Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1133 - 590: Seeking Another Place (Part 2)

"Are you suggesting... he intends to use us as bait against these Demon Beasts?"

"That is quite possible."

"Then why on earth didn't he simply say so?"

"With his temperament, how could he possibly ask for help? We were the ones who invited him to join, so we are lucky he even found an excuse to keep us near. It seems there is finally a shift in his attitude."

"Are we really heading out to track down the Demon Beast tomorrow?"

"We go. We need to determine their numbers and understand why the Kunming Sect members are unable to manage the situation themselves. Perhaps these Demon Beasts are our golden opportunity to trade for high-level Xuan Iron."

Grasping his implication, Bai Yu chuckled.

"Gu Sheng, how did you become so sharp? Lan Yao spoke only a few words, and you have already deduced the entire situation; what exactly is going on inside that head of yours?"

As he spoke, Bai Yu peered up at his friend's head with mock scrutiny.

Gu Sheng felt a surge of exasperation and gave him a firm shove.

"Clear off, get some space; you are being disgusting."

"Oh, so holding Hong Mei’s hand is perfectly fine, but sitting beside you is disgusting? That is quite the double standard!"

"I enjoy holding her hand; regardless, keep your distance."

Gu Sheng shifted away again, but Bai Yu, feigning indignation, followed and pressed his arm against him.

Gu Sheng gave him another light nudge and moved further down.

Witnessing this, Bai Yu simply scooted closer once more.

While the two acted like children, Hong Mei arrived.

Watching them, she couldn't help but smile until tears formed in her eyes.

"You are both renowned figures in the Martial World, how can you act so childishly?"

"It is not my fault he is acting like a clingy plaster."

Saying this, Gu Sheng stood up abruptly, effectively shaking Bai Yu off.

"The game outside has been roasted; if you do not hurry, Shi Lou and Er Gou will finish every last bite."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu scrambled up and rushed outside.

Gu Sheng took Hong Mei’s hand, and they walked out together.

Around the bonfire, everyone was enjoying the feast.

When he spotted Gu Sheng, Er Gou proudly hoisted a roasted leg into the air.

"Brother Sheng, come quickly, I saved this especially for you."

The words had barely left his lips before Bai Yu lunged to take a bite. Shi Lou noticed the attempt and immediately tackled him to the ground.

"Brother Sheng, come over here now!"

Gu Sheng quickened his pace and gripped the roasted leg in his hand.

"Hong Mei, have you had enough to eat?"

"Yes, I already finished the other leg."

"Are you full?"

"I am completely satisfied."

After receiving her confirmation, Gu Sheng began to feast, leaving Bai Yu pinned beneath Shi Lou, watching as Gu Sheng savored the meal.

With most of the wild game consumed, the group began to succumb to drowsiness after their hearty meal.

Seeing them struggling to stay awake, Gu Sheng chuckled and said, "You should all get some rest, I will keep watch."

No sooner had he spoken than Huang Shan stood up.

"Brother Sheng, I am not tired; you should rest, and I will take over the watch."

Understanding his intent, Gu Sheng smiled and patted his shoulder, "It is alright, go get some rest, quickly."

Ultimately, Gu Sheng remained on guard while the others retired to sleep.

Once their presence faded, Gu Sheng summoned a small tripod to seal the mouth of the cave.

As the sky darkened, the stars began to twinkle with intense clarity on the horizon.

Gu Sheng sat alone at the cave entrance, lost in his own thoughts.

The aura swirled around him, drawing Sun and Moon Essence into his pores; even while idle, the fatigue dissipated, and his Dantian refilled steadily.

Unsure how much time had elapsed, Gu Sheng heard a low, guttural growl.

Intuition sensing danger, he became instantly alert.

When he scanned the area, however, the growling sound suddenly ceased.

Gu Sheng released a thin thread of Spiritual Energy to investigate thoroughly, yet he discovered nothing.

Frowning, he stood up and pulled back his surrounding aura.

Just then, the growl echoed again.

Gu Sheng focused intently, and as the sound repeated, he pinpointed its exact origin.

After careful consideration, he chose not to venture out alone, choosing instead to project a trace of Divine Power to scout the area.

Moments later, the Divine Power retracted, and Gu Sheng’s expression darkened.

Lan Yao was correct; Demon Beasts were indeed present, and they were powerful, seemingly carrying the lingering aura of the Kunming Mountain people.

Realizing the truth, Gu Sheng grew stiff, looking at his own palm in disbelief.

A moment later, he channeled the Qi from his Dantian and projected it forward with intensity.

This time, he felt it with clarity; the Demon Beast undoubtedly possessed the aura of the Kunming Mountain disciples.

Confirming his fears, Gu Sheng compressed his lips into a thin line.

He finally understood why Wang Chunshi forced them into the mountains; the Demon Beast had consumed several disciples, absorbing their aura, effectively becoming a member of the Kunming Mountain group. In such a predicament, Wang Chunshi and his men were naturally hesitant, as the shared aura caused interference whenever they attempted to strike.

"No wonder... so that is how it is."

After decoding the mystery, Gu Sheng remained calm, locking onto the Demon Beast’s location and marking it with a trace of Dantian Qi before taking his seat once again.

Since the creature was actively roaming, he could not simply abandon the others to hunt it, fearing it might be a diversion; the risk of regret was too high.

Therefore, Gu Sheng maintained his vigil all night, absorbing Sun and Moon Essence. Although he never slept, he appeared rejuvenated, his very skin glowing with the remnants of the essence.

Lan Yao could not believe his eyes when he saw him, rubbing them to be sure before circling Gu Sheng in awe.

"Gu Sheng, what kind of Demon Art did you use? How did you suddenly become so handsome? Did you swap your Human Skin Mask behind our backs?"

Hearing this, Gu Sheng offered a silent, wry laugh.

"I did not."

"You dare deny it? I am certain you swapped it!"

Bai Yu joined in, leaving Gu Sheng feeling entirely helpless.

"Hong Mei never left the cave, and her aura remains stable; when would she have had the time to help me change a mask? This transformation is merely a result of absorbing the Sun and Moon Essence; it has nothing to do with anything else."

Upon hearing his explanation, both men widened their eyes in surprise.

"Sun and Moon Essence can cause such a dramatic change? We absorb that essence often; how come we see no changes at all?"

"Perhaps... it is because you are both too weak!"

As Gu Sheng finished his sentence, the two were left speechless.

He was right; their cultivation was significantly inferior to his, but the disparity was jarring.

Exchanging looks, they stood up and declared, "We will take the watch tonight; we will attempt it as well! Who knows, it might actually work for us?"

Shi Lou let out a hearty laugh at their comment.

"Why can you not grasp the limits of your own cultivation? Brother Sheng is not an ordinary man, you should just go rest."

"Nonsense! I refuse to accept that!"

"The reality is evident; what is there to deny? Look at me; I never compare myself to Brother Sheng because I know where I stand."

As he spoke, Shi Lou gave a sly wink to Lan Yao.

Witnessing this, Lan Yao felt a wave of disgust.

"Go away, stop being so disturbing; I still do not believe you, I insist on trying it myself tonight!"

Bai Yu nodded in agreement beside him.

Watching them, Gu Sheng smirked slightly.

"You are welcome to try, but do not claim I did not warn you. This is not strictly about Sun and Moon Essence; there are Demon Beasts nearby, and they are quite powerful, masking themselves with the Kunming Sect aura, which easily misleads the senses. Staying out here means dealing with that, not just absorbing the light of the stars."

Once Gu Sheng explained the danger, everyone’s eyes widened.

"So, there really are Demon Beasts? My intuition yesterday was correct?"

"Indeed, you sensed them correctly. Because that beast carries the aura of the Kunming Sect, you could not distinguish it from the allies. If you insist on staying out there tonight, be careful to discern the difference, lest you put us all in danger."

Hearing the severity in his tone, Lan Yao blinked innocently, "Actually, I think I will choose not to stay out there; my strength is not quite on par with yours, and bravery is useless if I just end up a nuisance. I was only joking with you."