Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1315 - 681: Special Constitution (Part 2)

Daoist Yong'an calmly lifted his single arm, his fingers gently stroking his white beard.

"The dense Yin Qi found within that location is far too potent; it's truly unsuitable for prolonged cultivation."

His gaze suddenly narrowed.

"Approach me."

Gu Shengchi's heart gave a slight jolt, yet he maintained an impassive outward appearance and proceeded forward with a measured pace.

"What are your esteemed instructions, Senior?"

"Your hand."

After a brief pause, Gu Shengchi extended his right hand, placing it upon Daoist Yong'an's solitary limb.

The hand, rough as ancient tree bark, felt surprisingly warm. Daoist Yong'an’s grip tightened around his wrist, and his brows began to furrow.

"Your physical condition is quite frail."

Daoist Yong'an's voice resonated with a low timbre.

"Did you encounter difficulties at Xuanming Divine Mountain?"

Gu Shengchi was inwardly astonished; the old Daoist possessed an unexpectedly piercing perception.

He had, in fact, run afoul of trouble within Xuanming Divine Mountain, narrowly escaping with his life, which was the very reason he was urgently seeking to depart the Holy Land for a remedy.

"Senior, your eyesight is truly remarkable."

Gu Shengchi conceded, lowering his head.

"As a disciple with meager cultivation, I did indeed endure considerable hardship within the Divine Mountain."

Daoist Yong'an released his hand and fell into contemplation.

"In that scenario, I propose that before you depart from the Holy Land, you first make your way to the volcano situated at Golden Crow Mountain and engage in several days of cultivation. The abundant Yang Qi found there will not only aid in your recovery but will also serve to invigorate your constitution."

"This..."

Gu Shengchi's expression shifted to one of apparent distress.

"I have already accepted a mission, and I fear..."

"What carries greater weight – the mission or your very existence?"

Daoist Yong'an admonished, his lone eye fixing upon Gu Shengchi.

"With your delicate constitution, should you encounter peril beyond these walls, you would possess no means of escape!"

Gu Shengchi exchanged a meaningful glance with Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao offered a nearly imperceptible nod.

"Senior, your counsel is profoundly wise."

Gu Shengchi bowed deeply in a gesture of respect.

"I shall certainly heed your valuable advice, Senior."

Daoist Yong'an, his satisfaction evident, produced an Azure Dragon Token from his robes and presented it to Gu Shengchi.

"Accept my Azure Dragon Token. The sentries stationed at Golden Crow Mountain will permit you passage without hindrance."

"My sincerest gratitude, Senior!"

Gu Shengchi received the jade token with both hands, sensing its inherent warmth and perceiving a faint, resonant dragon's cry emanating from within.

Daoist Yong'an gestured dismissively.

"Depart now, and make haste in your return. I anticipate witnessing your swift ascendancy in Cultivation."

Gu Shengchi offered another bow before turning to leave. After traversing merely ten paces, Ling Xiao could not refrain from whispering.

"Why did you consent to visit Golden Crow Mountain? Our schedule is exceedingly tight."

Gu Shengchi continued walking, his voice pitched low.

"My current physical state is indeed precarious. Should we encounter any individuals from Long Teng, I would be incapable of defending myself."

"However, if we delay and Long Teng discovers our undertaking of this mission..."

"Precisely why we must expeditiously recuperate our strength."

Gu Shengchi's gaze sharpened.

"Even if victory is unattainable, at the very least, the prospect of escape shall remain viable."

Ling Xiao fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded his assent.

"Your logic is sound."

The duo inquired with passing disciples regarding the most direct route to Golden Crow Mountain and proceeded with urgency.

Approximately one hour hence, the ambient temperature began a noticeable ascent, and waves of dry heat washed over their faces.

"Could that be Golden Crow Mountain?"

Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes, directing his gaze towards the horizon.

They observed a majestic, crimson peak dominating the landscape, from its summit, plumes of black smoke continuously billowed skyward.

Intermittently, a violent tremor echoed, accompanied by an aerial spectacle of fiery rain – this consisted of molten magma cascading earthward like a deluge.

Gu Shengchi clutched the Azure Dragon Token, acutely aware of the intense heat radiating towards him.

"Such potent, overbearing Yang Qi!"

"Indeed."

Ling Xiao felt as though the very blood within him was reaching a boiling point.

"This place is unequivocally a sanctuary for those who practice Body Refining."

Gu Shengchi's eyes shone with unwavering resolve.

"Let us advance; we must seize this opportunity effectively. Our stay here can extend for no longer than three days."

The pair pressed onward towards the volcano's fiery maw, braving the searing heat waves. As their proximity increased, the Spiritual Energy permeating the atmosphere grew increasingly turbulent, each inhalation feeling akin to swallowing a searing ember.

Gu Shengchi's skin began to flush a deep red, and perspiration evaporated the instant it formed.

"Be cautious!"

Ling Xiao swiftly reached out, grasping Gu Shengchi.

A molten rock, comparable in size to a millstone, plummeted from the heavens, striking the ground a short distance ahead of them and gouging a substantial crater.

Gu Shengchi swallowed with difficulty.

"It appears that not only must we focus on our Cultivation, but we must also remain perpetually vigilant against these cataclysmic events descending from above."

Ling Xiao let out a soft chuckle.

"This is precisely ideal. Enduring training within such a formidable environment will undoubtedly yield a doubled enhancement to our progress."

Gu Shengchi responded with a smile, his gaze alight with the fervor of a coming battle.

"Then let’s see what progress we can achieve in these three days!"

Sharing a mutual grin, the two stepped into the domain of Golden Crow Mountain.

At the base of Golden Crow Mountain, the air shimmered with heat, distorting the very atmosphere.

Clutching the Azure Dragon Token, Gu Shengchi gazed upwards at the volcano’s crater, which continuously expelled dark smoke, its lava streams cascading down the slopes like crimson tears.

"I never imagined Yong’an would be willing to entrust us with the Azure Dragon Token," Ling Xiao remarked, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"It seems this old Daoist does hold some regard for us."

Gu Shengchi’s fingers traced the intricate dragon carving on the jade token, his expression a mixture of emotions.

"Golden Crow Mountain, much like Xuanming Divine Mountain, is a sacred cultivation ground accessible only to Core Disciples, and entry necessitates the expenditure of points."

"We are indebted to him," Ling Xiao sighed.

"Although... our paths diverge."

Gu Shengchi offered no reply, merely tightening his hold on the jade token. Daoist Yong’an’s persistent opposition, yet his unflagging assistance, left Gu Shengchi’s heart heavy with unspoken conflict.

Ascending the intensely hot mountain path, the ground beneath their feet radiated heat, simulating a walk on scorching metal.

Rounding a rocky outcrop, the vista dramatically expanded—at the volcano’s rim stood two stone platforms, upon which sat two formidable Guard Disciples, exuding a potent aura.

"Halt, approachers!" the left guard commanded, his eyes sharp as lightning, his voice cutting through the oppressive heatwaves.

Gu Shengchi stepped forward, presenting the Azure Dragon Token with both hands.

"Two Senior Brothers, we are here to cultivate under the guidance of Elder Yong’an."

The guard accepted the jade token and traced a line of golden light across it with his fingertip. The dragon emblem on the token stirred, intertwining with the guard’s ethereal glow.

"Points sufficient for three days acquired," the guard confirmed, nodding before producing a golden seal and pressing it firmly onto the jade token.

Instantly, a beam of golden light shot skyward from the token, connecting with the magical array hovering above the volcano’s crater.

The right guard elaborated, "This Golden Seal will meticulously track point expenditure in real-time; once depleted, the array will automatically initiate your extraction."

Gu Shengchi felt a jolt of surprise. Compared to the comparatively relaxed entry protocols of Xuanming Divine Mountain, Golden Crow Mountain’s regulations were significantly more rigorous.

"Thank you, Senior Brother," Gu Shengchi replied, retrieving the jade token. He noticed a small, faintly gleaming golden seal imprinted beside the dragon pattern.

The guard stepped aside. "Remember, temper your ambition with prudence. The farther you venture, the more potent the Yang Qi becomes; annually, rash disciples are reduced to mere ash."

Ling Xiao grinned. "Rest assured, Senior Brother, we are well aware of our limitations."

The pair reached the volcano’s precipice and peered down. The roiling lava below resembled the gaping maw of a colossal beast, emitting lethally intense waves of heat.

Gu Shengchi and Ling Xiao exchanged a meaningful glance before simultaneously plunging into the abyss.

The moment they vanished, three figures emerged from behind a distant rock formation.

"They’ve actually come to Golden Crow Mountain," Wang Yuchen observed, his eyes narrowed.

"It appears they suffered some setbacks at Xuanming Divine Mountain," Liang Yu mused, stroking his chin.

"Should we follow them inside?"

"Foolish!" Long Teng scoffed, his black robes billowing in the scorching wind. "Golden Crow Mountain’s interior is heavily fortified with arrays; a direct assault would undoubtedly alert the guardians."

A sinister glint flashed in his eyes. "They must emerge eventually. We will wait here, patiently."

Wang Yuchen's brow furrowed. "What if they exit through a different opening...?"

"Golden Crow Mountain possesses only a single egress," Long Teng stated with unwavering certainty.

"Maintain a vigilant watch; the directive from the Dragon Palace must remain undiscovered."

The trio melted back into the shadows, poised like coiled vipers, silently anticipating the appearance of their quarry.

...

Within the volcano’s fiery heart, Gu Shengchi and Ling Xiao descended like mere specks into a turbulent sea of molten rock.

Their Protective Gang Qi emitted a sharp sizzling sound upon contact with the lava, managing only to carve out a small pocket of respite.

"Invigorating!" Ling Xiao exclaimed with boisterous laughter, dispelling his Protective Gang Qi entirely and allowing the searing lava to envelop him. His skin instantly flushed crimson as his pores dilated, greedily absorbing the potent Ultimate Yang Qi inherent in the lava.

Gu Shengchi, however, maintained his Protective Gang Qi with meticulous care, surveying his surroundings. It was a world painted in scarlet hues, where lava flowed like liquid, and sporadic bursts from surfacing bubbles released even more volatile energy.

"Still not enough," Gu Shengchi murmured, a frown creasing his brow.

"The concentration of Yang Qi here is still not as potent as the Yin Qi at Xuanming Divine Mountain."

Ling Xiao was adapting to the excruciating pain, stopping in surprise at his words.

"Isn’t this enough? I feel every inch of my flesh being torn apart and reformed."

"You’ve forgotten my special physique?"

Gu Shengchi spoke solemnly.

"I need a more extreme training environment."

He pointed to the dimly visible dark red region below.