Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1258 - 653: My Divine Soul

Heads turned in unison as a contingent of figures descended from the sky, riding the air currents. At their forefront was a woman in white, her exquisite beauty and transcendental aura captivating all eyes.

"The Qinghe Saintess!" a voice cried out in awe.

Wang Xiu Jie's countenance immediately fell, a grim shadow crossing his features.

The personal appearance of the Qinghe Saintess undoubtedly complicated matters.

With steps as graceful as a blooming lotus, the Qinghe Saintess alighted. Her snow-white robes seemed to shimmer with an inner light, and with each movement, it appeared as though phantom lotus flowers were unfurling beneath her feet.

As she arrived upon the mountaintop, the previously boisterous atmosphere fell into a profound silence.

"Holy Daughter."

The man clad in green robes was the first to offer a respectful greeting.

The woman in red also retracted her Fire Whip and bowed slightly.

"Why has the Holy Daughter graced us with her presence?"

A faint, gentle smile played on the Holy Daughter's lips.

"I received word of an unusual phenomenon at Ten Thousand Ghost Ridge and felt compelled to investigate."

Her voice, though melodious and pleasing to the ear, carried a subtle, almost imperceptible resonance.

He cast a fleeting glance at the shadowy form that pulsed at the center of the Blood River, then quickly averted his gaze.

"Hahaha!"

Wang Xiu Jie suddenly erupted into laughter, shattering the momentary quiet.

"Could it be that the Holy Daughter has come specifically to witness the demise of Gu Sheng?"

The Holy Daughter's expression remained placid, though a distinct chill now flickered within her eyes.

"Young Master Wang, you jest," she replied smoothly.

Gale, his fiery red hair a stark contrast against the sky, drifted closer.

"During the trials on the Holy Road, Gu Sheng certainly caused a stir among the Six Great Holy Lands. Holy Daughter, surely you are not merely an observer, are you?"

As he spoke, he even offered a knowing wink to the Holy Daughter, his admiration openly displayed.

Wang Xiu Jie let out a cold snort.

"Gale, your tongue is always stirring up trouble."

"Oh?"

Gale turned his gaze towards Wang Xiu Jie, a challenging glint in his eyes.

"The one who reached the summit first but hesitated to enter the Blood River now dares to retort to me?"

Wang Xiu Jie's face darkened momentarily, but he quickly regained his usual flippant demeanor.

"I am merely prolonging Gu Sheng's existence. When the opportune moment arrives, I shall deal with him like a stray dog."

He then turned his attention back to the Holy Daughter.

"What are the Holy Daughter's thoughts on this?"

The Holy Daughter offered him a subtle glance.

"It is acceptable."

Her perfunctory response caused Wang Xiu Jie's expression to freeze, a flicker of irritation crossing his features.

Lv Feng couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh.

"Wang Xiu Jie, you're all talk. Do you possess the courage to retrieve Gu Sheng right now?"

Wang Xiu Jie's face flushed crimson, yet he remained utterly speechless.

The perilous nature of the Blood River was something he had personally witnessed; even a formidable figure like Lin Batian had been ensnared within its depths. How could he possibly venture in without extreme caution?

Lv Feng pressed his advantage.

"If you lack the nerve, then cease your boasting. If Gu Sheng truly perishes in the Blood River, your grandiose claim of 'toying with a stray dog' will become a laughable falsehood."

Seizing the opportunity, Gale added fuel to the escalating tension.

"Indeed! Wang Xiu Jie, if you won't dare, then I shall descend."

As he uttered these words, he deliberately cast a provocative glance in Wang Xiu Jie's direction.

Wang Xiu Jie's veins throbbed with suppressed anger, but he managed to rein it in.

"By all means, proceed."

Allowing Gale to scout ahead first suited his intentions perfectly. If the Blood River proved treacherous, it would be Gale meeting his end.

If, however, no danger materialized, he could then consider entering himself.

A similar calculation played out in the minds of others; the unsettling aura of the Blood River instilled a deep sense of caution, and they were all eager for someone to break the stalemate.

Gale surveyed the surroundings, his gaze finally settling on the Holy Daughter.

"Holy Daughter, once I have apprehended Gu Sheng, I shall return and recount the details to you."

The Holy Daughter offered a slight nod of acknowledgment.

Without further hesitation, Gale plunged into the Blood River.

"Splash!"

As the water erupted, a collective gasp escaped the onlookers, their eyes fixed intently on the river's surface.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Gale's form vanished beneath the waves, sinking directly down, unlike Gu Sheng who had resurfaced earlier!

"What is happening?"

someone exclaimed in bewilderment.

The surface of the Blood River quickly returned to its placid state, as if no event had transpired.

Only the faint, residual ripples served as testament to Gale's plunge.

"Could it be... he's already dead?"

The man in black murmured, his voice low and grave.

Wang Xiu Jie's brow furrowed deeply.

"It cannot be that swift..."

Amidst the prevailing uncertainty and suspicion, a muffled roar suddenly emanated from the depths of the Blood River, causing the water's surface to convulse violently.

"Boom!"

A crimson figure erupted from the depths, revealing Gale.

He appeared utterly disheveled, his entire being coated in the viscous, blood-red liquid. His movements were sluggish and arduous.

"This river water... it's not normal!"

Gale choked out the words with great difficulty, his voice seemingly distant.

"It feels as if it's filled with lead... impossibly heavy!"

The same Blood River, yet Gu Sheng moved with ease, while Gale struggled immensely?

Gale exerted all his strength to struggle, only able to move slowly, completely unable to move freely like Gu Sheng.

"That guy Gu Sheng... must also be trapped by this gravity!"

At the mountaintop, Wang Xiu Jie’s eyes gleamed.

"So... Gu Sheng hasn’t escaped danger?"

The Holy Daughter’s fingertips trembled slightly before returning to calm.

"Gale!"

Wang Xiu Jie shouted loudly.

"Can you find Gu Sheng?"

Gale didn’t answer, all his energy focused on resisting the oppressive weight of the Blood River, unable to spare any attention.

Gale’s figure gradually drifted away, disappearing into the depths of the Blood River.

"Looks like he went chasing after Gu Sheng," the Man in Black whispered.

Wang Xiu Jie snorted coldly.

"Let’s wait a bit more. If Gale remains silent, we’ll go down too."

In the Blood River, Gale’s body kept sinking, surrounded by the crimson water squeezing his chest.

Every breath felt like swallowing a mouthful of boiling lava.

Scattered at the riverbed lay broken stone pillars and damaged statues, etched with runes from an era long past.

"Mental powers are completely suppressed..."

Gale gritted his teeth, forced to rely on his eyes to search for Gu Sheng in the blood-colored chaos.

A dark current hit, causing Gale to tumble several times, blood water striking his back.

"Pfft—"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, immediately swallowed by the river water.

In the instant of tumbling, a shadow caught his eye.

"Gu Sheng!"

Gale steadied himself, squinting to look.

Just ahead, Gu Sheng silently floated in the blood water, enveloped by a layer of blackened blood membrane, thicker and more viscous than other areas of the river.