Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1082 - 565: False Jianghu Rumors

As dusk settled in, the selection of seeds drew to a close.

Gu Sheng tilled a section of ground and meticulously planted all the seeds.

"Saint Ya, how long until these seeds sprout and grow?"

"Thanks to the Spirit Grass nearby, it'll take no less than half a month."

"A half month's wait... Saint Ya, while we wait, let's head out to track down the Fan Sect."

"Fine, but we have to stay alert during the trip."

Gu Sheng gave a nod and addressed the rest: "Get your things ready; we'll depart at dawn tomorrow."

Come morning, Gu Sheng guided the team away from Yunhai, embarking once more toward East Mountain.

Midway along the route, Gu Sheng sensed something amiss.

On their previous journey here, beyond thick woods and Demon Beasts, they met scarcely any souls. Yet now, the path teemed with far more travelers. In this forsaken spot, how could so many appear?

Observing the crowds passing by, Gu Sheng halted abruptly.

The companions also detected the oddity and looked his way.

Gu Sheng eyed the adjacent woods and plunged inside without delay.

After the others trailed behind, Gu Sheng called forth the small tripod to float overhead, shielding them from the outer realm.

Sheltered by the small tripod, Bai Yu furrowed his brow and remarked, "Gu Sheng, something's definitely wrong here. East Mountain's route is isolated and rugged; in theory, no one should pass through, certainly not in such numbers. Is this Saint Ya's handiwork?"

After pondering briefly, Gu Sheng agreed with a pensive nod.

"All these folks are moving the same way, chiefly to East Mountain. It's unlikely this bears no connection to them; maybe they're orchestrating it."

"What scheme does this old hag truly pursue? Is she plotting to shatter Jianghu? Amid mountains of corpses, what gain does she reap?"

"Amid endless slaughter, she could be scheming to rule the realm."

"Hmph! As if she merits such ambition!"

Lan Yao vented her rage, while Gu Sheng let out a quiet sigh.

"The full story remains unclear. We ought to hasten ahead and uncover it, lest these fools get deceived and perish pointlessly."

Grasping his point, the group rose swiftly.

Gu Sheng recalled the small tripod and pressed onward with his companions.

Deep into the night during their break, a black-robed figure drew near.

Sensing the energy radiating from him, a flicker of wariness lit Gu Sheng's gaze.

No words passed between them; the black-robed man stayed mute as well. They merely stared, eyes probing one another.

At length, the black-robed man yielded first and broke the silence.

"Brother, have you come seeking the Fan Sect?"

At those words, Gu Sheng held his tongue.

Unsure of the stranger's motives or allegiance, he refrained from disclosing his purpose hastily.

Noticing Gu Sheng's silence, the man creased his brow.

"Brother, no cause for such wariness. My intentions are peaceful. I'm merely inquiring if you're after the Fan Sect's Spiritual Pearl too?"

The mention of "Spiritual Pearl" brought a scornful grin to Gu Sheng's lips.

The Fan Sect reeks of malice; how could they lay claim to a Spiritual Pearl?

Should a true Spiritual Pearl fall into their grasp, it would likely shatter itself before yielding to their grasp!

"Are you pursuing the Spiritual Pearl as well?"

Gu Sheng spoke sparingly, and the man affirmed with a nod.

"Indeed, I let the Spiritual Pearl slip away before and refuse to let it happen again. Rumors say one has surfaced at the Fan Sect's East Mountain, drawing me there. En route, only a handful like your band possess potent spiritual energy. Upon arriving at East Mountain, you could prove our fiercest competitors, hence my visit tonight for a word."

The fellow adopted a milder voice, humbling himself somewhat, a tactic Gu Sheng grasped well.

"I see no point in discussion."

"Brother, I can provide rewards matching a Spiritual Pearl—gold, silver, riches, hidden techniques, Elixir Pills. Should you abandon the hunt for the Spiritual Pearl, all shall be yours."

Witnessing his firm conviction in the Spiritual Pearl, Gu Sheng exhaled deeply.

"Know you why I shun conversation with you?"

"Is my proposal insufficient?"

"No, it's that I doubt the Fan Sect holds any Spiritual Pearl. My aim is to probe, not contend."

His words stunned the man visibly.

"This affair buzzes through Jianghu's lesser circles, yet you dismiss it?"

"I do dismiss it. And why not? The Fan Sect lacks fame as a sect, tainted even by Evil Qi, tangled with Evil Demons. What right has such a group to a Spiritual Pearl?"

Once Gu Sheng concluded, the man's face shifted abruptly.

"Brother, surely you're not misleading me? Though the Fan Sect flies low in Jianghu, it's known to me. Ties to Evil Demons? Unthinkable!"

Pausing briefly, Gu Sheng replied, "I slew the Black and White Ghosts myself, minions of the Evil Demons. None grasps their links clearer than I. How befits a vile sect like theirs to claim a Spiritual Pearl? From what I gather, the Fan Sect Leader endures grave wounds lately, her inner poison beyond remedy. They spread tales of the Spiritual Pearl; do you reckon she's drawing you in to vie for it, or to serve as her cure?"

Hearing Gu Sheng felled the Black and White Ghosts, the man sweated coldly.

"That's... that's utterly devious."

"Precisely why I seek no dealings with you, wagering she possesses no Spiritual Pearl at all. Our mission is to unveil her scheme and spare upright sects from ruin."

Gu Sheng declared firmly, and the man seemed somewhat swayed.