Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1304 - 676: Bloodline Taboo

A collective tremor ran through the crowd, as if unseen eyes were piercing the darkness upon them.

"Perhaps we should... retreat for now?" a cultivator, thin and frail, suggested with a quiver in his voice. His Daoist robes were already slick with a sheen of cold sweat.

Pan Zhuang bit his lip. "There's no way! If those two good-for-nothings, Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao, could enter, why should we flinch? We press onward!" Yet, despite his bold declaration, his feet instinctively faltered, slowing their pace.

The further they advanced, the more potent the scent of blood became, almost palpable.

Dark red bloodstains marred the cave walls, some still not fully coagulated, lazily tracing rivulets downwards.

Suddenly, Yu Tianyi, who was leading the way, halted abruptly, emitting a startled cry. "By the heavens!"

Pan Zhuang hurried forward, the torchlight casting a glow on the path ahead. Sprawled across the cave's center was the colossal corpse of a python, easily over thirty feet in length. Its scales, a deep crimson, were adorned with golden patterns—a legendary Seven-tiered Blood Pattern Python.

But now, this fearsome beast, powerful enough to make cultivators of the Heavenly Palace flee in terror, lay inert like a discarded rag.

The most horrifying detail was the python's head, severed cleanly in two. A faint, bluish-gray luminescence emanated from the gruesome wound.

"Sword Qi... and Yin Qi..." Jin Xianyun's voice rasped, as if forced through clenched teeth. "Shattered in a single blow."

Pan Zhuang's Adam's apple bobbed. To fell a Seventh Rank demon beast with one strike suggested an entity at the very least in the Earth Palace Stage, a figure of immense power.

He glanced around, instinctively lowering his voice. "Senior? May I know which esteemed senior is present? We meant no disrespect. I am Pan Zhuang..."

His words only found the echo of the cavern; no other reply came.

Yu Tianyi cautiously approached the behemoth's carcass for a closer look, his complexion growing increasingly ashen. "The Sword Qi lingering at the wound is astonishingly pure, and the Yin Qi is so dense it refuses to dissipate... this must be..."

"Could this be the help Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao managed to enlist?" Jin Xianyun speculated, his eyes glinting with malice. "Those two incompetent fools couldn't possibly handle a beast of this magnitude."

Pan Zhuang shook his head. "Impossible. Ling Xiao is merely at the Early Stage of the Earth Palace, and Gu Sheng is only at the Mid Stage. How could they possibly procure such a formidable ally?" He paused, his gaze hardening with resolve. "We press onward, exercise extreme caution. Should we truly encounter this senior, we declare ourselves to be merely searching for our missing sect brethren."

Nervously, everyone stepped over the python's immense body, each movement as delicate as treading on eggshells.

The faint sound of dripping water resonated from the cave's depths, its clarity sharply pronounced against the pervasive, deathly silence.

After navigating a sharp turn, the cavern abruptly expanded into a natural stone chamber.

At the chamber's heart lay a hoard of treasures, shimmering with spiritual radiance—the accumulated wealth of the Blood Pattern Python over countless years.

"There they are!" Yu Tianyi cried out in excitement, but his expression instantly soured. "No, where is the Holy Infant Grass?"

Pan Zhuang’s gaze swept the chamber rapidly, finally settling on two figures situated in a corner. Gu Sheng sat cross-legged, eyes partially closed, appearing to be immersed in deep meditation. Meanwhile, Ling Xiao reclined casually on the ground, idly manipulating a Treasure Bead that pulsed with a soft blue glow.

"You two!" Pan Zhuang bellowed, his voice harsh. "Where is the senior who accomplished this?"

Ling Xiao didn't even bother to look up, continuing to fiddle with the Treasure Bead. "Are you blind? Right here."

"Seeking death!" Yu Tianyi seethed, taking a forceful step forward. However, Pan Zhuang restrained him.

Swallowing his rage, Pan Zhuang inquired with a solemn tone, "Ling Xiao, who is responsible for the demise of this Blood Pattern Python?"

Ling Xiao finally lifted his head, lazily gesturing towards Gu Sheng. "Him, wasn't it?"

"Preposterous!" Jin Xianyun shrieked. "Him? That Earth Palace Mid Stage weakling could possibly slay a Seventh Rank demon beast?"

Ling Xiao simply shrugged. "Believe it or not."

Pan Zhuang narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on Gu Sheng, who remained in his meditative state. Gu Sheng’s breathing was even, and no spiritual power fluctuations emanated from him, giving no indication of someone capable of defeating a Blood Pattern Python with a single strike.

"Where is the Holy Infant Grass?" Pan Zhuang demanded directly.

Ling Xiao pursed his lips. "He took it. Go ask him yourself."

Unable to contain himself any longer, Yu Tianyi's spiritual power surged around him. "I'll be the one to slit this babbling waste's throat first!"

This time, Pan Zhuang did not intervene. Instead, he began to walk slowly towards Gu Sheng.

"Junior Brother Gu, hand over the Holy Infant Grass. For the sake of our shared sect, I can overlook this entire matter."

Gu Sheng remained utterly motionless, not even bothering to open his eyes.

This complete indifference only served to infuriate Pan Zhuang further.

After all, he was a cultivator at the Earth Palace Late Stage, a figure of some renown within the Inner Sect. When had he ever been subjected to such blatant disregard?

"You insist on refusing a toast, only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"

Pan Zhuang let out a cold sneer, his right hand already resting on his sword hilt.

Jin Xianyun, seizing the opportunity, chose to add fuel to the fire.

"Brother Yu, you should teach that Ling Xiao a lesson first! Let him truly comprehend the consequences of his insolent chatter!"

Yu Tianyi advanced towards Ling Xiao with a sinister grin plastered on his face.

"You little beast, I will shatter your mouth before I even consider how to end your life."

Ling Xiao finally set down the Treasure Bead he held and slowly raised his head.

To everyone's surprise, his eyes betrayed no hint of fear, only a trace of pity.

Ling Xiao's head came up slowly, his deep black eyes devoid of any discernible emotion.

His voice was chillingly calm.

"I do not appreciate being compared to a pig."

"Hahaha!"

Yu Tianyi erupted in boisterous laughter, entirely unconcerned by the remark.

"The useless disciple of Daoist Yong’an actually dares to talk back?"

Jin Xianyun applauded with delight from beside him.

"Brother Yu, strike him hard! Ensure that repulsive face is completely obliterated!"

The whistling sound of impending Palm Wind approached, but it halted abruptly mere inches from Ling Xiao's cheek.

Yu Tianyi's wrist was suddenly seized by a hand that appeared slender yet possessed the unyielding strength of an iron clamp. He instinctively attempted to wrench his arm free, only to discover it was utterly immobile.

"You..."

Yu Tianyi's pupils contracted sharply, a blaring alarm echoing within his mind.

Ling Xiao let out a cold snort and yanked forcefully with his arm.