Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

”Absolutely. A senior brother of mine perished because of it last time.”

Gu Sheng frowned slightly; he had never heard that the Azure Dragon Token could attract Demon Beasts.

But seeing Pan Zhuang’s confident demeanor, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

Gu Sheng secretly observed Pan Zhuang’s expression and noticed that although his tone was sincere, his gaze was shifty.

”In that case, just throw it away.”

As Gu Sheng spoke, he casually tossed the Azure Dragon Token into the distant bushes.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao did the same.

Pan Zhuang’s face showed satisfaction, and he quickly began arranging the action.

”I suggest we split up. I’ll guard the rear while Gu Sheng and Junior Brother Ling support from the front to approach the cave entrance. Brother Yu, your group of five should flank from both sides to prevent anyone or any Demon Beast from ambushing us.”

Yu Tianyi frowned.

”Why split up like this? Wouldn’t moving together be safer?”

Pan Zhuang shook his head.

”The cave’s terrain is complex; moving together might alarm whatever is inside. Splitting up and watching out for each other is the best strategy.”

Gu Sheng noticed that when Pan Zhuang said this, he unconsciously rubbed the Jade Pendant at his waist, a sign of nervousness.

He felt alarmed inside but remained composed on the surface.

”Let’s do as Junior Brother Pan suggested.”

No one else objected, and they began to disperse according to the plan.

Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao moved slowly towards the cave entrance, with dry branches and leaves making slight noises underfoot.

Gu Sheng stepped with extreme caution, quietly observing the surroundings.

The summit was shrouded in mist, vaguely exuding a powerful aura entrenched there—that was the mysterious Great Power guarding Xuanming Divine Mountain.

Gu Sheng felt wary, fearing his secrets would be detected by this figure.

”Be careful.”

Gu Sheng whispered to Ling Xiao.

”I feel something’s not right.”

Ling Xiao was about to respond when he suddenly slipped, breaking a dry branch underfoot, and staggered forward for a few steps before stabilizing himself.

”Shh!”

Pan Zhuang whispered intensely from the rear.

”Be quiet!”

Seeing this from afar, Yu Tianyi’s eyes were filled with disdain, internally cursing Ling Xiao as useless.

Gu Sheng steadied Ling Xiao and found his palm cold and sweaty.

”What’s wrong with you?”

Ling Xiao shook his head, his face a bit pale.

”I don’t know, just suddenly felt... very uneasy.”

Gu Sheng squinted, looking toward the cave entrance not far off. The dark opening was like a giant mouth ready to devour, exuding a cold aura.

Finally, the three reached the cave entrance.

Pan Zhuang pointed into the depths of the cave, with a voice filled with barely hidden excitement.

”Look there; something seems to be glowing!”

Gu Sheng followed the direction Pan Zhuang pointed but saw only blackness.

As he was puzzled, a sudden strong wind hit him from behind!

”Watch out!”

With quick reflexes, Gu Sheng pushed Ling Xiao aside, himself getting struck by a massive force and sent flying forward.

”Pan Zhuang, you—”

Ling Xiao’s furious shout was abruptly cut off as he too was blasted into the cave.

Pan Zhuang stood at the cave entrance, with no longer the prior gentleness on his face, replaced by a twisted fanaticism.

He rapidly formed Sealing hand signs, with Spiritual Patterns shooting from his fingertips, weaving into a large net at the entrance.

”Seal!”

With Pan Zhuang’s low shout, the Spiritual Patterns solidified immediately, forming a transparent barrier sealing the entrance.

Inside the cave, a heavy crashing was heard, followed by Ling Xiao’s furious roar.

”Pan Zhuang! What do you mean by this?”

Pan Zhuang turned a deaf ear, pulling out a blood-colored Jade Pendant, biting his finger to drop blood on it.

The Jade Pendant glowed red, resonating with the seal at the entrance, reinforcing the Array.

”Junior Brother Pan! What happened?”

Yu Tianyi’s voice came from afar, as he and Jin Xianyun hurried over with the others.

Pan Zhuang quickly put away the Jade Pendant, his face again filled with urgency.

”It’s bad! Gu Sheng and Junior Brother Ling were dragged into the cave by a sudden burst of a Demon Beast! I... I tried my best, but I couldn’t save them!”

”What?”

Yu Tianyi was shocked pale.

”What do we do now?”

Pan Zhuang ”painfully” shook his head.

”The Demon Beast has set a restriction at the entrance, which can’t be broken in a short time. We... we can only go back and seek help.”

Jin Xianyun’s face was white.

”What about Gu Sheng and them...”

”Life and death are fate.”

Pan Zhuang said deeply, his eyes holding a successful glee.

”Staying here is useless; we should go back and call for reinforcements.”

Yu Tianyi hesitated for a moment and finally nodded.

”That’s all we can do.”

The group hurriedly left, none noticing the cold, sinister smile on Pan Zhuang’s face when he turned.

Inside the cave, Gu Sheng got up from the ground, brushing dust off himself.

”Gu Sheng, are you alright?”

Ling Xiao’s voice came from beside him.

”I’m fine.”

Gu Sheng said softly, his eyes penetrating the darkness to gaze at the seal at the entrance.

”The Seven Extremes Sealing Spirit Array... Pan Zhuang was well-prepared indeed.”

Ling Xiao gritted his teeth.

”That bastard! Should have seen his ill intentions sooner!”

Gu Sheng didn’t respond but carefully examined the surroundings.

The cave was much more spacious than expected, with some glowing moss faintly visible on the rocky walls, providing weak light.

The air was filled with a decaying smell, mixed with some kind of... medicinal fragrance?

”Holy Infant Grass...”

Gu Sheng suddenly realized something, giving a cold laugh.

”So that’s it.”

Ling Xiao was puzzled.

”What?”

”Pan Zhuang’s target wasn’t Jin Xianyun, but the Holy Infant Grass.”

Gu Sheng calmly analyzed.

”He intentionally had us discard the Azure Dragon Token and set up so we’d take point, just for this moment.”

Pan Zhuang’s figure disappeared into the forest before he stopped, leaning against an ancient tree, his chest heaving violently.

”Did I really get frightened by the gaze of an Outer Disciple?”