The moment Gu Xiu stepped out of the carriage, Su Rumei emerged first, offering her congratulations.

“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Feng, on successfully entering the Dao and gaining the qualification to contend for the Great Dao!”

If these words weren’t enough to silence those who had been mocking him, then Su Rumei’s next statement truly made it difficult for them to remain calm.

“Fellow Daoist Feng’s spiritual nature is remarkably strong, and his aptitude is truly enviable. Now that Fellow Daoist Feng’s realm has just ascended, he will undoubtedly need to cultivate to consolidate his realm and cultivation.”

“In that case, it naturally wouldn’t be suitable for Fellow Daoist Feng to continue sharing a carriage with many others.”

“Therefore, Rumei has prepared a separate carriage for Fellow Daoist Gu. If there are no other matters, Fellow Daoist can cultivate in peace.”

As she spoke, a carriage distinctly more unique than the one Gu Xiu had ridden in before was brought out. This scene immediately caused those who had been mocking earlier to change their expressions.

“A separate carriage? Isn’t that a privilege reserved for cultivators who have at least reached the peak of Qi Refining?”

“Although he has entered the Dao, he’s only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining right now. How does he get the chance to reside in an independent carriage?”

“Why is it like this? I’m already at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, yet I still have to squeeze into a carriage with others. Why does this person have such a qualification?”

“It’s true he entered the Dao, but his aptitude is too low. Such vast spiritual energy, such a rare opportunity, was utterly wasted by him. Does someone like that even deserve to ride alone?”

Many voiced their doubts, feeling Su Rumei’s actions were unfair and unjust. However, this expression of dissatisfaction only earned a calm reply from her.

“Everyone, it has always been the rule of our Wanbao Pavilion that those at the peak of Qi Refining ride alone. Naturally, it is also our rule that those with the qualification of having entered the Dao may ride alone.”

These words silenced the group of cultivators. This was Wanbao Pavilion’s rule. Moreover, these carriages belonged to Wanbao Pavilion; they could give them to whomever they wished and owed no one an explanation.

Still… silence aside, many looked at Gu Xiu with resentment in their eyes, especially several cultivators at the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Their gazes held clear dissatisfaction.

People worry not about scarcity, but about inequality. Gu Xiu, with his cultivation at the seventh layer, obtaining the privilege of riding alone evoked envy and even more resentment.

Su Rumei paid no heed to these looks. Instead, she smiled again at Gu Xiu. “If Fellow Daoist Feng doesn’t mind, you may settle in now.”

Although her veil obscured her features, her smile still tugged at heartstrings.

Gu Xiu gave her a deep look but didn’t hesitate. Instead, he generously expressed his gratitude. “In that case, I thank Manager Su.”

With that said, Gu Xiu immediately changed carriages. From beginning to end, he never once glanced at those resentful individuals, as if their gazes weren’t worth pausing for. Only just before entering the carriage did Gu Xiu take another look at Su Rumei. His gaze held something peculiar.

Facing his look, Su Rumei suddenly felt her heart skip a beat. She couldn’t help but feel… he had discovered her little scheme.

“You wanted to test that Feng Bugui?” the Shadow couldn’t help but ask as the caravan set off again.

“Yes,” Su Rumei admitted without denial. “Neither of us could tell whether this person is naturally worthless or possesses heavenly talent. In that case, the best method is to force him to act and reveal his true strength.”

Her actions just now seemed perfectly normal on the surface. But in reality, she could have dismissed those resentful cultivators with a few words and dispelled their animosity towards Gu Xiu.

But she didn’t. She chose the simplest and most direct method.

Doing so would inevitably result in those cultivators growing even more resentful. They wouldn’t dare offend Wanbao Pavilion, but they would absolutely hold a grudge against Gu Xiu. This way, along the journey ahead, someone would inevitably target him or even force him to act.

She had been very discreet. An ordinary person wouldn’t sense anything amiss; on the contrary, they would feel grateful for the carriage she provided.

But now, thinking of Gu Xiu’s gaze earlier, Su Rumei couldn’t help but smile wryly. “I seem to have messed up. He saw through my intention.”

“I don’t think you messed up,” the Shadow unexpectedly shook his head.

Hmm? Su Rumei felt puzzled.

The Shadow replied, “Since he already saw through your plan, he should have refused your carriage. But not only did he not refuse; he didn’t show any hesitation at all.”

“You mean…?”

“I mean this Feng Bugui doesn’t mind your little scheme.”

“Oh?”

“Perhaps not only does he not mind; maybe he himself wants to put on a show to gain more favor from our Wanbao Pavilion!”

This…

Su Rumei was taken aback. After thinking carefully, she realized the Shadow’s words seemed quite reasonable. After all, Wanbao Pavilion was vast and influential. Countless ordinary rogue cultivators hoped to gain their favor and join them.

If Gu Xiu truly had such thoughts… then what followed would indeed be something worth looking forward to!

…

While Su Rumei and the Shadow were discussing this, on the other side, Gu Xiu sat cross-legged with a calm expression inside his private carriage.

Actually, the Shadow was only half right.

Gu Xiu truly didn’t mind Su Rumei’s little schemes. However, it wasn’t to use such methods to seek Wanbao Pavilion’s attention.

His thoughts had always been singular from start to finish: Like the wind!

Accepting circumstances as they come; following nature’s course in the Dao.

He saw through Su Rumei’s desire to test him, but he didn’t care. He had joined Wanbao Pavilion’s caravan as a guard. If it truly came time to act, Gu Xiu wouldn’t refuse.

He also saw the resentment of those ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivators, and he still didn’t care. Their resentment wouldn’t cause the slightest ripple in his heart.

Even if their resentment turned into actual action, Gu Xiu still wouldn’t care.

After all… A single sword strike would suffice!

The wind is formless, unfixed, and ever-changing. He could be a gentle breeze over a mountain ridge, and equally be a fierce gale stirring up sea waves!

As for whether the mountain ridge feels comfortable, or whether the sea waves are resentful… What does any of that have to do with the wind?

Besides… Gu Xiu now had something even more important to attend to.

Having a private carriage gave Gu Xiu greater freedom. In his hand, he once again took out the Green Bamboo Rod.

Three days had passed since he joined Wanbao Pavilion’s caravan, and ten days had passed since his last use of the rod. It could be used again!

Without hesitation, as soon as midnight arrived, Gu Xiu activated the power within the Green Bamboo Rod that could fish across realms.

Gu Xiu had used the rod twice before; this third time felt familiar. Just like before, the fishing attempt proceeded exceptionally smoothly.

Not long after, Gu Xiu felt the rod dip slightly.

He immediately focused his spirit and energy, preparing for another endurance contest to contend against the force on the other end.

But unexpectedly, this time the object being fished seemed to offer no resistance or struggle whatsoever. In fact, with just a light lift of the rod, the object was pulled out from the void.

Only… when that fished object appeared before his eyes… even the usually unperturbed Gu Xiu couldn’t help but flash with surprise.

Because this time’s catch… was supposed to be an opportunity belonging to that Junior Brother Jiang Xun!!!