Chapter 558: Chapter 303: The Primordial Infant
"Hahaha," Xing Lie laughed heartily, "Gu Sheng, you really are a man of sincerity! If my grandfather knew how much you thought about him, he would surely be delighted. How about this, once we finish this expedition, I’ll take you to meet him in person?"
"That would be amazing!" Gu Sheng’s eyes lit up. "Being able to visit Senior Xing Tian in person is something I’ve dreamed of!"
As the wine flowed and spirits rose, the five of them—Gu Sheng, Xing Lie, Wu Tianxiong, Kou Hai, and Ying Tianxing—decided to journey to the Primeval Mining Zone, a place as mysterious as it was terrifying, in search of unknown treasures and opportunities.
They arrived at the mine’s entrance only to find a tide of people fleeing in panic, their faces filled with terror and despair.
"Ancient creatures have appeared!"
"Run for your lives! So many people have died!"
"Is that crying? That’s too terrifying!"
...
Among the chaotic shouts, a few strong-willed figures surged against the fleeing crowd. Whether to challenge themselves or uncover the truth behind the ancient creatures, they pressed forward.
The five looked at one another and exchanged a knowing smile, their eyes filled with determination and fearlessness. They were not ordinary miners—ancient creatures were not an unapproachable taboo to them.
"Let’s go in and see," Gu Sheng took the lead and stepped into the mining zone first.
Reaching the core of the mine, the sight before them was grisly. Corpses lay sprawled in disarray, blood soaking the ground, a grim testament to the brutal battle that had just unfolded.
"Everyone, stay alert and be ready at any moment," Gu Sheng warned.
Just then, an eerie crying sound pierced through the sky, like the wail of a baby. Yet the cry carried an immense, oppressive energy. With each wave of the cry, lives were mercilessly claimed.
The Red Vine Demon Soul within Gu Sheng instinctively transformed, becoming a golden seed that quickly morphed into a giant bell, enclosing all five of them securely. The deep, resonating hum of the bell reverberated continuously, creating an impenetrable defense.
Other strong cultivators, however, suffered grievous losses. Even those at the Sea Floor Realm were left battered, crawling on the ground in agony.
They tried to flee, but the mysterious force clung to them relentlessly, omnipresent and inescapable. Cultivators below the Sea Floor Realm disintegrated into mere blood mist and dust, with no chance to even struggle.
"What the hell is this thing? That crying is unbelievably horrifying!" Xing Lie exclaimed.
"I don’t know, but it’s definitely not something we can face head-on," Wu Tianxiong said gravely. "Gu Sheng, what do we do now?"
Gu Sheng fixed his gaze forward, a resolute glint in his eyes. "We cannot back down. Since we’re here, we must uncover the truth. Follow me, let’s advance cautiously."
The five moved slowly and carefully, each step more difficult than the last. The intangible force seemed to penetrate every defense, aiming straight for the depths of their souls.
Yet Gu Sheng appeared unaffected. The Ancient Sacred Body in him activated, golden light shimmering in a lattice-like pattern across his body. He struck out with golden palms and fists, attempting to resist the invisible force.
"Gu Sheng’s Ancient Sacred Body is truly remarkable!" Kou Hai marveled.
"Indeed, if it weren’t for him, we would have collapsed long ago," Ying Tianxing added with a sigh of relief.
Under Gu Sheng’s lead, the five continued their arduous advance. Along the way, they witnessed countless scenes of carnage and despairing cries, but they pressed on, knowing that only by persisting could they uncover the truth hidden beyond.
At last, they reached the deepest part of the mining zone. There, a massive cavern loomed, and from within came the incessant sound of a baby’s crying. Though the cries were childlike, the power they carried was world-shattering.
The five cautiously stepped into the cavern and saw at its center a grand stone platform. On the platform lay a baby, radiating an intense, luminous aura like a miniature sun. Its cries echoed relentlessly, filling the cavern with suffocating dread.
"So this is the ancient creature?" Wu Tianxiong’s eyes widened in disbelief. "It’s... a baby?"
"Don’t underestimate this baby; its power likely surpasses all of us combined," Gu Sheng warned. "Stay sharp, everyone."
They circled the stone platform, moving deliberately as they searched for a weakness. But the baby seemed aware of their presence, its cries growing ever louder, with its power intensifying alongside.
Suddenly, an invisible force erupted from the baby, shooting straight toward the five. They all countered with their own techniques, but the force knocked them violently backward in an instant.
"Pft!"
The five crashed heavily to the ground, blood trickling from their mouths. As they struggled to rise, they realized the force had bound them completely, leaving no chance of escape.
"What do we do now? Are we going to die here?" Xing Lie despaired.
"No, we cannot give up," Gu Sheng said as he struggled to his feet. "Everyone, join me. Attack the baby with everything we’ve got—it’s our only chance to break this deadlock."
The five exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. They understood this was their only shot.
Together, they launched a coordinated assault. Gu Sheng unleashed his golden palms and fists; Xing Lie swung his massive battle axe; Wu Tianxiong wielded the Gale Nine Swords; Kou Hai hid in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike; and Ying Tianxing focused on disrupting the invisible force.
Their combined attacks converged into a brilliant beam of energy, hurtling toward the baby. The infant seemed to sense the impending threat, its cries growing ever louder and more piercing.