Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

”It’s absolutely true, Master. The entire encampment was burned to ash. They say... they say not a single one survived.”

Sitting to the side, Gu Feng shot to his feet, eyes full of shock.

”In a single night? Who has that kind of strength?”

Gu Lie exchanged a glance with his son. At the same time, a single name surfaced in both their minds—Gu Sheng.

”Father...”

Gu Feng lowered his voice.

”Could it really be Asheng’s doing?”

Gu Lie slowly set down his teacup.

”Other than him, who around Great Wilderness City could have such methods?”

His brows furrowed tightly.

”I just didn’t expect him to be so... ruthless.”

Gu Feng, however, shook his head.

”If you don’t pull the weeds up by the roots, they’ll grow again with the spring breeze. Asheng’s move may well be his way of protecting the Gu family.”

”You’re right.”

Gu Lie let out a bitter laugh.

”It’s just that this way of doing things is exactly the same as his mother’s back then...”

As he spoke, the butler hurried in to report.

”Master, Young Master Gu and Miss Ye have arrived.”

Gu Lie hastily straightened his robe and rose to greet them. He saw Gu Sheng step in wearing a dark robe, expression as calm as ever, with Ye Jianjia in plain clothes following behind him.

If not for personally hearing the news of the Five Poison Sect’s annihilation, who would imagine that this seemingly gentle, jade-like young man had slaughtered an entire Sect just last night?

”Father, big brother.”

Gu Sheng cupped his hands in salute, his tone so calm it was as if he’d only come to chat about trivial matters.

Gu Lie forced down the complicated emotions in his heart and squeezed out a smile.

”Sheng’er, you came at just the right time. I happen to have something to ask you...”

”About the Five Poison Sect?”

Gu Sheng laid it bare directly, gaze steady.

”I did it.”

The hall fell silent for a moment. Though they had already guessed, hearing Gu Sheng personally admit it still sent a tremor through the hearts of Gu Lie and his son.

”They sent people to assassinate me, and they had ill intentions toward the Gu family.”

Gu Sheng said indifferently.

”Leaving them alive would only be a calamity.”

Ye Jianjia stood to the side, quietly observing Gu Sheng’s profile.

She noticed that when he spoke of wiping out an entire Sect, there wasn’t the slightest ripple in Gu Sheng’s eyes, as if he were talking about the most ordinary of matters.

”Sheng’er...”

Gu Lie weighed his words.

”Are you... injured at all?”

Gu Sheng shook his head.

”A mere Five Poison Sect can’t hurt me.”

He paused for a moment.

”I came today to bid uncle farewell.”

”So soon?”

Gu Feng said in surprise.

”You’re not going to stay a few more days?”

Gu Sheng took out a letter from his sleeve.

”Over in Great Wilderness City there’s a wager on me. I must break through to the Xuanwu Realm within three months. Now that matters at home are settled, it’s time to resume my tempering.”

Gu Lie accepted the letter, his expression complicated.

”If your mother were here, she would surely be proud of you...”

He hesitated for a moment, but still asked.

”About the jade token your mother left behind...”

A hint of movement flashed in Gu Sheng’s eyes.

”Father knows where that jade token comes from?”

”It’s a betrothal token.”

Gu Lie let out a sigh.

”While she was alive, your mother arranged a marriage between you and Wanling Palace of Great Wilderness City.

She once said, if you ever have the chance to go to Great Wilderness City, you can take the jade token and go meet them.”

”Wanling Palace?”

Gu Sheng’s brows knitted slightly.

”The Wanling Palace in Central Province?”

Gu Lie nodded.

”Exactly. It’s said that girl is the Wanling Palace Master’s Direct Disciple, with extremely high talent. Your mother and her mother were old acquaintances...”

Gu Sheng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a soft laugh.

He spun the jade token once between his fingers.

”Since that’s the case, once I reach Great Wilderness City, I’ll naturally pay a visit.”

Listening at the side, Ye Jianjia felt her heart tremble faintly.

She stole a glance at Gu Sheng’s expression, but couldn’t tell whether he was pleased or displeased at the matter.

”Sheng’er...”

Gu Lie hesitated, then in the end only patted Gu Sheng on the shoulder.

”Be careful in all things. If you need anything, just send word back home.”

Gu Sheng nodded.

”Rest assured, Father.”

He turned to Gu Feng.

”Big brother, I’ll be leaving the Gu family in your care.”

Gu Feng nodded solemnly.

”Second brother, focus on your training. I’ll take care of things at home.”

After bidding farewell to the Gu family, Gu Sheng and Ye Jianjia headed straight for the Transmission Array in Golden Crow City.

Along the way, Ye Jianjia wanted to ask about the marriage contract with Wanling Palace several times, but in the end didn’t dare to speak up.

”If you have something to say, just say it.”

Gu Sheng said without even turning his head.

Ye Jianjia bit her lip.

”Senior brother... are you truly going to Wanling Palace to fulfill the engagement?”

Gu Sheng’s steps didn’t slow.

”Why, do you think it’s inappropriate?”

”I wouldn’t dare.”

Ye Jianjia hurriedly shook her head.

”It’s just... Wanling Palace is powerful. If that girl...”

”If she looks down on me?”

Gu Sheng suddenly stopped and turned, fixing his gaze on Ye Jianjia’s eyes.

”Or is it that you think I would be bound by a mere marriage contract?”

Ye Jianjia’s heart trembled under his gaze and she hastily lowered her head.

”I spoke out of turn.”

Gu Sheng withdrew his gaze and continued walking forward.

”The marriage contract is nothing more than a clue left by my mother. Wanling Palace... may be able to help me find more information about her.”

Only then did Ye Jianjia understand that what Gu Sheng cared about was not the engagement itself, but the clues about his mother that might be hidden within it.

She jogged a few steps to catch up with Gu Sheng, not daring to say anything more.

In front of the Transmission Array in Golden Crow City, Gu Sheng paid an exorbitant fee. Seeing that the two carried an extraordinary bearing, the guards respectfully led them into the Array.

”Great Wilderness City is far away. The teleportation process may feel a bit uncomfortable.”

Gu Sheng said to Ye Jianjia.

”Stay close to me.”

Ye Jianjia nodded nervously, subconsciously grabbing onto Gu Sheng’s sleeve. As the Array activated, a blinding white light shrouded the two of them.

Ye Jianjia only felt the world spin as if heaven and earth were overturning, her internal organs squeezed and twisted, the discomfort so intense she almost vomited.

Just as she was about to lose her strength, a gentle Soul Power wrapped around her.

Ye Jianjia looked at Gu Sheng in surprise and saw that he had split off a portion of his Soul Power to help her block the impact of the spatial turbulence.

”S-Senior brother...”

Ye Jianjia’s eyes grew hot with emotion.

Gu Sheng did not respond, only focusing on maintaining the Soul Barrier. She didn’t know how much time had passed when the blinding white light finally dispersed, and the two of them were already standing at the exit of the Transmission Array in Great Wilderness City.