Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1221 - 634: Deepening Misunderstandings (Part 2)

The Tianlan Saint Mother’s voice rang out coldly, spiritual power swirling fiercely around her.

Cold sweat dripped from the Seventh Elder’s forehead, as the Second Elder squeezed out a forced grin.

"Holy Mother, you’re exaggerating. We are simply..."

"Simply what?"

The Tianlan Saint Mother bore down without mercy.

"Simply sworn loyalty to the Supreme Immortal Sect, preparing to turn against the Holy Land?"

At last, the Second Elder’s face twisted.

"Holy Mother, watch your tongue! Where’s this accusation of treason coming from?"

"Where from?" Fury blazed in the Tianlan Saint Mother’s gaze.

"From your covert dealings with the Qiankun Venerate King! From betraying Gu Sheng’s location! From your underhanded moves today!"

Her presence intensified with every word, driving the two elders back step after step.

"Holy Mother, temper your wrath."

The Second Elder struggled to steady himself.

"This must be a misunderstanding."

"Holy Mother, you’ve got it wrong. We’re only considering the Holy Land’s best interests."

With a cold snort, the Tianlan Saint Mother fell silent, then turned into a streak of light and sped toward the Taoist temple.

Once she was gone, the Seventh Elder wiped sweat from his brow and muttered softly.

"Brother, do you think she’ll..."

"Fear what?"

A wicked smirk crept across the Second Elder’s lips.

"If we keep denying everything, even the Tianlan Saint Mother can’t touch us. Plus..."

Malice gleamed in his eyes.

"Whether the Tianlan Saint Mother makes it through today is anyone’s guess."

"Brother, you’re saying..."

Instead of replying straight, the Second Elder sneered,

"Come on, let’s tail her. I can’t wait to see the Tianlan Saint Mother’s face when the Qiankun Venerate King crushes that little girl."

"Gongsun, what on earth is going on?"

Gongsun Yue yanked Gu Yu along, the pair stumbling out of the Taoist temple, panic etched on her pretty features.

Gongsun Yue stayed silent, lips pressed tight, hauling Gu Yu full tilt away from the Water Spirit Pavilion.

Anxiety churned in her chest, spreading to Gu Yu and draining all color from the girl’s cheeks.

"Boom——"

A massive explosion roared from the distance, demonic qi erupting wildly from every side.

Gu Yu shuddered violently, nearly collapsing.

"Keep moving! Run faster!"

Gongsun Yue’s tone was desperate, her hold ironclad as she pulled Gu Yu forward.

Battling her terror, Gu Yu pushed to match Gongsun Yue’s speed.

The horrifying demonic qi closed in fast—she could sense it.

"Sister, what about my brother..."

Gu Yu’s words quivered.

"Your brother’s safe right now."

Gongsun Yue cut her off, eyes darting around urgently.

"We need a hiding spot immediately."

They dashed past a Spirit Medicine Garden, sharp Spirit Grass snagging Gu Yu’s skirt, but she ignored the rip.

Abruptly, Gongsun Yue veered off, tugging her into a hidden grove.

"A cave’s over there—I found it as a kid," Gongsun Yue blurted out.

"It has a natural barrier that hides all traces of aura."

Nodding through the ache in her ankle, Gu Yu strained to follow Gongsun Yue.

Gongsun Yue lightly touched the unseen barrier at the cave mouth.

Ripples spread across it like liquid, softening into clarity.

"Hurry, inside!"

Clutching Gu Yu’s wrist, she plunged them both through the barrier.

A chill like cool water washed over Gu Yu’s skin, then her view opened wide.

Far roomier than from outside, the cavern’s roof held dozens of luminous pearls casting a gentle milky light.

Even more astonishing, spiritual energy hung thick enough to touch, weaving into a hazy mist.

"This spot..."

Gu Yu’s eyes went wide, fear momentarily forgotten.

"I stumbled on this hideout when I was six."

A faint smile tugged at Gongsun Yue’s lips.

"Father has no clue it exists."

Barely had the words left her when savage demonic qi battered from beyond, shaking the cave faintly.

Deathly pallor seized Gu Yu’s face, her body curling into the corner.

"H-he’s found us?"

Her fingers twisted into her衣角.

Gongsun Yue swiftly set up concealing restrictions at the entrance and shook her head.

"Fear not, this barrier possesses unique properties, sealing off aura and all detection. He's merely passing through."

Approaching Gu Yu, she settled next to the shivering girl and softly wrapped her arms around those quaking shoulders.

"Meditate and steady your breathing for now; we'll emerge once the threat has passed."

Gu Yu gave a nod, her teeth pressing into her lower lip, yet she abruptly lifted her gaze to inquire.

"Gongsun, is my brother... truly out of harm's way?"

Gongsun Yue's mind flashed back to Gu Sheng drawing the enemies away single-handedly.

Forcing down her anxiety, she replied in a gentle tone.

"Your brother wields immense power; not even the Taiyi Immortal King can touch him. He'll come through unscathed."

Even as these words left her lips, a profound helplessness gripped her heart.

Were her own power sufficient, she wouldn't need to cower here alongside Gu Yu. With this thought, Gongsun Yue's nails bit fiercely into her flesh.

Beyond the cavern, the Qiankun Venerate King loomed atop the slope, demonic qi swirling around him.

His eyes swept the area, his expression dreadfully somber.

"Did those two pesky kids slip away from my pursuit?"

"It has to be that Gongsun family lass who employed some trick to mask their auras!"

Abruptly, he flung his arms wide, unleashing a horrifying demon thought that radiated outward.

In a ten-mile span, foliage shriveled rapidly beneath this demon thought, while lesser beasts burst apart in death.

"Show yourselves!"

The Qiankun Venerate King bellowed, his thunderous cry rattling the boulders.

Yet despite his relentless demon thought probes, not a hint of their presence emerged.

This left him seething with rage and utter bewilderment—how could mere girls vanish entirely under his Immortal King prowess?

Just then, a ray of light cut through the heavens as the Tianlan Saint Mother descended with elegant poise.

Spotting the solitary Qiankun Venerate King upon the hill, a faint ease washed over her.

"What's the intent here, Venerate King?"

The Tianlan Saint Mother demanded with icy sharpness.

"Daring to unleash demon thought wildly within my Tianlan Sacred Land—you show utter contempt for this holy domain!"

A frigid look from the Qiankun Venerate King met her gaze.

"Spare me the feigned ignorance! Surrender Gongsun Yue and the brat, and I'll overlook past slights."

Though her pulse quickened, the Tianlan Saint Mother betrayed no emotion.

"I've no clue what you mean, Venerate King. If Yue’er and Gu Yu were present, how could it escape my notice?"

While speaking, her divine thought subtly scanned the vicinity, shrinking her pupils upon brushing the hidden cave nearby.

"Hmph!"

The Qiankun Venerate King scoffed derisively.

"Tianlan Saint Mother, do you take me for some toddler? That brat fled straight here only to vanish—clearly, aid conceals them!"

Amid their heated clash, the Second Elder and Seventh Elder rushed onto the scene.

The standoff's tension between Tianlan Saint Mother and Qiankun Venerate King hung thick in the air.

"Venerate King." Stepping up, the Second Elder offered cupped hands in salute.

"Found anything?"

Irritably, the Qiankun Venerate King dismissed him with a wave.

"You pair, scour this region! The brat's lurking close by!"

Trouble creased the brows of Second Elder and Seventh Elder.

Helping an intruder hunt Sacred Land Disciples right before the Tianlan Saint Mother equaled blatant treason against the Holy Land.

Beads of cold sweat dotted the Seventh Elder's brow as he muttered under his breath.

"Why can't this fiend use private sound transmission? He's cornering us badly..."

A sharp glint sparked in the Second Elder's eyes before he bowed deferentially to the Qiankun Venerate King.

"As the Venerate King orders, we obey."

Her frosty stare impaled the duo from the Tianlan Saint Mother.

"Second Elder, Seventh Elder—are you aiding an outsider in hunting my Holy Land's Disciples?"

Poise unbroken, the Second Elder held steady.

"The Holy Mother misunderstands. We merely aid the Venerate King in verifying this area's security, preventing further discord."

The Seventh Elder hastily echoed agreement.

"Exactly, if Miss Gongsun and Miss Gu Yu aren't truly here, it vindicates the Sacred Land's honor."

A cold huff escaped the Tianlan Saint Mother, her silence masking eyes grown icier still.

Feigning a divine thought search, the Second and Seventh Elders went through motions.

As the Second Elder's divine thought grazed the hidden cave, his gaze flickered briefly before steadying.

Silently, he directed a faint thread of spiritual power at the Qiankun Venerate King.

Such a covert gesture evaded not the Tianlan Saint Mother's sharp senses.

Inner alarms blared within her, though outwardly serene, she watched the Second Elder's actions intently.

"Hahaha—"

Like thunder booming from the Ninth Heaven, the Qiankun Venerate King’s laughter shattered rocks in the mountains across a ten-mile radius and uprooted the trees.