Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1388 - 718: Ingratitude

Gu Sheng looked up and saw a giant black eagle circling in the clouds.

"Is that your spirit beast?"

Gu Sheng asked.

Qin Yurou nodded.

"Little Black is a Communication Eagle trained by the Holy Academy. It can connect with my mind."

She paused.

"Actually... I was entrusted by Senior Sister Shen Qingtan to enter the Secret Realm."

Gu Sheng was not surprised.

"I guessed it. Your mission is to sabotage Shen Qingyun’s cooperation with the Lu Family?"

"Partly."

Qin Yurou confessed.

"Senior Sister wants me to prevent Shen Qingyun from recruiting various forces. Also..."

She smiled slyly.

"I also need the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the Secret Realm to enhance myself."

"So yesterday you were always ahead of me?"

Gu Sheng asked with a half-smile.

Qin Yurou stuck out her tongue.

"You found out. But I didn’t take everything; I left quite a bit for you each time."

"Why are you telling me these things?"

Gu Sheng looked directly into her eyes.

"A disciple of the Holy Academy should keep their mouth shut, right?"

Qin Yurou’s expression suddenly became serious.

"Because Shen Qingyun is serious this time. He’s letting it be known that whoever can take your head can gain his favor. The favor of a top three candidate of the Holy Academy is invaluable to many."

Gu Sheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"Seems like I’ve become a pawn in your conflicts."

"Senior Sister says, the enemy of your enemy is a friend."

Qin Yurou blinked.

"I think you’re much better than that hypocrite Shen Qingyun."

In the Sea of Consciousness, the Innate Spirit Embryo suddenly let out a strange cry.

"Be careful! This girl probably wants to pull you in!"

Gu Sheng remained calm.

"Thanks for the warning. But for now, I don’t want to get involved in the Holy Academy’s internal strife."

Qin Yurou seemed to have anticipated his reply.

"Suit yourself. But now the exit of the Secret Realm is surely guarded by Shen Qingyun’s men, how do you plan to leave?"

"There will always be a way when the time comes."

Gu Sheng said lightly.

"Rather, aren’t you afraid Shen Qingyun will find out you told me all this?"

"He can’t do anything to me."

Qin Yurou said confidently.

"The rules of the Holy Academy are strict; fellow disciples must not harm each other. Besides..."

She had a cunning look in her eyes.

"Senior Sister will protect me."

Gu Sheng suddenly felt that the seemingly innocent girl in front of him had a much deeper mind than she appeared. The power struggles within the Holy Academy seem even more complex than he imagined.

Qin Yurou’s voice sounded exceptionally clear in the dimness of the Secret Realm.

"Gu Sheng, Shen Qingtan was framed by Shen Qingyun outside the Secret Realm. I must leave early to help her."

Gu Sheng furrowed his brow, fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of the Broken Wind Ancient Sword at his waist. Moonlight penetrated the mist above the Secret Realm, casting mottled shadows on his sharp-featured face.

"How many people did Shen Qingyun gather?"

He asked in a low voice.

"At least three hundred martial artists, among them are Earth Martial Realm experts."

Qin Yurou bit her lower lip, taking out a blue Jade Talisman from her bosom.

"They’re searching all over the Secret Realm for your traces."

Gu Sheng’s lips curled in a cold smile.

"Three hundred people? Shen Qingyun certainly thinks highly of me."

"Better to be safe."

Qin Yurou grasped the Jade Talisman in her palm.

"After I leave, you..."

"Don’t worry about me."

Gu Sheng interrupted her, his gaze sweeping the surrounding dark forest.

"Instead, tell Qingtan to wait for me."

Qin Yurou nodded, saying no more.

She crushed the Jade Talisman forcefully, a flash of blue light appeared, and her figure instantly vanished, leaving only a few drifting pieces of blue talisman paper.

Gu Sheng stood still, feeling the rich Spiritual Energy in the Secret Realm.

He reached inside his coat and took out a bronze mask, engraved with intricate patterns, emitting a dim cold light under the moon.

"Disguise Treasure, it will indeed be useful."

He muttered to himself, placing the mask on his face.

The moment the mask touched his skin, Gu Sheng’s face started to distort and transform, turning into an ordinary-looking middle-aged man in an instant.

He contentedly touched his new face, turning and walking into the depths of the forest.

He already knew well the distribution of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures within the Secret Realm.

He avoided several areas where there might be ambushes, instead choosing to travel by secluded paths.

Along the way, he collected three hundred-year-old Spirit Grass plants and a rare purple Crystal Stone, harvesting abundantly.

As the skies darkened, Gu Sheng sat cross-legged under an ancient tree.

He closed his eyes to regulate his breath, with Spiritual Power surging through his body like a torrential river. His Fifth Layer Heaven physique glimmered with a faint golden light under the moon, every muscle containing explosive power.

"Tomorrow, head north."

He opened his eyes, gazing toward the mist-covered mountains north.

"The opportunity sensed by the Innate Spirit Embryo should be there."

At midnight, a series of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility of the Secret Realm.

Gu Sheng abruptly opened his eyes, his figure hidden in the shadows of the trees.

He held his breath, focused intently, his gaze sharp.

"Catch her! Don’t let her escape!"

A rough male voice sounded exceptionally harsh in the night.

Only to see a woman in white staggering as she fled, chased by a dozen martial artists in Sun and Moon Sect attire.

The woman’s left shoulder was pierced by a blue-glowing poison arrow, her face pale.

"Save... save me..."

She suddenly collapsed to the ground, yet her gaze was directed straight towards where Gu Sheng hid, as if she could see through the darkness.

Gu Sheng furrowed his brow, fingers lightly touching the sword hilt, yet he didn’t act immediately.

"Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!"

Several sounds breaking through the air abruptly emerged, dozens of poisoned darts shot towards the tree where Gu Sheng was hiding. The trunk was instantly filled with blue-glowing hidden weapons, the tree bark wilting and blackening visibly.

"You skulking vermin, come out!"

The leading martial artist from the Sun and Moon Sect shouted harshly, his figure burly, with a hideous scar on his face.

Gu Sheng’s eyes flashed with cold light, killing intent suddenly rising.