The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 712 A Tacit Understanding, A Perfect Match (Seeking Monthly Tickets~)

"Senior Gu, have you gained anything?"

Chen Ping'an leaned against the stone pillar, his expression calm, and looked at Gu Qingchan as she walked over.

Gu Qingchan's starry eyes sparkled as she shook her head.

As Chen Ping'an had expected, apart from the spiritual treasures sealed inside the central jade pillar, there were not many valuable items in the other stone chambers of the stone hall.

Even rare and precious items lose their efficacy with the passage of time. Some elixirs and secret medicines, hidden in stone chambers, eventually turn into dregs and powder over the long river of time, becoming completely useless.

Even with proper sealing and careful preservation, they ultimately cannot withstand the test of time, which can easily span thousands of years.

The sealing methods used for ordinary elixirs and spiritual objects can only guarantee the preservation of their medicinal power for a few to ten years. After that period, the medicinal power will gradually diminish, and the efficacy will drop significantly.

The medicinal pills and spiritual items Chen Ping'an possesses are all sealed in jade bottles, and this is roughly the maximum time they can be properly preserved. Some jade bottles with flaws cannot withstand this level of preservation.

Simply sealing the medicine in a jade bottle or box, even with the rarest jade materials, makes it extremely difficult to preserve it for more than ten years. However, if there are spiritual restrictions engraved on it, the preservation time can be increased, extending the period of its potency.

Some rare and intricate spirit runes, combined with rare and beautiful jade, and supplemented with special forging techniques, can ensure that the medicinal properties remain intact for decades or even centuries.

If there are any special techniques used to preserve it perfectly for one or two hundred years, it would not be a rare thing at all.

Furthermore, exceeding the shelf life does not mean it is completely ineffective. It simply means that its efficacy is less than at its peak.

The dissipation of medicinal power is a slow process, and there are many ways to slow down this loss. Under proper storage, it is not difficult for some rare and precious spiritual items to be preserved for three or four hundred years.

Even as time passes, it still retains most of its effectiveness.

However, the medicinal herbs in this cave were clearly past their expiration date; not only had their efficacy greatly diminished, but they had also shown signs of weathering. The three best-preserved spiritual treasures were only able to withstand the relentless erosion of time thanks to special sealing methods.

Even so, Gu Qingchan still found some things that could be used. However, compared to the complete period, they didn't have much value.

From Gu Qingchan's perspective, it certainly wasn't a gain.

However, Gu Qingchan still presented Chen Ping'an with the spoils she had found in the stone hall.

Chen Ping'an leaned against the stone pillar, not examining each one in detail, but simply sensing them briefly before shifting his attention.

Such items have lost much of their effectiveness, and are still considered rare treasures for most grandmasters. But both he and Gu Qingchan have clearly long since passed that stage.

It's better than nothing, but it can't really be considered a gain.

A quick estimate suggests that if these items were sold, they could fetch several thousand yuan crystals.

Back in the day, when hundreds of yuan crystals were considered a huge sum, Chen Ping'an might have been overjoyed. But now, they don't even qualify to pique his interest.

Once you enter the world of martial arts, it's like entering a deep sea; things will never be the same again!

This situation does indeed have a rather lonely feel to it.

The same thing can evoke different feelings of awe and joy depending on when it appears at different times.

The hopes and excitement of the past will eventually fade into oblivion.

There was something I had longed for but never possessed; when I finally had the ability to obtain it, I had lost the taste of the past.

The taste of this is something only those who hear it can understand.

I long to buy osmanthus blossoms and share wine, but it will never be the same carefree days of my youth!

Chen Ping'an leaned against a stone pillar, chatting with Gu Qingchan. Gu Qingchan's beautiful face remained unchanged, her expression calm, revealing nothing unusual.

Their conversation seemed to proceed as usual.

However, upon closer examination, the atmosphere between the two was ultimately different from usual.

At first, Gu Qingchan stood while talking to Chen Ping'an. But after exchanging a few words, she seemed to have thought of something and sat down next to Chen Ping'an.

The two leaned against the stone pillar, and although there was some distance between them, their posture, when viewed from a distance, truly gave the impression of a beautiful young woman and a perfect couple.

Chen Ping'an sat next to Gu Qingchan, and his demeanor didn't seem to indicate anything amiss.

Gu Qingchan had a delicate face, a sweet voice, and her eyes were always sparkling, occasionally glancing at Chen Ping'an's face out of the corner of her eye.

Although Chen Ping'an addressed him as "senior" repeatedly as before, his demeanor during their interaction did not reflect this awareness.

She sighed softly to herself and accepted the new way of getting along.

During their conversation, Chen Ping'an noticed that Gu Qingchan never called his name again, and he had never heard her say anything like what Ping'an had said before.

If we had to describe their current state in words, we could only use the phrase "tacit understanding, a tacit agreement that exists naturally."

As the conversations deepened, Gu Qingchan gradually adapted to this mode.

The awkwardness and unease I felt before have faded considerably. Although I still have many concerns and feel lost in this new relationship, I won't dwell on them at this moment.

What's done is done, and there's no point in thinking about it anymore.

Instead of overthinking and getting caught up in it, it's better to slowly adapt to your new relationship.

Alternatively.
Gu Qingchan quietly comprehended the changes within her body. Above her spiritual platform, a dazzling spiritual light shone, and seven spiritual patterns gleamed brilliantly.

If we disregard certain factors, she is now living a life of ease and contentment.

In the image of destiny, the image of Senior Night Owl and the image of Chen Ping'an, the savage swordsman, gradually merge into one, becoming indistinguishable from each other.

Just like what happened last night.

When the spirit and body are united, destiny is naturally formed!
At first, Chen Ping'an thought he should sit for a while longer and take this opportunity to carefully experience the changes in his body. However, during their conversation, Gu Qingchan's eyes shone with a golden light, as if some strange change had occurred.

"what's the situation?"

Chen Pingan couldn't help but overthink things.

He sat for a while, then pretended to have recovered and stood up.

Restoring the status quo to something that's neither good nor bad is just a fig leaf.

During their conversation, the two became increasingly in sync, and neither mentioned many things.

A gesture, but an unspoken understanding.

"Senior, I'll go take another look," Chen Ping'an said with a smile as he stood up.

Although it has already been checked once, there are many hidden mechanisms and passages inside the cave. It's better to be careful than to make a big mistake. Checking it again won't cause any damage.

"Mmm." Gu Qingchan lowered her head gently and responded softly.

Her long black hair fell loose, partially obscuring her face, and a white jade hairpin was tucked into her hair. At this moment, the sense of a young married woman emanating from Gu Qingchan became tangible.

Chen Pingan glanced at it casually, but couldn't help taking another look. The crazy scene from yesterday flashed through his mind.

He turned around, and out of the corner of his eye, he inadvertently glanced at Gu Qingchan's ice-blue skirt, and the image of her long, shapely, fair legs automatically appeared in his mind.

If he remembered correctly, on those jade legs
Chen Ping'an felt a chill and instantly stopped the thought in his mind.

They've really gotten hooked; it hasn't been long, and they're already thinking about it again.

He glanced at Gu Qingchan and found that her expression remained aloof and her beautiful face was as usual. He silently apologized and walked towards the nearest stone chamber.

Gu Qingchan pursed her lips slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then followed Chen Ping'an over.

Just now, she felt the burning intensity in Chen Ping'an's gaze; though fleeting, it was utterly genuine.

Chen Ping'an hadn't expected Gu Qingchan to come with him, but after a brief look, he stopped worrying about it. However, while he didn't dwell on it, some things, once tasted, are truly addictive.

Especially since they have just experienced this incident and it is still fresh in their minds, it is inevitable that the sight of it will evoke a flood of memories.

The first few stone chambers were normal, but when they reached the stone chamber where the two had spent time together before, both Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingchan showed a hint of unease on their faces.

However, compared to the others, Chen Ping'an concealed his true feelings much better.

Whether it was my imagination or not, there seemed to be a strange aura lingering in the stone chamber, making me think wildly and dream of last night.

The same scene, the same people, and the shared emotions between them.

During their investigation, their eyes met unintentionally, and they glimpsed a hint of unspoken passion between them.

This intense passion doesn't simply stem from lust; it also lingers from the lingering aftertaste of yesterday's wonderful experiences. It extends beyond traditional human relationships and includes gains in martial arts.

The taste of it is something only those who experience it can truly understand.

The moment Gu Qingchan met Chen Ping'an's gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and the madness of the previous night flashed through her mind. Those scenes were still vivid in her mind.

She turned her face away, her starry eyes trembling slightly, and looked elsewhere. "This stone platform is rather strange. I'll go take a look."

Gu Qingchan's tone was slightly unnatural.

Chen Ping'an seemed oblivious. After surveying his surroundings, he coughed lightly and said, "Senior Gu, I don't see anything else here. How about we go look around elsewhere?"

He had thoroughly examined this stone chamber last night. His return now was to ensure nothing had been overlooked. Having completed his inspection, leaving this place was perfectly reasonable.

"Hmm, I don't see any problems." Gu Qingchan feigned composure and nodded slightly: "Go and check other places."

Although there were many stone chambers inside the stone hall, the two were exceptionally efficient, quickly searching them all. Gu Qingchan searched meticulously, leaving virtually nothing unexplored.

After some investigation, nothing new was found.

However, during the investigation, Chen Ping'an discovered some useless miscellaneous books, and he picked out the ones that were still readable.

The two developed a tacit understanding during this process, and neither of them mentioned the matter of distribution.

Clearly, this distribution method is the most suitable for both Gu Qingchan and Chen Ping'an.

In the battle at the cave dwelling, Gu Qingchan barely contributed anything. As the one who contributed the most, Chen Ping'an should rightfully reap the greatest rewards. As for the remaining materials, Gu Qingchan should keep them.

In addition, gifts are not included in this category!
This matter.
"I hope Senior Gu can keep this a secret."

After searching the entire stone hall, Chen Ping'an brought up the matter of cultivation.

Regardless of Gu Qingchan's inner thoughts, he still needed to emphasize this matter. It concerned his life and fortune, and could not be taken lightly.

Although Gu Qingchan was already unconscious when he unleashed his full power and thus did not witness his peak strength, he had already displayed the might of someone at the bottom of the Wind and Cloud Grandmaster Ranking during their previous battles, and possessed deadly weapons such as the Azure Light Thunder Pearl.

Furthermore, before Gu Qingchan fell unconscious, a battle had already unfolded within the stone hall. Several supreme grandmasters were present, including powerful figures like the White Bone Prince and the Withered Vine Elder. Of the three pseudo-celestial beings, apart from the Skeleton Elder, who was relatively unknown and of mediocre combat strength, the other two—the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons and Blood Nightmare Luo—were absolute powerhouses among the pseudo-celestial beings.

With such a lineup, let alone a Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud Sect, even a true martial arts master would find it somewhat troublesome.

Yet, under these circumstances, Chen Ping'an actually stood until the very end. Those who had fought before had all become withered bones in the hall, stepping stones on the path to the treasure.

Most importantly, despite this fierce battle, Chen Ping'an was surprisingly unharmed.

At least, that's how it appears.

What does this mean?
The significance of this is self-evident.

His words had a double meaning: it was both about keeping the visible combat strength a secret and about ensuring the real combat achievements.

Gu Qingchan gave Chen Ping'an a deep look, her voice as clear as a spring and as delicate and fresh as a branch: "I understand."

Chen Ping'an was unaware of her situation, but she knew it all too well.

My destiny has been fulfilled; I will live this life without anyone else.

The previous statement, "Qingchan has no regrets," was not an empty boast, but a heartfelt expression.

Furthermore, although she and her senior were not officially partners, they engaged in the physical acts of a Daoist couple.

The emotions involved cannot be summarized in just a few words.

Furthermore, in the future, when she achieves the realm of celestial beings and, using the essence of the Mysterious Maiden, takes this a step further, engaging in spiritual communion. That would be true openness of heart, a fusion of souls, with no secrets remaining between them!

This feeling is like that of a life-and-death companion, entrusting one's life to another.

The world is vast, and there are many Daoist partners, but how many people can truly find a Daoist partner who will live and die with them?

Life is short, and with such a golden opportunity, how could Gu Qingchan not seize it firmly? Even without destiny, she still yearned for it.

"Thank you, senior." Chen Ping'an's eyes were calm and deep, like a still pool. "I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I will definitely repay you in the future."

Based on current information, Gu Qingchan appears to be credible.

The judgments and calculations involved are certainly not the arguments recorded in mainstream historical novels, such as the idea that women always have special feelings for the person they have been with for the first time.

This matter might be easily dismissed by ordinary people. But those who can become Grandmasters possess incredibly resilient minds. Even with some gains, their judgment would never waver if their core interests were touched.

Chen Ping'an had no idea what Gu Qingchan was planning or scheming.

His calculations and judgments were largely based on his previous experiences. In any case, so far, Gu Qingchan had not done anything detrimental to him.

This matter had already been verified once before, at the Wanmo Stone Cave in Sanqi Mountain. It was also verified at the subsequent meeting in the state capital and the small trading conference.

The subsequent discovery of the Earth Dragon's True Blood further clarified some points and added to the overall picture.

just
People's hearts are yearning for change.

It's always good to be on the safe side when it comes to some things.

Although he is currently displaying his peak combat power, he has already unlocked the second stage of dual cultivation techniques and has also begun practicing the second refinement of the Azure Sun Blood Refining Technique. From now on, his cultivation progress will be very fast.

If he can make any breakthrough between the two, he will not be afraid of the martial arts celestial beings.

It's not about counter-attacking or parrying, but a true battle of offense and attack. It's a back-and-forth affair, where both sides pose a threat.

Whether it's physical strength, spiritual refinement, or extraordinary techniques, they are all closely related to endurance and represent sustainability.

Despite being caught in a fierce battle, Chen Ping'an showed no fear whatsoever.

Even if the situation changes, he can handle it with ease and composure.

However, if he can truly take that crucial step in the realm of martial arts and achieve the realm of martial arts mastery, then he will be able to achieve that.

With his nine-pattern foundation and the added blessing of powerful treasures, he would undoubtedly be one of the best among the newly promoted Martial Dao Celestials. In fact, relying on his inherent strength, he could even contend head-on with veteran Martial Dao Celestials.

Even in this Azure Land, there are powerful individuals who can truly influence the situation.

Looking at the Bi Cang County Prince's Mansion, Hengshan Sect, and Wenxin Sword Pavilion, these are all considered to be powerful figures with deep foundations. Even outside the Bi Cang territory, looking across the seventeen states, the number of such powerful figures would not be very large.

And this is his greatest foundation and guarantee.

As long as combat strength is rapidly improved, even a slight exposure will cease to be a risk.

In the battle at the Stone Palace, if his strength was insufficient, even if he hid himself deeply, the only outcome would be his death. If he was lucky, he would barely escape the battle, not only losing all hope of opportunity but also suffering heavy losses.

But if one is strong enough, all the so-called risks can be turned into opportunities.

Become the ultimate winner, stand until the end, and reap many opportunities and treasures.

"Strength! Strength is everything!"

"I am deeply grateful! I will certainly repay you in the future!"

Upon hearing Chen Ping'an's words, Gu Qingchan's eyes flickered, and she just wanted to roll her eyes at him.

reward!?
How did you report it?

Are you planning to report the same thing as last night?
And I am extremely grateful, yes, I am truly extremely grateful.

but
A tenderness surfaced deep within Gu Qingchan's starry eyes.

That bottle of Soul-Gathering Jade Elixir.
Having obtained this item by chance, I readily gave it away as a gift.

She doesn't forget righteousness when faced with profit; this truly shows her admirable character.
You made the right choice!
Whether it was Chen Ping'an's imagination or not, he sensed a hint of charm in Gu Qingchan's eyes.

A charm rarely seen in ordinary times, a charm seemingly unrelated to anything else, appeared so vividly on Gu Qingchan. The allure beneath her delicate face, the grace and charm, was unforgettable.

Even with Chen Ping'an's composure, he was somewhat disturbed.

"What was Xiao Qingchan thinking just now?"

With everything done and all the gains made, it's time to leave.

This stone palace is the final stop in this secret cave dwelling; there are no other places like it after this one. Even so, before leaving, Chen Ping'an still wanted to investigate it thoroughly.

Although Gu Qingchan didn't say much, she clearly shared similar thoughts with him.

They had just stepped out of the stone hall and were about to explore their surroundings when Chen Ping'an's expression changed slightly as he sensed a glimmer of inspiration.

His gaze sharpened, and with a flick of his spiritual sense, a wisp of spiritual energy shot out and entered the gray stone gate.

Almost at the same time, Gu Qingchan's voice rang out.

"A hidden restriction!"

　Being punctual is not easy. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to update with another chapter today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)