Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1312 - 680: Quest Board

A sharp cracking sound shattered the silence as the Array's surface spiderwebbed with fissures. Ling Xiao arrived at the cave's entrance just in time. Before he could utter a word, a potent Fist Power erupted from the cracks, hurtling directly towards him. "Pfft!" A searing pain, like being struck by lightning, coursed through Ling Xiao's chest. He was sent flying, tumbling across the ground several times before managing to halt his momentum. Coughing, he pushed himself up, his body coated in dust, a burning sensation in his chest and the coppery taste of blood flooding his throat. He forced the blood back down, his eyes keenly focused on the cave entrance. "At least a half-step Taichu Realm..." Ling Xiao swiftly assessed the attacker's might, his heart plummeting. In their current condition, both he and Gu Sheng stood virtually no chance in a head-on battle. Outside the cave, Long Teng smirked, pleased with the damage inflicted. He raised his fist once more, preparing to obliterate the troublesome barrier. He knew the rules of Xuanming Divine Mountain well; as long as he didn't directly assault Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao, his actions wouldn't violate the tenets – a loophole he frequently exploited. "Bang! Bang! Bang!" Three thunderous impacts struck the Array, each blow causing the cave's stone walls to tremble violently. Ling Xiao realized he could no longer delay. Gritting his teeth, he retrieved a Golden Alms Bowl from his person. Though no larger than his palm, it was adorned with intricate runes and emitted a faint golden glow when infused with Spiritual Energy. "Go!" Ling Xiao hurled the Golden Alms Bowl towards the cave entrance, biting his tongue to expel a stream of Essence Blood. The bowl rapidly expanded, growing to ten feet in size, completely engulfing the cave mouth. A torrent of golden light cascaded down, and the straining runes of the Array miraculously began to mend under its radiance. "Hmm?" Long Teng noticed the Array's sudden stabilization, his brow furrowing before an expression of keen interest appeared. "Interesting." He ceased holding back. The muscles in his right arm bulged, veins protruding beneath his skin. Even more remarkably, ambient Spiritual Energy converged upon his fist, entwined with a subtle cyan aura of Daoist Technique. "Senior Brother Long can actually incite Daoist Technique aura!" Liang Yu exclaimed, eyes wide with awe. Wang Yuchen gasped, his breath catching; such a technique, bordering on the Taichu Realm, was an aspiration beyond the reach of ordinary disciples. Long Teng cast a proud glance at the two. "It's merely resonating with the Heaven and Earth Dao Technique. Once I truly enter the Taichu Realm and reach the Qi Transformation Realm, the power of my attacks will double!" The moment his words fell, he unleashed a punch. This strike was far more devastating than any before, the air around his fist visibly compressing into ripples. As his fist met the barrier projected by the Golden Alms Bowl, a deafening explosion reverberated through the valley. "Crack—Boom!" The Golden Alms Bowl shuddered violently, its runes extinguishing one by one. The Array barrier fractured like brittle glass, and Ling Xiao spat out another mouthful of blood, his face draining of color. More alarmingly, the residual Fist Power surged onward, piercing the broken barrier and advancing directly into the cave! "Gu Sheng!" Ling Xiao’s head snapped around, his urgent shout filled with unprecedented desperation. Inside, Gu Sheng, who had been meditating cross-legged on the stone platform, convulsed violently. He was on the cusp of a breakthrough, his Spiritual Energy circulating at its peak. Mere moments of perseverance were needed for success. However, this sudden external interference disrupted his energy flow, causing the realm he was about to attain to vanish and plummet at an alarming rate. "Pfft—" Gu Sheng expelled a gush of blood, his energy retracting completely into his body. He felt as though his internal organs had been crushed by a massive hammer. Opening his eyes, they were bloodshot, with dried blood at the corners of his mouth. Dust billowed from the cave entrance. Long Teng's lips curled into a mocking smile as he surveyed the interior, his gaze settling on the battered Ling Xiao and the unstable Gu Sheng. "My, my, aren't these Junior Brother Gu and Junior Brother Ling?" Long Teng feigned bewilderment. "I was wondering who had secured such an excellent cultivation spot; it turns out to be you two." Wang Yuchen swaggered up behind Long Teng, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. He halted abruptly at the cave's threshold, then turned to snag Liang Yu, who was attempting to retreat, forcibly dragging him inside. "What are you trying to hide from?"

With malice glinting in his eyes, Wang Yuchen whispered.

"Haven't you always desired vengeance? Your chance has now presented itself."

Liang Yu was forcefully shoved forward. Faced with the enraged gazes of Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao, he instinctively tried to retreat, but Wang Yuchen's grip on his shoulder held him fast.

Ling Xiao, supporting the staggering Gu Sheng, felt his anger burn so intensely it was almost palpable.

The memory of Liang Yu's smug expression flashed in his mind, and even more detestable was Long Teng's treacherous stratagem of using another to inflict harm.

"Do not act rashly..."

Gu Sheng weakly signaled, his voice rasping like dry leaves.

"Help me to sit."

Ling Xiao carefully aided Gu Sheng as he assumed a cross-legged position on the stone platform. Witnessing Gu Sheng's pallid complexion and the crimson stains at the corner of his lips, Ling Xiao's fists clenched with an audible crack.

"This debt will be settled, mark my words!"

Gu Sheng offered no reply, instead closing his eyes to commence his meditation.

Within his body, his Spiritual Energy churned chaotically, his meridians feeling as though they were being impaled by countless needles of steel.

This was an internal affliction, a consequence of his cultivation backfiring. Though not outwardly visible, his internal organs had sustained severe damage.

He painstakingly channeled his remaining Spiritual Power through his primary meridians, gradually mending the grievous harm.

Outside the cave, the heavens grew dark, with heavy clouds descending as though poised to shatter at any second.

Ling Xiao remained stationed at the cave's entrance, his gaze constantly sweeping the surrounding environs with vigilance.

Once complete darkness enveloped the mountain, the dangers of Xuanming Divine Mountain would escalate dramatically.

What was even more chilling to contemplate was the strong possibility that Long Teng and his cohort would choose the cloak of night to launch their assault.