Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 391: Chapter 219 Gathering of People and Horses, Collaboration from All Parties_2

Upon hearing this, Kang Tai began carefully examining the barrier.

After a thorough comparison, Kang Tai nodded, a trace of delight appearing on his face: ”Hmm, it’s noticeably weaker than when it first appeared. It seems that this barrier, while formidable, will weaken over time. We just need to wait for its energy to be completely depleted!”

Realizing this, Kang Tai immediately made a decision: ”Take out all the healing pills and recovery elixirs you have and consume them. Make sure to restore yourselves to peak condition! There’s bound to be a tough battle once the barrier vanishes!”

Hearing his words, the disciples of the Thousand Poison Sect became serious. With such a commotion here, it was inevitable that others would notice. If the barrier wasn’t gone before other factions arrived, then claiming the Demon Suppression Golden Scroll and the Golden Bell would end in a fierce struggle.

Though the Thousand Poison Sect had been quietly growing stronger over the years, the other factions were not to be underestimated, especially the Governor Mansion and Haoyang Sect.

The earlier attempt to dismantle the Four Symbols Demon Suppression Array had drained the Thousand Poison Sect significantly. Thinking about the upcoming brutal fight, many of the disciples felt disheartened.

Noticing this, Kang Tai had to step up and boost morale: ”This Golden Bell is no ordinary item, so it will surely spark an intense contest. We’ve used up too much energy. If we recklessly join the fray, the outcome will undoubtedly be disastrous. But our mission, as assigned by the Second Elder, is only to retrieve the Golden Scroll. Considering our ties with the Governor Mansion, we can ally with them, help them secure the Golden Bell, and just take the Golden Scroll for ourselves. Don’t worry; with the Governor Mansion’s strength, we’ll only need to assist strategically. It shouldn’t require too much from us. However, just to be safe, everyone must focus on recovering!”

Upon hearing this, the disciples of the Thousand Poison Sect immediately took out their elixirs, consumed them, and found their own spots to begin recovering with all their effort.

Kang Tai himself also took out a pill and started ingesting it on the side.

Soon, several figures appeared at the entrance.

Though all of them were in the Golden Bone Realm, they were visibly older, mostly in their thirties or forties. It was apparent that they belonged to smaller sects or families.

These kinds of people came for such treasures only to spectate; they had no real chance of competing for them.

After identifying their backgrounds, Kang Tai paid them no further attention.

Those individuals, upon seeing the disciples of the Thousand Poison Sect, immediately moved far away, fearing that they might be killed outright.

Over the following time, more and more people arrived at the site. Among them were members of the two sects, three gates, and the Four Powerful Families. However, most of these individuals were ordinary disciples whose cultivation levels weren’t high. None of them matched Kang Tai’s caliber.

When these people saw so many core disciples from the Thousand Poison Sect present, they didn’t dare to approach. They kept their distance, waiting for the stronger figures from their factions to arrive.

Two hours later, the core disciples from various major factions began showing up. The earlier-arrived ordinary disciples quickly rallied around their respective core disciples. Gradually, the chaotic crowd began to sort itself into clear groups: the Governor Mansion, two sects, three gates, and the Four Powerful Families each forming their camps. Smaller families and sects stuck together with acquaintances, knowing full well that they had little chance of gaining anything on their own against the major factions. Only by forming alliances could they hope for even the slimmest chance.

The barrier remained as formidable as ever. Although the stronger members of the other factions hadn’t yet taken action, no one dared to make a move either.

The core disciples of the Thousand Poison Sect had already expended significant energy. If they wasted even more strength dealing with these small fries, it would put them at a disadvantage in the upcoming battle to secure the scroll. Thus, they could only sit quietly, waiting for the barrier’s power to wane.

Four hours later, the majority of the major factions had arrived, including Lu Shu, Lin Tianhao, Zhu Hong, and Linghu Qingwan.

Zhu Hong of the Mad Saber Sect was an impatient man. When he saw the Golden Bell within the barrier, his eyes were filled with greed. He walked to the barrier with a grin and shouted, ”You’re all just posturing here, afraid to make a real move. They say the brave feast while the timid starve! Since none of you are daring enough, I’ll go ahead and make the first move!”

As Zhu Hong spoke, he drew his massive saber and struck the barrier with full force.

The other disciples of the Mad Saber Sect quickly surrounded him, keeping vigilant eyes on the members of other factions.

Seeing Zhu Hong’s reckless action, Kang Tai couldn’t help but scoff, ”What an idiot!”

Kang Tai stood up, walked over next to Lu Shu, and whispered, ”Senior Sister Lu, how about we strike a deal?”

Lu Shu, known for her aloof demeanor, didn’t want to engage with him. However, after taking a moment to assess the situation, she restrained herself and asked coldly, ”What deal?”

Kang Tai pointed to the Golden Bell within the barrier and leaned closer, whispering, ”To be frank, this place was discovered first by the Thousand Poison Sect. We’ve already expended significant effort to bring out this treasure. You’ve seen that the Golden Bell is no ordinary artifact. Naturally, the Thousand Poison Sect knows its limitations—there’s no way we could compete with your Governor Mansion or the Haoyang Sect for it. So instead, we aim to retreat and pursue a lesser goal. Once the barrier falls, the Thousand Poison Sect will fully support you in securing the Golden Bell. How does that sound?”

Lu Shu glanced at Kang Tai with curiosity, her brows furrowed. ”And what do you want in return?”

Lu Shu wasn’t naive enough to believe Kang Tai would offer help without expecting something in exchange.

Kang Tai chuckled faintly and pointed to the Demon Suppression Golden Scroll held by the skeleton in the Thousand Poison Sect’s possession. ”Compared to the Golden Bell, it’s hardly anything special. We only want this scroll.”

The Golden Bell’s brilliance was so dazzling that most people hadn’t even noticed the now-dim Demon Suppression Golden Scroll.

Lu Shu’s gaze fell on the scroll as she carefully examined it.

Since the Thousand Poison Sect had arrived first, they clearly knew more about the situation here. Kang Tai’s deliberate offer to only claim the scroll made Lu Shu suspicious, wondering if there could be a trap hidden in this deal.

Seeing Lu Shu’s wary and contemplative expression, Kang Tai smiled and said, ”Senior Sister Lu, while the scroll isn’t an ordinary item, it’s also not at its peak condition. It might even be a treasure beyond the Dark Level, but it suffered some damage earlier due to unforeseen events. Look at it—its glow has already faded. No matter how you compare it, it can’t rival the Golden Bell. Without the Thousand Poison Sect supporting you, even the Governor Mansion might struggle to easily take the Golden Bell from this place.”

Lu Shu glanced at Lin Tianhao, deep in thought.

Lin Tianhao’s strength rivaled hers, and Haoyang Sect’s overall power was on par with the Governor Mansion. In a direct contest, Lu Shu didn’t have absolute confidence in victory. Moreover, given Lin Tianhao’s influence, it was entirely possible he’d form alliances with other factions.

After looking once more at the Golden Bell, Lu Shu nodded. ”Agreed. In that case, stop Zhu Hong first. I’ll handle breaking the barrier!”

Upon hearing this, Kang Tai quickly stopped her, shaking his head mischievously. ”No need to bother with him! Trust me, this barrier isn’t so easily broken! We just need to wait.”

Lu Shu looked at Kang Tai in confusion.

But Kang Tai gestured for her to watch Zhu Hong.

By now, Zhu Hong’s saber had struck the barrier without causing any visible change.

”Ha! That fool’s about to suffer!”

As Kang Tai’s voice faded, the barrier where Zhu Hong struck rippled like water, and in the next moment, even stronger Sword Qi erupted from the surface.

Zhu Hong’s expression changed. In a rushed panic, he raised his saber defensively.

An impatient man by nature, Zhu Hong had poured eighty percent of his strength into that attack. The force rebounded back with increased power, launching him far away while scattering his fellow disciples from the Mad Saber Sect, many of whom were injured on the spot.

”Hahaha! What a pig-headed fool! Got what you deserved!”

Relations between the Thousand Poison Sect and the Mad Saber Sect were already tense. Seeing this, Kang Tai burst into laughter at Zhu Hong’s expense.

Spitting blood, Zhu Hong was too shaken to retort. He quickly took out a healing pill and swallowed it.

”Everyone, take your pills, heal your injuries, and fall back to wait!”

Having learned his lesson, Zhu Hong didn’t dare try again. He immediately led the Mad Saber Sect members back to their original positions.

Following Zhu Hong’s example, the others also realized the unique nature of the barrier and refrained from making further attempts.

Lin Tianhao studied the barrier carefully, then glanced at Kang Tai and Lu Shu. He smirked, saying, ”Ah, now I see! Haoyang Sect disciples, rest where you stand and recover your energy. There’s still a tough battle ahead!”

Linghu Qingwan of the Giant Sword Sect glanced at Kang Tai behind Lu Shu. After some deliberation, she walked over to Lin Tianhao. Following their brief conversation, both of them were grinning, clearly having reached some sort of agreement.