Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1421: Chapter 733: Annulment of Engagement (Part 2)

His face was resolute, and his aura subtly resonated with heaven and earth—this was none other than Xiao Xuanze, the Sect Master of Wanling Palace.

”Junior Gu Sheng, pays respect to Sect Master Xiao.”

Gu Sheng respectfully presented his greetings.

Xiao Xuanze looked at him with appreciation.

”Good lad, to remain so composed under my pressure, you truly are Gu’s son.”

Gu Sheng was momentarily stunned.

”Sect Master Xiao knows my father?”

”Not just knows.”

Xiao Xuanze laughed heartily.

”I am sworn brothers with your father, Qin Lie. In terms of seniority, you should call me Uncle Xiao.”

Complex emotions flashed in Gu Sheng’s eyes, and after a moment of silence, he solemnly paid his respects.

”Greetings, Uncle Xiao.”

Off to the side, Xiao Mengdie’s eyes widened.

”Father, you know each other?”

Xiao Xuanze looked fondly at his daughter.

”Die’er, did this Young Master Gu rescue you in the Secret Realm?”

”Yes, yes!”

Xiao Mengdie nodded vigorously.

”If it weren’t for Brother Gu, I would have been captured by the villains from the Xuanyin Sect!”

Gu Sheng casually remarked.

”It was a coincidence; anyone else would have saved you too.”

Xiao Xuanze gave Gu Sheng a meaningful look and suddenly changed his tone.

”Nephew Gu, besides delivering the token, do you have other matters?”

Gu Sheng was about to answer when Xiao Mengdie eagerly interrupted.

”Father, what exactly is that Jade Talisman? It looks so familiar to me!”

Several elders in the hall also showed curiosity.

Xiao Xuanze gently stroked his long beard, his gaze becoming distant.

”Twenty years ago, I and Brother Gu’s couple arranged a marriage contract...”

Gu Sheng’s pupils slightly contracted, waves surged in his heart.

He had never imagined that his parents had arranged a marriage for him, much less that the girl would be the eldest daughter of Wanling Palace.

”Marriage contract?”

Xiao Mengdie’s voice trembled slightly, her eyes widened suddenly, darting back and forth between her father Xiao Xuanze and Gu Sheng.

Her slender fingers unconsciously pinched the corner of her clothes, her knuckles turning white from force.

Gu Sheng stood in the center of the hall, the wind gently fluttering his green robe, seemingly calm but secretly observing the reactions of everyone in the hall.

He noticed the panic in Xiao Mengdie’s eyes, and her slightly bitten lower lip.

”Father, this...”

Xiao Mengdie hesitated, her gaze complexly turned to Xiao Xuanze.

Xiao Xuanze stood with his hands behind his back, his face solemn but warm.

He was dressed in a dark robe, the cuffs embroidered with golden cloud patterns, exuding the demeanor of a sect leader.

He did not directly respond to his daughter’s question, instead turning to Gu Sheng, his voice steady and powerful.

”Nephew Gu, there is no hurry in this matter. Once Meng Ling returns and you have met, we will discuss it at length.”

Gu Sheng slightly nodded, several thoughts already churned in his mind.

Xiao Xuanze’s attitude seemed polite but was indeed ambiguous.

He speculated to himself.

”Sect Master Xiao may not have any intention of reneging the past agreement, but if Wanling Palace truly wants to go back on it, it would also be effortless for them...”

”This matter is improper!”

A clear yet somewhat arrogant voice suddenly broke the subtle atmosphere in the hall.

Gu Sheng followed the voice and saw a young man in luxurious brocade robe walking out from behind the elder’s seat.

The youth was roughly in his early twenties, handsome yet appearing somewhat sinister, his waist adorned with a jade pendant that jingled with his steps, and his aura faintly emanating the Earth Martial Realm.

”Ling Qian! Do not be rude!”

Great Elder Zhao Wuji sternly commanded, though without much reproach in his tone.

Xiao Xuanze frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Great Elder.

”Elder Zhao, mind your junior.”

Gu Sheng took in everything, secretly thinking.

”It seems that Wanling Palace appears peaceful on the outside, but is turbulent within...”

”Nephew Gu has come a long way, why not stay in Wanling Palace for a few days?”

Xiao Xuanze turned to Gu Sheng, once again putting on a warm smile.

”Mengdie, take Nephew Gu to Qingzhu Pavilion to settle in. Tonight, I will hold a banquet at Purple Mist Hall to welcome Nephew Gu.”

After speaking, Xiao Xuanze waved his sleeve and led the elders out of the hall.

Gu Sheng noticed that the Great Elder gave him a meaningful look as he left, while Zhao Lingqian stood there, his eyes full of undisguised hostility.

”Young Master Gu, please follow me.”

Xiao Mengdie’s voice pulled Gu Sheng’s thoughts back to reality.

She had regained her composure, her mouth curved in a faint smile, yet Gu Sheng still caught a fleeting loneliness in her eyes.

The two walked side by side out of the grand hall, sunlight spilling onto Xiao Mengdie’s exquisite profile, coating her in a gentle golden glow.

Gu Sheng couldn’t help but ask.

”Miss Xiao, is your sister currently within the Sect?”

Xiao Mengdie’s steps subtly paused, then she continued on as if nothing had happened.

”Sister is a disciple of the Great Wilderness Holy Academy’s Inner Courtyard, rarely returning to the Sect. However, Father should have already sent word to her, perhaps...”

She paused.

”Perhaps you’ll see her tonight.”

Gu Sheng noticed the subtle change in Xiao Mengdie’s tone when she mentioned her sister.

Just as he was about to ask more, a figure suddenly blocked their path.

”Mengdie Junior Sister, where are you going?”

Zhao Lingqian had somehow positioned himself in the middle of the path, a frivolous smile on his face, yet his gaze remained coldly fixed on Gu Sheng.

Xiao Mengdie’s brow furrowed slightly.

”Senior Brother Zhao, is there something you need?”

Zhao Lingqian didn’t answer Xiao Mengdie, instead scrutinizing Gu Sheng up and down.

”I heard you’re here to fulfill a marriage contract?”

He stepped forward, his aura suddenly becoming sharp.

”I advise you to be sensible and leave Wanling Palace as soon as possible. Xiao Mengling isn’t someone a country bumpkin like you can lay a finger on!”

Gu Sheng’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly retorted.

”What if I don’t?”

”Courting death!”

Zhao Lingqian’s eyes flashed coldly, and an Earth Martial Realm aura burst from him, making the surrounding air seemingly freeze.

He chuckled sinisterly.

”Don’t think the Sect Master will back you up. My grandfather is the Great Elder, and the Sect Master won’t risk his relationship with my grandfather over a small fry like you!”

”Zhao Lingqian!”

Xiao Mengdie’s voice suddenly turned icy.

Gu Sheng hadn’t even seen her move when a white shadow flickered by, and Xiao Mengdie appeared before Zhao Lingqian, holding a gleaming short knife, its tip pressed against Zhao Lingqian’s throat.

”Young Master Gu is my lifesaver.”

Xiao Mengdie’s voice, though soft, was filled with murderous intent.

”If you dare to be insolent again, I won’t hesitate to face you in death.”

Zhao Lingqian’s pupils contracted; he could feel the cold blade had already pierced his neck’s skin, with warm blood trickling down.

What shocked him even more was Xiao Mengdie’s aura at this moment, evidently at the Fourth Level, even Fifth Level of the Earth Martial Realm!

”You... when did you...”

Zhao Lingqian’s voice trembled with fright.

Xiao Mengdie didn’t respond, simply retracting the short knife coldly, and as she turned, her face returned to a serene smile.

”Young Master Gu, let’s go.”

Gu Sheng was inwardly astonished, not expecting the seemingly frail Xiao Mengdie to possess such strength.

He caught up with Xiao Mengdie’s steps but sharply sensed Zhao Lingqian’s eyes full of killing intent behind him.

As he passed by Zhao Lingqian, Gu Sheng clearly saw him mouthing a silent threat.

”You’re doomed.”

Zhao Lingqian grinned maliciously, forming a seal with both hands, sending a translucent barrier flying from his palms, which expanded with the wind into a massive glowing cover of nearly a hundred yards, enveloping the entire courtyard.

The cover shimmered with dense runes, isolating all energy flows.

”Ten Thousand Spirits Sky Sealing Cover?”

Gu Sheng’s eyebrow raised slightly, a look of surprise in his eyes.

”The Great Elder is quite generous to give you a treasure like this.”

”Hahaha, now you’re scared?”

Zhao Lingqian shook his head with pride.

”Inside this cover, even if I kill you, no one outside will know!”

Gu Sheng heard this and instead curved his lips in a playful smile.

”Kill me? Zhao Lingqian, do you have the guts?”

Zhao Lingqian’s face froze, then he flew into a rage.

”Killing you is a hassle, but crippling your limbs is no problem!”

He waved his hand sharply.

”Get him! Beat this brat until he begs for mercy and goes to ask Mengling for a marriage annulment!”

A dozen Wanling Palace disciples responded, the weakest among them having late-stage Xuanwu Realm cultivation, while the two strongest had already broken through to the Earth Martial Realm.