Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

The other celestial maidens turned their heads sharply and indeed spotted Wu Dewang hiding behind the tree. They erupted in anger, some hurriedly putting on their clothes, while others leapt straight out of the water and lunged toward him.

"Ah! It's a misunderstanding! I was just passing by!" Wu Dewang hurriedly explained, but it was already too late. The celestial maidens tied him up tightly, leaving him as pitiful-looking as Zhu Bajie in his worst moments.

"You shameless Taoist, how dare you spy on us bathing!" one of the celestial maidens said furiously.

Wu Dewang wore a bitter expression as he tried to defend himself, "Dear celestial sisters, this is really all a misunderstanding. I followed that guy here—he deliberately led me here…"

Gu Sheng emerged from the peach blossom forest, smiling leisurely as he looked at the bound Wu Dewang. "Oh? You're claiming I deliberately led you here? What evidence do you have?"

Wu Dewang was at a loss for words. He indeed had no proof and could only resign himself to misfortune. Seeing this, the celestial maidens became even more indignant and decided to hand this Taoist over to the elders for punishment.

"Gu Sheng, thank you so much this time," one of the celestial maidens said gratefully, her eyes soft as she spoke to Gu Sheng. "If it weren't for you, who knows what disgraceful acts this shameless Taoist might have committed."

Gu Sheng smiled faintly and waved his hand dismissively. "It was a small effort, nothing worth mentioning. However, this Taoist is greedy by nature, so you should be extra cautious in the future."

With that said, he courteously bid the celestial maidens farewell and ventured deeper into the waters of the Turquoise Pool. A thought stirred in his mind as he began to slowly remove his clothing, preparing to enjoy a rare bath in this Immortal Realm.

Just then, the Grass Vine Demon Soul transformed into clusters of green lotuses, spreading across the water's surface of the Turquoise Pool with astonishing speed. In an instant, a breathtaking scene of endless lotus leaves appeared, stretching like a vast, verdant canopy touching the skies. The green lotuses swayed gently on the shimmering water, exuding a faint and refreshing fragrance.

The stunning spectacle immediately drew the attention of the other celestial maidens. They paused whatever they were doing and curiously swam toward the area where the lotus leaves were proliferating. Gu Sheng, already in the midst of bathing, couldn't help but feel a pang of awkwardness at their approach.

"Hey, don't come over here! I'm bathing!" he tried to dissuade the celestial maidens, but what greeted him was a chorus of melodious laughter.

"Hehe… Gu Sheng, why are you so shy? We're all celestial maidens—what's the big deal about bathing together?" one playful maiden teased him.

Gu Sheng was speechless. He realized at this moment he was like a rare specimen in the midst of a vibrant flower field, surrounded by curious celestial maidens. He smiled wryly to himself—this truly was a first-of-its-kind experience.

Meanwhile, Wu Dewang, tied tightly to a large tree by the lake, watched the scene before him with longing eyes. His heart was filled with envy and jealousy, but more than that, a sense of helplessness and regret. If only he hadn't been so greedy, he wouldn't have ended up in such a predicament.

"Oh, celestial sisters, have mercy on me! Untie me, please!" Wu Dewang pleaded pitifully, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the celestial maidens' joyous laughter and chatter.

Gu Sheng had by now given up resisting. He closed his eyes, letting the green lotuses and the celestial maidens encircle him. In this Immortal Realm's Turquoise Pool, he felt a rare sense of tranquility and relaxation wash over him.

Time passed slowly, and the celestial maidens eventually dispersed, leaving Gu Sheng alone in the pool. He relished the cool water brushing over his body, feeling his exhaustion and worries dissolve with the flowing currents.

"Drip, drip." Water droplets continued to trickle from Gu Sheng's hair as he stepped out of the pool, his whole body still exuding a faint, fresh fragrance. At this moment, his state of mind became serene and clear, as if he had undergone a cleansing of the soul. He dressed himself neatly, looking revitalized, and then glanced back at the tree where Wu Dewang was tied.

Wu Dewang, still tightly bound to the tree, looked especially disheveled. When he met Gu Sheng's gaze, a flicker of unease flashed in his eyes.

"Speak. Why were you following me?" Gu Sheng's eyes were sharp as knives, piercing straight into Wu Dewang's heart.

Wu Dewang began feigning ignorance, but Gu Sheng's piercing gaze left him no room to hide. Forced to confront him, he reluctantly said, "I… I heard you obtained the green copper fragment and the Devil Emperor's Heart, those two peerless treasures… I… I want one of them."

Gu Sheng sneered. "You want one? And what makes you think you're entitled to it?"

Wu Dewang quickly elaborated, "Of course, I'm not asking for it for free! I'm willing to trade with the treasures I have."

Gu Sheng's eyes glimmered with intrigue. He was curious to see what kind of treasures this greedy Taoist could offer.

"Oh? Then show me your treasures first," he said.

A glint of cunning flashed in Wu Dewang's eyes. He hesitated before stammering, "I… My treasures are all in my storage pouch, but you have to agree to my terms first before I show you."

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow, scoffing coldly. "What makes you think I'd trust you so readily? Show me your treasures first, and then I'll consider your terms."

With no other choice, Wu Dewang reluctantly took out his treasures from his storage pouch. First, he presented a necklace of translucent, radiant beads, each bead emitting a soft glow as though brimming with boundless Life Force.

"This is the Necklace of Life's Pearls. The wearer can accelerate their cultivation and recover from injuries," Wu Dewang explained with smug pride.

A flicker of admiration crossed Gu Sheng's eyes, but he remained silent, gesturing for Wu Dewang to continue.

Next, Wu Dewang produced a longsword that gleamed with an icy light—its blade radiating an unmistakable air of lethality. "This is the Ice Sword. It can cut through any obstacle with unparalleled sharpness."

Following that, Wu Dewang showcased one treasure after another, each more dazzling than the last. Yet Gu Sheng set his jaw, unyielding. He knew full well that, while these treasures were indeed rare, they couldn't compare to the green copper fragment and the Devil Emperor's Heart.