Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 112: Chapter 94 Perfect Miraculous Effect! Anomalies in the Mountains!_3

This time, he chose not to fish again.

Such things, when overdone, become excessive. If there’s no need to take risks to acquire resources, Gu Sheng preferred avoiding danger. After all, the wisdom of ”frequent trips to the riverside will surely wet one’s shoes” is timeless.

Two months passed.

Gu Sheng’s mastery of the Snake Breath Skill had successfully reached 36% progress within the Small Success Realm.

Far stronger than the vendor who had initially sold it. Now, if Gu Sheng used the Snake Breath Skill and concealed his presence, those below the Blood Refining Realm wouldn’t even be able to sense his breath!

As for those in the Blood Refining Realm—

Gu Sheng wasn’t entirely certain, but he had a feeling that martial artists in the Blood Refining Realm could likely perceive his concealment through the fluctuations of their body’s blood energy.

After all, to achieve the Great Achievement Realm with the Snake Breath Skill, one must progress in this specific aspect.

Once the Snake Breath Skill reaches Great Achievement Realm, he would be able to further suppress his own blood energy fluctuations. By then, the effects of concealing his breath would become even more formidable.

”By my calculations, the upcoming black market auction should be happening around now.”

Gu Sheng glanced at the wooden auction token in his hand, feeling a trace of regret.

Originally, he had planned to participate this time to see if there were any suitable body-refinement cultivation techniques he could dual cultivate with, potentially addressing his weaknesses further.

But ever since acquiring the Snake Breath Skill, Gu Sheng was already simultaneously cultivating three martial arts disciplines, which seemed to be his current limit—adding another might slow down his progress instead.

Moreover—

In about two months, he would almost reach the limits of his blood and flesh. By then, breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm should happen naturally.

Considering all factors, Gu Sheng decided to hold off for now.

He decided to break through to the Blood Refining Realm first and then revisit the matter.

In the black market, his near-invincible strength below the Blood Refining Realm could allow him to dominate for a while. But at the auction, Blood Refining Realm experts would likely be abundant. Playing it safe was the wiser choice for now.

After putting away the wooden token, Gu Sheng resumed his cultivation.

Within the fist trajectory of the Iron Stone Fist, Gu Sheng’s body moved nimbly like a leopard. His gaze sharp and focused, the progress of his medicinal baths was already nearing halfway completion, and his blood and flesh transformation had likewise reached halfway—a tangible improvement, not just superficial.

Purely in terms of strength, Gu Sheng had become more than 50% stronger compared to two months ago.

His body’s durability, the toughness of his skin, had also improved significantly.

This was entirely due to Gu Sheng’s relentless efforts; the stinging pain from the medicinal baths became increasingly intense as he progressed. Not everyone could endure it as stoically as Gu Sheng, who had even come to take pleasure from it.

Cultivation.

The key lies in persistence. The skill interface simply made breakthroughs easier for Gu Sheng; if he were to stay idle, it would all be for naught.

...

Time continued to pass.

After the new emperor ascended to the throne, the empire’s overall stability somewhat improved. At least there hadn’t been any coups, and in the past year or two, no major natural disasters had occurred, allowing the common folk to scrape by.

Rice prices fluctuated unpredictably but remained within a manageable range overall.

Ordinary citizens still struggled to survive—never truly full, but at least not starving to death.

The Fire Worship Cult, which had emerged in Yun Province two years ago, now seemed entirely silenced. Gu Sheng hadn’t heard any news about this mysterious sect; perhaps it was lying dormant, or perhaps Gu Sheng’s information networks were insufficiently connected.

In the blink of an eye, the scorching summer arrived.

The absence of drought was the greatest relief to the people.

Adding to their relief was the fact that the Black Sand Gang had become increasingly low-profile. Other than their annual collection of tributes at the start of the year, they rarely caused trouble or took lives. Indeed, they’d managed to keep relatively quiet.

Remarkably restrained.

Gu Sheng remained quietly wary.

To him, the Black Sand Gang felt like a venomous snake lying in wait, curled up for now, but readying itself for a lethal strike in the future.

”Asheng! Earlier, didn’t you ask about sightings of large beasts recently? Well, there haven’t been sightings of big cats, but over in Dahe Village, someone spotted a bear!”

”Their village had martial artists dispatched to hunt it down. From what I’ve heard, what a creature it was—stood over ten feet tall!”

Among the gathering of Gu Erniu, Zhang Ze, and others, Zhang Ze spoke with evident excitement.

This fellow, known for wandering between neighboring villages and forts, was quite well-connected amongst local hunters, making him a reliable source for news. Often, the information came from Zhang Ze or from San Mazi.

Gu Sheng nodded slightly.

Gu Erniu poured himself a bowl of wine, mumbling:

”Speaking of strange occurrences this year—earlier Asheng hunted a big cat, then recently someone from Yanzi Castle, over on the other side of Cang Mountain, also hunted one. Now, people from Dahe Village hunted a bear—tch, tch.”

One speaks without intent, yet another listens keenly.

Gu Sheng couldn’t help but reflect deeply. He recalled his hunt of the big cat—the creature had seemed unusual. At the time, he had attributed it to the winter season, but now it seemed there might be more to it.

”Could there be some other underlying cause?” Gu Sheng speculated secretly.

Zhang Ze exclaimed:

”Erniu-ge, why worry about it? If hunting prey becomes easier, wouldn’t that be great? Too bad we don’t have the skills—else if we took down a bear, we’d have food for up to two years without worry!”

He lamented for a moment before chuckling at Gu Sheng:

”Asheng, when will you take us to hunt a bear? That would be incredible!”

Gu Sheng merely chuckled.

”It’s not that simple. Last time, the big cat had a broken leg, which allowed me to slowly wear it down with arrows from a distance. If it were a full-strength big cat or bear, I wouldn’t be able to take them on. The martial artists with Iron Skin Realm cultivation might have no trouble, though.”

Gu Erniu gave Zhang Ze a fierce glare, prompting Zhang Ze to laugh awkwardly:

”I was just joking! Once Asheng achieves Iron Skin Realm, there won’t be a problem!”

”That’s difficult...”

Gu Sheng simply sighed, prompting the group to quickly change the subject and begin drinking.

Gradually, everyone grew more understanding of the matters at hand. Practicing martial arts consumed considerable resources. Gu Sheng had rejected marrying the head family’s daughter; without resources, even with his talent, he’d likely remain stuck in the Stone Skin Realm for many years.

Though many didn’t grasp why Gu Sheng rejected such a golden opportunity for quick advancement, they wisely refrained from prying further.

As Gu Sheng drank his wine, he allowed himself a subtle smile.

In about half a month, he estimated, he’d likely reach the limits of his blood and flesh.