The night wind was slightly cool, but the atmosphere in the small courtyard was somewhat frozen.
Well, explaining was actually a bit difficult.
"Ahem."
Gu Chengming's thoughts raced, but he forced himself to remain calm on the surface, cupping his hands as he said:
"The two elders have misunderstood; what I was practicing just now was 'Hundred Bones Resonating'."
Ren Wencai and Zhao Wuji exchanged a look.
Although this body-tempering technique was obscure, it was no secret within the sect.
It emphasized using the body as a furnace and having the hundred bones resonate together. Although the process was difficult, they had never seen such a wicked way of practicing it.
Seeing that the two elders still didn't speak, Gu Chengming braced himself and began to talk nonsense:
"I have been practicing this method for the past few days and suddenly felt the true intent contained within it. That true intent is fierce and indestructible, as if it wants to break through the shackles of heaven and earth and sweep across the eight desolations and six directions."
Gu Chengming ignored the commentary in his head and continued to speak solemnly:
"However, I am dull-witted. Although I can sense its intent, I have never been able to resonate with it, leading to slow progress in my cultivation. After much deliberation, I thought of a remedy."
Zhao Wuji frowned slightly: "What kind of remedy?"
Gu Chengming told the two elders to stay calm for a moment and then ran back to the study.
Inside the study, the candlelight flickered, and the desk was piled with messy papers.
He pretended to rummage through them, but in reality, he was calming his heartbeat. Then, he grabbed the stack of "waste drafts" he had prepared long ago to pass the time.
Returning to the courtyard, he pulled out a stack of drafts filled with writing and handed them to the two elders while speaking:
"In my spare time, I enjoy writing some... er, storybooks. The protagonists in these stories are often those who go through hardships and eventually become invincible in the world.
"I had a sudden inspiration: if I were to step into the state of mind of such a character and recite their heroic words, could I resonate with that domineering true intent?"
"So just now, I gave it a try. I didn't expect... the effect to be surprisingly good. I was just too immersed and lost myself for a moment, disturbing the two elders. It is truly my sin."
Ren Wencai took the stack of drafts and scanned them by the moonlight.
At the peak of immortality, looking down upon the world... When yin and yang are in chaos, I shall stain the heavens with my demonic blood!
Ren Wencai: "."
Zhao Wuji: "."
To fit the domineering intent of the technique by playing a role from a storybook to find resonance in the state of mind.
Although this sounded a bit ridiculous, in the cultivation world, there were many people who performed various strange actions for the sake of enlightenment.
The reason was self-consistent, and seeing Gu Chengming's clear expression and logical speech, he didn't look like someone who had suffered a cultivation deviation.
"So that's how it is."
Ren Wencai let out a long sigh of relief and handed the drafts back to Gu Chengming:
"Your method of enlightenment... though a bit unconventional, you must remember not to become obsessed with it and lose track of reality."
Although Zhao Wuji still had some doubts in his heart, he couldn't find any flaws, so he could only nod:
"Since it is required for cultivation, then so be it. Just don't make loud noises in the middle of the night in the future to avoid misunderstandings."
With the misunderstanding resolved, the atmosphere eased considerably.
Just then, Ren Wencai seemed to remember something and asked casually: "This storybook of yours... did you only write these?"
Gu Chengming was stunned and subconsciously replied: "There are some finished manuscripts that I gave to Elder Yu before."
"Elder Yu?"
"Elder Yu?" Ren Wencai paused, his tone becoming a bit subtle: "Which Elder Yu?"
"Elder Yu Wenqiu of the Cangjian Pavilion."
As soon as these words were spoken, Ren Wencai's expression instantly became extremely colorful.
He was first shocked, then helpless, and finally, it turned into a deep worry. He held it in for a long while before saying earnestly:
"Chengming, in the future, if there's nothing important, try to have as little contact with Elder Yu as possible."
Gu Chengming: "?"
Looking at Ren Wencai's hesitant expression, as if he were saying "don't play with that bad kid," Gu Chengming also felt a bit of subtlety in his heart.
Elder Yu, just how bad is your reputation in the sect?
"I have noted it," Gu Chengming replied obediently.
Since the matter had been cleared up, it wasn't convenient for the two elders to stay long.
Ren Wencai gave a few more instructions on cultivation matters, and Zhao Wuji also used the matter of the grand competition rankings to awkwardly praise Gu Chengming for being "firm in his dao heart" and "not arrogant or impetuous" before taking his leave.
However, after leaving the small courtyard for a distance, Ren Wencai suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhao Wuji.
"Something's not right."
Zhao Wuji's heart skipped a beat: "What's not right?"
He thought Ren Wencai had noticed something from Gu Chengming's performance just now.
Instead, Ren Wencai narrowed his eyes and said with a fake smile:
"Why were you wandering around outside my Outer Sect disciple's residence in the middle of the night?"
Zhao Wuji: "."
He opened his mouth, unable to find a reason for a moment.
"Senior Brother Ren, I..."
"Enough, don't explain! I understand everything!"
Ren Wencai snorted coldly and walked away with a flick of his sleeves:
"The next time I catch you sneaking around to find Chengming, don't blame me for reporting you to the Sect Leader Senior Brother!"
Looking at Ren Wencai's indignant back, Zhao Wuji stood in the night wind, feeling unable to defend himself and extremely aggrieved.
After sending off the two elders, Gu Chengming closed the courtyard door and slumped into a chair.
He rubbed his brow, his heart full of helplessness.
Although he had fooled them this time, if he had to enter that shameful "Emperor" mode every time he activated the "Primal Emperor Art" in the future, he would eventually suffer social death in front of the entire sect.
And those "sweeping through eternity" lines—reciting them once or twice was fine, but who could stand reciting them every day?
"Emperor Bai," Gu Chengming called out.
"Hundred Bones Resonating: What are Emperor Gu's orders?"
"This 'Emperor' state... is there really no way to deactivate it? Or at least restrain it a bit?"
In the sea of consciousness, Hundred Bones Resonating fell silent.
After a long while, it let out a faint sigh.
"Hundred Bones Resonating said, alas, Emperor Gu, why should a true powerhouse care about the gaze of ants?"
"But since you are so persistent... fine, I shall deduce it for you to see if I can improve this method."
As soon as the words fell, a prompt jumped out.
"Hundred Bones Resonating has entered a state of comprehension."
"Holy crap!"
Gu Chengming's eyes lit up, his heart filled with joy.
Old Bai, if nothing else, you're truly reliable when things happen.
About fifteen minutes later.
A flash of light appeared in the sea of consciousness, and a new prompt arrived as scheduled.
"CG State Updated"
"Hundred Bones Resonating CG / Primal Emperor Art (Improved Version): Derived from Hundred Bones Resonating's experiences in the illusion and its extreme obsession with "destruction and rebirth," subsequently optimized by Hundred Bones Resonating for specific needs."
"Effect (Active): Can be activated in two stages."
"Stage One: The host receives the blessing of "Primal Emperor Qi." During this period, physical defense increases by 30%, and the special state "Weak Emperor" is obtained, with a significantly extended duration."
"Stage Two: Physical defense increases by double, and the special state "Emperor"."
"Duration: 40 minutes (Stage One can be extended to 1 hour)"
"Cooldown: 2 days (Shortens as CG unlock progress increases)"
"Current Unlock Progress: 30%"
You're awesome, Emperor Bai.
Gu Chengming looked at the brand-new attribute panel.
Although the defense bonus in Stage One was a bit less, it was superior in its duration, and the speech wasn't as arrogant anymore; it was completely sufficient for auxiliary cultivation or handling general battles.
The most direct point was that after activating the Primal Emperor Art, Gu Chengming's self-reference changed from "This Seat" to "I", although the tone was still a bit... arrogant, it was within the range of a normal person.
In the following days, Gu Chengming's life finally returned to peace.
He would find a time when no one was around every day to activate Stage One of the "Primal Emperor Art". Although the speed of unlocking the CG was slower than directly activating Stage Two, it was safe and hidden.
Finally, on a morning a few days later.
With a slight crisp sound inside his body, the bottleneck that had troubled him for a long time was easily punctured like thin paper.
Spiritual energy was like a trickling stream, flowing into the dantian's sea of qi, several times thicker than before.
First Realm, Sixth Level, achieved.
Daoning Gate, Jingshui Pavilion.
The afternoon sunlight spilled into the pavilion through the gaps in the bamboo blinds, illuminating the floating dust in the air.
You Yuyao was kneeling at the table, holding a pure white silk handkerchief, carefully wiping the long sword in her hand named "Autumn Water."
After wiping the blade, she took out a bottle of sword oil that emitted a clear fragrance and applied it bit by bit to the edge.
Having done all this, she sheathed the long sword, placed it at the top of the sword rack, then took a deep breath and began to circulate the Jingshui Pavilion's heart method.
Since her defeat at the training ground that day, her mind had been in a state of confusion.
Was it a disgrace?
Naturally, it was a disgrace.
As an inner sect disciple of Daoning Gate, practicing the exquisite "Flowing Cloud Sword Art," she had been beaten by someone using the most basic introductory sword technique to the point of having no power to fight back, and she had even cried in public at the end.
During those few days, she didn't even dare to step out of her door.
But as time passed, that initial shame and grievance gradually receded, replaced by an indescribably complex emotion.
She lost, so she lost.
Her skills were inferior to his; there was nothing to defend.
Especially when the news of Gu Chengming ranking seventh in the grand competition arrived, You Yuyao's last bit of "the opponent was just lucky" fluke in her heart was completely shattered.
She had always prided herself on protecting Senior Sister Su's reputation, but looking back, she had provoked a fellow disciple she had never met for no reason, using harsh words and acting recklessly. How was this protecting her senior sister? She was clearly blackening the name of Daoning Gate.
A loss was a loss; being inferior in skill wasn't scary, what was scary was being a sore loser.
Since she had done something wrong, she had to admit it.
You Yuyao bit her lip; although she was arrogant, she was not unreasonable.
Since she realized her own narrow-mindedness and prejudice, she couldn't pretend nothing had happened. She had to go and explain things clearly to the other party.
And this debt wasn't settled yet! Last time, she had lost so miserably because she had underestimated the enemy and her mental state was out of balance.
This time, an apology was an apology, but she would reclaim her dignity sooner or later!
Having made up her mind, You Yuyao stood up abruptly and tidied her clothes.
But after walking just a few steps out of Jingshui Pavilion, she was stumped.
Where did Gu Chengming live?
Before, she was only focused on looking for trouble and hadn't thought about this at all.
After thinking it over, she thought of one person—Jiang Lu.
After several turns, You Yuyao finally found Jiang Lu at a tea stall in the market city.
"Junior Brother Jiang."
You Yuyao walked forward, trying to make her voice sound as peaceful as possible, although her Daoning Gate robe still made the surrounding disciples subconsciously shrink their necks.
Jiang Lu was in the middle of a lively talk when he suddenly heard someone calling him. He turned around and almost threw the teacup in his hand.
That battle at the training ground last time was still fresh in Jiang Lu's memory.
Could it be that she couldn't accept the loss and wanted to seek revenge on Senior Brother Gu?
"Senior Sister You?" Jiang Lu swallowed hard. "I wonder what business Senior Sister has with me?"
You Yuyao didn't waste words and went straight to the point: "I want to know Gu Chengming's residence."
Jiang Lu's heart skipped a beat, thinking she was indeed here for revenge. His eyes rolled as he prepared to laugh it off and protect Senior Brother Gu's safety.
But then he heard You Yuyao continue: "The matter last time was my recklessness. Today I want to visit and apologize, and by the way, give him another challenge letter."
"An apology?"
Jiang Lu was stunned; he suspected he had misheard.
This proud Senior Sister You was actually going to apologize in person?
He carefully observed You Yuyao's expression and saw that her gaze was clear, the hostility from before gone, replaced by a sense of openness.
Jiang Lu was instantly overjoyed.
This was a great thing!
He had been worried before that although Senior Brother Gu won the match, he had also offended Daoning Gate thoroughly, and Senior Brother Gu would likely face a lot of trouble in the sect in the future.
Now that You Yuyao was willing to lower her head, then it was better to resolve the enmity than to keep it. This was a perfect opportunity to turn hostility into friendship.
"So that's it! Senior Sister is truly noble!"
Jiang Lu immediately became active and said: "Senior Brother Gu's residence is remote and not easy to find. Why don't I personally lead Senior Sister there?"
You Yuyao nodded, her expression softening slightly: "Then I shall trouble Junior Brother Jiang."
"No trouble at all, Senior Sister, this way please!"
Jiang Lu led the way attentively, but in his heart, he was calculating how to help these two smooth things over when they met later, ideally letting Senior Brother Gu show his expert demeanor again to completely settle this matter.
The two of them, one after the other, passed through the market city and followed the winding mountain path toward the remote small courtyard where Gu Chengming was located.
The sun was setting, and a few streaks of brilliant sunset glow remained in the sky, dyeing Gu Chengming's small courtyard with a faint golden-red layer.
Gu Chengming sat upright at the stone table, his back straight, his hands resting casually on his knees, naturally exuding a sense of pressure.
This was his daily routine for practicing the "Primal Emperor Art." At this moment, he was in the Stage One "Weak Emperor" state.
The Weak Emperor state wasn't as authoritative as the Emperor state, but it also wasn't as inhuman.
Generally speaking, although he had activated the CG of the Primal Emperor Art, the current Gu Chengming was still half a normal person.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The courtyard door was knocked, the sound urgent and powerful.
Before Gu Chengming could respond, the wooden door, which was already somewhat dilapidated, was pushed open by someone.
You Yuyao strode in, followed by Jiang Lu.
The girl was still in the pale green disciple uniform of Daoning Gate, carrying a long sword on her back, her brows carrying her usual arrogance and assertiveness.
Although she came with the intention of apologizing, the pride she had grown up with made her look more like she was there to demand answers.
She entered the courtyard, her gaze immediately locking onto the back sitting at the stone table, her footsteps pausing slightly before quickening again.
"Gu Chengming, it's good that you're here."
You Yuyao's gaze swept across the courtyard, and seeing Gu Chengming sitting motionless, her brows furrowed imperceptibly, but she said nothing and walked directly to the other side of the stone table.
Gu Chengming's heart skipped a beat.
Oh no.
This state hasn't ended yet.
Normally, he would definitely stand up and exchange a few pleasantries or find an excuse to send them away.
But now...
He could feel that power called "Emperor Qi" surging through his body. Although it wasn't as domineering as Stage Two, it still greatly affected his state of mind.
If he spoke to drive them away, saying something like "How dare an ant step into my forbidden land" or something similar, then today's matter would truly be impossible to resolve.
Jiang Lu keenly sensed that vague pressure emanating from Gu Chengming.
Although Senior Brother Gu didn't speak much on normal days, he always gave off a gentle and restrained feeling.
But today... why did it feel like Senior Brother Gu just sitting there made people feel a bit breathless.
"Senior Brother Gu, Senior Sister You came today specifically to..." Jiang Lu tried to warm up the atmosphere.
Gu Chengming didn't speak, only nodding slightly as a response.
Jiang Lu: "..."
You Yuyao didn't mind these details.
She took a deep breath, trying to make herself look less awkward.
After all, it was her first time apologizing to someone, and the target was someone she had previously looked down upon in every way, which made her feel a bit at a loss.
The polite words she had prepared beforehand simply wouldn't come out when they reached her lips.
So, to hide her embarrassment, she simply plopped down on the stone stool and picked up the wine jug that Jiang Lu had brought along.
"About what happened before, I was in the wrong."
She spoke while filling the empty bowl in front of her with wine, her tone a bit stiff, and she didn't dare to look at Gu Chengming, only staring at the swaying liquid:
"I'm not the kind of person who can't handle a loss."
Saying so, she picked up the wine bowl and was about to bring it to her mouth.
However, just then.
Gu Chengming, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
"What is it, Little You."
"Is this wine going to pour itself into my bowl?"
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