Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1626 - 826: What Makes You Say That

But Xia Fuqu’s journey to the Southern Border, and any potential deals she might propose afterward, are full of unknown risks. This woman is deeply calculating and not to be entirely trusted.

He pondered while traversing a Spirit Plant Garden filled with the misty presence of Spiritual Energy.

The garden was adorned with exotic flowers and grasses, where Spiritual Mist lingered; the scenery was remarkably beautiful.

Just as he was about to exit the Spirit Plant Garden and step onto the main road leading to the Transmission Array—

"Ah!"

A scream imbued with pain and furious surprise rang out!

A figure unexpectedly rushed out from a side path, colliding directly with the contemplative Gu Sheng!

Gu Sheng’s form wavered slightly, but he steadied his steps.

The figure let out a cry, staggered backward from the collision, nearly falling!

Gu Sheng looked carefully; the one who bumped into him was a young woman wearing the attire of a True Disciple from the Holy Academy.

The woman’s figure was graceful, her appearance elegant, carrying a sense of cold aloofness mixed with valor.

At this moment, she was clutching her smooth forehead, where a noticeable bump had formed. Her delicate brows were furrowed, eyes filled with pain and anger.

"You! Are you blind when you walk?!"

The woman raised her head, her voice tinged with annoyance, as she looked at Gu Sheng.

But as her gaze landed on Gu Sheng’s tranquil and expressionless face, and the silent, unnerving presence of the Shadow behind him, her anger froze instantly, replaced by suspicion and... wariness?

Gu Sheng also saw her clearly. This woman’s aura was not weak, surprisingly reaching the Sixth Realm of the Sect!

Moreover, judging by her attire and the True Inheritance Jade Token hanging from her waist, she evidently held a respectable position in the Holy Academy.

"I apologize."

Gu Sheng’s voice was flat.

"I was distracted and did not notice."

The woman held her forehead, looking at Gu Sheng’s unperturbed gaze, and felt the unfathomable aura of the Shadow. Her anger dissipated significantly.

She lowered her hand, revealing the clear red lump on her forehead, her tone softened a bit.

"Never mind, I was walking too fast and wasn’t paying attention either.

Be careful next time."

With that, she did not linger and quickly bypassed Gu Sheng, swiftly disappearing into the mist of the Spirit Plant Garden.

Gu Sheng watched the woman leave, his brow furrowed slightly almost imperceptibly. This woman... she seems somewhat familiar?

Yet he couldn’t recall where he had seen her before.

Additionally, the wariness she displayed during that brief glimpse seemed not to be solely due to the Shadow’s aura...

He shook his head, refraining from further thought. At present, there were more important things to do.

He stepped forward, continuing in the direction of the Transmission Array.

The tracker in the shadows stayed behind at a distance, like a lurking serpent.

Outside the Spirit Plant Garden, along a small path, Gu Sheng watched the hurriedly departing back of the young True Disciple, his brow furrowing slightly.

During their brief collision, he distinctly perceived the burst of resilient counter-shock force within her body!

That was far beyond the physical strength of an ordinary Sixth Realm Martial Artist! Even... faintly approaching the level of Golden Body Realm Body Cultivation!

Moreover, that face, both elegant and valiant, continually gave him a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen it somewhere before, yet he couldn’t recall instantly.

What caught his attention more was the fleeting wariness in her eyes when she saw him, seemingly not just because of the Shadow... There seemed to be something hidden deeper within those eyes.

"Xiao Mengling..."

Gu Sheng murmured the name revealed on the jade token at her waist.

The Holy Academy had many True Disciples; he didn’t know them all. This woman seemed somewhat special.

He shook his head, temporarily suppressing these thoughts.

At present, there was work more urgent. Xiao Beixuan’s bounty hung like a sword overhead; those around him could face danger at any moment.

Gu Yuanyuan had Tantai Xueling’s protection and was temporarily safe.

But Gu Ningshuang... she was cultivating alone within the Mystic Sect, despite Shen Qingtan’s care. Shen Qingtan’s current condition was unusual and might not be dependable!

He must relocate Ningshuang to a safer place!

Determined in thought, Gu Sheng didn’t linger and quickly headed towards Shen Qingtan’s residence in the Holy Academy.

The Shadow followed quietly, the most loyal shadow.

Meanwhile, deep in the Holy Domain, within a serene valley cloaked in pale purple Spiritual Mist.

Xiao Mengling clutched the still slightly swollen bump on her forehead and quickly passed through the restriction at the valley entrance, arriving at an elegant courtyard hidden within the Purple Bamboo Forest. The courtyard gate was ajar; she pushed it open and entered.

Inside, it was tranquil and graceful, with bluestones paving the ground, several clumps of Purple Bamboo swaying in the wind.

A beautiful woman with silver hair cascading like a waterfall, wearing a simple white dress, sat at the stone table in the courtyard, painting.

Her demeanor was gentle and serene, as if blending with the environment, yet she exuded an indescribable depth and authority.

"Master!"

Xiao Mengling approached, respectfully saluting, her voice tinged with grievance.

"The disciple has returned."

The silver-haired woman did not lift her head, her gaze still focused on the painting before her, her brush sketching mountains and rivers fluidly.

Her voice was warm, like a flowing spring.

"How have you done in comprehending the first three volumes of the mental method?"

"Returning, Master, I’ve fully comprehended the key points of the first three volumes of the mental method,"

Xiao Mengling responded quickly, then furrowed her brows slightly.

"But... the fourth volume, ’Gui Cang’, is profoundly esoteric. The disciple... the disciple finds it constantly elusive."

"Gui Cang..."

The silver-haired woman’s brush paused briefly, then continued sketching, her voice still calm.

"Conceal the blade, refine the edge, return to simplicity. It cannot be forced; let it follow its natural course. When the time comes, things will fall into place.

"Yes, the disciple will remember."

Xiao Mengling replied respectfully, though her eyes still held confusion.