Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1343 - 695: Curse (Part 2)

As he rushed out of the cave, a deafening explosion sounded behind him. A red beam of light pierced through the mountain, shooting straight into the sky!

"Gu Sheng!"

Ling Xiao was thrown dozens of yards by the shockwave, crashing heavily into the forest.

Ignoring the excruciating pain all over his body, he struggled to get up.

"Boom——"

The crimson wave from the Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl cut the entire mountain in half, spewing out lava-like liquid. Wherever it passed, the air congealed into crimson glass, which shattered into a rain of fire the next moment.

The Yang Qi sealed in the pearl transformed into the shadow of a Three-legged Golden Crow, spreading its wings and screeching, burning the surrounding ten-mile Cloud Sea into a scarlet vortex.

"Gu Sheng!"

Ling Xiao was thrown hundreds of yards by the shockwave, breaking several ancient trees before finally stopping.

He spat out a mouthful of blood, not bothering to wipe it away, his eyes fixed on the destructive crimson storm.

The Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl was breaking free and transforming into a streak of red light, escaping to the horizon!

"I can’t let it get away!"

Ling Xiao gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand, but froze the moment he took a step — Gu Sheng’s life or death was uncertain, should he save him first or chase the pearl?

At that critical moment, a bronze-colored beam suddenly shot into the sky from the collapsed mountain!

"Dang——"

The ancient bell sound echoed through the clouds, causing ripples to spread through the space.

Ling Xiao’s eyes widened, only to see an Ancient Bronze Bell break through the fire waves above Gu Sheng’s head.

His hair was disheveled, his body scorched black, yet he exuded an ancient aura that struck fear into the heart, like a War God walking from primordial times.

"Ancient Reincarnation Bell?!"

Ling Xiao gasped in shock.

Gu Sheng stepped on the void, each step causing the surrounding space to slightly distort.

He was incredibly fast, catching up to the fleeing Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl in the blink of an eye.

"Suppress!"

The Ancient Bronze Bell crashed down, enveloping the crimson Pearl within.

Numerous ancient runes appeared on the bell’s surface, violently clashing with the Yang Qi in the Pearl, creating deafening booms.

The Golden Crow shadow struggled desperately but could not break through the bell’s seal.

"Behave!"

Gu Sheng formed a sealing hand sign, and nine Spiritual Power Golden Dragons flew out from within him, wrapping around the surface of the bell.

The struggle of the Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl gradually weakened, eventually calming down.

Only then dared Ling Xiao approach, discovering that although Gu Sheng’s aura was strong, he was covered in injuries.

"Are you okay?"

"Still alive."

Gu Sheng grinned, revealing his teeth.

He gestured with his hand, and the Ancient Reincarnation Bell rapidly shrank, flying back to his palm.

Inside, the Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl floated quietly, devoid of its previous violent nature.

Ling Xiao suddenly frowned.

"Something’s not right, the Reincarnation Bell’s aura is..."

At this moment, the Ancient Reincarnation Bell, originally antiquated and heavy, was now mixed with intense Yang Qi, with several crimson lines appearing on its surface, as if scorched by flames.

Gu Sheng’s gaze was serious.

"To withstand the outbreak of the Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl, the Reincarnation Bell bore most of the impact, causing the second seal to loosen."

"The second seal?"

Ling Xiao keenly picked up on this information.

"How many seals are on this bell?"

"I’m not sure."

Gu Sheng shook his head.

"But now’s not the time to study this."

He took out the Void Ring, storing the Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl within, and after checking the condition of the Reincarnation Bell to ensure its temporary stability, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Ling Xiao looked at the surrounding forest, leveled to the ground, with lingering fear.

"Almost lost your life refining a Pearl, was it worth it?"

Gu Sheng’s eyes gleamed.

"It was worth it."

He clenched his fist, a wisp of crimson flame escaping from between his fingers.

"Now I can roughly control the power of the Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl, giving me the strength to contend with those at the peak of the Heavenly Palace.

Ling Xiao sucked in a cold breath.

It’s important to know that even in the Purple Mist Sacred Land, cultivators at the Earth Palace Stage are of elder level.

"Let’s go."

Gu Sheng put away the Reincarnation Bell and changed into a clean robe.

"To Five Mountains City."

...

Three days later, at the west gate of Five Mountains City.

Two cultivators, weary from travel, lined up in the queue to enter the city.

The taller one’s face was sallow, while the shorter one had a scar on his face, both at the early stage of the Earth Palace Realm, unremarkable in the crowd.

"Old Huang, do you think this Five Mountains City is really that lively?"

The shorter cultivator asked with a heavy accent.

The taller cultivator chuckled.

"Absolutely! I’ve heard that the Immortal Masters from Purple Mist Sacred Land often come here to purchase spiritual materials. With a bit of luck, you might even encounter them recruiting disciples!"

The gatekeeper cultivator glanced at their Identity Jade and waved impatiently for them to move along.

"Each person, two low-grade Spirit Stones, hurry up!"

After paying the entrance fee, the two smoothly entered the city. The short cultivator—none other than the disguised Ling Xiao—lowered his voice.

"Is this disguise really useful?"

Gu Sheng communicated secretly.

"Unless encountered by an Earth Palace Stage cultivator deliberately probing, it can’t be seen through."

He paused.

"From now on, I am Huang San, you are Li Si, don’t slip up."

Ling Xiao nodded, then was immediately drawn to the bustling scene within the city.

The wide streets were bustling with crowds, shops lined both sides, and the sound of hawking surged endlessly. There were stalls selling spiritual medicine, magic artifacts, and even cultivation techniques.

"Much more lively than Qinghe Holy Land’s city."

Ling Xiao muttered softly.

Gu Sheng, however, frowned slightly. In his perception, the entire city was shrouded in an invisible haze, even the sunlight seemed dimmed.

More strangely, the people in the streets were oblivious, still happily bargaining.

"Heavenly Dao Curse..."

Gu Sheng’s eyes held a heavy look.

Ling Xiao was taken aback.

"What curse?"

"Five Mountains City is enveloped by a kind of Heavenly Dao Curse."

Gu Sheng conveyed secretly.

"Though it’s very weak now, it will erupt sooner or later."

Ling Xiao’s expression changed slightly.

"Then let’s leave quickly!"

"No rush."

Gu Sheng shook his head.

"First, gather information about the Descending Immortal Realm."

He pointed to a tall inn in the distance.

"Go there, places where cultivators gather are the easiest to gather intelligence."

The night was like ink, gradually swallowing the daytime hustle of Five Mountains City.

Gu Sheng stood outside the city gates.

"The information about the Descending Immortal Realm is harder to obtain than imagined."

Ling Xiao patted nonexistent dust off his sleeve, frowning slightly.

"Is Purple Mist Sacred Land really guarding it so tightly?"

Gu Sheng withdrew his gaze, a cold smile tugging at his lips.

"More than guarding. Didn’t you hear what the teahouse owner said? Even a sect with deep foundations can’t send in a few disciples in a year. Purple Mist Sacred Land makes a fortune this way."

Ling Xiao’s eyes showed surprise.

"What price must be paid?"

"It’s said to require a sacrifice..."

Gu Sheng swallowed his words back, shaking his head.

"I don’t know the specifics, but it’s definitely not something ordinary cultivators can bear."

The two walked along a small path outside the city, the surroundings gradually quieting down, leaving only the rustling sound of wind blowing through the leaves.

Ling Xiao suddenly stopped, his expression under the moonlight appeared especially serious.

"Gu Sheng, I’ve always wanted to ask... What’s the deal with the Heavenly Dao Curse?"

Gu Sheng halted, his eyes complicated.

He looked up toward Five Mountains City, where the lights gradually dimmed, resembling a giant beast closing its eyes.

"Seven years ago..."

Gu Sheng’s voice became low.

"The Seven Great Sacred Lands faced a catastrophic disaster, it was my master who helped."

The night wind suddenly turned piercing, lifting Gu Sheng’s robes.

Ling Xiao unconsciously took a step closer, seemingly affected by the atmosphere.

"Master sacrificed his life to extend the lives of the Seven Great Sacred Lands."

Gu Sheng’s voice sounded as if it came from a far distance.

"The condition was for them to select seven Holy Daughters and sign a Heavenly Dao Marriage Certificate with me."

Ling Xiao gasped.

"Heavenly Dao Marriage Certificate? That’s..."

"Exactly, a contract witnessed by Heavenly Dao."

Gu Sheng let out a cold laugh.

"But what happened then? The sacred lands broke their promises, allowed the Holy Daughters to break the marriage certificates, triggering the Heavenly Dao Curse."

A night owl’s cry echoed from a distance, so eerie it sent chills into one’s heart.

Gu Sheng’s gaze sharpened.

"Fourth Elder of Purple Mist Sacred Land died suddenly, spiritual veins exploded for no reason... Do you think these are mere coincidences?"

Ling Xiao’s face turned pale.

"All... curses?"

"Exactly."

Gu Sheng nodded.

"And this is just the beginning. Once the Heavenly Dao Curse is triggered, it will snowball—"

Before he finished, Gu Sheng suddenly froze, swiftly looking up at the sky above Five Mountains City.

His pupils contracted suddenly, as if seeing something terrifying.