Chapter 125: Are You Willing to Become Elder Gu He's Disciple?
Chapter 125: Are You Willing to Become Elder Gu He's Disciple?
At the mountaintop of the Yunlan Sect's rear mountain, shrouded in mist, it resembled a paradise.
On a protruding black rock near the cliff's edge, a woman in a moon-white robe was forming cultivation seals with her hands, her eyes closed in meditation.
With each breath, a perfect cycle was formed, and in the transition between each cycle, faint blue streams of energy permeated the dense air around, swirling around the woman before being continuously absorbed into her body, undergoing refinement and storage.
After the last wisp of blue energy entered her body, Nalan Yanran slowly opened her eyes, and a faint blue light flickered in her pupils. Her lustrous, dark-blue hair seemed to flutter on its own, even without the presence of wind.
"I've finally broken through to the seven-star Dou practitioner level," Nalan Yanran whispered to herself, a hint of a smile appearing on her lips.
But before she could revel in her achievement, the images of Xiao Yan and Liu Ling flashed through her mind. A few days ago, during their sparring session, Xiao Yan had revealed that she had reached the level of a five-star Dou Master.
After spending so much time with Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran had gradually come to understand her character. She knew that Xiao Yan had likely withheld her true strength, so she had divulged her progress to avoid making Nalan Yanran feel inferior.
During the recent dangerous encounter while descending the mountain, Nalan Yanran had already learned that Xiao Yan had reached the level of a four-star Dou Master. Given Xiao Yan's extraordinary cultivation speed, it was inconceivable that she had only advanced by one star in all this time.
Nalan Yanran suspected that Xiao Yan's current level might already be at the six-star Dou Master or even the seven-star Dou Master level. The thought made her feel stifled.
Xiao Yan, her junior in age, had surpassed her by an entire realm in cultivation. How could she accept that?
In about a month, the inner sect competition would take place. Remembering her earlier determination to secure the first place in the competition, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but feel like a clown now.
It wasn't just Xiao Yan; even Liu Ling, who had once been her subordinate, was no longer someone she could contend with.
According to Elder Gu He's intentions, Xiao Yan and Liu Ling would likely participate in the inner sect competition. In that case, Nalan Yanran didn't stand a chance, not even for second place.
With these thoughts in mind, Nalan Yanran's lips curled into a bitter smile.
Just as Nalan Yanran felt deeply wounded, a female disciple of the Yunlan Sect arrived at the rear mountain. She said to Nalan Yanran, who was lost in thought, "Senior Sister Nalan, the sect leader has returned and requests your immediate presence."
"Teacher, she's back?" Nalan Yanran was momentarily surprised, her face showing a touch of delight.
She gracefully stood up, and as the gentle breeze met her, her moon-white robe clung tightly to her slender body, accentuating her curves and making her even more alluring.
After scanning the seemingly bottomless cliff beneath, Nalan Yanran brushed her moon-white robe, turned, and left the rear mountain.
In a spacious and well-lit hall, Yun Yun, wearing a simple white dress, sat in the main seat.
Since the incident in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, she had spent some time in meditation outside the sect. However, the memories of her time in that place lingered in her mind, especially the madness of that final night.
Yun Yun sat there blankly, her eyes lacking vitality, her thoughts on the elegant and handsome face of Gu He: "Gu He... Where have you gone?"
"Teacher..."
As Yun Yun's mind wandered, the clear voice of a woman suddenly echoed in the hall. A graceful figure in moon-white attire slowly emerged from the curtains and greeted Yun Yun with a sweet smile.
Hearing Nalan Yanran's voice, Yun Yun immediately snapped back to reality. She concealed her innermost thoughts and smiled beautifully, "Yanran, you're here..."
In front of her disciple, she would hide her deepest feelings.
Nalan Yanran's face lit up with a smile, and she asked, "Teacher, why did you return so soon this time?"
Yun Yun gently brushed Nalan Yanran's hair and said tenderly, "I've finished my tasks, so I came back early. Yanran, during my absence, you didn't fall behind in your cultivation, did you?"
Hearing her teacher's question, Nalan Yanran replied, "Teacher, just a while ago, I successfully broke through to the seven-star Dou practitioner level."
"Good... to make such progress in such a short time, it's evident that you haven't slacked off in your training since I left," Yun Yun praised with a smile.
However, Nalan Yanran's face didn't mirror her teacher's excitement. Instead, she appeared rather indifferent. It seemed that achieving a breakthrough by one star in such a short time didn't impress her.
In fact, it didn't impress her at all.
Compared to Xiao Yan and Liu Ling, she felt that she had fallen far behind. Xiao Yan, in particular, had surpassed her by an entire realm.
Seeing Nalan Yanran's calm response, Yun Yun's eyes showed a complex expression, and she felt a bit hurt inside.
Hearing his own disciple praising someone else as a good teacher in front of him, Yun Yun undoubtedly felt uncomfortable.
However, she also admitted that when it came to teaching disciples, she was indeed not as good as Gu He. After all, as the sect leader, she rarely had time to be with Nalan Yanran.
After a moment of silence, thinking about her agreement with Gu He, Yun Yun gradually made up her mind.
Gu He had promised that on the day of their three-year agreement, he would be able to train Yanran to the Dou Emperor level. She realized she couldn't compare to Gu He in that regard.
If she insisted on keeping Yanran by her side, she might only hold her back. Moreover, the outcome of their battle on that day, which had been accumulated over the years, was at stake, and Yun Yun couldn't afford to take any risks.
Furthermore, Gu He was a Dou Zong powerhouse, and in terms of strength, Yun Yun was far inferior to him. She realized that her feelings of envy and anxiety were futile.
With these thoughts in mind, Yun Yun slowly raised her head, her beautiful eyes looking at Nalan Yanran, and she asked, "Yanran, are you willing to accept Gu He as your master?"
***
In the city of Wutan, Xiao Yan sat up groggily in his bed as the morning sunlight poured in through the window. He yawned, then proceeded to get up, wash his face, and prepare for the day.
"Master, when are we going to set out?" Xiao Yan asked curiously after he was done washing up.
"Later, you should go out and prepare some things, fresh water, dried food, tents, insect repellent, basic medicinal herbs, and some healing and energy-recovery pills. These are all necessary for your journey, as we might be spending quite some time in the wilderness," the illusionary Medicine Elder advised.
"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to it," Xaio Yan said excitedly. He was eager to embark on this journey.
Seeing his enthusiasm, the Medicine Elder raised an eyebrow and said, "You've never experienced life and death battles since birth. Human potential often only fully emerges when one's life is threatened. Your previous lukewarm training is unlikely to make you a true powerhouse. What you lack is the tempering of blood and iron."
"I promise, Master, I'll make it through," Xiao Yan responded, determination in his eyes.
"Good, but, Master... when will you teach me the Earth-tier Dou Technique?" Xiao Yan asked eagerly, looking forward to learning such a powerful technique.
The Medicine Elder laughed and told him that he'd teach him after leaving Wutan city. Xiao Yan was excited about the prospect.
As Xiao Yan left the room, he looked back at the city he had lived in for more than a decade and sighed. However, he quickly shook off the melancholy and told himself that the outside world would be even more exciting.
***
In the city of Stone Desert City, at the Iron Mercenary Group:
"Great Master Gu, you've already prepared the Purple Jade Pill so quickly?"
The Xiao brothers were surprised to see Gu He delivering the pill.
Gu He smiled faintly and replied, "For a mere Grade 2 pill, do you think it would take several days to prepare?"
Xiao Ding took the bottle from Gu He and thanked him. He then made an offer, suggesting they could provide more benefits to make Gu He stay in the Iron Mercenary Group.
However, Gu He waved it off and said that Xiao Ding and his brothers wouldn't be able to retain him. He was reluctant to stay.
After leaving the mercenary group, Gu He summoned his adorable companion, the little green python, and prepared to set out.
In the scorching desert under the blazing sun, the towering sand dunes stretched out endlessly. Hot air wafted from the yellow sands, distorting the landscape. With a leap, Gu He and his companion took off into the vast desert, disappearing in the distance.
[End of Chapter]