Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

”Small impatience can spoil great plans.”

Ling Xiao took a deep breath, suppressing his anger with difficulty, but his eyes remained fixed on the group of Holy Land Disciples, especially the leading man in green.

The selection lasted an entire day.

The elder in black robes reappeared.

”The first round is over! Five hundred and thirty-seven people have passed. The second round will be conducted at Chen Shi tomorrow, and those who are late will be considered as quitting!”

This result left everyone shocked.

Out of one hundred thousand cultivators, only a little over five hundred passed!

The threshold of the Holy Land is indeed high.

The crowd gradually dispersed, and Liang Yu took Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao to find an inn nearby.

In the room, Liang Yu was still immersed in shock.

”It’s terrifying, ten thousand chosen from only five hundred... I’ve heard that in previous years at least a thousand people would pass.”

Liang Yu murmured.

Ling Xiao lay on the bed with his legs crossed, lazily speaking.

”What’s there to fear? Watch me tomorrow.”

Liang Yu gave a wry smile.

”Ling, the second round is the real challenge. It’s said to be an Array test, full of dangers within, with past cultivators seriously injured and even...”

”An Array?”

Gu Sheng suddenly became interested.

”What type of Array?”

”This...”

Liang Yu scratched his head.

”I’m not exactly sure, only that it requires passing through five small arrays, testing combat power, speed, comprehension, will, and physical body. It’s said that only the fastest ten can enter the third round.”

Ling Xiao, upon hearing this, looked excited.

”Sounds interesting.”

Gu Sheng glared at him.

”Don’t get carried away. Remember, we just need to perform a bit better than ordinary cultivators, don’t stand out too much.”

”Got it, got it.”

Ling Xiao waved impatiently.

”Pretending to be weak, right? That’s my specialty.”

Liang Yu listened, bewildered.

”What are you two talking about? Pretending to be weak?”

”Nothing.”

Gu Sheng smiled subtly.

”Liang, rest early, we’ll rely on your guidance tomorrow.”

By the next morning, all the cultivators who passed the first round had gathered in the three major squares.

The elder in black robes appeared on time, announcing the rules without unnecessary words.

”The second round, Array test! All will enter the Array one by one, pass through as quickly as possible! Only the ten fastest can enter the third round!”

With a wave of his robe, the ground trembled.

Three gigantic arrays rose from the center of the square, each exuding an ancient and powerful aura.

The surfaces of the Arrays shimmered with light, showing faint, complex patterns within.

”This is the legendary Five-Gate Array!”

Liang Yu whispered excitedly.

”It’s said that it tests all aspects of a cultivator’s abilities!”

Gu Sheng carefully observed the Array’s structure, astonished.

This Array is indeed exquisite, impressive even for those in the Heavenly Palace Realm.

”Remember.

Liang Yu reminded nervously.

”A Light Screen will appear above the Array, displaying the names and speed of those who pass, ranked from fastest to slowest. You must give it your all, don’t hold back, or you’ll be eliminated!”

Ling Xiao grinned.

”Don’t worry, we won’t hold back.”

Gu Sheng shook his head helplessly, warning again through secret transmission.

”Be moderate, don’t make a big scene.”

”Understood.”

Ling Xiao sighed, unconvinced.

Beside him, Liang Yu was thoughtfully observing the test Array and the crowd.

A burly cultivator stepped forward from the crowd, his voice booming.

”Let me try this Array first!”

He strode like a dragon and a tiger to the central ancient stone platform, covered with complex runes that glimmered faintly blue in the sunlight.

As he stepped on the platform, the Array activated, dense black mist surged from all sides, quickly enveloping the entire platform completely.

”Only one person at a time, huh...”

Ling Xiao’s eyes shone as he rubbed his hands eagerly.

”Gu Sheng, when do we go in?”

Gu Sheng didn’t answer immediately, squinting at the black mist. His Divine Sense cautiously probed but bounced back upon contact.

This Array is indeed formidable, completely isolating external probing.

”Let’s wait and see.”

Gu Sheng said softly.

Liang Yu overheard and leaned closer.

”My fellow Daoists, I suggest you take the test early, set an example for everyone, how about it?”

”Haha, what’s so difficult about that!”

Ling Xiao puffed out his chest, arrogance written on his face.

”Just a mere test Array...”

”Ling Xiao.”

Gu Sheng’s voice suddenly sounded in his mind, using the spell of secret transmission.

”Don’t show off. First, observe the passing speed of others. Remember, don’t go all out.”

Ling Xiao reluctantly replied.

”Why? With our strength...”

”The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be blown down.”

Gu Sheng’s voice was calm and restrained.

”Now is not the time to reveal our full strength.”

As the two communicated secretly, a sudden, anguished scream came from the black mist.

”Ah—”

A figure was seen flying backward out of the black mist, crashing heavily ten feet away, blood spurting from his mouth, staining the front of his garments.

The person twitched a few times, then completely passed out.

”Failed.”

The expressionless elder in black robes announced beside the Array.

”Next.”

The crowd gasped, drawing in their breath.

Ling Xiao’s pupils slightly contracted, clearly not expecting the Array to be so perilous.

Soon, another cultivator mustered the courage to step into the black mist.

This time, the Array did not immediately eject the person.

Time passed second by second, and after about a stick of incense’s time, the Array suddenly shone with green light, and the black mist dispersed.