Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 798: Chapter 423 The Golden ”Yuan

The subordinates of the Pagoda King instantly felt a wave of relief upon hearing the order from their leader.

”Brothers! Retreat quickly!”

Following the command, the Pagoda King and his dozens of followers all retreated promptly.

Ji Ziyue watched as their pursuers left, letting out a long sigh of relief herself.

”Finally, they’ve gone...”

Ji Ziyue gently closed her eyes, and a sense of exhaustion immediately swept over her heart.

”Miss Ziyue, are you alright?”

The leading Ji family warrior approached and asked with concern.

”I’m fine...”

Ji Ziyue replied.

”By the way, Ji Hui Ancestor is not far ahead; follow me.”

The leading Ji family warrior gestured toward the rear and said.

”Okay.”

Ji Ziyue responded with a nod. ”Gu Sheng, come with us.”

”I... Is this appropriate?”

Gu Sheng hesitated.

Just before, Ji Ziyue had made it clear that the Ji family’s Great Void Skill was a secret technique belonging exclusively to the Ji family.

Now, because of certain special circumstances, he had practiced this technique, which was indeed hard to justify.

Seeing Gu Sheng’s hesitation, Ji Ziyue stepped closer and asked, ”What are you standing there for? Let’s go!”

”Uh... Ziyue, maybe... maybe I shouldn’t go after all?”

Gu Sheng stood frozen, his face wearing an awkward smile.

”What? Are you not worried about the Pagoda King coming after you again?”

Ji Ziyue frowned slightly, not quite understanding Gu Sheng’s decision.

”It’s fine, I’ll probably... probably be able to handle it.”

Gu Sheng nodded and said.

”No way, you’re definitely coming with me today. If there’s any issue with Ancestor, I’ll handle it—you don’t need to worry.”

Ji Ziyue’s attitude was firm. She walked over and directly grabbed Gu Sheng’s hand, refusing to let him leave.

The Ji family warriors on the side were instantly stunned.

After all, ”men and women should maintain propriety,” yet the intimacy between the two in such a public place genuinely surprised them.

”Alright, alright, alright, I’ll go, I’ll go, okay?”

Gu Sheng reluctantly loosened Ji Ziyue’s grip, trying to avoid any further raised eyebrows or gossip.

”That’s more like it.”

Ji Ziyue finally smiled in satisfaction.

Soon, the Ji family warriors led Ji Ziyue and Gu Sheng through several patches of forest, arriving at Ji Hui Ancestor’s dwelling.

Throughout the journey, Ji Ziyue seemed quite cheerful.

Gu Sheng, however, appeared somewhat ill at ease.

Gu Sheng actually had no intention of meeting any Ji family ancestor; he merely wanted to quickly extricate himself from this situation.

”Ancestor, Ziyue is back.”

The Ji family warrior reported respectfully.

The door slowly opened, and Ji Hui Ancestor’s figure appeared at the entrance.

Gu Sheng noticed that Ji Hui Ancestor was an elderly woman.

Her attire and demeanor exuded a sense of simplicity yet elegance—it was evident that she must have been extraordinary in her youth.

Her sharp eyes immediately caught the hint of disarray in Ji Ziyue’s appearance.

The ancestor frowned slightly, concern rising in her expression.

”Little Zi Yue, what happened? What’s wrong?”

Ji Hui Ancestor’s tone reflected deep concern.

After all, it’s only natural for elders to worry when seeing their younger generation in such a condition.

Ji Ziyue ignored her disheveled state and hurriedly introduced Gu Sheng to Ji Hui Ancestor, holding onto his hand in the process: ”Ancestor, this is Gu Sheng. If it weren’t for his help, I might not have made it back.”

Ji Hui Ancestor’s gaze shifted between the two.

She discerned the subtle but extraordinary bond between them—the intimate actions and anxious expressions seemed to exude faint traces of affection.

”Gu Sheng, is that correct?”

Ji Hui Ancestor’s voice was calm.

”Yes.”

Gu Sheng nodded slightly.

”You saved Zi Yue. I am deeply grateful. Please, come inside.”

The ancestor spoke while pulling Ji Ziyue away, leading everyone into the residence.

In the living room, the ancestor gently brushed off the dust on Ji Ziyue’s clothes, murmuring repeatedly.

”Little Zi Yue, little Zi Yue, you really make people worry...”

”Ancestor, I’m fine, look—I’m perfectly alright, aren’t I?”

”Don’t say you’re fine. A while ago, I heard you went missing—and then heard the Ji family suffered a calamity. You tell me, how could I not worry?”

”Ancestor, I’m sorry... for troubling you.”

The elder and youth chattered unceasingly in front of Gu Sheng.

The scene suddenly evoked in Gu Sheng a longing for home.

”Quick, go freshen up and tidy yourself properly.”

The ancestor said with a warm smile.

”Alright.”

Ji Ziyue replied. She turned to Gu Sheng and said, ”Gu Sheng, wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”

”Sure, go ahead.”

Gu Sheng nodded.

After Ji Ziyue left, the ancestor also dismissed the others.

”Gu Sheng, correct?”

Sitting down, the ancestor looked at Gu Sheng with the same warm smile and asked.

”Yes.”

Gu Sheng nodded once more.

”I’d like to know—what is your background?”

Suddenly, the ancestor’s tone shifted.

The change in demeanor displeased Gu Sheng—it felt as if he owed the Ji family a fortune.

”Ancestor, I am not from one of East Desolation’s prominent families; I am merely a loose cultivator.”

Gu Sheng casually spun a story.

Ji Hui Ancestor nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised by this response.

”Hmm, I am familiar with all the notable families of East Desolation. I was just curious why little Zi Yue would be with someone like you.”

The ancestor’s expression grew serious.

Gu Sheng said nothing, but privately he muttered, ”What on earth does this old woman want?”

Seeing his silence, the ancestor continued, ”Gu Sheng, how did you come to practice the Void Skill?”

”It was Zi Yue who taught me.”

Gu Sheng dared not conceal the truth and laid it all out honestly.

”Oh? And why?”

The ancestor pressed on.

”At the time, we were being pursued. I had no choice but to use the Primal Essence of All Things to shield her, and she exchanged the Great Void Skill with me in order to escape.”

Gu Sheng explained.

”Ah... I see.”

The ancestor nodded gently and then said, ”The Great Void Skill is a secret technique exclusive to the Ji family. Outsiders are not permitted to practice it—I trust you understand what I mean.”