“Why?! Why is this happening?! To think it’s you again, you bastard, Lian Yue!” Wang Xiao was incensed, but he also felt a tinge of despair.
He was truly exhausted this time.
He had almost no grievances with Lian Yue, so why would she ruin his opportunity?!
Previously at Weijin Mountain, Lian Yue had interfered; otherwise, he would have seized the divine fire long ago.
This thing imitated by etheric qi was completely indistinguishable to those of the same cultivation level. Even though he was a few minor stages higher than Lian Yue, he hadn’t noticed any clues.
In fact, this fake world-burning heavenly fire could even function within his grand array for a while.
Wang Xiao’s face turned pale with rage.
Gu Ze looked up and saw his figure floating in the sky through a gap.
“Immortal Lord Wang Xiao, it seems the quality of your cauldron isn’t very good; it’s leaking,” Gu Ze teased.
Wang Xiao’s face distorted with rage. He instantly sent down hundreds of fire meteors, but they were all neutralized by Qingquan.
The shackles of the grand array had vanished. Qingquan even felt the obstruction of heaven and earth weighing on her disappear.
The aura on her body soared boundlessly. Dense layers of clouds gathered overhead, and soon the entire world grew dark as raindrops began to fall.
The area where Wang Xiao’s dharma form stood was also affected by the downpour. The parched ground grew moist, and the arrogant fiery energy grew weaker and weaker.
The Heavenly Tribulation test had ended, and the Human Tribulation trial was already within her grasp.
In a head-on battle against Qingquan, Wang Xiao had never won — not once.
Wang Xiao’s true body gradually collapsed in the rain. The body of a golden core perfection immortal lord could not even withstand the majesty of heaven and earth that Qingquan invoked.
“Lian Yue, why did you harm me?” He spat out a mouthful of essence blood in despair.
“Lian Yue is worthy of being called a Daoist friend by this one.” Qingquan raised a finger, and the rain grew heavier in the direction of Rouman Peak.
This was a gift from a nascent soul. During the tribulation, she had secretly taken a portion of the lingqi from the entire Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion.
Now that Qingquan had attained the dao, she used her power as an Immortal Emperor to give back.
Gu Ze stayed quietly by Qingquan’s side, gazing at the six-armed demon god dharma form directly opposite him. No matter what, it couldn’t take another step forward.
Behind him, the goddess dharma form had already reached Qingquan’s position. It lifted her figure with both hands and then completely merged into Qingquan’s body.
“Congratulations on attaining the dao, Daoist friend. From this day forward, our Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion adds another Immortal Emperor.” Gong Lixing’s voice came from afar, though he did not appear.
Then, the sounds of congratulation from all directions were endless. Qingquan nodded in response.
She looked toward Wang Xiao. His dharma form had turned into heavenly fire and fallen to the ground amidst the storm. Before he could vent his resentment by burning everything, the newly sparked flames were already extinguished.
“I lost.” Wang Xiao left one final sentence before his figure completely disintegrated with the wind, leaving only a wisp of his soul to fall into reincarnation.
For a moment, Gu Ze became dazed.
Wang Xiao’s remaining consciousness brushed past the soul fire, enduring the Wan Hua Soul Nourishing Fire that could burn all things to talk with Gu Ze.
‘Young friend, you really have good methods. I planned everything meticulously, but I never calculated that Lian Yue would intervene.
Thinking about it now, she didn’t act intentionally. Rather, back at Weijin Mountain after she obtained the divine fire, she left an imprint on Li Xunmiao that imitated the divine fire, fearing that others would harbor ill intentions and try to steal it.
It was just unlucky that I was the one who fell for it. If I had been more cautious and searched more thoroughly back then, perhaps the one who attained the dao today would have been me.
His voice no longer had any strength, sounding like a dying old man who would soon dissipate.
‘You seem to know who I am,’ Gu Ze said, somewhat surprised.
‘It is impossible for any disciple to refine pills on Dan Yin Peak without me sensing it. Your flame is very special; I recognized it at a glance.’
‘I have seen the pills you refined. Their quality has reached a point where even I am not qualified to criticize them. I hope to see the prosperity of the dan dao within you.’ A dying man’s words are kind.
The struggle for the dao leaves no regrets. Wang Xiao’s consciousness vanished as he stepped into reincarnation.
The world seemed to fall into silence. Only the sound of rain could be heard throughout the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion.
Gu Ze’s consciousness returned, and his true body slowly opened its eyes.
He let out a long breath, feeling as if the heavy responsibility on his shoulders had finally lifted.
The good news of Qingquan reaching the nascent soul stage should be told to Li Xunmiao immediately.
However, when he looked up, he didn’t see Li Xunmiao. Instead, he saw a figure he didn’t want to see even in his dreams — although he had just been fighting alongside this figure a moment ago.
The white-haired girl lowered her head, looking at Gu Ze with a quiet smile.
Her smile was very charming, like a sliver of sun appearing through the clouds after rain, warm and gentle.
Gu Ze also smiled. His hands trembled as he clasped them in front of him and bowed.
“Congratulations, Peak Lord. Peak Lord, have mercy!”
“Hmph, little thief! I knew it was you!”
The pressure of a nascent soul expert was far more terrifying than that of a golden core. Moreover, Qingquan had just broken through and couldn’t fully control it yet. In an instant, the pressure on Gu Ze increased several times over.
Seeing him frown with a painful expression, Qingquan hurried to dissipate the pressure.
‘He is a meritorious official,’ she thought. She was just a bit excited, not here to interrogate him.
She walked gracefully to Gu Ze’s side and looked at the surrounding dongfu with a light smile.
He had actually moved into Li Xunmiao’s dongfu. It seemed that during the days she was away from Biluo Peak, the two of them had progressed rapidly.
However… this little thief, Gu Ze, was clearly not a good match for her disciple. She had to discipline him properly.
In an instant, a surge of jealousy actually rose in Qingquan’s heart, though she didn’t even notice it herself.
Sitting next to Gu Ze, Qingquan spoke indifferently, “Is everything you’ve done for the sake of Qingquan?”
“Yes, my conscience is clear.” Gu Ze didn’t dare turn his head to meet her eyes, even though Qingquan’s voice was currently as gentle as water.
“Then, Qingquan is in Daoist friend’s hands right now.” As she spoke, she raised her hand and poked Gu Ze’s not-so-soft cheek. “Do you dare to have a little taste?”
What did she mean by Qingquan being in his hands? Gu Ze felt that his life and death were clearly in her hands.
As for daring to taste Qingquan? What was there to be afraid of! Hadn’t he already tasted her?
“Yes,” he responded in a muffled voice.
Gu Ze grabbed Qingquan’s finger. While the white-haired girl was still smiling, Gu Ze’s face quickly approached.
Everything was too far beyond Qingquan’s expectations. She had the ability to resist, but she failed to react.
The force pressing against her lips instantly shattered Qingquan’s sanity.
Who was she? Where was she? It seemed she was being kissed forcefully?!
With a loud bang, Gu Ze was sent flying, crashing heavily against the wall of the dongfu.
Fortunately, a layer of water appeared behind him to cushion the impact; otherwise, he might have been smashed into a pile of meat paste.
“You, you, you!” Qingquan’s fingers trembled. Her face was redder than the evening clouds as she raised her hand to cover her moist lips.
Gu Ze coughed violently. He had taken quite a fall.
He looked up at Qingquan without backing down in the slightest. “I’ve done so much; this is what I deserve.”
He had said all the right things. From Qingquan’s perspective, she truly couldn’t find a way to question him.
He had indeed sacrificed a lot for her to attain the dao.
But kissing her so suddenly like that was just wrong! That wasn’t how Dao Companions were.
You have to show your grace first, establish a friendship between gentlemen, call each other Daoist friend, and start as friends.
Then, during the process of discussing the dao, you discover that your hearts are aligned, and sparks gradually fly.
After experiencing several life-and-death situations, the emotions grow deeper, and finally, you can live together in harmony.
Gu Ze just went straight for the kiss, and Qingquan would not accept it!
However, it wasn’t that unpleasant.
But the thought that she didn’t find it unpleasant made Qingquan’s heart even more chaotic.
Before she could sort out her feelings, footsteps suddenly came from the entrance of the dongfu.
Qingquan restrained her aura and instantly vanished from the spot, leaving no trace behind.
“Master, why are you lying on the ground?” Li Xunmiao walked in quickly. Her nose twitched as she sniffed the air. She felt there was a familiar fragrance, but it was gone now.
“It’s nothing. Xunmiao, where did you go just now?”
“I saw the changes in heaven and earth just now. I called you, Master, but you didn’t respond, so I went out to look for a while.
That was probably Shizun and Wang Xiao fighting. Unfortunately, it happened too quickly. I really couldn’t help at all.”
“No, you helped a lot.” Gu Ze smiled, stood up, and gently stroked Li Xunmiao’s hair.
As expected, his junior sister was more obedient. Qingquan was truly difficult to deal with.
Since he had kissed her, Qingquan likely wouldn’t let the matter go.
Now that he was exposed, Gu Ze decided to just let things take their course. At worst, he would die… forget it, it was better to try and survive if possible.
If Qingquan was truly unhappy, he would just take a bit of a loss and let her kiss him back for free.
***
Buzhou Main Peak.
The heavy rain stopped, and the flowers, birds, fish, and insects became active again.
A figure wrapped in Purple Qi appeared, flickering through the mountains before finally stopping by a lake.
Gong Lixing sat by the lakeshore fishing, his weathered eyes gazing into the distance.
Qingquan walked over slowly. He didn’t turn around, but spoke slowly, “Congratulations on attaining the dao, Daoist friend. Have you come here to ask me for a celebratory gift?”
“I’m not that bored. Are you satisfied with this result?” Qingquan’s eyes also looked into the distance.
Although they had gained a nascent soul, the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion had also lost a golden core perfection alchemist.
There were very few people who could fill Wang Xiao’s position now.
Gong Lixing laughed. “Daoist Friend Qingquan, do you know that fish are more likely to bite after the rain?
I am very satisfied with this result. I have already calculated that the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion is about to produce another peerless alchemist. His achievements might even rival the Alchemy Saint of ancient times.
Wang Xiao’s firewood has burned out, but it can be considered as him adding new fuel to this furnace.”
Qingquan nodded upon hearing this and sighed. “The Heavenly Tribulation was manageable, but Wang Xiao was my Human Tribulation. Moreover, his preparations were more thorough than mine; I shouldn’t have had such an easy time.”
“Wang Xiao was determined to win, but in the end, Daoist Friend Lian Yue ruined his plans. But why would she help me? Could this be your arrangement?”
Qingquan and Lian Yue weren’t very familiar with each other. If there was any shred of good karma, it was that when Qingquan had challenged every peak lord one by one, she only skipped Lian Yue because she couldn’t find her.
Gong Lixing put away his fishing rod and gave her a look. “It is all your fate. You can figure it out yourself if you calculate it.”
After saying that, he smiled without a word, stood up, and left.
Qingquan looked back and saw that Gong Lixing was actually carrying a large fish. She didn’t know when he had caught it.
Standing by the lakeshore, bathed in the breeze blowing toward the shore, Qingquan pinched her fingers to calculate.
But as time passed, her face grew redder and redder.
There was actually a Red Thread of Fate on her body pointing toward Biluo Peak!
She didn’t even have to guess to know who her fated one was.
Qingquan grit her teeth. “This is fate? This is a Love Tribulation that I can’t overcome! I have spent my life in quiet cultivation and have never been moved by any cultivator. He’s just a little thief… a damn heart-stealer!”
In the end, Qingquan only managed to calculate the bond between herself and Gu Ze. She still couldn’t figure out what it had to do with Lian Yue.
She even calculated that there was a vague tendency for her and Lian Yue to become enemies. How could this be?
She stood by the lake for a long time. Once her mood had calmed, Qingquan moved her mind and tore through the air to return to Biluo Peak.
For a nascent soul Immortal Emperor, this distance was non-existent.
Li Xunmiao had been waiting for a long time. Sensing Qingquan’s aura descending, she immediately came out to greet her.
“Welcome back from seclusion, Shizun.”
She bowed very obediently. Qingquan’s eyes were full of affection as she raised her hand to pat Li Xunmiao’s head.
During this time, her disciple had truly been wronged.
Every day under Gu Ze’s clutches… her disciple had a simple mind and must have been bullied quite a bit!
“Yes, not bad. Your cultivation has progressed very quickly; you haven’t disappointed me.”
Qingquan withdrew her gaze and asked as if casually, “How have you been getting along with Gu Ze? Has he bullied you or done anything strange to you?”
Li Xunmiao’s expression didn’t change, and there wasn’t a hint of abnormality. “Master Gu Ze has treated me extremely well and has secured many opportunities for me. You must reward him well, Shizun.”
Beneath the purple mist, Qingquan’s face stiffened. She thought about how her disciple was actually protecting Gu Ze so much. Gu Ze must have used many sweet words to deceive Li Xunmiao daily.
“Do you still remember my instructions? You must never become Dao Companions with Gu Ze; otherwise, I will no longer recognize you as my disciple,” she said with a slight threat.
Li Xunmiao’s body stiffened, and she remained silent.
Qingquan sighed. As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt she had spoken too harshly.
What was wrong with her? She was actually taking out her anger on the innocent Li Xunmiao.
“Where is Gu Ze? Why hasn’t he come to greet me? Is he waiting for me to go find him personally?”
She redirected her anger toward Gu Ze, which finally made Li Xunmiao’s expression soften a bit.
“Master seems to have signs of a breakthrough. Right now, he is… he is in seclusion in my dongfu,” Li Xunmiao’s voice grew smaller and smaller.
Although she didn’t mind him entering her dongfu, Shizun would surely be angry if she found out.
She was prepared for Qingquan’s wrath. However, Qingquan only nodded slightly. “His cultivation is also improving very quickly. I didn’t see that he had such innate talent back then.”
“Since he’s in seclusion, don’t disturb him. Come walk with me and tell me what you’ve been through lately.”
For some reason, Qingquan just wanted to find an excuse to stop Li Xunmiao from clinging to Gu Ze every moment.
Even though she hadn’t yet figured out how to face that bold heart-stealer, Qingquan didn’t want anyone else to touch what she considered hers.
Not even her own disciple.