Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1694: Chapter 860: Advancing and Retreating Together

"Young Master Situ, you hold a noble status and might not fully understand the situation of us ordinary disciples. While the upper echelon of the Divine Sect and those top-tier powerhouses may advance and retreat together for the greater good, among us lower-level disciples and various juniors, competition has always been extremely fierce."

He paused for a moment and lowered his voice.

"Take this instance of Secret Realm exploration, for example. Although there are strict orders from above not to harm you, Young Master Situ, or the elder beside you, there’s no rule about amicable coexistence among us disciples of the Divine Sects.

In order to seize the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and cultivation technique legacy within the Secret Realm, backstabbing and treachery are commonplace, and even... those above often turn a blind eye, implicitly allowing a certain degree of ’casualties’ to exist. After all, resources are limited, and survival of the fittest prevails.

This kind of situation is almost a public secret among the Seventy-two Divine Sects."

Gu Sheng understood instantly upon hearing this.

It was akin to nurturing a gu, allowing disciples to compete and kill each other, with only the elite surviving. It seemed the survival law of the Southern Border Divine Sect was even more brutal and direct than he imagined.

Situ Qingfeng also revealed an understanding expression, his eyes shifting as a gentle smile appeared on his face, extending an invitation to those three disciples of the Purple Mist Divine Sect.

"I see, you all have gone through hardships. Since we’ve met here, it’s fate.

The Secret Realm is full of dangers and acting alone might leave one vulnerable. How about we travel together? With Mr. Yun and me here, we can offer more security. If we encounter any ordinary opportunities or treasures along the way, I, Situ Qingfeng, will not compete with you three."

The three disciples were momentarily stunned upon hearing this, seemingly not expecting this noble Young Master Situ to be so affable and to actively invite them to join.

However, they reacted quickly, displaying expressions of startled delight and ecstasy!

This meant they could not only gain protection from two powerhouses, greatly increasing their safety, but also gain priority access to those ordinary resources overlooked by Young Master Situ! This was akin to a pie falling from the sky!

"We are willing! We are willing!"

The three eagerly nodded in agreement, their faces covered in grateful smiles, offering repeated compliments.

"Thank you, Young Master Situ, for your support! You are truly magnanimous, wise, and considerate of us!"

Situ Qingfeng was quite pleased with their reaction, lightly shaking the folding fan in his hand, adopting the posture of a noble family son, with a hint of indulgence, he said casually.

"No need for such formality. I have no interest in some of the ordinary items. If you need them, just take them.

As long as you are obedient and work well in the upcoming tasks, I will certainly not mistreat you, and there will be benefits for you."

"Yes, yes, yes! We will definitely follow Young Master Situ’s lead! If you tell us to go east, we will definitely not head west!"

The gratitude on the faces of the three grew denser, almost beating their chests in loyalty.

Thus, the group proceeded together, guided by Situ Qingfeng, the "living map," they avoided several seemingly calm but deadly regions, and their progress was quite fast.

Soon after, under Situ Qingfeng’s lead, they arrived in front of a giant stone wall seemingly fused with the entire mountain body. In the center of the stone wall, embedded were two tightly closed, massive ten feet tall bronze doors filled with ancient enigmatic patterns, with seams tightly sealed, exuding a bleak and distant aura.

Here was clearly the core of the Secret Realm - the main hall entrance!

Situ Qingfeng stopped, his gaze brushed over the three disciples from the Purple Mist Divine Sect; though seemingly explaining to them, he was actually reminding Gu Sheng.

"Here lies the main hall of the Secret Realm. However, entering this main hall is not easy, it requires passing a test first."

He pointed to the seemingly empty area in front of the bronze doors.

"Do you see the empty ground in front of the doors? There, remains the pressure restriction set by ancient powerhouses. The closer you get to the door, the stronger the pressure becomes.

Only by relying on your own strength and will, withstanding this increasingly strong pressure, and step by step advancing to the door, touching it, can you qualify to enter the main hall. Otherwise, one cannot even get close."

Those three Purple Mist Divine Sect disciples, upon hearing this, showed expressions of both reverence and eagerness.

One of them hurriedly complimented.

"I see! Thank you, Young Master Situ, for the guidance! Being able to follow you to the entrance of this main hall already is a great opportunity for us!"

Gu Sheng said nothing, quietly releasing his spiritual power, and after a moment of perception of that area, he indeed found the space there subtly distorted, permeating with an invisible pressure field.

"Mr. Yun," Situ Qingfeng looked at Gu Sheng, his tone somewhat instructive.

"You go first to test the depth of this pressure, and clear the way for us. If you can pass safely, then these three elite disciples of the Purple Mist Divine Sect shouldn’t find it too difficult either."

The three disciples immediately cast grateful and expectant glances at Gu Sheng, and thanked him one after another.

"Much obliged, Mr. Yun!"

Gu Sheng nodded nonchalantly, speaking little, he stepped forward directly towards the bronze doors.

He advanced with neither haste nor slowness, his steps steady. For the first half of the journey up to about ten steps from the door, he didn’t sense any obvious obstacles, as if he was just taking a normal walk.

But once he entered within a ten-step range of the door, a pressure that seemed both faint and yet genuinely present began flooding in like a tide from all directions, acting upon his body and soul.