Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 92: Chapter 88 Pointers on Fist Skill! Demons Lurk!

After half a year, Gu Xiaojiang had grown taller and his demeanor had become much steadier. Wearing the same blue robe as before, he carried himself with an aura far more outstanding compared to the first time Gu Sheng met him.

Over this period, Gu Xiaojiang had matured significantly.

”What a rare guest.”

Gu Sheng laughed heartily as Gu Xiaojiang turned toward him, also laughing. Raising the wine jug in his hand, he shook his head and sighed:

”Rare guest? Hardly. I’m just a man without autonomy. Today, being the year’s end, I was allowed one day of rest. The moment I was done with my duties, I came straight to find you. Tonight, we won’t leave until we’re drunk!”

As he spoke, his face lit up with a cheerful smile.

These past months of rigorous training had truly worn him out.

The elders at Gu’s Manor held high expectations for him, hoping he could break through to the Blood Refining Realm within three years. They had been relentlessly piling both common and rare resources on him, which weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Gu Sheng opened the door to the courtyard and teased him with a laugh:

”You’re someone blessed beyond measure yet unaware of it. If your treatment were given to others in the core family, do you think they wouldn’t fight to the death for it?”

Having resources without worry and guidance from the manor’s three top experts in turn—Gu Xiaojiang wouldn’t have had this qualification if not for these turbulent times.

Gu Xiaojiang chuckled and replied:

”Then how about I give it all to you?”

Gu Sheng froze for a moment before bursting into laughter:

”I wouldn’t dare accept such fortune.”

The two exchanged glances and laughed together. Gu Xiaojiang gradually came to understand Gu Sheng better.

He knew well that while Gu Sheng appeared low-profile on the surface, he was firmly principled. If the elders wanted to treat Gu Sheng the same way they treated Gu Jingang, it simply wouldn’t work.

Still, his approach differed from the elders. As long as Gu Sheng didn’t wrong Gu’s Manor, he had no objection.

The two sat down.

Gu Xiaojiang poured a drink for Gu Sheng, carefully observing him while a trace of astonishment flashed in his eyes.

”Asheng, it’s been half a year, and you’ve changed so much.”

At this moment, Gu Sheng was half a head taller than him. In the cold winter, he wore only a simple fitted outfit, his faintly outlined muscles showing through, exuding an extraordinary bearing. Most striking was his gaze, filled with steadiness and confidence—not entirely different from before, yet with a noticeable contrast.

This was the confidence born from strength.

Gu Sheng’s abilities had visibly improved daily. His dominance in the Refining Skin Realm was unmatched, and this naturally imbued him with an energy and spirit that was distinct from others. Even when intentionally subdued, it was still perceptible.

”Asheng... have you already become a Martial Artist?”

Gu Xiaojiang couldn’t hold back his curiosity as he asked.

His eyes sparkled with intrigue.

Gu Sheng took a sip of the wine, praised its taste, and then replied with a smile:

”You already know my aptitude—it’s impossible for me to become a Martial Artist yet. But... I’m close. By next spring, I’d say I’m about sixty to seventy percent sure I’ll break through.”

Gu Xiaojiang’s eyes lit up instantly, and he couldn’t help but exclaim:

”Impressive!”

”It’s merely thanks to the advantage of receiving five portions of Body Refining Ointment every month. Without the savings I accumulated from hunting earlier, I wouldn’t have even approached the Martial Artist threshold. Honestly, I owe a lot to your father.”

Gu Sheng sighed softly. He knew in his heart that his innate talent was mediocre.

Gu Xiaojiang waved his hands repeatedly.

”Even though I’ve used far more Body Refining Ointment than you, I know its results firsthand. Your progress, Asheng, is mostly the fruit of your own efforts. Hard work is rewarded by heaven. It seems Uncle Jingang wasn’t wrong—I really haven’t worked hard enough.”

Knowing that Gu Sheng would likely become a Martial Artist by next spring sparked an unexpected sense of competitiveness in Gu Xiaojiang’s heart. If even someone with Gu Sheng’s aptitude could become a Martial Artist this swiftly, he knew he had to push harder!

Gu Sheng couldn’t help laughing quietly. His offhand comment had inadvertently triggered Gu Xiaojiang to strive harder. Changing the subject, he said:

”You’ve trained rigorously for half a year—your strength must have advanced greatly by now. My abilities pale in comparison.”

But Gu Xiaojiang shook his head with a bitter smile and gulped down a mouthful of spirits.

His frustrated voice broke the silence:

”It’s nowhere near as easy as it seems. My progress in tempering my skin membrane is decent. I’ve already reached the limit of Stone Skin and, with some further honing, should soon break through to the Iron Skin Realm. The problem is with Iron Stone Fist.”

Gu Xiaojiang clawed at his hair in irritation.

”After over six months of intensive training, my fist skill has improved significantly. But I just can’t find the key to breaking through to the Great Achievement Realm. Without that breakthrough, achieving Blood Refining Realm within these next two years is as hard as scaling the heavens!”

Feeling he had disappointed the manor’s high expectations, Gu Xiaojiang’s expression turned despondent.

Gu Sheng’s mind stirred.

To achieve mastery in Iron Stone Fist, one needed to blend techniques and practice seamlessly. Though it sounded simple, the difficulty lay in executing transitions freely between moves.

For instance, any young trainee at the manor practicing entry-level Iron Stone Fist could roughly manage basic transitions, but only at the end of a routine. True mastery required free-flowing transitions during execution to allow the strikes themselves to temper the skin membrane.

With Gu Sheng’s current realm in Iron Stone Fist, even its founder wouldn’t surpass his level. Guiding Gu Xiaojiang would be an effortless task.

While pondering how best to discreetly offer pointers, Gu Xiaojiang suddenly shook his head.

”Why am I bringing up such discouraging stuff? That’s on me—it’s my fault. Since tonight is a rare reunion, we should spar a little on fist skills. Though my Iron Stone Fist hasn’t broken into the Great Achievement Realm yet, it’s no worse than that of my father or Uncle Changming. Maybe it’ll inspire you.”

Gu Xiaojiang excitedly leapt into the courtyard and gestured toward Gu Sheng.

Though he called it sparring, in reality, Gu Xiaojiang intended to use this chance to impart some guidance to Gu Sheng. He simply refrained from saying so outright out of consideration for Gu Sheng’s pride.