Did not know what Elder Yu was thinking.
After exchanging pleasantries at the courtyard gate, or rather, after a one-sided urging for more updates, Yu Wenqiu reluctantly bid farewell.
Before leaving, her usually lazy phoenix eyes stared intently at Gu Chengming, her tone as solemn as if she were entrusting him with some sect secret:
"Once it's written, make sure to bring it to me for review immediately. Remember, remember!"
Gu Chengming smiled and nodded, watching as the elder transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the sky.
...........................................................................
In the days that followed, Gu Chengming's life once again returned to the monotonous yet fulfilling "three points and one line" routine.
Practicing swordplay in the morning, body refining in the afternoon, and writing late into the night.
However, recently, Gu Chengming occasionally had a strange illusion.
As if someone was peeking at him.
The feeling was very faint, almost imperceptible.
It wasn't a malicious lock-on, but a subtle, intermittent gaze, initially during sword practice, and later during body refining.
"Is it an illusion?"
Gu Chengming stopped, his brows slightly furrowed. It was quiet all around, with only a few birds flying past the branches, emitting crisp chirps.
After searching in vain, Gu Chengming didn't think much of it.
However, what he didn't know was that a hundred zhang away from his small courtyard, deep within the canopy of a towering ancient tree, hidden among layers of branches and leaves.
An old man wearing a tattered bamboo hat, dressed in patched coarse linen clothes, with a dark red wine gourd hanging from his waist, was leaning against the tree trunk, perfectly blending into the night.
The old man picked up the wine gourd and took a swig, a hint of surprise flashing in his cloudy old eyes.
"Eh?"
He smacked his lips, savoring the spiciness of the cheap liquor, his gaze never leaving the small courtyard.
"This kid... he can actually sense me?"
Although he hadn't deliberately used any profound concealment techniques, it was certainly not something a mere junior of the first realm could perceive.
The moment that kid turned his head, it was clearly by some instinctive intuition.
"Interesting."
This intuition didn't come from divine sense; it was more like it came from... the sword.
"Could it be Jianxin Tongming?"
Jianxin Tongming, as it's called, is a state of extreme alertness to all anomalies, possessing a direct intuition in the Way of the Sword.
Although the old man wasn't sure if Gu Chengming had Jianxin Tongming, he secretly thought that this time, he might have truly stumbled upon a great treasure.
In fact, if he wanted to approach Gu Chengming, he could have revealed himself long ago.
The reason for his delay was, on one hand, to observe the kid's character.
After all, talent is one thing, and character is another. If he were someone with ill intentions, no matter how high his talent, he wouldn't spare him a second glance.
On the other hand, he was wary of those old fellows in the Wenjian Sect.
He was an outsider, after all. If he rashly approached a disciple, it could easily cause fluctuations in the sect's grand array or be noticed by those elders who were idle all day.
He had to wait for an opportunity...
The old man's gaze turned towards the direction of Wenjian Sect's main peak.
"When the Sect Disciple Grand Examination starts in a few days, the sect's grand array will be active, there will be many people and distractions, and those old fellows will be busy vying for good prospects... That will be the best time to make a move."
However, he also felt a sense of urgency.
A few days ago, he had personally seen a young sword cultivator in a green robe come to find this kid.
Although that person had disguised himself and suppressed his cultivation, the old man saw through it at a glance, recognizing him as a third realm elder.
"That green-robed kid was beaming when he left, probably having probed something out."
The old man sighed and took another swig of wine.
"It seems this unpolished jade isn't truly too deeply covered in dust; people are already starting to notice it. I need to hurry, or if this duck flies away from my mouth, it'll be a huge loss."
........................................................................
About a week passed.
That afternoon, as the last stroke fell, Gu Chengming let out a long breath and placed the brush on the pen holder.
The second part of the storybook was finally finished.
Almost the instant he stopped writing, the familiar panel popped up in his mind again, accompanied by a pleasant notification sound.
【Qingxin Art observed your entire creative process and expressed great appreciation for the plot regarding "inner demons and true self" in this volume.】
【It believes your description of the mental state touches upon a certain essence; though your writing skill is still shallow, the concept is profound.】
【Current Favorability: 30 (Friendly) 】
【Congratulations! Your relationship with "Qingxin Art" has been upgraded from "Stranger" to "Friendly".】
【Reward obtained: Spirit +2】
【Spirit attribute increased: 12 -> 14】
【Status obtained: Clear Mind (Permanent Passive) 】
Gu Chengming felt a soft "buzz" in his mind.
An extremely cool current instantly swept through his entire body, and his brain, which had been somewhat hazy from continuous writing, became clearer than ever before.
He glanced at the attribute panel.
【Spirit: 14 (Clear Mind: Agile thinking, increased resistance to illusions and mental attacks, improved efficiency in comprehending cultivation methods) 】
Gu Chengming was a bit surprised.
Huiyuan Sword Manual only rewarded its first status buff at "Admiration", yet Qingxin Art gave a status reward just at "Friendly"?
Looks like it's a rich lady.
In good spirits, Gu Chengming organized the freshly written manuscript into a volume and took this heavy "tribute" to Cangjian Pavilion.
....................................................................
Wenjian Sect, Cangjian Pavilion.
Behind the counter, Yu Wenqiu was idly twirling a jade slip in her hand. As if sensing something, she immediately looked up, her eyes shining.
"Gu..."
She was about to speak but, mindful of other disciples around, she forcefully suppressed her excitement. Only her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her inner agitation.
Gu Chengming understood, walked forward, and subtly patted his chest, indicating that he had brought the item.
"Cough."
Yu Wenqiu cleared her throat, stood up, and said to a female disciple who was engrossed in organizing scrolls nearby:
"Xiao Lan, I'll leave this to you for now. I have some... important matters to discuss in detail with this disciple at my cave dwelling."
The female disciple named Xiao Lan looked up, revealing a delicate face with a hint of resentment.
She glanced at Yu Wenqiu, then at Gu Chengming, her eyes full of the accusation, "Elder, you're skipping work again."
But constrained by the elder's authority, she could only nod reluctantly:
"Yes, Elder."
Gu Chengming was a bit surprised.
When he couldn't find Yu Wenqiu before, it seemed this female disciple was also filling in?
It seems this is the legendary "personal tool".
Gu Chengming gave her a sympathetic look, then followed the impatient Yu Wenqiu out of Cangjian Pavilion.
....................................................................
The bamboo forest opened up, leading to the same spot Gu Chengming had visited last time.
As soon as they entered, the restriction activated.
Yu Wenqiu immediately dropped her elder's demeanor, turned, extended her hand, and said:
"Give it!"
Gu Chengming didn't hesitate, taking out the still ink-scented storybook from his embrace and handing it over.
Yu Wenqiu snatched it, carefully stroked the cover, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.
However, she didn't immediately open it to read.
After all, as an elder, having received something from a junior, she ought to show some appreciation.
She put away the storybook, turned to Gu Chengming, and as if remembering something, spoke:
"Oh, right, Xiao Gu."
"The sect's disciple assessment is in a few days. I see you've been cultivating quite diligently recently, presumably for this."
She paused, then said casually:
"If you have any shortages in cultivation resources, just tell me. Although I don't particularly enjoy fighting, I do have quite a lot of accumulated miscellaneous items in this cave dwelling."
This was indeed true.
As an elder, her annual stipend was already generous. Coupled with the fact that she was a homebody who disliked going out for training and didn't consume many resources, her personal treasury was quite abundant.
Gu Chengming understood.
He naturally wouldn't be polite; being polite at a time like this would be detrimental to his own future.
So, he cupped his hands in a salute and said bluntly:
"Many thanks for Elder's generosity. This disciple is currently cultivating "Hundred Bones Resonating" and indeed urgently needs some body-refining ointments to aid in tempering muscles and bones."
"Body-refining ointment?"
Yu Wenqiu thought for a moment, then casually swiped her hand over the storage bag at her waist.
With a flash of light, an exquisite small white jade bottle appeared in her hand.
"Here."
She casually tossed the jade bottle to Gu Chengming, as if throwing a worthless trinket.
"This is 'Spiritual Rhinoceros Bone Tempering Dew'. It's refined using the bone marrow of a third realm demonic beast, the 'Spiritual Rhinoceros Beast', as the main ingredient."
"This item has mild medicinal properties and is remarkably effective for cultivators in tempering bones, not only strengthening bone quality but also repairing hidden injuries."
Gu Chengming caught the jade bottle, feeling a slight weight in his palm.
Pulling out the stopper, a rich medicinal fragrance instantly wafted forth. Just by smelling it, he felt his entire skeletal system subtly warm up.
He was greatly astonished.
Bone marrow of a third realm demonic beast?!
This was considered elder-level material; in an outside market, this small bottle could probably fetch a sky-high price!
This Elder Yu is truly wealthy and unfathomable!
"Many thanks for Elder Yu's bestowal!"
Gu Chengming quickly capped the bottle and thanked her solemnly.
Yu Wenqiu, however, waved her hand indifferently, her gaze already drifting towards the storybook in her sleeve.
"Alright, alright, it's just a small trinket."
"But remember, although its medicinal properties are mild, its grade is not low. When you use it, apply it in small amounts multiple times, diluted with water. Don't be greedy and overdo it, or you might harm your body."
After giving this instruction, she waved her hand:
"Alright, the item has been given, and the words have been said. If there's nothing else, you should go back and cultivate diligently, strive for a good ranking in the Grand Examination."
Gu Chengming understood that the elder was eager to enjoy the galgame by herself.
He smiled knowingly, cupped his hands in thanks again:
"Then this disciple shall not disturb Elder's cultivation."
With that, he turned and exited the cave dwelling.
As the cave dwelling's door slowly closed, Gu Chengming touched the warm jade bottle in his embrace.
With this bottle of "Spiritual Rhinoceros Bone Tempering Dew", Hundred Bones Resonating should be able to reach the introductory stage, right?
Rate on N.U.
