Gu Yao Expresses Gratitude

Chapter 47: Gu Yao Expresses His Gratitude (Young Master, check out the latest chapters~)

You Su slept in later than usual today, only waking up towards the end of the Chen hour.

He inwardly chided himself for his laziness. He hadn't conducted any lessons last night and had slept until now. His Junior Sister must have seen he was tired and didn't wake him this morning.

You Su shook his head, sat up in bed, and stretched, loosening his limbs. He felt the cultivation in his Spirit Platform; it was full and abundant, even subtly more advanced than before.

You Su was delighted. The Spirit Platform had three realms, with three layers each. Once all three layers of the Spirit Platform were forged, the Mystic Qi stored within could be condensed into water, allowing him to break through to the Condensing Water Realm.

Even more surprising than his pleasing cultivation speed was his leg. After just one night, his legs felt no pain. Only a faint, ant-like itch emanated from the wound. You Su touched it; the wound had already begun to scab over, and a part of it had even naturally fallen off.

Such an astonishing recovery—was it the effect of the spirit pill or that piece of rotten flesh? He suspected the latter played a larger role.

You Su walked out of his room, brushed his teeth, and washed his face. He then took out some pastries from his Universe Bag to fill his stomach casually. This was a new discovery of its usefulness: the Universe Bag could keep things fresh.

After eating, he stood under the loquat tree, the sunlight dappled by the leaves falling beautifully on the young man.

You Su steadily raised his sword, recalling the final strike from yesterday. He didn't know what had happened to him at the time. With his Mistress's parting words echoing in his mind, he had only one thought in that moment: he wanted to break free from his restraints and unleash the wildness in his chest, no matter who stood in his way.

This was different from the strange surge of power he felt the night he fought True Man Ling. You Su knew this was his own strength, unrelated to the piece of rotten flesh.

After eighteen years of sword practice, this was undoubtedly the strongest strike he had ever unleashed.

He tried hard to recapture that feeling, that desperate, unyielding desire for something, but after immersing himself for a long time, the spiritual light of that strike was impossible to replicate.

Just as he was pondering this with a furrowed brow, a knock on the door brought him back to his senses.

You Su frowned. Since his Master had left, this secluded sect had received no visitors except for that one time Wu Cheng brought people in. Who could be visiting now?

No matter who was outside, You Su just hoped it wasn't Gu Yao. Gu Yao's Evil-Breaking Golden Eyes that day were enough proof that he was the most likely person in Chuyun City to discover that his Junior Sister and Mistress were Malevolent Spirits.

"Gu Yao, an outer sect steward of Xuanxiao Sect, has come to visit the Mandarin Sword Sect."

Each word was like a tightening noose, constricting You Su's heart. You Su almost felt dizzy; the worst possible outcome had indeed occurred.

He anxiously looked towards his Junior Sister's and Mistress's rooms, his heart pounding as he considered his options.

"Is anyone home?" Gu Yao's voice grew louder.

No! He couldn't let him shout again. It would be even worse if he called out his Junior Sister and Mistress. His only hope now was that the formation could fool him, and he would dismiss it as a casual visit, giving him no reason to cast spells to find evil here.

With a creak, the wooden door opened. Gu Yao stood alone outside. You Su, somewhat surprised, said:

"Immortal Master Gu, what brings you here?"

"I came to check on your injuries and to inspect your sect. I hope my unannounced visit doesn't disturb you." Seeing You Su open the door, Gu Yao's stern face softened slightly.

"Not at all, not at all. Please come in, Immortal Master Gu. I'll pour you some tea." As You Su spoke, he moved aside and led Gu Yao inside. As Gu Yao stepped further in, You Su's heart leaped into his throat.

Logically, such an esteemed guest should be received in the main hall. However, the side room of the main hall was his Mistress's room. You Su hesitated, then gritted his teeth and said, "Immortal Master Gu, the sect's main hall hasn't been used in years and is likely covered in dust. Please wait a moment while I clean it before I host you."

As he spoke, he took a couple of steps, positioning himself between the main hall and the stone table and chairs in the courtyard from Gu Yao's perspective.

Gu Yao indeed noticed the table and chairs in the courtyard to his left. He recalled City Lord Liu's description from yesterday and, after looking around the dilapidated sect residence, didn't find the main hall being dusty strange, as it didn't look like a place that received guests. He said amiably, "There's no need. Isn't it nice sitting over there? Under the loquat tree, by the mossy well. It's quite pleasant."

"How can that be? What reason is there to have an honored guest sit in the courtyard? Immortal Master, please wait a moment, I'll be quick." Saying this, You Su prepared to leave.

Gu Yao quickly stopped him, smiling, "I came on a whim, there's no need to be formal. No need to make tea either, let's just chat casually."

You Su nodded with trepidation and then led Gu Yao to sit under the tree.

"Are your injuries from yesterday any better?" Gu Yao asked proactively.

"They are no longer serious, thank you for the spirit pill, Immortal Master Gu." You Su moved to bow, but Gu Yao held him back.

"It's good that you're alright. Young people often neglect their injuries because they feel strong, which can easily lead to lingering problems and lay hidden dangers for their future cultivation path," Gu Yao said earnestly, a stark contrast to his demeanor when facing City Lord Liu. He now seemed more like a kind, middle-aged uncle.

"You Su understands."

"If you're going to thank someone, it should be me." Gu Yao's tone was as gentle as ever. "Forcing you to admit fault on the first day was my mistake. You are very sharp, and you likely realized that City Lord Liu was deliberately giving me a hard time.

You Su dared not respond. He couldn't tell if Gu Yao was genuinely thanking him or subtly probing. Gu Yao continued, "If I say that I used my authority to pressure you just to prevent my sect, Xuanxiao Sect, from losing face because of me, wouldn't that sound hypocritical?"

"If my sect were looked down upon because of me, I would probably make the same choice as you, Immortal Master Gu," You Su replied respectfully, his eyes lowered.

Gu Yao chuckled helplessly. This blind young man was too perceptive, making him feel a pang of sympathy for how carefully he must have grown up:

"You don't need to comfort me. Although City Lord Liu and I are fellow disciples, our relationship isn't good. In fact, when the sect assigned tasks, I specifically chose Chuyun City because I wanted to see his downfall. But to receive a snub from him right after arriving, who would believe there wasn't some personal motive on my part? Not only did you salvage the situation for me, but you also helped me greatly. I intended to thank you afterward, but with so many things to attend to daily, I only had the chance on this final day."

You Su quickly said, "Immortal Master Gu, you flatter me. You Su is insignificant and has little influence. It is my greatest fortune to be able to help you. Moreover, during yesterday's competition, Immortal Master Gu already spoke up for me righteously and even gave me medicine. I should be the one more grateful to Immortal Master Gu."

"One thing at a time. That victory and the spirit pill were rightfully yours, they don't count as helping you. I came this time to bring you a gift of thanks."

With that, Gu Yao took out a luxurious brocade box emanating a lustrous glow from his robes.