Three years could be considered neither long nor short.
But for Gu Chengxing, who had remained within the Gravekeeper Forbidden Ground without stepping out even once, everything felt somewhat unreal after coming out.
Gu Chengxing walked ahead while Shen Ruochu followed quietly behind him.
Looking at the dim yellow sky on the horizon and the lonely mountain peaks, Gu Chengxing suddenly grew curious and asked, “What do you usually do within the sect?”
Five or six seconds passed without a response. Gu Chengxing smiled silently and said nothing more.
Of course. Shen Ruochu would not share such things with him.
This time, instead of using the convenient teleportation array, they chose to walk back slowly. Because Gu Chengxing did not wish to use the array, he had forced Shen Ruochu to accompany him on foot.
After walking for more than ten minutes, Shen Ruochu’s cool voice suddenly sounded.
“Cultivate.”
Gu Chengxing paused and looked back in confusion. “What?”
“I said, most of my time is spent cultivating.”
He was slightly stunned, but a faint smile appeared on his face, and he felt a subtle sense of satisfaction.
“Oh… to kill me, I suppose. That’s acceptable. But if possible, you could try enjoying yourself occasionally.”
He answered as if it were only natural.
He glanced at the distant mountain road. It was clear that continuing on foot would take a very long time to reach their destination.
Gu Chengxing decided not to trouble himself further. His figure flashed, and he vanished together with Shen Ruochu.
When they reappeared, they had already arrived at the original cave residence, Transcendent 001.
“It has been a long time since I returned. I almost missed this place.”
Gu Chengxing looked at the cave dwelling but did not step inside immediately.
“You should rest first. I will go pay respects to the Sect Master.”
He paused briefly before adding, “From now on, Transcendent 001 officially belongs to you. You are my disciple from this day forward, whether you acknowledge it or not. And you are also the only True Disciple of Transcendent Peak’s next generation.”
Shen Ruochu was visibly surprised. Before she could respond, Gu Chengxing had already disappeared once more.
She stood there for a moment, unable to fully process what had happened. Everything today seemed ordinary on the surface, yet the more she thought about it, the stranger it felt.
Ji Liang’s voice sounded in her mind, tinged with helplessness. “That fellow always acts in such a… peculiar manner. Even I cannot see through what he is doing or why.”
Shen Ruochu did not reply.
Ji Liang had grown accustomed to her silence over the past three years and did not mind. Since that day, Shen Ruochu’s temperament had always been this indifferent.
Three years were enough for her to shed her childishness. Her actions and judgment had matured beyond her age.
However, this ten-year-old girl, who could no longer truly be called a child, would become extremely intense and radical only when facing Gu Chengxing.
It would be… quite unusual.
For a moment, Ji Liang could not find the right words to describe her thoughts.
But she found herself looking forward to it.
Whenever she imagined it, she felt as though she were anticipating a spectacle.
Perhaps when the day came that Shen Ruochu surpassed Gu Chengxing in strength, what she foresaw would finally occur.
At that time, Gu Chengxing would likely suffer terribly.
Of course, that was assuming Shen Ruochu could truly become stronger than him.
And in Ji Liang’s eyes, that possibility existed.
…
Transcendent Peak, Inner Sect Grounds.
Gu Chengxing’s figure appeared there.
Originally, he had planned to go directly to the Sect Master’s Hall to report. However, midway there, he received a message stating that the Sect Master had already been waiting at the Inner Sect Grounds of Transcendent Peak for some time.
He immediately changed direction and hurried over.
Upon arrival, Gu Chengxing went straight to Transcendent 006, the cave residence of Xiao Yaozi.
“Sect Master, Elder Xiao Yaozi, I have arrived,” Gu Chengxing transmitted his voice with spiritual power while standing outside Transcendent 006.
The restriction barrier slowly opened, and he stepped inside.
Transcendent 006 was vast, illuminated brightly by luminous stones. The interior was orderly, with numerous branching chambers carved into the cave walls, each serving a different purpose.
It was evident that Elder Xiao Yaozi was a meticulous man.
Following the guidance, Gu Chengxing walked deeper into the cave until he saw two figures sitting opposite each other, playing chess.
The crisp sound of pieces striking the board echoed clearly in the quiet space. Each move fell with a sharp click, bringing an unexpected sense of clarity.
Gu Chengxing observed the two figures. One appeared majestic and imposing; the other thin and carefree. One was young, the other elderly.
They were the Azure Cloud Sword Sect’s Sect Master, Jian Wushuang, and Xiao Yaozi, the Inner Sect Elder of Transcendent Peak.
Gu Chengxing did not approach but stood at a distance, waiting quietly as they continued their game.
Their conversation naturally reached his ears.
“It seems our Transcendent Peak Master has finally been released,” the small old man Xiao Yaozi remarked.
Jian Wushuang placed a piece calmly. “Do not vent your grievances at me. He was the one who requested to guard the Gravekeeper Forbidden Ground.” You are reading on novelping.com, the official source.
Xiao Yaozi chuckled and replied with playful defiance, “Setting aside the facts, do you truly bear no responsibility at all?”
Jian Wushuang sighed. “Elder, such words are improper.”
Without further rebuttal, Xiao Yaozi tapped the board lightly. Spiritual power surged, scattering the chess pieces.
“Cough, cough. The time is about right. Let us end the game here.”
Jian Wushuang’s expression stiffened slightly. He glanced at the decisive black piece he had already prepared in his hand, his composure wavering for a brief moment.
Xiao Yaozi deliberately avoided looking at his expression and turned toward Gu Chengxing with a broad smile. “You’ve arrived?”
Gu Chengxing remained silent.
Xiao Yaozi waved his hand, summoning a stone seat for him. Gu Chengxing sat down and greeted them, “Sect Master. Elder.”
Xiao Yaozi studied him approvingly. “Not bad. After three years in the Gravekeeper Forbidden Ground, your temperament has clearly matured.”
Jian Wushuang followed with a question, “Are you prepared to succeed as Peak Master?”
Gu Chengxing looked at them both and nodded solemnly. “I believe I will fulfill the role well.”
The two exchanged glances, satisfaction evident on their faces.
“Good!” Xiao Yaozi’s complexion flushed slightly as he declared, “Transcendent Peak may finally return to the world.”
“After merely three years? That can hardly be called a return,” Jian Wushuang retorted.
Xiao Yaozi raised his white brows. “Who are you to argue? If I say so, then so it is. Is this how you treat an elder who once protected you?”
Jian Wushuang laughed heartily. “So Elder Xiao Yaozi remembers that he is an elder?”
Xiao Yaozi fumed playfully. “You brat, asking for a beating!”
Seeing him grow animated, Jian Wushuang quickly said, “Enough. Elder Xiao Yaozi, today concerns the succession of Transcendent Peak’s Master. Let us not stray from the topic.”
Xiao Yaozi was not truly angry. Taking the cue, he turned back to Gu Chengxing. “In three days, the new disciple selection ceremony will be held. You must attend.”
He added, “It would be best if you accept one or two disciples. Otherwise, Transcendent Peak will remain far too desolate.”
Gu Chengxing nodded. He had already anticipated the ceremony. What surprised him more was the unexpectedly close relationship between Xiao Yaozi and Jian Wushuang.
He recalled the description from the original novel regarding their relationship.
[Jian Wushuang’s cultivation talent was not exceptional at first and he remained ordinary for a long time. One day, while selecting techniques and martial skills at Qingxuan Pavilion, he was noticed by Li Sheng, then the deacon elder of the pavilion…Li Sheng being Xiao Yaozi. Li Sheng discovered the young man’s extraordinary comprehension and saw reflections of himself in him. Moved by appreciation, he began taking care of Jian Wushuang, who lacked background, talent, and appearance alike.]
[Later, Jian Wushuang’s comprehension grew increasingly astonishing. When Li Sheng witnessed the twenty-year-old Jian Wushuang flawlessly display Major Mastery Chaos Sword Intent, he knew the young man would achieve greatness. He first considered recommending him to Chen Wuxin. However, Chen Wuxin concluded that Jian Wushuang did not suit his path and only instructed him in sword techniques and corrected his Sword Intent for a year without accepting him as a disciple.]
[Li Sheng did not give up. After advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm and becoming a regular elder of Azure Cloud Mountain’s main peak, he used his new status to introduce Jian Wushuang to the Sect Master, Wu. After many trials, Jian Wushuang eventually became Wu’s final True Disciple before the latter’s passing.]
Recalling this, Gu Chengxing finally understood the depth of the bond between Jian Wushuang and Xiao Yaozi.
In a sense, Xiao Yaozi had been Jian Wushuang’s guide.
The elder he respected. The senior he acknowledged. Perhaps even family.