Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1631 - 828: Thunderclap Out of Nowhere (Part 2)
Previously on Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World...
He gently caressed the jade bottle in his hand, feeling the faint yet chilling aura, and slowly spoke.
"Years ago at the Qin Family Pharmacy, you said you wanted to repay me. Later you disappeared without notice, and today you return with a great treasure seeking assistance. Nangong Qingyue, I see your sincerity. But... do you know what killing a person with a significant position in the Great Wilderness Holy Academy means?"
Nangong Qingyue’s body trembled slightly, clenched her teeth, and said.
"Qingyue knows! This is a great catastrophe! But... as long as I can avenge this deep-seated hatred, I will do so without hesitation, even if it means being crushed to powder!"
Gu Sheng was silent for a moment, his gaze deep.
"I still don’t know who your enemy is. I don’t know why he exterminated your entire Nangong Family.
Simply based on this trace of aura and your one-sided words, you want me to kill a senior member of the Holy Academy... Nangong Qingyue, do you think this is enough?"
Nangong Qingyue’s face turned pale, her eyes filled with panic, which quickly transformed into deeper resolve.
She suddenly stood up, and from her bosom took out a completely dark wooden box that exuded a sense of ancient simplicity.
The box was not large, yet it gave a feeling as heavy as a mountain.
"Senior! This is the most precious item hidden within the Nangong Family! It’s also the key to unlocking the core area of the hidden treasure!"
Nangong Qingyue held the wooden box with both hands, her voice trembling.
"The list of other treasures in the hidden storage is also within this box! I am willing to offer this box, along with the Hidden Treasure Key, as a deposit to the senior! I just ask the senior... to give me a chance! Once you ascertain the identity of my enemy, if you deem them worthy of death, then act!
If the senior finds my words false, or if the enemy should not be killed, Qingyue... shall have no complaints! The items within this box may be disposed of as you see fit!"
She placed the Qiankun Wooden Box gently on Gu Sheng’s desk and then stepped back a bit, bowing deeply once more.
"In Great Wilderness City, Qingyue has no relatives, and the only trustworthy person... is you, Senior! I beg you... to fulfill my wish!"
Gu Sheng’s gaze fell upon the ancient Qiankun Wooden Box on the desk.
The box’s material was extraordinary, intricately carved with mysterious runes, clearly a space artifact of not low rank.
Nangong Qingyue’s offering of this item showed her sincerity and determination.
He did not immediately touch the box, but looked at Nangong Qingyue who was deeply bowing to the ground, his voice calm and unaffected.
"Stand up."
Nangong Qingyue stood up as instructed, watching Gu Sheng nervously, awaiting his answer.
Gu Sheng pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.
"I need to deliberate over this matter. Your enemy’s identity is unclear, involving the Holy Academy, and is no small matter.
I will keep this trace of aura. As for this Qiankun Wooden Box..."
With a thought, an invisible force lifted the box and sent it to the waiting maid outside the door.
"Give this box to the shopkeeper, and have him check the items inside, make a detailed list, and bring it to me later."
"Yes."
The maid respectfully took the box and left.
Gu Sheng then looked at Nangong Qingyue.
"Before you receive my reply, you may rest at Linyin Pavilion. This place is safe, and no one will dare to cause trouble here. If you have other places to go, you may arrange yourself. But remember, do not act rashly before my response."
Nangong Qingyue felt disappointment but more understanding.
She knew that Gu Sheng not rejecting her on the spot already gave her hope.
She bowed again.
"Yes! Qingyue understands! Thank you, Senior, for taking me in! Qingyue... will wait here for your news!"
Without speaking further, Gu Sheng left the Quiet Room.
Inside the Quiet Room, only Nangong Qingyue remained.
She looked at Gu Sheng’s departing back, then at the empty desk, slowly sat back down on the chair, her hands tightly clasped, knuckles turning white.
In her eyes, there was anticipation, anxiety, and deeply buried, heart-wrenching hatred silently burning.
She knew this was her only hope.
She could only... wait.
Linyin Pavilion, third floor, in Gu Yuanyuan’s Quiet Room.
Gu Yuanyuan was sitting cross-legged on the prayer mat, circulating her qi according to the Basic Cultivation Technique taught by Gu Sheng. The rich Spiritual Energy flowed into her body like a gentle stream, nourishing her meridians.
Her aura was harmonious, seemingly only a step away from breaking through to the Sect Realm.
The Quiet Room door was gently pushed open, and Gu Sheng entered.
"Master!"
Gu Yuanyuan immediately stopped her cultivation and rose, her face beaming with joy.
"Hmm."
Gu Sheng nodded slightly, his gaze swept over her aura, satisfaction showing in his eyes.
"Foundation is solid, True Yuan refined, good."
He changed the subject.
"Originally, I planned to refine the Dispersion Pill for you tomorrow to aid in your Exchange Technique. But tomorrow I have an important matter to attend to, and I can’t spare the time. The exchange must happen sooner."
"Sooner?"
Gu Yuanyuan was surprised, then nodded vigorously.
"Disciple will follow Master’s arrangements!"
"Good."
Gu Sheng said no more.
"Follow me."
He took Gu Yuanyuan out of the Quiet Room, heading to the underground passage.
The passage was deep, filled with rich Spiritual Energy. Halfway through, they encountered Tantai Xueling, who was coming from the underground level.
Tantai Xueling was still dressed in a moon-white long dress, her temperament cool as the moon.
But now, her slender right arm was entwined with a vine completely crimson, covered with ferocious back thorns!
The vine slowly writhed on her arm, emanating pure bloodthirsty aura, in stark contrast to her cool demeanor; it was the Blood-colored Heavenly Demon Vine Branch gifted by Gu Sheng!
"Xueli."
Gu Sheng’s gaze fell on the bloody vine on her arm, nodding slightly.
Tantai Xueling’s steps paused slightly, her cold gaze sweeping over Gu Sheng, then dropping on Gu Yuanyuan behind him, nodding slightly in greeting.
"Mistress!"
Gu Yuanyuan’s eyes lit up upon seeing Tantai Xueling, calling out crisply.
This call of "Mistress" was like a thunder clap in a calm day!
Tantai Xueling’s cold and beautiful face instantly became crimson, the blush spreading to her ears!
Her body stiffened imperceptibly, and the blood-red vine coiled around her arm seemed to momentarily halt!
She instinctively wanted to retort, but seeing Gu Yuanyuan’s clear and innocent eyes filled with admiration, the words at the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.
"Ahem..."
Tantai Xueling forcibly suppressed the panic in her heart, pretending to be composed as she averted her gaze, her voice carrying an imperceptible tremor.
"Children... shouldn’t shout recklessly. I... I have matters to attend to, I’ll go ahead."
She almost fled in haste, brushing past Gu Sheng, quickly leaving only a faint fragrance of moonflower.
Gu Sheng watched Tantai Xueling nearly fleeing back, his eyes holding a faint smile.
He turned his head to Gu Yuanyuan, his tone bland yet carrying a warning.
"Yuanyuan, being clever is good, but don’t use scheming on your own people."
Gu Yuanyuan’s face reddened, sticking out her tongue, she whispered.
"Disciple knows it’s wrong... just... just thinks Mistress actually likes being called that..."
Gu Sheng said no more, leading her further to the underground level.
Underground level, Alchemy Room.
This was a spacious stone chamber, with a giant pill furnace in the center, completely red and carved with complex flame patterns.
The furnace had an Earth Fire outlet beneath it, a faint heat wafting from it.
The surrounding walls were inlaid with various auxiliary array runes, and the air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance.
"Shadow, fetch three stalks of ’Withered and Flourishing Grass’, one ’Transformation Fruit’, two ’Ice Heart Lotus’, one petal of ’Soul-Attracting Flower’... and one bottle of ’Rootless Water’."
Standing by the pill furnace, Gu Sheng gave orders solemnly.
"Yes."
Shadow’s figure appeared silently in the corner of the Alchemy Room, responding before swiftly disappearing out the door.
Gu Sheng then stepped to the side, took out a warm Jade Talisman, and handed it to Gu Yuanyuan.
"This contains the first four volumes of the ’Mixed Element Qi Scripture.’ You have two hours to memorize its contents thoroughly. Once the Dispersion Pill is ready, use this technique for reconstruction."
"Yes, Master!"
Gu Yuanyuan received the Jade Talisman, her face serious, immediately sitting cross-legged, pressing the talisman to her forehead. Her Divine Sense sank into it, beginning to focus on memorizing the esoteric technique texts.