Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

"Hahaha! This is my Gu Sheng's cauldron!" He laughed heartily, feeling the surge of power from the cauldron, his heart swelling with ambition and pride. "Next, it's the Ancient Forbidden Area!"

Before setting off, Gu Sheng arrived at a small town.

He overheard news about the Demon Emperor's Burial Mound, which stirred him deeply.

"Demon Emperor's Burial Mound? What secrets could be hidden inside?" he pondered to himself. Yet, he knew the place would undoubtedly be fraught with danger and challenges, though he still resolved to venture there.

"This fellow cultivator, do you know any news about the Demon Emperor's Burial Mound?" Gu Sheng approached a tavern and asked the innkeeper.

"Oh? Demon Emperor's Burial Mound?" The innkeeper froze momentarily before cautiously glancing around, then lowering his voice to say, "Fellow cultivator, that place is cursed. Many have perished there. But, if you truly wish to go, I can share some news..."

From the innkeeper, Gu Sheng learned more about the Demon Emperor's Burial Mound, further solidifying his resolve to head there.

"It seems this journey to the Ancient Forbidden Area just added another destination," he thought to himself, determination shining on his face.

Gu Sheng stood atop a mountain cliff, overlooking the world below.

He drew a deep breath and activated his cultivation technique. Spectacles of rivers, lakes, seas, flowers, birds, exotic beasts, and other phenomena emerged from his Life Wheel. Golden waves surged and roared with a might that seemed poised to engulf the world.

His body shimmered with golden light as he thrust out a palm. A massive golden palm materialized out of thin air, crashing down toward a mountain!

"Boom!" An earth-shattering explosion echoed as the mountain was instantly pulverized by the golden palm. This was the power Gu Sheng commanded!

He possessed the Ancient Sacred Body, an extraordinarily strong physique capable of unleashing golden palms and fists with unstoppable force.

Gu Sheng wielded the Mystical Sky Sword, an Earth-level Low Grade treasure with unparalleled power, its sword energy cascading endlessly.

With a gentle swing, a beam of sword energy slashed through the skies, as though splitting the world itself apart.

Additionally, he carried the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe, a weapon seemingly able to devour all, brimming with murderous intent.

"Ancient Forbidden Area, Demon Emperor's Burial Mound—here I come!" Gu Sheng shouted. His figure flickered and vanished.

Only his voice and overwhelming aura lingered in the air.

He streaked across the sky, passing by Yan Capital.

"Yan Capital, this bustling place amidst the mundane world," Gu Sheng mused, the city's clamor and vibrancy evoking an undeniable nostalgia. This return wasn't just to gather information about the Ancient Forbidden Area and Demon Emperor's Burial Mound but also to visit old comrades and friends.

Standing before Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven—the new sect of his senior sister and junior disciples—stirred unspoken emotions within him. He inhaled deeply to calm his excitement before stepping inside.

"Senior Brother!" A familiar shout stopped Gu Sheng in his tracks. Turning around, he saw Junior Brother Chu Haoran's face alight with joy.

"Junior Brother!" Gu Sheng broke into a warm smile. "It's been years. How have you been?"

"I'm well, though cultivation has been rather monotonous," Chu Haoran scratched his head and said with a laugh. "Oh right, Senior Brother, did you hear? Senior Sister Huang has gone into seclusion to break through to the Life Spring Realm."

"Oh? Senior Sister Huang is advancing to Life Spring Realm?" Gu Sheng was a bit surprised but genuinely happy for Huang Miaoyin.

He recalled Huang Miaoyin as the granddaughter of Elder Huang Yuncheng from Spirit Pill Peak of Holy Pill Sect. While her aptitude was decent, it wasn't outstanding. For her to now be close to reaching the Life Spring Realm was indeed unexpected.

Perhaps everyone has their fortuitous encounters.

The pair strolled through the peach blossom forest in Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven, the falling peach blossoms like scattered fragments of their memories.

"Senior Brother, is there a particular reason for your return this time?" Chu Haoran asked curiously.

"I'm planning to explore the Ancient Forbidden Area and Demon Emperor's Burial Mound," Gu Sheng said candidly. "But before setting out, I wanted to visit you all."

"Senior Brother is as adventurous as ever," Chu Haoran sighed in admiration. "Unlike me, who feels the cultivation path is endless and often wonders when the light will shine for me."

Gu Sheng patted Chu Haoran's shoulder in encouragement. "Junior Brother, the path of cultivation is challenging, but as long as we persevere, we'll achieve something in the end."

As they chatted, they unconsciously arrived in front of a tavern.

"Senior Brother, how about we go in for a few drinks?" Chu Haoran suggested.

"Sounds good!" Gu Sheng agreed cheerfully.

The tavern was lively, and the two found a corner table. After several rounds, Chu Haoran suddenly looked troubled and remarked, "Senior Brother, do you know? Sometimes I feel cultivation is utterly exhausting. Watching others surpass me one by one, it feels awful inside."

Gu Sheng gently patted Chu Haoran's shoulder, consoling him, "Junior Brother, the road of cultivation is filled with trials. Don't let worry consume you. Everyone has their own pace and path. Stay firm in your belief and push ahead."

Chu Haoran nodded, but the hint of confusion in his eyes remained.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the tavern. Gu Sheng and Chu Haoran turned to see a group of cultivators entering, led by none other than Wu Xinyu, who had a grudge against Gu Sheng from Red Cloud Continent.

This man had once been killed by Gu Sheng, yet through a secret technique, retained a strand of his soul. By some fateful encounter, he traversed to East Desolation and joined Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven.

Coincidentally, Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao had also spent time recuperating at Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven under Elder Wu Qingfeng, crossing paths with him several times.

This rascal had even taken Elder Han as his grandfather, earning himself the nickname Han Feiyu.

Wu Xinyu immediately spotted Gu Sheng. Sneering, he strode over and mocked, "Well, isn't this our great Gu Sheng? What, reduced to drowning your sorrows with Junior Brother now?"

Gu Sheng furrowed his brow, reluctant to engage in conflict with Wu Xinyu. Still, the man's behavior was irksome. He replied calmly, "Wu Xinyu, I'm not in the mood to argue with you. Behave yourself."

"Oh, our great Gu Sheng is showing a temper, eh?" Wu Xinyu taunted loudly. "But I suppose it's understandable. After all, you're no longer the celebrated genius you once were. Falling to this level suits you."

Taking a deep breath, Gu Sheng suppressed his anger. He knew acting impulsively here would not benefit either himself or Chu Haoran. Pulling Chu Haoran along, he said, "Junior Brother, let's go."

Yet Wu Xinyu wasn't ready to let them off, blocking their path and jeering, "Leaving so soon, Gu Sheng? Feeling too ashamed to stay?"

Gu Sheng stopped and turned, locking eyes with Wu Xinyu. He declared firmly, "Wu Xinyu, don't push me too far!"

"Oh, I'm pushing. So what?" Wu Xinyu said arrogantly. "You think you're still a star everyone looks up to? You're nothing to me now!"

Gu Sheng's fists clenched tightly, but still, he held back from striking. He knew doing so would not only jeopardize Chu Haoran's safety but also unnecessarily trouble Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven. Finally, he took Chu Haoran's hand once more and left the tavern.

Walking along the mountain path, Chu Haoran glanced worriedly at Gu Sheng. "Senior Brother, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Gu Sheng said with a smile. "Such a petty clown isn't worth my action." Behind his eyes shone a flash of determination, as if reminding himself to stay steadfast no matter what.

The days that followed saw Gu Sheng and Chu Haoran training and discussing Daoist techniques together, growing ever closer. While Wu Xinyu's insults left a heavy weight on their hearts, they believed that through earnest effort, a path of their own would eventually unfold.

As night fell, the lights of Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven flickered to life. Gu Sheng and Chu Haoran sat in a small tavern amidst bustling cultivators, whose chatter, laughter, and clinking of cups wove together into a lively scene.