Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1085 - 566: Luochuan’s Sensing (2)

Previously on Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World...
Gu Sheng approached a wary team of cultivators at the foot of East Mountain, learning they must wait for all sects to arrive before entering for fairness in claiming Spiritual Pearls. He sowed seeds of doubt by warning of the Fan Sect's potential ties to Evil Demons and their history of aggression, suggesting the gathering might be a trap to sacrifice lives for recovery. Settling camp nearby with his companions, they resolved to protect the pure-hearted group if danger arose. Luochuan sensed Saint Ya and his father departing unexpectedly, hinting at a greater crisis, while more teams arrived by day's end. Under the moonlight, Gu Sheng detected faint approaching footsteps, stirring unease.

Gu Sheng's mind shifted, and he promptly pulled out the Fire Spirit Dagger.

Right when he prepared to sneak away without a sound, the footsteps rushed by his campsite and slowly receded into the distance.

As the sounds of those steps grew fainter, Gu Sheng furrowed his brow in concern.

Pondering for a moment, he roused Bai Yu from sleep, and together they stepped out into the night.

Barely a few paces later, they spotted shadowy figures moving ahead.

A handful of individuals advanced shoulder to shoulder, their footfalls perfectly synchronized, echoing as if from one lone walker.

Observing as they stealthily neared another campsite, Gu Sheng and Bai Yu trailed behind, since that target was the very group Gu Sheng had initially befriended—a pure-hearted team without a trace of malice, one definitely worth safeguarding.

Creeping onward cautiously, the intruders halted just short of that group.

The cluster of figures pressed close, murmuring in hushed tones, which filled Gu Sheng and Bai Yu with an unexplained anxiety.

Faint wisps of evil aura now emanated from them, mingling with their Spiritual Energy, making the malevolent taint impossible to ignore. It was clear these foes harbored dark intentions.

Suddenly, the group dispersed, circling the campsite from various angles.

Noticing the evil aura surging from their palms, Gu Sheng inwardly cursed, thinking 'this is bad'.

"Bai Yu, cause a diversion from over here, and I'll slip inside to alert them. Stay vigilant."

Grasping his plan at once, Bai Yu gave a resolute nod.

"Don't fret. With all these prestigious sects around, a simple trick to divert their focus will make them hesitate to strike boldly."

Gu Sheng acknowledged with a nod, advanced a short distance, then glanced back at Bai Yu.

Catching the signal, Bai Yu instantly kicked up a racket.

Under the serene moonlit glow, Bai Yu's sudden clamor startled the intruders, halting their advance in surprise.

Seizing the moment, Gu Sheng darted forward soundlessly, weaving past them in a blur and penetrating straight into the enemy-targeted camp.

With Gu Sheng safely inside, Bai Yu kept up the din from his position, holding their focus firmly.

Though the foes refrained from rash moves, Gu Sheng had already infiltrated undetected.

As the camp's occupants stirred toward wakefulness, he flicked his fingers, channeling his Spiritual Energy to fully awaken them.

The group came to gradually, and spotting the unfamiliar Gu Sheng amid their tents, they recoiled in alarm, hands instinctively reaching for their arms.

Perceiving their reactions, Gu Sheng hurriedly signaled for quiet and whispered urgently: "I'm not your foe; I've come to caution you—hostiles have encircled your camp outside. They exude evil aura and wield weapons, poised to claim your lives. Stay on guard, everyone."

At these words, the fellow who had earlier parleyed with Gu Sheng rose to his feet.

"Is this truly the case?"

"I vow upon my life, every bit is the honest truth," Gu Sheng affirmed solemnly.

Noting Gu Sheng's grave expression, the man held his tongue but peered out from the camp's edge.

Sure enough, the lurkers lingered in the gloom. Bai Yu's ongoing uproar outside left them frozen, torn between pressing on or pulling back.

Catching sight of those silhouettes, the man accepted Gu Sheng's warning as fact.

He had scrutinized Gu Sheng's companions before, finding each brimming with potent Spiritual Energy and free of any evil taint; plainly, the outsiders weren't aligned with him.

"My thanks, brother; we won't fall to their scheme."

"They're no pushovers, blending Spiritual and evil energies, so tread carefully. The one stirring trouble outside to distract them is my comrade. When you're ready, I'll pull him back. He's isolated there, facing real peril."

Realizing Gu Sheng and his lone ally had braved such risks to tip them off, the group overflowed with gratitude.

"We owe you deeply, brother. This favor won't be forgotten. We're set now; slip away while you can—you've done more than enough. We can't pull you further into the fray."

Gu Sheng inclined his head, urged them once more to take care, then departed as quietly as he'd arrived.

Once outside, he snapped his fingers to signal Bai Yu.

Sensing Gu Sheng nearby, Bai Yu ceased his noise at once, slipping away via an alternate path to evade the intruders' notice.

With Bai Yu withdrawn, the adversaries showed no sign of relenting, sharing knowing looks before redirecting their stares toward the camp.

Gu Sheng eyed them with a icy smirk curling his mouth.

"Power meager, yet schemes grand. May you all suffer wretched fates."

Uttering that, he veered onto a different trail to link up with Bai Yu.

By the time they reunited, combat had erupted between the factions.

Observing the distant turmoil, Bai Yu struggled to hold back his excitement.

"Gu Sheng, reckon the camp dwellers will come out on top?"

"Not a chance they'll lose. When I got inside, they were still asleep, and it was my Divine Power that stirred them awake. Their roused might is overwhelming—they'd hidden it deliberately earlier; these attackers can't compete."

Relieved by this, Bai Yu exhaled deeply.

"These scoundrels can't be allowed to rampage unchecked; it's ideal if they're wiped out for good."

Gu Sheng gazed skyward, giving a subtle nod.

"They won't slip away; let's see what sect they're tied to soon enough."

Bai Yu strained on tiptoes for a clearer glimpse, but the range obscured details, fueling his impatience.

"Gu Sheng, why not edge closer for a better look? It's too remote; I can't make it out."

"Hold steady; we were just there, so traces of our presence linger. Let the battle rage on to scatter those scents, making it safe for us to approach undetected later."

Understanding this as the reason for holding back, Bai Yu thumped his chest reassuringly.

"Lucky you're with me, Gu Sheng; else, in my itch to spectate, I'd have blown our cover."

Gu Sheng let out a light laugh, offering no further comment.

The clamor of battle ebbed gradually, replaced by rising shouts.

Aware that nearby groups had roused and joined the fray, Gu Sheng guided Bai Yu toward their own site.

Noticing the route, Bai Yu fretted: "Gu Sheng, must we circle around like this? Why not cut straight through?"

"If you prefer to dodge Lan Yao's scolding, better loop back first before heading out."

The reminder hit home, and Bai Yu bobbed his head in resignation.

"Fine, I'll return ahead; Lan Yao's tongue-lashings are brutal, no holding back. A longer walk beats that nagging any day."

While Bai Yu grumbled, Lan Yao appeared on the horizon, drawing near.

Spotting the pair, she heaved a profound breath of relief.

"What mischief were you two into? Why appear only now? Trouble brewed over there; we woke to find you missing, terrified you'd tangled in it."

"We dipped in just a touch; headed over to tip them off, then returned for you. Come on, let's check the situation there."

Taking in Gu Sheng's account, Lan Yao agreed without pause, nodding promptly.

Rounding up Hong Mei and the rest, the group set off together.

Now, the would-be assassins lay bound, surrounded by assembled sects all denouncing them harshly.

Amid the throng, the man who'd conferred with Gu Sheng multiple times raised his voice in chill accusation: "These Beifeng Sect folk reek of profound evil aura. Sharing our base at East Mountain's base, they've plotted our deaths—undeniable signs they're Fan Sect allies! They're harvesting our Spiritual Energy-infused lives to extend their Sect Leader's lifespan!"

His declaration sparked chaos and outrage among the onlookers.

Pressing on, he declared: "The Fan Sect consorted with Evil Demons, striking Qikong Sect twice and inflicting grave harm. Fresh from that wound, they dangled the Spiritual Pearl rumor to draw us in, while dispatching killers in secret. I firmly believe the Fan Sect harbors sinister motives!"