Chapter 3
Received the sect mission.
Gu Changqing leisurely returned to his cave dwelling and resumed his secluded life.
He was someone who could endure loneliness very well.
Learning is endless.
The cultivation of the “Evergreen Wood Longevity Technique” was slow, but with the aid of pills, this drawback was completely negated.
The power of the Evergreen Wood could dispel pill toxins.
Therefore, he had to learn some self-defense skills to earn money.
...
A few days later.
The sect mission was completed.
He packed away three formation plates and then took out a piece of talisman paper.
Focusing his mind and calming his breath.
The talisman brush moved deftly in his hand.
“Whoosh!”
A talisman paper ignited.
A failure.
Gu Changqing shook his head. At his current level, making a second-level purification talisman was indeed a bit difficult.
But practice makes perfect.
After seven consecutive failures, the eighth purification talisman finally succeeded.
The talisman paper glowed with spiritual light.
It emitted a faint purifying power.
This was the best method against demonic cultivators and strange creatures.
The reason Gu Changqing avoided leaving the sect was precisely because of such unpredictable threats.
Humans not only fought among themselves but also battled demons, ghosts, and monsters.
This was a world where humans, demons, ghosts, monsters, and Buddhas coexisted.
The sect was a dominant force, protecting the people within its territory.
Clans were major local authorities, relying on the sect but developing independently.
Gu Changqing’s clan, the Gu family, was the lord of Yun City.
Only clans with Golden Core cultivators could govern a city.
...
Several more days passed.
Gu Changqing was about to submit his sect mission.
“Whoosh!”
A streak of spiritual light flew from the main peak, passing through layers of restrictions and landing before Gu Changqing.
The light dispersed, and a solemn voice rang out:
“Changqing, come to the Guanlan Pavilion at once.”
Guanlan Pavilion was located on the main peak of Little Spring Peak, containing a top-tier third-grade spiritual vein, and it was also the residence of his temporary master.
Gu Changqing frowned, a bad premonition rising in his heart.
His master always treated him like an invisible man; summons from him were never good news.
To go or not to go?
He hesitated for a second.
Then, from his heart, he decided to head toward the main peak.
He needed to stay calm.
After all, he was notoriously useless—at worst, he’d just get scolded.
The main peak.
Mountain springs flowed windingly around the mountain, trickling into the Twin Moon Lake below. The shimmering waters were dotted with blooming lotus flowers, creating an exquisite scene.
Occasionally, cranes flew overhead, playing and fishing.
Guanlan Pavilion was built halfway up the mountain.
Below the mid-mountain were the dwellings of favored disciples.
As Gu Changqing stepped into the main peak’s aura, he immediately felt the influx of spiritual energy, as if his cultivation speed quickened.
This was the difference between favored and unfavored disciples.
Arriving at Guanlan Pavilion.
“Hmph!”
Second Senior Brother snorted sarcastically.
Gu Changqing was slightly surprised; he didn’t recall offending him.
“Junior Brother Gu, don’t mind Second Senior Brother’s mood,” a gentle voice said.
The previously scowling Second Senior Brother immediately fell silent.
...
Indeed, every person has their match; Senior Sister Bingning was truly beautiful—ethereal and exquisite, with skin like jade and a figure like ice. Second Senior Brother was utterly devoted to her.
However, Gu Changqing always felt that in the end, Second Senior Brother would end up with nothing.
He smiled and cupped his hands in salute. “Senior Brother, Senior Sister, do you know why Master summoned me?”
Bingning lightly shook her head. “Junior Brother, you will know once you go inside.”
Second Senior Brother sneered coldly, “It’s good news.”
Gu Changqing: “...”
He increasingly suspected there was no good news this time.
Entering the dwelling.
Gu Changqing was startled.
The sect leader was also present.
Two divine senses instantly locked onto him, scrutinizing him inside and out.
Gu Changqing stiffened, inwardly relieved that the Hidden Art bestowed by the Void Treasure Mirror could even conceal him from the divine senses of Golden Core cultivators.
“Greetings, Master, Sect Leader.”
Gu Changqing respectfully bowed.
“Hmm.”
Yu Jinghua responded faintly.
Turning to the sect leader, he said, “This is my ninth direct disciple, born of the Gu family in Yun City. Although his cultivation is only at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, his talent in formations is decent. Helping him a little might even allow him to reach Foundation Establishment. Sect Leader, what do you think?”
Gu Changqing was stunned. His master had never praised him before.
The sect leader pondered for a moment. “Acceptable.”
Yu Jinghua smiled satisfactorily, a cold glint flickering in his eyes. “In that case, please convey a message, Sect Leader. If Ji Wuchou is not satisfied, my Little Spring Peak will not serve him. My disciples are not to be trifled with by him. If he truly cared about his grandson, I might have thought more of him, but the result...”
“Hmph!”
Yu Jinghua sneered disdainfully.
“Sigh!”
The sect leader sighed deeply. “Yu Huo Peak is truly unbearable.”
Gu Changqing: “...”
The more he listened, the more uneasy he felt.
He hadn’t even spoken a word, yet his fate was being decided clearly. This was unacceptable; the marriage arrangement of Little Spring Peak should not have fallen on him.
“Master, disciple...”
“Hmm?”
Yu Jinghua glanced at him. “Since you remain in the sect, it means you intend to compete. Do you have any objections?”
Gu Changqing opened his mouth but said nothing. What did his master mean?
Yu Jinghua said calmly, “Several of your senior brothers have already left the sect.”
“Ah?”
Gu Changqing was dumbfounded.
It could be like this?
He had known that some fellows had left, but still...
Yu Jinghua sneered, “Don’t think you’re the only one losing out. If it weren’t for Yi Feng being rejected, do you think it would have come to you?”
Chen Yifeng was Second Senior Brother.
Gu Changqing felt as if a bucket of melodrama was dumped over him.
Driven by impulse, he summoned the Void Treasure Mirror to appraise his master.
[Yu Jinghua, mid-Golden Core cultivation, an elder of the Lingxu Sect’s inner gate. He currently feels secretly pleased, grateful for his foresight in instructing valued disciples to leave the sect early. Otherwise, Ji Wuchou would still be picky. Gu Changqing’s cultivation is mediocre but his background is respectable, so he at least satisfies the sect leader. If Ji Wuchou refuses again, he will find an excuse to back out, conveniently saving a second-grade spiritual vein.]
Gu Changqing: “...”
His emotions were complex.
He realized he was merely a tool to appease the sect leader.
Golden Core cultivators truly were ruthless. If it weren’t for being able to appraise his master’s heart, he might have thought he was the chosen one.
“Your disciple accepts the order.”
Gu Changqing responded respectfully.
He was resigned.
Decided to let things slide.
No more struggles.
Whether the marriage succeeded or failed, he wouldn’t lose out.
“Hmm.”
Yu Jinghua’s expression softened slightly, speaking gently to comfort him. “You need not worry about the contract’s backlash. I will do my utmost to help you reach Foundation Establishment. Ji Yan is also a pitiful child. You... sigh! After marriage, you must treat her well, understood?”
“Yes.”
Gu Changqing felt tears of gratitude welling up.
Foundation Establishment was something many could desire but few could obtain; he had to thank his master—this fit his character.
The sect leader nodded approvingly. “Remember your promise.”
Gu Changqing chuckled inwardly.
His master’s concern was clearly a show for the sect leader.
...
“That’s enough, you may leave now,” Yu Jinghua said coldly.
“Yes.”
Gu Changqing respectfully took his leave.
He did not want to stay even a moment longer. He knew he wasn’t clever; when dealing with cunning people, it was best to keep a distance.
Leaving Guanlan Pavilion.
Second Senior Brother was halfway up the mountain.
Seeing him, he said, “Heh!”
Chen Yifeng gave a forced smirk, his gaze cold and indifferent, laced with mockery.
Gu Changqing greeted him with a smile and bowed. After all, you don’t hit a smiling face. He decided not to quarrel with the sycophant.
Second Senior Brother turned away without another word.
Gu Changqing was unfazed.
To be honest, if he hadn’t already used the appraisal today, he would have liked to appraise Second Senior Brother to see what he really thought.
A mere Bingning—was she worth wasting himself for?
Gu Changqing never expected that even Second Senior Brother, at Foundation Establishment, was also a pawn to be discarded.
The sycophant ends up with nothing in the end.
His master’s eyes were sharp indeed.
Since falling for Bingning, Second Senior Brother had become lovesick, hopelessly devoted and silently guarding her.
Tsk, truly pathetic.
Gu Changqing sighed and leisurely left the main peak.
...
Several days passed quickly.
Little Spring Peak was calm.
Gu Changqing thought nothing more would happen.
On this day.
Having just finished watering the spirit peach tree.
“Clang!”
The cave’s restrictions suddenly sounded.
Fang Yaowen glared darkly at the ever-changing formations before him.
Gu Changqing stepped out of his cave, smiling.
“Senior Brother Fang.”
Fang Yaowen was so angry he was gasping, his once elegant image now in disarray. “You owe me a defense talisman.”
Gu Changqing stifled a laugh. “Senior Brother, your family is wealthy; why fuss over this with me?”
“Are you some kind of turtle?” Fang Yaowen vented his frustration.
This was the third time. Every time he came to his junior brother’s cave, he faced different formations.
Gu Changqing apologized sincerely, “I’ve been researching new formations lately.”
Fang Yaowen didn’t believe a word and rolled his eyes. “If you’re scared to die, just say so.”
Everyone knew everyone else.
He was just a bit confused. The sect had a Nascent Soul cultivator stationed, plus thirteen Golden Core Elders. What exactly was Junior Brother afraid of to arrange killing formations, illusion formations, and linked formations inside the sect?
Fang Yaowen gave him a speechless look.
Gu Changqing smiled and invited him inside. “Senior Brother, would you like to come in for a visit?”
“Hmm.”
Fang Yaowen nodded arrogantly.
Inside the cave, he first saw various spirit plants and clicked his tongue in admiration. “Junior Brother, your assets rival a small clan.”
Gu Changqing smiled modestly. “Thanks to the sect’s protection, I’ve managed to save some wealth. But after paying various fees, not much remains.”
“Indeed.”
Fang Yaowen nodded sympathetically, giving him a look. Other direct disciples had their expenses covered by their masters, but Gu Changqing had to pay out of pocket.
Of course, this was also because of his pickiness.
The free cave was just a loft, not as convenient as renting a single household.
Fang Yaowen looked at him and said, “Junior Brother, congratulations on your impending good fortune.”
Gu Changqing’s heart skipped a beat. “Senior Brother, what do you mean?”
“Haha, Junior Brother, don’t you know? The Ji family has already chosen you as their grandson-in-law. I heard Ji Yan agreed personally. Ji Ren was so angry his face turned blue. Junior Brother, you’re quite lucky.”
Gu Changqing: “...”
He knew this guy had definitely come just to watch the fun.
But why would Ji Yan agree personally? Did his master have no objections? If he remembered correctly, his master still wanted to save a second-grade spiritual vein.
...