Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 575: Chapter 311: Gu Xiaojiang’s Encounter_2

”Gu Sheng, thank you for accompanying me through all this,” Su Ling said gratefully.

”Su Ling, it’s me who should thank you. You’ve allowed me to experience such a wondrous journey of cultivation,” Gu Sheng responded.

The two embraced tightly, savoring this rare moment of warmth.

In the days that followed, Gu Sheng and Su Ling traveled together across the Northern Territory.

One day, they arrived at a vast grassland where the wind brushed through the grass, revealing cattle and sheep—a scene of serene harmony.

”Gu Sheng, look how beautiful the scenery is here!” Su Ling said, gesturing toward the distant mountains and nearby livestock.

”It truly is beautiful, but we shouldn’t forget about cultivation,” Gu Sheng replied with a smile. ”How about a sparring session right here?”

”Sure! I was thinking the same,” Su Ling agreed with a nod.

The two faced each other in readiness and began an intense sparring match. Gu Sheng activated Gale Nine Swords, his swordlight flashing like a storm as it surged toward Su Ling. Meanwhile, Su Ling’s movements were graceful, like a butterfly weaving through the swordlight to avoid his attacks.

On the grassland, Sword Qi roared like dragons, and the wind howled like tigers as Gu Sheng and Su Ling’s sword techniques intertwined. Their figures danced like wind, performing a magnificent sword ballet.

Time flew by, but the tranquil battle tableau was abruptly shattered by a tense atmosphere of killing intent.

”Hmm, did you sense that? There seems to be some commotion over there,” Su Ling furrowed her brows, looking toward the distance.

Gu Sheng swept the area with his Divine Thought, and his expression slightly shifted, ”It’s cavalry—they’re chasing someone down.”

”Should we go take a look?” Su Ling asked.

”I didn’t intend to meddle, but that person...” Gu Sheng’s gaze suddenly froze. ”That’s Gu Xiaojiang!”

Su Ling also recognized the figure being pursued. ”Your friend?”

”Not just a friend—he’s my brother since childhood,” Gu Sheng said firmly. ”We need to rescue him.”

Without another word, the two transformed into streams of light and charged toward the cavalry martial artists.

The cavalry saw someone interfering, and their leader sneered, ”Hmph, trying to save him? First ask whether my blade agrees!”

Gu Sheng glared coldly at the group, the killing intent radiating from them reinforcing his determination. ”Su Ling, handle the others; I’ll take care of the leader, the Second Layer Heaven martial artist.”

”Alright!” Su Ling replied, her figure light as falling snow as she moved to intercept the other riders.

Gu Sheng faced the leader of the cavalry directly. The leader brandished a broadsword and charged at Gu Sheng with ferocious killing intent. Taking a deep breath, Gu Sheng activated his Sea Floor Realm, his aura exploding with towering force—visions of mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, flowers, and mythical beasts swirled around him. He executed Gale Nine Swords, unleashing a slash with Sword Qi like a dragon targeting the leader’s vital point.

”Hmph, mere trickery!” the martial artist snorted, swinging his blade to counter.

”Clang!”

The collision of their forces left the leader’s sneer frozen on his face. Gu Sheng’s Sword Qi pierced through his defenses, striking dangerously close to his vital point. His face twisted in shock as he staggered back several steps to recover.

”Who are you? How could you injure me?” the martial artist asked in astonishment.

”Gu Sheng,” he replied coldly, uttering the name before attacking again.

Meanwhile, Su Ling engaged the other riders. Her Girl Sword danced like a serpent weaving through the group, landing precise strikes with each attack. One by one, the cavalry fell under her swordsmanship.

Gu Xiaojiang, although gravely wounded, struggled to his feet and charged at the leader of the cavalry with all his might. Already overwhelmed by Gu Sheng’s relentless attacks, the leader had no room to defend himself.

Suddenly sensing a chill at his back, he turned around to find Gu Xiaojiang inches away.

”Ah!” he screamed in terror, but it was too late. Gu Xiaojiang plunged a blade into his heart, ending his life.

The remaining cavalry scattered in panic, but Gu Sheng and Su Ling pursued them relentlessly, quickly eliminating the rest.

After the battle, Gu Sheng helped Gu Xiaojiang to his feet and asked with concern, ”Are you alright?”

”I’m fine, thank you for arriving in time,” Gu Xiaojiang said gratefully.

”We’re brothers; there’s no need for thanks,” Gu Sheng said with a smile. ”How did you end up provoking these people?”

”Sigh, it’s a long story...” Gu Xiaojiang let out a deep breath and began explaining his ordeal. It turned out he had discovered a treasure in a secret realm—a Spirit Grass of millennial age. The riders learned of the treasure and chased him for it.

”Those bastards!” Su Ling exclaimed indignantly.

”Forget it; they’ve received their due punishment,” Gu Sheng said. ”For now, we should leave this place quickly to avoid further trouble.”

The wind on the grassland brushed against their cheeks, carrying a mix of melancholy from parting and joy from reuniting. Gu Sheng, Su Ling, and Gu Xiaojiang exchanged smiles and walked together toward a bustling marketplace ahead.

”Which tavern has the strongest liquor around here?” Gu Sheng asked boldly.

”The Drunken Immortal Inn—their wine is said to be strong enough to intoxicate even an Immortal,” Gu Xiaojiang replied with a grin.

The trio entered the Drunken Immortal Inn, greeted by the rich fragrance of liquor. They found a window-side table, ordering the tavern’s finest wine and a few dishes.

”Come, a toast to our reunion!” Gu Sheng proposed, raising his cup.

They downed their drinks in one go, the fiery sensation warming their hearts and leaving an indescribable feeling of joy.

”Gu Sheng, you must have experienced a lot during your travels, right?” Gu Xiaojiang asked curiously.

”Haha, of course. But what about you? After the unification of the Red Cloud Continent, why choose to venture out?” Gu Sheng countered.

Setting down his cup, Gu Xiaojiang’s eyes gleamed with a trace of weariness. ”Though the unification brought peace, I felt my Martial Arts path became constrained. So I joined the ranks of adventurers and came to Xuanyuan Sea.”

After pausing, he continued, ”Over the years, I’ve been a mining slave, tended gardens, and later became a golden guard in the Golden Country. But none of that felt like my true calling, so I embarked on a journey to uncover my Martial Arts destiny.”

Gu Sheng was filled with admiration. ”Xiaojiang, you’ve gone through so much—I’m truly impressed. Achieving the ninth level of the Marrow Refining Realm is remarkable.”

”Not at all, I’m still far behind compared to you,” Gu Xiaojiang replied humbly.

Su Ling quietly listened to their conversation, occasionally pouring more wine while maintaining a gentle smile.

After several rounds, Gu Sheng suddenly asked, ”Xiaojiang, did your recent trouble with those riders relate to another treasure?”

Smiling bitterly, Gu Xiaojiang said, ”Indeed. I discovered a millennial Spirit Grass in a secret realm. Planning to exchange it for cultivation resources, I was hunted by the cavalry who desired the treasure.”

Rage and bitterness flickered across his face as he spoke.

”Those scoundrels! At least you met us,” Gu Sheng said comfortingly, patting Gu Xiaojiang’s shoulder. ”Don’t worry—now that we’re reunited, no one will dare bully you again!”

Su Ling teased with a half-joking tone, ”That’s right, Gu Xiaojiang. Stick with us—let’s explore the Central Province as a trio!”

Moved, Gu Xiaojiang nodded deeply. ”Alright, together!”

Gu Sheng invited Gu Xiaojiang and Su Ling to visit Yaochi Holy Land as guests, and neither refused.

After spending some time as guests, Su Ling and Gu Xiaojiang went their separate ways.

Each person has their own fortunes and paths to tread.

Having recuperated at the Yaochi Holy Land, Gu Sheng soon returned to the Northern Territory.

Since breaking into the Sea Floor Realm, his demand for Spirit Stones and rare treasures had surged. The Grass Vine Demon Soul likewise required an abundance of resources.

He needed to gather resources quickly, or risk falling behind rising talents like Jiang Yichen.