Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1807: Chapter 916: All Apertures Unlocked! Power of Forty Apertures (Part 2)

Today, he was not wearing his usual moon-white scholar’s robe, but instead donned a simple gray-white hemp garment, which diminished some of his dignity as a Semi-Saint powerhouse and instead added a gentle, approachable elder-next-door quality.

But Gu Sheng’s mind was as clear as a mirror, already seeing through the seemingly serious exterior of this "Uncle Mingjing," hiding an inner self not quite as "steady," somewhat similar to his child, Tantai Bingyu.

Gu Sheng slowly got up, with a faint, elusive smile on his face, speaking with an implied meaning.

"However, Uncle Mingjing, this is after all the Ten Thousand Treasures Hall of the Tantai Family. If other Holy Realm beings could so easily sneak into the younger generation’s room... if word got out, it might not look good for the Tantai Family’s reputation, would it?"

He paused, his tone filled with certainty.

"Of course, I trust that such a thing would never happen."

Tantai Mingjing heard this, glanced at Gu Sheng, a touch of gritted teeth seemed to pass through his warm eyes, clearly catching the teasing in Gu Sheng’s words.

He took a deep breath, as if suppressing some emotion, and then lowered his voice a bit, getting straight to the point.

"Stop trying to fool your uncle! The thing you had Xuefei bring me last night..."

"The thing?"

Gu Sheng looked puzzled, interrupting Tantai Mingjing’s words just in time and asked in return.

"Is there something wrong with the thing? Was the imprint flawed?"

"There’s nothing wrong with the thing itself!"

Tantai Mingjing almost spoke through gritted teeth; he stared at Gu Sheng, his eyes sharp.

"But shouldn’t you give your uncle an explanation? Divine Forger! They’re the refining master considered unparalleled from the ancient times, traceable back to the distant past! A star admired by countless artifact cultivators! How could the elder... how could the elder possibly be called... called Gu Tiechui?!"

When he mentioned the name "Gu Tiechui," Tantai Mingjing’s eye corner uncontrollably twitched a few times, filled with doubt and a sense of near-collapse absurdity towards a belief when looking at Gu Sheng.

He couldn’t imagine that his spiritual master, the great being who conceptualized the portable space transmitting Divine Weapon and left behind such a marvelous book as the "Divine Casting Hundred Refinements Chapter," would bear such an... unassuming, even somewhat rugged name.

Gu Sheng’s face remained calm and innocent, he spread his hands naturally and replied smoothly.

"Uncle Mingjing, you’ve stumped this junior. How could I know what name the elder, the Divine Forger, went by? Perhaps it was just a pseudonym used while traveling the world in her youth? Or maybe there’s another hidden story? This has nothing to do with the inheritance I received."

In his heart, however, he muttered silently.

’That girl was originally named Tiechui, it was given by her blacksmith father who passed away. She sees it as a memory and stubbornly refused to change it. Later, I adopted her and brought her into the Beichen Imperial Palace, hence she took my surname, Gu... Can I possibly lie to you about this?’

Tantai Mingjing stared into Gu Sheng’s eyes intently, trying to find any trace of deception.

However, Gu Sheng’s eyes were clear as the sky, his face conveyed "it’s nothing to do with me," "I’m surprised too," showing such innocence that it was unassailable.

Tantai Mingjing held the stare for a while but eventually surrendered, starting to doubt everything. Could it really just be a coincidence? Or did the master really have such an unknown past in her youth?

He rubbed his forehead, forcing himself to temporarily accept this "harsh" reality, then turned to ask another question.

"What do you know about the elder, the Divine Forger, besides this "Divine Casting Hundred Refinements Chapter"? Such as her life, her preferences, where she ended up?"

Gu Sheng pretended to think about it, then slowly responded.

"Based on the few remnants in the ruins, it seems the owner of the ruins once accidentally encountered the then-young... Gu Tiechui, in some remote mountains and lakes.

Seeing her Qi-blood was different from others, and possessing an uncanny talent in forging, he took her out of the mountains and taught her skills. By the time the ruin’s owner fell due to some reason, Gu Tiechui had already mastered the craft and walked the world independently.

It seems... during one instance of forging some world-shaking Divine Weapon, she damaged her Source and subsequently left behind this "Divine Casting Hundred Refinements Chapter," then disappeared. It is said that she went to seclude herself somewhere for healing and looking for breakthroughs."

After finishing, he stopped and looked peacefully at Tantai Mingjing, saying no more.

Tantai Mingjing fell silent, eyes slightly narrowed, fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on his knee, seemingly lost in thought. Gu Sheng’s words were half-truths, they both explained some things and left enough room for imagination and mysteries.

After a short period, Tantai Mingjing took a long breath, his tone carrying an unavoidable regret, and said.

"This ’Divine Casting Hundred Refinements Chapter’... is an incomplete text."

He looked at Gu Sheng, his gaze complex.

"Only the ’Human Casting’ and ’Earth Casting’ stages have full inheritance, though broad and profound enough to benefit countless Artifact Refiners for life, the most core parts representing the peak of Artifact Dao, the ’Heavenly Casting’ and ’Divine Casting’ Chapters, however, are not recorded."

He shook his head, a sincere look of heartache spreading across his face.

"Such a pity, truly a pity! Had it been a complete inheritance, the help to your future cultivation path, especially in tempering a Lifebound Magical Treasure, would be immeasurable!

Even I, just giving a cursory glance at the section on the application of Space Law, gained such insights, previously unclear areas suddenly became clear! It’s a pity the elder, the Divine Forger, did not leave a complete inheritance..."

Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng’s brows slightly raised, he asked with a hint of a smile.

"Oh? From what Uncle Mingjing’s saying, it seems like the Heavenly Casting and Divine Casting Chapters would be even more helpful to you?"

Tantai Mingjing’s thoughts were exposed but he remained candid, directly admitting.

"Exactly! To be honest with you, the Human Casting and Earth Casting Chapters are for solidifying the foundation, filling in gaps, making my path clearer.

But the Heavenly Casting and Divine Casting Chapters might be the key to breaking through the current bottleneck, reaching a higher realm!"

His tone carried unmistakable longing, transforming into a sigh of helplessness.

"Unfortunately, without any trace of the elder, this inheritance might be hard to find."

Seeing him this way, Gu Sheng suddenly chuckled, his tone lightened as he spoke.

"Why be so discouraged, Uncle Mingjing.

Even though I have explored the ruins, there might still be undiscovered secret chambers or dark compartments? If you’re interested, I can tell you the specific location of the ruins; maybe with some luck, you might find more profound parts in there?"

With these words, Tantai Mingjing’s breath instantly became rapid, terrifying sharpness erupted in his eyes, and his body subconsciously leaned forward a bit! The ruins that might be the elder’s later residence! Its value is immeasurable!

However, the excitement lasted only a moment before he forcibly suppressed it.

He took a few deep breaths, sat back upright, shook his head, his tone returning to the previous gentleness, yet with unwavering determination.

"No. Since the ruins are your chance, as much as I’m passionate about Artifact Dao, I will not resort to taking opportunities from the younger generation. This matter, let it not be mentioned again."

He paused, looking sincerely at Gu Sheng, then changed the subject.

"However... if in the future your cultivation is sufficient and you decide to visit the old site again, could you... help your uncle look for the whereabouts of the Heavenly Casting and Divine Casting Chapters?"

His tone carried a hint of negotiation, even a slight and almost unnoticeable plea.

"If you do find them and are willing to share with your uncle, I, Tantai Mingjing, will repay you with the utmost sincerity! Ensuring you won’t suffer any loss!"

Gu Sheng looked into Tantai Mingjing’s eyes, filled with hope yet restrained and principled, and found himself holding him in higher regard.

He hesitated not at all and readily nodded in agreement.

"Alright, if that day ever comes, this junior will definitely keep an eye out for Uncle Mingjing."

In Gu Sheng’s mind, the idea of revealing the ruins’ location was just an excuse.

He neither wanted to prematurely expose his true connection with the Beichen Imperial Palace and the Divine Forger, nor did he want to test Tantai Mingjing’s character.

Among the Tantai family members he had interacted with, whether it was Tantai Xueling’s cool dignity, Tantai Xuefei’s straightforwardness, Tantai Bingyu’s grace and etiquette, or the seemingly fickle yet principled Tantai Mingjing before him, they all exhibited commendable character.