Gu Yu replied, "Brother, I felt awful during cultivation, then sharp pain struck, and I blacked out. Waking up, I found you collapsed here, out cold."

Gu Sheng's spirits plummeted; he realized the toxin targeted him specifically. The culprit had acted with utmost caution, erasing all traces.

Gazing at her, he murmured gently, "Yu’er, go guard the entrance and watch over me; I must cultivate to heal."

Gu Yu brushed away her tears swiftly, nodded firmly, and hurried from the chamber.

Battling unease, Gu Sheng concentrated on circulating his mental method. As it flowed, soothing warmth spread through him, accelerating his mending noticeably.

Deep in cultivation, Gu Sheng detected an intrusive aura nearing Tianshan Residence.

Eyes snapping open, he peered through the window to spot the pair who'd departed before, strolling back amid chuckles.

The sharp-sighted one noticed Gu Yu in the yard and nudged his partner, "Hey, check her out, what a stunner; let's head over."

Grinning, the other agreed, and they hastened their steps.

Confident in their solid cultivation bases, they deemed no one in Tianshan Residence their equal. Earlier, they'd held back from slaying Gu Sheng to avoid drawing suspicion.

Lewd grins plastered on Du Zhixin and Shou Xiangwen's faces as they neared Tianshan Residence, steps light and mocking, their guffaws cutting through the quiet night.

Pacing nervously outside the boudoir, Gu Yu fretted.

Her brother's faint breathing gnawed at her, dark fears churning in her thoughts.

She whispered, "Brother, nothing can happen to you."

Then Du Zhixin and Shou Xiangwen entered her view.

Du Zhixin taunted, "Little beauty, has that Gu Sheng kicked the bucket yet?"

Eyes narrowed in caution, Gu Yu demanded loudly, "Who are you people? What business do you have here?"

Shou Xiangwen bellowed with scornful laughter, "Little girl, drop the act. Fork over Gu Sheng now."

Potent auras erupted from them, Spiritual Energy swirling into turbulent vortices.

Crushing pressure descended on Gu Yu, choking her breath, despair surging up.

Composing herself, she shouted, "Don't make a move, our elders will never forgive you!"

Du Zhixin scoffed, "Elders? We're backed by elders too; why should we worry!"

Shou Xiangwen's laughter boomed haughtier: "We've sealed your master's room with an Isolation Array; no cries for aid will get through today!"

Trapped with no escape, Gu Yu stood defenseless.

Shou Xiangwen lunged, seizing her throat, snarling, "Spit it out—where's Gu Sheng's corpse?"

Gasping in resistance, Gu Yu quavered, "Brother... he's not dead..."

Astonished, Shou Xiangwen raised his fist to lash out.

Du Zhixin restrained him, "Hold on, ruining such a beauty would be a shame."

Du Zhixin ogled Gu Yu's loveliness, foul desires brewing.

Meanwhile, Shou Xiangwen eyed the boudoir, grumbling, "Something's hidden in there, maybe Gu Sheng's remains or treasure." With that, he moved to shove the door open.

Right as Du Zhixin's palm neared the entrance, Gu Yu's cries rang out behind. Wheeling around, he saw Shou Xiangwen ripping at her garments.

Du Zhixin sighed in exasperation at Shou Xiangwen's haste, then strode into the chamber.

A subtle scent lingered in the room. Du Zhixin scanned it, finding nothing. Still, he sensed faint traces of a Cultivator's presence hanging in the air.

He wondered, "Is Gu Sheng somehow still breathing?" Regrettably, realization dawned too late.

Unseen, Gu Sheng materialized at the threshold, hauling the limp Shou Xiangwen. Pale-faced and aura flickering weakly, Shou Xiangwen bore grave wounds.