Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1565: Chapter 805: Hidden Secrets (Part 2)

The air was filled with a faint scent of blood, herbs, and various strange materials, forming a small open-air trading venue where many Martial Artists set up stalls and exchanged items obtained from the ruins.

Gu Sheng’s arrival did not draw much attention, as new Martial Artists came here daily to try their luck, and some older ones never left those ruins.

He scanned the camp and was about to find a quiet spot to inquire further about news from within the Ancient City, when a figure actively approached him.

The visitor was a young man who looked around twenty, with cultivation at about the Second Realm of the Earth Martial Realm, dressed in a washed-out grey outfit, with a smart and ingratiating smile on his face, yet his eyes were quite shrewd.

”Brother, you look unfamiliar, is this your first time to Wuya Ancient City?”

The young man smiled and cupped his hands, his tone was enthusiastic but not overly flattering.

”I am Gu Yuan, my family lives nearby, and our ancestors have lived on this land for generations. Regarding the inside and outside of Wuya Ancient City, I can’t claim to know everything, but I am aware of relatively stable areas, recent disturbances, and possible new discoveries in the ruins.

I know some news. Seeing that you’re covered in dust, do you need a guide? Or are you looking for some information? Maybe I can help, the price is absolutely fair.”

His speech was not fast, clear in logic, obviously not his first time doing this kind of solicitation and selling information.

Gu Sheng stopped and looked at the young man who called himself Gu Yuan. Although his cultivation was not high, his eyes were agile and his movements swift. People who frequented this place often had more intelligence than the average person.

”Are you familiar with this place?”

Gu Sheng asked, his voice flat.

Seeing Gu Sheng engage in conversation, Gu Yuan’s eyes lit up and his smile became more genuine.

”Familiar! I can’t make big claims, but within three hundred miles of Wuya Ancient City’s outskirts, I know what is in every nook and corner, which forces are active in what areas, where good finds have occurred recently, or where people have gone missing.

Are you looking for someone or something? Or are you trying to find a relatively safe route into the depths of the Ancient City?”

”Looking for someone.”

Gu Sheng responded succinctly.

”Looking for someone?”

Gu Yuan showed a suitably surprised expression and then lowered his voice slightly.

”Brother, the range of Wuya Ancient City ruins is extensive, fraught with danger, and inside, factions are deeply entrenched. There are even secret strongholds established by desperados who have been exploring the depths for years.

Who are you looking for? Where are they roughly active? Any recent news? The more detailed the information, the more targeted help I can provide.”

As he spoke, he carefully observed Gu Sheng’s expression.

In this line of work, discernment is crucial; knowing what to ask and what not to ask is key.

Gu Sheng paused slightly.

The person he was looking for was of great importance, so of course, he couldn’t easily give out detailed information, but if he didn’t provide any clues, the other couldn’t offer any help.

”The person I’m looking for might be trapped in the depths of the Ancient City, within certain special restrictions or treacherous areas.”

Gu Sheng chose to disclose a bit of information.

”Need to know whether there has been any unusual activity or discover any newly identified places where people might be trapped in the deeper regions of the Ancient City recently.”

”Deep regions? Special restriction or treacherous area?”

Gu Yuan’s relaxed expression faded considerably, replaced by seriousness.

”Brother, this is no joke. The deeper you go into Wuya Ancient City, the more dangerous it gets; many ancient restrictions are still operational, deadly traps hidden, along with various strange energy surges and powerful relic Guardians.

Recently... speaking of unusual activity, about half a month ago, there was indeed a violent energy eruption over at ’Black Wind Creek’. The phenomenon of the sky being lit by a radiant glow lasted for half a day, attracting many people, but more entered never returned.

It’s said that even Sect Realm experts in the late stage couldn’t manage to escape. And at ’Broken Soul Corridor’, it’s rumored that the spatial distortion has been unstable lately, frequently manifesting strange illusions and suction, with people inexplicably disappearing.”

He paused for a moment and continued.

”Moreover, in the ’Molten Fire Core’ area, it seems things haven’t been peaceful either, the Earth Fire is unusually active, and the temperature is terrifyingly high. It’s rumored that someone saw a massive dark Shadow moving within. These are recent points of interest; they’re all very dangerous.

Regarding newly discovered places that might trap people... this type of information is typically tightly held by the major factions, even if it does leak out, the authenticity is hard to judge. But, a few days ago, I did hear a wounded person babbling after getting drunk.

He mentioned stumbling into a maze in the Stone Forest west of the ’Meteorite Crater’, unable to find an exit. Finally, he was fortunate enough to trigger something that allowed him to escape but lost an arm.”

Gu Yuan presented the information he knew eloquently and systematically, clearly indicating the source and reliability of the news, demonstrating a professional demeanor.

Gu Sheng listened carefully, noting each place name and characteristic.

Black Wind Creek, Broken Soul Corridor, Molten Fire Core, Stone Forest west of Meteorite Crater... these places could all be clues.

”Do you have map annotations for the specific locations of these areas and the known safe paths?”

Gu Sheng asked.

”Yes! Of course!”

Gu Yuan quickly fished out a slightly weathered parchment map from his chest pocket, spreading it open; it had numerous areas marked with different colored ink and fine annotations.

”Brother, please take a look. This is a map drawn based on the experiences of explorers from past generations, indicating relatively safe areas and dangerous zones. It may not be 100% accurate, but it’s definitely much more detailed than the common maps available outside.

Black Wind Creek, Broken Soul Corridor, Molten Fire Core, Meteorite Crater are all marked here.”

He pointed at several points on the map, explaining in detail the usual routes to these places and the cautions needed.

”How much for this map and the information you just provided?”

Gu Sheng asked directly.

Gu Yuan rubbed his hands together and smiled.

”Brother, you are straightforward. This map wasn’t easy to make, and the information is also gathered and compiled after much effort. How about this, for ten Low Grade Spirit Jades, both the map and the information are yours.

Moreover, within these three days, if you have any questions about the outskirts of the Ancient City, you can come here to find me anytime. I will speak freely.”

Ten Low Grade Spirit Jades for a detailed map and copious intelligence was a fairly reasonable price.

Gu Sheng didn’t hesitate, pulling out ten Low Grade Spirit Jades and handing them to Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan received the Spirit Jades, his face broke into a big smile. He carefully folded the map and handed it to Gu Sheng.

”Thank you, Brother! Wish you a smooth journey in the Ancient City, and that you return laden with gains! If you need a guide for deeper exploration, or further precise information, feel free to find me anytime, I am mostly active near this camp.”

Gu Sheng took the map, nodded, and without another word, turned toward the direction of the Wuya Ancient City ruins.

Watching Gu Sheng’s decisively heading towards the city depths, Gu Yuan’s smile gradually faded, showing a hint of sentimentality.

”Another one heading off to gamble with fate... hope you come out alive.”

He shook his head, pocketed the Spirit Jades, and continued to look for the next potential client.

As for Gu Sheng, armed with newly acquired intelligence, he stepped into the gigantic ruins that buried countless ages and lives in search of the hope of rescue.

In the distance, the Ancient City ruins quietly lay on the earth, waiting for new explorers, while hiding unknown dangers and opportunities.

Gu Sheng briefly focused on Gu Yuan; this person’s aura appeared somewhat ephemeral, and the foundation wasn’t very stable, clearly signs of cultivation barely elevated to the Second Realm of Earth Martial Realm through Elixir Pills resources.

Moreover, in his eyes, there lay vigilance and flashes that contradicted his outward enthusiasm, evidently harboring some secrets.

However, Gu Sheng held no interest in probing these; everyone has their own circumstances and challenges.

”Take me to the Thousand Souls Hall.”

Gu Sheng said directly, his voice flat yet imbued with a tone that brooked no refusal.