Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

”Ling Xiao, you especially need to control your mouth and limbs. If you provoke someone you shouldn’t, not even I can save you in time.”

Ling Xiao pouted, but still nodded.

”Elder Su, rest assured, I know my limits.”

”Hmph, I hope so.”

Su Yongchang snorted coldly and looked at Gu Sheng.

”You are meticulous, keep an eye on him.”

Gu Sheng nodded slightly, not saying much.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the Azure Dragon Token at his waist - entirely green, with an exquisitely detailed azure dragon coiled on it, serving as the certificate to enter Xuanming Divine Mountain.

When Daoist Yong’an handed them this token, the profound meaning in his eyes still weighs on Gu Sheng’s mind.

”Remember.”

Su Yongchang continued.

”Xuanming Divine Mountain is completely shrouded in dark clouds at night, significantly weakening the effects of divine thought and consciousness, but it is also when various creations appear.

During the day, when the clouds disperse, the caves on the mountain are most suitable for cultivation; the closer to the summit, the denser the spiritual energy.”

Ling Xiao’s eyes lit up.

”Shouldn’t we go directly to the summit then?”

”Foolish!”

Su Yongchang reprimanded sternly.

”With your current cultivation, approaching the summit is akin to seeking death! The concentration of spiritual energy there is enough to burst your meridians! Find a cave at the foot of the mountain and cultivate in peace, don’t be too ambitious!”

Gu Sheng pulled the still argumentative Ling Xiao aside and said firmly.

”We will heed Elder Su’s teachings.”

Su Yongchang’s expression eased slightly, and he further instructed.

”When you encounter danger, immediately crush the Azure Dragon Token, and the powerful guardian residing at Xuanming Divine Mountain will assist. But remember, you only have one chance, you must come out on time after a month, or else...”

”Or else we’ll be expelled; we understand.”

Ling Xiao responded playfully, but shrank under Su Yongchang’s stern gaze.

The three continued onward, soon arriving at a bottomless abyss.

Across the abyss lay the true domain of Xuanming Divine Mountain.

Gu Sheng leaned to look, only to see black fog swirling in the abyss, with faintly eerie howls coming from below, causing chills.

”Stick close to me.”

Su Yongchang grabbed each of them with one hand, leaping across the abyss like a great roc spreading its wings.

As they were about to reach the other side, a piercing cold suddenly enveloped them.

Gu Sheng felt as if his blood was about to freeze, fine frost drifted before his eyes, and he breathed in the ancient and desolate scent.

Even more terrifying, a muffled roar resounded from the depths of the abyss, shaking his organs with vibration.

”Hmph!”

A cold snort suddenly sounded, like thunder exploding in their ears.

Gu Sheng’s vision blurred, then a shadow appeared out of thin air before them.

The figure was draped entirely in a black robe, obscuring the face, with only a pair of eyes cold enough to chill the soul.

”Greetings, Xuanming Envoy.”

Su Yongchang immediately bowed, showing utmost respect.

Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao quickly followed suit. The Xuanming Envoy glanced at the two, and Gu Sheng felt an overwhelming divine thought sweeping over, probing inside and out.

The feeling of being thoroughly seen through made his spine chill, yet he dared not resist.

”Azure Dragon Token.”

The Xuanming Envoy’s voice was hoarse and low.

Su Yongchang quickly gestured, and Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao presented the Azure Dragon Token with both hands.

The envoy merely glanced at them, and the two tokens automatically flew back to their hands.

”One month.”

The Xuanming Envoy said coldly.

”Those overdue will die.”

The final word dropped, and Gu Sheng felt coldness rush from his feet to his head, as if Death had the scythe pressed against his neck.

He didn’t doubt for a moment that if they dared to be overdue, this Xuanming Envoy would take their lives without hesitation.

”We obediently follow the command of the Xuanming Envoy.”

Su Yongchang bowed again, then said to Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao.

”Keep the Azure Dragon Token safe and remember my words.”

Gu Sheng nodded sincerely, keeping the Azure Dragon Token close.

Ling Xiao also became unusually solemn, carefully hiding the token in his chest.

Su Yongchang bowed once more to the Xuanming Envoy before turning to leave.

His figure quickly vanished into the mist on the other side of the abyss, leaving Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao facing the enigmatic Xuanming Divine Mountain.

”Phew—finally gone.”

Ling Xiao exhaled deeply, his face returning to its playful disdain.

”That old man nagged all the way, my ears nearly grew calluses.”

Gu Sheng frowned, whispering.

”Mind your words! That Xuanming Envoy might still be listening.”

Ling Xiao dismissively waved his hand.

”Afraid of what? We’re official disciples with Azure Dragon Tokens; he won’t eat us.”

”You...”

Gu Sheng was about to retort when he felt a cold gaze from behind, immediately clamming up.

He quietly turned to see the Xuanming Envoy already vanished, but the feeling of being watched persisted.

”Let’s move.”

Gu Sheng said nothing more, leading the way to the mountain foot.

The ground was soft and damp, leaving shallow footprints with every step, yet strangely, these prints would soon be smoothed by an invisible force, as if no one had walked there.

Ling Xiao quickly followed, curiously surveying the surroundings.

”This place is indeed odd, can’t even leave footprints. Hey, Gu Sheng, do you think the caves might have treasures?”

”Elder Su said daytime is for cultivation, nighttime is when creations appear.”

Gu Sheng replied without turning his head.

”Right now, the priority is finding a suitable cave to settle in.”

”Tch, boring.”

Ling Xiao pouted, but still followed Gu Sheng.

As they approached the mountain foot, the air grew increasingly rich in spiritual energy, each breath invigorating the mind.