Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1293 - 671: Arrangements Are Already Made

”What colors correspond to what levels?”

Ling Xiao asked with great interest.

Su Yongchang explained.

”Black is the worst, for Outer Disciples; blue is better, allowing entry to the Inner Sect; green is the strongest, directly qualifying one as a Core Disciple.”

Gu Sheng listened, and suddenly a wave of unease rose in his heart.

He subconsciously touched his chest, where he hid a Jade Scroll given to him by Ling Xiao, recording an Ancient Secret Technique that could conceal part of his talent traits.

But facing this legendary ”Ancient Eye,” he suddenly felt uncertain.

”What’s the matter?”

Ling Xiao noticed Gu Sheng’s expression and asked through a transmission of consciousness.

Gu Sheng frowned slightly.

”This Ancient Eye... can your secret technique deceive it?”

Ling Xiao’s eyes flickered for a moment, avoiding Gu Sheng’s gaze.

”It... it should be able to.”

Gu Sheng’s heart sank.

Ling Xiao’s reaction made him even more uneasy.

He knew this companion too well; every time he felt guilty, he would dodge his gaze like this.

The hall was filled with green light, like the aurora drifting at the edge of the universe, casting the entire space into a dreamlike illusion.

The light contained an indescribable sense of antiquity, as if it had traveled through endless ages, continuing from the ancient times to the present.

Gu Sheng stood among the crowd, feeling the ancient pressure rushing towards him, cold sweat already seeping from his back.

He stared intently at the giant floating eyeball in the center of the hall—it was as large as a millstone, with a pupil of a bizarre grey-green, slowly opening and closing, making an eerie creaking sound with each blink, like a decaying door hinge turning.

”Ugh—”

The eyeball suddenly emitted a shrill wail, sounding like thousands of vengeful spirits crying simultaneously.

Gu Sheng felt his heart contract suddenly, an uncontrollable sadness welling up from his heart, almost making him cry on the spot.

He hurriedly operated the secret technique taught by Ling Xiao, forcibly suppressing this strange emotion.

”This damn thing...”

Gu Sheng cursed inwardly, glancing at Ling Xiao beside him out of the corner of his eye.

Ling Xiao’s expression was normal, but Gu Sheng noticed his fingers by his side were trembling slightly.

The two exchanged a brief glance, both seeing deep unease in each other’s eyes.

”Senior Brother, this eyeball...”

Gu Sheng sent a message through the secret technique.

”The Ancient Eye, the treasure of Qinghe Holy Land.”

Ling Xiao’s response was quick, but his tone was frighteningly heavy.

”Legend has it, it can see through all illusions, penetrating the true nature of a cultivator. I didn’t expect them to use it to test new disciples...”

Gu Sheng’s heart tightened.

”Then our disguise...”

”Not necessarily.”

Ling Xiao paused his transmission.

”But the risk is enormous. Once we are discovered, we face the wrath of the entire Qinghe Holy Land.”

Gu Sheng’s Adam’s apple moved, swallowing hard.

He looked around, seeing dozens of Holy Land Disciples in green robes standing in the hall, each emitting an unfathomable aura.

Not to mention the hidden old monsters...

”Isn’t there any other way?”

Gu Sheng asked unwillingly.

Ling Xiao was silent for a moment, his transmission filled with helplessness.

”This is their headquarters, we... have no chance.”

As the two communicated secretly, Su Yongchang, standing at the front, suddenly turned around.

Gu Sheng’s heart skipped a beat, quickly restraining his mind.

But Su Yongchang merely glanced at him, his eyes lingering on his blood-stained clothes for a moment, without saying much.

”Gu.”

Su Yongchang spoke warmly.

”The bloodstains on your clothes...”

It was only then Gu Sheng noticed that his robe was stained with a large amount of blood from the previous competition, already dried into a dark red.

He hurriedly cupped his hands.

”Senior, I...”

”No need to explain.”

Su Yongchang waved his hand, taking out a new green robe from his Storage Bag and handing it to him.

”Put it on, the test is about to begin.”

Gu Sheng took the clothes, thanked him, and quickly changed.

The new garment was made of soft fabric, cold to the touch, clearly not ordinary.

He noticed small runes embroidered on the collar, faintly visible under the green light.

”This is...”

Gu Sheng curiously touched those runes.

”Outer Sect Disciple attire of Qinghe Holy Land.”

Su Yongchang explained.

”After passing the test, you will officially become Holy Land Disciples.”

Gu Sheng forced out a smile, but his heart was becoming increasingly uneasy.

He sneaked a glance at the Ancient Eye in the center of the hall; the giant pupil seemed to be fixed on him, giving him the impression of being completely seen through.

”The test begins!”

A Holy Land Disciple standing on a high platform loudly announced.

”New disciples, come forward in turn, place your hand on the Spirit Testing Platform, and the Ancient Eye will reveal your talent and aptitude.”

The first to step forward were three slender youths.

They walked nervously to the Spirit Testing Platform, placing their hands sequentially above the Crystal Ball.

”Hum—”

The Ancient Eye slightly rotated, and three black beams shot from the pupil, enveloping the Crystal Ball.

The Crystal Ball immediately emitted a murky black light, as if soaked in ink.

”Low aptitude, Outer Sect Disciple.”

The announcing disciple’s tone was indifferent, as if stating an insignificant matter.

The three youths showed disappointment but still respectfully bowed and stepped back.

However, the Holy Land Disciples watching around started to stir.

”Again black, this batch of newcomers is really poor quality!”

”I heard two guys who grabbed spots are really impressive, why haven’t they come up for testing?”

”Could they be all talk and no substance?”

The murmurs reached the ears, Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao exchanged a glance, both seeing hesitation in the other’s eyes.

Each harbored their own thoughts, neither wishing to be the first to step forward.

Su Yongchang seemed to notice the pair’s reluctance, but he did not urge them, instead calmly saying,

”No rush, let the others test first.”

Next up was Xu Guangzhi, a tall youth with firm features.

When he placed his hand on the Crystal Ball, the light emitted by the Ancient Eye turned deep blue.

”Medium aptitude, Inner Sect Disciple!”

The announcing disciple’s voice rose slightly.

Xu Guangzhi’s face showed delight, respectfully bowing before stepping aside.

Liu Qingshan also elicited a blue glow, becoming an Inner Sect Disciple.

Other new disciples tested in succession, but without exception, all showed black light, only qualifying as Outer Sect Disciples.

Strangely, these people were not dissatisfied, instead casting grateful glances at Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao.

”If not for the two of you grabbing spots, we wouldn’t even have the chance to become Outer Sect Disciples.”

A youth whispered to Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng barely smiled, but his heart grew more anxious.

The test was nearing its end, with only him and Ling Xiao remaining.

The Ancient Eye seemed to sense something, its rotation speed suddenly accelerated, emitting an even harsher ”creak” sound.

”The last two, step forward for testing!”

The announcing disciple shouted, eyes fervently fixed on Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao.

All eyes in the hall converged upon them.

Gu Sheng felt his throat tighten, legs heavy.

Just as he hesitated, Su Yongchang suddenly spoke.

”Gu Sheng, Ling Xiao, exempt from testing.”

This statement was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a huge uproar.

”What? Exempt from testing? On what grounds!”

”Elder Su, this isn’t in accordance with the rules!”

”Do they have something special about them?”

The Holy Land Disciples reacted fiercely, someone even stepping forward directly to question.

A Core Disciple named Liang Yu walked up to Su Yongchang with a dark expression.

”Master Su, the Ancient Eye test is a tradition of the Holy Land, never has anyone been exempt from entry-level testing. Doing this may be hard to gain acceptance.”

Su Yongchang’s expression remained unchanged, simply waving lightly.

”Quiet.”

Two simple words, yet contained undeniable authority. The noise in the hall immediately quieted significantly.

”I have my arrangements.”

Su Yongchang continued, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

”Liang Yu, take Liu Qingshan and Xu Guangzhi to Qingluan Peak to arrange Inner Sect Disciple residences. Zhao Ming, you take the others to Outer Sect Spirit Mountain.”

The two named disciples, though visibly unwilling, dared not defy Elder’s order, only respectfully complying.

”Yes, Master.”

Soon, the new disciples in the hall were divided into two groups and taken away.