Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1537: Chapter 791: Going All Out (Part 2)

Gu Sheng fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he raised his head and spoke.

"I haven’t thought of a concrete method yet, but I’ll do my best. Miss Shen was wronged because of me; I won’t just stand by and watch."

Gratitude flickered in Qin Yurou’s eyes.

"I can take you into the Holy Academy. Inner Courtyard disciples have the authority to bring someone in."

Gu Sheng nodded.

"Just right, one of the purposes of my trip this time is to look for Gu Ningshuang."

"Senior Sister Ningshuang?"

Qin Yurou said in surprise.

"You two know each other?"

"She’s my senior sister."

The corners of Gu Sheng’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a rare softness.

Qin Yurou came to a sudden realization, then smiled.

"Then I’ll take you to see her right now."

The two of them got up and left the pavilion.

Qin Yurou took out a jade token, infused Spiritual Power into it, and a Light Gate appeared out of thin air.

Passing through the Light Gate, the scene before their eyes opened up wide.

Amid encircling mountain ranges, rows of magnificent buildings were scattered in an orderly fashion.

From time to time streaks of flowing light crossed the sky—Holy Academy disciples traveling by Sky-controlling flight.

From the distance came the deep, lingering toll of bells, as if they could cleanse one’s heart.

"This way."

Qin Yurou led Gu Sheng along several stone-paved paths to a grand academy hall.

The hall was built entirely of Qingyu, giving off a gentle luster under the sunlight.

Two Stone Beast statues flanking the door were lifelike, as if spiritual light flickered in their eyes.

Through the open doors and windows, one could see dozens of young men and women cultivating inside—some sitting cross-legged in meditation, some practicing Martial Techniques. The air was thick with dense Spiritual Energy.

A woman in green robes was patrolling inside the hall, stopping now and then to give a few pointers.

Her features were graceful, her brows like painted strokes; in every gesture there was an innate, otherworldly air.

Yet Gu Sheng’s gaze passed straight over everyone and landed on a slender figure in the corner.

The woman wore plain white, wholly absorbed in practicing a set of Swordsmanship.

Sword light flowed around her like water, forming a living scroll in motion.

"Senior Sister Ningshuang’s Swordsmanship has grown even more exquisite."

Qin Yurou praised in a soft voice.

Just then, three melodious chimes rang from deep within the academy.

The disciples in the hall stopped cultivating one after another, gathering in small groups to chat and rest.

"I’ll go call Senior Sister Ningshuang out."

With that, Qin Yurou walked into the hall.

Gu Sheng stood outside the doorway, watching Qin Yurou walk over to the woman in green. After the two exchanged a few words, the woman in green nodded and left the hall.

Qin Yurou then went straight toward Gu Ningshuang in the corner.

Gu Ningshuang sheathed her sword. Seeing Qin Yurou walk over, she looked somewhat surprised.

"Yurou? What are you doing here? Has Qingtan’s matter been resolved?"

Qin Yurou shook her head, a mysterious smile on her lips.

"I brought someone to see you."

"Who?"

Gu Ningshuang looked around in puzzlement. Her gaze swept briefly over Gu Sheng standing outside the door, pausing for a moment, but did not linger.

"Ningshuang, hurry and come with me!"

Qin Yurou grabbed Gu Ningshuang by the wrist, the eyes that usually carried a smile now glinting with mystery.

Gu Ningshuang was tugged forward, stumbling a little; the Spirit Medicine Encyclopedia in her hand nearly fell to the ground.

"Yurou, what are you doing?"

Gu Ningshuang frowned slightly, her clear voice tinged with helplessness.

"I still have Alchemy Dao classwork this afternoon..."

"Oh, classwork, who cares!"

Qin Yurou turned back and winked at her, red lips curving in a mischievous arc.

"There’s someone you’d never imagine is here to see you!"

Gu Ningshuang was pulled out of the hall; sunlight spilled over the two of them, casting two long Shadows.

She was just about to ask again when she suddenly heard a voice behind her, so familiar it made her heart race.

"Senior Sister, long time no see."

The voice struck Gu Ningshuang’s heart like a bolt of thunder.

She spun around sharply, black hair lifting in the wind, revealing a delicate face turned slightly pale from shock.

Under the crabapple tree stood a young man in a dark robe, brows fine as if painted, a faint smile at the corners of his lips.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows over him, as if he stood in a world apart.

"Qin Tian?!"

Gu Ningshuang’s voice trembled slightly.

"Is it really you?!"

Gu Sheng nodded, warmth in his eyes.

"It’s me, Senior Sister."

Gu Ningshuang rushed over in two or three hurried steps, reaching out as if to touch his shoulder, yet stopping halfway, as though afraid the person before her would vanish like a bubble.

"Where have you been all this time?"

Her voice carried suppressed anger and worry she could not conceal.

"I sent you Communication Jade Talismans countless times, and you never responded!"

Gu Sheng looked at her slightly reddened eyes, and his heart softened.

"It’s a long story..."

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Gu Ningshuang cut him off, her voice gradually rising.

"Especially after I heard you clashed head-on with Shen Qingyun, I..."

Her voice halted abruptly as she forced herself to calm down.

"Forget it, as long as you’re fine."

Qin Yurou was watching with great interest from the side and couldn’t help chiming in.

"Oh my, Ningshuang, looking at you like this, anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re a little wife reunited with her long-lost husband!"

"What nonsense!"

Gu Ningshuang’s ears flushed red; she shot her a glare.

Gu Sheng cleared his throat lightly.

"Senior Sister, why don’t we find somewhere else to talk? It’s not very convenient here."

Gu Ningshuang glanced around and saw several passing disciples already casting curious looks their way.

She thought for a moment.

"Let’s go to my place. There are still lectures this afternoon, so the residential area will be quiet."

The three of them followed a winding stone path and arrived before a secluded little courtyard.

Three crabapple trees were planted by the gate; their pink-white blossoms were in full bloom. As the breeze brushed past, petals drifted down like snow.

Gu Sheng stopped and stared, a look of reminiscence surfacing in his eyes.

"Crabapple trees..."

"I remember our first meeting was also under a crabapple tree."

Gu Ningshuang’s voice softened as she reached out and caught a falling petal.

"Back then you were only this tall."

She gestured to a height at her shoulder.

Gu Sheng chuckled quietly.

"Senior Sister was already a little beauty back then."

"Smooth talker!"

Gu Ningshuang rolled her eyes at him, but the corners of her lips couldn’t help lifting.

She pushed open the courtyard gate.

"Come in."

The courtyard was simply furnished; an old plum tree leaned at a slant against a corner of the wall, and the stone table and benches were spotless.

Gu Ningshuang led them through the front yard and into the training ground at the back.

"Senior Sister’s life is quite elegant."

Gu Sheng looked around, his gaze pausing for a moment on the weapons rack at the edge of the training ground.

Gu Ningshuang gave a soft snort.

"Don’t change the subject. You can talk now, right? Just what have you been doing all this time..."

"Senior Sister."

Gu Sheng suddenly interrupted her, a sly look in his eyes.

"How about we practice a bit first? It’s been so long—let me see if your swordsmanship has improved."

Gu Ningshuang was stunned for a moment, then broke into a laugh.

"You... still insist on doing things the unconventional way."

She shook her head, but didn’t refuse.

"Fine, let me see if you’ve been slacking off during this time."

Qin Yurou folded her arms across her chest and retreated to the edge of the field with great interest.

"This should be fun. I’ll be the referee."

Gu Ningshuang took out a pure snow-white longsword from her Storage Ring; the blade glinted with a biting cold light.

"The Snow-cutting Sword, a gift from Master last year."

She flicked her wrist, the sword tip drawing a graceful arc through the air.

"I’m already at the First Level of the Earth Martial Realm now, so you’d better be careful."

Gu Sheng nodded, but showed no intention of drawing a weapon.

He merely lifted his hand slightly, spiritual light condensing at his fingertip into a semi-transparent Qi Sword.

"You’re just going to use that?"

Gu Ningshuang raised a brow.

"It’s enough."

Gu Sheng smiled.

Gu Ningshuang didn’t say anything more. Her figure suddenly shot forward, the Snow-cutting Sword whipping up a bone-piercing gust as it thrust straight for Gu Sheng’s throat.

This strike was swift as lightning; wherever the sword tip passed, even the air seemed to freeze.

Qin Yurou sucked in a sharp breath at the edge of the field.

"Ningshuang’s going all out!"

Yet Gu Sheng only tilted his body slightly, his Qi Sword making a light, casual lift that dissolved the fierce attack.

At the instant the two swords met, Gu Ningshuang felt as if her sword momentum had slammed into an invisible wall, seven-tenths of her force being neutralized.

"Senior Sister’s swordsmanship has indeed improved a lot."

Gu Sheng praised, his steps shifting as he easily dodged the three consecutive thrusts that followed.

There was surprise in Gu Ningshuang’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by battle intent.

"Stop sweet-talking! Watch the sword!"

She spun, her sword moves suddenly changing from fierce direct thrusts to a dense, rain-like web of blades.

This was the "Flying Snow Sword Technique" she had recently comprehended; sword light scattered like falling snow, seeming gentle yet hiding lethal intent beneath.