Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1260 - 654: Spinning Vortex

The soul-shattering roar made it difficult for even those in the Heavenly Palace Realm to withstand it.

Amidst the earth-shattering clamor, the oppressive darkness finally revealed its true form.

It was no mere dark cloud; it was undeniably thousands upon thousands of grotesque, contorted monsters!

Some bore a human-like shape but possessed six arms, others resembled ferocious beasts covered in thick scales, and yet others were simply amorphous masses of writhing flesh, speckled with countless scarlet eyes.

Each monstrosity exuded a suffocating aura of pure ferocity, and the malevolent red light flickering within their eyes seemed capable of incinerating the very soul.

"This... this is..."

Lv Feng's voice wavered, and cold sweat instantly slicked his entire back.

Wang Xiu Jie's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed with palpable difficulty.

"The legendary Ten Thousand Ghost Ridge... it's actually real..."

He vividly recalled the hushed tales that circulated amongst the various Holy Lands.

Deep within the boundaries of the Ten Thousand Ghost Ridge resided a band of terrifying creatures hailing from the Ancient Era.

The very founder of the Qinghe Holy Land was reputedly the sole individual to have encountered them and survived to recount the experience.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The monstrous footsteps resonated like muffled thunder, causing the Blood River to churn violently.

As they drew nearer, the cacophony of roars intensified, escalating from a low rumble to the savage calls of countless beasts.

The sound waves, sharp and piercing, tore through the air with harrowing howls, inflicting immediate injury upon weaker cultivators, causing them to bleed from their seven orifices.

"Form up! Quickly, form up!"

Wang Xiu Jie bellowed sternly.

His followers hastily coalesced around him, their faces etched with raw fear.

A chilling glint flashed in Wang Xiu Jie's eyes as his hands swiftly wove complex seals.

"Nine Revolutions Celestial Gang Array, rise!"

"Boom!"

A resplendent golden light screen erupted from the ground, forming an encompassing barrier around everyone.

As the array activated, the power of each individual was forcibly unified, unleashing a formidable combat strength far exceeding Wang Xiu Jie's personal might.

Lv Feng was the first to scramble into the protective embrace of the array, with the others following suit, jostling to get inside.

In an instant, Wang Xiu Jie became the central nexus for the entire group.

"Senior Brother Wang, we're all counting on you!"

The man clad in black trembled as he spoke.

A subtle, almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of Wang Xiu Jie's lips.

"Rest assured, I shall lead the charge; you all merely need to provide support."

While his words conveyed reassurance, he inwardly scoffed.

Should true peril arise, these fools would serve as the most convenient cannon fodder.

"They're here!" someone shrieked.

The monstrous horde abruptly divided approximately a hundred meters ahead.

Hundreds of lesser monsters surged towards the protective array, while considerably more formidable beings set their sights directly on Gu Sheng's position!

"Their ultimate target is Gu Sheng?"

Lv Feng astutely detected the peculiar shift in allegiance.

A sharp, intelligent light flared within Wang Xiu Jie's eyes.

"Interesting..."

Upon closer examination, he observed that while a substantial number of monsters were advancing towards them, their cultivation levels generally ranged from the early to the mid-stages of the Heavenly Palace Realm.

Conversely, those veering towards Gu Sheng were at least at the peak of the Heavenly Palace Realm, and a select few emanated an aura comparable to that of a Holy Master!

"Senior... Senior Brother Wang..."

A female cultivator's teeth chattered uncontrollably.

"Should we perhaps retreat? Those monsters are far too terrifying..."

"Retreat?"

Wang Xiu Jie scoffed dismissively.

"To retreat now would be to invite certain death!"

He abruptly raised his voice, ensuring his words reached everyone present.

"Everyone, remain calm! I possess a hidden treasure capable of transporting us out of the Ten Thousand Ghost Ridge at a crucial moment!"

An ancient Jade Talisman, intricately inscribed with spatial runes, materialized in his palm.

"A Space Transmission Talisman?" the Man in Green Robe exclaimed in astonishment.

"That is a supreme life-saving treasure!"

Wang Xiu Jie projected an air of magnanimity.

"Indeed! This artifact can transport ten individuals, but it is a single-use item. Unless absolutely unavoidable, I shall refrain from deploying it."

These pronouncements effectively served to steady the wavering group.

When true mortal danger presented itself, his intention was to whisk away only his most trusted confidants.

"Would I, Wang Xiu Jie, ever gamble with my own life?"

The assembled crowd was taken aback by his bold declaration, their agitation subsiding somewhat.

Seizing the opportune moment, Wang Xiu Jie gestured towards the menacing monsters in the distance, his voice resonating with profound authority.

"The Ancestor Qinghe himself stated in antiquity that these abominations are incapable of venturing beyond the confines of the Ten Thousand Ghost Ridge! Were they to breach these borders, their sheer power would have long ago plunged the entire Xinghong Spirit Domain into utter chaos!"

The mere mention of "Ancestor Qinghe" invoked a sense of profound awe in everyone's eyes.

That legendary figure stood as one of the most formidable beings within the Xinghong Spirit Domain, having single-handedly established the Qinghe Holy Land, and his pronouncements were never known to be fallible.

"But Senior Brother Wang..."

A female cultivator, her voice still trembling, conveyed her lingering unease.

"Those monstrous creatures..."

"No excuses!"

Wang Xiu Jie decisively interrupted her words.

"The Ancestor managed to withdraw without a scratch back then, so why can't we? Hold my battle array, and I pledge to keep you all safe!"

These pronouncements, voiced with absolute certainty, finally brought a measure of calm to the agitated crowd as they reformed around Wang Xiu Jie.

None observed the fleeting, frigid gleam that flickered within his eyes.

"Advance!"

At Wang Xiu Jie’s decisive order, the battle array erupted in a brilliant luminescence, hurtling toward the overwhelming monster horde!

Lv Feng and the others followed suit with fervent determination, under the mistaken belief that Wang Xiu Jie intended to guide them away from peril.

Unbeknownst to the group, Wang Xiu Jie's covert objective was to trail the most formidable monsters as they relentlessly pursued Gu Sheng.

"BOOM!"

The formation crashed violently into the thick of the monster swarm.

The creatures at the vanguard were instantaneously annihilated, their dark ichor splashing outward.

"Maintain the formation!"

Wang Xiu Jie barked the command, yet his gaze remained fixed on the distant unfolding events.

Monsters equivalent in power to a Holy Master were encircling Gu Sheng, pushing towards the terminus of the Blood River.

Where the battle array carved its path, the monsters recoiled. Shielded by the array's protective aura, Wang Xiu Jie and his contingent moved with relative ease. However, other cultivators, such as Lv Feng's group, were not so fortunate.

"Ah!"

A piercing scream split the air as a cultivator, impaled through the chest by a monster’s razor-sharp claw, met an immediate demise.

Wang Xiu Jie remained utterly indifferent to the cry, instead quickening their pace.

The battle array breached the monster ranks, its sole purpose being to diminish the distance separating them from Gu Sheng.

From the mountain's apex, the Qinghe Saintess, resplendent in her white robes, cast her gaze down upon the tumultuous expanse of the Blood River.