After learning about that hellish pill formula, Gu Ze could not calm his mind no matter how hard he tried.
It involved a struggle for the Dao between two Golden Core Perfection experts.
Qingquan was out in the open, while Wang Xiao remained in the shadows. Objectively speaking, Wang Xiao had a much better chance of winning.
But Gu Ze did not want Wang Xiao to win. There was absolutely no benefit for Gu Ze if that man succeeded in his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage.
On the contrary, if Wang Xiao caused Qingquan’s death, it would be a massive loss for Li Xunmiao, which would indirectly affect Gu Ze.
Even setting Li Xunmiao aside, Qingquan was the first Golden Core cultivator Gu Ze had ever encountered, and she had given him many fated opportunities.
There was a significant bond between them. In his heart, Gu Ze leaned more toward supporting Qingquan.
He still held the peak master command seal she had given him. How could he stand by and watch her be schemed against until there was nothing left of her?
The resolute words Qingquan had spoken before entering her secluded meditation to break through to the Nascent Soul stage echoed in Gu Ze’s ears. He was determined to ensure she returned safely!
Her opportunity for the Nascent Soul stage had been personally delivered by Gu Ze; how could he let her become someone else’s stepping stone?!
Having obtained the pill formula he wanted, Gu Ze did not linger at Dan Yin Peak.
He bid farewell to the two neighbors he was somewhat familiar with. Qiaogu was also preparing to leave Dan Yin Peak soon to gain experience through travel and cultivation.
Although Chen Xin’s expression remained cold, she no longer looked down on their strength as she watched them depart.
Once they left the boundaries of Dan Yin Peak, the two rode an immortal boat, with clouds streaking past them.
Li Xunmiao had completely refined the dragon blood divine pill. She had challenged and defeated every notable Qi Refinement cultivator on Dan Yin Peak, and her momentum was currently at its peak.
She had wanted to share her joy with her senior brother, but on the immortal boat, she noticed Gu Ze’s expression remained solemn. She sat quietly by his side to keep him company.
Clasping Gu Ze’s slightly cold hand, Li Xunmiao felt a pang of worry. ‘Senior brother Gu has been acting strange ever since I drew my sword at the martial arts field and attracted Wang Xiao.’
Li Xunmiao tried to recall exactly what was making him so brooding. In the end, she could not guess the reason and could only wait for Gu Ze to reveal it himself.
The lingqi within her body rose, shattering the freezing gales around them.
Gu Ze snapped out of his contemplation, visibly startled. “Xunmiao, you… you are at Level 8 of Qi Refinement?”
Her cultivation base had finally caught up to his.
For a moment, Gu Ze was in a daze. Li Xunmiao had only recently broken through. While the dragon blood divine pill was powerful, it was only supposed to enhance physical strength.
Gu Ze had no idea when Li Xunmiao had accumulated enough lingqi to break through again.
‘Perhaps Li Xunmiao’s efficiency in absorbing pills is just different from ordinary people,’ he thought.
“Yes. Is there no sign of a breakthrough for you, Senior brother?” Li Xunmiao restrained her aura, settling the somewhat turbulent lingqi in her body.
She had thought she would never catch up to Gu Ze in her lifetime. After all, she had grown used to her cultivation being slightly lower than his.
“Not for now. I still need to accumulate more slowly.” Gu Ze also circulated his lingqi, but it had not yet reached the point of qualitative change.
He was getting closer and closer to Foundation Establishment. Even though it was technically a small obstacle for a cultivator, Gu Ze felt increasingly nervous deep down.
“If Senior brother is having trouble with cultivation lately, why not stay at my Dongfu for a few days? A breakthrough depends not only on the right time but also on the right place and the right people.”
” You broke through at my Dongfu before while I was with you. It is clear that with me around, your chances of success will greatly increase,” Li Xunmiao said with a straight face.
There was only one man who would ever be invited into her Dongfu.
Gu Ze chuckled, his heavy mood lifting quite a bit. “Alright then. I do find it a bit lonely practicing and refining pills by myself.”
Li Xunmiao lightly pumped her fist. ‘Plan success!’
In truth, she had invited him because her time living with him at Dan Yin Peak over the past few days hadn’t been enough.
During the day, Gu Ze was busy refining pills, and at night, he seemed to lose his soul while meditating, never responding to any of her movements.
‘I really want to hold Senior brother while I sleep,’ she thought. ‘The Dongfu has an array to gather lingqi, which can also help him with pill refining.’
Gu Ze heard her words but did not respond. He knew very well that now was not the time to indulge in her gentleness. There were many more important things he needed to do.
As for whether or not to involve Li Xunmiao in this battle for the Nascent Soul stage—a battle that originally had nothing to do with her—Gu Ze had other plans.
The two laughed and talked, and time passed quickly. Before long, the immortal boat landed within the territory of Biluo Peak.
Li Xunmiao pulled Gu Ze along as she hurried into her Dongfu. Once inside, she slowed her pace, and her gaze became serious.
“Senior brother, my Dongfu is protected by an array. Master said that even the divine sense of a Golden Core cultivator cannot peek inside.”
As she spoke, Li Xunmiao no longer hid her aura. It shifted, becoming stronger than it had ever been before.
Gu Ze froze, then raised a hand to rub his stiff, tense face. He had been too obvious; he hadn’t managed to hide his distress from her after all.
Should he tell her the truth? Gu Ze could not think of anyone he trusted more than Li Xunmiao. But telling her about the catastrophe Qingquan faced might just bring the young girl unnecessary worry.
If Li Xunmiao were given a few more years, she could shatter any of Wang Xiao’s schemes with a single sword strike. But now, it was simply too early.
Gu Ze sighed and made a decision. “Junior sister, you have clearly seen that something is bothering me. However, I want to handle this matter on my own.”
“I am willing to share your burdens. Please tell me what is troubling you, and we can solve it together.” Li Xunmiao immediately stepped close, leaving less than a foot of space between them.
Gu Ze was moved by the sincerity in her eyes. But this was not her tribulation; there was no need for her to take such a risk. Besides, the enemy was too powerful.
Seeing the hesitation in Gu Ze’s eyes, Li Xunmiao did not give up. She took another half-step forward.
“Senior brother, didn’t you say that I am unparalleled in this world? No matter what kind of enemy you face, I am willing to swing my sword for you.” As she spoke, she bit her lip as if struggling with herself.
Finally, Li Xunmiao suddenly hugged Gu Ze, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Gu Ze felt his neck being brushed by something as soft as a feather as Li Xunmiao’s lips pressed against him with a moist, warm touch.
As the kiss landed, the sweet scent of the girl’s hair filled his nose, the fragrance lingering.
Gu Ze did not struggle—or rather, he simply could not push away the current Li Xunmiao, whose body had been tempered multiple times. He could only let her kiss and press against him.
“Gu Ze, actually, when you came back from Lian Yue’s place for the second time, there was a hickey on your neck. You probably didn’t notice it yourself, but I saw it…”
This was one of the few things Li Xunmiao knew about the marks left by intimacy.
“I don’t know if my kiss can prove my resolve. No matter what you have to face—whether it is a tribulation or a powerful enemy—I, Li Xunmiao, am willing to face it with you.”
For a moment, Gu Ze was stunned.
Li Xunmiao usually acted so weak and cute in front of him, hiding behind him like a small animal whenever they met strangers.
This had caused Gu Ze to subconsciously forget that she was actually a powerful protagonist who could face any hardship or storm.
Even now, her cultivation was not inferior to his. If even the destined heroine was powerless to help, what made him think he could break the deadlock alone?
Why be so stubborn? Being cautious was good, but being too timid might cause him to lose a winnable situation.
‘My junior sister truly is my treasure.’ A golden light flashed in Gu Ze’s eyes as he caught sight of the towering golden flames erupting from Li Xunmiao’s body.
Even reflected in his Seer’s Golden Eyes, her form was as dazzling as a blazing sun.
Wait!
Gu Ze had seen this golden light somewhere before. Activating his golden eyes again, he stared blankly at her. Within her body, there was a flame he was intimately familiar with.
The world-burning heavenly fire!
Recalling her words about the Dongfu being safe from Golden Core prying, he realized that was why she dared to let the aura of the hidden fire show.
But shouldn’t that fire have been lent to Wang Xiao a long time ago? Or did she not actually give the divine fire to him back then?
Gu Ze’s expression shifted from shock to joy. He reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace, patting her back.
The girl had already prepared herself emotionally for a long night of talking about life and death. Being hugged like this made her go soft instantly.
“Se… Senior brother, what’s wrong?” Her long eyelashes trembled, and her hands hovered in the air like little chick wings, unsure where to settle.
Her newly gathered powerful aura shattered completely, and her heart hammered against her ribs. ‘Could it be that Senior brother has finally accepted my feelings?! Does this hug mean he wants me to be his woman?!’
“Junior sister, you really are my greatest treasure. With you here, every difficulty can be resolved.” Gu Ze almost wanted to laugh out loud.
If the world-burning heavenly fire was still with Li Xunmiao, then Wang Xiao was destined to lack a crucial method to restrain Qingquan. Refining a pill without the proper ingredients would lead to the furnace exploding!
He could not wait to give Wang Xiao a massive surprise. However, he couldn’t rule out the possibility that Wang Xiao had a backup plan. Celebrating too early was not Gu Ze’s style.
Releasing Li Xunmiao, Gu Ze pointed at his neck and said with mock seriousness, “Xunmiao, I have accepted this kiss. I will certainly repay you a hundredfold in the future!”
Li Xunmiao’s kiss had given Gu Ze a great deal of courage. Even if the road ahead was difficult, there would still be a perfect ending.
However, those words took on a completely different meaning in Li Xunmiao’s ears.
‘Senior brother owes me a hundred kisses!’ When she had the chance, she was definitely going to make him kiss her every inch!
Gu Ze paced the Dongfu for a moment, thinking about how to explain the situation to her. First, he had to hide the fact that he had entered Qingquan’s tribulation ground in the form of a soul fire.
The existence of the soul fire wasn’t the issue, but the identity he had established there was important.
He didn’t want Li Xunmiao to accidentally slip up one day. If Qingquan ever suspected him, the first person she would interrogate would be the person closest to him.
As for the spirit furnace, given their relationship, it wasn’t a secret. He would eventually have to use it to refine pills for her anyway.
After careful consideration, Gu Ze spoke slowly, “Junior sister, this matter is actually related to your Master’s opportunity to undergo her tribulation.”