Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
During those seven days, there were no strange dreams, no interruptions from anyone else, and no further miraculous return of his sight. Everything was so uneventful that it seemed to have returned to the way it was before.
But You Su had never relaxed his vigilance. During the day, he cultivated without pause. Besides becoming proficient in sword techniques, he had also mastered more than ten spells from the General Selection, though unfortunately, very few of them could actually be used in battle.
At night, he continued helping his junior sister sense the flow of Mystic Qi. The two of them had still felt somewhat awkward at the end of the first two days, but after the third day, they gradually grew more and more accustomed to it.
On the night they practiced the third form, some positions were too close to vital areas, so You Su always restrained himself severely, avoiding making his junior sister feel embarrassed or awkward. Ji Lingruo, however, took the initiative to grasp You Su's hand and draw it closer, murmuring:
"Since this is serious business, why are you being so timid? If you don't act openly, it'll only make this instruction seem impure."
Hearing this, You Su understood Ji Lingruo's resolve and no longer held back. Fortunately, the instruction was indeed effective. Ji Lingruo's sword forms had finally begun to possess a faint sense of rhythm.
The girl was delighted to grow stronger, arriving earlier each night and leaving later. At the end of every session, she would always chant reluctantly, "More, more," leaving You Su with no choice but to send her away while wearily supporting his aching waist.
Under this sort of tempering, You Su's control over Mystic Qi also seemed to rise another level. Speaking only of the Ignition Spell, he could even ignite all ten of his fingers at once. Just as he was excited by the ten flames dancing over his hands, he had not expected the next page of the General Selection to contain a Fire Palm Technique.
These were only the things he did openly. In secret, You Su had also made considerable efforts.
He had searched through all the evil manuals, yet had not found much useful information.
The Evil Banishing Sect merely banished evil; its main cultivation involved feeding and controlling evil spirits. The books had briefly recorded that there was a secret school specializing in allowing evil spirits to possess and leave the body, using them as a source of power. However, because its methods were excessively sinister, it had been destroyed by the divine mountain several hundred years ago.
The most useful piece of information might have been that one of the book's Formation Techniques could conceal the evil aura in the surrounding area. You Su had secretly arranged this Formation Technique near the Sect Residence. Though it was rather crude, when he infused Mystic Qi into the Evil Warding Token again, its temperature no longer changed.
You Su had also been studying the function of the Evil Warding Token. Yet aside from the information transmitted that night, in his hands it was nothing more than an ordinary jade pendant, green streaked with black ink. He had tried to find whether there were any members of the Evil Warding Department in the city, but all his efforts had come to nothing.
The divine mountain seemed to have become his only hope.
Just as You Su was racking his brains, planning how to bring his junior sister and Mistress to Mount Henggao together, a turning point appeared.
A true visitor from the divine mountain had descended upon this remote little city.
Dawn had just begun to break.
The first rays of sunlight spread across heaven and earth, draping the city's unevenly scattered buildings in a layer of golden brocade. Through the faint, drifting mist in the air, not a single person could be seen on the streets and in the alleys of Chuyun City.
The breakfast street, normally most crowded in the morning, now had nothing but empty stalls.
He wondered whether his junior sister would believe him if he told her that the Oil-Crisped Cake shop really had not opened.
You Su shook his head and crossed the street, feeling that today's city seemed like an empty one.
Who exactly was the distinguished guest the City Lord's Mansion was receiving?
The visitor had actually prompted City Lord Liu to order all the city's residents not to go out casually before noon. He had even sent invitations to every cultivator in Chuyun City at the Spirit Platform Realm or above, asking them to welcome the guest together. Clearly, this was not merely about putting on a grand display. Otherwise, why not have the entire city welcome him?
You Su only hoped that whatever lay behind this had nothing to do with him. He prayed that his already troubled life would not be burdened with even more complications.
Before he realized it, he had arrived at the ancient and elegant City Lord's Mansion.
You Su expanded his perception and discovered that dozens of people were standing in orderly rows before the mansion gates.
At the head was City Lord Liu, followed by seven elderly men of high status. Blacksmith Wang was among them as well, while middle-aged and younger cultivators stood farther back.
Dressed simply in white, You Su quietly slipped into the very end of the line and stood straight as a pine. He thought no one had noticed him, but he still could not escape the attention of those who were watching carefully.
"Is that You Su from the Mandarin Sword Sect?"
"It's just a broken sword sect. Why dress it up with such a nice name? Are you thinking of switching sects?"
"My master would skin me alive for that. Hey, I heard the sect master of this sword sect ran off nearly ten years ago. The entire sect has only three people left. Is that true?"
"One blind senior brother who's all appearance and no substance, one junior sister who appeared from who-knows-where, and one Mistress who never leaves the house. What do you think?"
"A sect like that is worthy of welcoming the distinguished guest?"
"How would I know? If you ask me, it's a bat with chicken feathers tied to its body—one that no longer knows what kind of bird it is."
The moment those words were spoken, several people nearby snickered. Though the two men's voices were not loud, everyone present was a cultivator with sharp ears and keen eyes. Catching their words was no difficult matter.
You Su acted as though he had heard nothing. He mocked himself inwardly, realizing that most of their discussion was actually true, leaving him powerless to refute it.
Ever since that arrogant, overbearing, high-handed master had gone traveling, such mocking and ridicule had never ceased. You Su had long since grown accustomed to it.
"Hui Ren, Hui Yuan, the distinguished guest is about to arrive. Don't make noise." A young man turned and rebuked the two whispering men in a low voice.
This young man was none other than Wu Cheng. Judging by the arrangement of their positions, he seemed to be standing at the head of the younger generation.
He had clearly dressed with care today. His restrained yet luxurious brocade robes set off his peerless handsome features, and quite a few young female cultivators were secretly sizing him up, their eyes burning with longing.
"Yes, Senior Brother Wu." The two men did not dare act presumptuously before Wu Cheng. They bowed respectfully as they replied.
Wu Cheng's expression remained cold as he gave no response and continued gazing into the distant sky, quietly awaiting the guest.
"Senior Sister, Senior Brother Wu from the Sky Guard Sect is really handsome!"
"That's right. Senior Brother Wu is someone destined to ascend to the divine mountain."
"But if we're only looking at his face, that You Su seems even more handsome."
"Hm? He really does seem to be..."
"Junior Sisters, please be quiet." Wu Cheng turned his head with a faint smile and reminded them gently.
The two whispering female cultivators immediately lowered their blushing faces, feeling their hearts beat a little faster.
Just then, City Lord Liu, who stood at the front, suddenly said:
"He's here!"
Everyone except You Su was drawn toward the sound and looked together in the direction the old man was watching.
The originally bright sky suddenly grew somewhat gloomy, and an indescribable pressure drew closer and closer. At the instant the pressure climbed to its peak, a cloud of murky smoke suddenly rippled across the empty ground before the crowd. As the smoke dispersed, a tall, straight-backed middle-aged man gradually emerged.
So fast! Everyone thought this at nearly the same time.
The middle-aged man's features were stern. Dressed in dark robes, he swept a cold gaze across the crowd, radiating authority without needing to show anger.
This man was the distinguished guest the cultivators of Chuyun City had been eagerly awaiting: Gu Yao, one of the outer sect stewards of Xuanxiao Sect.
On this wondrous and mysterious yet perilous continent of Five Continents, the most important reason humanity had survived until now was the protection of the Five Divine Mountains. Xuanxiao Sect was the foremost sect of Mount Henggao, possessing tremendous influence among the immortal sects of the Central Yuan Continent and even throughout the Five Continents. In this world where immortals and mortals coexisted, Xuanxiao Sect also played a crucial role in governing the mortal realm.
Thus, even if an outer sect steward sounded insignificant, setting aside his unfathomable cultivation, he still possessed an exalted position in the eyes of everyone in Chuyun City.
Even City Lord Liu had merely been a comparatively outstanding disciple of Xuanxiao Sect back then. Precisely because his talent was insufficient, yet he did not wish to leave Xuanxiao Sect, he had been sent to govern the remote city of Chuyun.
"Senior Brother Gu, it's been many years."
City Lord Liu had white brows and a white beard. He smiled and took the initiative to exchange greetings, his words carrying a hint of the vicissitudes of time. Yet when he looked at Immortal Master Gu's face, which bore so few traces of the passing years, a trace of envy still surfaced in his eyes.
Gu Yao did not respond to City Lord Liu's greeting. He looked at the people before him, his voice as stern as his bearing.
"These are all the cultivators in Chuyun City above the Spirit Platform Realm?"
The City Lord felt somewhat embarrassed. After pausing for a moment, he hunched his body and replied, "In response to Senior Brother Gu, nine others are currently in seclusion. They'll soon be able to establish their Spirit Platforms."
"Junior Brother Liu has governed well." Gu Yao relaxed his stiff, cold expression and smiled, though the smile was rigid and unpleasant.
City Lord Liu's withered face grew even more awkward. He could only change the subject. "Senior Brother Gu must have had a hard journey. I've already prepared spirit wine and fine dishes at my residence to welcome you and wash away the dust. Senior Brother, perhaps you could—"
"No need. Cultivators do not concern themselves with those mortal formalities. Junior Brother Liu need only prepare a place for me to rest."
City Lord Liu heard the hidden barb in Gu Yao's words, and his expression grew even uglier. Still, he could only agree. "Senior Brother Gu is right. You truly possess the bearing of an immortal."
"I am Gu Yao, an outer sect steward of Xuanxiao Sect. None of you need to feel curious or fearful about my arrival." Gu Yao ignored City Lord Liu's flattery and spoke loudly to the crowd. "I've come to Chuyun City for only three things!"
"First, to inspect suitable sects and designate one as an affiliated sect of Xuanxiao Sect!"
"Second, to select talented disciples to go to Xuanxiao Sect and attend lectures!"
When Gu Yao finished speaking, the crowd cried out in surprise, their hearts burning with excitement.
They marveled at the distinguished guest's noble identity, and rejoiced at the possibility that their own destinies might soon be rewritten.
Becoming an affiliated sect of Xuanxiao Sect was already an enormous honor, to say nothing of the vast resources Xuanxiao Sect could casually bestow.
For young cultivators from these remote cities, the chance to go to Xuanxiao Sect and attend lectures was even rarer than once in a thousand years. Even though such students could not be considered Registered Disciples, what they could learn was truly substantial. Those who performed exceptionally well might even have a chance to become Formal Disciples of Xuanxiao Sect.
You Su listened, then clenched his fist.
"I will stay in Chuyun City for at most seven days. I hope none of you disappoint me." Gu Yao's voice suddenly grew solemn. He continued, "And third, the most important purpose! Everyone, form a line and come before me one by one!"
With that, Gu Yao clasped his hands behind his back, standing between heaven and earth like an upright iron ruler.
Most of the young cultivators looked at one another, bewildered. City Lord Liu coughed twice, then glanced back at several elderly men beside him. The old men immediately understood and took their places one by one behind the City Lord. Seeing this, the remaining cultivators followed suit. As expected, You Su ended up being the last person.
"Come here."
City Lord Liu stepped forward at those words. Only when he reached Gu Yao did he notice that Gu Yao's eyes were already radiating dazzling golden light, like a pair of blazing suns that could illuminate every ugliness and evil in the world.
City Lord Liu naturally knew that this was Xuanxiao Sect's advanced secret technique—the Evil-Breaking Golden Eyes, far more profound than the technique he had used on You Su that day.
Its main function was to investigate evil spirits. Unlike the conventional method of confirming evil spirits by detecting evil aura, this eye technique worked by continuously stirring the evil thoughts of the person being watched, forcing the evil spirit within them to endure no longer and resonate into visibility.
This technique was said to be foolproof, though its threshold for cultivation was exceptionally high. Even within Xuanxiao Sect, only a very small number of people could master it.
Even City Lord Liu, who had witnessed this eye technique before, instinctively lowered his brows and eyes when facing those golden pupils, not daring to look directly at them. Under the illumination of that golden light, he felt that every disgraceful act and filthy thought from his past had become impossible to conceal. He was no longer the City Lord of Chuyun City, but a sinner stripped naked and exposed beneath the sun.
"Junior Brother, cultivation is not easy. To maintain yourself until now is worthy of admiration." This time, Gu Yao's praise seemed sincere.
"Senior Brother flatters me. A cultivator must know what to do and what not to do. It is only proper." City Lord Liu's response was polished.
Gu Yao nodded slightly. City Lord Liu then tactfully withdrew. The next person was an old man with an immortal bearing, his robes shimmering with flowing light. He was the sect master of the Sky Guard Sect—and Wu Cheng's master—Qi Daodong.
"I have long admired Immortal Master Gu's great name. I am Qi Daodong, sect master of the Sky Guard Sect. I have long wished to—"
"You only need to come forward in silence, then look straight into my eyes."
Aside from City Lord Liu, Qi Daodong was the second most prominent person within a hundred miles. When had he ever been so servile? Having his attempt at ingratiation cut off so mercilessly, his spirited old face dimmed slightly.
"Daodong has been discourteous."
Though Qi Daodong was advanced in age, compared with the old City Lord, his vital energy was still vigorous. Even so, he could not suppress the surging evil thoughts stirred by the golden eyes. Fortunately, a cultivator's self-control allowed him to hold fast to his original heart.
"Next."
With Qi Daodong's example before them, no one else dared say much, and the ceremony proceeded quickly.
It was worth mentioning that when Wu Cheng's turn came, Gu Yao finally raised his eyelids slightly and was no longer stingy with his words.
"Good aptitude. You're an uncut jade."
As the foremost sect of an entire continent, Xuanxiao Sect was filled with outstanding heroes and countless prodigies. For Immortal Master Gu to offer such an evaluation was already the highest praise.
Wu Cheng did not appear flattered or overwhelmed. His neither-humble-nor-arrogant bearing made everyone think more highly of him, and even Qi Daodong's ugly expression eased slightly.
As the ceremony neared its end, You Su silently walked before Gu Yao.
You Su stood tall, neither favoring one side nor the other. Beneath the clear sky, his sharply defined face seemed to be dyed with a halo of light.
Gu Yao had seen much of the world and recognized countless people, yet this was the first time he had encountered a young man who could radiate such a unique bearing. The boy stood quietly before him, yet made him feel as though they were close at hand but worlds apart, as though they did not even exist in the same world.
Struck by wonder, Gu Yao suddenly wanted to strip away the disguise covering this youth. He wanted to know how long the boy could maintain that distant air.
What shocked him even more was that beneath the power of his golden eyes, which he had unconsciously pushed close to eighty percent, You Su still stood like a pine or bamboo. Those clear eyes even met his gaze without the slightest evasion.
Gu Yao could hardly believe it. Even City Lord Liu, who was half a step into the Feather Transformation Realm, could only avoid the sharp edge of these eyes. Yet this youth, who was merely at the lower level of the Spirit Platform Realm, seemed like a slender willow or a tranquil lake, silently dissolving every sharp and cutting force in his eye technique.
Suddenly! A terrifying thought flashed through Gu Yao's mind! His entire aura changed abruptly, and his aggressive pressure made the air seem viscous.
The surrounding cultivators were utterly baffled. The sudden intensification of the sense of danger left them tense.
"Has You Su offended Immortal Master in some way?"
You Su's voice was clear, his tone puzzled. He had sensed the hostility coming from Gu Yao.
The power of Gu Yao's golden eyes erupted at full strength. He stared fixedly at the frowning youth before him, as though he wanted to see through him—completely through him.
The scene fell into an eerie silence for a time, with only the wind rushing between the people.
Then the four words Gu Yao spat out in a low voice exploded like thunder on level ground, instantly changing everyone's expression!
"You're an Evil Demon!"
Before you continue