Old Ancestor

Gu Yunzhou passed through the deep, secluded corridors and made his way slowly to the Gu Family backyard.

The scenery in the courtyard differed greatly from elsewhere. There were no beds of blooming flowers, only several ancient pines with gnarled branches twisting together. The ground was paved with polished black jade slabs that gleamed with a cold, clear luster.

At the center of the courtyard stood a small stone pavilion. Within it, an old man sat cross-legged on a cattail mat with his eyes closed.

This man was the Gu Family Old Ancestor, Gu Yunzhou's Third Uncle-Ancestor.

Strangely, every patch of the old man's exposed skin—his face, neck, and the backs of his hands—was covered in a layer of fine, soft white fur, giving him a rather peculiar appearance.

There was no incense burner around the pavilion, yet faint, tranquil sandalwood incense-like fragrances arose from nowhere. Like smoke and mist, they curled upward and wound around the old man.

Gu Yunzhou did not dare be negligent. He stopped three paces outside the pavilion, cupped his fists respectfully, and bowed. "Third Uncle-Ancestor."

The old man in the pavilion slowly opened his eyes.

Gu Yunzhou reported, "Following your instructions, I revealed the news that Black Profound Island may be hiding an important Demonic Sect stronghold to Tianbao Supreme Sect's newly arrived True Disciple, Chen Qing."

The old ancestor asked, "How did he react?"

After a brief hesitation, Gu Yunzhou recounted his conversation with Chen Qing from beginning to end.

After hearing Gu Yunzhou's account, no emotion could be seen on the Old Ancestor's white-furred face. He merely said lightly, "Not one of Tianbao Supreme Sect's True Disciples is a simple character."

After a pause, he continued, "To stand out within the sect and attain the rank of True Disciple, one must endure