Azure Cloud Sword Sect, Transcendent Peak.
Gu Chengxing brought Shen Ruochu to a newly opened cultivation cave.
It was a High-Grade cave residence.
The cave was not large, yet its interior decoration and design were exquisitely refined. After stepping inside, it no longer felt like a place meant purely for cultivation, but rather like a carefully furnished small home.
The spiritual Qi within the cave was far denser than outside. The moment one entered, it felt as if every pore in the body opened, bringing a wave of comfort.
“Mm… not bad. Much better than I expected.”
Gu Chengxing silently praised it.
After thinking briefly, he lowered his head and looked at Shen Ruochu. “This is my cultivation cave, named Transcendent 001. My master opened it for me when I first entered the sect.”
“The density of spiritual Qi here ranks among the top within the Azure Cloud Sword Sect. For now, you will stay here.”
Shen Ruochu remained expressionless.
“Well, since you’re not speaking, I’ll take that as no objection.”
Gu Chengxing then gave her a simple introduction to everything inside Transcendent 001.
He arranged food and lodging one by one.
“When you’re hungry, remember to eat. When you’re tired, remember to sleep.”
“Do you have any other questions? If not, I’ll be leaving.”
“Oh, right. There are restrictions inside this cave. If you wish to leave, you’ll need my permission.”
Shen Ruochu still did not speak, but at last her expression shifted slightly.
It seemed she had something to say, yet she could not bring herself to speak.
Gu Chengxing noticed the subtle change. “Since there’s nothing else, I’ll go.”
With that, his figure vanished from the cave residence.
Shen Ruochu stared at the direction where Gu Chengxing had disappeared for a long moment, her expression blank as she slowly looked around.
“Just now… who was speaking?”
She was certain the voice had not belonged to Gu Chengxing.
While he had been explaining things to her earlier, a voice had suddenly appeared in her mind.
Confusion filled Shen Ruochu’s heart.
Suddenly, that same clear yet fragmented female voice echoed again in her mind.
“Soul-Suppressing Stone… Soul-Suppressing Stone…”
A trace of panic flashed through Shen Ruochu’s eyes. She was deeply unsettled by the strange occurrence.
“Who? Who was speaking just now?”
She called out tentatively, glancing around.
There was no response. The intermittent voice in her mind gradually faded.
Shen Ruochu’s expression grew tense.
In the end, she was still just a child. Overwhelmed and at a loss, she slowly crouched down and buried her head in her knees.
Whether it was fear of the inexplicable voice or grief over her family’s extermination, it was impossible to tell.
A faint sound of suppressed sobbing drifted softly within the cave.
…
Gu Chengxing stepped out of the cave and headed toward Azure Cloud Main Peak.
When they saw Gu Chengxing, respect and a hint of joy appeared on their faces.
“Senior Brother Gu.”
Gu Chengxing looked at them in slight confusion.
“Senior Brother Gu, please proceed to Azure Cloud Main Peak as soon as possible. The Sect Master has been waiting for you for two days.”
Understanding dawned on Gu Chengxing. He waved lightly. “I was already on my way to the main peak.”
“Please hurry, Senior Brother Gu. Perhaps you… may still see Peak Master Chen one last time.”
Gu Chengxing’s expression stiffened.
After nodding, he said no more and advanced at great speed.
To facilitate movement within the sect, teleportation arrays were arranged throughout various locations.
Soon, Gu Chengxing arrived at Azure Cloud Main Peak.
Sect Master’s Hall.
“Sect Master, how is my master?”
Gu Chengxing looked at the solemn and dignified figure before him and asked heavily.
The person before him was Jian Wushuang, Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, a powerhouse of the Three Forbidden Realms.
“You will understand once you see for yourself.”
Sect Master Jian shook his head lightly and did not elaborate. He raised his hand with a gentle wave.
A profound force surged within the hall.
Gu Chengxing felt a sudden dizziness. His vision went dark, and he lost awareness of what had happened.
When light returned, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar place.
Darkness surrounded him entirely. Only ahead was a blinding beam of light.
A strangely familiar aura surged forth.
A kind voice sounded beside his ear.
“Chengxing, you’ve come.”
“Oh my, not bad, not bad. You can still shed tears.”
“This old man has been waiting for you for quite some time.”
Perhaps influenced by the original body’s lingering emotions, Gu Chengxing’s eyes grew moist. His voice trembled. “Master?”
He stepped slowly forward toward the dazzling light.
“Master…”
He could feel that within the blinding radiance stood his master.
“Ah, child, do not overthink.”
“My time has come. My soul simply returns to the heavens.”
As he drew closer, his master’s aura grew stronger, and his voice clearer.
A halo of light gathered gently around Gu Chengxing. Warmth flowed through his body.
“In that case, I can rest assured.”
Gu Chengxing did not understand the deeper meaning of his master’s words, but his heart was already filled with doubt, so he seized the moment to ask, “Master, I was gone for less than a month. Before I left, your condition was excellent. Now…”
He could not understand why it had ended like this.
“Are you… playing a trick on me?”
A soft chuckle echoed in the space.
“You may treat it as if I am teasing you.”
Gu Chengxing fell silent.
“You’ve traveled and experienced storms outside, yet you remain just as dull. I should not have held expectations.”
After a brief pause, Chen Wuxin’s voice sounded again.
“Master?”
“Nothing, nothing. I was merely scolding you. If you cannot understand, then forget it.”
“Ah?”
“Enough, my disciple…”
His master’s voice suddenly became exceedingly gentle and began to grow faint.
“Master, you…”
Gu Chengxing sensed what was happening. An inexplicable heaviness settled in his heart.
“I have seen you one last time. My wish is fulfilled. But before I depart, I wish to leave you sixteen words. Listen carefully.”
“They are—”
“Move with the wind. Follow your heart.”
“Live in transcendence and joy. Even the divine may fall!”
As the words ended, brilliant white light burst forth.
Gu Chengxing gazed ahead. A pale, illusory old man appeared.
This was his master, Chen Wuxin.
On Chen Wuxin’s wrinkled face was a faint smile. His eyes were clear. He raised a hand gently and placed it atop Gu Chengxing’s head.
He patted him lightly.
A crisp sound echoed.
“Time to go.”
“You little brat, make something of yourself.”
As the final words fell, Chen Wuxin’s figure slowly dissipated.
Only lingering radiance remained.
Gu Chengxing stared fixedly at his master. He desperately wanted to speak, yet at that moment he could not produce even a single sound.
His body, too, was completely immobile.
“What is happening?”
The thought flashed through his mind. His consciousness grew heavy and slowly sank into sleep.
The special space gradually dissolved.
Thus ended this sudden and abrupt final meeting between master and disciple.