Chapter 559: Chapter 303: The Primordial Infant_2
"Boom!"
After a thunderous explosion, the group’s combined attack successfully struck the infant. Yet, to their shock, the infant was not defeated. Instead, an even greater surge of power erupted from its tiny body.
The force blasted all five of them backwards, sending them crashing heavily to the ground. As they struggled to rise, they realized their bodies had gone numb, and even the slightest movement became extraordinarily difficult.
Ancient Minefield · Enchanted Stone’s Mysterious Monkey
When the five awoke from unconsciousness, they were startled to discover that the terrifyingly powerful infant had vanished without a trace.
"What... what just happened?" Xing Lie rubbed his eyes, scanning the area in disbelief.
"Where’s the baby? How could it disappear so suddenly?" Kou Hai also looked around in confusion.
"Could it have crawled away on its own?" Ying Tianxing joked half-heartedly, but then shook his head. "Impossible. A being that powerful wouldn’t simply crawl away."
They debated back and forth, but none of them could explain the bizarre event.
Gu Sheng furrowed his brow, immersed in thought. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the infant’s sudden appearance and disappearance were intertwined with some greater mystery.
"Thank heavens for Brother Gu’s Red Vine Demon Soul!" Wu Tianxiong exclaimed. "Without the protective bell-shaped barrier it formed, we might have ended up like those corpses, reduced to mere blood mist."
"Indeed, Brother Gu’s Red Vine Demon Soul is truly remarkable," Ying Tianxing added in admiration. "The way it reverted to a seed and then transformed into a bell was unlike anything I’ve ever seen!"
Gu Sheng responded to their praise with a faint smile, saying little. He knew that while the Red Vine Demon Soul was powerful, it was not omnipotent. Their survival this time was more a testament to the unity and cooperation among the five of them.
After a lengthy discussion, the group decided to delve deeper into the minefield. They advanced toward areas where the energy was most intense and soon discovered some peculiar raw stones.
Frozen within these raw stones were various creatures. Though motionless, they emanated an overwhelming aura. Cautiously, the group approached one particular stone, inside which a monkey was encased.
The monkey had a lean, agile build, its dense fur gleaming, and clutched a sparkling iron staff in its hand. Most striking, however, were its eyes—blazing red, as if they could pierce through all illusions and lies.
"Holy crap! Isn’t this the legendary Sun Wukong?" Xing Lie exclaimed. Gu Sheng had shared tales of Journey to the West with them, so they were well aware of Sun Wukong’s legendary prowess.
"And it’s holding the Jingu Bang!" Gu Sheng murmured thoughtfully. "That staff might even surpass Dark Level treasures!"
Hearing Gu Sheng’s words, Xing Lie and the others grew excited. Having followed Gu Sheng for so long, they had picked up some treasure appraisal skills. At the sight of the radiant staff, how could they not be tempted?
Gu Sheng, however, shook his head. "We must not touch this. The legends surrounding Sun Wukong are no idle tales. It’s best we don’t provoke such an existence."
Upon hearing Gu Sheng’s warning, the group calmed down. They respected Gu Sheng’s typically cautious and judicious demeanor, so they knew there was wisdom in his words.
Thus, the five refrained from touching the raw stone and continued deeper into the energy-rich areas. They discovered stones with relatively weaker auras and decided to collect them, intending to auction the materials at a trading market.
Over the following days, they amassed a substantial haul in the ancient minefield, gathering not only plenty of rare raw stones but also encountering some valuable spirit grass and spirit beasts. The experience significantly improved their abilities as well.
Just as they were preparing to leave the minefield, a group of unwelcome visitors suddenly appeared. These strangers radiated powerful energy and exuded hostility, clearly not a benevolent presence.
"Hand over all your treasures, kids!" snarled the leader, a burly man with a menacing glare. "Or don’t blame us for being ruthless!"
Faced with the group’s threats, Gu Sheng and his companions didn’t flinch. Sharing a knowing smile, they each brandished their weapons and activated their cultivation techniques.
"Want our treasures? Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes!" Gu Sheng retorted with a cold smile.
With that, the five of them engaged the intruders in battle.
Their seamless teamwork and fearless determination quickly overwhelmed their foes, leaving the attackers battered and fleeing in disgrace.
"Hahaha! That was exhilarating!" Xing Lie laughed heartily. "This trip to the minefield has been immensely rewarding!"
"Indeed! All thanks to Brother Gu’s leadership and everyone’s cooperation," Wu Tianxiong said, his tone filled with gratitude. "Not only did we acquire numerous precious raw stones, spirit grass, and spirit beasts, but we also improved our strength and honed our teamwork. This has been incredible!"
Listening to their words, Gu Sheng merely smiled faintly. He knew this expedition in the ancient minefield, while productive, was merely a small episode in their path of cultivation. The road ahead was long, requiring even greater effort if they wished to advance further.
"Roar~"
The five gathered their belongings, ready to depart from the mysterious and perilous minefield. But just as they were about to leave, an earth-shaking roar tore through the air, a sound so chilling it seemed to come from the depths of the Netherworld Hell, causing their hearts to tremble.
"What was that sound?" Xing Lie’s face turned pale as he scanned the surroundings nervously.
"I don’t know, but it’s definitely not something good," Wu Tianxiong responded grimly, gripping his weapon tightly.
Gu Sheng’s eyes glimmered with resolve. Taking a deep breath, he turned to the others and said, "You all go ahead. I’ll go check it out."
"Brother Gu, you mustn’t!" Ying Tianxing quickly tried to dissuade him. "That sound is far too ominous. It’s likely very dangerous."
"Yeah, Gu Sheng, let’s leave together," Kou Hai added, his voice heavy with concern.
Gu Sheng shook his head, a resolute smile on his face. "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. You go on ahead; I’ll catch up shortly."
Before they could protest further, he vanished in a flash, racing toward the source of the sound.
The four exchanged glances, admiration flickering in their eyes. They knew Gu Sheng’s character; once his mind was made up, it was nearly impossible to change.
Gu Sheng sped along, arriving at the source of the sound in no time. A black silhouette darted past like a streak of lightning, vanishing in an instant.
"Stop!" Gu Sheng shouted, unleashing the Red Vine Demon Soul in pursuit.
The chase led them to an ancient battlefield, a desolate landscape of shattered debris, seemingly the aftermath of a monumental clash. At the center stood a shadowy figure, its features obscured, emanating an overwhelming and chilling aura.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" Gu Sheng demanded cautiously.
The shadowy figure didn’t respond, only chuckling darkly before launching itself at Gu Sheng.
Gu Sheng didn’t dare underestimate his foe, immediately initiating Gale Nine Swords to counter. The two clashed furiously, Sword Qi slicing through the air as they exchanged countless blows. But Gu Sheng soon realized the shadowy figure’s cultivation was immensely profound—at least at the Third Stage of the Sea Floor Realm!
His heart sank, but his movements remained unrelenting. Striking with golden palms and fists, he fought desperately against the foe, whose cultivation technique exuded an otherworldly, destructive energy, as if it had emerged from the depths of the Netherworld Hell.
As the battle dragged on, Gu Sheng began to waver. Blood gushed from his wounds, staining his robes, yet his determination showed no sign of faltering. Gritting his teeth, he gave everything he had to keep the shadowy figure at bay.
In a crucial moment, the Red Vine Demon Soul unleashed a surge of red light with corrosive power, catching the shadowy figure off guard. The figure shrieked in agony, giving Gu Sheng the opening to strike a devastating blow!
But just as Gu Sheng exhaled in relief, the shadowy figure suddenly retaliated with a ferocious palm strike to his chest. The impact sent Gu Sheng flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Ugh!" Gu Sheng coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face as pale as a sheet. He struggled to rise, but his body had lost all sensation.