In the mirror, Gu Xiu had already sat cross-legged on the ground. Immediately after, he took out the talisman brush he had just seized from Qin Moran. He then spread open his palm and, astonishingly, began to write the Dao Rhythm of the “Zha” character stroke by stroke upon his own skin!

As Gu Xiu wrote, the backlash force of the “Zha” character, which had always been faintly visible on Qin Moran’s body, seemed to be drawn by something. It slowly emerged from within her and began to cling to Gu Xiu!

This was… using his own body as bait to reverse the backlash!

This was “the plum taking the place of the peach”!

This was Gu Xiu helping Qin Moran by absorbing all the backlash force that should have tormented her entirely onto himself!!! He was taking on the suffering in her stead!

At this moment, Qin Moran, who had been filled with anger due to her argument with Nian Zhaoxi, froze on the spot. She opened her mouth slightly, seeming to want to say something, yet no words came out.

This scene was far too shocking for her! This was the backlash of the “Zha” character! Even if the force wasn’t at its peak, it was still enough to cause immense suffering. Even a cultivator couldn’t withstand it easily, let alone Gu Xiu who was merely a mortal!

How could he possibly endure it?

“He clearly knew… He clearly already knew what this ‘Zha’ character backlash was…” Qin Moran murmured to herself, a trace of panic appearing in her eyes for the first time.

She didn’t know what she should do. This truth was far too heavy!

Nian Zhaoxi wasn’t concerned with her thoughts at the moment and hurriedly pressed, “What will happen after absorbing this backlash force?”

“This…” Qin Moran hesitated.

Nian Zhaoxi demanded, “Speak!”

“This…” Qin Moran pursed her lips. “I don’t know. Although interrupting the Divine Invocation weakened the backlash force, even at its weakest… it would still be very uncomfortable.”

“Especially… especially since this is the ‘Zha’ character. If a cultivator suffers its backlash, they would at least be harassed day and night by vengeful spirits…”

What?

Nian Zhaoxi immediately drew a sharp breath.

Harassed day and night by vengeful spirits! So that meant ever since Qin Moran’s Divine Invocation failed, Gu Xiu had been entangled by resentful souls and harassed by vengeful spirits every single day!

This… even a cultivator would find it hard to endure. How could Gu Xiu possibly bear it?

“I don’t understand why you hold so much prejudice against him when he clearly saved your life, but I hope you remember one thing.”

“He is using his own suffering to buy you an opportunity!”

Nian Zhaoxi stared coldly at Qin Moran, threw down these words, and quickly turned to leave. She couldn’t wait any longer! She had to find Gu Xiu! No matter what, she couldn’t let someone like him wander in danger through the Tianqi Mountain Range!

After Nian Zhaoxi left, silence fell over the main hall of Moshu Peak.

Qin Moran’s eyes were still filled with shock and disbelief. She truly hated Gu Xiu. Although deep down she had always understood that he was trying to save her, she had convinced herself that he had severed her path—that he was meddling in affairs that weren’t his concern!

But now… at this very moment… Qin Moran’s heart suddenly became flustered.

She thought of her attitude towards Gu Xiu over these past three years, of her prejudices against him, and even more so… she thought of the harsh and hurtful words she had said to him.

Had she really been wrong?

A clear tear slid from Qin Moran’s eye. This was the first time since Gu Xiu returned from the forbidden land that she shed tears for him.

…

While Qin Moran wept for Gu Xiu and felt fear for him, elsewhere, in a convoy of Wanbao Pavilion carriages within the Tianqi Mountain Range, all was quiet.

Everyone sat silently in their places. Occasionally someone spoke, but they deliberately lowered their voices to avoid disturbing a certain carriage. Around that carriage stood several Wanbao Pavilion experts, guarding against any possible danger. Even at the slightest sign of disturbance, they would eliminate it immediately.

“Wanbao Pavilion’s reputation is so good precisely because of these extremely meticulous practices. Nothing more needs to be said; just this one incident means I’ll buy everything from Wanbao Pavilion from now on.”

“Indeed, reputation is built bit by bit. But that fellow called Feng Bugui is truly lucky. Not only did he achieve Dao Enlightenment, but he also gained Wanbao Pavilion’s protection during it.”

“Achieving Dao Enlightenment at Qi Refining Layer Four… such a thing can’t be explained by mere luck alone. His talent must be terrifyingly strong!”

“…”

Many people discussed in low voices. Whether in their words or their glances towards Gu Xiu’s carriage, there was nothing but emotion and envy.

It was impossible not to envy. Dao Enlightenment at Qi Refining Layer Four. And happening to encounter Wanbao Pavilion, which followed rules strictly enough to protect him during his cultivation. Any single point was enough to make one jealous.

“What do you think? How much will his realm improve next?” someone asked curiously.

The opportunity for Dao Enlightenment is extremely rare. It not only helps establish one’s Dao Heart but also allows one’s cultivation base to improve rapidly. For cultivators at any realm, it is a heavenly opportunity.

However, talking about Dao Heart during Qi Refining is ultimately a bit too early. After all, this is something needed more in later stages; its effect in the early stages isn’t as pronounced. Therefore, what deserved more attention now was how much Gu Xiu’s realm would improve.

“I’ve heard of Qi Refining cultivators achieving Dao Enlightenment and advancing one minor stage.”

“For Foundation Establishment cultivators, the improvement is a bit more.”

“It’s said someone once achieved Dao Enlightenment at late Foundation Establishment and later reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.”

“But a Qi Refining cultivator achieving Dao Enlightenment, and at Layer Four… unseen before, unheard of before.”

“Do you think it’s possible he reaches Qi Refining Layer Nine in one step?”

“Don’t even say Layer Nine; with his spiritual energy absorption speed, I’d believe he could reach Foundation Establishment!”

“He can at least reach Qi Refining Great Perfection!”

“…”

A group of cultivators discussed in low voices, speculating on what level Gu Xiu’s cultivation might reach.

It wasn’t just these ordinary cultivators who were curious. Even Su Rumei had been paying attention to the situation inside that carriage.

“Dao Enlightenment. Dao Enlightenment.”

“As expected of a rare opportunity for cultivators; this spiritual energy absorption speed is frighteningly fast.”

Su Rumei sighed with emotion, then turned to look at a nearby shadow. “What do you think? How much will this ‘Feng Bugui’ improve his cultivation through this Dao Enlightenment?”

The shadow seemed empty, but as Su Rumei asked, a figure emerged from within it.

After thinking for a moment, the figure offered a guess. “Foundation Establishment!”

“Oh?” Su Rumei expressed surprise. “So optimistic?”

“The speed at which he absorbs spiritual energy during Dao Enlightenment is very fast, already enough to fill his Dantian. Foundation Establishment is inevitable,” the figure within the shadow stated with certainty.

Su Rumei nodded, agreeing with this statement. But after some thought, she added, “I hope for Qi Refining Great Perfection at best.”

“Hmm?” The figure showed curiosity.

Su Rumei smiled. “That way, my Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill can come in handy.”

As she spoke, a wave of spiritual energy fluctuation suddenly appeared from within the carriage.

“The Dao Enlightenment has ended!”

“Quickly see what realm that little cultivator has reached!”

“He wouldn’t really achieve Foundation Establishment in a single day, would he?”

Many people spoke up one after another.

Gu Xiu’s Dao Enlightenment… had ended!

Su Rumei was equally curious and immediately extended her divine sense outward.