Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1529 - 787: Fortunate Fate (Part 2)

Tantai Xueling’s eyes lit up, and she immediately followed him in like a cheerful little bird.

Linyin Pavilion is the most renowned teahouse in Huang City, known for its elegance and tranquility.

The shop attendant recognized them as regulars and quickly led them to the "Rain Listening Pavilion" in the innermost part of the second floor.

Inside the elegant room, sandalwood incense curled through the air, and outside the window, an old plum tree leaned just right to block the blazing sun.

Gu Sheng ordered a pot of the finest Biluochun tea and only got serious after the attendant left.

"Junior Sister Xueling, the Heavenly Demon Vine is not child’s play, you witnessed its power last time too."

"I know!"

Tantai Xueling cradled her cheeks with both hands, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"But I’m just curious, such a fierce Heavenly Demon Vine, how does it become so tame in your hands?"

Gu Sheng was silent for a moment before finally giving in.

"Alright, I’ll let you have a look."

He slowly lifted his left sleeve, revealing the golden-red vine coiled around his arm.

In stark contrast to its earth-shattering demeanor that day, the Heavenly Demon Vine was only a few feet long now, quietly coiled like an exquisite armlet.

"Wow!"

Tantai Xueling exclaimed, unable to resist moving closer to take a better look.

"It’s so beautiful! The blend of gold and red looks like it’s carved from the finest Spirit Jade."

She extended her delicate fingers, tentatively trying to touch it.

"Don’t..."

Before Gu Sheng could finish his warning, the Heavenly Demon Vine suddenly lashed out, a terrifyingly fierce aura instantly filling the entire elegant room.

The golden-red glow on the vine intensified, its tip like a poisonous snake poised to strike, pointing directly at Tantai Xueling’s throat!

"Ah!"

Tantai Xueling was so frightened she leaned back, almost falling off her chair.

Gu Sheng quickly pressed down on his left arm, sternly commanding.

"Quiet!"

A magical scene unfolded.

The fierce aura of the Heavenly Demon Vine suddenly paused, its tip stopping barely an inch from Tantai Xueling’s throat, then slowly retracting, coiling back around Gu Sheng’s arm, restoring calm.

"What...what just happened?"

Tantai Xueling patted her chest, still shaken.

"Does it recognize me?"

Gu Sheng pondered.

"It should be because of the Spiritual Unity Technique we used last time. Part of your spiritual power imprint remained in the Heavenly Demon Vine."

Tantai Xueling’s eyes lit up.

"Does that mean I’m half its owner too?"

"In your dreams,"

Gu Sheng laughed.

"But indeed, it doesn’t have the same hostility towards you as it does towards others."

Tantai Xueling’s eyes rolled mischievously, and suddenly she turned serious.

"Senior Brother Gu, I have a request."

"Speak."

Gu Sheng lowered his sleeve, covering the Heavenly Demon Vine.

"I heard from my master that when the Heavenly Demon Vine advances to the Sect Realm, it will have a chance to split."

Tantai Xueling clasped her hands together as if in prayer.

"When the time comes, could you sell me the part that splits off? Name your price!"

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow.

"What do you want the Heavenly Demon Vine for?"

"For self-protection!"

Tantai Xueling pouted.

"As you know, we alchemists deal with spiritual medicines all day, but we’re weak in combat. If I had a Heavenly Demon Vine for protection, I wouldn’t have to constantly worry about being bullied."

Gu Sheng contemplated for a moment.

"If it can indeed split, I might consider it. But..."

"But what?"

Tantai Xueling asked eagerly.

"I don’t want your Spirit Stones."

Gu Sheng looked directly into her eyes.

"I have a tricky task to handle tomorrow and need assistance. If you’re willing to lend me a hand, I’ll give you the split-off part of the Heavenly Demon Vine for free."

Tantai Xueling was stunned, clearly not expecting such a condition from Gu Sheng.

She blinked.

"Is it that simple?"

"Simple?"

Gu Sheng chuckled lightly.

"Tomorrow’s task is not simple at all; there’s a risk of life-threatening danger."

Tantai Xueling bit her lip, then suddenly slapped the table.

"Deal! But I’ll need to bring my sister along."

"Tantai Bingtang?"

Gu Sheng frowned slightly.

"Will she agree to help?"

"Don’t worry!"

Tantai Xueling gave a sly smile.

"My sister cares for me the most, and as for you... ahem, anyway, she will definitely come!"

Gu Sheng nodded.

"It’s settled then. Tomorrow at dawn, let’s meet under the old locust tree in the east of the city."

"It’s a deal!"

Tantai Xueling stood up excitedly.

"I need to hurry back to prepare, and I still have to inform my sister. See you tomorrow, Senior Brother Gu!"

Like a gust of wind, she dashed out of the private room, leaving Gu Sheng shaking his head with a smile.

As night fell, undercurrents surged through Huang City.

The strong members of the Wanliu Sect searched everywhere but could not find their desired target.

Meanwhile, Gu Sheng was meditating in a quiet room in the backyard of Linyin Pavilion, conserving energy for tomorrow’s mission.

The next day at dawn, as the first ray of sunshine pierced through the clouds, Gu Sheng opened his eyes.

He keenly sensed two familiar auras approaching... it was the Tantai Sisters.

Opening the door to the quiet room, Gu Sheng saw Tantai Xueling in a set of tight-fitting clothes, looking gallant and completely different from her usual charming self.

Beside her, Tantai Bingtang was still in her white attire, cool as frost, but with a gentle look in her eyes when she saw Gu Sheng.

"Good morning, Senior Brother Gu!"

Tantai Xueling skipped over cheerfully.

"We’re not late, are we?"

Gu Sheng cupped his hands in greeting.

"Senior Sister Tantai, Junior Sister Xueling, thank you both for coming to help."

"Oh, why so formal!"

Tantai Xueling pouted unhappily.

"It’s only been one night, and you’ve turned back into the old rigid Senior Brother Gu."

Tantai Bingtang spoke softly.

"Junior Brother Gu, no need to stand on ceremony. Xueling is right, since we’re here, we are all on the same side."

Gu Sheng sincerely said.

"Senior Sister Tantai, I haven’t properly thanked you for what happened last time. If you hadn’t arrived in time, I’m afraid..."

"No need to mention the past."

Tantai Bingtang interrupted him.

"Today, I will give my all to assist you. Even if there are any issues on Heaven City’s end, I will help you resolve them."

Gu Sheng felt a warmth in his heart.

"In that case, I owe Senior Sister a favor."

Tantai Bingtang slightly shook her head.

"Between us, there’s no need for such words."

She glanced at the sky.

"We should head out early to return early. I have important matters in the afternoon."

Gu Sheng stood by the window, lightly tapping on the window bar with his fingers, gazing in the direction of the distant Heaven City.

As dawn barely broke, morning mist shrouded the distant mountains, much like his current somber mood.

"Young Master, everything is ready."

Tantai Bingtang’s voice came from behind, icy and cold.

Gu Sheng turned around, looking at the pair of sisters before him.

Tantai Bingtang dressed in white, her demeanor cold and stern; beside her, Tantai Xueling wore black, with a playful glint in her eyes.

"Bingtang, are you sure you want to do this?"

Gu Sheng slightly frowned.

"Wanliu Sect is not to be trifled with."

Tantai Bingtang’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.

"Don’t worry, Young Master, I know my limits."

Tantai Xueling chimed in cheerfully.

"Exactly, exactly, my sister’s ’Thousand Illusions Ice Heart Technique’ has already achieved great success, changing into someone else is a piece of cake. Besides..."

She blinked.

"When have we sisters ever disappointed you, Young Master?"

Gu Sheng shook his head with a smile.

"You little rascal... alright, since you insist, let’s proceed with the plan. Remember, as soon as you rescue Qingxuan, retreat immediately, don’t linger in battle."

"Understood."

Tantai Bingtang replied briefly, turning to leave.

Tantai Xueling made a face at Gu Sheng and quickly followed her sister.

Gu Sheng watched their departing figures, his gaze gradually deepening.

"Wanliu Sect..."

He murmured softly, absentmindedly rubbing the jade pendant at his waist.

"It’s high time to settle this score properly."

An hour later, within the Wanliu Sect.

Xie Qingxuan sat dazedly at the dressing table, a pale face reflected in the copper mirror.

Two female disciples of the Wanliu Sect were dressing her up, their rough movements constantly making her frown.

"Miss Xie, you’re really fortunate."

One round-faced female disciple remarked with a sardonic tone.

"Being favored by our Young Sect Master is a blessing that many girls could only dream of."

The other tall and slender female disciple sneered.

"Isn’t that right, I heard the Xie Family was captured to be offered to the Young Sect Master? Tsk tsk, why doesn’t such fortune fall upon my family?"

Xie Qingxuan bit her lower lip hard, her nails digging deeply into her palm.