Gu Er walked over and greeted him: “Senior Brother Lu, long time no see.”
Lu Yunqi looked up at the sound of her voice, a gentle smile spreading across his face: “Long time no see, Junior Sister Gu.”
Since parting ways at Yingzhao Peak, one had devoted themselves to the study of artifact refinement at Chenming Peak, while the other had been learning spells and talisman techniques at Lingxiao Peak. Apart from the occasional sect mission, they rarely had the chance to cross paths.
Gu Er spoke with a sincere expression: “Senior Brother Lu, sorry to bother you. I’d like to ask for your help, could you take this apart for me and see what’s inside?” As she spoke, she took the two explosive orbs out of her storage pouch and carefully placed them on the table.
Lu Yunqi looked at the explosive orbs on the table, picked one up, and examined it from all angles with curiosity. “What is this thing?” he asked.
“An explosive orb. I’m really curious about its internal structure, so I wanted to ask if you could take it apart,” Gu Er explained.
“Sure, it’s not a particularly complicated structure. I’ll take it apart for you,” Lu Yunqi agreed readily. He turned around to fetch his tools, then began carefully disassembling it.
Gu Er stood nearby, watching with her heart in her throat: “Be careful, Senior Brother Lu, this orb can explode.”
“Don’t worry, just leave this little task to me.” Lu Yunqi didn’t even look up, speaking with full confidence. His movements were skilled and steady, every action precise and on point.
Gu Er watched Lu Yunqi’s movements and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, they had both joined the sect at the same time, yet how could the difference between people be so vast?
As the outer shell was slowly pried open, the internal structure gradually revealed itself before the two of them.
Inside, they saw spirit stones ground into powder, evenly packed within the inner casing.
On the inner surface of the outer shell, near the powder, a fire-attribute spirit-gathering array had been carved. However, the patterns of this array were completely different from ordinary fire-attribute spirit-gathering arrays, far more complex.
In addition, a strand of celestial silkworm silk connected to the device within, the fine thread extending all the way to the outside of the explosive orb.
Lu Yunqi poured out the spirit stones and reached in to gently touch the celestial silkworm silk: “Now this is a peculiar thing. This silk must have been soaked in some kind of liquid, it carries flammable substances.”
Gu Er listened, her brows furrowing deeply as she pondered silently: “Isn’t this celestial silkworm silk basically a fuse? And the powdered spirit stones serve as the explosive…”
After speaking, Lu Yunqi looked up, his gaze turning to Gu Er: “Where did you get this treasure? Though it has a few flaws, its power is formidable, not much different from an explosive orb charged with spiritual energy.”
Gu Er replied: “Senior Brother Ji obtained it from the Lingbao Pavilion, and afterward, because I was so curious, he gave them all to me.”
Suddenly, she remembered that the monthly time for descending the mountain for trials was approaching. An idea struck her, and she resolved to apply to Elder Bai He, who managed the list for mountain descents, to go down and investigate the Lingbao Pavilion. Perhaps she could find information about the seller of these explosive orbs.
The date for the Immortal Sect Grand Competition was set for a month later, there was still time.
Early the next morning, Gu Er arrived at the main hall of Bishui Peak.
The faint light of dawn spilled across the glazed tiles of the main hall, refracting into a spectrum of brilliant colors. Within the hall, sandalwood incense curled upward in wisps, threading its way into her nostrils.
The hall was spacious and bright. On a massive white jade screen, ethereal immortal mountains were traced in golden thread, wreathed in swirling clouds and mist, as if one had stepped into a realm of immortals.
Elder Bai He, clad in a robe of moon-white silk, possessed an ethereal, otherworldly bearing. She looked at Gu Er, who stood at the foot of the steps, and mused briefly: “What level has your cultivation reached now?”
Gu Er clasped her hands in salute and replied, “To answer the Elder, I am at the first level of Foundation Establishment.”
Upon hearing this, Bai He hesitated. Most disciples sent down the mountain for practical training were at the third level of Foundation Establishment; Gu Er, at only the first level, would indeed find such training somewhat challenging.
Gu Er keenly sensed Elder Bai He’s hesitation and said urgently, “Elder Bai, this disciple has been on the mountain for three years, yet my cultivation has shown little progress. Perhaps if I go down the mountain and see the world, I might gain some insight.”
Bai He sighed inwardly, thinking: Even in a place with such abundant spiritual energy as the mountain, her cultivation advances so slowly, who knows how distracted she’ll be once she goes down.
Still, she was but a child after all. The time of cultivators was long, and there was no need to rush this moment.
With this thought, she spoke: “Go then, but you must manage your time well. The Grand Sect Competition is in one month, and as one of the direct disciples of the Sect Master, you are required to participate. I don’t expect you to win any rankings, just return safely.”
Gu Er was somewhat delighted and quickly responded, “Yes.”
After returning to her small cottage, Gu Er began preparing the items she needed to bring. She carefully folded her clothes, then took some talismans she had drawn herself, packed away her yellow paper and brush, and also set aside some spirit stones and silver taels for emergencies.
Being an inner disciple had its advantages, one didn’t need to do too many tasks, and every month the sect would regularly distribute spirit stones, silver, and various cultivation necessities.
Because Mu Ci had been erratic in his whereabouts these past few months, often returning weary and travel-stained with a chill about him, only to leave again after a brief stay, she decided not to tell him about her plan to go down the mountain for training.
Gu Er had long grown accustomed to his mysterious comings and goings. Moreover, since she spent most of her time cultivating alone on Lingxiao Peak, which was indeed stifling, she often slipped away to Bishui Peak to sit in on Elder Bai He’s spellcraft lessons or seek advice on talismans from familiar senior fellow disciples. Over time, she had become quite well-acquainted with everyone up and down Bishui Peak.
As she was packing her bundle, she noticed she still had a few books borrowed from Zhao Yao that she hadn’t returned, so she decided to make a trip to Bishui Peak and ask the other girl about her plans as well.
…
Just as she stepped into the territory of Bishui Peak, she saw disciples sparring with talisman techniques by the training grounds, quite a lively scene.
“Junior sister Gu is here?” someone with sharp eyes called out with a smile.
Gu Er clasped her hands, her brows curving into a smile: “Greetings to all the senior brothers and sisters. I’ve come to find Zhao Yao and return some books.”
As she spoke, Lu Tinglan, the senior disciple of Bishui Peak, put away the talisman brush in his hand and walked over. He was gentle and steady in temperament, and he had always shown considerable kindness to Gu Er, who often came by to visit and was also a close friend of his junior sister. He said warmly, “I just heard Master mention that you’re going down the mountain for training. That girl Zhao Yao is also going down for training, the two of you will be together.”
He took a thin brocade pouch from his sleeve and handed it over: “Inside are a few mid-grade ‘Divine Travel’ and protective talismans. The quality is decent, keep them on you for protection. The world below the mountain is not like the sect. Be careful in all things.”
Gu Er quickly accepted it with both hands: “Thank you, Senior Brother Lu.”
“Gu Er is also going down the mountain?” A gentle female voice sounded as Second Senior Sister Fang Wan walked over and handed her a sachet. “Take this with you. It contains some calming herbs. When traveling through the wilderness, mosquitoes and miasma are unavoidable, but this can refresh your mind and ward off common poisons. Zhao Yao’s is the blue one, and yours is the light yellow one, I sewed both of them.” She carefully tied the sachet around Gu Er’s waist.
Because Fang Wan had long known that Gu Er was originally supposed to study under her master, only to be snatched away by Uncle-Master Mu Ci, she considered both Zhao Yao and Gu Er, who often visited, as her junior sisters.
“Thank you, Senior Sister Fang! It smells wonderful, just as nice as Zhao Yao’s.” Gu Er said happily.
Third Senior Brother Lin Ming grinned as he sidled over, holding an old compass that looked somewhat weathered: “Here, take this to play with. It’s an old relic, not much of a treasure, but it can discern general directions and sense obvious spiritual fluctuations. Zhao Yao didn’t want it when she went out because she found it too bulky. You take it, at least you won’t get lost easily. That girl has a great sense of direction, but you…” He winked mischievously, the implication clear.
Gu Er glanced at the compass offered to her but didn’t reach out to take it. Instead, she looked up at Lin Ming: “Senior Brother Lin, this is too precious. Besides, I’m just going down the mountain for a casual stroll with no tasks at all, I won’t need it.”
Indeed, because Gu Er’s cultivation was too low, Elder Bai He had quietly looked out for her and didn’t assign her any sect tasks down the mountain. Her trip this time was purely to have some fun and then return.
At that moment, Fourth Senior Brother Du Bai hooked his arm around Lin Ming’s neck and chimed in: “Why be so polite with Senior Brother Lin? He’s got plenty of these things in his storage pouch, and you count as our junior sister too. Besides, having an extra magic tool never hurts, who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky and stumble upon some powerful treasure during your trip!”
Lin Ming pushed it forward again, his tone gentle as he continued to persuade: “Since Old Fourth said so, just take it. Don’t talk about precious or not, we’re all family. If you really find something good, just remember to share a bit with your senior brother.”
Seeing this, Gu Er found it hard to refuse such kindness and carefully stored the compass in her storage pouch, saying gratefully: “Then thank you, Senior Brother Lin!”
Next, Du Bai produced a pouch from behind him like a magician and handed it to Gu Er: “Here, keep these for self-defense. Zhao Yao wouldn’t bother with these, but since your spiritual power isn’t fully refined yet, they’re perfect for protection. These things can unleash formidable power even without spiritual energy.”
“If she dares to mock you, when I get back, I’ll… I’ll have a word with her!” He declared with full bravado, but his voice faltered at the end, clearly still wary of Zhao Yao’s “fighting prowess,” which made everyone laugh.
Gu Er took the pouch and curiously opened it to find over a dozen explosive orbs neatly arranged inside.
In that instant, her eyes grew hot, a warm surge welled up in her heart, and her voice carried a hint of choked emotion: “Senior Brother Du, these are way too expensive.”
Du Bai scratched his head: “Just take them, they’re not anything valuable. By all rights, you and I share a bond. Back then, I was the one who led you out of the forest, and you were supposed to become our little junior sister at Bishui Peak, what a pity. But it’s fine; you come around often, so we’re not distant at all.”
Gu Er suddenly remembered why she had come to Bishui Peak: “Oh right, I almost forgot what I came here for. Is Zhao Yao here?”
Lu Tinglan shook his head. “You’ve come at a bad time. Zhao Yao isn’t here, she went to Chiyang Peak to find Yue Feng.”
“Alright then, I’ll trouble Senior Brother to pass these books to Zhao Yao. I’ll head back and continue packing.” With that, Gu Er handed the books to Lu Tinglan, waved goodbye, and left.
The next morning, before dawn had fully broken, only a faint hint of pale light could be seen at the edge of the sky.
At the barrier of Lingyun Sect, more than twenty young disciples had already gathered. They were all inner disciples of Lingyun Sect, and all had applied to descend the mountain for training.
Gu Er packed her luggage into her storage pouch and walked toward the crowd.
“Gu Er, over here!” A bold, youthful voice suddenly rang out.
Gu Er knew at once that it was Zhong Daochen calling her.
Over the past three years, Zhong Daochen had grown increasingly mature and steady, yet his bold and flamboyant nature remained completely unchanged.
His brows and eyes carried an air of superiority befitting one in power. His features were delicate, his contours sharp, and his appearance handsome. Even dressed in simple blue-and-white robes, he could not conceal the noble and resplendent aura radiating from him.
“Senior Brother Zhong, where’s Sister Daoxue?” Gu Er walked up with a smile and greeted him, glancing around but not spotting Zhong Daoxue’s figure.
“Her? She’s still packing with Xun’an. She’ll be down in a moment,” Zhong Daochen explained with a smile.
Gu Er nodded and stood beside Zhong Daochen.
“Junior Sister Gu, long time no see.” Lu Yunqi and Yan Mingchuan also hurried over, greeting her warmly.
“Senior Brother Lu, long time no see.” Gu Er smiled and nodded at Lu Yunqi, then turned her gaze to Yan Mingchuan beside him. The two exchanged a slight nod, which served as their greeting.
Gu Er secretly observed Yan Mingchuan and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: As expected of the male lead, he really is becoming more and more handsome and dashing.
Yan Mingchuan hadn’t changed much. His skin was fair as jade, his sword-like brows and starry eyes were striking, and his tall, straight figure seemed to carry its own halo, drawing attention wherever he stood in the crowd.
“Gu Er!” A cheerful call drifted down from the mountain. Gu Er looked up and saw Zhong Daoxue bounding down like a joyful little deer.
Zhong Daoxue suddenly threw herself into Gu Er’s arms, causing Gu Er to stagger back a few steps before she quickly steadied herself and caught Zhong Daoxue: “Daoxue, you really scared me to death.”
Shen Xun’an followed behind Zhong Daoxue, and Gu Er greeted her.
“Have you seen Zhao Yao?” Gu Er asked after steadying herself.
Before descending the mountain, she had gone to find Zhao Yao. At the time, Zhao Yao had already finished packing most of her things and told Gu Er to go on ahead. By now, she should have come down.
“She’s in the back, together with Yue Feng,” Zhong Daoxue said breathlessly.
Gu Er nodded, understanding in her heart.
After a while, Zhao Yao and Yue Feng also walked down side by side.
By the time the sky was fully bright and sunlight bathed the earth, all the disciples heading down the mountain had gathered.