Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 586: Chapter 317 Capturing Ji Yewei

”If I can handle one thing, I’ll handle it,” Gu Sheng said lightly. ”At least I can give some people a glimmer of hope.”

The night was hazy, with sparse starlight. In the vast and mysterious underground world, a twilight-shrouded landscape stretched endlessly before them.

Gu Sheng and Ji Yewei drifted slowly along the winding underground river. The water sparkled under the light of Fluorescent Insects, resembling a flowing Milky Way.

”Gu Sheng, can’t you just let me go?” Ji Yewei tried once again to persuade Gu Sheng, her tone carrying a mix of pleading and frustration. ”I’ve already promised you that I won’t cause you trouble after I return.”

Gu Sheng glanced at her with a hint of mockery in his eyes. ”Ji Yewei, your promise means nothing to me. You are the infamous second daughter of the Ji family—high cultivation, shrewd mind. Letting you go would be inviting disaster, wouldn’t it?”

”You bastard!” Ji Yewei glared at Gu Sheng and muttered, ”Once I’m free, I’ll make sure you pay for this!”

”Hmph, I’ll be waiting,” Gu Sheng chuckled softly, turning away with indifference to continue appreciating the scenery around them.

As the underground river took them deeper, the surroundings grew ever more fantastical. The once-dark riverbanks began to glow with myriad Fluorescent Insects, fluttering in the air like scattered stars lighting up the night. Their soft radiance mingled with the rippling water, transforming the underground world into a dreamlike Immortal Realm.

”Wow, this is so beautiful!” Ji Yewei couldn’t help but exclaim as her eyes became enraptured by the stunning display of Fluorescent Insects. For a moment, she forgot her ongoing dispute with Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng said nothing, simply watching her quietly, a trace of tenderness flickering in his gaze. In this beautifully surreal underground realm, the grudges between them seemed suddenly trivial.

The light of the Fluorescent Insects illuminated Ji Yewei’s face, adding a layer of mystery and allure. An unfamiliar emotion surged in Gu Sheng’s heart. To his surprise, he found himself beginning to appreciate the woman who had once been such a thorn in his side.

As they drifted further, the river widened, and the scenery grew even more spectacular. Soaring stalactites pierced the cavern’s ceiling, bizarre rock formations loomed on all sides, and strange creatures never before seen emerged to add their charm to this enchanted setting. In this otherworldly environment, both travelers seemed to loosen the burden of their thoughts.

”Gu Sheng, look at that—what is it?” Ji Yewei suddenly pointed to an unusual sight ahead. There, a luminous sea of glowing flowers stretched endlessly, radiant in the darkness. Each blossom emitted a delicate light, like ethereal sprites from an Immortal Realm.

The flowers came in vivid colors and diverse shapes: some resembled butterflies gracefully dancing, others like phoenixes poised to soar. Amid the sea of glowing blooms, a few adorable tiny creatures frolicked, leaping, chasing, and hiding, injecting vitality and liveliness into the mesmerizing scene.

Gu Sheng followed her gaze, a trace of amazement appearing in his eyes. ”That’s the Glowing Flower Sea, one of the wonders of the underground world,” he explained. ”These flowers only bloom at night, and they’re incredibly rare. To see such a vast sea of them, we must be truly fortunate.”

Ji Yewei looked upon the breathtaking view in awe. ”It’s so beautiful! I’ve never seen flowers so exquisite in my life!” As she spoke, she instinctively reached out toward the radiant blossoms.

Just as her fingers were about to touch one, a stunning butterfly fluttered past her fingertips. Its wings shimmered under the glow, scattering a kaleidoscope of colors in the air. Entranced, Ji Yewei began chasing the butterfly playfully.

Gu Sheng watched her joyful figure, her face alight with a smile, and felt a surge of inexplicable emotions arise.

In this enchanting and magical underground world, he realized that the resentment between them had become laughably insignificant. He began to admire her, to like her, perhaps even... love her?

No! How could this be?

Gu Sheng shook his head sharply, trying to dispel the absurd thoughts. But when he looked up again, he noticed Ji Yewei had stopped chasing the butterfly. She now stood quietly amidst the Glowing Flower Sea, her eyes deeply fixed on him.

As their gazes locked, a heavy silence enveloped them. The air between them seemed to thrum with something indefinable yet overwhelmingly present...

”Hey! What are you staring at?” Ji Yewei’s cheeks flushed slightly as she murmured, ”Do I have flowers on my face?” She turned away, feigning irritation, yet her sidelong glance betrayed her anticipation for his response.

Gu Sheng chuckled softly and walked up to her. ”No, there aren’t flowers on your face, but you’re even more beautiful than this Glowing Flower Sea,” he said gently.

The unexpected compliment left Ji Yewei stunned. She turned toward him, her eyes sparkling with surprise and a hint of delight. ”You... do you really mean that?” she stammered.

”Of course I do,” Gu Sheng smiled. ”I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful than you.” At that moment, he couldn’t help but adopt the tone of an experienced romantic. The cheesy words felt surprisingly natural as they escaped his lips.

In that instant, under the radiance of the Glowing Flower Sea, their eyes met, as though the rest of the world had faded away...

Immortal Realm Encounters: Continuation

The night deepened, the tranquil underground world suddenly disrupted by an unsettling stir.

From the shadows, a monstrous creature known as the Shadow Split Beast burst forth. Its form resembled a leopard, but its piercing crimson eyes and sharp fangs radiated menace. Its entire body exuded an icy, sinister aura. Most unsettling of all, under the soft glow of the Fluorescent Insects, its outline flickered and blurred, as though it had the ability to tear apart shadows themselves.