Preparing for a Rainy Day

"Before Gu He left, he also gave me a pill formula called Nourishing Spirit Liquid. It can increase the cultivation speed of Dou Qi for those below the Dou Zhe level. Even the most conservative estimate puts it at four times the normal rate. He will also refine two Sixth-grade pills for us. Under these circumstances, it is our Misty Cloud Sect that owes him a favor, not the other way around."

Upon hearing Yun Yun describe the effects of the pill formula, the elders below erupted once more. This time, however, they were not condemning Gu He. After all, everyone had a few juniors in their family. With such a medicinal liquid that could enhance Dou Qi cultivation, even if its effects were only half of what the Sect Master claimed, it would still let the youngsters in their families cultivate far faster.

"Sect Master, is this true?" several elders asked all at once, no longer caring about maintaining their dignity as elders.

"Yesterday, Brother Gu He gave me a bottle of pills. This morning, I took them to Master Xi He for appraisal. He was the one who told me," Yun Yun patiently explained to the elders.

Once they heard that it had been appraised by Master Xi He, the seated elders had no further doubts. Elder Xi He was the Misty Cloud Sect's other Fifth-grade Alchemist and was currently its highest-ranked alchemist. Master Xi He was advanced in years and had neither children nor family. He had come to the Misty Cloud Sect only to find a peaceful place where he could devote himself to alchemy. Surely, he would not joke about pills.

Seeing the elders in the hall switch sides so easily, Yun Ling was furious inside, but this was not the time to dwell on it. He had pushed the elders to agree to detain Gu He. Though he had not openly disrespected the Sect Master, it was undeniably true that he had incited the elders and left her unable to save face. If he had succeeded, he could have relied on Gu He's pill refinement to rapidly increase his strength and win over the sect's upper ranks. He would not have feared the Sect Master then. But now, not only had they failed to detain Gu He, they had also angered the Sect Master. He had to make his stance clear and calm her anger.

Yun Ling stepped forward and stated, "Sect Master, I did not know the Pill King had done all this. I was rash. When the Pill King arrives, I will certainly apologize to him."

Yun Yun's expression finally softened completely. Just as she was about to speak, a voice from outside interrupted her.

"Elder Yun Ling, there is no need for your apology. However, my promise to refine a Spirit Dou Pill for you is null and void." Gu He entered through the door, casting Yun Ling a cold glance. Pitiful people must have something hateful about them. Gu He had originally felt rather sympathetic toward him. Killed by Xiao Yan before he even understood the situation, Yun Ling could be considered one of the most tragic Dou Wang powerhouses in the original story. Gu He had thought that, if the opportunity arose, he might help him where he could. Of course, guiding him toward opposition against Xiao Yan was something Gu He had definitely intended to do. But after hearing all those words Yun Ling had spoken against him, Gu He could no longer summon even a trace of sympathy for him.

Ignoring Yun Ling, whose face had gone deathly pale because of a single sentence, Gu He walked over to Yun Yun and said, "Yun'er, I should thank you for getting me out of that predicament. I even owed you a favor before leaving." Gu He gave a wry smile and shook his head. Although these weaklings who had not yet reached the Dou Wang realm posed no threat to him—even though his sealed strength had been reduced to Dou King Five Stars—the pure Dou Qi of a Dou Emperor was enough to make his current strength comparable to a Dou Wang at seven or eight stars. Combined with the two Earth-grade Dou Techniques he knew, even if they all rushed him at once, he could leave whenever he wished and stay whenever he wished. But Xiao Yi Xian was still here. Protecting someone who had only just reached the Dou Zhe realm while facing the combined assault of so many elders would make safely leaving Misty Cloud Mountain somewhat difficult. So when he said he owed Yun Yun a favor, he truly meant it.

"Why is Brother Gu He saying such formal things too?" Hearing Gu He's words, Yun Yun could not help letting out a coquettish rebuke. Then she realized there were still so many elders present. She forcefully suppressed her embarrassment and calmly instructed the elders below, "Since the Pill King has already heard what you said, you should leave first to avoid further awkwardness. I will escort the Pill King from Misty Cloud Mountain."

After the elders departed, Yun Yun let out a light breath, only to find Gu He watching her with an amused expression.

"Brother Gu He is becoming more and more wicked. I almost want Xiao Yi Xian to stay here so you do not lead her astray." The embarrassment Yun Yun had just calmed surged back onto her face.

"It is because Yun'er is too thin-skinned. You need more practice with me." Gu He spoke shamelessly, making even Nalan Yanran beside them unable to resist giving him a sidelong glance. Was this really the refined and courteous Pill King from before?

Seeing Yun Yun looking at him with a speechless expression as well, Gu He rubbed his nose, gave a dry laugh, and changed the subject. "You need to deal with Yun Ling properly. Otherwise, given his strength and prestige, he will still be troublesome for you."

Following Gu He's lead, Yun Yun said, "Was it not because you directly rejected his request for pill refinement? He will certainly bear resentment toward you. He probably would not harbor rebellious intentions toward the Misty Cloud Sect. Even if he did, my strength would be enough to suppress him."

The confidence in her bearing made Yun Yun especially captivating. Combined with her innate nobility, she seemed like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.

Gu He extinguished the faint sense of inferiority that had just arisen in his heart and analyzed, "I sensed your aura just now. You are only one step away from becoming a Dou Emperor. At most, within half a year, you will enter seclusion to break through. But the amount of Dou Qi needed to advance to Dou Emperor is simply too enormous. Even if you cultivate an Earth Grade technique and possess exceptional talent, it will still take at least a year to break through. During the time you are in seclusion, no one in the Misty Cloud Sect will be able to suppress him."

Yun Yun frowned slightly. That was indeed a problem. She would choose the Life and Death Gate for her seclusion, where no one could disturb her, but she would also be unable to manage sect affairs.

"Brother Gu He, what do you think I should do?" Unable to come up with a good solution, Yun Yun simply asked Gu He.

"Find a reason to transfer Yun Ling away from Misty Cloud Mountain, or even the Jia Ma Empire, for a period of time. Once you have broken through to Dou Emperor, transfer him back. Of course, abruptly transferring him will certainly make him dissatisfied, and it will make everyone in the Misty Cloud Sect uneasy. So you need a legitimate reason to send him away, and it would be best if he proposed it himself."

As he spoke, Gu He took out a pill the size of a longan, radiating a rich medicinal fragrance, and handed it to Yun Yun. Meeting her puzzled gaze, Gu He said, "This is a Sixth-grade pill, a Spirit Dou Pill. It can raise a Dou Wang powerhouse by one star with absolute certainty. Find an opportunity to speak with Yun Ling and have him go to the Black Corner Region to gather information on Earth-grade Water Attribute cultivation techniques and the various factions there. As long as the intelligence is detailed enough, this pill will be his."

"Master, Master, Yun Ling is such a bad man to you. I would rather not have the cultivation technique than see you give him that pill." Hearing Gu He's arrangement, Xiao Yi Xian could not help voicing her objection.

"Silly girl, the best way to take revenge on an enemy is not to kill him, but to make him work for you." And risk his life doing it.

Xiao Yi Xian nodded as if she understood, while Nalan Yanran moved a little closer to Yun Yun, seemingly afraid Gu He might sell her off next.

Yun Yun hesitated. "Brother Gu He, are you going to the Black Corner Region?"

"Yes. After I stabilize my realm as a Sixth-grade Alchemist, I intend to use a Seventh-grade Shaping Pill to subdue a Sixth Tier Magical Beast. Then, under its protection, I will head to the Black Corner Region."

Yun Yun was reassured. She put away the pill and said, "Do not worry, Brother Gu He. I will handle it."