As Chen Daoshan and others left the Longevity Hall and walked across the black and towering suspension bridge, the mountain wind, passing through the iron chains, often stirred up a "clang clang" sound. Yet, at Chen Daoshan's feet, it was as still as if he were walking on flat ground.
"Did you see?" Chen Daoshan's voice was steady as he walked in front.
The man in the green robe, an arm's length away, nodded. The wind fluttered the hem of his silk robe, which subtly revealed a web-like pattern. With a wave of his palm, he suppressed the wind, and the hem gently and smoothly settled down.
"Heavenly Spiritual Root, already at the mid-Golden Core stage. Perhaps... even more. He also has a strange protective imprint on him. It's unknown what specific formation is inscribed, but it is very profound, very overbearing, even..." The man in the green robe paused, choosing his words carefully, and then exhaled heavily: "Terrifying."
He had not forgotten the dangerous warning issued by the protective imprint when he activated his "Insight Eye" towards the Heavenly Spiritual Root. It was as if any further transgression would result in due punishment.
Chen Daoshan believed that the Grand Evolution Sect's protection of the Heavenly Spiritual Root was understandable. However, he used an unusual adjective.
"Strange?"
A protective imprint was generally a unique mark engraved by one person to protect another. It typically served functions such as protection, counter-attack, and concealment, similar to a magical artifact. The difference was that the recipient of the harm was the caster.
"The aura attached to it is unprecedented. Neither benevolent nor malevolent, making it impossible to ascertain its origin."
"Not spiritual energy?"
"No. Of course... not demon power or primal energy either."
Chen Daoshan pondered for a moment and said, "How powerful is it?"
"Unknown. But at least those below the Soul Transformation stage cannot harm his core."
Upon hearing this, Chen Daoshan's expression turned grim.
"His luck is as good as ever..."
"Senior Brother, what are you saying?"
Chen Daoshan walked straight ahead without replying.
At this moment, a disciple behind them inadvertently glanced in a certain direction. Initially, he didn't react much, only slowing his pace slightly. Finally, his expression showed surprise, but also uncertainty, as he furrowed his brow in thought.
He finally heard someone in front call out, "Chu Hao, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and catch up."
"Oh, oh, coming."
Impossible.
Gu Chu Hao thought, how could it be her?
She was still in the mortal realm, with a talent for waste. It was impossible for her to appear in the Grand Evolution Sect, which was eleven heavens away.
At the same time, the man in green robes also glanced in that direction with a sense of premonition. His eyesight was better. He saw a gust of mountain wind blow across a golden wheat field, and amidst the undulating waves, there seemed to be a fleeting figure, with ink-black hair and plain clothes, appearing serene and unfettered.
-
Since Gu Junshi moved to Nine Devouring Mountain, she had resided in the Spiritual Valley. A simple two-room thatched hut was built there, situated on a small hillside covered in lush green grass. The sun rose and set, passing over her roof. Wheat stars and moon clouds, spring growth and summer abundance, autumn withering and winter coolness – this was all the scenery she saw here.
When Tan Ya escorted her to her residence, he did not leave immediately. Gu Junshi also had no intention of inviting him in for a seat.
They had spent three years together. During these three years, Tan Ya had exhausted every means possible. He had tried all the tender methods capable of impressing a woman on Gu Junshi, but unfortunately, none of them had worked.
He even felt that when she silently watched him, it was as if she were watching a clown perform.
Tan Ya felt a sense of unwillingness towards her. He had originally thought she was merely a mortal, ignorant and inexperienced. After some romantic dalliances, he would be able to snatch her away from Liu Jiang Fusheng without much effort. But reality had slapped him hard.
He asked her, "Three years have passed. Seeing Junior Brother Fusheng again, do you feel a great deal of emotion?"
Gu Junshi glanced at the increasingly dense black shadow behind him. "Not as complex as your current feelings."
Tan Ya frowned, then relaxed his brows and asked with a gentle smile, "What do you mean by that?"
This person's hypocrisy was probably etched into his bones.
How could such a twisted person not be a villain destined to provide experience on the growth path of a protagonist like Long Aotian?
"He is about to catch up to you. It has only taken him three years."
"So what?"
"I just feel that, being geniuses pursued by others, when he hadn't appeared before, you were the sole hope of the sect, drawing everyone's attention. But since his appearance, with even superior talent, he has stolen your glory and brilliance. Your feelings must be somewhat affected."
Her words were like a shining sharp sword piercing his heart.
At this moment, the pretense on Tan Ya's face seemed unable to be maintained any longer. He stared at her expressionlessly.
Indeed.
He was not magnanimous, nor kind. In fact, he was so selfish that he couldn't tolerate a fellow disciple who was more outstanding and would achieve greater things than him in the future.
But so what?
He didn't think there was anything wrong with thinking like that.
Tan Ya said, "I know that there are always people better than you, and heavens beyond heavens, but I also believe that the one who laughs last is the ultimate winner. As for the process... it doesn't matter."
Gu Junshi agreed with this statement.
However, her little husband was someone she needed to protect.
If he wanted to win, it would be difficult.
-
That night, Gu Junshi went to the forbidden area. Over the past three years, she had gradually sent most of the souls within the forbidden area to reincarnation in the netherworld. The Gate of the Underworld, having absorbed enough death energy for nourishment, was greatly different from before.
As soon as she appeared, she was seized by Wei Li, who had been waiting for a long time.
His nine tails, like a fluffy and soft carpet, coiled around her. His ink-black hair flowed elegantly, and his loose clothing revealed glimpses of his fragrant shoulders. Baring his sharp teeth, he lunged at her.
However, Gu Junshi was always ruthless and kicked him directly.
Wei Li flipped over, his ornate robe dancing gracefully, luxurious like a night-blooming cereus blooming softly, and then he landed back in his original spot, coldly sizing her up.
"Why didn't you come last month?"
Gu Junshi found his almost questioning tone inexplicable.
"You no longer need the Bian Hua Leaf. What difference does it make whether I come or not?"
He hadn't expected her calculations to be so accurate. He could indeed control the backlash within his body.
"Who are you?"
"It's none of your business who I am."
This sentence completely angered Wei Li. He had always been arrogant and had been controlled by her, restraining his temper and ferocity. Since she was so unappreciative, why should he be polite to her?
"You're right. Since I no longer need you..."
He bowed and shot forward, his sharp fox claws flashing with a crimson demonic light, their intensity almost tearing the air apart.
"Then what necessity is there for your existence!"
Gu Junshi dodged with a kick, and one of his thick tails whipped towards her with a gust of wind. She flickered, leaving afterimages, and rapidly weaved through the tail. Wei Li immediately sent three more tails to pursue her.
Amidst a flurry of white writhing, her dark eyes narrowed slightly, her voice carrying a hint of authority: "Beast, you are too arrogant."
The air suddenly bore down with heavy pressure. The ground, tens of feet across, sank several centimeters with a thud. She instantly flashed into mid-air, and the surrounding air began to surge and roar rapidly. Black qi, floating within the dark night, swirled around her. The turbulent airflow whipped her robes, making them flap with a "snap" sound, revealing half of her face and a graceful curve of her chin.
Her thin lips curved slightly, appearing light, or perhaps ordinary.
And again, "Beast." Why did she call him that whenever she was displeased!
"If you have the ability, defeat me." Wei Li sneered, his charming scarlet beast eyes narrowing into slits. All nine of his tails behind his red robe were unfurled at once, indicating that he was no longer intending to play minor skirmishes with her.