Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1271 - 659: Thunderous Roar

Ling Xiao nodded enthusiastically.

"I've devised a plan—we'll pose as sworn brothers from a secluded region. You can delve into the Sword Dao, while I'll focus my efforts on Buddhist Law."

"Sworn brothers?"

Gu Sheng arched an eyebrow.

"Blood brothers!"

Ling Xiao stated with utmost seriousness.

"This way, any peculiar behavior can be attributed to our 'profound brotherhood,' providing a convenient explanation."

"Observe this!"

With a dramatic roll of his eyes directed at Gu Sheng, Ling Xiao's body began emitting a series of unsettling cracking sounds.

His aura underwent a drastic transformation, the gentle and tranquil Buddhist presence completely dissipating, replaced by a sharp, menacing edge.

Even more astonishingly, his facial features contorted and reshaped, his stature visibly increased by about ten centimeters, and his gaze turned fierce and imposing!

"This..."

Gu Sheng's eyes widened in disbelief.

"How did you achieve that?"

Ling Xiao resumed his original appearance, lifting an eyebrow with a smug expression.

"It's a secret family technique, the 'Thousand Faces Illusion Technique.' No external tools are needed; the change originates from within."

Gu Sheng was deeply shaken by this revelation.

This secret art seemed perfectly suited for their current predicament! Mastering it could potentially boost their infiltration success rate into Qinghe Holy Land by at least fifty percent.

"Can a Saint Master-level expert see through it?"

Gu Sheng inquired with palpable eagerness.

Ling Xiao paused in thought.

"Unless they make a deliberate effort to probe with their Divine Thought, even a Saint Master would struggle to discern the illusion from reality."

"However, this technique is quite draining on mental energy and can only be maintained for a maximum of 24 hours."

Gu Sheng's expression turned grave.

"Teach me!"

"Now?"

Ling Xiao appeared taken aback.

"This secret technique is rather esoteric and challenging to grasp. Even with your talent, it would typically take at least..."

"There isn't enough time."

Gu Sheng cut him off.

"I sense our pursuers are drawing nearer."

In the distance, the sky faintly resonated with the sound of rapid aerial movement.

Both individuals instantly transformed into two streaks of shadow, vanishing into the dense depths of the forest.

As dusk settled, they discovered a cave nestled within an ancient woodland.

Lurking inside the cave was a Three-eyed Demon Wolf, possessing strength at the Heavenly Palace Realm.

The demon wolf met its end with Gu Sheng's sword piercing its throat.

"We shall rest here for the night," Gu Sheng declared, flicking a blood-like pearl from his sword.

"First, pass me the incantation for the secret technique."

As the campfire ignited, the cave became filled with the savory aroma of roasted wolf meat.

Following a hearty meal, Gu Sheng promptly retreated to the innermost part of the cave to commence his study of the 'Thousand Faces Illusion Technique' imparted by Ling Xiao.

"Let the heart move according to intent, let the form shift with thought..."

Gu Sheng softly recited the mantra, attempting to guide the spiritual power within his body along a specific pathway.

Initially, there was no discernible effect, but gradually, he felt a slight warmth begin to spread through his facial muscles.

Strands of spiritual power started to interweave beneath his skin, subtly reshaping the contours of his bones.

"Ugh..."

Gu Sheng emitted a pained groan.

The agony of forcibly altering one's skeletal structure was akin to the excruciating process of scraping bones to purge poison.

From the cave's entrance, Ling Xiao, hearing the commotion, couldn't refrain from offering a reminder.

"Don't push yourself too hard! Proceed with caution, or you risk damaging your foundation!"

However, Gu Sheng seemed to ignore him, gritting his teeth and persisting.

Every moment wasted only amplified their peril.

Sweat drenched his attire, the sheer intensity of the pain blurring his vision. Yet, Gu Sheng pressed on relentlessly until the first light of dawn broke in the east—

"I've got it!"

A low cry emanated from the cave's depths. Ling Xiao hurried inside, only to find that Gu Sheng's appearance had undergone a complete transformation.

He now sported a square-shaped face with a broad forehead and thick, knife-like eyebrows—a truly rugged looking man.

"You..."

Ling Xiao expressed his astonishment.

"Mastered it in a single night?"

Gu Sheng grinned, his voice now a touch hoarse.

"How do I look?"

"Like a monster!"

Ling Xiao shook his head, a hint of admiration in his voice.

"It took me three months to alter my face when I first learned it!"

...

Meanwhile, at the Tianlan Sacred Land.

Within the Heavenly Hall atop Holy Heaven Peak, the Tianlan Saint Master stood gazing out the window.

"Did the Grand Elder truly issue such an order?"

The elder kneeling below responded with utmost respect.

"Yes. The Grand Elder has commanded us to dispatch a communication immediately, summoning the Saint Master and all elders to Two Realms Mountain."

The Tianlan Saint Master turned, his brow creased with worry.

"All six Great Holy Lands are mobilizing?"

"It's more than just them." The elder's forehead was beaded with sweat.

"The Qinghe Saint Master is rumored to have personally arrived; the Grand Elder harbors the utmost apprehension towards him."

The expressions of several elders present in the hall shifted dramatically upon hearing this news.

The Qinghe Saint Master—one of the most formidable existences within the Xinghong Spirit Domain!

"Utter foolishness!" bellowed an elder whose face was flushed crimson, slamming his palm upon a table.

"Is it truly worth such immense risk for merely one Gu Sheng?"

The Tianlan Saint Master raised a hand, signaling for calm.

"The Grand Elder surely has his own strategic considerations."

He advanced towards the sand table situated at the hall's core, his gaze fixed upon the area designated as the Qinghe Holy Land.

"Nevertheless, this endeavor is indeed excessively perilous this time."

"Holy Master!" Feng Zhenshan could not refrain from interjecting.

"The Grand Elder over there..."

"I am aware!"

The Tianlan Saint Master suddenly ceased his movement, his robes billowing as if stirred by a phantom breeze.

Simultaneously, the flickering candle flames within the hall dimmed, and several elders instinctively drew in their breaths, heads bowed low.

When the Holy Master's displeasure surfaces, even the very air seems to congeal.

Following a prolonged silence, the Tianlan Saint Master abruptly posed a question.

"Does the Second Elder still remain at Siguoya?"

Feng Zhenshan appeared momentarily bewildered.

"Yes, ever since that incident..."

"Release him," the Holy Master commanded, cutting him off.

"Simply convey my decree, instructing him to expiate his transgressions through meritorious deeds."

The red-faced elder's countenance shifted dramatically upon hearing this.

"Holy Master! That individual, Xuanfeng, has consistently opposed the nurturing of Gu Sheng. If he..."

"Precisely because of that," the Tianlan Saint Master stated.

"His influence within the Holy Land runs deep. Should he fail to contribute his efforts, the successful execution of our plan will be exceedingly difficult."

With a turn towards the sand table, the Tianlan Saint Master delicately indicated the portion representing the Qinghe Holy Land with a fingertip.

"Dispatch an order for all elders to convene at Two Realms Mountain by the third watch. Furthermore..."

"Ensure the 'Shadow Guard' is placed on standby."

A tremor ran through Feng Zhenshan's entire frame. The Shadow Guard represented the Tianlan Sacred Land's most clandestine force, a unit that had not been mobilized in a century.

"I shall see to it at once." The old man retreated with haste.

Once the hall was emptied of all personnel, the Tianlan Saint Master proceeded alone towards the Book Collection Pavilion.

Illuminated by the pale moonlight, his silhouette took on a curiously stooped appearance.

"This time, you have truly presented me with a most vexing predicament."

...

A distance of several thousand miles away,

Numerous figures traversed the skies above a city within the Qinghe Holy Land at remarkable speed.

The Fifth Elder, at the vanguard of this group, clutched a blood-hued compass, its needle quivering erratically.

"Mere one hundred miles remain."

"That brat has finally ceased his flight!"

The Eighth Elder, following closely behind, expressed his unease.

"Fifth Brother, ought we not inform the Holy Master first?"

"Ignoramus!"

The Fifth Elder's reprimand was sharp and stern.

"If we await the Holy Master's arrival, will any of the credit remain for us?"

He caressed a jade talisman concealed within his sleeve.

This was a protective artifact personally bestowed by the Holy Master prior to their departure, deemed sufficient to counter any unforeseen crisis.

"Proceed at maximum velocity! Remember, we require him alive!"

Each individual effectively masked their presence, surging through the shroud of the night.

Unbeknownst to them, shortly after their passage, a shadowy gray form detached itself from the city walls' gloom.

"They have taken the bait..."

A faint luminescence emanated from the Tianlan Grand Elder's communication jade scroll.

, he suddenly ripped open the fabric of space itself! Violent spatial distortions instantly alerted cultivators across half the city!

"You ancient cur! Did you orchestrate this deliberately?!"

The Eighth Elder, turning back, unleashed a furious curse.

The Fifth Elder's complexion turned deathly pale.

"Pay him no heed! Our priority is to reach the destination first!"

...

Deep within the primordial forest, inside a secluded cave.

Gu Sheng's eyes snapped open abruptly, and he pressed down upon the dozing Ling Xiao.

"Someone approaches!"

"What?"

Ling Xiao jolted awake instantaneously.

"Impossible! I employed a Buddhist Secret Technique for concealment..."

"They are individuals from Qinghe!"

Gu Sheng's expression grew remarkably grim.

"At least thirty in number, and the one leading them... possesses formidable strength!"

He hastily reached for the black cloth enshrouding the Divine Sword lying on the ground, only to be met by a deafening roar!

The cave's ceiling detonated, and the cold light of the moon cascaded downwards!

Amidst the showering debris, dozens of figures materialized in the air, spearheaded by an elder with a flowing white beard and eyes ablaze with murderous intent.

"Fifth Elder, to personally intervene for a mere junior in the Heavenly Palace Realm, why is this necessary?"

The Eighth Elder inquired, his voice low, unable to entirely mask his profound bewilderment.

Several surrounding venerables also displayed puzzled expressions, with one inevitably whispering.

The Fifth Elder elevated his white eyebrows, a frigid glint flashing within his eyes.

"What do you comprehend? This child's destiny defies the heavens; he possesses the ability to transform certain fatal predicaments into escapes countless times over!"

A venerable with fiery red hair stepped forward, his hands clasped in a respectful gesture.

"I volunteer to undertake the mission, ensuring his capture alive..."

"Silence!"

The Fifth Elder's command was delivered with a resounding shout.

"How did Wang Xiu Jie meet his end? And Lv Feng, how did he die? Are you truly superior to them?"

His sharp words were like an icy deluge, instantly silencing the crowd.

Indeed, weren't all those powerful figures who had fallen already legendary, capable of shaking entire regions?

"Set up the Grand Formation!"

The Fifth Elder uttered no further words, releasing seven streams of golden radiance from his sleeve.

"Seal this entire mountain! Not even a single ant shall slip through our grasp!"

No one dared to hesitate, swiftly deploying their spiritual artifacts.

In a flash, a myriad of colored lights ascended into the heavens.

The Fifth Elder intricately formed seals with both hands, causing complex array patterns to materialize upon the ground, solidifying the spiritual power.

"Qinghe vermin! How dare you lay hands on Tianlan disciples?!"

A thunderous roar erupted from the Ninth Heaven!