Ever since the last tournament, Zhao Wuji had been thinking about Gu Chengming.
He was certain that the killing intent sensed by the Spirit Guiding Art that day had not been a mistake.
The boy had a tenacious temperament and great talent. It would be such a waste if hatred drove him mad or led him astray.
Zhao Wuji sighed.
He remembered a disciple he had taken in a hundred years ago.
That child had also possessed Exceptional Talent and carried the burden of a family vendetta.
To take revenge, the child had cultivated day and night, even going so far as to practice forbidden arts. In the end, he had gone mad during a breakthrough, his meridians shattered, and died.
Now, looking at Gu Chengming, Zhao Wuji seemed to see that child from all those years ago again.
"Forget it. Since fate brought him before me, I can't just stand by and do nothing."
Zhao Wuji set down his teacup, rose to his feet, and instructed the Steward disciple:
"Go, prepare a generous gift. You'll accompany me to Huiyuan Gate."
The Steward disciple was taken aback. "Elder Zhao, are you going to see Elder Ren?"
"Mm." Zhao Wuji nodded. "There are some things I need to have him help me verify."
At Huiyuan Gate, in Ren Wencai's cave abode.
When Zhao Wuji explained why he had come and asked to see Gu Chengming's background records, Ren Wencai's first thought was:
—This old bastard wants to steal my disciple!
"Junior Brother Zhao, isn't that a little out of line?" Ren Wencai said slowly, putting on airs. "A disciple's background is private. Without a proper reason, I'm afraid I can't comply."
The alarm bells were going off in his head.
Gu Chengming was a promising talent Ren Wencai had his