Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1228 - 638: Dodge Quickly

"Rest assured, if I had any intention to harm you, it would have been done already. You possess the aura of an Immortal Seed, and only such blood can activate this teleportation array."

He then gestured towards the cliff. "Though the descent is perilous, a path upwards exists."

Skeptical but seeing no alternative, Gu Sheng gritted his teeth and nodded. He channeled his mental cultivation technique, compelling a drop of crimson blood to emerge from his fingertip. Miraculously, a golden luminescence flickered at the center of this blood pearl. "Such pure Immortal Seed aura!"

Ling Xiao reverently received the blood pearl and commenced chanting an arcane incantation. As the ancient words resonated, Gu Sheng witnessed a profound transformation in Ling Xiao's presence. The monk, previously jovial, now emanated a solemn dignity, a soft golden Buddha Light enveloping his form. Yet, interwoven with this sacred radiance was an unsettling aura that quickened Gu Sheng's pulse.

"What is this...?" Gu Sheng instinctively retreated a couple of steps. Suddenly, a dark glyph materialized on Ling Xiao's forehead, writhing with myriad menacing shadow demons, contorting and howling within its depths. Ling Xiao's eyes snapped open, unleashing twin beams of interlaced black and red light that sliced through the very fabric of space before them!

"Crack-" The void fractured, revealing two vortexes of swirling darkness, profound and unreadable. "Hurry! Into the left portal!" Ling Xiao commanded, plunging into the right vortex, his form instantly consumed. Gu Sheng stared at the ever-shifting black hole, his throat parched. Recalling the peril of remaining in this alien realm, he shut his eyes and leaped.

Upon entering, Gu Sheng felt the world dissolve into a dizzying spin. Immersed in infinite blackness, even his spiritual sense could not penetrate the void. Only the shriek of the wind and echoing explosions assaulted his senses. An unseen force tore at his body, dislodging his internal organs. "What infernal place is this?!" Gu Sheng roared in frustration, yet no sound escaped his lips.

Time became an indistinguishable blur. Just as his resolve began to waver, a faint luminescence appeared in the distance. The light intensified, coalescing into a colossal rift tearing across the void. "Boom!" Gu Sheng was violently ejected from the fissure by an immense force, crashing onto a soft expanse of grass. He greedily inhaled the air, the familiar resonance of spiritual energy nearly bringing him to tears. It was the Xinghong Spirit Domain! He had truly returned!

Not far away, Ling Xiao was sprawled on the ground, chuckling. "Hahaha! Buddha, I’ve returned!" Gu Sheng cautiously rose, his gaze fixed on the enigmatic monk. The day's events had been too bizarre; he resolved to depart discreetly while the other was distracted. "Master, I wish you well. I shall take my leave now." Gu Sheng offered a respectful hand gesture and turned to depart.

"Hey!" Ling Xiao's voice suddenly halted him, a knowing smile gracing his lips. "Leaving so soon? Won't you offer thanks to Buddha for your safe return?" Gu Sheng paused, a strained smile on his face. "Thank you, Master, for your assistance. I shall repay your kindness handsomely someday." Ling Xiao simply waved a dismissive hand. "Forget it, just go. However..."

"I have a premonition that our paths will cross again before long." Gu Sheng offered no further words, rapidly invoking his movement technique and vanishing into the verdant woods. Observing Gu Sheng's retreating figure, Ling Xiao touched the small lump on his shaven head, murmuring to himself. "An Immortal Seed host... this is becoming rather intriguing." He then cast his gaze towards the sky, the dark glyph on his forehead momentarily reappearing. "Infernal monks, Buddha is back, and your torment is about to commence!"

Gu Sheng journeyed alone through the dense forest, the dry leaves underfoot rustling softly. The palpable spiritual energy mingled with the familiar scent of flora. Undeniably, this was the Ancient Forest bordering the Tianlan Sacred Land, the very place where his cultivation journey began three months prior. "I really am back..." Gu Sheng touched his chest, feeling the steady, slow pulse of the golden seed within. He cast a glance back in the direction from which he came, certain that the peculiar monk, Ling Xiao, was not in pursuit.

A vast, oppressive force descended from above, causing Gu Sheng's hair to stand on end, his True Yuan solidifying in an instant. A figure clad in cyan landed before him, each step seemingly resonating with the very earth, causing the surrounding space to tremble subtly. "Great Elder?" Gu Sheng exclaimed in bewildered surprise. The cyan-robed figure materialized directly in front of Gu Sheng – an Elder whose beard and hair were as white as freshly fallen snow. He scrutinized Gu Sheng from head to toe. "You scamp, where in the blazes did you wander off to?" Before Gu Sheng could reply, the Great Elder continued, "You vanished without a trace upon entering the forest, missing for months! The entire Sacred Land believed you had met with a grim fate!"

"Months?"

Gu Sheng expressed his astonishment.

"But I was only away for three days..."

The Great Elder’s gaze intensified.

"Three days? Do you realize it is now late autumn? When you ventured into the forest, it was still midsummer!"

He then explained that in that peculiar realm, time flowed differently compared to their world.

"Great Elder, I inexplicably entered a strange world and encountered many inexplicable events. It was someone named Ling Xiao who facilitated my return."

"Ling Xiao?"

The Great Elder pondered this.

"Could it be the legendary 'One Flower One World' secret realm? No wonder... no wonder..."

He shook his head, his demeanor suddenly turning grave.

"Let us put that aside for the moment. Gu Sheng, you must cease your practice immediately and return to Tianlan Sacred Land."

Gu Sheng knitted his brows.

"What has happened?"

The Great Elder let out a sigh.

"The individuals from Supreme Immortal Sect have arrived once more, accompanied by the Immortal King."

"Qiankun Venerate King?!"

Gu Sheng’s pupils contracted, his fists clenching involuntarily.

"He dares to return? Did the Golden Simurgh Heavenly Monarch not issue a warning to him?"

"Circumstances have changed since then."

The Great Elder’s expression was complex.

"The Tianxuan Divine Girl is on the verge of marrying the Realm Son of the Azure Dragon Realm, and thus, they seek to dissolve the engagement with you."

This revelation struck Gu Sheng with the force of a thunderbolt.

"Break... off the engagement?"

While the engagement was primarily a political arrangement, the abrupt termination still left Gu Sheng feeling deeply humiliated. What fueled his anger even more was...