Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 327: Chapter 184 Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts_2

Lou Yu felt perplexed. ”What’s this? Making such a mystery of it.”

Lou Yu picked up the pill recipe for a glance and immediately froze.

”Damn! A Mystical-level top-grade Bone Marrow Building Pill recipe! Where did you get this?” Lou Yu’s face turned red with excitement, his eyes full of anticipation as he stared at Lu Junyi.

Lu Junyi gazed in the direction of Gu Sheng and Qin Xue’s departure without speaking.

After a brief moment of shock, Lou Yu’s expression turned solemn as he said, ”This little fellow indeed can’t handle things by the book!”

Seeing that Lou Yu still wanted to ask more, Lu Junyi interrupted, ”Don’t ask about the rest. Just keep the recipe with you for now and study it yourself! I’ve already made some progress recently. The Sect Master is in seclusion, and I haven’t shown it to him yet. Let’s make a bet between the two of us—see who can refine the Bone Marrow Building Pill first.”

”A bet? Fine! Do you think I’m scared of you? How many times have you beaten me over the years?”

...

Qin Xue led Gu Sheng to Spirit Pill Peak to first claim the sect uniform and the identity token. After leaving Merit Hall, Qin Xue began explaining Spirit Pill Peak disciples’ daily routines to Gu Sheng.

”Spirit Pill Peak is different from War God Peak. Even outer sect disciples have elders specifically teaching them alchemy knowledge. This teaching happens on a fixed schedule—on the first, fifteenth, and thirtieth days of each month, elders provide group lectures outside Merit Hall.”

”The promotion process for disciples in Spirit Pill Peak is also different compared to War God Peak. Spirit Pill Peak disciples don’t need sect contribution points for promotion. The sole condition for outer sect disciples to advance to inner sect disciples is becoming a Yellow-level low-grade alchemist! Upon entering the inner sect, disciples gain access to the sect’s herb repository. The materials used for practice are entirely free; however, they must hand over half of the refined pills. If the refining fails, there’s no requirement to contribute anything.”

Gu Sheng’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. Alchemists need extensive practice to accumulate experience. Ordinary pills are fine since the materials used aren’t overly expensive, but when it comes to graded pills, it’s a different story. Even the materials for Yellow-level low-grade pills cost tens of thousands of taels. If such costs were shouldered personally, it would be overly burdensome—especially for someone like Gu Sheng, who trained tirelessly.

Thankfully, with the sect covering the expenses, he could be less restrained in cultivating the Alchemy Dao. Of course, the prerequisite was for him to first become an inner sect disciple of Spirit Pill Peak.

”Outer sect disciples of Spirit Pill Peak can use their identity token to collect an entry-level alchemist’s detailed guidebook and an herbal illustration catalog from the Scripture Pavilion. Just remember to claim yours later.”

After setting up matters related to Spirit Pill Peak, Qin Xue then took Gu Sheng along to Merit Hall at War God Peak.

After preparing the token, Qin Xue handed over a small cloth bag to Gu Sheng along with it. ”Outer sect disciples of War God Peak can claim a set of cultivation resources every month from Merit Hall. Apart from that, disciples of War God Peak face assessment requirements. Every month, they must complete at least three tasks from Merit Hall. Failure to meet the assessments for three consecutive months will result in demotion to servant disciple status or expulsion from the sect.”

”Additionally, while outer sect disciples of War God Peak have permission to enter the Scripture Pavilion and choose martial techniques, each technique requires spending sect contribution points to learn. Construction of your residence in War God Peak will take several days, so for now, you’ll be temporarily staying in Fire Bamboo Forest. Once your residence is ready, I’ll send someone to notify you.”

Gu Sheng wasn’t worried about this. After receiving the token, he returned to Fire Bamboo Forest and changed into the sect uniform.

The uniform of Holy Pill Sect was made of exceptional material. The pale golden color exuded a luxurious feel. After putting it on, Gu Sheng’s entire temperament improved significantly, transforming him from a rural boy into an elegant young gentleman.

Looking at his transformed appearance in the copper mirror, Gu Sheng couldn’t help but sigh, ”Clothes indeed make the man, just like the saddle makes the horse!”

After admiring himself for a while, Gu Sheng opened the bag containing cultivation resources. Inside were two porcelain bottles, each holding three Bone Protecting Pills and one Bone Strengthening Pill.

Looking at the pills in his hand, Gu Sheng smiled and remarked, ”The treatment isn’t bad!”

These four pills were generally sufficient for most ordinary cultivators in the Bronze Bone Realm, but since Gu Sheng cultivated three body-refining martial arts techniques, his bone tempering speed far exceeded others. At his pace, these four pills would only last twenty days.

The pills he had brought with him had already been completely consumed in recent days of cultivation, so these four pills helped resolve his immediate shortage.

After tidying up, Gu Sheng took his Bone Cleansing Flower and left Fire Bamboo Forest, heading towards Spirit Pill Peak.

Not long after Gu Sheng left, a sneaky figure appeared near his wooden house. The figure scanned the surroundings before quickly pushing open the door and entering.

”Hmm? Isn’t that Shi Lezhi? What’s he doing in Senior Brother Gu’s house?”

Liu Yiming, who happened to be returning after dinner to deliver a meal to Gu Sheng, saw Shi Lezhi sneaking into Gu Sheng’s house from afar. He hurriedly hid behind a nearby wooden house to observe Shi Lezhi’s actions.

After entering the wooden house, Shi Lezhi didn’t rummage through Gu Sheng’s belongings. Instead, he walked cautiously on tiptoes, making sure not to leave any footprints.

He approached a corner by the bed and pulled out a wilted flower from under his robe. His face twisted into a sinister smile, his eyes filled with malice. ”Hmph! So you dared to cross me! I’ll find a way to kill you no matter what! You might be able to beat me, but I don’t believe you can withstand Wu Xinyu!”

Shi Lezhi hid the wilted flower under Gu Sheng’s bed before leaving the wooden house. He carefully restored the door to its original condition and, after ensuring no one was around, turned to leave.

From his hiding spot, Liu Yiming observed Shi Lezhi’s departure while muttering in doubt, ”Shi the schemer isn’t a good person. He must be plotting against Senior Brother Gu! No way, I have to tell Senior Brother Gu about this!”

As Liu Yiming thought this, he turned to leave but ran straight into someone.

”Who are you planning to tell?”

Liu Yiming’s face turned pale when he heard this voice. Looking up, he saw Shi Lezhi’s grim and sinister expression.

”Shi... Master Shi! I... I wasn’t going to tell anyone; you must’ve misheard.”

Shi Lezhi snorted coldly. ”Hmph! Did you seriously think associating with Gu Sheng would ensure smooth sailing? He doesn’t have that ability! Initially, I didn’t plan to bother with you, but since you saw something you shouldn’t have, you’ve left me with no choice. You need to die now!”

Feeling the murderous intent emanating from Shi Lezhi, Liu Yiming threw the food container in his hand toward him and turned to run.

Although Shi Lezhi wasn’t particularly skilled in combat, he was still at the Bronze Bone Realm, whereas Liu Yiming was merely at Small Success in the Blood Refining stage. There was no chance he could escape Shi Lezhi.

Shi Lezhi knocked the food container away with one hand, then leaped forward and kicked Liu Yiming to the ground.

Grabbing Liu Yiming’s throat, Shi Lezhi grinned maliciously. ”Don’t blame me for being ruthless. Blame Gu Sheng instead! If not for him, I might not have killed you.”

Shi Lezhi suddenly increased his grip, snapping Liu Yiming’s neck instantly.

Shi Lezhi made sure the surroundings were clear, then removed his robe and wrapped Liu Yiming’s body in it. To avoid arousing suspicion, he deliberately broke Liu Yiming’s limbs and spine, folding the body into a compact shape.

After securely packing the corpse, Shi Lezhi carried it out of Holy Pill Sect, heading toward the Red Cloud Mountain Range.

Due to the active Killing Order, many disciples had been entering the Red Cloud Mountain Range recently, with some carrying heavy loads, so no one suspected Shi Lezhi’s actions.

The Red Cloud Mountain Range was fraught with dangers, and Shi Lezhi didn’t dare venture too far. After running roughly three to four miles, he chose a secluded spot and discarded Liu Yiming’s body.

Looking at the corpse, Shi Lezhi couldn’t help but laugh. ”This is what happens when you cross me! Don’t worry; Gu Sheng will be joining you very soon!”

”Awooo!”

Just as Shi Lezhi was gloating, a series of wolf howls echoed from the forest.

The sound gave Shi Lezhi a jolt. He knew that while he might be able to intimidate servant disciples, facing a monster beast with bloodline power would undoubtedly spell his end. Originally, he had intended to cover the body with branches and leaves, but now he abandoned the idea and fled desperately back towards Holy Pill Sect.

After Shi Lezhi left, a gaunt wild wolf approached Liu Yiming’s corpse. Sensing no threat, the wolf started devouring the body.

A wild wolf’s appetite was limited, and with no other beasts competing for the food, the wolf focused on eating the fleshy parts of Liu Yiming’s body. It left the head untouched, preserving his facial features to some extent.

Meanwhile, Gu Sheng, en route to Spirit Pill Peak, remained completely unaware of Liu Yiming’s tragic demise.