Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1281 - 664: Expelled from the Holy Land (2)
Previously on Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World...
He discreetly sized up the lingering Evil Qi—for him, it was merely a gentle breeze.
However, for show, he still acted as if affected, his pace deliberately heavy.
"It should be slow enough now."
Gu Sheng mentally tracked the time, making a point to linger beneath the guillotine's shadow before 'struggling' to complete the test.
As he finally stepped out of the guillotine's proximity, a sense of helplessness washed over him—even with the delay, the total duration was still far too brief.
"I absolutely must spend more time in the insight trial."
Gu Sheng solidified his resolve, his eyes shifting towards the final challenge.
Looming before him was a colossal stone monument, easily reaching a thousand meters into the sky, completely obsidian black and possessing a surface smooth as a mirror.
This was the place where one was meant to grasp the Daoist Technique hidden within the monument.
"At last, I can legitimately prolong my stay."
Gu Sheng assumed a cross-legged position before the monument, feigning intense focus.
His Divine Sense penetrated the monument, instantly detecting a dormant seed within.
This seed exuded an frigid aura, representing the foundational essence of the Yin Dao Skill.
"So basic?"
Gu Sheng almost let out a laugh.
A Daoist Technique of this caliber was essentially child's play for him.
His original intention was to briefly examine it before withdrawing his Divine Sense, pretending to have misunderstood.
But the moment his Divine Sense brushed against the seed, an unexpected transformation occurred!
The dormant seed began to quiver, fine fissures appearing across its surface.
With a jolt of alarm, Gu Sheng hastily attempted to retract his Divine Sense, but it was already too late.
Crack—
A sharp, breaking sound resonated within his Sea of Consciousness, the seed fractured completely, and a delicate sprout emerged, bursting forth in a blinding white radiance!
"This is bad!"
Gu Sheng experienced a surge of fear.
The white light ascended rapidly, instantly bathing the entire assessment area in its glow.
The very ground started to shake violently, and the monument's surface became riddled with countless cracks.
Before Gu Sheng could even process what was happening, a potent expulsion force ejected him from the monument's vicinity.
Boom!
Stumbling out of the insight trial, Gu Sheng found the scenery before him rapidly shifting.
In a mere instant, he was back outside the assessment arena, now enveloped by a massive throng of observing cultivators.
An unnerving silence fell over the entire venue, every single person fixing him with gazes of utter astonishment.
Gu Sheng felt a throbbing in his head—things had spiraled disastrously out of his control.
Hum—
High in the sky, a colossal leaderboard abruptly blazed to life, all the names upon it commencing a frantic dance.
A Light Screen materialized directly within Gu Sheng’s Sea of Consciousness, prompting him to inscribe his name.
Sigh...
Reluctantly, Gu Sheng penned the characters "Qing Feng" onto the Light Screen.
The instant "Qing Feng" appeared, it erupted in a dazzling emerald light, ascending swiftly to claim the topmost position on the leaderboard, forcefully displacing "Ling Xiao" from first to second place!
One hundred and ten breaths...
Someone's voice quivered as they uttered Gu Sheng's score, their tone laced with sheer disbelief.
The venue lapsed into an oppressive quiet, everyone too stunned by the recorded time to utter a sound.
This... this cannot possibly be real?
Faster than Senior Brother?
A monster! He is an absolute monster!
Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd, swiftly escalating into a clamorous uproar.
The disciples of the Qinghe Holy Land could no longer remain composed, exchanging hushed words with troubled expressions.
Senior Brother is an unparalleled genius of our Holy Land, appearing only once a century!
Just who exactly is this Qing Feng?
Could the assessment formation have malfunctioned?
Gu Sheng felt the weight of countless eyes upon him, a mixture of shock and suspicion, and inwardly lamented his predicament.
He had intended to keep a low profile, yet here he was, the undeniable center of attention.
At this precise moment, a familiar voice cut through the air, tinged with clear displeasure.
Gu Sheng! What are you doing? Did we not agree to maintain a low profile?
Without even turning, Gu Sheng recognized the voice as Ling Xiao's.
He responded with a tone of bitter resignation.
This was an unforeseen accident... I didn't anticipate the seed would suddenly sprout...
An accident?
Ling Xiao's voice rose in volume.
Do you comprehend the situation now? All eyes are fixated upon you! Liang Yu's gaze in your direction seems... peculiar!
Hearing this, Gu Sheng instinctively glanced towards where Liang Yu was standing.
Indeed, Liang Yu was observing him, his expression unreadable and complex.
It's ruined...
Gu Sheng's heart sank.
Liang Yu was a crucial player in their scheme; if he were to harbor suspicions, their entire plan could crumble.
Qing Feng, my esteemed friend!
A booming voice suddenly intruded upon Gu Sheng's thoughts.
Turning his head, Gu Sheng saw an elder, his hair and beard impeccably white, approaching him with a radiant smile—this was none other than the chief examiner for this assessment.
I am the Third Elder of the Qinghe Holy Land, and I am overseeing this assessment.
The elder declared with evident joy.
My friend, your innate talent is simply astounding; you have truly broadened my horizons!
Gu Sheng swiftly offered a gesture of respect.
Senior’s praise is far too generous; I was merely blessed with good fortune.
Good fortune?
The Third Elder erupted into hearty laughter.
Completing the five trials within one hundred ten breaths is not a matter of mere luck. I intend to introduce you to my master; he greatly enjoys cultivating promising talents.
Gu Sheng was about to offer a polite refusal when a frigid voice abruptly cut in.
Third Elder, I find this entire situation highly suspect. This individual, Qing Feng, whose background is entirely unknown, managed to pass the assessment with such ease—there must be some form of deception at play.
The individual speaking was a young disciple adorned in the distinctive attire of the Qinghe Holy Land, his gaze fixed intently upon Gu Sheng, brimming with suspicion.
He must have employed some underhanded tactics!
Kindly, Elder, conduct a thorough investigation!
Other disciples from the Holy Land echoed the sentiment, contributing to the rapidly escalating chaos.
These individuals, typically considered the crème de la crème, found themselves publicly challenged and embarrassed by an obscure figure known only as "Qing Feng."
The cultivators allied with Gu Sheng also began murmuring amongst themselves; while they stood on the same side, an undeniable current of doubt flowed through their expressions.
Friend Qing Feng, regarding your exceptional score...
An elder, distinguished by his white mustache, who belonged to the same faction, spoke with noticeable hesitation.
Gu Sheng offered a faint smile.
Does Senior also deem it impossible?
The elder coughed uncomfortably, offering no direct reply, yet his internal skepticism only grew more pronounced.
CRASH!
A burly disciple from the Holy Land forcefully slammed his palm onto the table, causing the nearby seating to reverberate.
His countenance was grim, prominent veins bulging on his forehead.
Qing Feng! Do you truly believe this is a suitable venue for your games within my Qinghe Holy Land?
Gu Sheng’s gaze ascended, observing the disciple clad in a dark green robe, distinguished by three golden clouds intricately embroidered on his chest—the insignia that identified him as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Qinghe Holy Land.
What counsel does Senior Brother wish to impart?
Gu Sheng’s response was delivered with impeccable calmness.
Counsel?
The imposing disciple let out a derisive snort.
I demand you explain, for all to witness, precisely how you engaged in cheating!
A wave of clamor swept through the central plaza.
Exclamations of doubt, outright opposition, and sharp reprimands erupted from the assembled crowd.
Gu Sheng’s lips curved into a subtle smile.
Since your collective belief is that I employed deceitful methods, then so be it. Let it be considered as such.
Initially concerned about concluding the array too swiftly, he now saw an opportunity to request an additional assessment. This maneuver would serve to buy valuable time and divert some of the intense scrutiny.
You—!
The burly disciple found himself momentarily stunned by Gu Sheng’s unexpected response, his face flushing a deep crimson.
The other disciples representing the Holy Land were incited to an even greater degree of fury, their gazes now radiating palpable killing intent.
Gu Sheng's keen senses detected at least a dozen hostile Divine Senses converging upon him, several carrying a chilling, sinister intent to kill.
Such a remarkably astute young man!
After this assessment concludes, I shall ensure you meet your demise!
A mere Loose Cultivator daring to act so outrageously within my Holy Land!
Gu Sheng had sought only tranquility, but he had hardly anticipated such potent hostility emanating from the Holy Land's own disciples.
Silence!
A commanding shout, echoing like thunder, instantly quelled the rising tumult.
The chief examiner stood positioned upon the central dais, his white mustache drifting in the air, exuding an aura of innate authority that commanded universal respect.
The assessment array was personally constructed by our ancestral master, and its integrity is beyond any room for dispute!
The chief examiner's gaze, sharp as lightning, swept across the agitated disciples of the Holy Land.
Any individual who dares to disrupt the established order shall face immediate expulsion from the Holy Land!
An immense pressure emanated from the examiner, washing over the assembled throng and compelling the previously clamoring disciples to fall silent, albeit reluctantly. They retreated with respectful deference.
Gu Sheng offered a discreet nod of gratitude towards the chief examiner, whose gaze met his with a meaningful look, tinged with curiosity and appraisal.