Breathing Space

"I thought I was going to die, but I was saved."

"Who says otherwise."

"Thank you, fellow daoist."

The cultivators cast grateful glances.

Gu Qingshan sincerely clasped his fist and said, "My strength is weak, and only formations are my forte. I hope everyone will take care of me in the upcoming battle."

He could already tell that these people were all Foundation Establishment cultivators.

In this dangerous situation surrounded by Demons, fighting alongside a group of cultivators with higher cultivation than himself, Gu Qingshan felt like he was walking on thin ice.

He had a deep understanding of the evil of the human heart.

Gu Qingshan's words were quite earnest, which aroused goodwill in several Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Someone responded, "It's okay, we all came here following General Gongsun. As long as we can hold on, the general will come to rescue us soon."

Another person said regretfully, "It's also because we were careless and were discovered by the suddenly appearing Demons, which led to this situation."

Gu Qingshan sighed silently, but said nothing.

The others began to chat with Gu Qingshan. Gu Qingshan had his own way of dealing with people, and he got along well with everyone.

In normal times, Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't even look at Qi Refining cultivators.

Gu Qingshan was able to mingle with several Foundation Establishment cultivators mainly because he had saved everyone in this life-and-death situation, and he was suspected to be a powerful formation master.

On the battlefield, formation masters are rare and popular existences.

Therefore, the cultivators didn't treat Gu Qingshan as cannon fodder to be placed at the front of the team.

At another time, in another situation, these Foundation Establishment cultivators would probably kill people without batting an eye.

While the others were adjusting their breathing, the leading cultivator asked again, "The formation is good, how long can it last?"

As soon as he spoke, everyone else quieted down.

Only then did Gu Qingshan have the opportunity to take a good look at the other party.

This person was in his twenties, with cold and piercing eyes. He was wearing light cyan armor and holding a long fan. He was extremely clean, and hadn't even been stained with a trace of Demon blood after fighting for so long.

Fire Spiritual Power and Wind Spiritual Power cultivators like to use fans as weapons, but Water Spiritual Power cultivators rarely use fans.

A set of light cyan armor, with cold light from condensed ice crystals piercing through, forming a faint mist of ice around him.

What a good set of Frost Armor, just this set of armor is worth hundreds of thousands of low-grade Spirit Stones.

Such a person is probably a direct disciple of a large sect.

Gu Qingshan silently raised his evaluation, and replied, "This formation can last for another two quarters of an hour."

Everyone felt relieved.

Two quarters of an hour is enough to recover some Spiritual Power, and the physical exhaustion will also be greatly alleviated.

The man's expression relaxed slightly, and he ordered, "Everyone, adjust your breathing on the spot to recover Spiritual Power. We will act after two quarters of an hour."

He patted his Storage Bag and distributed several Spirit Energy-filled pills to everyone. When he came to Gu Qingshan, he gave him one without hesitation.

Gu Qingshan took the pill and sniffed it lightly in front of his nose, and was a little surprised.

"Such a precious pill is a bit of a waste for someone in the Qi Refining stage to take," he said.

"It's okay, the situation is dangerous, just use it to restore Spiritual Power," the man said.

"Alright, thank you." Gu Qingshan nodded slightly, accepting the favor.

This is a top-quality Crimson Crane Qi Grasping Pill, its price is worth a thousand gold, no, ten thousand gold!

This is a very rare pill that can quickly and lastingly replenish lost Spiritual Power, and it has no burden on the body. It has always been highly praised among cultivators.

One such pill is enough to save your life in a normal battle.

Being able to distribute such pills to everyone shows that this person has a good character, and his origin and background are even more invaluable.

This person was slightly older than Gu Qingshan, with efficient and decisive words and actions, but his eyes were quite indifferent and ruthless, always carrying a faint sense of detachment.

Noticing Gu Qingshan looking at him, the man thought for a moment, clasped his fist and said, "Leng Tianxing, a direct disciple of the Yaoguang Sect, thanks you for your assistance."

Yaoguang Sect?

As expected, Gu Qingshan thought to himself.

This was a behemoth among the immortal cultivation sects, with a heritage of hundreds of thousands of years, a major sect known to everyone in the cultivation world.

However, in his previous life, such an outstanding figure had never had a prominent reputation, presumably because he had fallen here this time.

Leaving aside this person, even Gu Qingshan himself could not guarantee survival in this world of destruction.

Gu Qingshan sighed inwardly, clasped his fist and said, "I am Gu Qingshan."

Leng Tianxing cupped his hands and said, "A pleasure to meet you."

Neither of them were talkative people, and after exchanging pleasantries, they dispersed to adjust their breathing and rest.

Soon, everyone closed their eyes and entered a meditative state.

Gu Qingshan patted his Storage Bag, took out the Military Body Refining Qi Method, and flipped to the back.

In the God of War Interface, he glanced at his Soul Power value.

"Comprehending the seventh layer of the Military Body Refining Qi Method, Shentang, will cost 6 points of Soul Power."

"Comprehend."

"Comprehension complete, current remaining Soul Power 21/7."

Having done all this, Gu Qingshan put the precious Crimson Crane Qi Grasping Pill into his mouth, and then took out the Python Demon blood, drinking three large mouthfuls in a row.

If he didn't seize the opportunity to break through now, he would likely perish here, so he had to try no matter what.

Gu Qingshan was determined to rely on the Crimson Crane Qi Grasping Pill's abundant medicinal power, coupled with the Python Demon blood that enhanced Spiritual Power sensitivity, to break through to the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

Time passed quickly.

Within the formation, a slight fluctuation of Spiritual Energy slowly spread out, like a small stone thrown into the water, causing ripples.

Gu Qingshan used Soul Power to improve his realm, which allowed him to have a full overflow of Spiritual Energy at the moment of improvement.

This slight change also had some impact on the surrounding environment.

The Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth changed, and everyone opened their eyes in surprise.

Leng Tianxing's expression softened slightly, and he said, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Gu, for your progress."

Gu Qingshan smiled wryly and shook his head, "It's just the seventh layer of Qi Refining, I still have to thank you for your elixir."

"You're too polite, you saved my life."

"Not at all."

Everyone congratulated him.

For a time, morale rose by a third, and the cultivators could see the joy in each other's eyes.

Every time a cultivator broke through a realm, the Spiritual Energy between Heaven and Earth would wash over their body, replenishing the Spiritual Power consumed by the cultivator, until the Spiritual Power in their Dantian was full and complete.

How could the effect of pills be as fast as the gift of Heaven and Earth?

Gu Qingshan's breakthrough was almost instantaneous, and the Spiritual Power consumed by setting up the formation was restored.

Moreover, as he reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining, his total Spiritual Power also increased by 30%.

What did it mean for a formation master to have their state restored to full?

It meant that Gu Qingshan could set up the previous formation again—perhaps twice, because his total Spiritual Power had greatly increased.

The cultivators present were all aware of the wonderful use of that formation.

It could eliminate traces from among thousands of Demons, it was simply a life-saving formation.

In this way, everyone had a better chance of survival.

However, they did not know that Gu Qingshan did not know the art of formations at all.

"Since that's the case," Leng Tianxing stood up, "let's press forward to the northwest in one go. There's a cave there, a hiding place arranged by General Gongsun, with a constant shielding formation where we can rest and recuperate."

"Alright!"

"Vice-General Leng is the most knowledgeable; I have no objections."

"Understood."

The others responded.

Gu Qingshan secretly checked his marching map and confirmed that it matched the direction the other party had mentioned, finally feeling relieved.

At this time, seventy percent of the Demons had dispersed, leaving only some unwilling Demons fighting each other in place.

Leng Tianxing began to call out names and assign tasks: "Wu Jin, Ma Liu, the two of you advance in the front. Wang Cheng, Luo Xiao, you're responsible for the flanks."

He then looked at Gu Qingshan and said, "You're a formation master, so stay in the middle and protect yourself. Any problems?"

Gu Qingshan replied without hesitation, "No problem."

Breaking through amidst countless Demons was dangerous in any direction, but staying in the middle of the group was much safer.

Gu Qingshan's formations were too powerful; all sorts of Demons couldn't find the group's location, which could save their lives at critical moments.

The sword cultivator named Wang Cheng suddenly asked, "Vice-General Leng, what about you?"

Leng Tianxing said expressionlessly, "I'll be behind you, covering the rear."

Covering the rear was the most dangerous, yet Leng Tianxing reserved this position for himself.

Everyone couldn't help but admire him.

After arranging the formation, Leng Tianxing cupped his fists and said, "If we can escape this perilous situation, I will definitely bring all of you brothers into my Yaoguang Sect as honored guests."

There will be another chapter later. I'm really sorry; I've been very busy these past few days (bowing in apology). I got home at ten o'clock last night, washed up, and wrote until four o'clock. Finally, I can give you two chapters today, yay!