Primordial Emperor
Chapter 253: Encounter with an Acquaintance, A Contest?

Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Encounter with an Acquaintance, A Contest?

"I can’t do it anymore, I simply can’t go on."

"Ah, this is unbearable, why did I come here? Now, going forward is not an option, nor is going back. I want to quit, someone please save me."

"Ah, the pain is too much, my whole body feels like it’s being squeezed, about to explode."

Around them, everyone was traversing the Gravity Channel, countless individuals gasping for air, collapsed on the ground, heavily panting, their faces pallid and in extreme discomfort. They wanted to give up, but once on this path, surrender was not as simple as saying the word—nor could they leave safely even if they tried.

Because there were tall walls on both sides of the channel, leading straight to the top of the cave, leaving only two options: move forward or retreat.

At this moment, some people had already fainted on the Gravity Channel. Once they passed out and their Spiritual Power stopped protecting their bodies, they would instantly burst under the heavy gravity of the channel, turning into a Blood Mist, their flesh and bones crushed to smithereens by the immense force.

Lin Chen, Zhao Yijing, and the others had realized that as they moved forward through the Gravity Channel, the gravity acting on their bodies increased. It started from ten times normal, gradually growing to eleven times, twelve times, and now, having traveled a kilometer, it had reached twenty times.

The path ahead still glowed, with no indication of where it led or how much farther it went—many had lost their resolve.

However, there were still quite a few who could endure, making it clear that this challenge tested not just the physical might of a Martial Artist, but also a firm resolve.

The path of cultivation was about seizing the fortunes of heaven and earth, contending with the heavens, never resigning to fate. Only an unyielding spirit could prevail.

At this point, Zhao Yijing, Xu Lianyu, and the other women’s clothes were soaked through with sweat, drenched and nearly at their limits to persist.

Lin Chen, on the other hand, seemed unaffected by the twenty-fold gravity, since he possessed the Ancient Divine Body, which made such pressure insignificant to him.

It seemed that Lin Chen’s limit was not at twenty-fold. If it weren’t for the need to look after Zhao Yijing and the others, Lin Chen could have moved faster; but seeing his senior sisters nearly at their breaking point, Lin Chen, full of concern, slowed his pace.

"Junior Brother Lin Chen, Senior Sister Zhao, we can’t go on. You two continue ahead. While we still have some strength, we can only return. Otherwise, later on, without the energy, I fear the risks will far exceed the chances of good fortune," Wang Fei said knowingly, understanding they could not make it across the Gravity Channel, and he brought it up willingly.

"Alright, you go back then."

Lin Chen nodded, expressing understanding that people have their own ambitions and not everyone is willing to stake their lives for the chance of fortune.

Knowing full well that the path ahead was fraught with danger, their decision to withdraw early was also a form of wisdom.

Lin Chen looked towards Zhao Yijing and Xu Lianyu, along with the other three women; they shook their heads, indicating a desire to keep going—they clearly were not the kind of people to give up easily.

Lin Chen nodded and then continued to advance.

Shortly after, Lin Chen came across several familiar figures in the channel.

Among them were disciples from his Jade Cauldron Sect, including Xu San and Huo Ping, as well as strong members from the Lean Mountain Sect like Shi Ling and from the Sword Qi Sect, Dong Huang Jian Yi.

Furthermore, Ma Yuan from the Black Cloud Sect was also ahead.

However, they did not look back, so they did not notice Lin Chen; otherwise, if they recognized Lin Chen as the one who had fought them for the Blue Lotus Divine Flame in the Mysterious Forest, there would no doubt have been a fierce battle between them.

As they continued forward, many people couldn’t hold on any longer and hurriedly turned back while they still had some energy left.

And some, despite their courage and determination, simply didn’t have the strength to continue. They bled from every orifice and died under the oppressive force of gravity as they walked through the Gravity Channel.

When Lin Chen and his companions appeared alongside the Martial Artists from the Jade Cauldron Sect, Xu San and the others turned their heads and saw Lin Chen, feelings of rage immediately surged within them.

"Well, this is a surprise, meeting Brother Xu San here. I thought you had been killed by those Stone Sculpture Puppets."

Lin Chen said to Xu San earnestly.

Lin Chen genuinely hadn’t expected Xu San to be alive after being besieged by so many Stone Sculpture Puppets.

"You just wait, I’ll deal with you sooner or later."

Xu San was infuriated by Lin Chen’s words. Under normal circumstances, he would have slapped Lin Chen dead by now.

But at this moment, under the oppression of gravity, he simply couldn’t spare the effort to attack Lin Chen, fearing that acting out could cause the immense gravity to backlash.

Xu San’s teeth itched with rage, feeling incredibly frustrated by Lin Chen.

What was even more infuriating was that Lin Chen briskly passed by his side, overtaking him—didn’t that just prove he was inferior to Lin Chen?

At this moment, Zhao Yijing, Xu Lianyu, Liang Rou, and Mu Shuier, along with others, passed Xu San one after another. The rest of the Jade Cauldron Sect’s disciples all showed admiration, yet Xu San’s heart was extremely displeased. After all, his status and reputation within the Jade Cauldron Sect originally surpassed people like Zhao Yijing. Yet, this scene made him feel utterly disgraced, clearly indicating that he was inferior to the disciples of Jade Bird Peak.

He was the leading disciple of Purple Cloud Peak of the Second Peak. How could he accept being inferior? Spiritual Power erupted from his body, shielding him as he strode forward, determined to compete with Lin Chen and the others.

Xu San reasoned that being outdone by Zhao Yijing and the others was one thing, but being surpassed by Lin Chen, a fellow whose Cultivation had just broken through to the Melding Earth Realm First Layer, was downright unacceptable to him.

What Xu San didn’t know was that Lin Chen’s current speed was the result of him deliberately slowing down his pace; otherwise, he would have long left everyone behind.

"Kid, even though I have no idea how you manage to persist in this Gravity Channel, reliance on external aids is, after all, temporary. I don’t believe you can keep it up indefinitely. Once your magic treasure wears off, I want to see how you’ll die under this gravity."

After catching up with Lin Chen’s pace, Xu San immediately began to taunt him, very much wanting to witness Lin Chen’s demise with his own eyes.

"Oh, really? Then Brother Xu San had better keep up and not just end up watching my back disappear into the distance."

Lin Chen responded to Xu San’s taunt with a cold laugh.

Lin Chen didn’t rely on any magic treasure; he hadn’t even released his Spiritual Power while walking through this channel. He wasn’t about to miss this rare opportunity to temper his physical body with gravity.

The crowd around Lin Chen and Xu San couldn’t help but feel shocked, as the speed of both men had clearly increased.

Obviously, these two wanted to challenge each other in the Gravity Channel, to see who could last longer under the force of gravity.

In the eyes of the others, these two were undoubtedly insane.