Fu Qingzhou obviously stood outside the cave for quite some time, with even a layer of fine snow falling on his shoulders.
Gu Yunkai looked at him and said, “You’ve worked hard.”
When Lu Ran was here, Gu Yunkai often entrusted the affairs of Cloud Crane Peak to him, whether it was dealing with demons and monsters, or the smaller tasks like repairing doors and roofs. Gu Yunkai essentially acted as if he were a hands-off boss, not involving himself in much. Later, when Lu Ran left the Floating Light Sect, Gu Yunkai handed all these matters over to Fu Qingzhou. During these days of seclusion, Fu Qingzhou must have been quite busy.
Fu Qingzhou, upon hearing this, appeared somewhat embarrassed but smiled and said, “Master, disciple doesn’t find it hard.”
He typically spoke and acted in a very proper and serious manner, making him seem quite mature for his age. However, this demeanor also revealed a hint of youthful innocence and inexperience.
Gu Yunkai didn’t say anything in response; he simply reached out and gently patted Fu Qingzhou’s shoulder.
Seeing that Gu Yunkai was about to leave, Fu Qingzhou immediately took a couple of quick steps to catch up and asked, “Master, are you going to see the Peak Master at Cyan Cliff Peak?”
Gu Yunkai nodded, stopped, and asked, “Are you coming too?”
However, Fu Qingzhou couldn’t stop his steps and ended up very close to Gu Yunkai. He quickly took a step back and said, “But, but today the Peak Master is at the Celestial Hall…”
…
Eagles soar, cranes cry, and the mountains extend endlessly. The three peaks of the Floating Light Sect each had their unique landscapes. The Grandiose Peak was splendid and beautiful, with its continuous display of breathtaking scenery. The Cloud Crane Peak, on the other hand, was tranquil and serene, experiencing perennial snowfall, creating a peaceful atmosphere. As for the Cyan Cliff Peak, the main peak of the Floating Light Sect, it had a steep and majestic terrain, resembling a unsheathed sharp sword thrusting from the ground.
When Gu Yunkai arrived outside the hall, the square of the Cyan Cliff Peak was already packed with people. With a single glance, he could see not only the disciples of the Cyan Cliff Peak but also those from the other two peaks. They had all gathered around the entrance of the hall, engaged in hushed conversations.
Cultivators possessed keen senses, and Gu Yunkai could clearly pick up a few words like “Duan Chongque” and “demon lord.” From these vague terms, he roughly understood the time period he was in.
Lu Ran, born with the rare Five Elements Spiritual Root, was already an outstanding genius among the disciples of various sects when he practiced orthodox immortal arts. Not to mention the unimaginable stroke of luck that came with his Great Atmospheric Fortune. When he was banished to the Demon Realm by Gu Yunkai, it seemed impossible for anyone else to survive. However, he managed to defy the odds and find a demonic eye deep within the Demon Realm. From then on, he embarked on a path of cultivation that perfectly suited his constitution.
In fact, the cultivation techniques that Gu Yunkai originally gave to him were not suitable for him. If he had been able to embark on the most suitable path from the beginning, he wondered what kind of realm he could have reached.
When the Demon Lord Duan Chongque broke through to the Great Ascension Stage, a golden bud blossomed in the Demon Realm’s refining pool. Surprisingly, during Gu Yunkai’s more than one hundred years in seclusion, the refining pool produced three golden buds successively…
This meant that in this one hundred years, three cultivators in the Demon Realm had reached the Great Ascension Stage. This was undoubtedly a significant threat to the various sects and schools of the Immortal Sects. The power of the Great Ascension Stage was nearly three times that of the Nascent Soul Stage. Many cultivators struggled at the Nascent Soul Stage and could not break through their entire lives. However, once they reached the Great Ascension Stage, their dantian would be as vast as the ocean, and their cultivation speed would be like a rocket.
The people from various sects and schools could only speculate where these three incredibly powerful cultivators had suddenly emerged from in the Demon Realm. However, Gu Yunkai knew that during this one hundred years, there was only one genius in the Demon Realm, and that was Lu Ran…
When the crowd saw the arrival, their whispered conversations instantly dissipated, and they respectfully turned their attention towards Gu Yunkai, bowing in unison. Gu Yunkai effortlessly maintained his aloof demeanor in such a situation. He merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment and continued to walk with his hands behind his back, without glancing around.
Inside the hall was not as noisy as the courtyard outside, but it was still quite bustling. All the elders from the various peaks were present, and they all had solemn expressions.
Sitting on the grand teacher’s chair in the center of the hall was the Peak Master of the Cyan Cliff Peak, Master Meng Xueting. He wore wide robes and exuded a dignified and authoritative aura befitting a Peak Master. Seated beside him was the formidable woman who was the Peak Master of the Grand Vast Peak, Chi Xingzhao.
The other elders in the hall had various expressions, and each had their own trusted disciples standing behind them.
Gu Yunkai stopped on the layered stone steps in front of the hall and respectfully bowed, saying, “Peak Master.”
Master Meng Xueting merely scanned Gu Yunkai with his spiritual sense, then smiled with satisfaction and said, “It seems that Yunkai’s cultivation has improved quite a bit in the past hundred years.”
The other elders in the hall also congratulated Gu Yunkai, and the tense atmosphere that had prevailed earlier eased up a bit thanks to this exchange.
As Gu Yunkai took his seat, Fu Qingzhou, who was standing behind him, skillfully poured a cup of tea for him. Just as Gu Yunkai took a sip, he heard the Peak Master sitting at the top of the hall speak, “The demonic eye in the Demon Realm has opened. When the Demon Clan was in the Demon Realm, they were able to severely damage our sects single-handedly. Duan Chongque won’t easily give up. This time, with the demonic eye opening, the strength of the Demon Clan has greatly increased. It is likely a prelude to his revenge on the Demon Realm.”
Someone said, “Last time, it was just Duan Chongque being cunning, using divisive tactics. This time, even if the demonic eye has opened, as long as our sects cooperate and unite, what do we have to fear?”
People nodded and whispered in agreement.
Chi Xingzhao sneered, “Cooperate and unite? I’m afraid that even before the Demon Clan attacks, those old geezers from the Tai Xu Sect will start fighting amongst themselves for resources.”
As soon as this statement was made, the entire hall fell into an awkward and eerie silence. The reason was simple: among the sects of cultivation, a significant portion of their strength came from spiritual treasures and resources. The last time, it was all over a single demonic eye, and the major sects fought fiercely, creating a scene that was extremely embarrassing.
After a moment of silence, someone in the crowd spoke up, saying, “That’s right, we in the Floating Light Sect would never engage in such actions that disregard the moral code between the sects…”
As these words were spoken, Chi Xingzhao’s face turned almost black, looking as if she had just eaten a fly. Meng Xueting, standing beside her, hesitated for a moment before turning to Gu Yunkai, who was next to her, and asked, “Yunkai, what’s your opinion?”
Gu Yunkai pondered for a moment and then asked, “Are you asking me about my views on the Demon Clan, Peak Master?”
Meng Xueting nodded.
Gu Yunkai replied, “The Demon Clan is powerful, and they have a long-standing grudge with the sects. A fierce battle is inevitable, and with the demonic eye open, our chances of victory have decreased.”
After hearing his words, Meng Xueting’s furrowed brow remained in place for a while before he sighed and said, “The demonic eye is the place where the previous Demon Lord passed away. The demonic energy is abundant, and there are vast areas of volcanic soil suitable for the growth and cultivation of demons. Moreover…”
Even though he didn’t say it outright, everyone understood what he meant. It was about the three golden petals that had sequentially opened in the demonic realm’s refining pool…
*
After leaving the Celestial Hall, Fu Qingzhou followed behind Gu Yunkai in silence, not saying a word.
It wasn’t until they returned to Cloud Crane Peak that he finally couldn’t help but speak, “Master, the way you spoke just now… does that mean that even with your strength, you can’t defeat Duan Chongque?”
In Fu Qingzhou’s eyes, Gu Yunkai was almost like a deity. If even he began to feel apprehensive, it meant that the situation was already very serious.
Gu Yunkai remained silent for a moment before replying, “A demon cultivator focuses on enhancing their physical body, while a cultivator focuses on their magical techniques. Demon cultivation tends to progress more rapidly than regular cultivation. I may have some confidence in facing Duan Chongque, but what I’m truly concerned about is another person.”
Fu Qingzhou inquired further, “Who is it?”
However, after Fu Qingzhou asked for quite a while, he saw Gu Yunkai in a trance, and he didn’t answer for a long time.
During his absent-mindedness, the sharp and cold demeanor between his eyebrows seemed to diminish significantly, but it was replaced by a bewildered look that was hard to explain.
Just when Fu Qingzhou thought he wouldn’t answer, Gu Yunkai finally spoke, “Qingzhou, if it were your senior brother…”
Fu Qingzhou’s eyes widened suddenly, and he looked at Gu Yunkai, wondering if he had misheard.
“Master.”
Since the last battle in the Demon Realm a hundred years ago, Master hasn’t mentioned this person again, and no one in the Floating Light Sect has dared to bring up Lu Ran.
Gu Yunkai shook his head. “It’s nothing, Qingzhou. You can go now.”
[Host, we also have secret manuals and spiritual treasures for sale here. Would you like to purchase a life-saving talisman for yourself before the male lead arrives?]
[Do you think I need that thing? It sounds like paying a tax on intelligence.]
With his level of cultivation, in terms of fighting, there were hardly any people in the entire cultivation world who could be his match. Even if it were Lu Ran, if he went all out, the other party wouldn’t gain any advantage.
He should…
Night fell.
The mirror-like moon hung high in the sky, and stars filled the sky like a chessboard. The entire Cloud Crane Peak rose straight into the clouds, shrouded in a layer of faint and cold moonlight, making the whole peak appear exceptionally serene and spacious.
Gu Yunkai had just finished bathing and was about to meditate before sleep when suddenly, his sea of consciousness shook. He sensed a powerful and domineering force attacking the barrier at the top of Cloud Crane Peak.
Cloud Crane Peak was backed by the Heavenly Water Spirit Vein, filled with abundant spiritual energy. Coupled with the high cultivation of the one who set up the barrier, it was considered impregnable.
For so many years, no one had been able to break through it. Moreover, this force was so formidable that it made it seem like there was no trace of spiritual energy, or perhaps… demonic energy.
However, before the vibrations of the barrier could alarm others, the fierce attack abruptly stopped, and the barrier quickly returned to its original state like a wisp of mist.
[Host, he’s here, he’s here, it’s the male lead, he’s here!]
[I know.] Who else could be this overpowered? But isn’t this a bit too hasty? Did he rush over for revenge right after coming out of the Demon Eye?
Mystic Frost trembled incessantly, the hall fell into silence, not even a sound of the wind could be heard. Suddenly, with a loud bang, the hall doors were forcefully pushed open by a gust of cold wind, carrying swirling snowflakes inside.
At this moment, within the vast and silent hall, footsteps echoed clearly and powerfully with each step.
Gu Yunkai frowned slightly as Mystic Frost responded by unsheathing, infused with spiritual energy, causing the entire blade to emit a chilling white glow.
The footsteps came to a halt, and a dark figure gradually emerged in front of Gu Yunkai. The person wore a high-collared black robe with wide sleeves. The streamlined dark patterns on the robe shimmered with silver light as he moved, presenting an entrance that was both authoritative and stylish.
Gu Yunkai couldn’t help but admire inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged.
Lu Ran had fair skin, and his appearance was nearly identical to how it was over a hundred years ago. He had a slight smile on his lips, but his eyes held no trace of amusement. His entire presence exuded a clear intent, saying, “Yes, I’m here to take your life.”
“Master, it’s been a long time,” Lu Ran said as he looked at Gu Yunkai.
Gu Yunkai gazed back at him, showing no surprise on his face, and replied calmly, “Lu Ran.”
Lu Ran raised an eyebrow, his smile growing even broader. “Master doesn’t seem surprised at all. Could it be that you’re actually quite delighted to see me?” He spoke as he moved a bit closer.
Gu Yunkai, however, had no intention of responding to his words. “To think that you can come and go freely on Cloud Crane Peak. Lu Ran, it seems that you’ve had quite some adventures in the past hundred years.”
Although Gu Yunkai’s words were meant to express his amazement, Lu Ran took them as a sarcastic taunt.
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