Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1276 - 662: Endure

"The Seven Great Sacred Lands recruit disciples every three years. This time, Qinghe Holy Land is said to be accepting three hundred people."

Ling Xiao explained in a low voice.

"With so many people, it’ll be easy for us to blend in."

Gu Sheng nodded.

"But once we enter the Holy Land, our disguises..."

"Let’s take it one step at a time."

Ling Xiao interrupted him.

"It’s better than being hunted outside."

At that moment, a golden bell flew out from within the stone gate and hovered above the plaza.

The bell’s sound was melodious, yet it contained an intimidating power that instantly silenced the noisy crowd.

"It’s starting."

Ling Xiao was somewhat excited.

"Dong——"

The resonant bell sound reverberated through the sky as Ling Xiao’s eyes sparkled brilliantly.

"Is it necessary?"

Gu Sheng glanced at him sideways, his voice lowered to a whisper.

"For a competition of this level, we could win with our eyes closed."

Ling Xiao chuckled and rubbed his hands together.

"You wouldn’t understand the thrill of overwhelming novices."

The tense contestants looked like lambs to the slaughter in his eyes.

Gu Sheng shook his head helplessly, about to speak when he suddenly froze.

An extremely terrifying aura descended from the sky, causing his breath to stop.

He quickly looked up to see a shadow drifting down from the direction of Qinghe Holy Land.

"Beyond the Tribulation Crossing Realm..."

Gu Sheng’s pupils contracted, and the Spiritual Power in his body instinctively activated to resist the pressure.

A silver-haired elder lightly landed, his black robe fluttering without wind, his deep eyes sweeping over the plaza. Wherever his gaze passed, contestants all lowered their heads.

Gu Sheng felt a pang of fear, hastily restraining his aura, afraid that the elder would notice something unusual.

"The selection for Qinghe Holy Land is divided into three rounds."

The elder’s voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone’s ears.

"The first round, aptitude screening."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the ground shook violently.

Gu Sheng lost his footing, nearly falling, but quickly steadied himself.

The ground in the center of the plaza cracked open, and a dazzling Light Gate rose from the ground, its white light soaring skyward.

"Those who pass through the Light Gate are deemed qualified."

After the elder spoke, he waved his sleeve, announcing the start of the selection.

The crowd erupted instantly, rushing toward the Light Gate in a frantic scramble.

Screams echoed continuously as many figures were thrown back by the Light Gate, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Interesting."

Ling Xiao chuckled, stroking his chin.

Gu Sheng tried to probe the Light Gate with his Divine Sense, but a powerful force rebounded, causing sharp pain in his Sea of Consciousness.

"Don’t bother."

Ling Xiao patted his shoulder.

"I’ll go test it out for you."

"Wait!"

Gu Sheng hurriedly transmitted a message.

"Pay attention to details in the Light Gate’s inspection, especially—"

"Got it, got it!"

Ling Xiao impatiently waved his hand and strode boldly toward the Light Gate.

Gu Sheng watched his friend’s back nervously.

As Ling Xiao stepped into the Light Gate, the white light enveloped him completely.

The light was intensely penetrating, as if it could see through the most hidden corners of the human body.

But after just a moment, Ling Xiao casually walked out and turned back to make a face at Gu Sheng.

"How was it?"

Gu Sheng transmitted a question, his palms already sweaty.

"Didn’t feel much."

Ling Xiao responded nonchalantly.

"Just the white light scanned over, felt like a tickle. Maybe I’m too exceptional, it didn’t have time to react."

Gu Sheng’s mouth twitched.

"Be serious! Did it probe your Sea of Consciousness or... any special areas?"

"Don’t worry."

Ling Xiao got serious for a moment.

"It was just a regular aptitude test, no secrets involved. But..."

He suddenly lowered his voice.

"I sensed a strange aura in the depth of the Light Gate, like..."

"Like what?"

Gu Sheng’s heart tightened.

"Can’t say, we’ll talk when you come out."

Ling Xiao gestured for him to hurry and take the test.

Gu Sheng walked slowly toward the Light Gate.

Each step felt like walking on the edge of a blade, his mind flashing with countless possibilities—what if the Gate of Eternal Life was discovered? What if their identities were exposed?

At the Light Gate, he paused for a moment, then gritted his teeth and stepped in.

In an instant, blinding white light enveloped him completely.

Gu Sheng felt countless hair-thin energies penetrating his body, traveling along his meridians, exploring every corner.

He inwardly inspected himself, a wave of horror washing over him as he observed the white light encroaching further into his Dantian, dangerously close to the ancient aura emanating from the Gate of Eternal Life.

"No..."

Gu Sheng cried out in his heart, his muscles instantly going rigid.

At the very moment the white light was about to make contact with the Gate of Eternal Life, an immense force surged from behind, propelling him away from the Light Gate's influence.

Stumbling a few paces before finding his balance, Gu Sheng, thoroughly shaken, quickly verified his body to ensure the Gate of Eternal Life remained unharmed, and only then did his tension finally ease.

"See, I told you it would be alright."

Ling Xiao approached with a playful smirk, but as he drew nearer, he lowered his voice, speaking words meant only for Gu Sheng's ears.

"It’s always best to be cautious."

Gu Sheng responded with an exaggerated eye-roll directed at Ling Xiao.

They stood at the periphery of the plaza, just outside the Qinghe Holy Land's domain, the air thick with a multitude of voices. Yet, Gu Sheng couldn't shake the feeling of unseen eyes watching them from concealed positions.

Ling Xiao, however, stretched languidly, letting out an unconcerned laugh.

"Just act natural. The more relaxed you appear, the less attention you'll draw."

He casually retrieved a Spirit Fruit from his Storage Bag and took a bite, juice trickling down his chin as he exuded an air of complete nonchalance.

Gu Sheng's brow furrowed, and he sent a mental message.

"This is the enemy's territory, can't you be a little..."

"Relax."

Ling Xiao cut him off, dabbing his mouth with the sleeve of his robe.

"Take a look over there—"

He subtly indicated a group of cultivators clad in blue robes who were managing the crowd from a distance.

"The most powerful among them is merely in the Nascent Soul Stage. This implies they don't consider us a genuine threat."

Gu Sheng followed Ling Xiao's gaze and confirmed that, just as his companion had stated, the disciples dispatched by the Qinghe Holy Land to maintain order possessed only moderate cultivation levels.

The tightness in his chest eased slightly, and he offered a small, acknowledging nod.