Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1229 - 638: Get Out of the Way!_2

"Is that bastard Immortal King targeting my sister again?"

Gu Sheng's eyes blazed with fury, his voice cracking.

The Great Elder gave a solemn nod.

"Gongsun Yue absconded with your sister. Although they met with perils along their path, yet..."

"The Azure Dragon Immortal King, brother to the Tianxuan Divine Girl, made an appearance. He subdued the Qiankun Venerate King and even administered a severe beating."

Gu Sheng was utterly taken aback.

"Azure Dragon Immortal King? Why would he..."

"Consider it a form of compensation for the broken engagement."

From his sleeve, the Great Elder produced a jade pendant of striking blue and presented it to Gu Sheng.

"The Azure Dragon Immortal King left this behind. He stated that should you decide to shatter it, he would manifest to assist you with a single request."

Gu Sheng accepted the jade pendant. Its surface felt smooth as polished jade, and it emanated a potent, heart-pounding power.

His gaze fixed intently on the jade pendant, a fierce internal debate raged within him.

Should he shatter it now, summon the Azure Dragon Immortal King, and demand an explanation? Or should he...?

"I would advise you to keep it for now."

The Great Elder, having perceived Gu Sheng's wavering thoughts, offered his counsel.

"This jade pendant could very well preserve your life during a moment of dire need."

Gu Sheng forcefully reined in the tempest of anger within his chest, carefully tucking the jade pendant into his robes.

"Where are Gongsun Yue and my sister presently located?"

"They are safe."

The Great Elder offered his reassurance.

"The Azure Dragon Immortal King personally escorted them to a secure haven. However..."

The Elder's momentary hesitation sent a jolt of anxiety through Gu Sheng.

"However, what?"

"Though the Qiankun Venerate King has been subdued, the Supreme Immortal Sect will undoubtedly pursue this matter relentlessly. Returning to the Tianlan Sacred Land at this juncture would be exceptionally perilous."

Gu Sheng fell into a thoughtful silence.

"I shall not be returning."

"What?"

The Great Elder's brow furrowed in surprise.

"At this very moment, enemies are everywhere, actively seeking your whereabouts!"

"Precisely because of that factor, I cannot return."

"Should I rejoin the Sacred Land, it would merely invite calamity upon the entire sect. Furthermore..."

Gu Sheng reached a hand to his chest, where a golden seed pulsed with latent power.

"I have substantial reasons to continue my arduous trials."

The Great Elder regarded Gu Sheng with a prolonged, searching gaze.

"Very well. You have always possessed a resolute will since your youth. However, from this moment forth, you must conceal your true identity."

He retrieved a black mask from his Void Ring.

"This is the 'Night Shadow Veil.' Once donned, it possesses the ability to alter one's appearance and aura so effectively that even True Immortals would struggle to perceive your true nature."

Gu Sheng accepted the mask; its touch was chillingly cold.

The mask was entirely black, featuring two narrow eye slits, and its edges were adorned with intricate, dark golden patterns that seemed to flow.

"Bear this in mind."

The Great Elder issued a stern admonition.

"Unless it becomes absolutely imperative, refrain from displaying your true strength, and avoid utilizing your most recognizable Magical Treasure."

Gu Sheng nodded, settling the mask upon his face.

The black mask conformed perfectly to his features, and Gu Sheng could feel it fundamentally altering his very essence.

He attempted to extend a sliver of his Divine Sense to examine himself, only to be astonished to find that even his own thoughts could not pierce the veil of disguise.

"An extraordinary artifact!"

Gu Sheng uttered a soft exclamation of approval.

With this 'Night Shadow Veil' now equipping him, navigating the treacherous Xinghong Spirit Domain would indeed be considerably more secure.

His gaze drifted westward, in the direction of the Qinghe Holy Land.

Ten Thousand Ghost Ridge — a place rumored to be the nexus for Ghost Cultivators and those of nefarious practices — was precisely his intended destination for this expedition.

It was only through undergoing harsh tempering within such dangerously volatile environments that one could rapidly ascend to the Dao Palace Realm.

After exchanging a final farewell with the Great Elder, Gu Sheng set off resolutely towards the west.

Along his journey, he encountered various formidable spirit beasts. Whether they were Three-eyed Demon Wolves or imposing Iron-backed Bears, he dispatched them with decisive blows, never allowing them to impede his progress.

The terrain beneath his feet gradually morphed, transitioning from lush, verdant forests to an unending expanse of yellow sand.

Under the relentless glare of the sun, the scorching desert generated shimmering waves of heat. Yet, Gu Sheng moved with an unyielding grace, as if treading upon solid ground, each footfall precisely finding purchase on the most stable dune.

A heavy, cloying scent of blood permeated the air, carried by the wind.

Gu Sheng's brow furrowed. The unnatural freshness of the odor was deeply unsettling, suggesting that a significant conflict had unfolded just ahead.

Before he could fully process this premonition, a colossal wall of yellow, stretching from earth to sky, abruptly materialized on the horizon—a sandstorm was descending!

Rather than retreat, Gu Sheng surged forward with increased velocity.

His muscles tensed with exertion, and a surge of True Yuan coursed through his body, coalescing into a thin, protective shield.

"Bang!"

The sandstorm descended, swallowing him whole.

In an instant, the world was stripped of all color. Flying debris and grit impacted his nascent shield with a barrage of sharp, percussive sounds.

Gu Sheng closed his eyes, focusing his will. He relied solely upon his Divine Sense to guide his path, pushing onward through the heart of the raging sandstorm.

Three agonizing hours later, as Gu Sheng finally emerged from the tempest, the scene that greeted his eyes left him utterly dumbfounded.

A time-worn city, nestled deep within the desert, emanates an eerie, dark red aura from its mottled walls, accompanied by a heavy, sanguineous scent wafting from within.

Curiously, no vegetation exists in its vicinity, presenting a desolate tableau outside, yet the city itself teems with life and activity.

"Intriguing..."

Gu Sheng resolved to enter the city and uncover its secrets.

As he neared the city gates, two guards adorned in black armor presented an imposing blockade.

One of them appraised Gu Sheng thoroughly before inquiring in a cold tone,

"Your designation? Your Sect affiliation?"

"You may call me Mo. I am a Rogue Cultivator, unattached to any sect," Gu Sheng replied, fabricating a name on the spot. His voice, altered by the mask, became husky and deep.

The demeanor of the two guards shifted instantly, becoming markedly respectful.

"Ah, Senior Mo! Please, do enter. Rogue Cultivators are most welcome in Blood Sand City!"

This reception was peculiar. Typically, sect-less Rogue Cultivators are held in low regard; why, then, are they so esteemed here?

The pervasive scent of blood acted like an unseen serpent, coiling around Gu Sheng's senses.

Following the guards through the imposing city gate, he found the interior to be a vision of bustling prosperity.

"Candied hawthorn! Get your fresh candied hawthorn!"

"Premium Spirit Grass available! Don't miss out!"

Vendors' cries echoed, and throngs of people navigated the crowded thoroughfares.

Gu Sheng's gaze briefly fell upon the young boys darting through the masses.

They were laughing and playfully chasing each other.

Notably, not a single female could be observed on the entire street.

"Is this your first visit to Linyuan City, sir?" the guard on the left inquired with a grin.

Gu Sheng offered a casual nod.

"Indeed. I'm curious, is there a market here for Cultivators to trade?"

The guard on the right displayed a flicker of surprise.

"Are you a Cultivator, sir?"

"I possess a modest understanding," Gu Sheng responded humbly, all the while keenly observing their reactions.

He noted that upon his mention of "Cultivators," both guards' muscles subtly tensed.

The scent of blood intensified.

Gu Sheng followed the direction of the pervasive smell, his eyes landing on a grandiose mansion situated at the city's heart.

Its vermilion gates gleamed with an unusual luster under the sunlight.

"Is that the City Lord's Estate?" Gu Sheng inquired casually.

"It is," the guard confirmed, his voice suddenly turning rigid.

"City Lord Nie's capable rule is the reason for Linyuan City's prosperity."

Gu Sheng feigned ignorance of the ghastly smile that briefly crossed the guard's face.

Deciding against an immediate visit to the City Lord's Estate, he instead turned down a different street.

"Might there be an inn nearby? I wish to find lodging first."

"The 'Drunken Immortal Inn' is just around the bend. It's the finest establishment in town," the guard responded enthusiastically, pointing the way.

As Gu Sheng crossed the threshold of the inn, a boy, perhaps ten years of age, skipped up to him.

"Big brother, you're not from around here, are you?" the boy asked. His complexion was tanned, and his large eyes, full of life, lent him an astute appearance.

Gu Sheng crouched down, a smile on his face, and gently patted the boy's head.

"How did you know?"

"Because your attire is unlike ours!" the boy replied with innocent candor.

"And you carry a pleasant fragrance, like a mountain spring!"

A stir of emotion moved Gu Sheng.

"Little friend, do you know where Cultivators conduct their trade in this city? I am seeking a place known as Ten Thousand Ghost Ridge."

"Cultivators?" The boy tilted his head in thought.

"Daddy said..."

A middle-aged man suddenly emerged from the inn's interior, his face ashen. He hastily scooped up the boy,

"Who told you to chatter, you brat!" he admonished. He then cast a fearful glance at Gu Sheng, as if encountering a monstrous entity, before retreating back into the inn with the child.

"Wait..." Gu Sheng began, intending to question further, but the sudden thundering of hooves behind him interrupted.

"Make way! Everyone, clear the path!"

Arrogant shouts accompanied the approaching sound of galloping hooves.

Gu Sheng turned to witness a man clad in black, astride a steed of pure obsidian, charging recklessly down the street.

Onlookers scrambled, with some unfortunate individuals unable to evade in time being directly run down.