Inner Sect Competition

Hearing Gu He's words, Xiao Yi Xian subconsciously looked up at Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran. Seeing that the two of them were indeed looking at her, she let out a startled cry before covering her face and leaving.

"That girl..."

"My foolish disciple is unruly. I hope the Sect Leader will not take offense."

Watching Xiao Yi Xian's hurriedly retreating figure, Gu He shook his head and apologized to Yun Yun.

"I have to say, Elder Gu He, you truly are a fine teacher."

Watching the touching scene between master and disciple before her, Yun Yun could not help but sigh.

He could even give Heavenly Flames to his disciple—what was there that he could not give?

Elder Gu He's spirit was something she should learn from.

However, at the thought of the Heavenly Flames, Yun Yun's expression turned serious. Her beautiful eyes looked at Gu He as she asked, "Elder Gu He, when you head to the Tagor Desert, do you need me to accompany you?"

The Tagor Desert was the territory of the Snake People Tribe, and their Queen Medusa was notorious for her ferocity.

If Gu He rashly entered the Tagor Desert, he would very likely encounter danger.

Yun Yun did not wish to see that happen.

After all, he was an honorary elder of the Misty Cloud Sect and a Sixth-Grade Alchemist.

If he were lost in the Tagor Desert, it would definitely be an enormous loss to the Misty Cloud Sect.

Moreover, regardless of his status, Yun Yun did not want Gu He to risk danger alone.

Not to mention the Qi Gathering Powder from last time, Yun Yun already owed Gu He a favor just for this Imperial Pill.

Especially after learning that Gu He was taking this risk for the sake of his disciple, Yun Yun wanted even more to help him.

As countless thoughts ran through Yun Yun's mind, Gu He was somewhat surprised upon hearing her words.

He remembered that in the original story, Gu He had also invited Yun Yun to the Tagor Desert to seize the Heavenly Flames.

But Yun Yun at the time had not truly been acting on Gu He's behalf. She had merely acted out of obligation, putting in an appearance without truly exerting herself.

Yet now, Yun Yun was actually taking the initiative to offer him help.

Comparing her attitude now to before, Gu He vaguely sensed that Yun Yun's attitude toward him had changed greatly.

The fact that she could proactively make such an offer meant that Yun Yun already held a trace of favorable feelings toward him.

At this thought, a smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of Gu He's lips.

However, Gu He knew that was all it was. If he wanted to win Yun Yun over completely, he would need stronger medicine.

The revolution has yet to succeed; comrades must still strive on!

Gu He hesitated for a moment, his words carrying a hint of concern. "The Tagor Desert is fraught with dangers, and Queen Medusa is guarding it. Gu truly does not wish for the Sect Leader to place herself in danger for my personal desires."

Hearing Gu He's words, Yun Yun's heart stirred slightly, and her beautiful eyes unconsciously swept over his handsome face.

Elder Gu He... is he worried about my safety?

"It is nothing. Though I may not be able to defeat Queen Medusa, with the agility of my wind attribute, it will not be so easy for Queen Medusa to keep me there." Suppressing the faint stirrings in her heart, Yun Yun said with a smile.

"Since that is the case, then I will have to trouble the Sect Leader to accompany me."

A hint of helplessness appeared on Gu He's face before he solemnly added, "However, should we encounter danger, I hope the Sect Leader will consider the greater picture and ensure your own safety."

"After all, the Misty Cloud Sect can do without me, Gu He, but it cannot do without its Sect Leader!"

Yun Yun nodded gently. "I will do my utmost to ensure Elder Gu He's safety."

"Then Gu thanks the Sect Leader in advance." Gu He said with a warm smile.

"Actually, there is another matter for which I came to see Elder Gu He this time. I would like to hear Elder Gu He's opinion." After hesitating for a moment, Yun Yun slowly spoke.

"If the Sect Leader has something to say, please speak freely. Gu is all ears." Gu He replied calmly.

"Three months from now will be the Misty Cloud Sect's annual Inner Sect Competition."

At this point, Yun Yun looked at Gu He. "For this Inner Sect Competition, I would like to invite Elder Gu He to preside over it. What do you think?"

The Inner Sect Competition?

Gu He was slightly stunned upon hearing this.

Within the Misty Cloud Sect, an Inner Sect Competition was held every year.

The top three would receive generous rewards.

Moreover, some elders would observe from the sidelines and use the opportunity to select talented disciples to take under their wing.

However, Gu He was somewhat puzzled. Looking at Yun Yun, he asked, "Wasn't it usually hosted personally by the Sect Leader? Why this time..."

A bitter smile appeared on Yun Yun's lips, and she said helplessly, "Elder Gu He, you may not know this, but during every previous Inner Sect Competition, many elders took the opportunity to introduce their descendants to me, hoping that I would accept them as disciples."

"Only..."

At this point, Yun Yun looked at Nalan Yanran beside her with some gratification. "Now that I have Yan Ran, I no longer have the desire to take on more disciples."

"But those elders were all my seniors. Many of them even watched me grow up."

"Some things are truly difficult for me to say..."

"So, I had not planned to appear at this Inner Sect Competition at all."

At this point, Yun Yun looked at Gu He, her voice carrying a hint of plea. "I hope Elder Gu He can understand my difficulties."

By now, Gu He understood Yun Yun's meaning.

She wanted to use him as a shield.

Gu He sighed inwardly.

Yun Yun was still too softhearted.

She could avoid this for a while, but could she avoid it forever?

If she did not want to accept disciples, she should simply make it known. Could those old fellows really force her to do so?

With Yun Yun's current strength, she no longer needed to heed those old fellows' expressions.

Gu He had dealt with several elders of the Misty Cloud Sect before.

Those old fellows loved to throw their seniority around.

Relying on the fact that they had once followed the former Sect Leader Yun Shan and possessed greater seniority, they often used their status as elders to pressure others.

Gu He had experienced their methods himself when he first entered the Misty Cloud Sect.

However, after Gu He became a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, no one dared behave presumptuously before him.

After all, in terms of status, a Sixth-Grade Alchemist stood above even a Dou Emperor.

He was not someone just anyone could rebuke.

Furthermore, as a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, Gu He possessed his own pride. He never indulged the elders when they threw their seniority around.

That left those old fellows with no way to deal with him.

Facing Yun Yun's request now, many thoughts flashed through Gu He's mind as he considered what benefits he could gain if he agreed to preside over this Inner Sect Competition.

A moment later, Gu He had made up his mind. He smiled and nodded at Yun Yun. "Since the Sect Leader has her difficulties, Gu is naturally willing to help ease your worries."

Gu He already had his own plans.

During the Inner Sect Competition, every disciple would display their strength.

Perhaps he would be able to discover one or two exceptionally talented disciples then.

If any of them could reach the system's eight-point rating, Gu He would not mind taking them under his wing.