Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1739 - 882: But She Did Not Expose It
Previously on Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World...
His spiritual power has been successfully condensed, reaching the seventh grade, and it is extremely solid. Suddenly, he remembered something and conveyed it to Tantai Xueling.
"Xueli, my spiritual power has improved, more condensed than before. The ’Spiritual Unity’ technique between us may be worth trying again, perhaps we can explore deeper mysteries."
Upon hearing the words "Spiritual Unity," a faint blush instantly appeared on Tantai Xueling’s cool and fair cheeks, extending all the way to Ruyu’s earlobes.
Due to the limitations of the secret technique she practiced, she instinctively felt a hint of shyness and resistance toward this nearly soul-fusing secret technique, but sensing Gu Sheng’s seriousness and anticipation, she lowered her eyelids slightly and softly responded.
"Yes... if... if you have time, I... I can give it a try."
Receiving an affirmative response, Gu Sheng spoke no further.
The three descended the stairs and arrived at the carefully remodeled hall on the underground level. The spiritual energy here was far more concentrated and pure than outside, clearly arranged with an advanced Spirit Gathering Array.
On the mat in the center of the hall, a small figure sat cross-legged, surrounded by a pale blue glow of True Qi, it was Gu Yuanyuan.
Although her cultivation remained stuck at the peak of the Spirit Martial Realm, unable to break through to the Yellow Martial Realm, she had been consistently refining her True Qi, making her True Qi far more pure and solid than other Spirit Martial Realm martial artists in the pavilion, with an exceptionally strong foundation.
Gu Sheng did not disturb her, just quietly watched. Moments later, Gu Yuanyuan slowly finished her cultivation and opened her clear eyes.
"Master! You’re back!"
Seeing Gu Sheng, Gu Yuanyuan’s face immediately beamed with joy, leaping up excitedly from the mat.
"Yes, just returned."
Gu Sheng smiled and patted her head.
"Prepare yourself, once your newly arrived junior sister completes the apprenticeship ceremony, I’ll teach you both a new cultivation technique."
"New junior sister?"
It was then that Gu Yuanyuan noticed behind Gu Sheng, the youth with delicate features yet a hint of wildness.
She blinked her big eyes, tilted her head slightly as she looked at Qidiao Yaoyao, then wrinkled her nose and straightforwardly said.
"Junior sister, it’s not very nice to show up for your first meeting with a false face, is it?"
Upon hearing this, Qidiao Yaoyao snorted inwardly but maintained an obedient facade and quickly agreed.
"What senior sister says is correct; it’s my lack of consideration."
However, she didn’t take it to heart.
’Hmph, just a little girl, trying to be overbearing.
No matter how talented you are, what does it matter? I possess the Holy Gu Spirit Body and am versed in Gu Technique, so being temporarily surpassed by you isn’t a big deal.’
She stepped forward, saluted Gu Yuanyuan, and her tone was quite formal.
"Qidiao Yaoyao, greets senior sister."
Gu Yuanyuan quickly returned the salute.
"Gu Yuanyuan, greets junior sister."
The two similarly aged girls scrutinized each other.
Gu Yuanyuan felt that this new junior sister, although outwardly respectful, seemed to have a lot hidden behind her lively eyes, not as close as she appeared, with a faint sense of wariness.
Meanwhile, Qidiao Yaoyao thought this senior sister had a simple mind, like a small hedgehog easily startled, naturally wary of strangers but lacking malice.
Underground City, Linyin Pavilion, underground hall.
Tantai Xueling’s cool gaze lingered on Qidiao Yaoyao for a moment, seemingly seeing beyond the illusion disguise to something deeper.
She turned to Gu Sheng and, in a calm tone, mentioned something via transmission.
"Months ago, during my travels, I incidentally eradicated three secret strongholds of the Five Poison Divine Sect within the East Desolation. I wasn’t aware of this girl’s connection to the Five Poison Divine Sect at the time."
Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng’s expression didn’t change much, and he transmitted back.
"No matter. Past grievances, since Qidiao Wu has made a choice, can be temporarily set aside. Arrange for a reliable person, carrying the token, to secretly contact Qidiao Wu in the Southern Border.
In the future, some southern border specific materials needed by Linyin Pavilion can be collected and processed by the Five Poison Divine Sect, giving them a chance to make amends. Discuss the specifics with him."
Tantai Xueling nodded slightly to indicate she understood. This transmission exchange between the two was swift like lightning, unnoticed by Qidiao Yaoyao and Gu Yuanyuan.
...
On the other side, upon hearing Gu Yuanyuan’s straightforward remark about disguises, rather than showing offense, Qidiao Yaoyao’s lips curled into a smile with a hint of self-deprecation and amusement.
She sighed softly, her tone carrying a touch of appropriate melancholy.
"Senior sister’s eyes are sharp. Junior sister did not intend to hide, but... my appearance is damaged, hideously unsightly, fearing that suddenly revealing it would frighten senior sister and master, thus had no choice but to cover it slightly, I hope senior sister won’t mind."
Her retreating and sincere words were so heartfelt that it left the simple-minded Gu Yuanyuan stunned, evoking some sympathy and curiosity, dissipating much of the initial displeasure, and even making her feel that her previous words might have been excessive.
She couldn’t help but berate herself internally.
’Gu Yuanyuan, oh Gu Yuanyuan, how can you judge people by their looks? Maybe junior sister has unspeakable secrets...’
Just as Gu Yuanyuan was internally reflecting, preparing to say something to ease the atmosphere, Qidiao Yaoyao suddenly raised her hand and gently lifted something at the back of her ear!
The human skin mask of the delicate-looking youth was slowly peeled away, revealing the true face hidden beneath.
It was a face of unmistakable beauty, features as picturesque as a painting, skin like snow, and features so exquisite like the most perfect creation of heaven.
However, a hideously twisted, dark red centipede-like scar stretched from her left browbone, slanting across the corner of her eye, extending to her cheek, destroying this breathtaking beauty, adding a touch of sinister sharpness, and carrying an unsettling sense of imperfection.
"Ah!"
Despite Qidiao Yaoyao’s forewarning, when Gu Yuanyuan, utterly unprepared, suddenly saw this face mixing ultimate beauty and ultimate horror, she exclaimed in shock, instinctively retreating half a step, small hands covering her mouth, eyes filled with alarm and confusion.
Her reaction, like a startled little hedgehog, instinctively extending its sharp spikes, although unintended, undeniably pricked Qidiao Yaoyao’s heart.
Seeing Gu Yuanyuan’s undisguised fright and retreating motions, Qidiao Yaoyao’s golden eyes flashed with a very faint chill and self-mockery, but her face quickly displayed a seemingly indifferent smile, as if accustomed to such reactions.
And at the moment Gu Yuanyuan exclaimed, she immediately realized her faux pas.
Looking at the glaring scar on Qidiao Yaoyao’s face and the "nonchalant" smile she forced, her heart was instantly filled with immense regret and apology, her face flushed red, desperately wanting to hide.
"I... I’m sorry! Junior sister! I... I didn’t mean it!"
Gu Yuanyuan was so anxious she could barely speak coherently, hurriedly stepping forward, explaining awkwardly.
"I... I was just... surprised... I..."
The more she tried to explain, the more flustered she became, in her haste, the storage ring given to her by Gu Sheng, which she cherished greatly, was removed and thrust into Qidiao Yaoyao’s hand, her voice laced with a sob.
"This... this is for you! As an apology from your senior sister! Please don’t be mad at me!"
Qidiao Yaoyao looked at the storage ring still warm from Gu Yuanyuan’s touch, quite high-quality, and then at the little senior sister in front, almost on the brink of tears, she hesitated for a moment, and the dissatisfaction she felt dissipated considerably.
She found this little girl reckless yet with a charmingly simple mind.
She pushed the storage ring back, shook her head, and smiled.
"Senior sister is too polite; it’s junior sister’s frightening appearance that startled senior sister first. How can I accept such a valuable gift from senior sister?"
Seeing Gu Yuanyuan still wanting to insist, Qidiao Yaoyao thought for a moment, and took out a wooden token engraved with a simple Five Poison Totem from her waist, handing it to Gu Yuanyuan.