Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1310 - 679: Shrewd

"No need to cause a disturbance, let's just go around."

"We've come this far, so let's at least take a peek!"

Without allowing Gu Sheng a chance to refuse, Ling Xiao took his arm and pulled him towards the throng of people.

"Maybe something interesting will happen!"

Gu Sheng, finding himself helpless, could only be led along, being jostled and squeezed into the crowd.

Disciples all around were murmuring amongst themselves, their faces alight with anticipation.

"I heard the Holy Daughter is making an appearance here!"

"Is that true? Senior Sister Su hasn't been seen on Xuanming Divine Mountain for half a year!"

"They say she's here this time to search for some kind of Spiritual Medicine..."

Upon hearing the words 'Holy Daughter,' Gu Sheng's heart gave a sudden, sharp jolt.

He had an immediate urge to retreat, but the dense mass of people completely obstructed his path.

At that precise moment, an abrupt silence fell over the crowd. In the distance, a figure clad in white approached at a leisurely pace.

It was a woman, adorned in robes as white as snow, her dark hair cascading down like a waterfall, simply secured with a single jade hairpin.

Her elegantly drawn brows and eyes possessed a distant, cold aura that forbade any disrespect, much like a Divine Lady from the Nine Heavens gracing the mortal realm, utterly untainted by worldly affairs.

"Senior Sister Su!"

"Holy Daughter!"

The surrounding Disciples all offered a respectful bow, their gazes brimming with adoration.

Gu Sheng, however, felt as though he had been struck by lightning, completely frozen in place.

He recognized that face – Su Muxue, the Holy Daughter of Qinghe Holy Land, the very woman he had encountered once in the Northern Territory's desolate plains three years prior.

"I'm finished..."

Gu Sheng inwardly lamented his misfortune, instinctively lowering his head, desperately hoping he wouldn't be recognized.

Ling Xiao, too, was taken aback, murmuring to himself.

"So this is the Holy Daughter of Qinghe Holy Land? She truly lives up to her reputation..."

Su Muxue proceeded forward with measured steps, and as she passed, the Disciples instinctively parted to create a clear passage.

Her gaze remained steady, never diverting to either side, as if the surrounding world held no relevance to her.

Just as Gu Sheng was privately feeling a sense of relief, Su Muxue abruptly halted directly in front of him.

For a moment, time itself seemed to suspend.

Gu Sheng felt a piercingly clear gaze settle upon him, causing the hairs on his nape to stand on end.

"Junior Brother, have we encountered each other before?"

Su Muxue inquired, her voice akin to the clear chime of springs striking stone – melodious, yet tinged with an undeniable distance.

Gu Sheng's heart hammered against his ribs, but he compelled himself to raise his head with forced composure, managing a strained smile.

"The Holy Daughter must be mistaking me for someone else. I am merely an ordinary Disciple; how could I possibly have had the honor of knowing the Holy Daughter?"

All attention riveted onto Gu Sheng, some with surprise, others with jealousy, but most with sheer bewilderment.

Why would the esteemed Holy Daughter initiate a conversation with such an unremarkable, unknown Disciple?

Su Muxue's brows furrowed slightly, her eyes, which seemed capable of peering into the very depths of a person's heart, fixed directly upon Gu Sheng.

"What is your name?"

Gu Sheng's heart thudded like a war drum as his mind frantically sought a stratagem.

He could not possibly reveal his true identity, yet fabricating a name on the spot, he feared, would only serve to expose him further.

"I am... Qing Feng."

"Qing Feng..."

Su Muxue echoed softly, her tone suggesting she was searching her memory for this name.

Gu Sheng could feel a growing sheen of sweat on his palms, yet he dared not betray the slightest hint of unease.

"Does the Holy Daughter have any particular instructions for me?"

He spoke again, attempting to shatter the oppressive stillness.

Su Muxue offered no immediate reply. She merely gazed at him intently, her eyes appearing to penetrate his facade and reach the core of his being.

The surrounding Disciples began to exchange whispers.

"Who is that youth? I've never seen him before."

"He actually dares to address the Holy Daughter in such a manner!"

"Why is the Holy Daughter showing him such focused attention?"

Gu Sheng felt a barrage of envious glares directed his way, prickling his back like needles.

He understood that he had inadvertently become the focal point of everyone's animosity.

"Hoy! Brat!"

A tall, broad-shouldered Disciple abruptly stepped forward, his expression radiating menace.

"The Holy Daughter is speaking with you—what is with this attitude?"

"Precisely!"

Another Disciple chimed in agreement.

"A mere Outer Disciple like yourself is worthy of making the Holy Daughter pause her journey?"

Gu Sheng inwardly cursed his predicament, but outwardly, he maintained a semblance of calm.

"I meant no disrespect. I was merely curious as to why the Holy Daughter elected to stop."

"You dare to talk back?"

The towering Disciple scowled, his eyes widening in indignation.

"Does anyone know who is standing before you? It's Su Muxue, the Holy Daughter of the Qinghe Holy Land! Do you understand that countless Core Disciples would find it harder than climbing to the heavens just to utter a single word to the Holy Daughter? Who in the blazes are you?"

Upon witnessing this, Ling Xiao quickly moved to stand before Gu Sheng.

"Please, Senior Brothers, calm yourselves. My friend has only just arrived and is unfamiliar with the rules. I beg for your forgiveness."

"Get out of the way!"

The towering Disciple forcefully shoved Ling Xiao aside with a single push.

"This is none of your business!"

A flicker of anger crossed Gu Sheng's eyes, but he swiftly suppressed it.

He helped the staggering Ling Xiao to his feet and murmured in a low voice,

"Let's go."

"You wish to leave?"

Several Disciples had already formed a circle around them.

"You offended the Holy Daughter and believe you can simply walk away?"

Su Muxue remained stationary, her gaze quietly observing the unfolding scene. She neither spoke to halt the proceedings nor made any move to depart.

Gu Sheng discerned that a peaceful resolution was highly unlikely today.

He covertly began circulating the Spiritual Power within his body, preparing to react to any potential confrontation at a moment's notice.

Su Muxue shifted her attention away and once more focused on Gu Sheng.

"Qing Feng... I trust that when we next meet, you will provide me with a satisfactory answer."

With those words, she gracefully departed, her white robes billowing in the breeze, swiftly vanishing into the swirling mist.

The clouds and mist halfway up Xuanming Divine Mountain were suddenly swept aside by a clear gust of wind, revealing that distant white silhouette as it receded further and further.

In the direction Su Muxue had taken, dozens of Core Disciples remained rooted to their spots, their gazes fixated with longing on the vanishing figure.

"The Holy Daughter actually took the initiative to speak with someone..."

One Disciple uttered to himself, his face etched with profound disbelief.

"What kind of background does that brat named Qing Feng possess?"

Another clenched his teeth in frustration.

"I've cultivated in the Holy Land for five years, and I haven't even managed to get a clear look at the Holy Daughter's face!"

The murmurs rose and fell, with universal attention now directed towards the already departed Gu Sheng.

Yet, no one noticed that, from the periphery of the crowd, a Disciple with a sinister expression quietly crushed the Communication Jade Scroll clutched in his hand.