Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1329 - 688: Yong’an (Part 2)

Gu Sheng offered a wry smile.

"Even if you are practicing the Sun Cultivation Path, I cannot give it to you. That item will vanish within three months of leaving Golden Crow Mountain at most. To recreate a Golden Crow Mountain? That requires resources and Array Masters comparable to the Qinghe Holy Land."

As the two conversed, a violent tremor originated from a distance, causing the entire cave to shudder and dislodging continuous falling debris from the ceiling.

"This is bad! They've found us!"

Gu Sheng's countenance shifted drastically.

"We must depart immediately!"

Meanwhile, several hundred miles away, beside a swiftly flowing river, three Taoists were engaged in conversation on the bank.

The elder at the forefront clutched a Green Bamboo Fishing Pole, its line submerged deep within the turbulent river waters, utterly still.

"Brother Yong'an, do you truly know nothing of those two disciples?"

Taoist Luomu inquired with a frown, his gaze clouded with perplexity.

Taoist Yong'an, without turning his head, responded in a level tone.

"I have not bestowed any Magical Treasures upon them, nor do I understand how they managed to enter the inner sanctums of Golden Crow Mountain for cultivation. Are you mistaken?"

Hong Yun couldn't help but interject.

"Uncle, those two claimed to be your disciples and used your token to access the core region of Golden Crow Mountain. This news has already circulated throughout the entire Holy Land."

Taoist Yong'an then turned, revealing a countenance etched with wrinkles yet radiating vitality.

"Oh? Since when did I accept these two as disciples?"

Taoist Luomu and Hong Yun exchanged a look, the former then spoke.

"According to Hong Yun, these two individuals have never been sighted within the Holy Land and are quite unknown."

"New disciples are common; it's natural that you wouldn't recognize them."

Taoist Yong'an stated casually, shifting his attention back to the fishing pole.

Hong Yun's eyes held a peculiar glint.

"Uncle, new disciples are typically under thirty years of age. However, that Gu Sheng appears no older than twenty, yet his cultivation has already reached the Heavenly Palace Realm, an exceptionally rare feat among novices."

Taoist Yong'an's hand holding the fishing pole faltered for a moment.

"Heavenly Palace Realm? You must be mistaken. I personally assessed their cultivation; it was merely at the Earth Palace Stage."

"Disciple witnessed it with his own eyes; there is no error."

Hong Yun asserted emphatically.

"When Gu Sheng acted, his aura was immense, his Spiritual Power as dense as mercury – undoubtedly cultivation of the Heavenly Palace Realm. That Ling Xiao is also not simple; though I haven't seen him fight, his ability to cultivate in the depths of Golden Crow Mountain suggests he cannot be ordinary."

Taoist Yong'an finally set down the fishing pole, turning to face both men, his brow furrowed.

"This is indeed peculiar. If your account is accurate, how did they manage to bypass my scrutiny?"

Taoist Luomu pondered.

"Unless... they possess an Exotic Treasure that conceals their cultivation, or..."

"Or their cultivation level far surpasses your imagination."

Hong Yun interjected, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes.

"Uncle, disciple believes this matter is of great significance. For those two to infiltrate the core of Golden Crow Mountain undetected and mask their cultivation to evade your sharp gaze, they must harbor astonishing secrets!"

Taoist Yong'an remained silent for a moment before abruptly asking.

"Are they still within Golden Crow Mountain?"

Hong Yun nodded.

"They should be. Before I left, I specifically instructed the guards to monitor their movements."

"Let us proceed to Golden Crow Mountain and investigate."

Taoist Yong'an reeled in his fishing pole, his eyes gleaming.

"If your assessment is correct, these two may not harbor benevolent intentions."

Hong Yun could barely contain his excitement.

"Uncle is perceptive! I have a premonition that we might be landing a significant catch this time!"

Taoist Luomu, however, displayed a look of concern.

"Brother, perhaps we should notify the Sect Leader and the other Elders first? Just in case..."

"There is no need."

Taoist Yong'an waved his hand dismissively.

"We must first ascertain the situation before making any decisions. If it is merely a misunderstanding, causing a stir would be counterproductive."

The trio transformed into three streaks of light, soaring towards Golden Crow Mountain.

Atop Golden Crow Mountain, the intense heat waves emanating from the magma had somewhat subsided.

Mi Yingzong was seated in a cross-legged posture on a reddish rock, his brow deeply furrowed.

The Nine Yang Body Tempering Technique he was practicing had reached a critical stage, his pores greedily absorbing the distinctive Ultimate Yang Qi of Golden Crow Mountain.

However, today, for reasons unknown, the normally abundant Yang Qi had become scarce.

"How strange..."

Mi Yingzong concluded his cultivation session and rose to his feet.

He reached out to touch the rock wall that was originally hot enough to burn ordinary cultivators, but its temperature had now dropped by more than thirty percent.

Several fellow disciples in the distance also ceased their cultivation and exchanged bewildered glances.

"Senior brother Mi, did you sense an anomaly with the Yang Qi?"A tall, thin disciple questioned, wiping sweat from his brow.

Mi Yingzong didn't reply immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes for a moment to sense his surroundings, his expression suddenly changing drastically.

"Something is amiss! The Yang Qi fluctuation at the core of Golden Crow Mountain has weakened by at least fifty percent!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding disciples erupted in commotion.

Golden Crow Mountain, one of the three prominent cultivation grounds within Qinghe Holy Land, owed its existence entirely to the Supreme Treasure "Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl" buried at its base.

This pearl, an Emperor-level Magical Artifact, was brought forth from the Nine Nether Secret Realm by the Holy Master three centuries ago. It contained Pure Yang Origin and, coupled with a magnificent Array meticulously laid down by the Holy Land's top Array Masters, had birthed this esteemed Body Refining Holy Land.

Mi Yingzong saw no need for further explanation. His figure transformed into a crimson streak of light, hurtling directly towards the mountain's deepest core.

The further he ventured, the more intricate and dense the Array patterns etched onto the rock walls became. However, these patterns, which once radiated a brilliant golden-red light, had now noticeably dimmed.

"Indeed, there's a significant problem!"

Passing the final natural magma barrier, Mi Yingzong arrived at a cave shaped like a hemisphere.

The temperature within was astonishingly high, capable of reducing ordinary cultivators to mere ashes upon approach. Yet, even he could tell that the heat was not as intense as it once was.

In the center of the cave, a stone platform resembling a lotus flower stood in silent repose. Mi Yingzong's heart pounded like a war drum as he surged forward to the platform—

The central groove of the stone platform was utterly empty!

"The Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl... it's gone?!"

Mi Yingzong's legs wobbled, and he nearly collapsed to his knees.

He compelled himself to examine the area more closely and discovered several fresh sword marks etched around the edge of the groove. These were undeniably the traces of being pried loose with a sharp implement.

"It's over... everything is over..."

Mi Yingzong's face turned ashen as he rushed out of the cave.

...

Within the Elder Hall, beneath a soaring dome supported by twelve Dragon Coiling Pillars, seven elders were engaged in discussions regarding the upcoming sect grand competition scheduled for the following month.

Suddenly, the hall doors were violently thrown open.

"Report! Report to the esteemed elders!"

Mi Yingzong stumbled into the hall, his voice quivering uncontrollably.

"Golden Crow Mountain... the Heavenly Fire Red Lotus Pearl... it's no longer there!"

"What?!"

The Second Elder abruptly leaped from his seat, the jade scroll clutched in his hand disintegrating into fine powder.

This elder, whose hair and beard were as white as freshly fallen snow, exuded a terrifying pressure that caused the entire hall to tremble.

"Speak more clearly!"

Mi Yingzong felt immense pressure bearing down on him, forcing him to kneel on the cold floor tiles.

"Disciple, disciple discovered the Yang Qi anomaly at Golden Crow Mountain and went to investigate... discovered the groove where the Red Lotus Pearl was kept was empty, with sword marks on the edge..."

"Insolent wretch!"

The Second Elder roared in fury, his sleeves billowing as if moved by an unseen wind.

The expressions of the other six elders also contorted with shock. Three of them instantly transformed into streaks of light and shot out of the hall.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the entirety of Qinghe Holy Land was in an uproar.

Dozens of formidable auras ascended from various locations, converging towards Golden Crow Mountain. The Mountain Protection Array automatically activated, sealing off all entries and exits.

Inside the cave at Golden Crow Mountain, the Second Elder's face was as dark and somber as still water.

He lightly grazed the sword marks on the groove's edge with his fingertips, a cold glint flashing within his eyes.

"This was the work of a Sword Cultivator, and... they employed the Green Blade Sword Technique, a technique from Qinghe Holy Land."

"How is that conceivable?"

The Third Elder exclaimed in disbelief.

"Besides us old men, the only others capable of entering this place are..."

"Investigate immediately! Who has visited Golden Crow Mountain recently?"

The Second Elder commanded sharply.

Mi Yingzong nervously stepped forward.

"Reporting to the Elder, within the past half-month, only... only Daoist Yong’an’s disciple, Gu Sheng, has been here. He departed yesterday, in a rather... hurried manner."

The atmosphere within the hall instantly turned frigid.

"Yong’an..."

The Second Elder narrowed his eyes.

"Issue the command!"

The Second Elder's voice was as piercingly cold as eternal ice.

"Recall Daoist Yong'an this instant! Furthermore, seal every single exit and activate the Heaven and Earth Net Array. No one, not even a fly, must be allowed to escape!"

...

Three thousand miles distant, high above an unnamed mountain range.

Daoist Yong'an, brandishing a sword with a single arm, unleashed his Divine Sense to scan the forests situated far below.

A stern countenance was plastered on his face, yet a flicker of worry could be perceived within his eyes.

"Where might that brat have absconded to..."

Abruptly, the jade pendant adorning his waist began to emit a brilliant crimson glow. Daoist Yong'an's look shifted instantly as he crushed the pendant, and from within it, the urgent voice of a deacon from the Spirit Communication Hall resonated.