Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Those who could sit on the third floor were all powerful Cultivators, or nobles trailed by a large entourage.

”Look over there!”

Ling Xiao suddenly lowered his voice and pointed at a group in the center of the third floor who were taking their seats.

”That’s... people from the Mystic Sky Sect!”

Gu Sheng’s pupils shrank slightly. At the center of the third floor, a group of Cultivators in white Daoist robes trimmed with gold were slowly taking their seats, headed by a middle-aged man with a stern face and a Longsword hanging at his waist.

Wherever they passed, the surrounding Cultivators all lowered their heads and saluted.

Luoyun City, outside the Sky Cloud Pavilion.

Young Master Qin kicked away a beggar blocking his path, his silk long robe flashing a blinding golden sheen in the sunlight.

Seven or eight lackeys with fawning smiles followed behind him, and the most eye-catching among them was the towering, iron-tower-like man who always lagged half a step behind, his whole body radiating a chilling aura—Tie San.

”Young Master Qin, slow down, watch the steps.”

One lackey bent at the waist, just like a dog wagging its tail for mercy.

Young Master Qin snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the line of people at the entrance of Sky Cloud Pavilion, the corner of his mouth curling in disdain.

”A bunch of bumpkins, and they think they deserve to bid in the same hall as me?”

His voice wasn’t quiet. The few richly dressed merchants at the front instantly looked sullen, but after seeing who had come, they quickly lowered their heads again. In Luoyun City, no one dared offend the only son of the City Lord Mansion.

”Move it, move it! Young Master Qin is here, all of you get out of the way!”

The lackeys shouted, bullying people with borrowed authority, roughly shoving aside anyone in the way.

Tie San followed in silence, his hawk-like eyes constantly sweeping the surroundings, his right hand always resting on the black short blade at his waist. Anyone his gaze swept past couldn’t help but shiver.

The steward of Sky Cloud Pavilion had already come out to greet them, his fat face piled with smiles.

”Young Master Qin gracing us with your presence truly makes this humble shop shine! Your seat is ready, right in the first row!”

Young Master Qin tilted his nostrils at the sky, not even sparing the steward a proper glance.

”I hear there are a few decent items in this auction?”

”Yes, yes, yes, the finale this time is a Fifth Grade Elixir Pill, and there’s also a treasure sword said to be from Ancient Ruins...”

The steward rubbed his hands, trailing a step behind Young Master Qin.

The group swept grandly into the main hall of Sky Cloud Pavilion. The hall was luxuriously decorated, with Luminous Pearls inlaid into all four walls.

Hundreds of seats were arranged in a fan shape, growing more prestigious the closer they were to the front.

Young Master Qin swaggered toward the first row, but when he saw the few young men in long robes embroidered with Purple Mist patterns in the middle, his steps paused imperceptibly.

”People from the Purple Mist Sacred Land?”

He lowered his voice and asked the steward.

Beads of sweat seeped out on the steward’s forehead.

”Y-Yes, those are Core Disciples of the Purple Mist Sacred Land, they arrived just this morning...”

A trace of wariness flashed in Young Master Qin’s eyes, but he quickly resumed his arrogant demeanor.

”Hmph, just a few snot-nosed brats.”

Despite his words, his voice was noticeably softer.

”Young Master Qin will definitely become a Core Disciple of the Purple Mist Sacred Land in the future!”

One lackey chimed in with flattery at just the right moment.

”But of course.”

Young Master Qin lifted his chin proudly.

”My father said he’ll send me to take part in the selection next year.”

Tie San stood behind Young Master Qin, but his gaze remained locked on those few people from the Purple Mist Sacred Land.

His right thumb unconsciously rubbed the hilt of his blade.

”Tie San.”

Young Master Qin suddenly turned his head.

”Tell me, do you think that Gu Sheng will come to this auction?”

Tie San drew back his gaze, his voice hoarse.

”Not certain. But according to our intel, he has indeed been active in the city recently.”

Young Master Qin cursed angrily.

”That little bastard doesn’t know what’s good for him, daring to mess with someone he shouldn’t.

This time we must catch him!”

”Rest easy, Young Master Qin.”

Tie San said blandly.

”As long as he dares show his face, he won’t escape.”

Young Master Qin nodded in satisfaction, then ordered his lackeys.

”You lot, go wander around the venue and see if there’s anyone suspicious. Remember, don’t disturb the people from the Purple Mist Sacred Land.”

The lackeys took their orders and left, leaving only Tie San standing behind Young Master Qin like a Shadow.

As the Si hour approached, the Sky Cloud Pavilion was a cacophony of voices.

Gu Sheng sat at a seat by the edge of the fifth floor, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.

The chair was made from some kind of Ling Mu, and sitting on it could calm one’s mind, but at this moment it couldn’t soothe the restlessness in his heart at all.

”What a dump, they don’t even have proper seats!”

Ling Xiao plopped down beside Gu Sheng, nearly squashing the arm of a female Cultivator next to him, drawing an angry glare from her.

He didn’t care in the slightest, just irritably tugged at his collar.

”Why do we have to squeeze into this godforsaken fifth floor?”

Gu Sheng glanced around. It was indeed as Ling Xiao said—the entire fifth floor was jam-packed, with quite a few people even sharing a seat between two.

Looking down, the third and fourth floors were crowded as well, but clearly much more spacious. Especially the front rows of the third floor, where the richly dressed Cultivators could even lounge around with one leg casually crossed over the other.

”Keep your voice down.”

Gu Sheng lowered his voice.

”I asked around just now. At Sky Cloud Pavilion, seats are arranged not just by the value of the Treasure you bring, but also by your Cultivation and status.”

Ling Xiao snorted.

”Those jokers? I just saw one on the third floor—a fatty whose item is just some crappy Low Grade Xuan Rank sword, yet he’s strutting around and sitting there like he owns the place!”

The kindly looking old man beside them heard this and stroked his grey-white beard with a smile.

”You young folk don’t know. That man is from the Direct Lineage of the Liu Family of Qingfeng City. The Liu Family may not be a top-tier Family, but in this region they do have some standing.”

Ling Xiao still wanted to retort, but Gu Sheng clamped down on his wrist, the force so great that Ling Xiao couldn’t help but frown.