Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World-Chapter 198 - 122: First-level Extreme Speed! Locked Up!

"Are you saying that Instructor Gu Jingang has been punished by the Great Clan Elder to kneel in the ancestral hall for three days?"

Gu Sheng looked at Gu Xiaojiang in front of him, slightly surprised.

Logically speaking, if we don’t count himself, Gu Jingang is clearly the number one expert in Gu’s Manor. Punishing someone like Gu Jingang by making him kneel in the ancestral hall seems highly inappropriate, which surprised him a bit.

"Yes." Gu Xiaojiang nodded gloomily. "I don’t understand what the Great Clan Elder is thinking either. Uncle Jingang has undoubtedly made significant contributions to the manor over the years. Even if his actions crossed the line a bit this time, it shouldn’t warrant such a severe punishment..."

He had been quietly cultivating, working hard to accumulate resources and striving to break through to become a Martial Artist in the Blood Refining Realm as soon as possible.

After hearing this news, he became restless and troubled, so he sought out Gu Sheng. Over the years, whenever he had something troubling or joyous to share, he would always come to Gu Sheng. In his heart, Gu Sheng was the only friend in Gu’s Manor with whom he could truly open up.

Gu Xiaojiang continued:

"This matter actually has a bit to do with me. Originally, there were a few Blood Strengthening Pills in the manor, but some of the elders argued that they should be used by me, while others felt they should go to Uncle Changming and Uncle Jingang. The arguing back and forth couldn’t reach a resolution, which is likely why Uncle Jingang got a bit impatient..."

Gu Sheng listened to the entire story, and immediately gained a clearer understanding of why Gu Jingang was punished to kneel in the ancestral hall.

He himself had taken two Blood Strengthening Pills before and knew their effects well.

For Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm, these pills are absolutely invaluable treasures for rapid advancement. With Gu Jingang’s aptitude, if he were able to fully digest those Blood Strengthening Pills, his chances of breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm at the Great Success stage would indeed be quite high.

He mused for a moment and asked:

"Xiao Jiang, if you were an elder, who would you give these Blood Strengthening Pills to?"

"Of course, to Uncle Jingang!"

Gu Xiaojiang responded without hesitation.

"A bird in the hand is worth ten in the bush. Uncle Changming’s talent can’t compare to Uncle Jingang’s. Instead of distributing the pills between the two of them, it’d be better to give them all to Uncle Jingang. This way, Gu’s Manor would gain another Martial Artist in the Blood Refining Realm at the Great Success stage, wouldn’t that be safer?"

"And you? What about yourself?"

"Me? I’m not even in the Blood Refining Realm currently. Even if I were to break through, the pills would only help me advance to the Small Success stage of the Blood Refining Realm faster, which isn’t of significant benefit. Besides, by the time I do break through, the clan might have obtained new Blood Strengthening Pills by then..."

Gu Xiaojiang shook his head, his tone showing some dissatisfaction with the elders’ actions.

"The elders, while being considerate about the clan, sometimes care too much about long-term control. I understand their concerns—they fear that Uncle Jingang’s strength might become too overwhelming for anyone to counterbalance someday. But after all these years, can’t they see clearly what kind of person Uncle Jingang is? I refuse to believe Uncle Jingang would behave in that way!"

"I still hold onto the belief that if I treat others with sincerity, they will trade sincerity back. If everything were decided solely based on benefit to one’s bloodlines, life would be so meaningless."

"For instance, Asheng, if you had sufficient resources, your current cultivation wouldn’t just be at the Stone Skin level. You might have already reached the Iron Skin or even Jade Skin level by now. You have so much potential, yet you are unwilling to overly showcase your brilliance."

Gu Sheng blinked in slight surprise, just as Gu Xiaojiang suddenly broke into a teasing grin.

"Don’t pretend anymore; your Iron Stone Fist already broke through to the Small Success stage. Don’t think I wouldn’t know!"

Seeing Gu Sheng’s astonished expression, Gu Xiaojiang laughed even more heartily.

"We spar so often. Even if you hide it carefully, some hints are bound to show themselves, enough for me to notice."

Gu Sheng just smiled and didn’t deny it.

In reality, he wasn’t merely at the Small Success stage of the Iron Stone Fist. He had long surpassed its creator, achieving an unprecedented mastery stage with special effects. Whatever Gu Xiaojiang could discern was likely from traces of techniques Gu Sheng inadvertently displayed beyond the entry-level.

"What do you plan to do about Instructor Gu?"

Gu Sheng redirected the topic back to Gu Jingang’s situation, knowing that Gu Xiaojiang was a decisive person who probably already had a plan before coming to him.

Gu Xiaojiang’s eyes flashed with determination.

"I’m going to clarify things with the elders. I’ll voluntarily give up the Blood Strengthening Pills and rely solely on my own efforts to achieve success in the Red Cloud Guard. I don’t believe I, Gu Xiaojiang, am inferior to anyone! At this moment, surviving amidst the turmoil is the real priority; otherwise, everything is for naught!"

"What if the elders don’t agree?"

"The decision is mine to make. If I choose not to take the pills, can they force me to consume them?"

Looking at Gu Xiaojiang’s stubborn expression.

Gu Sheng smiled faintly. This was one of the reasons he was willing to befriend Gu Xiaojiang—his earnestness and unyielding nature.

He pondered for a moment and said:

"If you’re really set on going through with this, you’d best talk with Instructor Gu Jingang. Being punished to kneel in the ancestral hall must be weighing on his heart."

Gu Xiaojiang quickly nodded.

"You’re right."

With that, he hurried out with fiery determination. Gu Xiaojiang had always been this way—coming and going in a flurry.

Gu Sheng shook his head with a smile, but his gaze soon became somber.

He hadn’t expected that the seemingly peaceful Gu’s Manor would harbor such underlying tensions. Having interacted with Gu Jingang frequently, he had developed a favorable impression of this strict instructor. Placing himself in Gu Jingang’s shoes, Gu Sheng could empathize with his feelings.

"I only hope no further complications arise."

Gu Sheng murmured softly. With his current cultivation, he had chosen to stay in Gu’s Manor primarily for its stability. If peace were to be disrupted, there would be little reason to remain.

That said, with his current power, even if turmoil were to occur in Gu’s Manor, he could escape effortlessly—or rather, there would be no need for escape. Those people could barely pose any threat to him.