70 Zhao Lian Yun and Ma Hong Yun (4)

"Zhao Lian Yun, you can be the next generation fairy of Spirit Affinity House — as long as you successfully obtain this inheritance!" Standing in front of the Thieving Heaven inheritance's entrance, a wisdom path Gu Immortal of Spirit Affinity House, Xu Hao, spoke to Zhao Lian Yun.

Zhao Lian Yun gazed at the huge entrance of light with a resolute expression: "I don't care about being the next generation fairy, I only want to save brother Ma Hong Yun as quickly as possible!"

Illusory Fairy Li Jun Ying stood beside Xu Hao, revealing a slight smile as she heard this.

She softly stroked Zhao Lian Yun's cheek, revealing a bewitching smile: "Cute little sister, this is a Thieving Heaven inheritance. As long as you can successfully inherit it, you will be very likely to have the power to save your lover."

Zhao Lian Yun blushed, her eyes, however, were sober and calm.

She was an otherworldly demon, a transmigrator, she was not so easy to deceive.

Zhao Lian Yun persisted in asking: "I am only a mortal, can this inheritance immediately let me ascend and become a Gu Immortal?"

"Ah..." The female Gu Immortal, Li Jun Ying, did not have an answer to this, in fact, she also did not know the specific contents of the inheritance.

She glanced at the male Gu Immortal Xu Hao, before continuing: "Even if you can't immediately become a Gu Immortal, by obtaining Thieving Heaven's inheritance, you will become the strongest competitor for the position of the next generation fairy of Spirit Affinity House. Don't underestimate this position. As long as you succeed, you can borrow the sect's strength to save your lover. Our Spirit Affinity House is one of the ten great ancient sects of Central Continent, only super forces like ours can match up to Old Ancestor Xue Hu and save your brother Ma Hong Yun."

"I understand." Zhao Lian Yun nodded and did not speak any further, taking a firm step forward into the entrance of light and disappearing within.

"Do you think she can succeed?" Illusory Fairy Li Jun Ying let out a sigh, and asked with a worried expression.

Xu Hao, however, was confident: "We have already confirmed that Zhao Lian Yun is an otherworldly demon, if even she can't succeed, who can?"

He continued: "I know you are worried the inheritance will have difficult tests, and Zhao Lian Yun might not be able to pass them since she is only a mortal. But you don't know much about this aspect. After these last years of research, I have already confirmed what the qualification for Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable inheritance tests are - as long as one is an otherworldly demon, they can easily obtain his inheritance, and there are no other dangerous tests. I just don't know how much Zhao Lian Yun can grow by inheriting this."

Li Jun Ying felt at ease at her husband's words: "I wouldn't be surprised even if Zhao Lian Yun were to immediately advance to a Gu Immortal. After all, this is Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's arrangement."

"Hehe, compared to ascending to immortal, I want his formless hand more. Back then, if only I had a slightly stronger immortal killer move, I would not have been defeated by Feng Jiu Ge." Xu Hao's fists were clenched as he said this, his eyes flickering with a vague light of hatred.

No organization would lack internal strife, Spirit Affinity House naturally was not an exception.

After Feng Jiu Ge disappeared, many Gu Immortals of Spirit Affinity House tacitly agreed to trouble Fairy Bai Qing.

And Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying, this couple were the most important people in the 'anti-Feng' faction.

Li Jun Ying consoled her husband: "Heaven's Envy Manor had sent the news of the deaths of Ao Xue and Ling Mei. And Feng Jiu Ge has been missing for so long, he might already be dead as well. Why would you be bothered by a dead person?"

Xu Hao discontentedly gritted his teeth: "Hmph, in the past, Feng Jiu Ge had such might that almost anything he said in the sect was carried out automatically, suppressing us for so many years. I was dispatched to comprehend the Thieving Heaven inheritance, this was also him removing me from a seat of power. But it was fortunate, I became the person who has the most understanding of Thieving Heaven's inheritances, and have the highest authority regarding this matter. Otherwise, how could we have openly taken charge of Zhao Lian Yun?"

Li Jun Ying repeatedly nodded: "At present, Feng Jin Huang is the top candidate for the next generation's fairy, but Zhao Lian Yun's appearance is a new variable, becoming the competitor with the highest threat to Feng Jin Huang. If we could support her to rise to the status, we would not only be able to suppress that slut Bai Qing, but also can make use of it to regain authority."

Zhao Lian Yun was just newly arrived, but had already fallen into the power struggle within Spirit Affinity House, becoming a powerful weapon for Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying to fight for authority.

As the saying goes: In this world, people often had no control of the situation.

Xu Hao was just about to say something when his gaze suddenly focused, becoming very surprised: "Huh? She came out so quickly!"

In front of the two immortals, Zhao Lian Yun's figure gradually appeared from thin air.

Xu Hao hurriedly asked: "The Thieving Heaven inheritance has disappeared, this means she has succeeded! Is it really so simple?"

Even if he had done deep research and was mentally prepared, he could not avoid having an envious feeling right now.

Li Jun Ying had already moved ahead to welcome Zhao Lian Yun.

Zhao Lian Yun was out of the inheritance space, and appeared somewhat clueless and dazed right now.

"How was it, did you succeed? What did you inherit?" Under the heat of the moment, Li Jun Ying grabbed Zhao Lian Yun's small, tender shoulder and shook it fiercely.

Zhao Lian Yun frowned from the pain: "I am also not too sure, there was a dazzling light after I entered, then a will appeared, he told me to accept the rank nine immortal killer move — Divine Concealment."

"Divine concealment?!" Hearing this term, Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying's eyes opened wide as they glanced at each other, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Zhao Lian Yun, however, was disappointed, asking anxiously: "I did not become a Gu Immortal, and also didn't experience any changes, can I still save brother Ma Hong Yun?"

Xu Hao reacted at this moment, and started laughing heartily, replying firmly: "Of course! I did not think the true content of this inheritance was this. Being able to inherit divine concealment is a gargantuan fortune."

"Rank nine immortal killer move divine concealment..." Li Jun Ying also involuntarily let out a gasp, "In the past, when Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable created theft path, he stole the treasures of the world with no one able to forecast or deduce his movements. Why was that the case? It was rumored that it was because of two defensive killer moves Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable possessed, one was 'divine concealment', the other was 'ghostly concealment'."

Zhao Lian Yun's eyes opened wide: "Divine concealment, ghostly concealment?"

Li Jun Ying nodded: "Right, divine concealment makes it so that no thoughts, wills or emotions can deduce your state or origins. Do you know what this means? The methods of probing and deducing of almost all wisdom path Gu Immortals in the world come from these three aspects: thought, will and emotion. And with divine concealment, you are immune to the deductions of almost all wisdom path Gu Immortals. Rank nine divine concealment... only a rank nine wisdom path Gu Immortal can have a chance to succeed in making deductions about you."

Xu Hao continued: "This is actually still not its most amazing aspect! You might not even believe it when I say it, but the most amazing thing is that divine concealment can make Gu Masters immune to heavenly tribulations and earthly calamities!"

Li Jun Ying's expression looked enchanted, while Zhao Lian Yun still looked uncomprehending.

Xu Hao could not help but laugh, he realized Zhao Lian Yun was only a mortal and not a Gu Immortal, thus she did not understand the significance of this.

He patiently explained: "Heaven's will is a kind of will. You have divine concealment, since heaven's will can't probe you, it can't send calamities and tribulations to you. You have already escaped the detection of heaven's will, when you ascend to immortal later, you won't attract any heavenly tribulation or earthly calamity. After Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable created divine concealment, no calamities and tribulations befell him."

"But this has its disadvantages as well, calamities and tribulations are not entirely bad, they are a major way to increase the number of dao marks a Gu Immortal has. In the future, although you won't face calamities and tribulations, and will be incomparably safe, you won't be able to increase your quantity of dao marks through calamities and tribulations, and your accomplishments would be limited. Unless you have the other methods of Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable to support your cultivation. In records of history, Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable could even steal dao marks."

Zhao Lian Yun's eyes moved round and round in puzzlement, as she probed: "Divine concealment is so powerful, then what about ghostly concealment?"

Xu Hao, who had been talking with confidence, did not have an answer for this, and Li Jun Ying also slowly shook her head.

"Divine concealment, ghostly concealment. The former is known by everyone, but the latter is extremely mysterious. There are many guesses and public opinions vary, but they are all unreliable and there has never been a publicly accepted answer." Xu Hao replied.

Li Jun Ying spoke faintly: "But since both are equally famous, it also must be extraordinary."

Zhao Lian Yun blinked, her tone one of astonishment: "Besides inheriting divine concealment, I also obtained a clue. Another Thieving Heaven inheritance is hidden in Luo Po valley, and that inheritance is about ghostly concealment!"

"What? A second Thieving Heaven inheritance!"

"And it is hidden in Luo Po valley?"

Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying was surprised and joyous, they glanced at each other with bright eyes.

Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying were very perceptive.

Zhao Lian Yun's information was very important.

Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying immediately thought of Feng Jiu Ge rather than the Thieving Heaven inheritance!

Combined with the information from the Central Continent Gu Immortals who returned, they were almost certain: The reason why Feng Jiu Ge disappeared was because he was trapped inside the Thieving Heaven inheritance.

"The Thieving Heaven inheritance must have been used by the enemy to trap Feng Jiu Ge." Xu Hao was a wisdom path Gu Immortal, he said this after deducing.

"Then what should we do now?" Li Jun Ying's words made them sink into silence.

Zhao Lian Yun looked around left to right and back, she did not speak.

The reason why said she mentioned this was because she wanted to return to Northern Plains, using Spirit Affinity House's power to save Ma Hong Yun.

But she did not know about the internal conflicts within Spirit Affinity House.

Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying looked at each other, they interacted with their gazes.

Both of their gazes gradually turned cold, they had chemistry and a close rapport built over the years, they quickly came to an agreement.

They decided to suppress this information and temporarily not report it.

They wanted Feng Jiu Ge to die.

If they reported it, Spirit Affinity House would definitely send people to save him, if Feng Jiu Ge was still alive, what would happen once he was saved?

After dragging it out for three days, both immortals reached the time limit and reported this information.

As expected, the higher ups in Spirit Affinity House were alarmed, they organized a group to save him. As for the otherworldly demon Zhao Lian Yun, she became the key person in this rescue mission, she was brought to Northern Plains.

While Prince Feng Xian was having doubts, a letter came from Spirit Affinity House.

The letter expressed that Zhao Lian Yun had successfully obtained divine concealment some days ago, and also that they knew ghostly concealment was in Luo Po valley's Thieving Heaven true inheritance.

At the same time, Snowy Mountain, first peak.

The refinement path Gu formation was shining in golden light, it was so condensed it was almost solid, firmly cast over the peak of the snow mountain.

Within the light, Lady Wan Shou and Old Ancestor Xue Hu were standing in front of Ma Hong Yun.

Lady Wan Shou was extremely tired, she was carefully taking out a ball of lightning.

The ball of lightning was fist sized, there were sparks inside, creating thunderous sounds, the exterior was protruding at times, at one glance, one could tell this lightning ball was unstable.

"What, what are you trying to do?! No, no, ahhh!" Ma Hong Yun screamed, he had a frantic expression, but his entire body was immobilized, he could not move.

"This is the final crucial step." Lady Wan Shou said, pushing the lightning ball towards Ma Hong Yun.

The lightning ball quickly fused into Ma Hong Yun's chest, vanishing instantly.

"AHHHHH—!" Ma Hong Yun was hit by intense waves of lightning, his body was shaking as he raised his head, he was screaming loudly with all his strength.

Lightning crackled.

Ma Hong Yun quickly fainted as his eyes rolled over, saliva leaking out of his mouth. He had completely lost consciousness, but his body was still shaking intensely.

The lightning started out strong and slowly weakened, until it vanished.

Old Ancestor Xue Hu's expression sank.

Ma Hong Yun's lightning refinement failed!

If they succeeded, why would Ma Hong Yun still be around? He would be refined by lightning, his flesh and bones would be gone, only a lump of golden luck essence would be left.

Lady Wan Shou let out a gasp, there was paleness on her beautiful face.

She was the one using lightning refinement on Ma Hong Yun, it was a crucial step in refining fortune rivalling heaven Immortal Gu. Now that she failed, Lady Wan Shou suffered a heavy backlash, she was injured.

"Dear." Old Ancestor Xue Hu had an anxious tone, he expressed concern in his gaze.

Lady Wan Shou smiled at him lightly, saying softly: "Don't worry, I can endure such a level of injury. I just need to rest for half a day and I will recover."

Old Ancestor Xue Hu let out a breath: "That is good."

Pausing for a while, he continued: "Even though we failed this time, it is fine, this is only the first attempt! We have prepared ample refinement materials."

"That's right." Lady Wan Shou acknowledged: "Even though we failed once, and have to start over, this refinement path Gu formation preserves much of our beforehand successes, the second refinement will definitely go smoothly. Let me rest for half a day, after I recover, we will start over."

How could Immortal Gu refinement succeed at the first attempt?

Especially rank eight Immortal Gu, the success rate was absurdly low.

In the past, when Hei Fan refined years flow like water Immortal Gu, he failed consecutively, he even lost confidence in it after many failures.

Thus, Old Ancestor Xue Hu and Lady Wan Shou did not put this failure to heart.

They were very confident.

The refinement path Gu formation was activated, shining lights were enveloping the peak of the mountain, like a miniature sun.

"Third time." Lady Wan Shou breathed in deeply, she was holding onto a condensed lightning ball as she got closer to Ma Hong Yun who was in the formation.

Ma Hong Yun shouted: "No! No! Let me off! I am going to die, I will die!"

The lightning ball entered his chest.

Clap clap clap.

Countless sparks appeared on his body, Ma Hong Yun's eyes were turning as the whites were exposed, he no longer leaked out saliva, but blood instead.

He fainted again, after a while, the lightning vanished.

"I failed again." Lady Wan Shou's vision turned dark, an intense dizziness almost made her collapse to the ground.

She forced herself to continue, disregarding her injuries and healing Ma Hong Yun instead.

Ma Hong Yun had to be alive for the lightning refinement to work.

"Hmm? This guy's cultivation level actually rose by one rank." During the process of healing, Lady Wan Shou discovered an anomaly.

"Is it because of the lightning refinement? Indeed, some relic Gu were used, it can raise the Gu Master's cultivation level."

"Dear, are you alright?" Old Ancestor Xue Hu arrived at this time.

"No need to worry." Lady Wan Shou was still pale, but she smiled to Old Ancestor Xue Hu: "I just need to rest for a while to recover."

The refinement path Gu formation was still activated.

Lady Wan Shou was energetic, appearing in front of Ma Hong Yun again.

Ma Hong Yun saw her and his hair stood on end, he screamed: "You are here to shock me again, you want to shock me again!"

"Good that you know." Lady Wan Shou smiled, pushing the lightning ball in her hand towards him.

"Ahhhh!" Ma Hong Yun was twitching from the pain, his eyes rolled back but he did not foam saliva from his mouth.

At the same time, his voice was very clear, if one listened closely, it was rhythmic.

All in all, he lasted for a while before fainting.

"His cultivation level rose again? Also, he lasted thirty percent longer this time against the lightning refinement." Lady Wan Shou frowned as she observed.

From the eyes, nose, and ears, blood was flowing out.

This was the backlash of Gu refinement.

But Lady Wan Shou had experienced it many times, she was used to this backlash. Her healing process was also very rapid and efficient.

"It is a bit troublesome. The more times Ma Hong Yun undergoes lightning refinement, the stronger his resistance, and the more likely this crucial step is to fail. What should I do? Change the refinement method? No! If I change the method now, I will need to change the entire Immortal Gu recipe. Half of the materials we found earlier would be unusable. Snowy Mountain cannot bear such a cost anymore."

Lady Wan Shou sighed to herself, feeling extremely worried.

Spirit Affinity House.

Lake Heart Mountain.

Feng Jin Huang's accommodations.

This girl was dressed in white, like a flower by the lake, she had long black silky hair with a worried look between her eyebrows, she had clear skin and pupils like they were fused with the night sky, expressing worry and anxiety.

Such beauty was comparable to Feng Jin Huang, it was Zhao Lian Yun!

"Junior sister Zhao, I wonder what business you have with me?" Feng Jin Huang was the first to ask.

Zhao Lian Yun hesitated for a moment, determination shone in her eyes.

Plop.

At the next moment, she knelt down.

Qin Juan and Sun Yao did not expect this, they gasped in shock.

Feng Jin Huang was also quite shocked: "Junior sister Zhao, why are you doing this?"

"I really have no other alternatives. Please, please save Ma Hong Yun!" Zhao Lian Yun said, as tears flowed down her smooth cheeks.

"Ma Hong Yun, who is he? He asked you to come and beg me? Come, you can get up and tell me, don't kneel." Feng Jin Huang quickly walked forward, stretching out her arms to help Zhao Lian Yun stand up.

She had the magnanimity of a senior sister.

Even though she and Zhao Lian Yun were fiercely competing for the position of fairy, now that Zhao Lian Yun was begging her, Feng Jin Huang did not look down on her, she offered to help her up instead.

But Zhao Lian Yun did not get up, she shook off Feng Jin Huang's hands, sobbing: "Right now, the only one who can help me is you, senior sister Feng Jin Huang!"

"Zhao Lian Yun might be an otherworldly demon, but she has deep love in her." Feng Jin Huang's mother Fairy Bai Qing looked through the window, a very far distance away, focusing on Zhao Lian Yun, who was still kneeling in the courtyard.

Zhao Lian Yun approached Feng Jin Huang and begged her to help save Ma Hong Yun.

Feng Jin Huang was lost, after asking, she learned about Zhao Lian Yun and Ma Hong Yun's heart wrenching story.

Zhao Lian Yun was begging for help, but regardless of what Feng Jin Huang said, she seemed to be fixated on this, she refused to get up. Feng Jin Huang had no choice but to find her parents for help.

Her mother was a rank seven female immortal of Spirit Affinity House, Bai Qing, while her father was the famous Feng Jiu Ge!

Feng Jiu Ge walked towards Fairy Bai Qing, he did not look at Zhao Lian Yun, instead, he looked at the sky, saying plainly: "Dear, can't you tell? Zhao Lian Yun is guided by some people."

Fairy Bai Qing's gaze flashed: "Do you mean Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying?"

Places with people will have competition for benefits.

Spirit Affinity House had its internal conflicts too.

Feng Jiu Ge was powerful, in the absence of rank eights, he dominated the ten great ancient sects, nobody could rival him. But this did not mean he had no opponents.

Competition in this world did not just involve fighting and killing.

Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying were Feng Jiu Ge's main opponents in Spirit Affinity House.

The two of them were married too.

Among which, Xu Hao was a wisdom path Gu Immortal, while Li Jun Ying was known as the Illusory Fairy, her power was extraordinary.

In the previous life, when Feng Jiu Ge died inside the Thieving Heaven true inheritance's special space, these two immediately exerted pressure on Fairy Bai Qing and had a powerful stance. But afterwards, when Fang Yuan used Spring Autumn Cicada and ended up saving Feng Jiu Ge, history was changed.

Feng Jiu Ge's return caused great pressure on Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying, they were at a disadvantage.

However, using Zhao Lian Yun's influence, the two of them held their ground and were untouchable by even Feng Jiu Ge inside Spirit Affinity House.

Hearing Fairy Bai Qing mention their names, Feng Jiu Ge admitted: "It is them. This was my mistake, back then, I sent Xu Hao to complete the mission for the Thieving Heaven true inheritance, I wanted to push them aside, but to think they actually benefited from it."

"Huang Er wants to be the next generation fairy, she was originally unmatched, but now, Zhao Lian Yun appeared. As expected of an otherworldly demon, this woman is very intelligent and has a different perspective on many matters, yet she can get to the point and succeed in her unique methods, she is truly worthy of being Huang Er's opponent."

"This time, Zhao Lian Yun is kneeling and begging for help, Xu Hao probably instigated this. Zhao Lian Yun wants to save her lover, she has to fight for the position of fairy. That way, she would have enough authority to use Spirit Affinity House's power. If Huang Er gives in to her, she would give up being the fairy. But if she rejects her, it would breed trouble."

Feng Jiu Ge analyzed deeply, he easily exposed Xu Hao's schemes.

He was a sound path Gu Immortal, but he had incredible wits, he had a keen perception towards these internal conflicts.

Fairy Bai Qing rolled her eyes, saying playfully: "Dear, why would I not understand these? Our Spirit Affinity House's signature Immortal Gu is Love, our sect values moving people through love. Xu Hao asked Zhao Lian Yun to do this, he probably does not expect her to succeed. But after Zhao Lian Yun is rejected by Huang Er, others would sympathize with her."

"Hahaha, my dear, you are so smart, I was unduly worried." Feng Jiu Ge laughed.

Xu Hao was trying so desperately to make Zhao Lian Yun win and defeat Feng Jin Huang, and become the fairy of Spirit Affinity House. That way, he could use Zhao Lian Yun's power to ally with others and oppose Feng Jiu Ge together.

Xu Hao had a good plan.

All along, Zhao Lian Yun's identity as an otherworldly demon was her biggest obstacle in becoming Spirit Affinity House's fairy. Because people were more willing to believe in those who originated from a similar background.

Zhao Lian Yun, who came from another world, was ostracized and guarded against.

But after this matter, Zhao Lian Yun's image in Spirit Affinity House would completely transform in the eyes of everyone.

Even though Zhao Lian Yun was an otherworldly demon, she loved a man of the Gu world.

For this man, she fought for the position of fairy, she was not a vicious or ambitious person.

She was really pitiful, nobody was helping her. Her lover was in Northern Plains, he might die any time, these lovebirds might never get together again!

"This time, Xu Hao made a good plan. No matter what decision Huang Er makes, she would still lose. In fact, to compete for the position of fairy, she has to reject Zhao Lian Yun." Feng Jiu Ge said plainly.

"Then we let her continue kneeling here?" Fairy Bai Qing asked.

Feng Jiu Ge smiled: "No worries, she won't stay here for long, this is just a show."

But Fairy Bai Qing shook her head: "I do not agree with this. Did you not see Zhao Lian Yun's eyes, she is so determined and resolute, she is in deep agony. Do you think Xu Hao would tell her about the truth? At this moment, Zhao Lian Yun probably thinks that her only hope in saving her lover lies in Huang Er giving up this contest! She will definitely not give up, she will continue kneeling."

Feng Jiu Ge did not speak, he looked at the sky, he still paid no attention to Zhao Lian Yun.

Feng Jiu Ge was a little regretful now.

If he had known this, he would not have bought Zhao Lian Yun back in the Northern Plains auction.

Right now, she was Feng Jin Huang's greatest obstacle.

Parents in this world still had the same wishes, they wanted their sons or daughters to succeed in life.

Even Feng Jiu Ge with rank eight battle strength was no exception from this.

"Even your mother pities Zhao Lian Yun, oh Huang Er, we will not advise you this time, how will you deal with this?" Feng Jiu Ge was secretly anticipating as he waited.

Snowy Mountain, first peak.

"Now that I mention it, you need to be thankful to me. Haven't you discovered, your cultivation has risen and is going to reach rank five." Lady Wan Shou said to Ma Hong Yun, while holding a ball of lightning.

Ma Hong Yun shouted madly and hysterically: "You insane lunatic! You still want to shock me, you have tormented me so many times, you still want to continue! I don't want this cultivation, please let me go."

Lady Wan Shou sneered: "Impossible."

She then sent out the ball of lightning.

Crack crack crack!

Ma Hong Yun's whole body shook, his eyes rolled over, his mouth occasionally opened wide, occasionally pursed up and occasionally turned into 'O' shape, but all the time, he was shouting.

"Ahhh ooooohhhh arrghhhh..."

He screamed until the lightning completely dissipated.

"Failed again, this guy!" Lady Wan Shou's face looked extremely gloomy, she fiercely slapped Ma Hong Yun's cheek.

Ma Hong Yun instantly fainted from the slap.

Central Continent, Spirit Affinity House.

Heavy rain poured down, causing the sky to darken.

Zhao Lian Yun was drenched, her vision was blurry and intense dizziness was threatening to make her unconscious.

But she firmly held on, using every bit of strength in her body.

Although she was an otherworldly demon with memories of a previous world, she did not have much understanding of the upper levels of the Gu world, especially of the mindsets of Gu Immortals, whom she had rarely been able to associate with.

As far as she was concerned, this was the only way to save Ma Hong Yun.

"This otherworldly demon is indeed somewhat foolish." Li Jun Ying had been observing secretly.

Xu Hao shook his head: "I also had not expected her to be so persistent. It has already been over ten days now."

Li Jun Ying turned back and looked at her husband: "Have you thought about it, Feng Jin Huang can use this to make a countering scheme against us, requesting Zhao Lian Yun to give up on contending for the position of fairy, and then she will help save her lover?"

Xu Hao smiled: "How could that be? According to Feng Jin Huang's nature, she absolutely would not be able to do such a thing. These two are still young."

Zhao Lian Yun knelt on the ground like a statue.

The house in front of her was shut tight, there was no disturbance.

Feng Jin Huang no longer lived here.

Zhao Lian Yun knew this, but she still continued to kneel here.

Because she knew that this was her only hope! She had to grab onto it, because other than this, there were no other options.

At this moment, Zhao Lian Yun's legs were numb, she was so tired she felt dizzy, in her daze, memories of the past surfaced in her mind.

There was a grassland with budding wild flowers.

"This flower is for you, Lady Xiao Yun, they say that women love flowers." Ma Hong Yun brought a bunch of flowers with him as he stood in front of Zhao Lian Yun, smiling sheepishly.

"It stinks!" Zhao Lian Yun covered her nose, saying in disgust: "What flowers did you pick? These smelly fly flowers only grow on top of animal faeces. Take them away, take them away from me."

Ma Hong Yun was stunned, he answered: "Precisely because they grow on faeces, they are big and strong."

Zhao Lian Yun was rolling her eyes, she stepped on Ma Hong Yun's leg angrily: "Get lost! Fool! Why are you finding me flowers, you should think of how to please your young master! You idiot!!"

Ma Hong Yun was jumping from the pain, he said meekly: "I wanted to thank you, thanks for lying for me, otherwise, I would have been executed for stealing shoes."

Scenes of the past faded gradually, Zhao Lian Yun returned to the cold hard reality.

"Big fool!"

"But, what am I doing now, I seem like a fool too huh."

"To think that I, Zhao Lian Yun, would act so foolishly as well!"

"You always do foolish things, but the results always end up good. I am not you, but, this is the only thing that I can do... I am just a normal person."

Thinking of this, tears rolled down Zhao Lian Yun's eyes, the grief and agony in her heart could not be described with words.

At this time, in her blurry vision, she saw a Gu.

Rank nine —

Love Gu!

It was flying in front of Zhao Lian Yun.

Rank nine love Gu.

Zhao Lian Yun did not recognize this Gu worm, but that did not stop her from noticing this Gu worm's uniqueness.

Because in her vision, this Gu worm had become the center of the world, its body was glowing with multicolored lights, the entire Gu worm seemed to be the hottest flame burning in the universe. All of reality would be overturned, everything in this world would revolve around it.

"Is this... a miracle?" Zhao Lian Yun's face was covered in tears, a final thought was produced in her mind.

Next, she fell onto the ground, falling unconscious.

Spirit Affinity House was in a commotion!

Love Gu, it was the signature Immortal Gu of Spirit Affinity House.

It flew out of its resting place to Zhao Lian Yun's side. Most importantly, when Zhao Lian Yun was unconscious, it did not fly away, it remained on her shoulder.

That night, Spirit Affinity House recalled all of the Gu Immortals in the sect, holding an emergency meeting to discuss this matter.

Spirit Affinity House's first supreme elder, second supreme elder, and third supreme elder, Feng Jiu Ge, Fairy Bai Qing, Xu Hao, Li Jun Ying, and the others had gathered, the auras of immortals mixed together, the highest number of Gu Immortals from Spirit Affinity House had gathered together for the first time in hundreds of years.

"Everyone, we know about the rules of the sect. Now that love Gu has acknowledged Zhao Lian Yun, she is the sect's current generation fairy!" Xu Hao spoke expressionlessly, but intense joy could be felt from his tone.

Back then, he had advised Zhao Lian Yun, he was just trying to target Feng Jin Huang and damage her reputation, to elevate Zhao Lian Yun's own prestige.

He did not think that Zhao Lian Yun would be so stubborn, continuing to kneel there without giving up.

Xu Hao was helpless about this.

He nurtured Zhao Lian Yun and used her as a chess piece to deal with Feng Jin Huang. His real goal was to attack Feng Jin Huang's father — Feng Jiu Ge.

A place with people interacting would have internal and external conflicts.

When an organization is big, there would be many factions in it.

Right now, the Feng faction with Feng Jiu Ge at the lead had the greatest authority in Spirit Affinity House.

Xu Hao, Li Jun Ying, and the others were suppressed by theFeng faction, unable to lift their heads. Thankfully, Spirit Affinity House's two rank eight Gu Immortals, first supreme elder and second supreme elder, were impartial, they did not side with anyone, only looking at the benefits of Spirit Affinity House, this allowed Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying to remain as part of the sect's core authority, despite the Feng faction's power.

Zhao Lian Yun knelt and begged Feng Jin Huang, most people could only see the surface of the matter, only a few understood that this was a political conflict in Spirit Affinity House.

Zhao Lian Yun was a mere mortal, but after inheriting the Thieving Heaven true inheritance, she was qualified to compete with Feng Jin Huang for the position of Spirit Affinity House's fairy.

Xu Hao made Zhao Lian Yun his political tool.

Originally, Xu Hao was thinking that he could not let Zhao Lian Yun kneel anymore. In his opinion, as a political performance, it was already enough. If Zhao Lian Yun continued kneeling, she would be like an idiot, there were no gains for her.

But several hours ago, when Xu Hao heard that love Gu had stayed by Zhao Lian Yun's side of its own accord, he was stunned.

After his heavy shock, he felt intense joy!

He acutely sensed that this was a godsent opportunity. This gift was too precious, he almost fainted from happiness.

This was an unbelievably rare chance.

He needed to use this opportunity to make Zhao Lian Yun Spirit Affinity House's fairy!

Then on this basis, he would retaliate against the 'Feng faction', this was an unprecedented opportunity for Xu Hao in the sect! As long as he made use of this chance, his future in the sect would change drastically for the better.

Xu Hao did not doubt this.

Thus, he was the first to stand up and support Zhao Lian Yun for the position, to become Spirit Affinity House's current generation fairy!

He spoke: "Our sect rules are clear, in choosing the fairies, first, we listen to the masses, then we look at aptitude, finally, we look at the preference of higher-ups."

The meaning was: They would first see what the people in the sect thinks, before looking at the aptitude and talent of the participant, and finally, it would depend on who suited the preferences of the higher-up Gu Immortals more.

Xu Hao continued to speak: "Right now, in terms of the masses, Zhao Lian Yun might be an otherworldly demon, but she has love and loyalty, in order to save her lover, she knelt down to her opponent. The entire sect knows about her character, and in terms of aptitude, it is not important, as long as we are willing, we can raise a mortal's aptitude easily. I believe that everyone has heard of her experiences in Northern Plains, she is an elite in terms of talent. And finally, everyone's preferences. I greatly acknowledge Zhao Lian Yun, I express my support towards her in becoming our fairy."

"I concur." Xu Hao had just said that when Li Jun Ying added this.

She was Xu Hao's wife, they had the same opinion in this.

This was not strange.

But the following scene was shocking to others.

"I agree with Xu Hao."

"I approve of Xu Hao's perspective."

"Even love Gu acknowledged Zhao Lian Yun, what else do I have to say?"

...

At once, five to six Gu Immortals agreed with Xu Hao's words.

Fairy Bai Qing could not stand it anymore.

She felt: It seemed that everyone here agreed with Xu Hao, they felt that the position of Spirit Affinity House's fairy should go to Zhao Lian Yun.

Fairy Bai Qing was a Gu Immortal of Spirit Affinity House, but more than that, she was Feng Jin Huang's mother.

The position of fairy in Spirit Affinity House was very special.

She was the cultivation seed that was chosen by the entire Spirit Affinity House, even the mortals were part of the selection process. Next, they would invest heavily in her and nurture her to become immortal. Every generation's fairy would be Spirit Affinity House's representative when they fully matured.

Spirit Affinity House was an organization, and organizations not only needed old experts, but also new Gu Immortals, to inject fresh blood and keep the system going smoothly.

Fairy Bai Qing herself was a fairy of Spirit Affinity House. She had felt for herself the experience of having an entire sect support her cultivation.

Even though Feng Jiu Ge and Bai Qing were both Gu Immortals and could totally fund their daughter, Feng Jin Huang, for her immortal ascension easily, this type of support paled in comparison to the funding of the entire sect.

Fairy Bai Qing did not want to see her daughter lose.

But she understood deeply: Right now, the situation was very disadvantageous for her!

Because the sect rules were, in choosing a fairy, other than 'listening to the masses, looking at aptitude, and the higher-ups preference', there was also an important part, that was —

Once love Gu acknowledged someone, no matter how disliked they were, or now bad their aptitude was, or even how badly received they were by the Gu Immortal higher-ups, they would become the current generation fairy, regardless of the situation, or whether they were male or female!

But first supreme elder suddenly said: "I have understood everyone's stances. But Zhao Lian Yun has a special background, she is an otherworldly demon. I will report the result of our discussion to the higher-ups, they will decide themselves."

Zhao Lian Yun was brought into a small secret room in her daze.

"Where is this?" She opened her eyes, looking around.

This secret room was extremely quiet, a bone chilling silence was embedded into every brick in this room, and every inch of the wall.

The secret room was not bright, it was dim like only a candle was lit, sending out faint traces of light, Zhao Lian Yun could barely see anything.

"Come here." From the traces of light, an aged voice spoke.

Zhao Lian Yun followed the direction of the voice.

As she got closer, she saw an elderly person who was as aged as that voice.

She was the first supreme elder of Spirit Affinity House.

First supreme elder looked at Zhao Lian Yun with a deep glance, focusing her attention on love Gu, which was on Zhao Lian Yun's shoulder.

Her gaze moved slightly, she quickly calmed down.

"Kneel down." First supreme elder said.

Zhao Lian Yun felt that even though this old woman did not feel special, she had an immense authority, her calm words carried force that made people feel obliged to obey her.

Thus, Zhao Lian Yun lowered her head as she saw a cushion on the ground.

She knelt down on the cushion, her upper body was straight as she looked at the old woman.

The old woman said: "Look ahead."

Zhao Lian Yun looked ahead, she saw that the secret room was getting bright, Zhao Lian Yun gasped as she stared with wide opened eyes.

Because she saw that on the wall in front, there were countless jade-like small tablets.

"These are life tablet Gu, each of the names there is a certain fairy of Spirit Affinity House in the past. From the first generation until now..." First supreme elder said slowly.

Zhao Lian Yun's breathing intensified, her gaze swept past this wall, there were countless tablets, she was dazzled.

At the top left hand corner, there was a tablet, with the first generation fairy's name written, Shui Ni.

Second generation fairy, Xun Yu.

Third generation fairy, Hui Xin.

...

She also saw Mo Yao, Lian Xiang, and other familiar names.

Zhao Lian Yun looked at these names, her breathing became rough. She was like a child, staring at the night sky that was flickering with countless stars.

She knew that these people were all past stars in the Gu Immortal world. Every generation of Spirit Affinity House's fairies was a Gu Immortal that was famous in Central Continent! They were extraordinary and unrivaled. They were like pearls that were linked together, from the past to the present, they weaved Spirit Affinity House's future, leaving behind dazzling brilliance and glory throughout history.

Zhao Lian Yun was dazed, at this moment, first supreme elder spoke: "From now onwards, you are the current generation fairy of Spirit Affinity House. Your life tablet Gu is already at the lowest position."

At this moment, Zhao Lian Yun's heart froze.

She stared with wide opened eyes, looking at the old lady, she was overjoyed but had endless doubts: "How can this be? Am I dreaming? According to Spirit Affinity House's rules, I am not qualified yet, I..."

She said this until she thought of something, she turned her gaze away as she looked at love Gu on her shoulder: "Is it because of this Gu?"

First supreme elder nodded slightly: "This is love Gu, you have already received love Gu's acknowledgement."

After Zhao Lian Yun fainted, when she woke up, she was already inside this secret room.

She was unsure of what love Gu looked like, but she knew that love Gu was the signature Gu of Spirit Affinity House!

"Is this love Gu?!" Zhao Lian Yun's body shook, her voice was also off pitch.

First supreme elder nodded again.

Zhao Lian Yun breathed intensely, intense joy was in her heart, it slowly oozed out as she felt like fortune had hit her in her head.

But this bliss was too sudden, it was too great, she did not feel any joy, she felt some fear and uneasiness.

She was afraid that everything was fake, she was worried that this was just a dream after she fainted.

Thus, she stared with wide opened eyes, asking first supreme elder nervously: "Why?"

This why contained too many questions.

Why did love Gu choose her?

Why did she become Spirit Affinity House's fairy?

Why did all this happen?

"Love, also belongs to oneself!"

...

After Zhao Lian Yun heard first supreme elder's words, she was still in a daze.

Stories in \<\<The Legends of Ren Zu\>\> were widely spread, Zhao Lian Yun had seen them many times in her childhood, but she always thought of them as fictitious tales.

As a matter of fact, she did not expect that this strict granny would talk to her about \<\<The Legends of Ren Zu\>\> in such a heavy and serious atmosphere.

Spirit Affinity House's first supreme elder saw Zhao Lian Yun's expression and knew that she had never paid close attention to \<\<The Legends of Ren Zu\>\>.

Thus, first supreme elder said: "The love Gu on your shoulder is rank nine, but it has a major flaw."

"What flaw?" Zhao Lian Yun asked.

"It cannot be refined." First supreme elder said solemnly.

"What do you mean? Even... Gu Immortals cannot refine it?" Zhao Lian Yun asked.

First supreme elder smiled: "Not to mention Gu Immortals, even rank nine venerables cannot. In history, many venerables have tried. Giant Sun Immortal Venerable had attempted to refine this Gu for three years in a row without pause, but he still failed miserably."

Zhao Lian Yun heard this secret and stared with wide opened eyes.

"So there are things in this world that Immortal Venerables or Demon Venerables cannot do!" She exclaimed.

"Venerables only have the strongest battle strength, invincible in this world. But they are not omnipotent, in the past, Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable and Giant Sun Immortal Venerable had to ask Long Hair Ancestor for help in terms of Gu refinement, this is an obvious conclusion." First supreme elder spoke slowly.

"Thus, love Gu cannot be controlled, it is free and nobody can give it orders." First supreme elder concluded.

"But why did it..." Zhao Lian Yun did not know what to say, she looked at love Gu on her shoulder.

In her vision, love Gu was so dazzling and bright.

First supreme elder said: "This is the acknowledgement of love Gu, this situation is rare, but it has happened quite a number of times before. The last time was Fairy Mo Yao."

"Why did it acknowledge me?" Zhao Lian Yun was curious.

First supreme elder shook her head: "I am not sure. But our sect has concluded two points. Firstly, a person has to believe in love to gain its acknowledgement, this is the foundation. Secondly, someone's love has to reach an intense level, the greater your love, the higher the chances of gaining love Gu's acknowledgement."

"Is that so?" Zhao Lian Yun blinked as she listened.

She realized, it was because she loved Ma Hong Yun so deeply, even willing to give up her own life, that love Gu came and acknowledged her.

Why did this not happen for Feng Jin Huang?

Because she had no lover.

Love was not familial affection or friendship.

First supreme elder continued: "Precisely because love Gu cannot be controlled, to make use of it, one needs love Gu's acknowledgement. Thus, there is a rule in our sect since we were created. Anyone who gains love Gu's acknowledgement, be it female or male, would be our sect's current generation fairy."

Zhao Lian Yun blinked: "There are male fairies too?"

First supreme elder smiled: "Our sect has a large proportion of females, but we also have males. Why would we not have them? Look at that tablet in the center, named Sheng Yu Shan, at the bottom right corner, with Qian Yuan Liang, these are all people dedicated to love in our sect's history."

"Actually, love Gu has many special effects. For example, it has a different appearance as seen by different people. How does it appear to you now?"

Zhao Lian Yun replied honestly: "Dazzling with multi-colored rainbows."

First supreme elder nodded: "To my sight, it is grey and unattractive, like a rock by the roadside."

"How could this be?"

First supreme elder smiled lightly, deep wisdom hidden in her eyes: "I stopped believing in love long ago, thus, love Gu looks like that to me. In the generations of fairies, love Gu has always looked different, some see clear water, some see peach blossoms, there were countless forms that were observed."

"And also, love Gu has varying effects."

"Please enlighten me." Zhao Lian Yun said.

First supreme elder continued: "Normally speaking, a Gu worm, be it mortal or immortal, has only one effect. Like water arrow Gu, it can only shoot water arrows. But love Gu is different, it can be said to have unlimited effects. It can shoot fire, heal, or provide defense for instance."

Zhao Lian Yun became overjoyed as she listened: "So amazing!"

First supreme elder shook her head: "Love Gu is a rank nine Gu, it is naturally extraordinary. It has unlimited effects, but it cannot be controlled, if you want it to attack, it will bring you to fly away. If you want to defend, it will heal you. Often, when you want it to work, it does absolutely nothing. When you do not want it to activate, it will come out and unleash its might."

Zhao Lian Yun was a little disheartened, but she soon gathered her spirits: "Even so, it is a rank nine Immortal Gu, any of the effects used must be extraordinary."

First supreme elder said: "You are right, but you forgot something, strength cannot be gained from nothing, you have to pay a price. Every time love Gu is used, it will take something away from you."

Zhao Lian Yun was nervous: "What thing?"

"The most common thing is immortal essence. But you are not a Gu Immortal, it might take away your beauty, your eyesight, or your lifespan." First supreme elder said grimly.

Zhao Lian Yun's expression was pale, she looked at the love Gu on her shoulder again.

But now, her gaze was very different from before.

"This Immortal Gu might end up accelerating my death? If that is the case, I need to make good use of my time!" Zhao Lian Yun made a resolute decision.

She mustered her spirits, saying to first supreme elder: "Even if I have a pay a big price, I will save Ma Hong Yun. Elder, if I become Spirit Affinity House's current generation fairy, can I use the sect's power to return to Northern Plains?"

First supreme elder did not answer Zhao Lian Yun immediately.

She had a complex expression.

Duke Long used information path methods and understood the situation, he immediately ordered for Zhao Lian Yun to be Spirit Affinity House's current generation fairy.

Not just that, Duke Long even gave Zhao Lian Yun a phantom aperture, turning her into a Gu Immortal. More absurdly, he even ordered the ten great ancient sects to cooperate with Zhao Lian Yun, to bring a team to Northern Plains and save Ma Hong Yun after some time.

The ten great ancient sects were in tumult, but they all obeyed him without objection.

Because of historical reasons, nobody dared to question Duke Long's arrangements regarding love Gu.

Such news were not for Zhao Lian Yun to know about.

First supreme elder also did not want her to know.

Zhao Lian Yun was kneeling before her now, but she had fainted for a few days already. She would not know that the ten great ancient sects were engaged in a contest regarding the huge storm surrounding her.

Zhao Lian Yun saw that first supreme elder did not answer her, she became very nervous. She was afraid that first supreme elder would say no.

But first supreme elder soon said: "Zhao Lian Yun, you are an otherworldly demon who obtained the Thieving Heaven true inheritance. Perhaps you might be one of the most unique fairies in Spirit Affinity House."

"And maybe because of your special traits..."

"Don't worry, Heavenly Court has been alerted by this, the ten great ancient sects will go ahead and form a team consisting of you as the core, to rescue your lover Ma Hong Yun in Northern Plains."

"What?!" Zhao Lian Yun stared with wide opened eyes, hearing this, she was extremely joyful and surprised!