Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 753: Chapter 400: The Clumsy Peak_2

”It’s nothing really...”

Ji Ziyue said somewhat speechlessly.

Immediately, Ji Ziyue gathered her strength once more, ready to leap to the second level.

As Ji Ziyue prepared to leap to the second level, an invisible pressure suddenly descended from above her head.

The intensity of this pressure seemed as though an unseen hand was trying to press her back to the ground.

Ji Ziyue abruptly surged her Divine Power, gritting her teeth tightly.

In an instant, Divine Power circulated within her body, forcefully resisting the pressure as she landed lightly on the second level.

”Hold on!”

Gu Sheng cheered Ji Ziyue on from the side.

”It’s nothing really...”

Ji Ziyue said casually.

But Gu Sheng noticed that a faint sheen of sweat had already formed on her forehead.

Clearly, this pressure was far from as simple as she had made it seem.

As she prepared to leap to the third level, the pressure suddenly increased.

This level felt like she was bearing the weight of a heavy mountain, making every step incredibly arduous.

At the base of the tower, everyone also felt this pressure; their faces turned pale, and some even felt chest-tightness, nearly coughing up blood.

Gu Sheng secretly activated the power of the green bronze block within him, barely managing to withstand the pressure himself.

”Crack, crack, crack...”

Ji Ziyue’s figure darted between the tower layers, with every landing accompanied by a muffled thudding sound.

That sound was the proof of her struggle against the Mystical Tower’s pressure.

Level by level, Ji Ziyue’s movements grew faster and faster.

When she ascended to the ninth level, the entire nine-story Mystical Tower trembled slightly, as if cheering for her remarkable feat.

”Whoosh!”

But just as she reached the top, a dazzling golden light suddenly shot down from the sky, aiming directly at the tower’s summit.

Bathed in this golden light, Ji Ziyue appeared even more sacred and untouchable.

”Huff...”

Ji Ziyue took a deep breath, basking in the golden radiance, then soared down lightly, landing before Uncle Li and the others.

Uncle Li looked at Ji Ziyue, his eyes filled with shock and admiration.

He hadn’t expected that this seemingly delicate woman would possess such astonishing potential and determination.

Meanwhile, the other entry-level disciples had long been overwhelmed by the pressure to the point of nearly vomiting blood.

”You did it, Ziyue.”

Gu Sheng said excitedly, stepping forward.

Uncle Li’s voice carried a slight tremor, ”From today onward, Zhuo Peak shall serve as your cultivation ground.”

Ji Ziyue smiled faintly, ”Thank you for your support, Senior. However, I hope to bring my friends along to cultivate with me.”

”No problem.”

Li Ruoyu replied directly.

”That’s wonderful.”

Ji Ziyue exclaimed in excitement.

”Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

Just as Ji Ziyue’s voice fell, several streaks of rainbow light suddenly appeared near the group.

As the radiance dissipated, several dozen elders with crane-white hair and youthful faces, dressed in Daoist robes, arrived nearby.

Upon seeing Li Ruoyu, they all folded their fists in salute.

”Senior Brother Li.”

”No need for formalities, my junior brothers.”

Li Ruoyu slightly raised his hand.

At this moment, one of the elders glanced at a nearby disciple, who was wiping blood seeping from his facial orifices, and frowned slightly before saying, ”Why are you all here?”

”Master, we were passing by Zhuo Peak and decided to take a look. We didn’t expect to be crushed by such overwhelming pressure, leading to blood seeping from our seven orifices.”

One of the disciples replied.

”Hmph!”

The elder coldly snorted, his face full of disdain as he said, ”That was the activation of Mystical Sky Fall. Be thankful it didn’t crush you to death. You should thank Uncle Li for showing mercy.”

”Huh?”

The disciples, some with nosebleeds and others with blood exuding from their eyes, froze in shock.

”Thank you, Uncle Li, for your guidance.”

”No, no!”

Li Ruoyu waved his hand towards the group, then explained to the elders, ”You misunderstand, dear brothers; Mystical Sky Fall was not activated by me, but by this disciple undergoing the trial.”

The crowd turned their gaze toward Ji Ziyue.

”Her? Such formidable strength?”

One elder blurted out.

As they spoke, the elders gathered around, their eyes filled with admiration and curiosity toward Ji Ziyue.

One white-haired elder stroked his beard with a smile and said to Ji Ziyue, ”Young lady, the power you displayed just now was truly astonishing, especially that golden light. It was the Supreme Mysterious Sect’s Sacred Light, a phenomenon that hasn’t appeared in a hundred years, only ignited by those with innate potential.”

”Ah? That extraordinary?”

Ji Ziyue’s heart stirred, her curiosity about the Sacred Light growing even stronger as she continued to ask, ”Elder, may I ask what that Sacred Light is exactly? Why was I able to ignite it?”

”The Sacred Light is an extraordinarily pure energy within heaven and earth, capable of nourishing the flesh and purifying the soul.”

Another elder stepped forward, his tone tinged with envy.

Ji Ziyue, hearing this, felt a surge of excitement within her.

”Young lady, given the potential you’ve displayed, our Supreme Mysterious Sect will naturally provide you with the best cultivation environment. We’ve decided to send you to the finest peak in our sect—the Cloud Peak for cultivation. The Spiritual Energy there is abundant and will be greatly beneficial to your growth.”

One elder spoke with a beaming smile.

”Cloud Peak?”

Ji Ziyue felt deeply grateful, knowing this was a rare opportunity.

However, at this moment, she looked toward Gu Sheng, her eyes showing a hint of expectation: ”I wonder if he could come with me to the Cloud Peak?”

”Him?”

One elder glanced at Gu Sheng.

After just one look, the elder said dismissively, ”This boy’s fortune is relatively poor, his cultivation insufficient—keeping him at Zhuo Peak is more suitable.”

”Uh...”

Gu Sheng shot a disdainful glance at this elder.

If he hadn’t sealed the power within his Sea of Bitterness, he might well have been slapping himself in the face right now.

”No! I want to go with him.”

Ji Ziyue said, somewhat displeased.

”Young lady, listen to me: If you join Zhuo Peak, you won’t be able to join any other main peaks afterward. With your aptitude, staying at Zhuo Peak would be such a waste.”

”Indeed, go to the Cloud Peak.”

”Cloud Peak has all the resources you could desire—it’s far better than here.”

Several elders spoke like salesmen promoting a product. If Li Ruoyu weren’t present, they likely would have whisked Ji Ziyue off to the main peak by now.

Seeing Ji Ziyue’s hesitation, Gu Sheng signaled her with a glance, suggesting she go to the Cloud Peak.

Ji Ziyue understood immediately.

She knew that their goal in coming to the Supreme Mysterious Sect was to search for the secret technique.

If she could enter the Cloud Peak, it would expand the scope of her search.

Ji Ziyue thought briefly before nodding in agreement, ”Alright, I’ll go.”

With that, Ji Ziyue departed with the elders and disciples of Cloud Peak, ascending in a divine rainbow.

Before long, only Gu Sheng and Li Ruoyu remained at Zhuo Peak.

The earlier bustle compared with the current quietness evoked a sense of melancholy.

Yet this seemed more in line with Gu Sheng and Li Ruoyu’s preferred environment.

Li Ruoyu noticed the hint of envy in Gu Sheng’s gaze as he watched the departing divine rainbow and softly remarked, ”Though Zhuo Peak may now fall short of the other spiritual peaks, it was once one of our sect’s Holy Lands.”

Saying this, Li Ruoyu led Gu Sheng forward.

”Five hundred years ago, this place brimmed with Spiritual Energy, on par with the spiritual peaks.”

Gu Sheng turned to Li Ruoyu and curiously asked, ”Then why has it become like this now?”

As Li Ruoyu and Gu Sheng strolled through Zhuo Peak, he explained, ”Five hundred years ago, there was a great cultivator on Zhuo Peak. His cultivation was profound, his insight unparalleled. He was one of the Supreme Mysterious Sect’s leading figures at the time. He attained enlightenment of the heavenly mysteries, yet chose not to share what he had realized with the world, leaving behind only four words: ’The Great Dao is Simple.’”

Hearing this, Gu Sheng felt a stir in his heart, seemingly gaining some insight.

”The Great Dao is Simple—what does that mean?”

Li Ruoyu smiled faintly and pointed to the surrounding mountains, rocks, and trees, saying, ”Look at these natural objects. They are simple and pure, yet embody the essence of life. The path of cultivation is about simplicity, purity, and one’s true heart.”

”Hmm.”

Gu Sheng nodded thoughtfully.

Though Zhuo Peak no longer had abundant Spiritual Energy, it possessed a unique charm and profound significance.

Li Ruoyu continued to guide Gu Sheng around Zhuo Peak to familiarize him with the environment.

They traversed places that had once been revered as cultivation holy grounds, feeling the lingering echoes of former glory.