Because of Gao Lu’s earlier devilish training, the two girls, each harboring their own schemes, had been tormented until they had no energy left.
So for the rest of the journey, the two girls hardly caused any more trouble.
Thus, the master and his two disciples traveled in silence, riding the spirit boat back smoothly to the Xu Ling Sect.
Gao Lu piloted the spirit boat, gliding as nimbly as a swimming fish through the ever-flowing, resplendent Sect Protection Array that shrouded the sect’s outer boundary.
As the spirit boat passed through the mountain gate, the view before the three became wide and open.
They saw the many peaks within the sect standing tall like giant emerald swords piercing the sky, clouds curling around the mountains like jade sashes.
Spirit boats flew back and forth within the sect, while cranes and rare spiritual beasts soared together among the clouds, displaying an ethereal and immortal atmosphere.
Gao Lu glanced at Shang Baiyu, wanting to properly introduce his newly accepted second disciple to the Xu Ling Sect.
But when he turned his head, he suddenly noticed that his new second disciple, although here for the first time, showed little curiosity toward the sect’s scenery—instead, there was a faint and indescribable sense of familiarity in his expression?
A fleeting hint of suspicion crossed Gao Lu’s heart, but then he thought, Shang Baiyu hailed from a major cultivation clan and had probably seen much from a young age, so naturally, such a top-tier sect wouldn’t seem unfamiliar.
Moreover, his personality was always calm and reserved, unlike that noisy, flamboyant type, so this reaction was understandable.
Gao Lu casually dismissed this minor sense of oddity and found a convenient landing spot.
He put away the spirit boat and instructed his two disciples.
“Qingkong, as you’re the Shixiong, take Baiyu to the Outer Affairs Hall for registration. Help him with the replacement Command Token, receive his magical tools and Uniform, and familiarize him with the basic rules of the sect and the environment of Duanqing Peak.”
“Yes, Master.”
Gu Qingying quickly bowed in response.
“Baiyu, you follow your Shixiong. Listen to him in everything along the way.”
Gao Lu then instructed Gong Shangyu, who stood beside them.
Gong Shangyu nodded slightly, his voice still maintaining the cold demeanor he had feigned before.
“Mm… I understand, thank you, Shixiong.”
Seeing everything arranged, Gao Lu did not linger.
He still had the mission certificate from Yangzhou and abnormal information regarding the Yin Corpse Sect to deliver, so he needed to hurry to the Merit Hall to hand over the tasks and report the unusual findings.
“I’ll go to the Merit Hall to turn in the mission. Once you two have finished Baiyu’s registration, return to your peak and cultivate in quietude, solidifying your cultivation.”
With that, Gao Lu mounted his sword and flew straight toward the Merit Hall.
As their Master’s figure disappeared into the sky, Gu Qingying’s obedient and gentle expression vanished instantly.
She tilted her head, and in her violet eyes flashed a scrutinizing light as she sized up the now equally unmasked Gong Shangyu beside her.
“Hehe~ Let’s go, my ‘good Shidi,’”
Gu Qingying’s tone held an almost unnoticeable hint of teasing.
“Let Shixiong take you for registration. Remember, from now on, you are ‘Shang Baiyu’ of my Duanqing Peak. When you move about in the sect, you’d better behave yourself!”
“Don’t slip up again and drag me down.”
Gong Shangyu snorted softly, raising a hand to adjust the jade pin in his hair, his eyes revealing a familiar hint of shrewdness and depth.
“Don’t worry. When it comes to acting, I’m much better at it than you.”
“In fact, my ‘good Shixiong,’ aren’t you more likely to mess up than I am?”
Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying exchanged a glance, an invisible spark flickering in the air, then both quickly composed themselves.
After all, whatever else, the two of them were now grasshoppers tied to the same rope.
At least, until they’d fully captured their Master: maintaining surface harmony and pretense was necessary.
Since both of them were reincarnators, they were extremely familiar with all the affairs—big and small—within the sect.
So, before long, they finished Gong Shangyu’s registration procedures at the Outer Affairs Hall.
“Mm… All done.”
Gu Qingying picked up the Command Token and items belonging to Gong Shangyu and waved them lightly in front of her, her tone relaxed as if she’d just completed a mission.
“Hehe… Let’s go, dear ‘Shidi.’ Shixiong will take you back to Duanqing Peak and arrange your accommodations.”
With that, Gu Qingying took Gong Shangyu’s hand, intending to follow their Master’s instructions and return directly to Duanqing Peak.
But after taking just two steps, her wrist was gently tugged from behind.
Gu Qingying looked back in confusion, only to see Gong Shangyu hadn’t followed but stood rooted to the spot, his peach blossom eyes gazing at her with a half-smile that clearly meant
“Are you an idiot?”
“Sigh… My ‘good Shixiong,’”
Gong Shangyu’s voice was extremely low and lazy, carrying a mocking undertone, “Sometimes I really wonder whether your little head is filled with brains or just rocks.”
Gu Qingying frowned, shaking off her hand, and snapped at Gong Shangyu, “What’s gotten into you now? The paperwork is done—shouldn’t we go back to the peak instead of standing here catching the wind?”
Gong Shangyu tapped her chest lightly with her white jade folding fan as if reminding the other to use her head.
“Didn’t you hear what Master just said? He’s heading to the Merit Hall!”
Gong Shangyu deliberately emphasized those last three words.
Seeing Gu Qingying’s “so what?” expression, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes and continued to prompt her.
“Sigh… Who’s in charge of the Merit Hall? Need me to remind you, you little dummy? It’s our ‘dear’ Shigu, Duan Xueyan herself!”
When she heard “Duan Xueyan,” Gu Qingying’s pupils shrank instantly.
Certain unpleasant memories from her previous life came flooding back.
That Shibo who managed the Merit Hall was not only stunning in appearance but also incredibly skilled.
In their past life, she’d gotten very close to Master Gao Lu, making the disciples privately grind their teeth.
Not just the two of them—even their Eldest Shijie had regarded Duan Xueyan as the number one threat!
Gong Shangyu watched as her junior’s expression shifted, knowing Gu Qingying finally remembered.
She leisurely continued.
“In the last life, she would always use official business as an excuse to discuss important matters with Master—sometimes for over half a day—and she’d always be hugging and clinging to Master…”
“That look—you couldn’t possibly have forgotten, right?”
Gong Shangyu stepped closer, her voice thick with mockery and a faint trace of jealousy.
“Master just returned, travel-worn, carrying the mission documents from Yangzhou and important intel on the Yin Corpse Sect. Once he gets to the Merit Hall, he’ll have to go over everything in detail with Shibo Duan…”
“And then, a man and a woman, alone in one room…”
“You’re really okay with that? Are you honestly just going to wait at Duanqing Peak and do nothing?”
Gu Qingying’s face darkened completely.
Of course she wasn’t okay with it!
In their previous life, Duan Xueyan had been interested in Master, but at that time, Master was fully devoted to the Dao and didn’t reciprocate.
Later, he was even snatched away by Feng Lingshuang.
But in this life, Feng Lingshuang was gone—who knew what changes might occur now?
What if… what if Master was really seduced by that witch and lost his vital energy?
Seeing her junior was tempted, Gong Shangyu struck while the iron was hot.
“Duanqing Peak will always be there, and rules can be followed any time.”
“But as for the Merit Hall… if we get there late, who knows what might happen?”
“We’re Master’s personal disciples—waiting for him at the Merit Hall is perfectly reasonable, isn’t it?”
Gu Qingying bit her lip, determination flashing in her eyes.
Gong Shangyu was right—precaution was key!
She absolutely couldn’t give that witch Duan Xueyan the slightest opportunity!
Master could only stay at Duanqing Peak and be ‘digested’ among his own disciples!
“Mm! Good! Let’s go!”
Gu Qingying made up her mind without hesitation.
“We’re going to the Merit Hall! To find Master!”
A sly smile curved Gong Shangyu’s lips as she snapped her fan.
“Hehe~ That’s more like it, my ‘good Shixiong.’”