Gu Chengming had no idea that Jiang Lu had already labeled him as someone who "lives off a woman while acting tough" in his mind.
After a brief chat, the two parted ways at a fork in the road.
Jiang Lu went to the Training Ground with a heavy heart, while Gu Chengming, clutching the heavy token, headed towards Cangjian Pavilion.
However, when he arrived at Cangjian Pavilion, he found it empty.
Sitting behind the counter was no longer the lazy and aloof Elder Yu, but a young female disciple he hadn't seen before.
Upon asking, he learned that she was temporarily filling in.
As for Elder Yu? She was reportedly feeling unwell and wouldn't be coming today.
"Feeling unwell?"
Gu Chengming wondered inwardly.
Since she wasn't there, Gu Chengming asked about the location of Elder Yu's Cave Dwelling.
After all, it was more appropriate to return the token in person, and it also served as a formal thank you.
The substitute female disciple didn't think much of it, assuming Elder Yu had some important matters to convey, and readily told him the approximate location.
Gu Chengming thanked her and followed the directions, heading towards a secluded bamboo forest in the back mountain.
But this place, to be honest, was quite difficult to find.
All around were lush green bamboo stalks, each looking almost identical. When the wind blew, the bamboo leaves rustled, and there wasn't even a clear landmark.
Moreover, the other party seemed to have set up a highly sophisticated Illusion Array near her Cave Dwelling.
Gu Chengming wandered around the bamboo forest for a long time, feeling like he was just going in circles and getting dizzy.
Just as he was about to give up, the "Yu" token, which he had been holding, suddenly flickered slightly, emitting a soft glow.
Immediately after, the mist before his eyes seemed to be pushed aside by an invisible hand.
The bamboo thicket, which had appeared to be a dead end, suddenly parted on its own, revealing a winding, secluded small path.
"So this token is also a key."
Gu Chengming raised an eyebrow and followed the small path that had appeared out of nowhere.
At the end of the small path, the view suddenly opened up.
A delicate and elegant small courtyard appeared before him.
The courtyard wall was not high, covered in purple wisteria flowers. The courtyard gate was ajar, and Gu Chengming walked up and knocked.
"Knock, knock, knock."
No one answered.
Only a few colorful Spirit Butterflies danced among the flowers.
He knocked a few more times, but still no one responded.
Was she not home?
Gu Chengming hesitated for a moment, then gently pushed the courtyard gate.
The door wasn't locked; it opened with a creak.
The scene in the courtyard was fully revealed.
Under the huge old pagoda tree in the courtyard, a comfortable wicker hammock was hung.
And on that hammock, a purple figure lay prone.
Yu Wenqiu had shed her usual somewhat dignified Elder's Robe, wearing only a loose, soft, light purple long dress. Her waterfall-like black hair was not tied up, but casually spread over her shoulders and the hammock, with a few strands playfully dangling by her cheeks.
She wasn't sleeping.
Instead, she was wiggling her two smooth, fair little feet in the air, holding a thick book in her hands, reading with great relish.
It seemed she had come across an exciting plot, as she would occasionally let out an uncontrollable, silly chuckle, then roll on the hammock, stretch leisurely, revealing a slender, snow-white waist.
Where was the aloof and proud demeanor of an elder in this appearance?
She was completely like an Internet Addict Girl who didn't want to work and just wanted to stay home reading novels.
She was so engrossed in her reading, completely immersed in the world of the book, that she didn't realize Gu Chengming had already pushed the door open and entered.
Gu Chengming stood at the doorway, cleared his throat, and spoke to remind her:
"Cough, cough... Elder Yu?"
No response.
The person on the hammock was still giggling.
Gu Chengming raised his voice: "Elder Yu!"
Still no reaction.
Helpless, Gu Chengming had to speak a little louder: "Elder Yu Wenqiu!"
"Ah!"
This finally had an effect.
The person on the hammock jolted as if a cat's tail had been stepped on, the book in her hand flew out, and she nearly fell off the hammock.
Yu Wenqiu sat up in a panic, her hair disheveled, looking bewildered at Gu Chengming standing at the doorway.
How could there be someone here?!
The formation outside her Cave Dwelling was a top-tier Illusion Array she had paid a Formation Master a fortune to set up!
Normally, even other elders trying to find her couldn't locate the entrance without a Sound Transmission Talisman.
That's why she dared to "let loose" so confidently in the courtyard.
But this guy... how did he get in?!
Her gaze subconsciously fell on the token in Gu Chengming's hand, which was still glowing faintly.
Oh.
She remembered.
That was her private token, possessing the highest authority to bypass the Cave Dwelling's formation.
She reacted extremely quickly, adjusting her demeanor almost instantly.
She hastily tidied her hair, then sat upright, adopting her usual aloof and indifferent expression.
With a swift wave of her right hand, the Storybook that had flown out instantly vanished, stored in her Storage Ring.
Then, she lightly coughed and tried to speak in a steady voice:
"How did you find your way here?"
Although outwardly calm, Yu Wenqiu was inwardly frustrated enough to want to bang her head against a wall.
She had finally found an excuse to skip work and enjoy some wonderful Slacking Off Time at home, but she had forgotten about the token and was caught red-handed!
While reading Storybooks wasn't inherently shameful, it wouldn't sound good if word got out.
And... the one she was just reading was a popular, widely circulated Storybook from the mortal world, depicting the grudges and love of scholars and beauties, even with some content unsuitable for children.
If that were known, could she still be an elder?!
Gu Chengming pretended not to notice her earlier panic, held up the token, and said with a smile:
"Disciple has finished exchanging for a Cultivation Technique and has come specifically to return the token and thank Elder."
Yu Wenqiu breathed a sigh of relief. Good, he was just here to return the token.
She took the token, feigning composure, and asked, "Hmm, since you're here, you might as well tell me, what Cultivation Technique did you choose?"
Gu Chengming honestly replied: "Reporting to Elder, this disciple chose a copy of 'Hundred Bones Resonating'."
"'Hundred Bones Resonating'?"
Yu Wenqiu paused, feeling a little puzzled. Why choose such an obscure Body Refining Technique?
That thing was notoriously masochistic; most people couldn't stick with it.
But her mind was currently preoccupied with how to quickly send him away, so she didn't think much of it, just nodded:
"Hmm, while body refining is arduous, it's beneficial for one's Foundation. Since you've chosen it, you must cultivate diligently and not give up halfway."
With that, she picked up an imaginary teacup, making a gesture to see him out.
They exchanged a few more polite words. Seeing Yu Wenqiu's gaze drift, it was clear she had no interest in continuing the conversation and only wanted to quickly go back to reading.
Gu Chengming suddenly asked:
"By the way, when this disciple presumptuously disturbed you just now, I saw Elder Yu engrossed in reading... May I ask what type of Storybook Elder was reading?"
"!!"
The imaginary teacup in Yu Wenqiu's hand almost fell, and she shot upright, her eyes flickering, stammering a denial:
"You must have seen wrong? I was cultivating a special Cultivation Technique just now!"
This explanation, akin to Protesting Too Much, she didn't even believe herself.
Gu Chengming seemed to have anticipated her reaction and didn't expose her. Instead, he smiled and went along with her words:
"I see, this disciple was mistaken. However..."
He paused, then changed the subject:
"I must still thank Elder Yu for your Righteous Assistance last time. If not for Elder's Generous Contribution, this disciple might not have been able to obtain this Cultivation Technique."
"If Elder Yu wishes to change your mood and read Storybooks for entertainment during your cultivation... this disciple happens to have some Rare Editions that cannot be bought on the market. I can bring them for Elder Yu to appraise then."
"Rare Editions?!"
Yu Wenqiu's eyes instantly lit up at those two words.
One must know that these Mortal Storybooks were easily available in the Mortal World outside Wenjian Sect.
But the problem was, as a sect elder, she normally couldn't find a reason to Descend the Mountain. And such things, she couldn't very well ask disciples to Proxy Purchase for her, as it would ruin her image too much.
Previously, whenever she wanted to "restock," she had to secretly Disguise herself as an ordinary rogue cultivator and quietly sneak down the mountain.
It was not only troublesome but also required constant vigilance against being recognized.
Now, hearing that Gu Chengming actually had "private stash," and even "Rare Editions" unavailable on the market, she immediately became interested, and her earlier embarrassment was thrown Beyond the Highest Heavens.
But soon, she realized her impropriety.
"Cough, cough!"
Yu Wenqiu coughed forcefully a couple of times, trying to salvage some of her elder's dignity.
"Hmm... well, a Cultivation Technique I've been cultivating recently has indeed reached a Bottleneck. I need to Enter the Mortal World, Experience Mortal Tribulations. But this Mortal World's Aura, having lived deep in the mountains for so long, I've long forgotten. I didn't expect that these Mortal Storybooks actually contain such Profound Truths of the Mortal World, which can help me gain some insight."
She glanced at Gu Chengming, pretending to speak casually:
"...If you really have them, you can indeed bring them here. I will reluctantly help you vet them."
Gu Chengming watched her, clearly wanting them but desperately trying to find excuses to hide it.
This Elder Yu was surprisingly easy to read.
He cupped his hands and responded:
"Yes, this disciple understands."
With that, he wisely took his leave, no longer disturbing the elder's "cultivation."
As he walked out of the courtyard, a faint sigh of relief could be heard from behind him, followed by the sound of a heavy object falling back onto the hammock.
Rate on N.U.
