Fu Xu spoke as if he knew everything, but in truth, he’d never heard of anyone truly using Primal Chaos Qi to form their Foundation.
In fact, the idea of using Primal Chaos Qi for Foundation Establishment was just a hypothesis of Fu Xu’s.
You could say no one before had done this; as for whether there would be someone after, that remained uncertain.
Fu Xu had even tried it himself, but the attempt ended in utter failure.
He’d rebuilt his cultivation at the Qi Refining stage seven times, all to try forming his Foundation with Primal Chaos Qi.
The hidden injuries he left himself back then had instead become obstacles to his breakthrough now.
If not for this, Fu Xu would’ve already been fit for the Nascent Soul realm.
He recommended Gu Ze use Primal Chaos Qi for Foundation Establishment not to harm him.
Fu Xu’s failure—perhaps it was just due to a lack of talent.
His thinking was that, since the three of them were trapped inside the secret realm, Lian Yue would definitely have a way out.
No matter whether Gu Ze or Li Xunmiao stayed behind, he would’ve chosen to let that person accept the conditions for Foundation Establishment with Primal Chaos Qi.
Though, Fu Xu figured there was no way Li Xunmiao would agree.
Thankfully, it was Gu Ze who stayed behind and ended up on Fu Xu’s side.
Although Fu Xu felt Li Xunmiao was favored by destiny and had a higher chance of success with Primal Chaos Qi Foundation Establishment.
But the best plan is often out of reach—being able to get Gu Ze to agree and achieve his second-best outcome was already quite satisfying for Fu Xu.
“Fine then, I do indeed lack an opportunity for Foundation Establishment. If I can really use Primal Chaos Qi for this, just as you wish, it’s something worth looking forward to.”
As soon as Gu Ze finished speaking, the secret realm suddenly shuddered, and the entire sky overhead flickered.
The small boat they were riding was instantly swallowed by violent wind and waves.
Fu Xu channeled spiritual energy to stabilize the vessel, then mused, “It seems Lian Yue outside the secret realm can’t wait any longer. If I don’t send you out, she’ll probably tear down Weijin Mountain.”
Since his goal was almost achieved, there was no need for Fu Xu to show himself again and end up in a mutual destruction with Lian Yue.
He wasn’t worried about Gu Ze breaking his promise and refusing to attempt Foundation Establishment with Primal Chaos Qi.
Though their agreement was only verbal, involving the Karmic Retribution of a Jindan cultivator, if Gu Ze broke his word, he would certainly suffer an unbearable backlash.
With the secret realm stabilized, Fu Xu waved away the surrounding white mist, and the opposite shore was now just within reach.
Gu Ze glanced around, and as he looked down, he found Fu Xu’s figure had already vanished from the boat.
The exit to the secret realm was strikingly obvious right before him; Gu Ze didn’t hesitate and leaped straight out.
Back in the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion, the air felt so much fresher. In Weijin Mountain, Gu Ze couldn’t even remember how long it had been since he’d seen a green leaf.
Taking a few seconds to adjust to the sunlight, Gu Ze sensed his cultivation gradually recovering. But what arrived even faster than his restored cultivation was a waft of fragrant wind.
Lian Yue arrived with Li Xunmiao, slicing through the sky. She’d recovered her seventh-layer Jindan cultivation, and Li Xunmiao seemed much more compliant as a result.
“Fu Xu really didn’t give you a hard time. Looks like you two came to some kind of agreement…” Lian Yue pinched her chin, scanning Gu Ze up and down to confirm he was unharmed.
Li Xunmiao had also been brought over by Lian Yue, and seeing Gu Ze safe and sound, her once expressionless face finally blossomed with a smile.
“Senior Brother, let’s go back together.”
Now that they’d successfully obtained the Divine Fire and almost no disciples were hurt in the secret realm, with both of them returning safely—
It should be considered a perfect completion of Gong Lixing’s assigned task.
She gently took Gu Ze’s hand, just as when they entered the secret realm.
But this time, there was one more person.
Lian Yue raised an eyebrow, stepping in to block the two.
Usually, Li Xunmiao would hide behind Gu Ze when meeting others, but facing Lian Yue now, she instead shielded Gu Ze and took the initiative to step forward.
“What? You still want to pester my Senior Brother?”
“Pester? Gu Ze and I have long been close friends, you two can’t just leave me behind! I handed over the Jindan Opportunity to you, and now I can’t even have a word with Gu Ze?”
Lian Yue was quite displeased, though her tone wasn’t forceful. In fact, there was a hint of pleading in her gaze as she looked at Li Xunmiao.
Li Xunmiao immediately raised her arm, revealing the inscription of the World-burning Flower on the back of her hand: “Oh? If that’s how it is, then I can give up the Jindan Opportunity, but you’re not allowed near Gu Ze again.”
Lian Yue waved her hand in refusal.
“That wasn’t what we agreed before. The time I get to spend with Gu Ze each day—just a few minutes—while you get the lion’s share. Isn’t that enough? He’s my only close friend and you still want to take him from me?” Hearing Li Xunmiao start to go back on their deal, Lian Yue got obviously anxious.
Gu Ze hurried to pull Li Xunmiao back and soothe her: “With Lian Yue Immortal Venerable’s help, we were able to finish this mission together. We’re all partners who braved danger side by side. Xunmiao, be good, don’t fight anymore…”
“Partners? She’s an Immortal Venerable—Xunmiao can’t reach that high, hmph~” Li Xunmiao turned her head away.
“Immortal Venerable? You call her ‘Xunmiao’ so intimately, but you call me ‘Immortal Venerable’ and shut me out, don’t you? Hmph~” Lian Yue also crossed her arms and turned away sulkily.
Don’t worry.
Gu Ze didn’t argue. Seeing the two turn their attention to him instead, he actually felt relieved.
If these two really started targeting each other, the bickering would never end. By shifting the blame to himself, the atmosphere lightened at once.
Neither of them truly meant to be angry at Gu Ze, so they took the out he offered and let the matter drop.
“I want to be alone with Gu Ze for a bit.” Lian Yue was the first to speak up, her tone much less heated now.
Li Xunmiao was silent for a few seconds, her gaze fixed on Gu Ze as if waiting to see how he would respond.
“Xunmiao, you go on ahead, I’ll walk Lian Yue back. Afterward, we’ll report our completed task to the Sect Master together.”
Having said that, Gu Ze hesitated to take out the Mirror of Frost Dust for Li Xunmiao’s protection, but it had been damaged in the previous battle.
The Chilong Rope was useless to Li Xunmiao as well, so in the end, Gu Ze reached for the Yuehen Dagger.
Seeing him take it out, Lian Yue’s expression changed subtly.
She cleared her throat and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve left a mark on Li Xunmiao. I can guarantee her safety. If she went off carrying a Jindan treasure with no defenses, no one could rest easy.”
She signaled with her eyes for Gu Ze to put away the Yuehen Dagger, and only then did Lian Yue’s expression soften.
Li Xunmiao eyed the two suspiciously, squinting, “You two—while you’re together, no sneaky kissing!”
The two of them instantly flushed, their faces turning red as they awkwardly stared at the ground. The grass really did look greener all of a sudden.
Li Xunmiao pressed again, though her voice was much softer this time: “No kissing, you hear me… you’ll… you’ll get pregnant.”
Lian Yue slapped her forehead. Inwardly, she wondered why she was so wicked—to be fighting a little girl who didn’t even understand anything for a man.
Still, in the end, Lian Yue didn’t let Gu Ze go and led him away.
The two strolled atop the clouds, yet when truly alone, only silence filled the space between them.
Neither knew what to say.
Gu Ze turned to look at Lian Yue for a few seconds. Sensing his gaze on her face, Lian Yue shyly raised her hand to half-cover her cheek.
Her eyes, faintly visible, were like gems at the bottom of a deep pool—waiting for someone to dive in and retrieve them, or perhaps to drown within, unable to extricate themselves.
“This time, really—thank you for stepping in to help.”
“No need for thanks.” Lian Yue, hearing his gratitude, finally grew bolder.
She moved closer, seized Gu Ze’s hand, and with a light breath scented like orchids, whispered, “Even you belong to me, of course I have to protect you well.”
With that, she intertwined her fingers with his, the corners of her mouth rising into a sweet curve. Her happiness was written all over her face.
“Seeing you and Li Xunmiao so pure with each other, I’m a little envious. At the right age, harboring hidden feelings… If you two lived in the mundane world, you could be a pair of lovers wandering the land together.” Lian Yue spoke lightly, but her tone had a hint of sourness.
“Blame me. I went and kissed you first, so now I can’t experience that innocence with you.” Gu Ze feigned guilt, earning a playful glare from Lian Yue.
“Rogue, pervert! You’re just lusting after my body.” She said it, but didn’t let go of Gu Ze’s hand—if anything, she held on tighter.
As if deliberately enticing Gu Ze to devour her whole.
Gu Ze stopped in his tracks, gently lifting Lian Yue’s chin.
“I am lusting. Immortal Sister, will you let me indulge a little?”
Lian Yue closed her eyes, faint anticipation in her voice: “If you’re going to kiss me, do it quick. Otherwise, I really might faint…”
The two of them completely forgot Li Xunmiao’s warning.
Suddenly, a voice mixed with three parts jealousy and seven parts anger called out from behind.
“You two—let me through!”
A young disciple was riding his sword their way, eyes full of condemnation at this couple openly flaunting their affection atop the clouds.
They broke apart at once. Lian Yue cupped her reddened cheeks, not angry at being interrupted.
The sword-riding disciple zipped right between them. Gu Ze awkwardly watched as the figure vanished from view, then quickly took Lian Yue’s hand and hurried away.
“To get seen by someone here on the cloud sea—so embarrassing… And, Lian Yue, aren’t you afraid of being recognized?”
Gu Ze was puzzled. Clearly, Lian Yue had once called herself his “secret confidante.” None of this behavior now could be called secret.
Lian Yue replied nonchalantly, “What’s there to fear? Even the Sect Master knows you and I share secrets.”
What’s more, ordinary disciples could never recognize Lian Yue; few had even seen her silhouette. Lian Yue couldn’t care less.
As long as rumors didn’t spread about her and Gu Ze, Lian Yue found showing off their affection in front of everyone thrilling.
Before, when had she ever had such a chance?
When Gu Ze heard her mention the Sect Master, his eyes widened for a split second. But then, on second thought, he didn’t feel all that surprised.
After all, Gong Lixing had deliberately reminded him that his luck with romance was unusually strong. Perhaps he’d noticed the signs back then already.
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