Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 282: Please Guide Me More

After leaving the government office of White Jade Market, Qin Lu did not return home directly.

Instead, he turned his steps toward the Gu Family residence.

He had purchased a specific Magical Artifact for Gu Yue back at the Ten Thousand Treasures Market, and now that he had a moment of respite, he intended to deliver it personally.

Arriving at the front gate, Qin Lu didn’t bother notifying the gatekeeper. He walked in with practiced ease, as if returning to his own home, and made his way straight to Gu Yue’s courtyard.

Standing before her door, he reached out and knocked gently.

Thud, thud, thud.

The soft sound echoed clearly in the quiet courtyard.

Creak.

A gentle breeze swept past, carrying spiritual energy that unlatched the door, swinging it open.

Qin Lu smiled and stepped inside.

Gu Yue’s room was a reflection of her soul: elegant, classical, and meticulously organized. Ink wash paintings adorned the walls, and the scent of aged rosewood furniture filled the air with a sense of antiquity.

At the desk near the window sat Gu Yue, brush in hand, focused on a ledger.

They say a woman is most beautiful when she is at peace, her eyes filled with clear light. Gu Yue embodied this. She always carried an air of quiet tranquility, a cool, aloof temperament that seemed detached from the mundane world.

Of course, that was only her surface state.

Qin Lu knew better. When she entered combat, her ferocity rivaled—perhaps even surpassed—that of her maniacal brother, Gu Can. It seemed the Gu bloodline carried an inherent madness, just waiting to be unleashed.

“What brings you here?”

Gu Yue placed her brush on the inkstone and sat up straighter, her eyes softening with warmth as she looked at him.

Qin Lu sat down opposite her, grabbed a spirit fruit from the bowl on the desk, and tossed it into his mouth.

“Just passing by,” he mumbled around the fruit. “What are you busy with?”

Gu Yue gave him a look of mild helplessness and lifted the ledger in her hand. “What do you think? Between the shops and the sect logistics, I don’t exactly have time for hobbies…”

Hearing this, Qin Lu immediately swallowed his fruit and straightened his posture, wiping the playful expression from his face. He laughed awkwardly.

“Ah, haha… you’ve really worked hard lately.”

Since Gu Yue joined the Qin Sect, she had essentially become its Prime Minister. She coordinated logistics, managed personnel, and handled the thousand minor details that Qin Lu used to do himself. In fact, most sect members now reported directly to her. To the outside world, she looked more like the Sect Leader than he did.

Her logic was flawless, her organization impeccable, and her mind sharp. She handled everything with a grace that allowed Qin Lu to remain delightfully idle and focus on his cultivation.

His gratitude was genuine.

“It’s not hard work,” Gu Yue said with a faint smile, dismissing his praise. “Just something to fill the time between cultivation sessions.”

She paused, then shifted topics. “By the way, Ning Ning’s proficiency in Formations has advanced by leaps and bounds recently. I plan to allocate some Spirit Stones to nurture her talent specifically. What do you think?”

“Ning Ning…” Qin Lu murmured, recalling the name.

Nie Feng had mentioned her before—a girl with a natural, almost intuitive talent for Formations. A self-taught genius.

“If she has the ability, we shouldn’t let it rot,” Qin Lu nodded decisively. “Invest whatever is necessary. I trust your judgment.”

“Alright.”

Gu Yue lowered her head and made a note in the ledger.

Qin Lu waited quietly for her to finish. Then, he reached into his robes, pulled out a vibrant green leaf, and placed it on the desk.

“Here. A gift from the Ten Thousand Treasures Market. See if you like it.”

Gu Yue picked up the leaf, her brow furrowing in puzzlement. “What is this?”

“It’s called the [Shifting Green Leaf]. A spatial-type Magical Artifact. Inject it with Spiritual Qi, and it will instantly teleport you several thousand miles away. It has three charges.”

Gu Yue’s eyes widened. “Spatial teleportation? This… this must be a Third Grade artifact?”

“Correct. Third Grade, Middle Rank.”

“No.” Gu Yue placed the leaf back on the table immediately, waving her hands in refusal. “This is too valuable. I can’t take it.”

A Third Grade artifact started at 10,000 Spirit Stones. A Middle Rank one, especially a life-saving spatial type, would cost at least 30,000, likely more.

Small trinkets like hairpins or bracelets she could accept with a clear conscience. But a treasure worth a fortune? That was too heavy.

“Too valuable? I bought it specifically for you!”

Qin Lu didn’t give her a chance to argue. He used a thread of qi to lift the leaf and press it firmly into her hand.

“Every time you use that Gu Family secret technique, you burn your life force and end up exhausted, unable to move. It’s reckless!” Qin Lu’s voice was stern. “This artifact is perfect for you. If you ever overdraw your strength again, use this to escape. Your life is worth more than a few Spirit Stones.”

“You…”

Gu Yue froze. The words stuck in her throat, and a shimmer of emotion welled up in her usually calm eyes.

“Alright, that’s settled. Keep it. I’m leaving!”

Afraid she would try to return it again, Qin Lu stood up abruptly and marched toward the door.

He had just crossed the threshold when her voice called out from behind.

“Wait.”

Qin Lu didn’t stop. He chuckled, continuing his stride. “No refunds, Gu Yue!”

But her next sentence froze him in place, turning his limbs to stone.

“Qin Lu… what if we became Dao Companions?”

The air in the courtyard seemed to solidify. The birds went silent. The wind stopped.

Gulp.

Qin Lu swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. He stood there for a long moment, his back to her, before slowly turning around.

Gu Yue was looking at him. Her expression was solemn, her eyes clear and unwavering. There was no teasing, no ambiguity.

“You…” Qin Lu hesitated, his heart hammering against his ribs. “Are you serious?”

Gu Yue nodded slowly. Her voice was soft but firm.

“I am serious.”

Qin Lu looked at the woman before him—elegant, strong, and capable, who had quietly supported him without asking for anything in return. A surge of warmth flooded his chest, melting away his shock.

His eyes softened.

He stepped back into the room, closing the distance between them in long strides, and pulled her into his arms.

“Uh…” Gu Yue stiffened slightly at the sudden contact.

But a second later, she relaxed, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest.

They held each other tightly in the quiet room.

Qin Lu inhaled the faint, clean scent of her hair, resting his chin on her head. He whispered into her ear, his voice thick with emotion.

“Then, from now on… please guide me well.”

“Mhm.”