Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1259 - 653: My Divine Soul (2)

Even when buffeted by the dark currents, that layer of black blood would swiftly reform, providing protection for Gu Sheng.

"Is he in a coma? Or... dead?" Gale’s heart swelled with delight, his lips involuntarily curling upwards. "Hahaha, it seems my opportunity has finally arrived!" He struggled to push himself towards Gu Sheng, only to discover that each inch forward was an immense challenge. The oppressive force of the Blood River intensified, as if countless hands were grasping and pulling at his limbs. More strangely still, Gu Sheng was being propelled by the river at a pace that matched Gale’s own!

"What in the world is happening?" Gale halted, his eyes widening in astonishment as he realized that ceasing his movement meant being pulled deeper by the current. "This accursed place..." He fixed his gaze on Gu Sheng’s receding form, a sudden thought dawning on him. "Could it be that a corpse isn't affected by the Blood River's suppression? Is that why this brat can be pushed forward?" This realization only fueled Gale’s excitement further. He spat out a mouthful of essence blood, igniting a crimson flame that enveloped him. "Blood Escape Technique!" The flame burned with an unnatural intensity within the bloody water, driving Gale onward at an increased speed. Yet, despite his efforts, the distance separating him from Gu Sheng continued to grow. Both were advancing towards the treasure sword piercing the sky at the end of the Blood River, but Gu Sheng maintained a faster trajectory.

"Damn it all!" Gale’s forehead veins bulged. "I absolutely cannot let him reach that sword first!"

Meanwhile, atop the mountaintop, Wang Xiu Jie and his companions could no longer restrain themselves. "We can’t afford to wait any longer!" Wang Xiu Jie declared sternly. "That useless Gale must have already succeeded!" Lv Feng scoffed, "Then what are you waiting for? Are you scared?" "Silence!" Wang Xiu Jie commanded. "Everyone, heed my orders! Follow me into the river!" Wang Xiu Jie was the first to plunge into the Blood River, with dozens of powerful cultivators close behind. "Splash! Splash!" The sounds of bodies hitting the water echoed continuously, and in moments, only Qinghe Saintess and Dragon Palace remained on the mountaintop.

Dragon Palace observed the churning Blood River. "Holy Daughter, shall we...?" "We are not going," the Holy Daughter interrupted, her voice eerily calm. "My cultivation is still too shallow; entering the river would be far too perilous." Dragon Palace cast a meaningful glance at her. "You don't wish to witness Gu Sheng's demise with your own eyes, do you?" The Holy Daughter’s fingertips trembled slightly, and just as she was about to respond, a golden figure suddenly darted past them! "Amitabha!" A Buddhist chant resounded as they witnessed a young, bald monk decisively leap into the Blood River without a moment’s hesitation.

"Who is that...?" Dragon Palace narrowed his eyes. "Is he Gu Sheng’s companion?" The Holy Daughter whispered, her gaze following the direction the young monk had vanished. "I never expected him to have such a friend."

Deep within the Blood River, the moment Wang Xiu Jie and his followers entered the water, they were met with an overwhelming, unprecedented pressure. "Ah!" Lin Batian of the Heavenly Palace Realm cried out, blood gushing from his orifices. "This... this river water..." "Hold on!" Wang Xiu Jie’s own face was pale, yet he managed to stay relatively steady. "It's not lethal, merely incredibly oppressive!" The group struggled to regain their footing and finally perceived the scene unfolding within the river. In the distance, Gale was exerting himself to pursue a figure cloaked in black blood. Further ahead, the treasure sword at the Blood River's terminus radiated a chilling light that sent tremors through their hearts.

"It’s Gu Sheng!" Lv Feng exclaimed. "He’s actually still alive?" Wang Xiu Jie's eyes gleamed with malice. "Pursue him! We cannot allow him to reach that sword!" The group began to advance with great difficulty, finding each step more arduous than scaling the heavens. The oppressive nature of the Blood River intensified with depth, forcing even formidable cultivators like Wang Xiu Jie to decelerate. "Damn it!" Wang Xiu Jie slammed his fist against a nearby stone pillar. "How is Gale still swimming so fast?" Lv Feng's expression turned grim. "He utilized the Blood Escape Technique, burning his essence blood... Wait, who is that?" The group’s attention shifted towards the direction she indicated, where they saw a young, bald monk traversing the Blood River with astonishing speed. Wherever he passed, the blood-soaked water parted, creating a clear path! "Buddhist Divine Power?" Lin Batian's eyes widened. "What kind of background does this young monk possess?" Wang Xiu Jie’s face darkened. "Anyone who dares to thwart my plans will perish!"

At this moment, Gale also became aware of the developments behind him. Upon seeing Wang Xiu Jie and the others, instead of panic, he let out a triumphant laugh. "Hahaha! With just you lot of pathetic worms, you think you can catch up to me?"

With unhinged laughter, Gale spun around, his crimson hair swirling in the crimson water.

"If you can catch me, I'll gladly surrender Gu Sheng!"

Veins visibly throbbing on his forehead from sheer rage, Wang Xiu Jie slammed a fist towards the empty space beside him.

"Insolent worm!"

"BOOM!"

The force of the punch ripped open a vortex within the Blood River, but it was rapidly consumed by the viscous, dark liquid.

Having plunged into the Blood River first, Gale held a significant advantage.

"Senior Brother Wang, what do we do now?" the dark-clad man inquired, clenching his teeth.

A malevolent glint appeared in Wang Xiu Jie's eyes.

"We pursue with all our might! Even if we overtake him, Gale won't have the time to pry any secrets from Gu Sheng!"

Lv Feng let out a derisive snort.

"You certainly know how to comfort yourself."

"Silence!"

Wang Xiu Jie bellowed sternly.

"If you have the ability..."

Before he could complete his sentence, a profound rumble echoed from the depths of the Blood River.

The entire river began to heave violently, with colossal waves erupting from its unseen bed!

The blood churned, and a sinister Qi ascended towards the heavens.

The surging currents violently pushed everyone backward, yet Gu Sheng's solitary figure remained unaffected, propelled forward by these very waves and rapidly increasing the distance.

"What's happening?"

Lin Batian scanned his surroundings, a look of bewilderment on his face.

Unnoticed by the rest, a young, bald monk named Ling Xiao, trailing at the rear of the group, was steadily picking up speed.

The Golden Alms Bowl he carried pulsed with a gentle Buddha Light, effectively neutralizing much of the oppressive force emanating from the blood-filled waters.

"Gu truly hasn't disappointed me..."

Ling Xiao felt a measure of relief, quickly followed by renewed apprehension.

"But this anomaly in the Blood River..."

Instead of pushing past the others, he maintained a discreet distance, following silently.

Over half a day elapsed, and the powerful cultivators ahead remained oblivious to his presence.

Suddenly, Ling Xiao's pupils constricted.

The sky above was darkening at an alarming, visible rate!

"What is that..."

High above the Blood River, the previously crimson sky was rapidly being consumed by an expanse of dense, shadowy masses.

These spectral shapes writhed and contorted, exuding a chillingly ferocious aura as they relentlessly pressed downwards towards the river's surface.

"Not good!"

A cacophony of alarm bells rang in Ling Xiao's heart; he immediately activated his Buddhist Heart Method, causing the Golden Alms Bowl to radiate intensely and his speed to surge.

Ahead, the rest of the group also began to sense the disturbance.

"Why is the sky darkening?"

Lv Feng tilted her head back, her face instantly draining of color.

"What... what are those things?"

Wang Xiu Jie followed her gaze upwards.

Within the cloud-like shadows, the distorted visages of countless agonized beings could be faintly discerned, each face etched with eternal torment.

"Yin Souls! Those are the Yin Souls lingering from the Ancient Battlefield!"

The Man in Green Robes cried out in sheer terror.

"They've been roused by the Blood River's strange phenomenon!"

The Red-clothed Woman's whip, crackling with fire, trembled uncontrollably.

"There are far too many of them... we..."

"Join forces!"

Wang Xiu Jie made an immediate and decisive command.

"Everyone, unite to resist! Otherwise, not a single one of us will survive!"

For once, Lv Feng offered no retort; she nodded in solemn agreement.

"I concur."

With the two prominent powerhouses of the Qinghe Holy Land voicing their assent, it was natural that no one else would object.

Swiftly, a provisional alliance was forged amidst the escalating crisis.

Wang Xiu Jie shot a contemptuous glance towards the distant Gale.

"That fellow can only rely on sheer luck."

At that precise moment, Gale found himself enveloped in a growing sense of dread.

Gazing upwards at the encroaching shadows, his Spiritual Power surged uncontrollably within his body.

"Damn it..."

Gale gritted his teeth, his expression hardening.

"This accursed place..."

He recognized that rejoining the others was no longer an option; with gritted teeth, he could only continue his relentless pursuit of Gu Sheng.

"You little wretch, this is all your fault!"

Gale cursed aloud as he desperately paddled forward.

"When I finally catch you, I'll make you regret ever being born!"

The oppressive atmosphere within the Blood River intensified with each passing moment, turning every forward movement into an arduous struggle.

However, to Gale's utter astonishment, Gu Sheng appeared entirely unfazed, his speed seemingly increasing!

"How can this be?"

"That brat was clearly unconscious..."

Just then, the shadowy mass overhead finally descended!

A piercing, ear-splitting roar ripped through the heavens, akin to the simultaneous wails of thousands of tormented spirits.

Wherever the sound waves impinged, the Blood River boiled furiously, and the very rocks beneath shattered!

"Ah!" Lin Batian shrieked, blood gushing from his facial orifices.

"My Divine Soul..."

Wang Xiu Jie and everyone else fared no better; their faces grew ashen, and their legs trembled uncontrollably.