Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 255: Chapter 148: The Four Realms of External Martial Arts, The Path of Martial Arts_2

Although the Black Sand Gang could not be absorbed into the Baihuo Sect this time, Qian Jin still managed to make a killing for himself.

Not to mention all the money Zhao Honglie had given him over time, the profits he reaped from Bai Yuqi alone would allow him to work diligently within the sect for two or three years without worry.

”Hiss! Why does the back of my neck suddenly feel chilly? This doesn’t feel good at all—I need to leave this troublesome place immediately!”

First there was the Axe Butcher, followed by Ge Qing and the mutated Zhao Honglie. These three individuals scared Qian Jin to his core and made him classify Canghe County as a land of misfortune. As he packed his belongings and prepared to leave, he suddenly noticed a figure standing in the woods ahead.

The person held a longbow fully drawn into a moon-like curve!

”Whoosh!”

A piercing sound broke through the air as an arrow was released, its shimmering silver tail streaking rapidly toward him.

Qian Jin’s face changed drastically, and he instinctively fumbled at his waist, pulling out a dagger and hurling it toward the arrow.

”Thud.”

The dagger struck the arrow, causing a small pouch attached to it to burst open, scattering fine powder all over Qian Jin’s body.

The archer was none other than Gu Sheng, who had been lying in wait for quite some time.

After acquiring medicinal pills from Ge Qing, Gu Sheng had encountered the Black Sand Gang attacking the city. Using his Snake Breath Skill, he took advantage of the chaos to slip away. Rushing back to Gu’s Manor, he grabbed his weapons and prepared to scavenge at the Black Sand Gang’s headquarters.

However, by the time he arrived at the headquarters, he witnessed Qian Jin and Bai Yuqi stirring up trouble with Zhao Honglie.

When Gu Sheng saw Zhao Honglie in his mutated state, he couldn’t help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, his heart filled with lingering fear.

If Qian Jin and Bai Yuqi hadn’t found Zhao Honglie first, it might very well have been Gu Sheng who became the next victim!

Though he didn’t understand why Zhao Honglie had transformed into such a monstrous form, the incredible strength Zhao displayed was undeniably real. Even though Gu Sheng had never seen any Silver Bone Realm or Golden Bone Realm masters, he was convinced that, in Zhao Honglie’s current state, even ten of him tied together wouldn’t stand a chance.

Thus, Gu Sheng kept himself hidden using the Snake Breath Skill until he confirmed that Qian Jin was alone. Only then did he make his move.

This time, Gu Sheng opted for simplicity—he wasn’t wearing the Hundred-Refining Heavy Armor, nor did he use the Shapeshifting technique to disguise himself. Instead, he appeared in his true form.

Upon seeing Gu Sheng’s face clearly, Qian Jin’s expression instantly darkened with rage.

”Damn it! When it rains, it pours! Since when do little brats like you dare lay hands on me?!”

Qian Jin took note that Gu Sheng appeared to be just seventeen or eighteen years old, and judging by his aura, he was merely in the Blood Refining Realm. Furious, Qian Jin felt a surge of anger, ready to vent his accumulated grievances on Gu Sheng.

Qian Jin’s eyes gleamed menacingly as his hands brushed across his waist. Four gleaming silver throwing knives appeared in his palms.

”Die!”

With a thunderous roar, he flung the knives with all his might. Guided by Qian Jin’s skillful movements, the blades immediately dispersed upon release, flying toward Gu Sheng’s arms, waist, and legs from different angles.

Qian Jin folded his arms across his chest, his face full of disdain.

”Hmph! Any random nobody thinks they can ambush me these days? I won’t feel right until I teach you a hard lesson!”

But Gu Sheng wasn’t fazed by the fierce barrage of knives that could easily overwhelm even a Great Success-level Blood Refining Martial Artist. Smirking slightly, he reached behind his back with both hands and drew the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe—the axe’s handle and blade gleaming in his grip.

With a swift rotation, the mechanism clicked audibly, locking the axe into place.

Now fully assembled, Gu Sheng held the massive axe slightly to the side in defense. The knives clanged against its surface with crisp metallic sounds before falling powerless to the ground.

The supposedly sharp knives instantly bent upon impact, whereas the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe remained smooth and unblemished—not even a scratch.

Qian Jin’s eyes widened in shock, disbelief etched across his face.

”This... how is this possible?!”

No matter how hard he racked his brain, Qian Jin could not comprehend that the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe was made from Hundred-Refined Steel, whose strength exceeded ordinary wrought iron by dozens of times!

His gaze fixated on Gu Sheng’s axe, Qian Jin’s expression grew grave as a flood of memories raced through his mind and began to align.

Seeing Qian Jin’s mixture of confusion and seriousness, Gu Sheng couldn’t resist laughing. ”Does it feel familiar, yet you can’t quite place it? Let me help you out!”

Saying this, Gu Sheng activated the First-Level Strong Body technique.

Gu Sheng’s figure instantly expanded in size, his appearance now resembling his form from back in Cang Mountain—only absent the Hundred-Refining Heavy Armor.

As the memories clicked into place, Qian Jin involuntarily staggered backward, his expression shifting to one of terror. Even his voice faltered with fear.

”You... You’re the Axe Butcher?!”

Fear gripped Qian Jin’s heart—he had never imagined that the infamous Axe Butcher would be so young!

Looking at Gu Sheng’s face, he seemed no older than his late teens. A Copper Bone Martial Artist at this age—that kind of cultivation rate was simply terrifying!

At the very least, Qian Jin had never encountered such a young Copper Bone Martial Artist before. Even in Red Cloud Prefecture, where genius heirs with talent unparalleled and access to endless resources from their families and sects existed, breakthroughs to the Copper Bone Realm usually happened after the age of twenty-two!

Gu Sheng had managed this four to five years earlier–and this was without massive resource support.

What if Gu Sheng had access to those same resources? This gap would likely grow even wider.

At this thought, cold sweat poured down Qian Jin’s face uncontrollably. He suppressed his terror as best as he could, forcing a respectful expression onto his face. Bowing and cupping his hands toward Gu Sheng, he hurriedly spoke. ”Little brother, the incident back in Cang Mountain must have been a misunderstanding. I apologize here and now; please don’t hold it against me! To be honest, I’m part of the Baihuo Sect.”

Seeing Gu Sheng’s mockery-filled smile remain unmoved, Qian Jin’s forehead was soon drenched with sweat, the beads rolling down incessantly as if money were no object. He licked his parched lips nervously and continued, ”Our Baihuo Sect is immensely powerful, with countless experts. We even have Marrow Refining Realm Martial Artists aplenty, and unrivaled masters exceeding the Four Realms! Little brother, your talent is astounding, and our sect always welcomes prodigies with open arms. If you join us, you’ll receive abundant resources and guidance from experienced seniors, paving the way to greatness! With your talent, under our focused nurture, you’re bound to step beyond the realm of the Four Stages and ascend to the ranks of the world’s top-tier powerhouses!”

Gu Sheng’s eyes filled with curiosity upon hearing these words.

In his current understanding, Martial Artist realms were divided into Refining Skin, Blood Refining, Bone Refining, and Marrow Refining stages. He had initially thought the Marrow Refining Realm was the pinnacle of martial cultivation, but now, according to Qian Jin, there seemed to be even higher realms beyond it!

”There are realms above the Marrow Refining Stage? What are they called? How are they classified? And how does one break through?”

Gu Sheng planted the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe into the ground and asked with inquisitive interest.

When Gu Sheng spoke, Qian Jin secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Given Gu Sheng’s immense strength, Qian Jin couldn’t be sure whether he would escape unscathed. Moreover, Gu Sheng’s exceptional talent was too astonishing—if Qian could recruit him into the sect, it would be a significant accomplishment and might even help Qian secure a higher position.

”Little brother, the Martial Artist path is endless! Word has it that the Four Realms of External Martial Arts are merely the starting point. Beyond them lie many higher realms, whose powers are far beyond what we can imagine. It’s said that top-grade masters at those levels can level mountains and flood seas effortlessly! Unfortunately, my position within the sect is relatively low, so I have only heard fragments of such secrets mentioned by the great figures in the sect. But with your talent, if you join us, you’ll undoubtedly become a key target for cultivation and might even be among the candidates for Saint Heir! And if that happens, someday you’d truly rise to the very pinnacle!”

Speaking with emphasis, Qian Jin displayed a flattering smile toward Gu Sheng. ”If you rise to the top in the future, don’t forget about me!”

Gu Sheng couldn’t help but chuckle at Qian Jin’s ingratiating attitude. ”You seem awfully sure that I’d join the Baihuo Sect.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Qian Jin answered matter-of-factly, ”Our Baihuo Sect’s influence spans the entirety of Da Liang and controls countless resources! It’s no exaggeration to say that the sect’s foundation even surpasses that of Da Liang’s royal family! Furthermore, we treat talented individuals with utmost respect, offering incredible perks. Anyone with half a brain would leap at the opportunity!”