Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

”If your hand moves forward another half inch, you would be a corpse right now.”

Xiao Mengdie stiffened all over, slowly turning her head. Under the moonlight, Gu Sheng had somehow already stood up, his dark eyes coldly watching her.

Xiao Mengdie suppressed the shock in her heart.

”Xiao Mengdie of the Sun and Moon Sect, thank you for saving my life.”

Gu Sheng’s eyes carried a hint of surprise.

”Someone from the Sun and Moon Sect? Interesting.”

He stood up, dusting off the sand from his robe.

”Shen Qingyun has placed a bounty of a million high-grade Spirit Stones on my life, and yet you thank me for saving yours?”

Xiao Mengdie smiled bitterly.

”It’s just sect infighting. I have no intention of repaying kindness with enmity.”

She paused and looked straight into Gu Sheng’s eyes.

”If you don’t trust me, you can seal my True Qi, or... impose a restriction.”

Gu Sheng laughed at her words, his laughter carrying traces of arrogance.

”A restriction imposed by me, no one in this Secret Realm can unravel. But...”

He stopped laughing.

”I didn’t save you to receive a favor, the Sun and Moon Sect simply made the first move on me.”

Xiao Mengdie felt a chill in her heart.

She had heard rumors about Gu Sheng; this man traveled alone, his prowess unfathomable, having once fought three martial artists of the same rank without defeat. Now seeing him firsthand, his reputation was indeed not exaggerated.

”Then what do you want?”

She asked cautiously.

Gu Sheng took out a Jade Bottle from his bosom and poured out a purple elixir pill.

”A fourth-grade Purple Yang Blood Replenishing Pill, it will help your injuries.”

Xiao Mengdie gasped. A fourth-grade elixir, even in the Sun and Moon Sect, was considered precious, and this man casually presented one? After hesitating for a moment, she still took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation.

The elixir dissolved instantly upon entering her mouth, a warm current flowing throughout her body at once, her damaged meridians greedily absorbing the medicinal power. Xiao Mengdie couldn’t help letting out a comfortable sigh.

”I need you to do something for me.”

Gu Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.

”Once your injuries recover, spread the word for me—that Gu Sheng is in Miling Valley, inviting Shen Qingyun to battle.”

Xiao Mengdie suddenly looked up.

”Are you crazy? Shen Qingyun has hundreds of martial artists under his command, and even controls alliances such as the Great Wilderness Alliance. You’re seeking death!”

Gu Sheng’s lips curled into a cold smile.

”Who lives and who dies, is yet to be seen.”

Xiao Mengdie stared at Gu Sheng’s firm side profile, suddenly understanding.

”You want to draw him out?”

”Smart.”

Gu Sheng gave her an appreciative glance.

”Rather than being hunted by him everywhere, it’s better to settle this with a decisive battle.”

Xiao Mengdie was silent for a moment, speaking softly.

”Is it worth it?”

”On the path of Martial Arts, you either advance or retreat.”

Gu Sheng’s voice was calm.

”I, Gu Sheng, never question if it’s worth doing, only if it should be done.”

Xiao Mengdie was stunned by his words.

Growing up in the Sun and Moon Sect, she’d seen plenty of schemes and struggles, but never such a pure martial artist.

For a moment, she actually envied Gu Sheng for his fearless spirit.

”Okay, I promise you.”

Xiao Mengdie finally nodded.

”I have some connections in the sect that can ensure the message spreads quickly.”

Gu Sheng nodded with satisfaction.

”After this matter, you and I will be clear.”

Night fell, and the temperature in the desert plummeted. Xiao Mengdie sat by the campfire, concentrating on refining the medicinal power.

Gu Sheng was seated not far away, eyes closed in meditation. Between the two, there was a delicate tacit understanding, neither friends nor foes.

”Aren’t you afraid that I might regret it once my injuries recover?”

Xiao Mengdie suddenly asked.

Gu Sheng didn’t open his eyes.

”Will you?”

Xiao Mengdie was at a loss for words. Would she? This mysterious man seemed to possess a peculiar charm, making people unconsciously want to honor their promises.

”The Bronze Hall...”

She said without thinking.

”In the extreme north of the Secret Realm, there’s a Bronze Hall, probably the core of the Secret Realm. The Sun and Moon Sect’s pursuit of me is also related to it.”

Gu Sheng’s eyes suddenly opened.

”Continue.”

Xiao Mengdie bit her lip, appearing to weigh the pros and cons, but eventually spoke.

”There are clues to leaving the Secret Realm there, and it may possibly hold the greatest opportunity. I can give you the coordinates.”

Gu Sheng spoke.

”Conditions?”

”No conditions.”

Xiao Mengdie shook her head.

”Consider it... repaying your elixir.”

Gu Sheng gave her a deep look, then suddenly laughed.

”An interesting woman.”

Xiao Mengdie also laughed; it was her first genuine smile since her injury.

”Likewise.”

The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight spread across the desert dunes, Gu Sheng awoke from his meditation. The campfire had long gone out, and Xiao Mengdie’s silhouette was nowhere to be seen. On the sandy ground, there were several lines of neat handwriting standing out prominently.

”The message has begun to spread and will reach everywhere in this Secret Realm within three days. Also, the coordinates of the Bronze Hall are left within the spiritual power imprint; crush it, and you will perceive it. Take care. —Xiao Mengdie”

Gu Sheng crouched down, gently stroking those words with his fingers, his mouth slightly curved.

Following the hint, he crushed the spiritual power imprint left behind. Instantly, a clear map emerged in his mind, marking the precise location of the Bronze Hall.

”This woman...”

Gu Sheng murmured to himself and then waved his hand to erase the writing on the sand.

”Kid, are you really going to Miling Valley to seek death?”

A youthful yet antiquated voice sounded in Gu Sheng’s mind, belonging to the Innate Spirit Embryo residing within him.

Gu Sheng chuckled lightly.

”Who will die is yet uncertain.”

”Hmph, arrogant!”

The Innate Spirit Embryo scoffed.

”But I like it.

What about the Bronze Hall?”

Gu Sheng looked towards the north, his eyes deep.

”I’ll meet Shen Qingyun first and then explore that Bronze Hall. Since it might be the Secret Realm’s core, it’s surely not simple.”

Meanwhile, throughout the Secret Realm, a message spread rapidly.

”Did you hear? That Gu Sheng being hunted by Shen Qingyun is openly inviting him to battle in Miling Valley!”