Chapter 316: Will You Take an Apprentice? Wan Jianyi

Mount Qingyun, Xiao Zhu Peak.

Lu Xueqi halted before the mountain, turned back to look, and saw mist and clouds stretching endlessly; recalling this journey down the mountain, it felt like a dream.

Kong Sang Mountain was only three thousand li from Qingyun; for a sword immortal, the distance was negligible. Gu Qing and Lu Xueqi broke through and returned in a straight line, encountering no delays along the way—but upon returning to Xiao Zhu Peak, Lu Xueqi felt her inner state had changed.

"Sister."

Before Xiao Zhu Peak, Wen Min stepped out, gazing at Lu Xueqi in her pure white robes and icy countenance, sighed silently, and said: "Master is furious this time."

Wen Min was the eldest disciple of Xiao Zhu Peak, deeply respected by all; now speaking to Lu Xueqi, Lu Xueqi remained silent, following behind Wen Min toward where Master Shuiyue awaited.

Master Shuiyue wore a moon-white robe, her face like frozen frost; after Lu Xueqi arrived, the coldness in her gaze seemed ready to pierce through.

You went down the mountain secretly because of him, didn't you?

Master Shuiyue demanded.

Lu Xueqi had the best talent and highest cultivation; Master Shuiyue held the highest hopes for her—even that she might one day become the head of Xiao Zhu Peak…

But now, Lu Xueqi had entered her rebellious phase.

Lu Xueqi exhaled slightly, recalling the story she and Gu Qing had agreed upon before returning; seeing Wen Min had withdrawn, she said: "He said the Master of Zhanlong Sword greatly admires you."

Master Shuiyue's breath caught; even as she strained to fix her gaze on Lu Xueqi, her vision blurred—her soul trembled too violently for her to accept it.

The Master of Zhanlong Sword admires me?

Master Shuiyue wanted to see where the sun rose.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Master Shuiyue snapped.

How dare anyone joke about Wan Jianyi with her!

"I'm not joking!"

Lu Xueqi affirmed.

How could this not be nonsense? Gu Qing had only just entered the sect—he was barely twenty; how could he know anything about the Master of Zhanlong Sword…

Master Shuiyue's body trembled slightly, her face now filled with shock.

Mount Qingyun, Tongtian Peak.

This was the main peak of Mount Qingyun. Gu Qing arrived here and descended from his swordlight; Tongtian Peak was guarded by the Zhuxian Forbidden Array—flying without permission meant annihilation by the Zhuxian sword qi. Gu Qing now came to report his observations from his descent.

The one who received Gu Qing was Xiao Yicai, the senior disciple of Tongtian Peak.

Sixty years ago, he had ranked first in the Seven Peaks Competition; yet after this entire six-decade span, Xiao Yicai remained at the ninth layer of the Jade Pure realm.

Put simply: Gu Qing could ambush and injure the Ghost King, while the Ghost King could crush Xiao Yicai with a single blow.

So when Gu Qing saw Xiao Yicai, his expression was calm and neutral—not the reverence Qingyun disciples usually showed him; he simply recounted the events selectively.

"In Zhushan City, I met a scholar named Wan Renwang…"

"Turns out that mountain demon was an impostor—all to collect a debt. After I repaid the silver, he returned it to Miss Liu; the beggar she married turned out to be handsome, diligent, literate, and once from a wealthy family—only driven to flee by disaster. Miss Liu clearly had feelings for him long before."

"I also encountered a demon sect member named Qinglong—he was famous, but his skills were mediocre; I broke his arm…"

Xiao Yicai listened to Gu Qing's account, then smiled warmly: "Brother Gu's ability to move freely among demon sect members is extraordinary. But could you describe in detail the appearance and artifacts of those demon sect members?"

Since the matter involved the demon sect, Xiao Yicai had to be serious.

"I have some skill in painting. Bring me ink and brush—I'll draw them for you."

Gu Qing said.

When good deeds were scarce, Gu Qing always invested them in martial arts and internal energy; for most records, he relied on good deeds to memorize. But in the Tang Dynasty Twin Dragons world, Gu Qing replaced Yang Guang and earned widespread acclaim, accumulating much good deed. Then, for over a decade serving his nation and people, when his martial arts reached a plateau, he used good deeds to cultivate artistic talent—in painting, he combined styles from multiple worlds, was the head of the Xiao Wu Sect, and possessed techniques like Xiao Wuxiang Gong—far surpassing Hou Xibai.

When Xiao Yicai heard Gu Qing ask for ink and brush, his brow twitched slightly, then waved his hand, ordering a Tongtian Peak disciple to prepare them, and led Gu Qing into the Quiet Hall so he could draw.

Gu Qing picked up the ink brush, fixed his gaze, and began drawing Wan Renwang first. Xiao Yicai watched silently at first, but when he saw the figure emerge from Gu Qing's brush as if crumpled and shoved onto paper, he froze—such brushwork was rare even in the cultivation world.

Gu Qing drew three portraits, then complained of aching wrists and drained energy, unable to continue. Xiao Yicai looked outside—the sky had darkened. He arranged lodging for Gu Qing on Tongtian Peak.

"Brother Gu."

Xiao Yicai held the drawings and asked again: "In Kong Sang Mountain, were there truly thirty or so demon sect members attacking you together?"

"Of course!"

Gu Qing affirmed.

After confirming the information "demon sect members active in Kong Sang Mountain," Xiao Yicai asked: "Brother Gu, with so many demon sect members surrounding you, how did you escape?"

In Gu Qing's description, the demonic flames glowed like phosphorescence, spreading across the sky—not ordinary demon sect members.

Judged by Qingyun's cultivation methods, these individuals were at least at the fourth layer of Taiji Qingqing Dao—already elite within the sect.

"They were too weak."

Gu Qing said.

Xiao Yicai shook his head slightly. Even he dared not claim he could escape such an ambush so easily. But before he could voice his doubt, he met Gu Qing's unwavering gaze—and fell silent.

Xiao Yicai was certain: if he said he couldn't escape, Gu Qing's next words would be: "Then you're weak too."

But Xiao Yicai couldn't understand—where did Gu Qing get such a master's gaze?

Where did his confidence come from?

Xiao Yicai took the drawings and left. As for Kong Sang Mountain, he would collect all the portraits before reporting to Daoxuan. As for Gu Qing, Xiao Yicai ordered disciples to host him, arranging food and lodging on Tongtian Peak.

Gu Qing stretched, gazing at the scenery of Tongtian Peak—its towering height drew it close to the stars. As he wandered casually, nodding to Tongtian Peak disciples he met, he found himself unknowingly heading toward Qingyun's rear mountains, the Ancestral Hall.

The Ancestral Hall was always quiet, rarely visited. A hundred years ago, Tian Buri and Su Ru had come here to meet in secret; now, Gu Qing strolled here undisturbed.

The Zhanlong Sword hummed faintly.

Gu Qing walked into the Ancestral Hall, before an ancient, weathered elder.

"Will you take an apprentice?"

Gu Qing asked calmly.

I'll take you flying.

(End of Chapter)