Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1321 - 684: Damn, That’s Unreal_2

He perceived with clarity that while Gu Sheng's aura showed no outward advancement in his cultivation realm, it emanated an unfathomable presence.

Like a concealed force beneath a placid sea, deceptively benign yet harboring immense, explosive power.

"This fellow... what exactly is he practicing?"

Ling Xiao harbored a secret astonishment within his heart.

He possessed an instinctive sense that engaging Gu Sheng in combat at this moment would result in him being unable to withstand even a single strike.

A wave of profound unwillingness swelled within his chest.

Ling Xiao relocated to a vantage point somewhat distant from Gu Sheng, resumed his seated position, and fully unleashed the capabilities of the Golden Alms Bowl.

"Isn't it merely body refinement? I am capable of that as well!"

The onlookers engaged in body refinement observed this display and, with dismissive shakes of their heads, scoffed.

"Another individual who overestimates his own capabilities."

"The two disciples of Daoist Yong'an, each exhibiting greater arrogance than the last."

"To depend on a mystical artifact for cultivation deep within Heaven-Burning Valley? What a ludicrous notion!"

These hushed remarks reached his ears, causing Ling Xiao's countenance to flush crimson, yet he resolutely refused to withdraw.

He endeavored to diminish the protective force of the Golden Alms Bowl, allowing a greater influx of primal energy into his physique.

"Crack!"

The inaugural stream of unrefined magma energy permeated his body, and Ling Xiao immediately discerned the grating sound of his bones fracturing under an overwhelming strain.

The searing agony assaulted him, nearly eliciting a shriek, prompting him to swiftly re-intensify the Golden Alms Bowl's defenses.

"Too arduous..."

Ling Xiao's brow beaded with cold perspiration, astounded by Gu Sheng's sheer endurance.

Without the bulwark of a mystical artifact, to endure such torment relying solely on one's physical form necessitates a terrifying magnitude of willpower.

Hong Yun, a witness to the entire sequence, allowed a derisive smirk to grace his lips.

"A mere charade."

He then turned to a few companions standing nearby and interjected in a low tone.

"Keep these two youths under observation. I harbor a persistent suspicion that something is amiss with them."

"Does Hong suspect their identities are fabricated?"

A cultivator, distinguished by a sharp nose and simian features, inquired.

Hong Yun let out a sardonic chuckle.

"Daoist Yong'an has remained in solitary confinement for a century, only to suddenly emerge with two disciples previously unknown, each possessing rare mystical treasures for protection... does this strike you as logical?"

The assembled individuals exchanged glances, nodding in silent agreement.

At this precise juncture, Gu Sheng's eyes suddenly snapped open, a glint of golden light illuminating his pupils.

He gradually rose, extending his limbs and joints, his entire frame emitting a series of crackling sounds akin to popping beans.

"I am nearly accustomed to it..."

Gu Sheng uttered softly to himself, his gaze subsequently directed toward the more profound magma abysses below.

The magma in that region appeared a deep crimson, resembling coagulated blood, its mere sight inducing a suffocating sensation.

Under the collective, astonished gazes of all present, Gu Sheng abruptly retracted all spiritual power defenses, depending solely on his physical being to withstand the surrounding oppressive force.

His skin instantly flushed scarlet, veins protruding and writhing like annelids, yet his progression downward persisted.

"Is he insane?"

The sharp-nosed cultivator exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Hong Yun also propelled himself to his feet, his countenance etched with incredulity.

"The pressure a hundred meters deeper is threefold that of this location! Even I would hesitate to attempt such a feat!"

Mi Yingzong materialized beside Hong Yun at some indeterminate moment, his fingers tracing the scar upon his chin, his eyes ablaze with a piercing intensity.

"Intriguing... this young man is either a lunatic, or..."

"Or what?"

Hong Yun's brow furrowed in question.

"Or he has not yet reached the Earth Palace Stage."

Mi Yingzong conveyed with a significant implication.

Gu Sheng remained oblivious to the stir transpiring behind him.

His complete concentration was devoted to resisting the escalating, terrifying pressure, each step akin to bearing the weight of a mountain. Bones protested, muscles strained and tore, yet with each instance of damage, the newly generated tissues demonstrated increased resilience.

"Ninety-seven... ninety-eight... ninety-nine..."

Gu Sheng meticulously counted internally. Upon executing the hundredth step, the surrounding pressure abruptly intensified.

He emitted a low grunt, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth, yet his posture remained erect, akin to a drawn sword, exuding an aura of formidable presence.

"He... he actually accomplished it?"

Ling Xiao's jaw hung slack, and the Golden Alms Bowl within his grasp nearly slipped from his fingers.

"Putting on an act!"

Hong Yun scoffed, his gaze brimming with contempt.

"For an individual at the Earth Palace Stage, enduring for three breaths at a depth of one hundred meters would suffice to deem him remarkable!"

Mi Yingzong, his hand caressing the scar on his chin, narrowed his eyes as he fixed his gaze upon Gu Sheng's receding form below.

"Hong Tu, do you entertain the notion that this youth might genuinely be a reincarnated divine beast?"

"Preposterous!"

The veins on Hong Yun's forehead throbbed conspicuously.

"How precious are the bloodlines of divine beasts? In the thousand-year history of Qinghe Holy Land, only three strong ones with divine beast bloodlines have emerged! Who does this kid think he is?"

Their conversation was unrestrained, the sound waves forming a special resonance within the magma, clearly reaching Gu Sheng’s ears.

Gu Sheng’s lips curled slightly, still sitting cross-legged with closed eyes, unmoving.

"Just watch."

Hong Yun crossed his arms and sneered coldly.

"Within ten breaths, he’ll definitely cough up blood and retreat! When we first entered this place, didn’t we take more than a month to adapt?"

Mi Yingzong unusually did not retort, nodding in agreement.

As renowned Body Refiners of the Qinghe Holy Land, they knew too well the horror of this depth of one hundred meters.

The pressure here is more than three times that of the upper layers, and the Ultimate Yang Power contained in the magma is exceedingly violent, capable of injuring ordinary cultivators upon contact.

"Five breaths."

Hong Yun began counting, eyes glinting with schadenfreude.

Gu Sheng remained as steady as a rock.

The Spiritual Power shield on his body seemed precarious but was actually just a disguise.

Beneath that seemingly fragile spiritual barrier, his flesh was undergoing an astonishing transformation — pale golden lines beneath his skin grew more pronounced, flowing like living creatures, converting the surrounding violent energy into nutrients nourishing his body.

"Ten breaths!"

Hong Yun’s voice rose slightly.

"Huh?"

Instead of coughing up blood and retreating as he predicted, Gu Sheng’s breathing became more steady, his aura gradually merging with the surrounding environment.

From a distance, he resembled a rock weathered by magma for millennia; ancient and resilient.

Mi Yingzong’s eyes gleamed sharply.

"Interesting..."

"Just pretending! Keep pretending!"

Hong Yun’s face darkened.

"I’ll see how long he can hold out!"

Twenty breaths... thirty breaths... one hundred breaths...

Time flowed on, Gu Sheng remained sitting steadily at the hundred-meter depth.

More astonishingly, the Spiritual Power shield on his body began to gradually weaken, as if he needed little protection to adapt to the environment.

"Impossible!"

Hong Yun finally couldn’t contain himself, jumping to his feet.

"He must have used some secret treasure!"

Mi Yingzong pondered.

"Hong Tu, why not use your Void Spirit Eye to take a look?"

Hong Yun snorted coldly, his eyes suddenly turned pale gold, two invisible lines penetrating the magma, aiming directly at Gu Sheng.

This was precisely his unique technique—the "Void Spirit Eye," capable of seeing through most disguises and protections.

Gu Sheng nearly sensed the anomaly the instant Hong Yun began the probe.

His heart tightened, his "Nine Revolutions Profound Yang Technique" rapidly circulated, the pale golden lines on his skin immediately vanished from sight.

Simultaneously, he intentionally made the Spiritual Power shield fluctuate violently, feigning a struggle.

"How is it?"

Mi Yingzong asked curiously.

Hong Yun frowned deeply.

"Strange... his shield seems on the verge of collapsing, yet his Qi-Blood is remarkably stable... something’s off!"

He suddenly intensified the power of the Void Spirit Eye, trying to see through Gu Sheng’s internal condition.

Gu Sheng secretly cursed, immediately reversing his cultivation technique, making his Qi-Blood intentionally appear erratic while forcing blood to trickle from the corner of his mouth.

He appeared to be at his limit, as if about to collapse at any moment.

"Ha!"

Hong Yun withdrew his Spirit Eye, smugly declaring.

"He’s clearly pushing himself! He’s at his limit, scarcely enduring another thirty breaths!"

Mi Yingzong remained skeptical.

"Really? Yet I still feel..."

"Feel what, nonsense!"

Hong Yun rudely interrupted him.

"When has my Void Spirit Eye ever been wrong?"

Another thirty breaths passed, yet Gu Sheng showed no signs of collapse.

Fifty breaths... one hundred breaths...

Hong Yun’s expression shifted from smugness to puzzlement, then turned utterly dark.

He deployed the Void Spirit Eye once more, discovering Gu Sheng’s status identical to the previous probe—seemingly ready to collapse, yet stubbornly steadfast.

"Damn it!"

Hong Yun cursed softly.

"This guy is odd!"

Mi Yingzong suddenly chuckled.

"Hong Tu, could your Void Spirit Eye be a fake?"

"Get lost!"

Hong Yun shouted angrily, ceasing to insist Gu Sheng was about to collapse.

He stared fixedly at the figure below, eyes gleaming with incomprehension.