Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1535: Chapter 790: Something Happened (2)

"Let it out."

Gu Sheng’s voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable force.

"You don’t need to pretend in front of me."

This sentence seemed to unlock a certain gate.

Xie Qingxuan’s shoulders trembled slightly at first, then her whole body began to shake violently.

She gripped Gu Sheng’s collar tightly, letting out a whimper like a wounded animal, eventually turning into heart-wrenching sobs.

Tears soaked the fabric on Gu Sheng’s chest, so hot they almost burned through his skin.

Tantai Xueling stood beside them, watching the scene helplessly.

She had never seen such a way of comforting... In Linyin Pavilion, everyone maintained just the right amount of distance, even between her and her sister, such intimate contact was rare.

But there was no denying that Gu Sheng’s method had worked.

Though Xie Qingxuan’s cries were mournful, they were far better than the deathly silence from before.

"I... I have no family left..."

Xie Qingxuan finally stopped crying, her voice hoarse and barely audible.

This sentence was like a sharp blade, directly piercing Tantai Xueling’s heart.

She suddenly recalled that snowy night many years ago, when she and her sister curled up in a broken temple, watching helplessly as their parents were killed by enemies.

That feeling of having only each other left in the world, she understood better than anyone.

The silver-haired girl almost instinctively stepped forward, kneeling down to hold Xie Qingxuan’s cold hand.

"From today onwards, my sister and I are your family."

She paused and glanced at Gu Sheng.

"He is too."

Xie Qingxuan lifted her head in confusion, her swollen eyes darting between the two.

She opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.

This unexpected kindness left her feeling lost... Just two hours ago, she still had a complete family, and now she had to accept the protection of strangers.

"Wanliu Sect is just a pawn."

Gu Sheng suddenly spoke, his voice deep and powerful.

"The real orchestrator behind all of this is a massive evil cultivator organization. If you want revenge, relying on your own strength alone is far from enough."

He looked straight into Xie Qingxuan’s eyes.

"Tantai Xueling can provide you with the best resources and guidance. Accept her kindness, and you can grow stronger faster."

Xie Qingxuan’s pupils contracted slightly.

Gu Sheng’s words were like a heavy hammer, waking her from self-pity.

Yes, what’s the use of crying? Her family won’t return; only blood for blood is the true path.

"I... I understand."

She swallowed with difficulty, turning to Tantai Xueling.

"I will remember this favor deeply. If there comes a day..."

"Don’t say such things."

Tantai Xueling interrupted her, reaching out to help her up.

"First, let’s go bury your family. Then we’ll introduce you to the people at Linyin Pavilion... From today, that is your home."

Gu Sheng watched the two girls walk away together, a faint smile playing on his lips.

At that moment, he felt a subtle fluctuation of Spiritual Energy behind him.

"The performance is over?"

He didn’t turn around, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

Tantai Bingtang gracefully stepped out from the shadows, already returned to her true self.

Surprisingly, she didn’t wear her iconic veil this time, her moonlit-cold face completely exposed to the air.

Gu Sheng then noticed that, although she and her sister had identical features, their temperaments were totally different... Tantai Xueling was like a flickering flame, while she was the eternal ice.

"I never act."

Tantai Bingtang’s voice was calm as water.

"No matter who you are, as long as you’re related to that Emperor, it’s worth showing my true self."

Gu Sheng chuckled lightly, without replying.

He knew what Tantai Bingtang was probing... ever since the Beichen Flower recognized its master, these sisters were deeply curious about his identity.

Especially Tantai Bingtang, behind her seemingly calm eyes, lay too much calculation.

"I need to handle some affairs this afternoon."

Tantai Bingtang suddenly changed the subject.

"Go ahead."

Gu Sheng waved his hand casually.

"No need to report everything."

Tantai Bingtang did not move, instead pulling out a small Green Jade Porcelain Bottle from her sleeve.

The bottle was only the size of a thumb, yet it emitted a chilling wave of Spiritual Power.

Even through the stopper, Gu Sheng could sense the vast energy contained within the elixir pills inside.

"Eighth Grade Golden Body Pill."

Tantai Bingtang handed the porcelain bottle to him.

"This should help with your cultivation."

Gu Sheng did not immediately take it.

He squinted, looking at the other with a half-smile.

"The Beichen Flower sacrifices my flesh and blood, ordinary elixir pills are useless to me."

"This is no ordinary elixir pill."

Tantai Bingtang’s voice remained calm, but Gu Sheng sharply noticed her fingertips slightly tense.

"It can help you forge a golden body faster, shortening the process of flesh reconstruction."

Gu Sheng’s heart trembled.

An Eighth Grade elixir pill is already a rare treasure in the Cultivation World, let alone a Golden Body Pill specifically aimed at the Golden Body Stage.

These kinds of elixir pills are often priceless and even some medium-sized sect leaders may not be able to obtain them.

The gift Tantai Bingtang offered was so grand, her intentions were certainly not simple.

"The Pill Saint of the Qingnang Sacred Land personally refined it."

Tantai Bingtang added another line, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on Gu Sheng’s reaction.

Gu Sheng’s face remained unchanged, but several thoughts already turned over in his mind.

The Qingnang Sacred Land is the highest sanctuary for the art of elixir pill making in the Cultivation World, and the "Pill Saint" is an exalted presence there.

Tantai Bingtang deliberately mentioned this title, clearly probing his relationship with that "Emperor."

"It’s too precious."

Gu Sheng finally did not reach out his hand.

"No reward without effort."

Tantai Bingtang’s eyes showed a barely perceptible sense of relief.

She retrieved the porcelain bottle, and there was a bit more sincerity in her tone.

"As you wish. But if you change your mind, you can come to me anytime."

Gu Sheng nodded, watching her turn and leave.

It wasn’t until the white figure completely disappeared that he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Tantai Bingtang’s probing was too obvious, but he didn’t mind... at least for now, their goals aligned.

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

Gu Sheng looked down at the dark red patterns emerging in his palm, a mark left by the Beichen Flower recognizing him as its master.

The pattern deepened a bit compared to yesterday, flowing slowly beneath his skin as if it had life.

"Time is running out..."

He whispered to himself, the sound dissipating in the vast hall.

Meanwhile, Tantai Bingtang returned to her secret chamber, solemnly placing the green jade porcelain bottle back in the sandalwood box.

She took out a Communication Jade Scroll, gently tracing her fingers over it.

"We can basically rule out the possibility of him being the Emperor’s reincarnation. He showed no reaction to the Pill Saint’s name and doesn’t recognize the refining technique of the Eighth Grade Golden Body Pill."

Gu Sheng gazed in the direction where Tantai Bingtang disappeared, his fingertips stroking the cold jade bottle.

The intricate cloud patterns on the bottle shimmered under the sunlight, faintly conveying the immense medicinal power within.

"Seven Revolutions Mystic Spirit Pill..."

He softly recited the tiny inscription on the bottom of the bottle, raising an eyebrow.

This pill, capable of aiding a Xuanwu Realm expert to break through bottlenecks, would fetch at least three thousand Spirit Stones on the black market.

Tantai Bingtang offered it to him so casually, calling it a "share"?

While he was pondering, a wave of warmth suddenly came from his waist.

Gu Sheng looked down to find the Communication Jade Talisman given by Gu Ningshuang glowing with a pale blue light.

"Brother, I’ve broken through to the Earth Martial Realm!"

The Jade Talisman transmitted the excited voice of a young girl, with a hint of breathlessness.

"The Mystic Ice Technique at the Academy is much more complete than the one at home... but I do miss you a bit."

Gu Sheng couldn’t help but smile, infusing Spiritual Power into the Jade Talisman.

"Congratulations. I’ve just returned, and I can come to Great Wilderness City to see you anytime."

The Jade Talisman soon lit up again.

"Really? But I’m currently in Elder Han Yue’s..."

The voice abruptly cut off, replaced by a stern female voice.

"No communication is allowed in class!"

The connection was then forcefully cut off.

"That girl..."

Gu Sheng shook his head with an amused smile, turning to take out another Jade Talisman carved with a Qingluan pattern.

Shen Qingtan had given it to him, saying it was for urgent contact.

"Miss Qingtan, would you kindly lead me to the Great Wilderness Holy Academy?"

He imbued Spiritual Power, inquiring.

Unexpectedly, the response came with a clear, bell-like female voice.

"Young Master Gu? I am Qin Yurou. Sister Qingtan... something happened to her!"

Gu Sheng’s pupils suddenly constricted.