CHAPTER 490: CHAPTER 269: THE GREAT DRAGON BALL THIEF OF CHU COUNTRY

The high-level martial artist sneered coldly, a trace of disdain flashing through his eyes.

The four of Gu Sheng heard his words, and their hearts chilled. They knew defeating this high-level martial artist would not be an easy task.

"Senior, we mean no harm and merely stumbled into this place by accident. We humbly request your mercy!" Gu Sheng took a deep breath and spoke respectfully.

The martial artist remained unmoved and replied icily, "Stumbled in by accident? Hmph, I’ve been trapped here for hundreds of years. Today, someone finally comes to amuse me!"

With that, the martial artist waved both hands, and a surge of immense energy erupted instantly, sending the four flying backward.

The four were filled with trepidation—this martial artist’s strength was indeed beyond their imagination.

Yet they did not give up. They knew that to progress further, they had to defeat this martial artist.

Thus, they joined forces once more and launched a ferocious attack against him.

"Boom~"

Gu Sheng unleashed the Shadow Concealment Skill, his figure vanishing into the darkness, then suddenly appeared behind the martial artist, striking a sword blow at the back of his head.

Lin Qingyu’s sword gleamed as she continuously sought an opening in the martial artist’s defenses.

Lin Tianhao and Lu Biluo also displayed their Divine Skills, attacking with full force.

However, the martial artist’s strength was too overwhelming. Despite their ferocious assault, they could not break through his defenses at all.

At that moment, an idea suddenly flashed in Gu Sheng’s mind.

In a blink, he appeared before the martial artist, his Jade Maiden Sword turning into a golden streak as it stabbed toward the martial artist’s heart.

The martial artist sneered, reaching out to grab Gu Sheng’s sword effortlessly.

But Gu Sheng had long been prepared.

Light flashed from his weapon, and in an instant, the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe cleaved toward the martial artist’s hand, while the Demon Soul of the Green Vine swiftly corroded his arm.

The martial artist cried out in pain, releasing his hold. Gu Sheng seized the opportunity and drove his sword toward the martial artist’s heart.

"Clang~"

The Jade Maiden Sword felt as though it had struck an iron pillar. The blade bent and was repelled.

A trace of astonishment flickered across the martial artist’s eyes, but it quickly turned back to calmness.

Suddenly, he stood motionless and murmured, "It’s useless... It’s useless..."

Gu Sheng and Lin Qingyu stood side by side, facing the chained martial artist at the cave entrance, an inexplicable tension welling up within.

The martial artist, his white hair flowing like a solitary eagle atop a snowy peak, exuded a fearsome aura despite being bound by chains.

He muttered to himself in a deep and enigmatic tone, as though his words concealed profound secrets of the universe.

Lin Tianhao stood off to the side, his brows knitted tightly. He said gravely, "This martial artist’s cultivation is unfathomable. Even with the four of us working together, we might not prevail. Gu Sheng, do you have any other ideas?"

Gu Sheng’s eyes darkened as he pondered for a moment before suddenly speaking, "I have an idea—it might just work."

With that, he turned and walked toward the campfire, beginning to prepare a barbecue.

Lin Qingyu and the others, though puzzled, did not question him. They simply watched him quietly from the side.

Gu Sheng’s skilled hands worked quickly, and before long, the meat of the Fire-Breathing Crocodile began emitting an extraordinary aroma under the flames’ heat.

The scent was rich and enticing, as though it could stir the deepest cravings within a person’s heart.

As the fire crackled and the meat sizzled, its fragrance permeated every corner of the cave.

Though the martial artist continued murmuring to himself, his eyes unconsciously darted toward the barbecue by the fire.

Noticing this, Gu Sheng felt a surge of inward delight—he knew the first step of his plan had succeeded.

Having been trapped for centuries, the martial artist had likely gone hundreds of years without encountering such a delicacy and could not possibly resist the allure of the food.

Gu Sheng patiently continued grilling while discreetly observing the martial artist’s reaction.

When the final skewer of meat was ready, the martial artist suddenly ceased his murmuring and fixated his gaze on the barbecue in Gu Sheng’s hands.

Gu Sheng smiled slightly and cautiously approached the martial artist, maintaining his vigilance against any sudden changes.

Seeing no intent to attack, Gu Sheng extended the skewer toward him and said, "Senior, this barbecue is specially prepared for you. Please, have a taste."

A flash of surprise crossed the martial artist’s eyes before his expression resumed its calm demeanor. Slowly, he reached out, took the barbecue, and began eating.

As the meat entered his mouth, the martial artist’s gaze gradually softened, and the formidable aura around him dissipated.

After finishing the food, he no longer engaged in combat but instead gestured for them to pass through.

Lin Tianhao and the others exchanged astonished glances, a profound sense of disbelief washing over them.

They had never imagined that Gu Sheng could subdue such a formidable martial artist with such a simple method.

Gu Sheng smiled faintly and said, "Senior, thank you for letting us pass. We shall take our leave now and not disturb your meditation further."

With that, he led Lin Qingyu and the others cautiously past the cave entrance, vanishing into the night.

The martial artist remained seated in the cave, muttering to himself as if immersed in an intense state of cultivation.

His origins and level of cultivation remained a mystery, awaiting future exploration and unraveling...

Their attacks, no matter how vigorous, failed to scratch the chains—they only left faint marks.

What was even stranger was that those marks soon disappeared, as if the iron chains, made from some unknown material, had the ability to repair themselves.

Venturing deeper into the Fire-Breathing Crocodile’s lair, they found the Spiritual Energy growing increasingly dense, as though guarded by some mighty existence protecting this mysterious domain.

They proceeded with utmost caution and eventually arrived at a wide, expansive cave.