“Senior, why have you fallen silent?”

Ye Hongling’s question was like a vicious sword piercing straight through the heart meridian. Its angle was cunning. Its execution was ruthless. It could truly be called a finishing blow!

At least, for Nian Zhaoxi it was. She was completely thrown into disarray. Faced with Ye Hongling’s inquiry, she could only stammer.

“I… I…”

But after stammering “I” for a long while, Nian Zhaoxi had no idea how to answer. She couldn’t even maintain her usual image of an exalted figure anymore, tears once again dripping down her face.

It wasn’t just because she didn’t know how to explain. More so, it was because she understood why Gu Xiu’s cultivation technique was so ordinary.

Five hundred years ago, the Qingxuan Sacred Land was still called the Qingxuan Sect, and back then it was merely an ordinary, third-rate sect. The highest-level technique the sect possessed at that time was an Earth-grade technique called the Qingxuan Art!

Back then, Gu Xiu relied on that very technique to cultivate himself into a peerless genius of his era! Later on, he even voluntarily entered the forbidden land to participate in that struggle for fortune!

After Gu Xiu entered the forbidden land, the Qingxuan Sect suddenly began to receive boundless fortune and favor. The originally third-rate sect forcefully rose to prominence within a mere five hundred years. It ascended into the ranks of sacred lands!

Although it was only the most ordinary type of sacred land sect, lacking deep foundations, under the favor of fortune, many things were enhanced. Whether it was the magical treasures and weapons previously given to disciples or the cultivation techniques provided for their training.

Among these, their cultivation techniques were especially fortunate—they obtained a Heaven-grade technique! While not something everyone could learn, at least all the personal disciples had switched to this technique.

As for that Earth-grade technique from five hundred years ago? It became the cultivation method for the most ordinary, lowest-tier inner sect disciples.

Three years ago, when Gu Xiu returned from the forbidden land, he was severely injured, plagued by Dao injuries. Even the Sect Master judged that he would never be able to cultivate again in this lifetime.

Naturally, the sect’s Heaven-grade technique could not be given to Gu Xiu for study. Or rather… it wasn’t about study. It was that everyone in the entire sect wasn’t even willing to let Gu Xiu take another look at it!

Because everyone’s thinking was identical: Gu Xiu is already crippled. What’s there to see? What if Gu Xiu leaks this technique in the future? What then?

When Nian Zhaoxi first heard this reasoning, she merely thought her master and junior sisters might be a bit extreme. But looking back now… After everyone in the sect saw Gu Xiu again, it seemed they not only felt less affection for him or became distant… but were actually guarded against him!

Thinking further about it, over these three years, no one had ever truly treated Gu Xiu as one of their own! Otherwise, why could Gu Xiu start cultivating again after his master declared him incapable? Otherwise, why did Gu Xiu have to use the most common Earth-grade technique after resuming cultivation?

This series of thoughts plunged Nian Zhaoxi into silence. She couldn’t explain clearly. Nor could she explain at all.

How could she say that their Qingxuan Sacred Land’s way of treating their sect hero was to continuously torment him and regard him as an outsider? This was the truth. But… it was also a truth that could not be spoken aloud!

At this very moment, a question she had never considered before suddenly arose in Nian Zhaoxi’s heart.

All along… I’ve been pursuing bringing Gu Xiu back to the sect, hoping everything can be reconciled and return to how it was in the past…

Is this… truly correct?

Or rather, even if Gu Xiu really did return with me, could things truly go back to how they were five hundred years ago?

…

While Nian Zhaoxi was breaking down in tears beyond her control…

Over in Yunxiao City. Within the small courtyard of Tingyu Residence.

Gu Xiu stopped his cultivation and walked out of his room.

A young maidservant wearing a jade-green silk dress with an obedient appearance immediately came forward. “Immortal Feng, your meal is ready. Xiaohe will serve you rice!”

“Thank you, I can do it myself.” Gu Xiu thanked her and then took the bowl and chopsticks to serve himself some rice while turning his head to ask, “Have you eaten?”

The maidservant quickly shook her head. “Immortal Feng hasn’t eaten yet; how dare Xiaohe…”

Before Xiaohe could finish, Gu Xiu shook his head. “No need to wait for me specifically from now on. If you’re hungry, eat first. Come on, let’s eat together.”

Saying this, he handed her a bowl of rice.

In Gu Xiu’s view, this was just an ordinary gesture. But it made Xiaohe freeze in place.

Incredible.

This immortal… is asking me to sit at the table and eat with him? He even served rice for a mere maidservant like me?

“Immortal Feng, no! Absolutely not! Xiaohe is a servant girl. There’s no reason for Immortal Feng to serve me rice personally; I am not qualified to share a table with Immortal Feng.” Xiaohe was startled and hurriedly refused.

Gu Xiu shook his head. “I said before that I only asked you here to help with washing clothes, cooking meals, and tidying up the courtyard. There is no master-servant relationship; you don’t need to be so reserved.”

However, seeing Xiaohe’s thoroughly frightened expression, Gu Xiu understood his persuasion was useless. He simply didn’t say anything more and quietly began eating.

It had been two days since entering the city. Gu Xiu had now settled down completely.

The Tingyu Residence small courtyard he lived in was bought at a low price of eight hundred spirit stones from Wanbao Pavilion—though ‘bought’ is hardly accurate; it was practically given away. Yunxiao City implemented curfews and land here cost a fortune. Eight hundred spirit stones for a quiet and elegant small courtyard? An utterly impossible thing.

As for this maidservant named Xiaohe? She was a mortal woman gifted by Wanbao Pavilion. Her biological father had been a rogue cultivator at Qi Refining Layer Eight but was killed by enemies; she became an orphan and had no choice but to sell herself into servitude at Wanbao Pavilion.

Gu Xiu didn’t refuse because although he was a cultivator… he ultimately hadn’t reached the Golden Core stage where one can abstain from food. Busy with cultivation every day, someone needed to help with laundry and cooking.

Just as they were eating… suddenly there came knocking sounds from outside accompanied by an extremely arrogant shout.

“Open up! Open up quickly! Time to pay this month’s tribute!”

“Listen up! The southern market district is now under our Qingyu Gang’s jurisdiction! Come out quickly and pay your tribute! Otherwise if you delay… whatever misfortune befalls this courtyard won’t be our concern!”

“…”

These loud shouts made Xiaohe—who had initially intended to go open the door—instantly too scared to move.

Speaking of which… Yunxiao City being a city for rogue cultivators is considered a dream holy land for countless rogue cultivators. For most coming here, it seems like they can live easily and comfortably.

But in reality… Temples turn frosty white; young disciples grow old within the Jianghu. Even ordinary sects have various conflicts privately; let alone Yunxiao City where large numbers of rogue cultivators gather.

Yunxiao City indeed has few sects present… but there are numerous gangs instead!

Many rogue cultivators full of hope upon arriving at Yunxiao City first get taught one lesson by these countless gangs: The ideal place exists only within ideals!

Just like right now… Even after buying a courtyard and staying behind closed doors, disputes cannot be avoided. Every year many gangs are born while many gangs are destroyed. Ordinary rogue cultivators within Yunxiao City… can only survive within the cracks.

Bang bang bang!

“I know there are people inside! I advise you open up quickly otherwise you’re opposing our Qingyu Gang!”

Seeing no one opened after long knocking, those outside impatiently knocked again as if about to break down the door.

Xiaohe turned pale with fright, looking pleadingly towards Gu Xiu…

Only to see Gu Xiu hadn’t even put down his bowl, saying calmly, “Don’t be afraid.”

“But…” Xiaohe swallowed saliva, about to say something when she heard an authoritative rebuke from outside.

“What small fry dares disturb our Senior Feng?! Senior Feng is an honored guest of our Victory Gang! Cause trouble again and we’ll cripple you!”

But the Qingyu Gang clearly didn’t take the Victory Gang seriously and immediately retorted, cursing back. But gradually, the curses turned to screams…

Then… heard a cold snort.

“Fellow Daoist Feng is a guest of our Wanbao Pavilion! Idlers must not provoke or offend! Violators are considered enemies of Wanbao Pavilion!”

This time outside quieted down again…

Xiaohe listened fearfully, eavesdropping at the doorway until the crisis subsided. She finally sighed with relief, deeply turning back to see Gu Xiu had just finished eating… putting down his bowl and chopsticks, rising and leaving…

Xiaohe hurried forward to clear up, noticing many dishes were only half eaten…

Who he left half for was obvious…

Xiaohe suddenly looked up gazing towards Gu Xiu’s retreating back feeling somewhat grateful… But remembering events outside, gratitude was replaced by shock again…

She came to serve as a maid under Wanbao Pavilion assignment indeed, but from start to finish Wanbao Pavilion only told her to serve attentively, never mentioning the identity of this immortal… nor instructing her to do anything special…

Making Xiaohe think she was merely serving an ordinary Wanbao Pavilion guest. Though an immortal is somewhat different, she never thought much of it…

But now it seems… This immortal’s identity was probably more formidable than imagined!

At least Wanbao Pavilion sending personnel specifically to protect and prevent harassment from idlers was definitely not something ordinary people qualified for!

Xiaohe’s astonishment was unknown to Gu Xiu, and even if he knew, he wouldn’t care. Currently, he returned to his own training room, activating restrictions and preparing to resume cultivation…

However… before he began, intense pain surged from his soul making his face instantly pale…

Dao injury relapsed…

Fortunately, this was not the first relapse. He forced himself to sit cross-legged, gritting his teeth and enduring until the sky completely darkened. The relapse finally ended…

His current clothes were soaked in sweat, his white hair disheveled, looking somewhat wretched…

But he didn’t mind. He even harbored no resentment. He simply washed, changed into clean clothes… then sat cross-legged and resumed cultivation…

The Dao injury needed to be resolved; that was the reason for coming to Yunxiao City. He sought an opportunity, a method to resolve the Dao injury!

But before the opportunity appeared, he needed to continue improving himself!

The night passed uneventfully. Next morning, walking out of his room, he encountered Su Rumei visiting…

Arriving in Yunxiao City two days ago, busy Su Rumei barely touched the ground. Though she arranged everything properly, she had never visited Tingyu Residence. This was her rare free time to finally visit…

She didn’t come empty-handed. Quite the opposite.

“Fellow Daoist Feng, heard recently you asked the Victory Gang to help collect technique manuals. Coincidentally Wanbao Pavilion has many such manuals. I brought them as a gift for Fellow Daoist Feng. Though grades are not high, perhaps they are useful to Fellow Daoist Feng…”

“By the way, Tingyu Residence though elegant hasn’t been tended for long. I specially brought several spiritual plants and Taihu Lake stones to place in the courtyard. Besides adding beauty, they help gather spiritual energy…”

“Also Fellow Daoist Feng is always immersed in cultivation, but the path of cultivation requires more than perseverance. Spirit stones… I brought some talismans with gathering spiritual energy effects as a gift for Fellow Daoist Feng…”

“…”