Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1627 - 826: What Makes You Think So?_2

At this moment, the silver-haired beautiful woman put down the paintbrush and picked up a damp silk handkerchief from the stone table, gently wiping the ink stains on her fingertips.

Only then did she lift her head to look at Xiao Mengling, her gaze gentle and profound.

"What happened to your forehead?"

Xiao Mengling instinctively touched the small bump, her face showing embarrassment.

"Earlier... I accidentally bumped into someone outside the Spirit Plant Garden."

"Oh?"

The silver-haired beautiful woman’s eyes held a faint smile, as if she already knew everything.

She did not pursue the matter further but instead lightly tapped her clean fingertip on the corner of the just-completed painting.

On the paper, the originally sketched outlines of the mountains instantly became solid!

Even more astonishing, a tall figure beside the mountains stood out, gradually becoming clear!

The figure looked stern and had sharp eyes, indeed it was Gu Sheng!

"Master! This... What is this?!"

Upon seeing the person in the painting, Xiao Mengling’s eyes widened in shock and she blurted out! Wasn’t this the person who had just bumped into her?!

"Last night, by observing the stars, I had some insights and glimpsed the heavenly secrets through a dream."

The silver-haired beautiful woman’s voice was calm, as if discussing something insignificant.

"I saw that you had interactions with this person, so I casually painted it."

She looked at the figure of Gu Sheng in the painting, her eyes deep and unfathomable.

"This child... has a peculiar destiny, entangled in cause and effect, not someone ordinary. Interacting with him, whether it’s a blessing or a curse, is yet unknown. Meng Ling, you must... pay attention."

Xiao Mengling looked at the lifelike depiction of Gu Sheng in the painting and recalled the terrifying physical strength emanating from him and those eyes that seemed to pierce everything during their brief encounter, stirring waves in her heart!

The Master actually glimpsed the heavenly secrets through a dream, and specifically painted this person!

Who exactly is he?!

"Master... disciple..."

Xiao Mengling was unsettled.

The silver-haired beautiful woman gently raised her hand, stopping her words.

Her gaze turned towards the courtyard outside, seemingly penetrating through layers of space, landing in a distant direction.

"Tomorrow, a secret realm will open. Deep within, there lies an incomplete scroll of the ’Mountain and River Map’ left by an elder of the Wuya Holy Land. This map might aid in my comprehension of the ’Gui Cang’ Chapter."

She looked at Xiao Mengling.

"Tomorrow at dawn, that girl Fuqu will lead people to open the secret realm. You will go with her, and take the opportunity to... retrieve that scroll for me."

"Incomplete scroll of the Mountain and River Map? Senior Sister Xia opens the secret realm?"

Xiao Mengling’s heart trembled, quickly responding.

"Yes! The disciple will do her best!"

"Just do your best."

The silver-haired beautiful woman nodded slightly, her gaze returning to Gu Sheng’s figure in the painting, her voice ethereal.

"Every scroll has its place, forcing... may not be a blessing."

Xiao Mengling listened, somewhat baffled, but dared not ask more, only respectfully agreeing.

Holy Academy Mystic Sect area, Shen Qingtan’s residence.

This was a quiet and elegant small courtyard, planted with a few spirit bamboos, and a small pavilion stood among the shadows of the bamboo.

At this moment, within the pavilion, three women were sitting around a stone table.

Shen Qingtan was still wearing green clothes, a bronze mask covering her face, her aura calm, though there seemed to be an undetectable fatigue between her brows.

Gu Ningshuang was dressed in the simple attire of a Holy Academy disciple, her figure graceful, her temperament gentle with a hint of aloofness, speaking softly with Shen Qingtan.

Qin Yurou was also present, her face showing worry, occasionally interjecting a few words.

"Sister Qingtan, is Senior Brother Shen really alright?"

Gu Ningshuang’s delicate brows furrowed, her voice tinged with concern.

"After he came out of seclusion, I only saw him once and felt... he seemed completely changed, so unfamiliar..."

Shen Qingtan was silent for a moment, the voice from beneath the bronze mask low.

"His matters... I cannot intervene either. The elders have their judgment. Ningshuang, just focus on your cultivation, no need to worry too much."

"But..."

Gu Ningshuang wanted to say more.

At this moment, light footsteps were heard at the courtyard gate.

The three women all turned to look.

They saw Gu Sheng’s figure appearing at the gate, Shadow standing behind him.

"Brother?!"

Gu Ningshuang was momentarily stunned when she saw Gu Sheng, then an indescribable joy burst forth in her eyes!

She suddenly stood up from the stone bench, dashed out of the pavilion, and rushed towards Gu Sheng!

"Brother! You’re back!"

Gu Ningshuang ran to Gu Sheng, her face flushed with excitement, her eyes glistening.

She looked him up and down, as if to confirm his well-being.

"Yes."

Gu Sheng looked at his sister, his eyes unusually gentle.

He raised his hand and gently patted Gu Ningshuang on the shoulder.

"I’m fine."

"Gu!"

Qin Yurou also quickly rose to salute, her face filled with concern.

Shen Qingtan remained seated in the pavilion, the gaze beneath the bronze mask falling on Gu Sheng, giving a slight nod as a gesture.

Gu Sheng walked into the pavilion with Gu Ningshuang.

His gaze swept over the three women, finally landing on Shen Qingtan, and he got straight to the point.

"Miss Shen, I’m afraid I’ll have to entrust Ningshuang to you for a while."

Shen Qingtan’s eyes flashed.

"What happened?"

"Xiao Beixuan has offered a bounty of a million high-grade Spirit Stones for my life."

Gu Sheng’s voice was calm but cold.

"I’m worried he might harm Ningshuang."

"A million high-grade Spirit Stones?!"

Qin Yurou gasped, her face instantly turning pale! Gu Ningshuang also covered her mouth, her eyes full of worry.

The gaze beneath Shen Qingtan’s bronze mask suddenly became sharp.

"How dare he!"

"He’s already a desperate person with nothing to lose."

Gu Sheng said in a deep voice.

"Ningshuang is in the Holy Academy, protected by the Mystic Sect, but we can’t be sure there will be no oversights. I’d like you to take her away from the Holy Academy to a safe place to lie low for now."

Shen Qingtan remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Alright. I’ll take her to the ’Medicine King Valley’.

There, an elder I know well is present, where outsiders absolutely cannot enter."

Medicine King Valley! It’s one of the top Alchemy Dao Holy Lands in East Desolation, with a transcendent status and tight security! Indeed, it’s one of the safest places to go!

Gu Sheng felt slightly settled, flipped his wrist, and a warm jade token appeared in his palm, the same Spirit Storage Quiet Chamber token that Tantai Xueling had given to Shen Qingtan before.

He handed the jade token to Shen Qingtan.

"This might be useful to you. Consider it a token of my appreciation."

Shen Qingtan looked at the jade token, feeling the rich Spiritual Energy contained within, her eyes complex.

She knew its value.

She did not refuse, reaching out to take it, solemnly saying.

"Rest assured. As long as I live, Ningshuang will be safe."

"Brother..."

Gu Ningshuang looked at Gu Sheng, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry.

Gu Sheng rubbed her head, his voice low but firm.

"Follow Sister Qingtan with peace of mind. Once I handle everything, I’ll come for you."

Gu Ningshuang nodded vigorously, holding back her tears.

"Mm! Brother, you must be careful!"

Qin Yurou watched this scene, her heart a mixture of emotions, including concern for Gu Ningshuang, worry for Gu Sheng’s situation, and deep unease about Shen Qingyun’s anomaly.

In the pavilion of Shen Qingtan’s courtyard, the atmosphere was heavy.

Gu Sheng entrusted Gu Ningshuang, and Shen Qingtan agreed, preparing to take her to Medicine King Valley to lay low temporarily.

Qin Yurou watched Gu Ningshuang’s reluctant expression, her heart also mixed with emotions.

"Sister Qingtan, may I speak with you?"

Gu Sheng looked at Shen Qingtan, speaking in a deep voice.

Shen Qingtan nodded slightly, getting up to lead Gu Sheng into a secluded Quiet Room in the depths of the courtyard.

Shadow stood silently outside the Quiet Room door like the most loyal guard.

The doors of the Quiet Room closed, isolating the outside sounds. The room was simply furnished, with only a meditation cushion and a low table.

"Xiao Beixuan has offered a bounty of a million high-grade Spirit Stones for your life."

Shen Qingtan got straight to the point, her voice behind the bronze mask carrying a tone of seriousness.

"This matter has already spread in the underworld market; now, many are eyeing you."

Gu Sheng’s expression remained unchanged.

"As expected."

Shen Qingtan looked at his calm face and continued.

"However, those three Sect Realm attackers you encountered outside the Transmission Array before were not sent by Xiao Beixuan."

"Oh?"

Gu Sheng’s eyes slightly narrowed.

"How can you tell?"

"Xiao Beixuan, though arrogant, is methodical in his actions.

If he truly wanted to kill you, he wouldn’t just send three from the Sect Realm, especially after you have displayed considerable strength."

Shen Qingtan analyzed.