Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 158: Chapter 110: The New Emperor Faints at the Palace Gate! The Wicked Guest Returns!

”The Blood Strengthening Pill I reserved earlier should be ready soon...”

Gu Sheng calculated the time. The production of the Blood Strengthening Pill heavily depended on the supply of demon blood. If the demon blood was plentiful, production would be higher; if it was scarce, the chances of obtaining one were slim. Gu Sheng’s luck seemed good this time—part of the demon fox’s blood had apparently been traded to Ge Qing, providing him the opportunity to secure a reservation.

Once his funds were sufficient, he naturally preferred to trade money for time. He had placed an early reservation with Pill Master Ge Qing.

In the past, a single dose of Strengthening Blood Powder had nearly brought him to the verge of breaking through to the Small Success stage of the Blood Refining Realm. Now, though he had already attained the Great Achievement Realm in Blood Refining, the Blood Strengthening Pill was still highly beneficial, saving him significant time.

Currently, Canghe County was a place full of unrest.

He planned to wait until spring to travel. By then, he could also visit the blacksmith to explore the possibility of crafting heavy armor.

The last day of the second year of Guangxing quietly slipped away.

Gu’s Manor was bustling with festive cheer.

After the incident with the demon fox on Cang Mountain, the Gu family had leaned on Liu Yuanhu for protection, receiving ample care and significantly improving their livelihood—so much so that even the tenant farmers’ lives were better than before. It was the end of the year, and laughter and chatter could be heard faintly throughout the manor.

Gu Xiaojiang, after finishing the main family’s celebration, traditionally joined Gu Sheng for a drink.

He was now approaching the limits of his flesh and blood, but breaking through the bottleneck of Qi Blood Power was no easy feat. Even with the aid of the Blood Strengthening Pill, it required a solid foundation and sufficient accumulation.

Nevertheless, it was foreseeable.

Reaching the Blood Refining Realm before the age of eighteen was practically a certainty.

Gu Xiaojiang was in a good mood. He never forgot what Liu Yuanhu had once described as an ”opportunity.” He now had a vague understanding of what that opportunity was—something that could open the door to a much larger world. This realization fueled his quiet determination.

Once, his goal was merely to reach the Bone Refining Realm to protect Gu’s Manor from the oppression of the Black Sand Gang.

Now, as his horizons expanded, so did his ambitions.

Gu Sheng watched Gu Xiaojiang’s departing figure, feeling a slight ripple in his heart. Gu Xiaojiang had not kept anything from him.

”The opportunity in the Red Cloud Prefecture, huh... Perhaps I should start learning more about that place. Canghe County can at most nurture a Bone Refining Realm expert; even seeing someone at the Marrow Refining Realm is unheard of. One day, I’ll have to leave.”

”But there’s no rush. I’ve just managed to establish a foothold here. There’s no need to recklessly venture into an unfamiliar and hazardous environment. If I do leave, it will only be after I’ve reached the peak of my potential.”

”Moreover, with the burgeoning chaos in Canghe County, it might actually present an opportunity for me.”

Strength dictated confidence.

Originally, Gu Sheng had only sought survival amidst turmoil, but as his strength grew, so too did his aspirations.

In the Red Cloud Prefecture, resources might not be as easily accessible.

Perhaps he could take advantage of the current situation and make significant gains.

”But my strength is still insufficient right now...”

If Gu Sheng could gain Bone Refining Realm-level combat power and operate from the shadows, his chances of safely securing his share would increase significantly.

”That day won’t be far off.”

Gu Sheng glanced at his status panel, a smile curling at his lips. On the final day of Guangxing’s second year, his Flying Thunder Leg technique had finally reached the Perfect realm, enhancing his speed to the point it was as swift as lightning, giving him a substantial edge.

He was eager to see the special effects of Flying Thunder Leg.

...

Year three of Guangxing.

Silently arrived.

Gu Sheng was now seventeen years old.

Years of martial training had forged his body into one of remarkable strength—not that of a bulky muscle-bound man, but a figure of balanced physique with explosive power brewing beneath.

At the start of the year, a major event occurred.

Emperor Guangxing fainted inexplicably in his chambers, and the relatively stable Da Liang began to show signs of undercurrents stirring once more.

Naturally, such news was slow to reach Canghe County as it was far from the center of power. Any intelligence traveling to this area would inevitably be delayed.

”Asheng, heading out to hunt again?”

A fellow villager from the manor spotted Gu Sheng leaving with a bow and greeted him with a smile.

Gu Sheng smiled back in return.

In the eyes of those at Gu’s Manor, Gu Sheng was still the hardworking and diligent martial artist who often ventured into the mountains to hunt. Modest and amicable, he had been the subject of numerous matchmaking attempts by matchmakers, who coveted the lucrative matchmaking fee for years.

Yet, Gu Sheng had always politely refused with the excuse of not marrying before the age of eighteen.

Many had sighed in regret in private.

Now that Gu Sheng was seventeen, approaching his eighteenth birthday, new schemes and plans began brewing in the minds of others.

Gu Erniu and Li Lian had already shortlisted several young women of renown from nearby villages for Gu Sheng, eagerly awaiting his affirmation. Their intent wasn’t driven by the matchmaking fee but by genuine care for Gu Sheng.

In their hearts, they believed that Gu Sheng’s talent in martial arts was mediocre. No matter how hard he trained, they feared he would never reach great heights. They thought it would be better for him to marry, have children, and ensure the family line continued, so he wouldn’t be left all alone.

Of course, Gu Sheng was well aware of all this.

He would only respond with a faint smile each time.

Along the way, Gu Sheng greeted familiar villagers warmly, his face consistently wearing a calm and gentle expression.

Truthfully, most of the villagers at Gu’s Manor were good people. Though some had little schemes, on the whole, they were kind-hearted. This was one of the reasons why Gu Sheng felt comfortable living among them.

Here, he could quietly work on improving himself without disturbance. Moreover, he had a handful of close friends in this place. Gu’s Manor was, in a way, his starting point. Unless absolutely necessary, he had no intention of leaving.