Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1309 - 678: What’s Going On? (Part 2)

Gu Sheng passed the Azure Dragon Token to Ling Xiao.

"You handle this."

Ling Xiao accepted the Azure Dragon Token. With a flicker of silver light from her fingertips, she inscribed several small talisman arrays onto the token's surface.

"It’s done. At the very least, it can deceive any probes below the Earth Palace Realm."

By the time the first sunlight fractured the clouds, the two of them had already retreated to their temporary cave dwelling, nestled on the sheer cliff face.

An Illusion Array concealed the cave entrance, making it appear as nothing more than an ordinary rock wall from the outside.

"Hoo—"

Ling Xiao exhaled a long breath and slumped onto the stone bed.

"This night felt incredibly long."

After setting up a few more Guard Arrays at the cave's opening, Gu Sheng turned and entered.

"Stay put for the next few days. We’ll discuss things once the situation settles down."

"When do you intend to depart from Qinghe Holy Land?"

Ling Xiao retrieved several Elixir Pills and consumed them, her pale complexion showing a slight improvement.

Gu Sheng considered her question for a moment.

"Another half a month. We were fortunate this time; we only encountered some insignificant riff-raff."

His gaze turned serious.

"If we were to run into a true powerhouse..."

"I understand."

Ling Xiao nodded.

"However, our gains from this expedition were substantial, especially that Holy Infant Grass."

She looked towards Gu Sheng.

"Are you planning to use it now?"

Gu Sheng produced a jade box from his Void Ring. Upon opening it, a stalk of Spirit Grass, translucent and shaped like a tiny infant, rested within.

A soft, silvery luminescence emanated from the Spirit Grass, and faint cries, like those of an infant, could almost be heard.

"The Nine Dragon Heaven and Earth Technique's second level demands Ultimate Yin Power. The Holy Infant Grass is precisely what is needed."

Anticipation flickered in Gu Sheng's eyes.

"Guard me while I cultivate."

Ling Xiao nodded gravely.

"Have no fear."

Gu Sheng located a flat area, sat down cross-legged, and placed the jade box before him.

He formed a complex Seal Technique with both hands, held before his chest.

As the Cultivation Technique began to circulate, the temperature within the cave started to plummet drastically.

Ling Xiao shivered involuntarily and quickly channeled her Spiritual Power to ward off the encroaching chill.

She was astonished to see Gu Sheng's exhaled breath crystallize into tiny ice particles in the air, while a thin layer of frost already coated the rock surface beneath him.

"Such terrifying Yin Qi..."

Ling Xiao clicked her tongue inwardly and had no choice but to retreat to the cave's furthest depths. She promptly erected several Isolation Arrays to prevent the frigid aura from escaping and attracting unwanted attention.

Gu Sheng had already fully immersed himself in his cultivation.

The Spiritual Power within his body coursed through the pathways of the Nine Dragon Heaven and Earth Technique. With each complete cycle, the density of the Yin Qi increased.

Fine icicles began to form on the cave's ceiling, and delicate frost patterns gradually spread across the ground.

"Now."

Gu Sheng opened his eyes, took the Holy Infant Grass, and bit into a leaf without a hint of hesitation.

The leaf dissolved the moment it entered his mouth, transforming into an intensely cold liquid that flowed down his throat.

In that instant, Gu Sheng felt as though he had ingested an entire ice mountain, freezing him from the inside out.

Strange, bluish-gray markings emerged on his skin, and the blood vessels beneath became starkly visible, turning a deep shade of blue.

"Urgh—"

Gu Sheng emitted a low groan, veins bulging on his forehead.

The potent energy of the Holy Infant Grass surged violently through his body, akin to countless ice needles piercing his meridians.

The agony would have been enough to render an ordinary person unconscious immediately, but Gu Sheng merely gritted his teeth and persisted in circulating his Cultivation Technique.

Ling Xiao observed from a distance, her eyes filled with apprehension.

She was acutely aware of the perilous nature of cultivating the Nine Dragon Heaven and Earth Technique; a single misstep could result in the complete severing of one's meridians, leading to permanent crippling.

This was an ordeal Gu Sheng had to endure.

Time trickled by, second by second. The frigid air within the cave grew so dense it became visible, swirling around Gu Sheng like a wispy fog.

His eyebrows and the tips of his hair were now frosted over, giving him the appearance of an ice sculpture.

Abruptly, Gu Sheng's body began to convulse violently, and a faint blue fluid seeped from his seven facial orifices.

The moment this blood emerged, it instantly solidified into tiny ice beads, which fell to the ground with delicate, tinkling sounds.

"Gu Sheng!"

Ling Xiao couldn't suppress a cry, instinctively stepping forward.

"Don’t come closer!"

Gu Sheng forced out a hoarse shout, barely recognizably human.

"This is... Yin Qi Tempering Body... I must... endure it alone..."

Another leaf of the Holy Infant Grass was consumed, and this time, an even more unbearable agony engulfed Gu Sheng. He was forced into a curled-up position, his fingernails gouging into the rock, leaving behind ten deep, bloody ravines.

Witnessing this ordeal, Ling Xiao’s heart pounded with anxiety, yet he could do nothing but offer silent, fervent prayers.

After an immeasurable span of time, the chilling air within the cave suddenly halted its flow, only to then surge into Gu Sheng’s body.

The ash-blue lines that had marked his skin gradually receded and ultimately vanished without a trace.

Gu Sheng’s breathing stabilized, and his complexion returned to its normal hue.

As the final wisp of cold air was absorbed, Gu Sheng’s eyes slowly fluttered open.

His irises had transformed into a profound ice-blue. Wherever his gaze settled, the ambient moisture in the air instantly solidified into delicate ice crystals.

Within the confines of the cave at the mountain's base, Gu Sheng opened his eyes, a subtle hint of resignation present in their depths.

He expelled a breath, noting the sluggish circulation of Spiritual Power within him, his brows knitting together in concentration.

"It seems I've failed once more."

He whispered to himself, his fingertip tracing a shallow groove across the cavern floor.

Footsteps approached from outside. Ling Xiao entered, bearing a bundle of dried firewood. Upon observing that Gu Sheng had concluded his cultivation state, he couldn't help but express his surprise.

"Why did you finish so swiftly?"

Gu Sheng managed a wry chuckle and gestured to the stone slab beside him, inviting Ling Xiao to take a seat.

"The natural spiritual energy at the base of Xuanming Divine Mountain is far too sparse. It's simply insufficient to fuel the Nine Dragon Heaven and Earth Technique. I've attempted to advance to the Second Level three times, and each attempt faltered at the crucial moment."

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao's own brows furrowed.

"Is it that dire? I had assumed the Spiritual Energy near the mountain's base was already quite abundant."

"It might suffice for standard Cultivation Techniques, but with each progression in the Nine Dragon Heaven and Earth Technique, the Spiritual Energy demand escalates exponentially."

Gu Sheng rose, stretching his somewhat stiff limbs.

"This is precisely the critical juncture. If I halt my progress here, all prior efforts will have been in vain."

Ling Xiao contemplated for a moment, then his eyes suddenly brightened.

"Why not relocate further up the mountain? The Spiritual Energy on the mid-slopes must be considerably denser than down here!"

Gu Sheng expressed a degree of hesitation at this suggestion.

"However, the mid-mountain regions are primarily frequented by the Core Disciples of the Qinghe Holy Land. If we venture there, I fear..."

"Fear what!"

Ling Xiao dismissed his concern with a casual wave of his hand.

"Xuanming Divine Mountain doesn't belong exclusively to them. Furthermore, our intention is merely to find a suitable location for cultivation; we aren't seeking to provoke anyone."

Gu Sheng deliberated for a significant period before finally giving his assent.

"Very well, it seems that's our only recourse. Though I desired a low-profile approach, my cultivation cannot afford delay."

The two swiftly gathered their belongings from the cave.

"Let's depart."

Leaving the mountainside, the path began to ascend, becoming progressively steeper.

During the day, Xuanming Divine Mountain was often veiled in a light mist. Distant peaks would momentarily emerge and recede from view, resembling an ethereal realm.

Ancient trees stood sentinel along the route, and occasionally, spiritual birds would flit past, their calls echoing with clear, crisp notes.

"As anticipated, the higher we ascend, the more concentrated the Spiritual Energy becomes."

Feeling an unmistakable acceleration in the operation of the Cultivation Technique within his body, a sense of joy surfaced in Gu Sheng's eyes.

Suddenly, Ling Xiao grasped his sleeve and spoke in a hushed tone.

"Be cautious, there are individuals ahead."

Following Ling Xiao's pointed gaze, Gu Sheng observed several cultivators clad in cyan robes approaching them from a distance. The characters "Qinghe" were embroidered upon their chests, clearly identifying them as Core Disciples of the Holy Land.

"Keep your heads down and avoid making eye contact."

Gu Sheng advised softly, guiding Ling Xiao towards the edge of the path.

However, fate intervened differently. Those disciples nonetheless noticed them. Their gazes lingered upon the pair for a moment, their eyes conveying a mixture of scrutiny and disdain.

"What are you staring at? Haven't you seen outsiders before?"

Feeling subjected to their prolonged stares, Ling Xiao's patience wore thin, and he muttered under his breath.

"Shh!"

Gu Sheng quickly interjected, silencing him.

"Let's not stir up trouble."

Fortunately, the approaching disciples did not halt and soon passed them by. Nonetheless, Gu Sheng sensed that a few lingering glances from behind continued to assess them.

"It appears we truly stand out in this environment."

Gu Sheng commented with a wry smile.

"We must exercise even greater caution from this point onward."

Ling Xiao curled his lip slightly.

"What is there to be afraid of? It's not as though we've committed any shameful acts."