Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1685 - 855: This Is Absolutely Impossible! (Part 2)

His tone was calm, yet carried an indisputable coldness.

"To prevent you from harboring ulterior motives in the future, or betraying me at critical moments.

This ’Soul Seal’ will normally have no impact on you; in fact, it can even help shield you from lethal Divine Soul attacks."

He looked deeply at Nangong Yuexia and continued.

"As long as you work for me with peace of mind and without treachery, it will never be activated, benefiting you without harm.

But if you dare exhibit any sign of betrayal in the future..."

Gu Sheng’s voice suddenly turned icy, like eternal frost.

"Then, regardless of your location or cultivation level, with a mere thought, I can make you... vanish without a trace, never to be reincarnated!"

Nangong Yuexia felt the sinister imprint within her Sea of Consciousness, akin to a sword hanging overhead, and heard Gu Sheng’s chilling words, causing her face to blanch immediately.

She looked at Gu Sheng’s serene yet supremely authoritative visage, and the faint trust that had just arisen from their collaboration was instantly replaced by overwhelming fear and coldness.

She finally fully understood that working with this young man was not as simple as she imagined.

This was not merely a transaction; it was a gamble that involved pledging one’s very soul!

Gu Sheng did not disclose all the effects and activation conditions of the Soul Seal, leaving some things unsaid to provide enough room for imagination, thereby enhancing the intimidation.

He believed that with Nangong Yuexia’s intelligence, she would surely comprehend the peril involved.

Nangong Yuexia’s eyes flickered slightly, her fingertips unconsciously touched her brow, where a faint cold sensation seemed to linger.

She indeed comprehended, and understood that at this moment, she was the fish on the cutting board, any dissent would be futile, even possibly inviting instant harm.

She forcibly suppressed her indignation and chill, managing a semblance of a calm expression, and then asked.

"I understand.

Then, Young Master Gu, specifically, what do you need me to do next?"

Seeing her wisely avoid dwelling on the Soul Seal, Gu Sheng directly issued his orders.

"Three days from now, arrange for me and Situ Qingfeng to go to Golden Wing Ridge under reasonable identities."

"Okay."

Nangong Yuexia nodded.

"I will arrange it properly."

Gu Sheng continued.

"Externally, you need to announce in the name of Purple Mist Divine Sect that it’s you, Nangong Yuexia, collaborating with the son of Situ Ling, one of the top ten experts in the Southern Border, Situ Qingfeng, to jointly explore the newly discovered Secret Realm in Golden Wing Ridge.

And use this as an excuse to try to bring other Divine Sect forces, either friendly with Purple Mist Divine Sect or seeking a share of the pie, along for the ride, thus muddying the waters."

Nangong Yuexia’s eyes flashed with understanding; this was leveraging power while creating chaos to facilitate their actions.

"Moreover," Gu Sheng’s tone turned cold, carrying a calculative edge.

"You need to prepare a ’scapegoat’ in advance. Preferably... someone from the faction of City Lord Xiaguang.

Within the Secret Realm, or after leaving it, you must create the illusion that I had dealings with people from the City Lord Mansion, and even clashed over uneven profit distribution. How to execute this should be more within your expertise."

At these words, Nangong Yuexia was initially taken aback, then her eyes gleamed brightly! She instantly grasped Gu Sheng’s intention! It was not only to confuse the public but to shift the blame eastward, using the chance to weaken City Lord Xiaguang! If handled properly, it might even seize control of Xiaguang City’s power from the City Lord Mansion, bringing it under her command!

"Young Master Gu’s strategy... is brilliant!"

Nangong Yuexia couldn’t help but praise, her apprehension about Gu Sheng deepening; this person not only had formidable strength but also a meticulous and ruthless mind.

Gu Sheng merely glanced at her indifferently, his tone calm.

"A spur-of-the-moment thought. Initially, I only considered how to escape after killing you if negotiations failed."

Nangong Yuexia’s body experienced a subtle tremor at his words, cold sweat breaking out on her back.

She did not doubt the truthfulness of Gu Sheng’s words.

She smiled bitterly, her tone containing genuine admiration.

"Even my foster father mentioned multiple times that Gu Sheng was deep-minded, unpredictable, and not to be underestimated.

Now it appears, my foster father was right. Yuexia... submits."

Gu Sheng said no more, leaving the courtyard with Situ Qingfeng, who had been watching with an agitated mind.

...

The three days passed in a flash.

On the morning of the fourth day, just as dawn broke, a martial artist from the Prince Mansion came to the inn where Gu Sheng was staying, respectfully delivering a message.

"Young Master Gu, Elder Yue Xia asked me to inform you that everything is ready. An hour later, the Purple Mist Divine Sect’s team will gather at the South Gate to depart for Golden Wing Ridge."

Gu Sheng nodded and asked.

"How has the news about the Secret Realm at Golden Wing Ridge been circulated?"

The martial artist responded.

"According to the elder’s orders, the news has been spread. So far, it is confirmed that Heavenly Fire Divine Sect, Glazed God Sect, and Longevity Divine Sect will send teams to meet us at Golden Wing Ridge’s perimeter, intending to secure a share.

Moreover, according to reliable information, the beloved little princess from Five Poison Divine Sect seems to be very interested in the Secret Realm and might accompany us."

"The little princess of Five Poison Divine Sect?"

Gu Sheng’s eyes flickered as he noted this information. Five Poison Divine Sect held significant influence in the Southern Border, with their enigmatic poison techniques requiring vigilance.

"And what about my and my companion’s identities?"

Gu Sheng further inquired.

"Your arranged identity is that of a newly recruited advisor at the City Lord Mansion, named ’Yun Qing’, skilled in Array Formation and Divination, hence delegated to assist with this Secret Realm exploration.

Here are the relevant identity documents and... an image circulated within the City Lord Mansion, depicting ’Mr. Yun Qing’."

The martial artist said, handing over a document and a scroll.

Gu Sheng took the scroll and unfolded it, revealing an image of a middle-aged scholar with a slender face and three strands of long beard, resembling only a third of his current appearance—evidently Nangong Yuexia’s handiwork to facilitate his disguise.

At this moment, the Prince Mansion martial artist hesitated a bit but couldn’t resist cautiously asking.

"Young Master Gu, forgive my boldness... I feel your aura seems more profound than three days ago... Is this an illusion?"

Gu Sheng glanced at him, knowing it was likely a probe prompted by Nangong Yuexia.

He didn’t get angry, instead, he candidly affirmed.

"Your perception is correct."

With his words, a subtle thought activated, without any visible effort, his skin faintly emanated a nearly imperceptible glaze of glimmering color, a natural flow of seamless, indestructible essence.

The martial artist’s pupils constricted suddenly, exclaiming in a low cry.

"This... this is?! The Glazed Treasure Light! Your Glazed Golden Body... has achieved Great Success?!"

"Not yet Great Success, but Small Success is stabilized."

Gu Sheng dispersed the treasure light, his tone indifferent.

"Now, unless a Sect Realm Peak expert who has comprehended the True Meaning of Law wields a Divine Weapon and attacks with full force, ordinary Sect Realm cannot breach my defenses."

His gaze swept over the martial artist’s shocked face, his tone turned cold, carrying a warning.

"Go back and tell Nangong Yuexia, there is no need to continue probing. What I need is an obedient and useful pawn, not a ’partner’ constantly needing my guard and intrigue.

She is not qualified yet."

Upon hearing this, the martial artist’s face turned horrified, yet unable to refute; he could only bow his head respectfully, then hurriedly leave.

Shortly after his departure, Situ Qingfeng entered the room, a hint of worry on his face.

"Gu, I think Nangong Yuexia and her people do not truly submit, might they..."

Gu Sheng interrupted him, his tone carrying a calm understanding of everything.

"I investigated Nangong Yuexia and her so-called ’Prince Mansion loyalists’ around her. Nine out of ten lack genuine loyalty to Nangong Tiance, more so bound by interests and long-standing habits. I don’t require their true submission; I merely need Nangong Yuexia to act as a compliant pawn while she is still useful. As for loyalty? It is meaningless."