Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1319 - 683: Bringing Trouble Upon Oneself (Part 2)

A thunderous boom echoed as the two fists collided, unleashing a visible shockwave that rippled outwards.

Gu Sheng felt a heavy blow to his chest, forcing him to retreat over ten paces before he could finally regain his footing.

The surrounding magma churned violently, surging several feet into the air before crashing back down.

"Could this be a true body refinement expert?"

Gu Sheng's pupils constricted, his heart overwhelmed with shock.

He had never witnessed such a pure confrontation of physical strength; the Heaven and Earth Power they channeled with every movement far surpassed his wildest imagination.

Outside the protective barrier, Ling Xiao watched with amazement.

Clenching his teeth, he suddenly charged towards the barrier.

"Gu Sheng, I'm coming to help you!"

"Don't come in!"

Gu Sheng urgently shouted, but it was already too late.

The moment Ling Xiao's body began to cross the barrier, an invisible, immense force slammed into his chest.

With a pfft, fresh blood erupted as he was flung backward, crashing forcefully onto a rock outside the barrier before losing consciousness.

Gu Sheng's heart sank.

Despite Ling Xiao's usually carefree demeanor, his sense of justice deeply moved Gu Sheng.

The energy concentration here was several times greater than in the outside world; if he could cultivate here, the results would undoubtedly be twice as effective with half the effort...

More explosions, boom! Boom! Boom!, pulled Gu Sheng's attention back to the unfolding reality.

Hong Yun and Mi Yingzong were already engaged in a fierce battle, each strike shaking the earth and mountains.

Hong Yun was enveloped in a crimson aura, his every punch imbued with the searing heat of molten rock; Mi Yingzong's body shimmered with a metallic luster, faint tiger roars accompanying each of his attacks.

"Hong Yun! Your Molten Rock Dominator is nothing special!"

Mi Yingzong laughed wildly, launching a whip-like leg strike towards Hong Yun's waist.

Hong Yun didn't dodge, taking the blow directly while simultaneously smashing his right elbow into Mi Yingzong's shoulder.

A brittle crack-- a sharp sound, Mi Yingzong's left shoulder visibly caved in, yet no pain registered on his face.

"Excellent!"

Instead of being disheartened by the injury, Mi Yingzong's excitement surged, his attacks growing even more ferocious.

Gu Sheng observed with a rapidly beating heart.

These two individuals were not only physically robust but also possessed astonishing regenerative capabilities. Mi Yingzong's collapsed shoulder area was visibly mending, while the mark on Hong Yun's waist faded quickly.

Another earth-shattering crash sent both fighters flying, slamming into several massive rocks before coming to a halt.

As the dust settled, blood trickled from the corner of Hong Yun's mouth, and a charred fist imprint marked Mi Yingzong's chest, yet the battle intent in their eyes remained undimmed.

"That's enough for today!"

Hong Yun wiped the blood from his mouth and stated coldly.

"Once my Red Sun True Body achieves Great Success, I'll force you to beg for mercy!"

Mi Yingzong sneered.

"Arrogant words! When we meet again, I'll stomp on your head to show you who the true number one body refinement master is!"

The two spat at each other before turning and walking in opposite directions.

Only then did the surrounding cultivators dare to exhale deeply, as the aftermath of the intense battle had left many lightly injured.

Gu Sheng took a deep breath and scanned the surroundings, locating a relatively quiet spot to sit down cross-legged.

As soon as he settled, whispers began to circulate among the onlookers.

"This kid actually dares to cultivate here?"

"Ignorance truly breeds bravery!"

"Just watch, he'll be torn apart by the energy within minutes!"

From a distance, Hong Yun also gazed at Gu Sheng with a cold expression, a mocking glint in his eyes.

"He's seeking his own demise."

Gu Sheng paid no mind to the surrounding chatter and slowly closed his eyes.

He initiated the Nine Revolutions Profound Yang Technique, cautiously drawing the violent surrounding energy into his body.

A sharp hiss escaped Gu Sheng as the first trace of energy entered his meridians; he trembled uncontrollably, as if countless red-hot needles were piercing his body simultaneously.

The energy was exceptionally ferocious, rampaging through his meridians and inflicting tearing pain with every surge.

A groan escaped Gu Sheng as cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.

He could feel the destructive Ultimate Yang Power contained within the energy, capable of shattering his meridians with ease if mishandled.

From afar, Hong Yun witnessed Gu Sheng's pained expression and his cold smile widened.

"A fool courting death."

Mi Yingzong narrowed his eyes.

"This kid is interesting; he actually dares to attempt absorbing the energy of Heaven-Burning Valley?"

Gu Sheng, at this precise moment, had no capacity to concern himself with the judgments of the outside world.

His entire being was focused on the violent energy coursing within his body.

The Nine Revolutions Profound Yang Technique operated at full speed, striving to subdue this potent force. However, the energy proved too wild, nearly escaping his control multiple times.

"Patience is key..." Gu Sheng reminded himself inwardly. He remembered his master's words: "The Ultimate Yang Power is like an untamed steed; it must be guided with gentleness."

With this realization, Gu Sheng shifted his approach. Instead of brute force suppression, he began to gently guide the surging Qi along a predetermined path. With every circulation, the Qi grew more subdued, and his meridians, bombarded by the intense energy, became increasingly robust.

Slowly, the violent tremors within Gu Sheng’s body subsided, and his breathing evened out. The previously chaotic energy transformed into a docile entity, obediently following the Nine Revolutions Profound Yang Technique and finally settling within his Dantian.

"Hu—" Gu Sheng exhaled a lengthy breath, his eyes snapping open, now radiating a crimson glow. This astonishing sight left the observing cultivators in stunned silence.

"He... he actually succeeded?"

"How is this possible! That’s the raw Qi from Heaven-Burning Valley, notoriously difficult to refine even for those at the peak of the Earth Palace Stage!"

"This young man is truly unusual!"

Hong Yun’s expression flickered with great surprise before he strode purposefully towards Gu Sheng. Mi Yingzong, his scar-marked chin in his palm, narrowed his eyes as he watched Gu Sheng cultivate.

"Moreover, considering his cultivation is only at the Earth Palace Stage, how could he possibly refine the Qi of Heaven-Burning Valley?"

From a distance, Hong Yun let out a cold snort, opening his eyes. "Even with the aid of mystical treasures, his gains are negligible. Lingering here is a far less practical pursuit than returning to higher realms for cultivation."

"A completely futile endeavor," Mi Yingzong declared, shaking his head with a mocking grin. "The potent Qi deep within Heaven-Burning Valley is not easily assimilated. Forcing the refinement will only damage one’s very foundation."

Their conversation, delivered without restraint, unmistakably reached Gu Sheng’s ears. A thought sparked in Gu Sheng’s mind—this provided a convenient pretext. He feigned ignorance, continuing his cultivation with closed eyes while covertly monitoring the reactions of those around him.

Observing Gu Sheng’s lack of response, Hong Yun grew impatient and returned to his own cultivation, his eyes closed. Mi Yingzong also offered a dismissive shrug before turning back to his secluded cultivation spot.

Witnessing this, the other cultivators diverted their gazes, no longer interested in the seemingly oblivious young man.

"Hu—" Gu Sheng let out a soft sigh of relief. With the crowd’s attention diverted, it presented an excellent opportunity to pursue his audacious plan. He momentarily halted the operation of the Nine Revolutions Profound Yang Technique, shifting his focus entirely to his physical body. Although the foundational damage sustained at Xuanming Divine Mountain had been mended, he was surprised to discover, under the immense pressure of this environment, that there was still room for improvement.

"The greater the pressure, the greater the potential..." Gu Sheng recalled his master’s teachings, his eyes alight with resolve. He slowly retracted the Spiritual Power barrier that enveloped his body. As his spiritual defenses waned, the crushing pressure intensified. Initially, a sharp stinging sensation assailed his skin, followed by an uncontrollable trembling in his muscles, and then his bones began to emit creaking sounds under the immense strain.

"Cough!" Gu Sheng’s face flushed instantly. A surge of fresh blood welled up in his throat, but he desperately forced it back down. He quickly re-established his protective barrier, a sheen of cold sweat now coating his forehead.

"Far too reckless..." Gu Sheng wiped away the sweat, a lingering sense of dread washing over him. For a terrifying moment, he had felt as though his entire being was on the verge of being pulverized.

After regulating his breathing, Gu Sheng adopted a new strategy. Instead of completely removing his defenses, he began to gradually weaken his Spiritual Power protection, akin to peeling away the layers of an onion. With each layer shed, he would pause, allowing his body to adapt until it could bear the increased pressure, before proceeding to the next stage.

This harrowing, self-inflicted training method inflicted excruciating torment. Every vein in Gu Sheng’s body visibly bulged, and beads of blood seeped from his skin, only to be instantly vaporized by the intense heat, leaving behind a thin layer of dried scab. His teeth were clenched tightly, yet he steadfastly refused to yield.

"What is this young man attempting?" A distant cultivator noticed Gu Sheng’s peculiar actions, exclaiming in astonishment. Hong Yun slightly parted his eyes, cast a brief glance, and then closed them once more. "He is merely inviting his own suffering."

Mi Yingzong, however, appeared thoughtful. "Intriguing... he is actually utilizing the environmental pressure of Heaven-Burning Valley to temper his physical body?"