Gu Sheng made up his mind, and everyone immediately headed to higher ground.
The mountain was steep and difficult to climb upward. Lan Yao was at the front, gripping the stone tightly with both hands and feet.
The Divine Power within him had already been unleashed, but a gust of wind swept by, causing his figure to sway uncontrollably.
Seeing him in such danger, a member of the Elf Clan couldnât help but shout, "Second Young Master, be careful!"
Hearing the voices of the crowd, Lan Yao didnât turn back.
The stone beneath him had grown increasingly narrow, making any further movement difficult. Turning around was a luxury for him, so he just replied and continued forward.
Seeing the Elf Clan still trying to follow, Gu Sheng stopped them immediately.
"Donât continue following. The stones ahead canât bear much weight; you going up will make him fall."
Hearing this, the Elf Clan stopped immediately.
"Brother Sheng, is there any way we can help the Second Young Master?"
"No way. The path ahead is steep; he can only rely on his own strength to bring back the herbs. We can only watch from afar."
Gu Sheng spoke these words calmly, but the Elf Clan remained anxious yet could only wait in place.
Lan Yao moved on alone, meeting fewer and fewer obstacles, but his figure swayed more violently. Sweat continuously rolled down his forehead, yet he kept moving forward bit by bit.
Seeing his body extending outward, entirely suspended by a stone mid-air, everyoneâs heart jumped into their throat.
Gu Sheng kept a close watch on him, with Divine Power in his hands constantly churning.
Everyone knew he was holding a fallback plan; if Lan Yao fell, Gu Shengâs Divine Power could lend him a helping hand. Yet even so, they remained on tenterhooks.
As Lan Yao slowly moved forward, just one step away from the herb, sudden rapid footsteps sounded behind the group.
Gu Sheng was startled, turned back, and saw a group of strangers, faces full of murderous intent, approaching uncached. He could easily sense the strange aura from them.
Knowing these people had ill intentions, Gu Sheng immediately turned around to shield everyone in front of him alone.
"Who are you?!"
Gu Sheng struck first, which caused the adversaries to burst into cynical laughter.
"We spotted this herb first and have already left our aura here. You brazenly snatched it, and you still have the nerve to ask who we are?!"
Feeling their murderous aura, Gu Sheng squinted slightly.
"Youâre not from Kunming Mountain."
There was no question in his tone, and the others didnât refute.
"So what if weâre not from Kunming Mountain? Youâre not either. We spotted this herb first; it belongs to us!"
Once he confirmed their identity, a cold smile surfaced on Gu Shengâs face.
"Since neither of us is from Kunming Mountain, itâs naturally first come, first served."
"Nonsense! We left our aura here a long time ago; you forcibly seized our herbs! If you wish to take them away, youâll have to give up your lives!"
Hearing his outrageous remarks, Gu Shengâs cold smile deepened.
"If you want our lives, youâd better see if you have the skills to take them!"
Seeing that Gu Sheng wouldnât give an inch, that person unleashed his Divine Power.
Just then, another group hurriedly arrived.
"Stop! Interrupting Kunming Mountainâs business, are you tired of living?"
Upon hearing this, the person who just spoke laughed heartily.
"So what if theyâre from Kunming Mountain? On your territory, I still do as I please. None of you combined can match me, and you dare step up to provoke? You must have a death wish!"
"Even if it means death, we wonât let you succeed! These are Kunming Mountainâs possessions, and thereâs no way youâll get them!"
"Iâm telling you, this item is mine for sure!"
After speaking, he suddenly turned to look at Gu Sheng, and retracted his murderous aura saying, "Why donât you join forces with me? Once we defeat the Kunming Mountain people, weâll split the herbs equally."
Hearing this, Gu Sheng only found it laughable.
Just moments ago, they were determined to kill, and now heâs trying to recruit him?
As Gu Sheng was about to speak, the Kunming Mountain crowd shouted, "Donât cooperate with this villain! This belongs to Kunming Mountain; he canât take it, and neither can you!"
Gu Sheng was somewhat speechless, locking eyes with him.
"If I were to team up with him, you wouldnât stand a chance against us."
"So what? Youâre in Kunming Mountain now; even if you kill us, we have countless disciples who can take your life!"
Seeing his cocky demeanor, Gu Sheng pinched his brow.
"Actually, he can recruit me, just as well as you can."
Upon hearing Gu Shengâs words, that person was taken aback.
"What do you mean? Youâre not with him?"
Hearing this, Gu Sheng and company felt utterly helpless.
At this moment, they all suspected something wasnât right in this personâs mind. Otherwise, how could he fail to discern right from wrong?
"Which eye of yours saw me with him? Before you arrived, we were all trying to take each otherâs lives!"
"And then? You joined forces to deal with Kunming Mountain?"
"Nonsense! When did you see me agree to him? How could Kunming Mountain have an idiot like you!"
Gu Sheng yelled angrily, making that personâs face redden with anger.
"You still say youâre not with him! I say you are; hand over your life!"
As soon as those words fell, he acted blindly.
When the aura came, someone beside Gu Sheng spoke, "You see, the people of Kunming Mountain are a bunch of idiots. Itâs better for you and me to join forces to get the herbs quickly, isnât it?"
Gu Sheng didnât answer his question, instead took out the Fire Spirit Dagger, looking at him with cold indifference.
"Even if Kunming Mountain is lacking, they are still a renowned sect, whereas you are nothing but a crooked path."
Hearing this, that personâs expression changed, and his murderous intent intensified.
Gu Sheng, holding the Fire Spirit Dagger, directly charged at him.
His momentum was far stronger than the Kunming Mountain people. With his first move, the Kunming Mountain people were stunned.
Seeing him stop there, Gu Sheng gritted his teeth and said, "What are you waiting for? Waiting for him to take our lives?"
Speaking, Gu Shengâs hands didnât pause, and he stabbed with the Fire Spirit Dagger again and again, each time going full force.
The person hesitated for a moment, seemingly pondering, then attacked again, standing with Gu Sheng.
Seeing him finally react, Gu Sheng exhaled deeply, releasing all his Divine Power and led the group to charge.
Gu Shengâs ruthless tactics were clearly aiming for their lives, and Shi Lou and the others went all out, directly pushing back the Kunming Mountain and the sectâs forces.
Seeing Gu Sheng and the othersâ strength so formidable, the rival was hit back repeatedly, almost unable to hold on, and looked at Gu Sheng saying, "If you join me now, Iâll hand over the herbs, all yours alone. If you donât, after killing me, Kunming Mountain wonât give you the herbs!"
Seeing his attempts to instigate division, the Kunming Mountain crowd grew furious.
"Our matters donât need your input! The main thing now is for us, the renowned sects, to join forces and defeat your crooked paths!"
After speaking, he hurriedly glanced at Gu Sheng.
"Donât listen to his provocations; as long as you lend me a hand, these herbs are yours!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Lan Yao, who was still pushing hard.
"Lan Yao, did you hear that?"
Lan Yao dared not turn back to see him, only loudly responding, "Heard!"
Turning back, Gu Sheng made his move once more.
"The Kunming Sect guys are right; you crooked paths deserve to die! How dare you come to their territory and cause trouble, you must be tired of living! Prepare to die!"
With those words, Gu Sheng charged up, coming with the obvious intent of taking his life. Seeing Gu Sheng like this, the Kunming Sect people also rushed ahead.
The two strong forces joined and directly overwhelmed the opposing forces.
Taking advantage of an unguarded moment, Gu Shengâs Fire Spirit Dagger slashed down fiercely, instantly taking that personâs life!