Gu Junshi noticed that the Nine-Tailed Fox’s ears twitched and its nose flared, its narrow eyes darting around. She knew he was either hatching a plan or had discovered something.
Had he sensed the dissipating death qi within the Asking Immortal Stone? A flicker of dark amusement crossed her eyes.
It was said that a Nine-Tailed Fox only reached adulthood after a thousand years, naturally capable of communing with the yin and yang and possessing the Nine-Life Body, allowing it to sense the aura of the Yellow Springs and the underworld.
It was a shame that his temperament and character were utterly devoid of substance. After all, he was merely a few hundred years old, a half-grown Nine-Tailed Fox forcibly transformed into human form by a secret treasure. He was so pampered within the fox clan that he was infinitely arrogant, never once deigning to regard her, a mere "mortal," with any respect from the moment he appeared.
He had likely considered every possible suspect but would never have turned his attention to her.
With a sweep of his fiery phoenix-red robe, Wei Li gathered the several tons of scattered rubble on the ground into his Qiankun Bag. Since the reappearance of "death qi" in the spiritual realm five hundred years ago, this was no trivial matter. Even a fox like him, only interested in preening and idle pursuits, had to investigate the truth to feel at ease.
Just as Gu Junshi had predicted, he hadn't considered her at all. He was convinced that this must be the precursor to some great demonic power intending to stir up a bloodbath.
"You don't need to concern yourselves with the matter of the Asking Immortal Stone. As for this Heavenly Spirit Root..." Wei Li’s eyes swept over Liu Jiang Fusheng. Beneath his discerning gaze was arrogance and satisfaction. "Master Wumei Mountain, cultivate him diligently and ensure he trains assiduously, striving to reach the minimum standard to participate in the Centennial Newcomer Rankings three years from now alongside Dan Ya."
"Right, right, this old Daoist will certainly remember the sect leader's earnest instructions." Zhiyang Daoist was overjoyed to hear that the sect leader had directly assigned the individual to his disciple's care and quickly agreed.
The other mountain masters regretted their haste. They had been a step too slow in stepping forward before Wumei Mountain Master, and this coveted lone sapling had now taken root on another's mountain.
"As for this mortal..." He was habitually stingy and greedy for treasures. When Gu Junshi was mentioned, he was reminded of the fact that his sect's Asking Immortal Stone was missing. He directly conjured a hand seal and struck her face. A small patch of flames burned away, leaving behind a red brand of the character "Fox."
Gu Junshi felt a burning pain on her cheek. She instinctively reached to touch it, but Liu Jiang Fusheng grasped her hand first.
She looked up and saw that his eyes had turned red upon seeing the "Fox" mark. He slowly turned his head, his dark eyes fixed on Wei Li like those of a man-eating fiend.
How dare he!
Gu Junshi's expression grew stern. Before Wei Li could notice her husband's gaze, she wrapped an arm around his waist, applying pressure to draw him closer to her. With her other hand, she gently covered his eyes, which were filled with possessive killing intent.
She understood Wei Li to some extent; he was always arrogant and extreme, and would never tolerate being provoked with such a look.
The future Dragon Ascending Heaven was still a delicate flower at this moment, as weak as a seedling, unable to withstand any storm.
She spoke calmly, "Husband, I'm alright."
Liu Jiang Fusheng fluttered his eyelashes against her palm, shaking his head slightly, his soft voice trembling.
"He hurt you..."
Outwardly heartbroken and pitiful, he was inwardly hysterical.
He was hers—
Gu Junshi could only belong to Liu Jiang Fusheng alone. How could the sect leader of the Great Evolution Sect dare to brand his disgusting, filthy mark on his person? How dare he!
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't hurt anymore."
Liu Jiang Fusheng swallowed the metallic tang of blood welling in his throat. After forcing himself to calm down, he pulled down her covering hand and opened his eyes. His autumn water-like bright eyes blinked, rippling like vast ocean waves of azure blue, but upon closer inspection, they were as calm and unfathomable as a dark, locked sea.
"Mm."
But he would not let this matter rest.
Wei Li squinted sideways, his peripheral vision catching a glimpse of the couple. He snorted lightly, "My sect does not accept waste spirit roots. However, until everything is clarified, she shall temporarily remain at the lower peak as a servant."
His actions were decisive and sharp. Throughout the entire process, he never once looked directly at Gu Junshi, the woman he had obsessively admired in his past life.
After Wei Li left, Zhiyang Daoist shuffled over. He glanced at the conspicuous mark on Gu Junshi's face and sighed, "This is a Soul Locking Curse. Even if separated by thousands of miles, if this curse is activated, your soul will be scattered, leaving no chance for reincarnation."
Liu Jiang Fusheng clenched his fists. "This, this can be removed?"
"Others cannot remove it; this is the sect leader's unique curse." Zhiyang Daoist shook his head, then waved his withered hand, his palm falling an inch away from her face. Upon inspection, the spot on Gu Junshi's face where the curse mark had been was now pristine and clear.
Liu Jiang Fusheng started, then exclaimed in surprise, "It's gone? Has it been removed?"
Zhiyang Daoist coughed lightly, avoiding the unusually clear and bright eyes. "This is merely an illusion technique. At least this way... she will not have to constantly endure the strange glances of others."
This couple were both brought back from the lower realm by him. Now, one was about to become a heavenly prodigy fully nurtured by the Great Evolution Sect, with an immeasurable future, while the other would serve as a toiling servant at the lower peak, destined for a future of mediocrity and insignificance. The stark disparity in their circumstances made even him feel a pang of pity and melancholy for her.
Gu Junshi couldn't see it. She touched her face; it felt rough and uneven, like scabbing, slightly prickly. But no one knew that this malevolent curse was a great tonic for her, only needing to be refined.
"It's alright. Since I won't escape, nor will I do anything to harm the Great Evolution Sect, the sect leader should have no reason to wish me dead." She spoke with an air of harmlessness and calm, but within the depths of her pupils, there was a dark, swirling current.
Zhiyang Daoist, however, thought to himself that while their sect leader's cultivation was indeed formidable, his actions could not be judged by common sense. Who knew if he might suddenly decide to enjoy a spectacle of exploding blood and mist. But he comforted her aloud, "Ah, yes. Behave yourself and follow the rules during this period. Once the sect leader clarifies that you have nothing to do with the Asking Immortal Stone matter, this old Daoist will plead with the sect leader on your behalf to have him lift this Soul Locking Curse."
Liu Jiang Fusheng understood; lifting the Soul Locking Curse required the sect leader.
The pampered husband's eyes welled with a faint, crystalline sheen. He earnestly assured her, "Ah Yi, don't worry. I will find a way to remove the curse mark on your face, and I won't let you stay at the lower peak as a servant forever."
However, Gu Junshi didn't take his words too seriously. Instead, she remembered something and cautioned him, "My matters are not urgent. You must protect yourself on the mountain."
The pampered husband was perplexed. At a time like this, why was she still worried about him?
He gazed into her eyes for a moment. He thought she was just putting on a brave face, but there was truly no pretense or reluctance in them.
Even though she had been tested as a waste spirit root, forever unable to cultivate immortality, then encountered misfortune, her life and death subject to the whims of others, her free status reduced to that of the lowest mortal servant in the cultivation world, while her husband faced a completely different situation. Faced with such colossal changes and disparities that could shatter a person's strong will, was she truly not angry, disappointed, resentful, or jealous?
Did she truly have a heart?
He felt very disappointed because the emotional breakdown he had anticipated from her did not occur. He still couldn't find any weak points to exploit in her.
Although he didn't know why she thought he needed to be careful on Wumei Mountain, the pampered husband obediently agreed, "Alright."
Gu Junshi knew that according to the original plot, he would soon encounter the understanding second female lead and the valiant third female lead, gaining their favor. However, due to the considerable popularity of these two women within the sect, coupled with his sudden surge in prominence, he would inevitably face various schemes and calculations. He would also encounter a powerful and cunning rival—Dan Ya.