Chapter 69

Zhu Qingyan threw herself down a well and died, becoming a ghost who excelled at manipulating moisture, and with considerable cultivation talent, she had already attained formidable power after only thirty years since death, able to match the Rain Consort of the Golden Wind Divine Sect blow for blow.

While Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song occasionally vanished under the pretense of cultivation, Zhu Qingyan grew increasingly close to He Xiuniang, and occasionally helped He Laozhang teach children in the area.

Xiuniang told Zhu Qingyan about Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song, and Zhu Qingyan in turn told Xiuniang stories from her past.

"Young Master told me their lineage's cultivation is unique—performing good deeds to cultivate virtue, eliminating evil to accumulate merit, both aid their cultivation," Xiuniang explained the reason for their visit to Xiuyue County.

"I see—that's indeed a peculiar cultivation method," Zhu Qingyan mused. "And those who cultivate such a path must have gentle hearts."

This also explained why Gu Zhao could instantly tell she had never harmed anyone—those who uphold justice and act for heaven must possess eyes that discern good from evil.

"Yes, yes!" Xiuniang nodded eagerly. "Young Master saved our entire village, brought us food and drink, and even bought timber to build an estate, giving work to many around here."

"Young Lady is also kind—do you think she could cultivate Young Master's Cultivation Art?" Xiuniang asked hopefully.

Zhu Qingyan teased, "Why don't you cultivate yourself?"

"I've formed a bond with Little White—my cultivated magic power carries demonic aura, unsuitable for Young Master's cultivation method," Xiuniang explained seriously.

Zhu Qingyan smiled and asked Xiuniang, "What cultivation method does Young Master Gu practice?"

"Thunder Art!" Xiuniang said as if it were obvious.

"What about Daoist Yan Song?" Zhu Qingyan continued.

"I heard it's called the Great Yi Fire Palace Secret Method—he can spit wind and fire, incredibly powerful!" Xiuniang said with awe.

"Exactly!" Zhu Qingyan pointed to herself. "I'm a ghost—how could I cultivate Thunder Art or Fire Art?"

Xiuniang looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry—I didn't think of that…"

"You're both good people," Zhu Qingyan took Xiuniang's hand. "Too bad I didn't meet you at the right time."

Xiuniang blinked. "Back then, we weren't even born yet, were we?"

Zhu Qingyan, "…"

"Chichi chi!" Bai Ke couldn't help laughing from nearby; seeing Zhu Qingyan turn around, she leapt off the low table. "I'll go check if Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song have returned."

But before she could run out of the small courtyard, she saw Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song returning together, chatting as they walked.

"I approved the initial design—it has a proper immortal flavor. I told them to refine it further and produce detailed construction blueprints, requiring only images and numbers, no simplified characters allowed."

"Good, good—that way He Laozhang can supervise, and old Taoist doesn't need to stay here."

"Materials like blue stone bricks, glazed tiles, red lacquer, mortar, metal fittings, stone carvings—all are being prepared. I've rented another warehouse beside the furniture factory, but manpower…"

"Don't worry about manpower—because the timber mill is buying small-leaf rosewood, He Laozhang has already gathered detailed information on nearby villages and towns, and has arranged with local craftsmen—they can start work on the mountain anytime."

When villagers around learned a master capable of exorcising ghosts and demons would establish a sect on Cuiluo Mountain, they were overjoyed—even without pay, they'd work for free.

"No need to build it all at once—we can construct gradually," Gu Zhao said.

"Of course—your palace has over a hundred buildings, including halls for deities and living quarters—how could it be built easily?"

Daoist Yan Song counted on his fingers. "For now, just build the mountain gate, the Spirit Officer Hall, a few side halls, and residential courtyards—that would be plenty."

"There's another point," Daoist Yan Song changed tone. "Don't forget that although the imperial court no longer controls Changping Prefecture, there's still the Golden Wind Sect here."

"Even if our Daoist sect doesn't compete for incense offerings, we still need temples for the God of Wealth, the God of Literature, the Matchmaker God, the God of Medicine—deities people pray to for fortune, office, love, and safety."

"The Golden Wind Divine King has hundreds of years of cultivation, especially flight—he can fly. My talismans may not be enough," Gu Zhao rubbed his chin. "Besides, Chu Da and the Rain Consort's demonic energy still isn't dense enough to condense a new Thunder Seed."

The Thunder Seed is a treasure capable of activating primordial Qi, enabling one to ascend instantly—without it, Daoist Yan Song, even if he crossed into another world, would have to start cultivation from scratch, slowly and uncertainly; he wouldn't have been able to effortlessly overpower the Rain Consort with Great Yi Taiyi Fenghuo.

"We haven't found a second person the Five Thunder Talisman recognizes—so even if we condense a Thunder Seed, it's useless," Daoist Yan Song shook his head.

"Let's just gather one first," Gu Zhao said. "After I collect one Thunder Seed, I'll go to Longhu Tianshan. Should we return to Yangcheng again?"

"Are you milking the same goat for wool?" Daoist Yan Song sighed. "Didn't He Laozhang say Wuhe County nearly got wiped out by demons decades ago, and still hasn't recovered?"

"True—the demons and monsters in Wuhe County are likely even more numerous than in Xiuyue County!" Gu Zhao struck his palm. "I'll arrange things these few days, then we'll set out."

Gu Zhao shook his head. "It's starting to feel like a game—before fighting a boss, you have to grind little monsters."

"There's more than one boss," Daoist Yan Song added. "There's also Sanjue Mountain and Bi'ang Palace."

Gu Zhao slapped his forehead. "But we only have one life."

"Young Master!"

Seeing Xiuniang and the others approaching, Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song stopped talking, nodded to Zhu Qingyan, and handed the bag to Xiuniang, meeting Bai Ke's expectant gaze. "Five-spice roast chicken."

"Ying ying ying!"

…

After returning from the other world, Gu Zhao opened his phone and saw several unread messages.

Jiang Shishi: @Gu Zhao, Jiang and Xiao Ya passed our interviews!

Jiang Shishi: Let's celebrate!

Xiao Ya: Are you free? Still cultivating? Can you come out?

Now, besides his parents and Zhang Hang, girls were finally reaching out to Gu Zhao on their own.

Since the interviews, Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya had been traveling around Yangcheng, sometimes inviting Gu Zhao along—if he was free, he naturally accepted to enjoy the scenery.

Though he cultivated the Dao and refined his heart, Gu Zhao was still a normal man; two beautiful girls showing interest, he wouldn't be foolish enough to refuse.

Though he knew part of it was due to his display of supernatural power, Jiang Shishi was lively and cheerful, Xiao Ya kind and gentle—Gu Zhao admitted he was mostly attracted by their looks.

But what puzzled him was: Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya were friends—why were both subtly hinting at affection without clarifying, and neither seemed bothered by the other's interest?

If it weren't for Jiang Shishi or Xiao Ya always insisting on paying whenever they went out, Gu Zhao would have thought he was being used as a shared backup option.