Previously on Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World...
Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao escape their predicament, only to be confronted by Su Muxue. She hints at a way to leave the Holy Land openly through a Dragon Palace mission. Gu Sheng, recognizing her as someone who aided him on the Holy Road, confronts her, prompting her abrupt departure. The duo then makes their way to the Dragon Palace to accept a mission.
"Keep your voice down!"
Ling Xiao then realized his slip of the tongue and quickly shut his mouth. But the shock in his eyes didn’t diminish as he mouthed.
"How could this happen?"
Gu Sheng’s face was grim. He had expected that Qinghe Holy Land would not let him off easily, but he hadn’t anticipated them publicly placing a bounty on him.
This announcement meant that the entire Holy Land’s disciples could now become hunters, eagerly pursuing him.
"Let’s first take a task and leave this place," Gu Sheng said.
He quickly adjusted his mindset, his attention shifting to searching for a suitable task on the task board.
Ling Xiao also calmed down, his gaze meticulously scanning the information displayed on the light screen.
"Collect century-old Fire Ganoderma, deadline three days, reward three hundred points... too simple, and likely to attract pursuit. Escort a caravan to Skywind City, deadline half a month, reward eight hundred points... far too long..."
Gu Sheng suddenly pointed to an entry that was less conspicuous than the others.
"How about that one?"
Ling Xiao followed his gaze.
"Kill thirty Earth Palace Realm Poison Wing Elephants and retrieve their tusks, deadline ten days, reward two hundred points... this task offers few points for its high difficulty, and it’s been posted for days without anyone accepting it."
"Just what I wanted," Gu Sheng’s mouth curved into a slight smile.
"Poison Wing Elephants reside in Black Mist Canyon, where the terrain is complex, making it perfect to shake off any pursuers."
The two reached a consensus regarding the best course of action and immediately headed to the task acquisition area to join the queue.
Behind the counter sat an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, lazily flipping through a Jade Scroll.
When it was their turn, the man didn’t even bother to look up.
"Azure Dragon Token."
Gu Sheng handed over his Identity Jade. The man took it and casually swiped it over a black stone slab.
The slab emitted a faint glow, displaying Gu Sheng’s basic information.
"Poison Wing Elephant task?"
The man finally looked up, scanning Gu Sheng from head to toe.
"Are you sure about this? Those beasts aren’t easy to deal with, and their tusks are highly toxic."
Gu Sheng remained unfazed by the warning.
"This disciple’s cultivation is stuck at the peak of the Earth Palace Realm, and I require practical experience."
The man maintained a neutral expression, returning the operated Azure Dragon Token.
"The task details have been recorded in the jade. If it’s not completed within ten days, it will be automatically considered a failure, and the corresponding points will be deducted."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Just as Gu Sheng was about to depart, Ling Xiao suddenly spoke up.
"Senior Brother, may I ask..."
Ling Xiao pointed towards the top of a stone tablet in the distance.
"How long has that bounty task been posted? Has anyone accepted it yet?"
The man behind the counter paused his actions, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp.
He slowly tidied the Jade Scroll on the table but lowered his voice significantly.
"Little Junior, within the Dragon Palace, some questions are best left unasked."
Gu Sheng’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly pulled Ling Xiao.
"Apologies, Senior Brother, my friend here is new and doesn’t quite understand the rules yet."
The man gave them a deep look but offered no further comments.
Gu Sheng dragged Ling Xiao away swiftly, only exhaling a sigh of relief after they had exited the Dragon Palace’s main entrance.
"There’s something peculiar about that guy," Gu Sheng said in a low voice.
"He seemed ordinary, but I felt his cultivation was at least in the Taichu Realm."
Ling Xiao belatedly wiped beads of cold sweat from his forehead.
"I was just curious... I didn’t think the bounty on you would be so popular."
Gu Sheng looked towards the distant Cloud Sea, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
"Next, let’s find Daoist Yong’an to bid farewell, and then we can leave immediately."
"You’re still going to say goodbye?" Ling Xiao asked anxiously.
"Every moment we delay only adds to the danger!"
Gu Sheng shook his head gently.
"Daoist Yong’an has been exceptionally kind to me; I cannot simply leave without saying a word."
Seeing that Ling Xiao was about to argue, he added.
"Don’t worry, his place is secluded, and very few people know about its location."
The two then followed a seldom-traveled path down the mountain. Along the way, Gu Sheng suddenly stopped and withdrew a talisman from his sleeve.
The talisman self-combusted without any wind, turning into ashes that quickly dispersed.
"Blinding Technique."
Noticing Ling Xiao's confusion, Gu Sheng offered an explanation.
"It can interfere with tracking spells for approximately an hour."
Only then did Ling Xiao realize that Gu Sheng, despite appearing calm, was actually proceeding with extreme caution, having made thorough preparations.
This meticulousness earned his silent admiration.
Meanwhile, within an exquisite pavilion perched atop Nine Heavens Peak, Wang Yuchen was kneeling on one knee, reporting to Long Teng, who was seated majestically above.
"Senior Brother, Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao have accepted the Poison Wing Elephant task. It appears they are planning to leave the Holy Land."
Long Teng toyed with the jade cup, a sneer gracing his lips as he read the intelligence.
"Poison Wing Elephants? An interesting selection."
He rose to his feet, his formidable frame engulfing the sunlight in a vast shadow.
"The treacherous terrain of Black Mist Canyon is ideally suited for... resolving inconveniences."
Wang Yuchen's eyes sparkled with undisguised delight.
"Does Senior Brother intend to...?"
"Patience," he interjected, raising a hand to halt Wang Yuchen's eager inquiry.
"Let them precede us. We shall follow and deal with the matter deep within the canyon, unseen and unheard."
By the Spirit River of Qinghe Holy Land, a gentle mist swirled, and wisps of spiritual energy danced ethereally on the water's surface.
An elderly man, his hair snow-white and an arm missing, sat serenely beside the riverbank. His posture, like a gnarled, ancient tree, seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding earth and sky.
In his hand, he held a Green Bamboo Fishing Pole, its line perfectly still as it entered the Spirit River without disturbing even a single ripple.
"Daoist Yong'an."
Two figures materialized silently behind the old man, offering a respectful greeting. These were Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao.
Daoist Yong'an did not turn, his voice raspy, reminiscent of aged bark grinding together.
"Departing so soon?"
Gu Sheng advanced slightly, bringing his hands together in a respectful salute.
"Reporting to Senior, we have accepted a task from the Dragon Palace and plan to undergo some training."
"Oh?"
Daoist Yong'an finally turned his head, his clouded eyes sweeping over the two disciples.
"New disciples, rather than seizing the opportunity for cultivation within the Holy Land, you are eager to venture out?"
Gu Sheng, who had meticulously prepared his justification, displayed a flawless, world-weary smile.
"Senior perceives the truth. While cultivating at Xuanming Divine Mountain, this humble disciple encountered a bottleneck, finding myself unable to achieve a breakthrough. Thus, I thought some external experience might prove beneficial."
Ling Xiao stood nearby, his fingers habitually tracing the hilt of his sword.
His peripheral vision flickered towards Gu Sheng, noting his unchanged expression and the complete absence of any deception.
