Feng Ya had not yet regained her senses before Gu Chengming's fist arrived.
“Bang!”
A sickening, muffled thud echoed.
Feng Ya felt the world turn upside down instantly. A sensation of shattering erupted at the bridge of her nose, as soreness and sharp pain exploded simultaneously, causing tears to well up uncontrollably.
She instinctively tried to mobilize the spiritual energy within her body to counterattack. However, the moment her spiritual energy rose, an extremely viscous force drilled into her meridians along with the force of Gu Chengming's punch.
【Sword Intent/Entanglement】
Feng Ya found that her second realm spiritual energy, which she usually commanded as easily as her own limbs, was moving at an agonizingly slow pace. Before she could react to this sudden change, Gu Chengming's second and third punches followed in quick succession.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
There was no showing of mercy to the fairer sex, only the purest form of violence.
【Flowing Cloud Following Moon looked at Feng Ya's distorted and deformed face, feeling the long-pent-up frustration in its heart dissipate by more than half.】
【In its view, a sword cultivator who only knew how to bully others using their status was an eyesore; seeing her humiliated like this was simply delightful!】
【Well hit!】
【Flowing Cloud Following Moon Goodwill +5】
【Current Goodwill: 60/Like】
【Goodwill Level Up: Promoted from 【Friendly】 to 【Like】】
【Fixed Attribute Point: Strength +4】
【Current Strength Attribute: 16】
Within a few breaths.
Gu Chengming stopped and straightened his back.
By this time, Feng Ya had long since completely fainted.
Gu Chengming grabbed Feng Ya's back collar with one hand, as if lifting a bag of trash. He strode to the railing of the elegant seating area and tossed her out with a flick of his wrist.
“Whoosh—”
A figure traced a miserable arc through the air, landing heavily in the bushes outside the banquet hall with a dull thud.
Having finished this, Gu Chengming brushed off non-existent dust from his hands and turned back to the table.
In the vast back garden, the attention of hundreds of Night Guards, who had been clinking glasses, now shifted over.
Although these rough men of the Night Guard Division often had arguments after drinking too much—sometimes even pushing or shoving each other as a form of entertainment—they had truly never seen an act of violence like Gu Chengming’s: starting a fight over a single disagreement, and a one-sided, crushing brutality aimed straight at the face.
Most importantly, the one beaten was an inner sect female disciple of the Cloud Moon Sect!
Song Qing’s chopsticks had fallen to the ground at some unknown point.
He looked at Gu Chengming’s calm and composed appearance, feeling his throat go dry, unable to utter a single word.
An Shan and Li Dujiang also never expected that this seemingly gentle colleague would suddenly explode.
Just after this brief silence.
A heavy and hurried sound of footsteps, accompanied by the clanking of armor, came from outside the garden.
“Who is making a ruckus and fighting privately here?!” a majestic roar of anger sounded.
Immediately after, a middle-aged man clad in dark-gold heavy armor with a long saber hanging at his waist strode in.
This man had a square face and an imposing manner, radiating a suffocating fourth realm spiritual pressure. He was another powerful figure in the Night Guard Division—Vice commander Wang.
This Vice commander Wang, Wang Daoling, came from a military background. He was extremely rigid and strict, emphasizing that military orders were as immovable as mountains.
Within the Night Guard Division, aside from Director Zhou, he was the most difficult to talk to and the one who least tolerated rule-breaking. He had been patrolling the front hall when he heard the massive commotion in the back garden. A sweep of his divine sense showed someone being sent flying, and he immediately rushed over in a rage.
Vice commander Wang strode to the “Tianshu” team's table, his gaze like a knife. He first glanced at the unconscious Feng Ya outside the door, then locked his eyes onto Gu Chengming.
“Was it you who did this?”
Vice commander Wang’s voice was low, carrying the pressure of an interrogation.
The surrounding air seemed to freeze at this moment. Song Qing and the others were too scared to even breathe loudly, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.
Gu Chengming, however, remained composed. He set down his wine cup, stood up to straighten his robes, and then gave a salute that was neither humble nor arrogant:
“Reporting to commander Wang, it was indeed this subordinate.”
Vice commander Wang snorted coldly, killing intent swirling in his eyes:
“Today is the welcoming banquet. As a Night Guard, you dare to beat a colleague in broad daylight? Do the rules of the Night Guard Division mean nothing to you?”
Facing this heavy accusation, Gu Chengming did not panic.
“This subordinate acted precisely to uphold the rules of the Night Guard Division and to defend the laws of Daqian.”
“Oh?” Vice commander Wang laughed out of extreme anger. “Beating someone is upholding the rules? You’d better give me a proper explanation. If you’re just making excuses, I will not show mercy today!”
Gu Chengming’s expression turned solemn as he declared loudly:
“Feng Ya, as a Night Guard invited to the banquet, arrived more than half an hour late. Furthermore, she sat down without announcing herself, showing no respect to her comrades—this is a lack of etiquette. The Night Guard Division values strict discipline, yet she treated her superiors as nothing—this is a lack of discipline.”
“To punish without first teaching is called tyranny; to teach without improvement is called villainy. Only by taking action can we rectify the atmosphere and clarify the law!”
Vice commander Wang was stunned. He had initially thought this was just a hotheaded youth acting out, but he hadn't expected this explanation to suit his tastes so perfectly.
He was a man who cared deeply about rules and had always disliked those troublemakers who acted arrogantly within the division based on their sect backgrounds.
He had already heard of Feng Ya’s behavior and was quite displeased with it.
Now, although Gu Chengming’s words were meant to excuse himself, they hit Vice commander Wang’s sweet spot perfectly.
“This kid... is actually quite interesting.”
The anger in Vice commander Wang’s heart dissipated by more than half, and a trace of imperceptible appreciation even appeared in his eyes as he looked at Gu Chengming.
He was someone who understood the rules and had backbone.
But...
Appreciation was one thing; rules were rules.
“Be that as it may, private fighting is ultimately inappropriate.” Vice commander Wang pondered for a moment and said with a stern face:
“Even if she was at fault first, you should have reported it to the Enforcement Hall for the division to handle, rather than taking the law into your own hands. If everyone acted like you, wouldn't the Night Guard Division fall into chaos?”
He calculated in his heart that while Gu Chengming was in the right, his methods were indeed too extreme. If Director Zhou found out, she might think this youth acted too recklessly and lacked decorum.
To protect the boy and the division's face, it would be better to impose a minor punishment to settle the matter.
“Considering this is your first offense and there was a reason...”
Vice commander Wang was about to announce a light penalty, such as drinking three cups of wine as a fine or a two-day confinement. Just then.
“What's going on here?”
A voice came from behind the crowd.
Vice commander Liu squeezed in. He had been drinking happily at the next table when he heard from his subordinates that something had happened with Gu Chengming, and he rushed over in a hurry.
This was a potential talent he had his eye on. If the boy was disciplined by 'Black-faced Wang' right after joining, where would his face as a Vice commander go?
Vice commander Liu stepped forward quickly, blocking Gu Chengming and cupping his hands with a smile toward Vice commander Wang:
“A misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding! Young people have a bit of a temper; it’s normal. Besides, you know exactly what that Cloud Moon Sect girl is usually like. Chengming was just helping us clean up the atmosphere!”
Vice commander Wang looked at Vice commander Liu’s protective stance, feeling both annoyed and amused. He hadn't intended to pursue it deeply anyway; why did Old Liu have to come and join the fuss?
It made it look like he was some kind of heartless, cruel official.
“Fine, fine, stop acting for me.”
Vice commander Wang waved his hand dismissively:
“I didn't say I was going to do anything to him. Since you're here, you deal with this mess.”
Having said that, he looked at Gu Chengming and nodded slightly in approval. Then he turned to the guards behind him and ordered:
“Go, take that one outside... carry her back and find a medic to look at her.”
“Yes!”
With Vice commander Wang’s departure, the storm temporarily subsided.
Meanwhile.
Deep within the Night Guard Division, in the place where Director Zhou usually worked and cultivated.
Inside a quiet room, the furnishings were extremely simple.
On a large pearwood desk, scrolls and jade slips were piled as high as mountains. On the surrounding walls hung the Great Qian maps, densely marked with demon infestations and mysterious cases, the red ink annotations startling to the eye.
Before the desk sat a slightly weary figure, her face unadorned yet still peerlessly elegant.
The Director of the Great Qian Night Guard Division, Zhou Qingmu.
She had just finished processing a batch of urgent military reports from the Northern Border.
Demon tide movements, border emergencies, and the secret power struggles within the capital had kept her from closing her eyes for several months.
She had originally intended to make an appearance at today's welcoming banquet, but this sudden military intelligence forced her to delay her plans.
“Director.”
A thin, middle-aged counselor in gray robes appeared silently at the door, holding a newly delivered briefing:
“There was a small incident at the welcoming banquet.”
Zhou Qingmu rubbed her brow. “If someone got drunk and made trouble, just handle it according to the law; no need to report to me.”
“It wasn't exactly making trouble...”
The counselor hesitated for a moment before reporting truthfully:
“It was the newly recruited Wenjian Sect disciple, Gu Chengming, who had a conflict with Feng Ya of the Cloud Moon Sect.”
“Gu Chengming knocked Feng Ya unconscious in public and threw her out of the banquet.”
The red brush in Zhou Qingmu’s hand paused slightly, and her brows furrowed.
A private fight? At such an occasion?
Was this Wenjian Sect disciple also an arrogant fool relying on his background?
A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes as she was about to speak in reprimand.
But the counselor continued:
“However... when Vice commander Wang went to hold him accountable afterward, Gu Chengming’s defense was quite interesting.”
“Oh?”
“He said...” The counselor cleared his throat and repeated Gu Chengming’s speech about etiquette, hierarchy, and the law word for word.
As the counselor narrated, Zhou Qingmu’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
When she heard the line about “undisciplined, disrespectful, and rude individuals breaking the rules of the Night Guard Division,” the red brush in her hand dropped lightly, leaving a bright red ink dot on the desk.
“Good.”
Zhou Qingmu softly uttered a single word, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly into a very faint but extremely satisfied arc.
“That Feng Ya... is she from the Cloud Moon Sect?” she asked.
“Indeed,” the counselor nodded.
“Not bad.”
Zhou Qingmu nodded slightly, a flash of appreciation in her eyes:
“This disciple named Gu Chengming understands etiquette and law, has courage, and knows when to advance or retreat. He is a talent worth cultivating.”
Those people from the Cloud Moon Sect had always been arrogant and self-righteous, but in reality, their discipline was lax, which she detested the most.
They had caused her no shortage of trouble in the capital, relying on their sect's power.
“It's one thing for that Cloud Moon Sect disciple to ignore the rules and etiquette.”
“The key is...”
She tapped her finger lightly on the table and said slowly:
“Why should a female cultivator sit at the table?”
“...”
The counselor standing at the door reminded her upon hearing this last sentence, “Um, Director.”
“Forgive my boldness, but you are also a female cultivator.”
The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Zhou Qingmu looked up, then stood up and waved her wide sleeve:
“Before being a female cultivator, I am first the Great Qian Supreme Standing Management Commissioner, General commander of the Black Armor Patrol for the Capital and All Provinces. I am in charge of Capital Prisons, Criminal Law, and Netherworld Affairs, and I am the Director of the Night Guard Division!”
After reciting her titles, she added with a tone of disappointment toward the counselor's lack of understanding:
“In the Great Qian officialdom, we do not talk about gender. Do you understand?”
The counselor seemed to have known Zhou Qingmu’s temperament for a long time; he wasn't surprised by these words and helplessly cupped his hands in agreement.
As Feng Ya was dragged away, the storm, under Vice commander Wang Daoling’s final word, eventually turned into a mere interlude during the banquet.
For the Night Guards, strength was the ultimate truth.
Gu Chengming’s display didn't isolate him; instead, it allowed him to truly integrate into this circle that only recognized strength.
As the drinks flowed, no one dared to show the slightest contempt because of his First Realm, Ninth Level cultivation. Even the other members of the “Tianshu” team received many toasts.
As the night deepened and the moon reached its zenith.
Just as the banquet atmosphere was at its peak and everyone was flushed with wine, a pressure descended over the entire back garden without warning.
The noisy sounds of drinking games and laughter stopped abruptly. Everyone instinctively set down their wine cups, stood up in unison, and bowed their heads in silent respect, their movements painfully practiced.
At the garden gate, a figure dressed in purple-gold official robes walked slowly through the moonlight.
She didn't walk fast; every step seemed as precise as if it had been measured.
With her arrival, the somewhat hot alcoholic air was instantly dispersed by a crisp, solemn aura.
The Director of the Night Guard Division, Zhou Qingmu, had finally arrived.
She did not take the main seat but stood before the steps, her calm gaze sweeping over the crowd.
“Everyone.”
Zhou Qingmu spoke. Her voice wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone’s ears clearly:
“The Great Qian territory spans ten thousand miles, surrounded by demons and hidden evils. That the people can sleep soundly and the state remains stable is all thanks to your tireless efforts day and night.”
“Tonight’s banquet is both to welcome the new and to see off those going on missions. Whether you come from a sect or the military, once you enter the gates of the Night Guard Division, we are one family, and you have only one identity—a Great Qian Night Watchman.”
“May the blades in your hands always be sharp. Drink this cup to the full.”
There were no long-winded official speeches or ethereal promises.
Only these few short sentences, yet they made the eyes of many veteran Night Guards turn slightly red.
The crowd raised their cups together and drained them in one go.
Afterward, Zhou Qingmu joined the banquet.
Those Vice commanders who were usually so formidable now behaved as obediently as children in a private school.
Especially Vice commander Liu; from the moment Zhou Qingmu appeared, he kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, not even daring to breathe loudly, fearing that if he stood the wrong way, he would be taken away to “learn the rules.”
Zhou Qingmu, however, appeared normal, occasionally asking a few questions about the division's recent situation, her words concise and hitting the core of the issues.
Wang Daoling and the others stood up to answer, all showing the utmost respect.
The latter half of this meal was eaten in absolute silence and solemnity.
As the remains of the feast were about to be cleared and everyone prepared to leave in order.
Zhou Qingmu, who had been sitting at the main table and seemed to have long forgotten the previous interlude, suddenly set down her teacup.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze crossing the crowd to land directly on the table in the corner.
“Gu Chengming.”
She called out calmly.
This call wasn't loud, but it made Gu Chengming, who was about to follow the crowd out, pause in his tracks.
The surrounding gazes converged instantly, filled with envy and a hint of worry.
Vice commander Liu’s heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself that things were looking bad; was the Director still going to pursue the matter of the beating?
Gu Chengming’s expression remained unchanged. He straightened his robes, walked out from the crowd, and stood ten feet before Zhou Qingmu. He bowed deeply, his movements so standard that not a single fault could be found:
“This subordinate is here.”
Zhou Qingmu did not speak immediately.
She sat there, scrutinizing the young man before her from a superior position.
A massive pressure belonging to those in high authority surged toward Gu Chengming like a tide.
This wasn't a deliberate attack, but if someone’s will were not firm, their legs would likely have gone weak under this pressure, leading to an embarrassing display.
However, Gu Chengming stood his ground, his posture as upright as a pine tree and his expression as calm as water. Around him, there was even a faint, balanced, and impartial aura that silently neutralized the overbearing official pressure.
He was neither humble nor arrogant.
Observing this display of 'upholding etiquette and rectifying the heart,' a flash of surprise crossed Zhou Qingmu’s eyes.
She sat up slightly straighter, and her finger, which had been resting casually on the armrest, tapped once.
Zhou Qingmu spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry and a touch of surprise:
“The technique you cultivate... is the 《Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art》?”
The 《Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art》.
This mental cultivation method was created by her years ago while studying at the Imperial Academy, inspired by her insights into the order of heaven and earth and her sharp criticism of the era's ills.
At that time, though she was young, she had already resolved to use this method to define the world, rectify people's hearts, and solemnize the imperial court. Unfortunately, the threshold for this heart method was extremely high, and its philosophy was too upright. To those cultivators who preferred to act as they pleased, it was simply asking for trouble.
Therefore, even after she sent it to the scripture repositories of various major sects, few people ever inquired about it. Even the occasional person who tried it mostly gave up halfway due to the boring scriptures and strict self-discipline required.
“Good.”
Zhou Qingmu tapped the armrest, no longer dwelling on the origin of the heart method. Instead, she shifted the conversation back to the previous incident:
“Since you cultivate this method, you should know that a gentleman is cautious even when alone. So tell me, why did you suddenly resort to violence during the banquet?”
This seemed like a reprimand, but it was actually a test.
Gu Chengming’s expression was frank, and he didn't show the slightest panic at the Director’s questioning.
He clearly listed Feng Ya’s various transgressions, pointing out not only her disrespect to superiors but also her disregard for her colleagues, his words well-founded and logically tight.
As Zhou Qingmu listened, she nodded slightly, the satisfaction in her eyes growing deeper.
Knowing that “if names are not rectified, speech will not be reasoned,” and knowing how to use the greater cause to pressure others—this was indeed a good candidate for practicing the 《Zhou Rites》.
However, just when Zhou Qingmu thought his defense was over.
Gu Chengming paused, looked up directly into Zhou Qingmu’s eyes, and added one final sentence:
“More importantly, she is a female cultivator.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the Night Guards who were eavesdropping nearby almost let their eyes pop out.
Vice commander Liu sucked in a breath of cold air, wishing he could rush up and cover Gu Chengming’s mouth.
Of course, Gu Chengming’s explanation was carefully considered after hearing his colleagues' descriptions of Director Zhou’s personality.
As soon as he heard that this Director Zhou had the same temperament as the Zhou Rites, how could he not know what she wanted to hear?
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Zhou Qingmu did not get angry. Instead, as if she had heard something extremely pleasant, her brows relaxed, and she nodded in deep agreement.
“Ahem.”
Finally, Zhou Qingmu coughed lightly and decided to pose a question that went beyond the standard test.
“What you say makes a lot of sense.”
She leaned forward slightly, staring at Gu Chengming, her voice unreadable:
“But I am also a female cultivator.”
If Gu Chengming changed his tune, it would be flattery and a sign of an unsteady dao heart; if he persisted, it would be defiance and a slap to her face.
Everyone’s heart leaped into their throats. Vice commander Liu even closed his eyes, unable to watch the impending tragedy.
However, facing this lethal trick question, Gu Chengming did not hesitate for even a second.
His expression remained normal, and there wasn't even a flicker in his eyes. He simply bowed deeply again, his voice clear and every word like a precious gem:
“Before being a female cultivator—”
Gu Chengming looked up, his gaze burning and his voice as resonant as a bell:
“You are first the Great Qian Supreme Standing Management Commissioner, General commander of the Black Armor Patrol for the Capital and All Provinces, in charge of Capital Prisons, Criminal Law, and Netherworld Affairs!”
“You are the Director of the Night Guard Division—the one who guards the Great Qian night and makes all demons tremble with fear!”
He had memorized every single title perfectly.
“...”
Zhou Qingmu opened her mouth, but the reprimand she had prepared was now completely stuck in her throat.
“Phew...”
After a long time, she let out a long breath. Having come back to her senses, she was actually somewhat moved.
—It is only right that you should practice my 《Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art》.
At the same time.
【Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art was shocked, then filled with admiration.】
【It claimed to know all laws and etiquette, but today it realized there is always a higher heaven. Such verbal skill—even if it practiced for another thousand years, it could never hope to match it. Chengming does not just understand etiquette; he is truly a Saint of Officialdom.】
【Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art Goodwill +10】
【Goodwill +10】
【Current Goodwill: 63/Like】
【Goodwill Level Up: Promoted from 【Friendly】 to 【Like】】
【Unlocked Special Status—【Bright Mirror Hanging High】】
【Bright Mirror Hanging High: In official service, the heart is like a clear mirror. When you are within the Great Qian territory or hold an official token, your soul strength is increased by 30%, and you possess extremely high resistance to all illusions, charms, and mental control spells. Simultaneously, when you act in the name of the greater cause or the law, your words will carry a “Deterrence” effect, striking fear into the hearts of those with a guilty conscience and causing the petty to retreat.】
After a long while.
Zhou Qingmu slowly sat up straight and laughed. Her tone no longer held any hint of testing, only satisfaction:
“Fine, since you have joined the banquet, there is no need for further ceremony. You’ve had a long day; go back and rest early.”
Gu Chengming understood and bowed deeply once more:
“Thank you for your consideration, Director. This subordinate takes his leave.”
Having said that, he straightened up and turned to walk out of the garden without any hesitation.
Vice commander Liu and the others were already dumbfounded. It wasn't until Gu Chengming was far away that they suddenly snapped back to reality.
A while later.
In the back garden, following Gu Chengming’s departure, Zhou Qingmu picked up her teacup again and took a light sip.
The tea, which usually tasted a bit bitter, inexplicably felt a bit sweeter today. She tilted her head slightly, looked at the still-trembling Wang Daoling and Vice commander Liu beside her, and spoke in a very good mood:
“This Gu Chengming is a good talent.”
“Pass down the order: all his treatments in the division are to be of the highest grade.”
“Also.”
Zhou Qingmu paused. “Hand over the ‘Nightmare Wandering Corpse’ case entirely to him. Don't give him too many helpers; let him investigate it himself.”
Vice commander Liu was shocked upon hearing this. “Director, that’s a power behind a third realm evil spirit. Letting a newcomer investigate it, isn't that a bit...”
“I have my own judgment.”
Zhou Qingmu interrupted him. Her tone was flat, yet it carried a strong sense of confidence in Gu Chengming.
Vice commander Liu could only helplessly agree, thinking to himself that the Director had met too few people and probably thought any slightly talented disciple was as brilliant as she was.
Using such a matter as a trial—little Gu wouldn't have enough lives even if he had ten.
He could only think about whether he could assist from the side later.
Gu Chengming naturally didn't know about Vice commander Liu’s secret plans.
And after Vice commander Liu took the heavy case scroll, he wasn't in a hurry to hand it over to Gu Chengming. Instead, he pressed it onto his desk with a paperweight.
To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools.
He naturally felt that Gu Chengming’s abundant spiritual energy was on the verge of a breakthrough, thinking it wouldn't be too late to inform him of this matter after he reached the second realm.
Time flew by, and several days passed in an instant.
Within the sea of consciousness, the changes in the major cultivation arts were the most direct.
Needless to say, for 《Flowing Cloud Following Moon》 and the 《Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art》, the change from 'Friendly' to 'Like' was the most qualitative moment for a cultivation art.
Huiyuan Sword Manual was quite enjoying the present—the large cities and small alleys, the blue bricks and black tiles—it was like the busy but peaceful time when a newlywed couple first lives together.
And Old Bai was still immersed in the self-delusion of being the chosen one. Every day, besides urging Gu Chengming to eat and drink well, he was clamoring about when they would go out to find more treasures again.
Under the joint push of these forces, Gu Chengming clearly felt the loosening of his realm.
From the first realm to the second realm was the first true watershed on a cultivator's path.
The first realm, Qi Refining, was still an extension of a mortal martial artist—merely tempering the bones and accumulating internal breath. But the second realm, Foundation Establishment, was about casting the foundation of the Great Dao within the dantian's sea of qi.
This step had stopped countless cultivators.
But at this moment, Gu Chengming felt that the layer of paper was ready to be pierced with a single touch.
Deep in the small courtyard.
In the capital these past few days, several autumn rains had fallen, and the weather had turned cold.
The leaves of the old tree in the courtyard had turned yellow, rustling as they fell in the wind, covering the ground in gold.
Yu Wenqiu wasn't lying on the soft couch reading stories as usual. Instead, she had rolled up her sleeves, rarely showing a bit of a virtuous appearance.
She had somehow obtained a large basket of fresh osmanthus flowers and was sitting at the stone table, meticulously picking out impurities from the petals.
As the autumn wind passed, it ruffled a few strands of her hair, brushing across her slightly lazy face. She wore no makeup today, dressed only in plain everyday clothes, yet she appeared even more elegant and refined. Those hands, which were usually only used to flip through books or hold a sword, were now pinching the tiny osmanthus flowers with great care.
Her movements weren't practiced—they were even a bit clumsy. Occasionally, she would crush a few delicate stamens because she used too much force. Whenever this happened, she would wrinkle her nose in annoyance and steal a glance at Gu Chengming, who was meditating nearby. Seeing that she hadn't been caught, she would continue her work as if nothing had happened.
This Elder usually claimed she didn't care about anything and loved to be lazy, but in reality, she was as meticulous as a hair.
“These damn osmanthus flowers are so hard to serve.”
Yu Wenqiu muttered to herself, but her fingertips didn't stop.
She knew Gu Chengming had been on the verge of a breakthrough these past few days and his mind was tense, so she deliberately found some trivial things to do to help ease his mind.
The shadows of the sun slanted westward, and cooking smoke rose.
The sound of steam from a steamer came from the kitchen, accompanied by a rich, sweet scent of osmanthus that filled the entire small courtyard.
It was the osmanthus cake Yu Wenqiu had steamed herself.
Although the appearance truly left much to be desired—some had collapsed, some had cracked, and the sizes were uneven, lacking the exquisite look of the cakes from the capital's pastry shops—when the steaming pastries were brought to the table, Gu Chengming still immediately picked one up and put it in his mouth.
It was soft and glutinous, the sweetness refreshing to the heart.
The taste was actually quite good.
Gu Chengming chewed carefully, feeling a warmth slide down his throat. He looked up and met Yu Wenqiu’s gaze, which was filled with a hint of expectation yet feigned indifference. He couldn't help but smile slightly:
“Elder Yu has great skill; this cake is very much to my liking.”
Hearing this, Yu Wenqiu’s brows rose slightly, and a proud arc curled at the corner of her mouth, revealing only a pair of smiling eyes curved like crescent moons:
“Of course. How could anything this Elder produces be ordinary? Eat more; don't let my hard work go to waste.”
Another day passed.
Gu Chengming sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, casting aside distracting thoughts and sinking his mind into his dantian.
By now, Yu Wenqiu had already set up an isolation array in the small courtyard, blocking all external noise outside the walls.
Inside the room, sandalwood smoke curled, and it was silent. Gu Chengming’s eyes were tightly shut, his breathing long and deep. His internal energy was restrained to the extreme, making him look like a lifeless stone.
However, inside his body was a different scene.
The gaseous spiritual energy that had filled his meridians was now being pulled by the 《Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art》 like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, frantically converging toward the dantian's sea of qi.
Resonance of a Hundred Bones was no longer noisy but had turned into a majestic force of essence blood, reinforcing his physical body and protecting his meridians to prevent the spiritual energy from running wild and damaging his foundation.
Gu Chengming’s internal spiritual energy began to frantically compress, collapse, and undergo a qualitative change.
One drop, two drops.
Finally, the first drop of liquid “true essence” condensed into form deep within his dantian.
However, at this critical moment, a sudden change occurred.
Because the 《Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art》 was running at full power, and because Gu Chengming was currently in the Great Qian capital—the place where the Imperial Dragon Qi was strongest—the balanced and heaven-and-earth-ordered intent of “Etiquette” accidentally produced a strange resonance with the massive Great Qian National Destiny outside.
“Buzz—”
A low hum sounded, not from within Gu Chengming’s body, but from deep within the earth of the capital and from the Dragon Qi coiled above the imperial city.
Gu Chengming didn't notice the external change. He only felt a force carrying endless imperial pressure being forced into his body along some invisible connection, helping him break through the barrier!
For a Great Qian official, this was a rare opportunity;
But for a sect disciple who was breaking through to the second realm and had a sensitive identity, this was a lethal over-elevation.
Outside the small courtyard.
Yu Wenqiu, who was boredly guarding the array core, suddenly had a drastic change in expression.
She snapped her head up and looked toward the sky above the capital.
“Dragon Qi?!”
Yu Wenqiu was completely stunned.
Why on earth are you drawing Dragon Qi just to break through to the second realm?
Wait, you haven't even reached the second realm yet; how exactly are you drawing Dragon Qi?!
Yu Wenqiu knew that if the Great Qian imperial family found out about this, there would be endless trouble.
And such a massive commotion would surely alert the Imperial Observatory and the masters within the imperial city.
She gritted her teeth, but her movements didn't hesitate for a second.
—Using blood as a medium, deceiving the heavens and hiding the earth!
The Wenjian Sect had been established for thousands of years, with countless sword techniques and many spells.
But there was one spell that, while not a forbidden art, had been mastered by no one else for thousands of years except for the Founding Grand-Patriarch due to its harsh cultivation conditions and high talent requirements.
That was—【Heavenly Eye】.
Observing the heavens above and the underworld below. It could peer into the secrets of heaven, disrupt Yin and Yang... and deceive the heavens.
Yu Wenqiu made a grasping motion in the air, as if catching some thread in the void, and then twisted it hard!
Buzz!
An invisible wave spread instantly.
To the outside world, the phenomenon that had been shooting straight into the clouds and was about to descend into the alley suddenly distorted without warning in mid-air.
Having done this, Yu Wenqiu could no longer hold on. She coughed up a mouthful of blood and slumped to the ground.
What a huge loss...
Yu Wenqiu wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and looked toward the west wing room, her eyes filled with both annoyance and a bit of relief.
—Little Gu, you definitely have to compensate me with a few more storybooks this time.
Inside the west wing room.
The storms outside didn't affect Gu Chengming in the slightest.
As the Dragon Qi entered his body, the last barrier within him finally collapsed completely.
“Boom—!”
The sea of qi churned, and true essence turned to liquid.
The second realm was achieved.
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