“I haven’t met the Yu Clan elder, but Grandaunt is a true beauty.
I think she is lovely.” Gu Changhuan gave nothing away with his careful answer, and he had not lied.
Gu Wanhua had smooth, creamy skin, delicately arched brows, and beautiful, lively eyes.
She really was lovely.
Gu Wanhua smiled so broadly she could barely close her mouth.
“Alright, you two youngsters, remember that you are not to gossip about the Yu Clan’s Patriarch like this in front of outsiders.
Do you understand?” “Grand Aunt, rest assured, we understand,” Gu Changze replied, and Gu Changhuan chimed in to agree.
Both understood that outsiders were not as lenient as family.
In the cultivation world, fists dictated everything.
Whoever possessed higher cultivation held the final say.
If the Yu Clan Patriarch ever learned of what Gu Changze said today and chose to make things difficult, both Gu Changze and Gu Changhuan would likely suffer a bitter lesson.
“Be especially careful on your visit home.
Several demon beast attacks have injured people on our land in recent months.
Those beasts have been killed, but others may wander in.
If you meet one, do not stay and fight—escape first!
Especially you, Changhuan.
You are only at the second layer of Qi Condensation and have never fought anyone.
Do not be reckless!” Gu Wanhua’s expression turned stern.
Gu Wanhao had treated her with great care; she owed part of her own breakthrough to Foundation Establishment to Gu Wanhao’s support, so she naturally wished to look after his grandson.
As for Gu Changze, his spiritual root was decent, and his tongue was slick, which quite pleased her.
Knowing this was a grave matter, Gu Changhuan answered solemnly, “Please rest assured, Grand Aunt.
Changhuan values his life dearly.” Gu Changze added, “Don’t worry, Grandaunt.
If I meet a demon beast, I’ll run for it!
Then I’ll bring our cousins and uncles back to gang up on it!” Seeing that both of them were sensible youths who understood the gravity of the situation, Gu Wanhua ceased her nagging.
Gu Changhuan returned to his courtyard, intending to bring some gifts for his parents.
He knew they lacked nothing; the gifts were merely a token of his filial affection.
In the blink of an eye, the seventh day arrived.
Gu Changhuan reached the mountain gate early to wait.
Seven or eight minutes later, Gu Changze arrived.
“I’m usually the first one here.
It seems Seventeenth Brother is also yearning for his family.” “Didn’t Sixth Brother arrive early too?” “After all, before turning twenty, we can only return home to see our families during the Spirit Root Testing Assembly!” Gu Changze sighed.
Once past the age of twenty, Gu Clan descendants were assigned duties working for the clan down the mountain, at which point they would enjoy somewhat more freedom.
The two chatted for a short while before Gu Shiyuan arrived with his retinue.
“Greetings, Clan Uncle.” “Greetings, Clan Uncle.” The pair offered their salutations to Gu Shiyuan.
Gu Shiyuan swept a sleeve.
“Enough formalities.
I can’t stand all these clan rituals.
We aren’t mortal officials!” Why make everything so complicated?
Gu Changhuan and Gu Changze were momentarily taken aback, but the two clansmen standing behind Gu Shiyuan remained expressionless, evidently well-accustomed to his temperament.
This clan uncle’s style was certainly unconventional, yet his words carried a grain of truth, Gu Changhuan mused silently.
Gu Changze’s eyes lit up.
He did not care for rigid etiquette either; here was a kindred spirit.
“It seems it’s just the few of us.” Gu Shiyuan produced a spirit boat.
The small, exquisite vessel swelled against the wind until it stabilized at ten zhang in length.
“All aboard this old man’s Crane Feather Boat!
This will get us to Jade Clear Town much faster.” The five of them stepped onto the flying boat.
Gu Changhuan had never laid eyes on such a flying magical artifact before, and before he could even voice his amazement, Gu Changze spoke up.
“The Crane Feather Boat is a first-tier, high-grade artifact, isn’t it?
What a fine treasure, Uncle Shiyuan!
I’ve never seen one like it before.
It’s thanks to you that I get the chance.” Gu Changhuan chuckled inwardly.
His sixth brother was indeed a master of smooth words.
Though Gu Shiyuan disliked fussy rituals, few mortals or cultivators could resist a well-placed compliment.
He stroked his beard, visibly pleased by the flattery.
“I only acquired this Crane Feather Boat recently, and it cost me a full two thousand Spirit Stones!
Still, its flight speed is only slightly inferior to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, making every single stone worthwhile!” Gu Changze exercised his strengths to the utmost, buttering up Gu Shiyuan while conversing easily with the two accompanying clansmen, even pulling Gu Changhuan into the banter.
The atmosphere inside the vessel grew lively at once.
Though Gu Shiyuan was their elder, his unrestrained disposition made for easy conversation with the youths.
Through their talk, Gu Changhuan learned that Gu Shiyuan and the two older cousins had previously been stationed at one of the clan’s properties and were only recently recalled to Emerald Maple Mountain due to a shortage of hands for the testing assembly.
The two cousins were Gu Changfeng, Second Brother, and Gu Changyong, Third Brother, of the Chang generation.
Both were at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation.
In less than two hours, the Crane Feather Boat landed in Jade Clear Town’s square.
Preparations for the testing assembly were complete.
The town was crowded, its inns full of people who had brought their children to have their spiritual roots tested.
Gu Shichang was the cultivator stationed in Jade Clear Town.
Now a hundred years old, he combined his posting with a comfortable semi-retirement.
Stepping off the flying boat, Gu Changhuan parted ways with Gu Shiyuan.
“Clan Uncle, Changhuan is eager to see his family.
I will pay my respects to Uncle Shichang tomorrow.” “Go ahead!
And you, young Changze, off you go as well.
Just make sure to return before the assembly concludes,” Gu Shiyuan chuckled.
Executing the Light Body Technique imparted by Gu Xuanzhan, Gu Changhuan felt as light as a swallow.
A single stride carried him several meters forward as he bolted toward his old home at high speed.
Taking care not to alert the servants, he arrived soundlessly outside the study door.
A sweep of his Divine Sense confirmed that both his father and mother were inside.
He stood on the threshold, suddenly hesitant to knock.
“Who’s outside?” For a moment, Gu Changhuan had failed to conceal his presence, and Fang Yurong had noticed him from inside.
Straightening his sleeves, Gu Changhuan pushed the door open.
“Father, Mother, Huan’er is back!” Gu Shan’s hand trembled around his brush, and Fang Yurong’s eyes immediately reddened.
As for the lively reunion unfolding in Gu Shan’s household, a similarly animated scene was taking place at Gu Shichang’s residence.
Gu Shichang had prepared fine wine, food, and mortal singers and dancers.
Several beautiful women were dancing in his mansion as he and Gu Shiyuan sat on either side.
Gu Changfeng and Gu Changyong watched intently, so absorbed that they seemed to have forgotten everything else.
“How do you like my dancers, Brother Shiyuan?” Gu Shichang asked with a drunken hiccup.
“I know nothing about dance or music.
Why ask me, Nineteenth Brother?” Gu Shiyuan answered bluntly.
His flushed face showed he had drunk plenty too.
“We cultivate and meditate day after day, but how many of us ever achieve longevity?
Better to do as I do: enjoy life while you can!” Gu Changfeng frowned and drained his cup in one gulp.
Gu Changyong, meanwhile, fell into a thoughtful silence.