Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

”I heard there’s a newcomer who defeated Wang Yuchen this year?”

”Indeed, they say his name is Ling Xiao, quite arrogant.”

”Hmph, it was just Wang Yuchen being careless. How capable can a newcomer be?”

Fragments of discussion drifted in with the wind.

Ling Xiao’s ears twitched, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

He was about to walk closer to listen, when suddenly he caught an unfamiliar name.

”... after the incident with Gu Sheng, does Gu Sheng still dare to come back?”

”Shh, keep your voice down. But that guy truly has a thick skin, causing Senior Brother Gu Sheng’s death and still having the face...”

Ling Xiao abruptly turned to look at Gu Sheng, only to find the latter seemed calm, as if he hadn’t heard.

He was about to inquire when Gu Sheng transmitted his voice.

”Don’t meddle.”

”Hey, who are they talking about when they mention Gu Sheng?”

Ling Xiao persistently transmitted his voice to ask.

Gu Sheng paused for a moment, eyes filled with complexity, but quickly returned to tranquility.

”None of your business.”

At that moment, a group of young people wearing Inner Sect disciple attire blocked their path.

Leading the group was a man with a stern face, a sword at his waist buzzing lightly.

”Who is Ling Xiao?”

He coldly scanned the crowd, eyes sharp as blades.

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow, about to step forward when Su Yongchang intervened.

”Li Su, what do you intend to do?”

”Elder Su.”

Li Su cupped his fists in salute, but his tone remained icy.

”I just want to see for myself what skills the newcomer who defeated Wang Yuchen possesses.”

”Nonsense!”

Su Yongchang’s face darkened.

”The entry-level test for newcomers hasn’t begun, and you Inner Sect disciples can’t wait to make a move? What about the Holy Land’s rules?”

Li Su’s expression faltered, the Inner Sect disciples behind him also showed discontent. One of them muttered.

”Senior Brother Wang was defeated by a newcomer, causing us Inner Sect disciples to be ridiculed wherever we go...”

”That’s because his skills were not refined enough.”

Su Yongchang interrupted bluntly.

”If you’re unconvinced, you’ll get your chance to compete when the talent test is over. Now, move aside!”

Li Su gritted his teeth but stepped aside.

However, as Ling Xiao passed by, he spoke in a low voice.

”Don’t think defeating Wang Yuchen is something great. The depths of the Inner Sect are beyond your imagination.”

Ling Xiao grinned, deliberately speaking loudly.

”Deep waters are good for fishing!”

”You!”

Li Su was instantly furious, yet his companions held him back.

Su Yongchang shook his head helplessly, leading the group onward.

”Up ahead is the testing platform.”

Su Yongchang pointed to a timeworn stone platform not far ahead.

The stone platform was circular, surrounded by twelve stone pillars, each carved with various exotic beasts, reflecting a faint azure glow under the sunlight.

Wang Yun quietly approached Ling Xiao, whispering.

”Ling, those Inner Sect disciples looked at you as if they wanted to devour you whole, aren’t you scared at all?”

Ling Xiao scoffed, deliberately raising his voice.

”Afraid? That group of trash? I could handle them all with one hand!”

Wang Yun’s face went pale instantly, hurriedly tugging at Ling Xiao’s sleeve.

”Ling, watch your words! They can all hear you!”

Sure enough, several Inner Sect disciples nearby turned their heads in unison, their eyes burning with fury.

One of them gritted his teeth and spat.

”Arrogant brat! Once the test is over, I’ll show you what it means to be overwhelmed!”

Su Yongchang frowned and glared at Ling Xiao.

”Restrain yourself! There are talented individuals among the Inner Sect disciples. Although you defeated Wang Yuchen, there are far stronger ones than him.”

Ling Xiao raised his eyebrows.

”Oh? Then why don’t they go for the Holy Road?”

”Silence!”

Su Yongchang’s face changed dramatically, his voice becoming stern.

”Don’t mention the Holy Road again!”

Liang Yu curiously moved closer.

”Senior, what happened with the Holy Road training?”

Su Yongchang glanced around, verifying no other Holy Land disciples were nearby, then spoke in a hushed tone.

”You newcomers are unaware. Half a year ago, the Six Great Holy Lands jointly opened the Holy Road, sending their elite disciples for training. But then...”

His eyes filled with dread.

”Tianlan Sacred Land produced a figure who shook the heavens and cried ghosts, nearly wiping out the geniuses of the Six Great Holy Lands, including the Saint Heir and Holy Daughter!”

”What?!”

The crowd gasped.

”The Great Elder from Qinghe Holy Land has personally come out to hunt the individual.”

Su Yongchang said gravely.

”For the Great Elder to take action, you can imagine the severity of the matter.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng’s frame stiffened slightly.

Ling Xiao’s eyes showed a peculiar gleam, but he soon returned to normal.

”What realm is the Great Elder?”

Liang Yu cautiously asked.

Su Yongchang sternly replied.

”The Great Elder is the Stabilizing Needle of Qinghe Holy Land, with cultivation reaching the heavens, rarely leaving the mountain. The last time he took action was to suppress a thousand-year Great Demon.”

The group exchanged glances, too shocked to speak.

Su Yongchang did not mention that not only had the Great Elder, but even the Holy Master had mobilized personally. The impact this incident brought to the Six Great Holy Lands far surpassed outsiders’ imaginations.

Ling Xiao’s lips curled into a subtle smile, eyes gleaming with pride.

Gu Sheng lowered his head, concealing the complexity in his eyes.

He had not expected to leave such a profound shadow on the Six Great Holy Lands.

”Enough, these matters have nothing to do with you.”

Su Yongchang waved his hand.

”Now follow me to the Earth Spirit Palace for the talent test.”

The Earth Spirit Palace was located behind the stone platform, an entirely black palace.

Above the palace gates hung an ancient jade, within which was embedded a lifelike eye, exuding an eerie glow.

”The Earth Spirit Palace is where Qinghe Holy Land tests the talents of its disciples.”

Su Yongchang introduced.

”Inside rests the Spiritual Ancient Jade, embedded with the Ancient Eye, capable of seeing through the essence of all things. You only need to stand before the Ancient Eye, and it will display different colors according to your talents.”