Gu Junshi could discern no malice in her gaze, but rather curiosity and an investigative spirit, her eyes shining brightly as if encountering something of great interest.
"Thank you..."
Seeing her hesitate, Chang E remembered she hadn't introduced herself. She lightly tapped her forehead and quickly said, "My name is Chang E. I'm Fusheng's sixth senior sister. You can call me Sister, just like him."
Gu Junshi replied with gentle politeness, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister Chang."
This demeanor was somewhat akin to Senior Uncle Fusheng's usual way of speaking and behaving. He was polite to people but not overly warm or attentive. The two of them actually made quite a fitting couple.
Chang E was unaware that since losing his memory, Liu Jiang Fusheng had become like duckweed, unrooted and restless. He didn't know who he was, what his past identity was, or what he had done. His life before was a blank slate, and everything after was merely guided by instinct.
At that time, Gu Junshi was the only one by his side when he was lost and helpless. After they married, they became the most intimate relationship in the world. Due to his reliance on her and his closeness, he subconsciously began to emulate her way of interacting with people.
"Ah Yi ah..."
At this moment, Liu Jiang Fusheng interjected. His gaze drifted forward, not settling on either of them. "Senior Sister, you can call my beloved wife Gu Yi."
Upon hearing this, Chang E knew her junior brother had become jealous.
She still remembered yesterday when he emerged from seclusion and heard Senior Brother Danya call Gu Yi "Ah Yi" in public. His possessive, gloomy expression was evident. Although Fusheng junior brother appeared as pure and clear as water, that wasn't quite the case.
"I'm a woman, is it not allowed to call her that..." She shook her head, amused, and decided not to provoke him further. She leaned closer to Gu Junshi and whispered, "Xiao Yi, you know, don't let my young appearance fool you. I'm actually in my thirties, but you seem to haven't changed at all these past three years..."
Her eyes scanned Gu Junshi's eyebrows, nose, and thin lips.
Gu Junshi calmly replied, "Three years of time is merely a leap from twenty to twenty-three. Even mortals don't change significantly."
Chang E found this reasoning to be sound and dismissed the sudden suspicion in her heart.
"Hush!" At this moment, the Daoist Zhiyang swept them a glance, puffing his cheeks in annoyance.
Chang E smiled charmingly at her master and then turned back to wink at Gu Junshi.
It was as if she were saying, "Don't mind him, my master just has a bad temper."
Gu Junshi felt that this woman named Chang E was refined beneath her rough exterior. She appeared carefree and friendly, but possessed a certain depth and thoughtfulness, not as simple as she seemed on the surface.
However, her gaze was clear and upright, devoid of any malice or impurity. Moreover, it was clear that she genuinely cared for her husband, her junior brother. Gu Junshi therefore didn't concern herself with the reasons behind her friendly overtures.
At this moment, Liu Jiang Fusheng quietly extended his hand and clasped hers.
Gu Junshi's expression remained calm. Beneath the overlapping blue and white sleeves, she returned his grasp.
His long, broad palm felt as warm as the midday sun, a stark contrast to her own delicate, cool, jade-like hand. Their hands fit together perfectly, transferring each other's warmth.
Liu Jiang Fusheng's fair earlobes flushed subtly.
He had made the first move, yet he was the one who couldn't handle being flirted back.
Chang E caught a glimpse of their private, affectionate gesture out of the corner of her eye, and her smile became somewhat strained.
Damn it.
A single dog being hurt by a display of affection.
She couldn't help but look towards Senior Brother Danya on Nine Devouring Mountain. She had liked him for more than just a day or two, but unfortunately, although he appeared charming and easy to approach, he was actually as solid as a fortress, showing her no affection whatsoever.
As she glanced over, she was surprised to find him constantly staring in their direction.
That deep, profound gaze... was fixed directly on Fusheng junior brother and Gu Yi?
Could it be... Chang E furrowed her brow lightly.
The rumors weren't baseless. Did Danya truly have unusual feelings for Fusheng junior brother's wife?
The thought of this possibility brought a sense of bitterness and melancholy to her heart, but Chang E quickly regained her composure, not allowing her vulnerability to show.
Whether it was true or false, it didn't seem to matter much to her, as she was merely an outsider from beginning to end.
On the other side, Fang Rui and Zi Ying also occasionally cast their gazes over.
Fang Rui hadn't found an opportunity to question Gu Junshi about her broken promises, and Zi Ying had been preoccupied lately, unable to create an opportunity to approach Fusheng senior brother. Now, seeing his firm relationship with his mortal wife, her serene, autumn-water eyes were filled with unspoken emotions.
From the flag stand, Wei Li, the object of everyone's attention, spoke in a clear, resonant voice that seemed to permeate the heavens and earth: "Tomorrow, you will proceed to Dusheng Temple to be teleported to the Twenty-Eight Heavens. An elder and six disciples will accompany you on this journey. I hope you will return victorious and achieve the highest ranking on the list."
The four of them bowed again, their spirits soaring: "Thank you, Sect Leader. We will do our utmost."
Wei Li curved his crimson lips and lowered his gaze, his long eyes charming. "Before your departure, you may each select a suitable magical treasure from the Treasure Pavilion."
With that, his sleeves fluttered, and as he prepared to depart,
A person emerged from the crowd of disciples on the training grounds. He wore no uniform of the Dayán Sect, but rather fitted black attire. He proclaimed in a clear, determined voice, "Registered disciple Gui Ying wishes to challenge the holder of the Newcomer Ranking token!"
This announcement was undoubtedly earth-shattering, halting Wei Li in his tracks and drawing the attention of everyone on the training grounds.
They've arrived.
Gu Junshi saw him appear, and a faint, ethereal smile touched the corner of her lips.
Wei Li's gaze followed downwards, fixated on the one-armed young man for a moment. He then spoke in a peculiar tone, "A five-spirit root? Not only has he successfully established his foundation, but he has also formed a Golden Core?"
It was evident that his Golden Core formation had been rushed, and the surrounding spiritual energy was insufficient and unstable. However, no one could deny that he was already a Golden Core cultivator.
The disciples on the training grounds looked at him with astonishment.
"Who is this?"
"Yes, why have we never seen him before..."
"Hey, he seems to be the one who advanced from inner to outer disciples three years ago... Not only is he armless, but he also appears to be blind. That's right, I remember him, it's him!"
"But he's a five-spirit root! The Sect Leader said he's already a Golden Core. How can his cultivation speed be faster than Senior Aunt Zi Ying's?!"
The master of Nine Devouring Mountain was taken aback upon seeing Gui Ying.
In the past, he had resorted to deadly force in a bid to seize the immortal sword. However, that sword failed to take the man's life, and he had miraculously survived. From then on, the master of Nine Devouring Mountain had forgotten his existence, as who would care about the fate of an insignificant disciple with mixed spirit roots?
Strange!
Extremely strange.
Wei Li believed that some people in this world encountered extraordinary experiences that forged uncommon abilities, but this man's cultivation speed was simply unbelievable, almost rivaling the talent and aptitude of a heavenly spirit root.
"Who do you wish to challenge?" he asked.
Gui Ying trembled and looked up. His gray, placid eyes blinked unceasingly, firm and resolute as he stated, "Liu Jiang Fusheng!"
Gui Ying pronounced this name with utmost clarity, as if he had repeated it countless times in his mouth.