Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1294 - 671: Xuanming Divine Mountain

A resentful and suspicious glare was cast by Liang Yu towards Gu Sheng as he departed.

Once the throng had thinned, only Su Yongchang, Gu Sheng, and Ling Xiao remained within the grand hall.

The Ancient Eye, still suspended in the ethereal expanse, had decelerated its rotation, appearing to lose interest in the remaining figures.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Gu Sheng finally broke the silence.

"Senior Su, this situation is..."

Su Yongchang responded with an enigmatic smile.

"Accompany me."

With those words, he turned and proceeded towards a lesser door situated at the hall's rear.

Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao exchanged a look, their eyes reflecting a mixture of bewilderment and apprehension, yet they felt compelled to follow.

Ling Xiao trailed behind Su Yongchang, his brow furrowed slightly, a sense of irritation simmering within him.

This Su Yongchang had maintained an air of mystery throughout, evading direct answers and merely stating they would understand upon arrival.

He subtly sent a telepathic message to Gu Sheng, who walked beside him.

"Old Su certainly enjoys prolonging the suspense, treating us like clueless fools!"

Gu Sheng, maintaining a serene facade with a steady gaze, replied via mental transmission.

"Ling, Senior Su did, after all, rescue us. Had it not been for his timely arrival, we would have met our demise long before. A degree of discretion is understandable."

"Hmph!"

Ling Xiao let out an inner, cold scoff.

"Who can truly ascertain his underlying motives? I sense a deeper current at play here."

With a tone tinged with concern, Gu Sheng transmitted his thoughts.

"You might be correct; a greater peril could lie ahead. As newcomers to this Nine Heavens Milky Way, we are ignorant of its ways and must exercise extreme caution."

While the two engaged in their clandestine conversation, a sudden, brilliant illumination assailed their vision.

A majestic celestial river, the Milky Way, was suspended above the Nine Heavens, enveloped by dense clouds, its spiritual essence so potent it seemed on the verge of physical manifestation.

Spirit Mountains, adorned with golden edifices, floated on either flank of the celestial river, encircled by soaring Immortal Cranes and patches of auspicious vapor.

"This..."

Ling Xiao's eyes widened, rendering him temporarily speechless.

Even with his considerable experience, he had never before witnessed such a profoundly awe-inspiring spectacle.

Gu Sheng, equally taken aback, quickly regained his composure, remarking in a subdued tone.

"Such a dense concentration of natural spiritual energy; a single day of cultivation here could equate to a month's worth of effort elsewhere."

Su Yongchang pivoted, casting a subtle smile in their direction.

"What are your impressions of this locale? I was not mistaken in my assurances, was I? This Nine Heavens Milky Way serves as the sacred ground of our sect, a sight seldom beheld even by seasoned disciples within a lifetime."

Ling Xiao merely curled his lips, electing to remain silent.

Gu Sheng offered a respectful reply.

"We are grateful, Senior, for the privilege of witnessing such a splendid panorama."

The trio continued their journey along the periphery of the celestial river, their steps seemingly firm upon solid ground despite the unfathomable abyss below, supported by an unseen force.

A serene, otherworldly melody of flowing water reached their auditory senses, possessing a quality that appeared to purify the mind, inducing an effortless state of relaxation.

A Spirit River, suffused with an unusual luminescence, materialized before them.

The river's surface rippled, seemingly containing the very essence of time and the cosmos within its gentle current.

Immortal Cranes and a variety of exotic birds wheeled and played in the sky above the river, bestowing a vibrant dynamism upon this tranquil domain.

"What is that..."

Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes, endeavoring to identify the source of the intermittent gleam beneath the river's surface.

Gu Sheng, perched atop an outcropping of rock and gazing down at the Spirit River, experienced a sudden constriction of his pupils.

"Ling, exercise caution! There is something lurking in the riverbed!"

As his words echoed, a colossal shadow, indistinct yet palpable, was observed drifting languidly beneath the water's surface, its mere presence instilling a profound chill, though its complete form remained obscured.

"A riverbed beast..."

Su Yongchang stated with disinterest.

"Fear not, they are disinclined to attack those on the bank without provocation."

Ling Xiao swallowed, compelling himself to maintain his composure.

"Senior Su, might I inquire as to the reason for bringing us to this place?"

Su Yongchang offered another enigmatic grin and gestured towards the river's edge.

"Direct your attention yonder."

Following his indicated direction, their gaze fell upon an elderly man engrossed in fishing.

The old man's countenance was weathered, his hair as white as driven snow, his simple robes exuding an immaculate aura, and he held a rune-inscribed fishing rod, radiating an air of transcendent grace.

"That is my mentor."

Su Yongchang spoke in a hushed tone.

"It is my intention to introduce you both to him."

Gu Sheng's gaze sharpened as he observed the old man's right sleeve lie empty, revealing that he was, in fact, one-armed. His heart gave a jolt, but he swiftly concealed his surprise.

Su Yongchang guided the two young men forward at a measured pace towards the riverbank, halting a dozen meters distant to offer a respectful salutation.

"Master, I have brought two promising youths to meet you."

The elderly man fishing presented his back to them, appearing completely absorbed in his activity and showing no outward reaction.

Su Yongchang maintained his composure, his lips moving only slightly as he obviously conveyed the circumstances to his master via voice transmission.

Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao remained utterly still, scarcely daring to inhale.

A gentle current stirred the river's surface, lifting the old man's white hair and revealing his somewhat gaunt profile.

"Master."

Su Yongchang's voice transmission reached the old man.

"These two are blessed with exceptional talent, particularly Qing Feng, who shows indications of an Ancient bloodline awakening within. I felt it prudent to bring them directly to you, fearing that a standard talent assessment might draw the attention of other Elders."

The fishing old man offered a subtle nod, yet his fishing rod remained perfectly still.

Abruptly, an unforeseen event transpired!

The river's surface erupted violently as a colossal shadow burst forth, its gaping maw engulfing the bait and dragging the entire fishing rod beneath the riverbed.

The powerful aura radiating from this shadow was akin to an immovable mountain, compelling Su Yongchang, Gu Sheng, and Ling Xiao to stumble backward several paces.

"Heavenly Palace Realm!"

Gu Sheng gasped inwardly, his shock palpable.

"And at least the mid-Heavenly Palace stage! Such a formidable presence, and it's merely... a fish?"

The fishing old man finally made his move.

He slowly rose, his form exuding an aura that dwarfed even the formidable beast from the riverbed.

A profound sense of awe washed over Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao, their legs weakening considerably, nearing the point of collapsing to their knees.