The atmosphere froze, and for a long while, no one spoke, until Gu Junshi blandly remarked, "You, a demon, are quite clear-sighted and upright, looking down on the demon race, and even ghost cultivators."
Wei Li paused, wanting to say that ghost cultivators only possessed ghost energy, not "death energy," which was a product native to the underworld. However, sensing Gu Junshi's peculiar tone, he decided that arguing further might ruin the recently mellowed atmosphere between them.
So, Wei Li suppressed his thoughts for the moment and casually agreed, his brows as serene as autumn water, "So, little brother is a ghost cultivator."
Gu Er: "..." Who's your little brother? Stop claiming relatives.
It was Gu Er's misfortune to have just emerged from Gu Junshi's consciousness space. Who would have thought someone could carve out a small world within their consciousness to house living beings? Was this something a carbon-based lifeform could achieve?
Because Gu Junshi's divine consciousness space was exceptionally vast, she had cultivated the Dao of Ruthless Heart for millennia. While other things had to be re-cultivated with each rebirth, her divine consciousness could not be erased. Her divine consciousness space, at the quasi-immortal level, was enough to instantly obliterate all the great powers in the cultivation world.
Since she had contained the "Gate of the Yellow Springs" within her consciousness space, her divine consciousness was filled with the death energy of the "Gate of the Yellow Springs." Coupled with the Human Emperor constantly absorbing the death energy to reshape his physical body within it, Gu Er, who cultivated daily in her consciousness space, even though he practiced the Path of Corpses, was thoroughly imbued with the scent of the underworld.
In contrast, Gu Junshi, the more profound her cultivation became, the more adept she was at controlling her abilities, able to retract and release them with ease. When facing an opponent, others might sense that she cultivated a somewhat yin and cold path, but it wouldn't evoke an uncomfortable sense of aversion. It was like the arrival of deep winter; although the temperature could freeze people to death, would one consider winter inherently evil?
However, ghost cultivators and demon cultivators were different. They were like venom emitting a foul stench, soaking one's body in a damp, cold mire, evoking a visceral sense of repulsion and disgust.
Of course, this was from the perspective of spiritual cultivators.
As for the demon race, they were neither entirely righteous nor evil, with many falling into depravity. They naturally engaged not in human affairs, but in demonic deeds, with cannibalism and murder being common occurrences.
Therefore, Gu Junshi's remark somewhat hinted to Wei Li that their origins were quite similar, and he shouldn't poke his nose where it didn't belong.
Wei Li, however, playfully mused to himself that he was a fox, not a dog.
And foxes, by nature, ate mice.
Wei Li had initially found this young man's aura to be sinister and unholy, quite eerie. But sometimes, one couldn't judge a person solely by one aspect.
Gu Er possessed merit points gifted by Gu Junshi, coupled with a youthful arrogance and ambition. His eyes were frank, like a clear lake reflecting everything, and when light struck them, they gleamed with dazzling golden rays.
Judging solely by those eyes, one could tell that Gu Er was not a wicked or depraved individual.
Foxes were cunning, and even the most innocent fox possessed a shrewd mind. Wei Li saw through Gu Er's weakness at a glance: his deep concern for Gu Junshi. Thus, he deliberately said, "Ghost cultivators are suppressed more here in White Tower City than elsewhere. There are still some righteous individuals in this city. If you happen to encounter them, are you sure you can protect your... sister?"
They indeed looked like siblings. It wasn't about their appearance, as he hadn't seen Gu Junshi's face and couldn't compare, but rather their natural and un-ambiguous closeness gave the impression of a sibling bond.
Although Gu Er had reservations, any matter pertaining to Gu Yi's safety required him to step back. After serious consideration, he finally conceded, "As you wish."
Following this, the three of them fell into a silence of mutual contemplation.
They weren't particularly familiar with each other. Apart from their initial confrontational interactions, they could readily engage in witty banter and deliberate provocations. In this calm atmosphere, conversation dried up.
One demonic cultivator, one suspected ghost cultivator, and one suspected demonic cultivator – a combination that was inherently unconventional – they were returning to White Tower City along the same path.
White Tower City, unlike typical palaces with their grandeur and imposing presence, or roofs with double eaves and glazed tiles, was an undeniably colossal and magnificent white marble architectural complex, devoid of any artificiality, yet crafted with immense skill. They passed through its central thoroughfare, arriving at the entrance Gu Junshi had observed.
Unlike other tall, slender white towers, a palace stood here. Compared to the surrounding towers, some ten or even dozens of stories high, the palace entrance was noticeably shorter. From a distance, it was easily overlooked, appearing merely as a flat base. However, upon closer inspection, its grandeur and spaciousness became apparent.
The entrance had no doors, remaining wide open. It was divided into four directions, with the main hall, front hall, left hall, and right hall demarcating the initial layout. Everything within was constructed of white stone, truly pristine white walls.
The interior had no beams, relying on stone arches. It was quite spacious, with long-burning lamps in the corridors. Entering from the entrance, they transitioned from bright to dim, then to brightly lit, the path smooth and lengthy.
After entering, following Gu Junshi's instructions, they chose the direction of the right hall. They proceeded along the walls, passing through a long corridor, as if entering the inner core of the palace. Emerging from it, they felt as if they had entered a vast, white world. Everywhere they looked were white jade pavements, devoid of any other colors, making it impossible to discern directions.
It was like entering a world blanketed in endless white snow, where the sky and ground were both white, creating a sensation of time stretching endlessly.
What sort of place was this? Staring at any single spot for too long made one's vision swim.
"Is the Dragon Marrow here?" Wei Li averted his gaze slightly, trying to avoid staring directly at the expanse.
Gu Junshi, however, said, "It's an underground palace..."
"What underground palace? What is that?"
Wei Li inadvertently noticed a fragment of light and shadow being cut off ahead, a delicate, luminous blue glow, moving without wind, appearing in wisps, trails, or clumps. In short, it was moving and changing.
"Let's go look."
Gu Junshi asked Gu Er to take her there.
Upon entering this area, Gu Er became tense and alert. His lips were pressed into a straight line due to his solemn expression. Holding Gu Junshi, he walked in the direction she indicated.
While Gu Er could be talkative and incessantly questioning when being flippant, once he assumed a weighty responsibility, he lost the inclination for idle chatter.
His entire focus was meticulously on protecting Gu Junshi.
Seeing Gu Er stride forward, Wei Li called out to them, "You're just going like that?"
Gu Junshi specifically called out Gu Er because, despite his occasional garrulousness, he believed every word she said. He was like her most loyal guard, executing her every command with unwavering resolve.
But Wei Li was different.
It wasn't due to any complex reasons.
It was simply that his level of trust in her was insufficient. Although Gu Junshi didn't delve deeply into emotions, she analyzed human psychology with great clarity.
A person might sacrifice their life for someone they loved, with love enabling them to act impulsively and disregarding all else. However, once that fervor cooled, they wouldn't easily alter their nature or principles for that person. Moreover, love could be gradually eroded by time, and eventually, when all passion dissipated, individuals would revert to their inherent selves.
However, Gu Er and she did not face this situation.
Innate blood ties would always be more secure than relationships forged through affection.
Of course, if one insisted on arguing, one could claim that blood ties weren't always reliable. But people couldn't generalize from a minority to the majority. Except for certain extraordinary and noble professions, any person without a severe illness would choose their closest and most important loved ones in times of urgent danger.
Gu Junshi said, "Perhaps you shouldn't accompany us on this risky endeavor."
Her tone, which suppressed a hint of impatience, while maintaining basic politeness, conveyed an elegant dismissal to anyone who heard it.
These words ignited Wei Li's anger, but he knew Gu Junshi wouldn't be swayed by it. Thus, he suppressed his temper, his fox ears twitching, and attempted to reason with her, "Don't bother me. If I were alone, I'd just charge in. But looking at you now, I worry about unforeseen events and not being able to protect you."
These words were spoken from the heart.
Gu Er, however, interjected first, "When has my sister ever done anything reckless? You don't understand her. Stop acting like you're saying this for my own good."
Hearing Gu Er's words, Wei Li's emotions didn't fluctuate much. The words of someone they cared about could deeply affect them, but for those they didn't put much stock in...
"Stop trying to chase me away. If I spend more time with you, won't I get to know you better?" he said to Gu Junshi with an air of reluctant compliance, then seamlessly shifted his tone to address Gu Er, "You're just relying on the fact that you've spent more time with your sister and experienced more together, which is why you dare to speak so confidently."
This was not untrue, but his words were of no avail. In reality, there was no such thing as "if" in this world.
While they bickered, their footsteps remained faithfully moving forward.
Wei Li had taken Gu Er's words somewhat to heart. Gu Junshi's personality was steady and calm, and her actions were naturally measured. If she dared to say something like that, it was usually with a nine-tenths certainty, having a plan and her thoughts in place.
If he were to show too much apprehension, it would appear as if he didn't trust or doubt her.
Arriving before the fluctuating blue glow, Gu Junshi stared intently for a while.
The "True Dragon's Eye" had indeed shown her the location of the "Dragon Marrow," but it didn't provide precise navigational guidance on how to reach it. It only indicated the entrance, some fragments, and the exact location of the underground palace. For every step in between, it relied on one's own abilities.
She recognized it.
"Let's touch them together," Gu Junshi said.
Gu Er exchanged a look with her, confirming he understood her meaning. He then took a deep breath and, holding her, walked into the shimmering blue light.
Wei Li followed closely behind.
As they were enveloped by the blue light, their figures gradually blurred. In a momentary daze, with a shift of their surroundings, they had been transported to another location.
It was still a vast white environment, but the entrance was no longer visible nearby, and the floating fragments of blue light had vanished.
"Is this a teleportation array?" Gu Er exclaimed in surprise.
Wei Li immediately responded, "No, it's not an array, but... a labyrinth."
The entire underground area appeared boundless and flat, but in reality, it was a massive labyrinth with winding paths. The fragments of blue light were their only passage out of the maze.
Gu Junshi stated, "These blue lights will repeatedly move us from our current positions, but whether we can get out depends on finding the correct direction."
The shimmering blue light appeared at intervals, its position changing each time. Therefore, no one knew how to find the correct exit. It might require a long process of continuous attempts and deductions.
Wei Li had navigated labyrinths before and had some understanding of array calculations. He wanted to try, "How about I go try first?"
"This labyrinth is intricate. If you try randomly, you might get lost forever once you enter. There are countless separated spaces within, increasing in multiples like one becomes two, two becomes four. No one knows which space you might fall into. If we want to find you, we would be powerless," Gu Junshi informed him of the consequences of getting lost.
Wei Li knew this, but if he didn't try, they would remain trapped inside.
He suspected she might be under some curse, needing "Dragon Marrow" to save her life. He didn't want to delay any further.
"Come here."
Hearing Gu Junshi call him, Wei Li approached her.
He looked at her, thinking that her strength had indeed diminished significantly. Look, her physique and height were all exposed, and she could barely maintain the dark aura she used to conceal herself. The faint contours of her face...
Perhaps now, even if he forcefully compelled her to reveal her true face, she wouldn't be able to resist.
Wei Li's gaze gradually became restless.
"Extend your hand."
Her voice interrupted his thoughts, and Wei Li instinctively extended his hand.
She took his hand and placed something on his wrist. Wei Li looked down to see a wristband woven from silver-white thread and black thread, adorned with eight dark jade-colored beads.
Wei Li stared at it in a daze for a long time, then his sharp eyes recognized it, "Is this my... hair?"
The silver-white must be his, and the black ones...
Gu Junshi told him, "I've refined this wristband. Wearing it will allow you to track my aura, and it also has a blessing effect."
"Who was this... originally intended for?" Wei Li asked.
"You care about that too?" she said blandly.
He replied, "If you give me someone else's thing, who are you trying to provoke?"
"Is this someone else's thing?" she said, implying a double meaning.
"Then... if you give it to me, you can't take it back."
"Mm."
She had taken a lot from him, and everyone had one, so she wouldn't be so stingy as to give it and then want it back.