A fist-sized, crystal-clear emerald-green heart appeared in Gu Shenge's hand. It gave off a faint glow and contained a rich reserve of energy. The moment it appeared, it stirred the energy of heaven and earth into a tide, and the sound of rushing water filled the courtyard.
Feeling the energy fluctuations radiating from the Nirvana Heart, Gu Shenge began to make plans.
If he absorbed the Nirvana Heart, breaking through to Nine-Star Dou Emperor would be no problem. However, given the heart's special properties, he would need to balance yin and yang to refine it.
But Gu Shenge had another idea: he could make the most of the Nirvana Heart's potential. He would need to plan carefully, but if he succeeded, he could gain another concubine, or even a principal wife.
He returned the Nirvana Heart to the System Space, then waved away the energy of heaven and earth gathering around him.
His ears twitched. He heard footsteps outside the courtyard. Xiao Zhan and the others had arrived.
Not wanting them to disturb Qing Lin's sleep, Gu Shenge rose and left the room. When Xiao Zhan saw him, he hurriedly apologized for the grievance Qing Lin had suffered at the marketplace.
"This isn't the Clan Leader's fault. The marketplace is a mixed crowd, and there are bound to be some people with bad intentions. Rather than apologizing to me, you'd be better off tightening management of the marketplace. If this happens again, it'll be the Xiao Clan's reputation that suffers."
Gu Shenge spoke calmly, and Xiao Zhan nodded repeatedly.
"You're right, Young Master Juan. That marketplace used to belong to another clan in Wutan City. The Xiao Clan only took it over recently, and we hadn't yet had time to deal with everything there. That's why Miss Qing Lin suffered. This is some compensation from the Xiao Clan for her. I hope you'll accept it, Young Master Juan."
Xiao Zhan presented a three-pattern Purple Gold Card with both hands. It held fifty thousand gold coins prepared by the Xiao Clan as an apology for Qing Lin's ordeal, which had resulted from poor management of the marketplace.
"How thoughtful of you, Clan Leader Xiao."
Gu Shenge accepted the card without refusing, and Xiao Zhan finally relaxed.
Xiao Zhan did not stay long. He left Xiao Yan behind and took his leave.
Xiao Yan asked with some concern, "Big Brother Juan, is Qing Lin all right?"
Gu Shenge shook his head. "She's fine. She was just a little frightened, and she's asleep now."
Hearing Qing Lin was unharmed, Xiao Yan's worried heart settled. Then, remembering something, he spoke again:
"That's good. By the way, Big Brother Juan, the Jia Nan Academy recruitment team has arrived in Wutan City. Would you like to go take a look?"
Gu Shenge shook his head. There was no reason to join the crowds just to watch Jia Nan Academy recruit students. But he did share a piece of information with Xiao Yan.
"What, are you thinking of joining Jia Nan Academy? I remember the academy has a Heavenly Flame—the Fallen Heart Flame, ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Students at Jia Nan Academy cultivate in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, which was built around the Fallen Heart Flame. With its help, you can improve your cultivation much faster than elsewhere."
"Really?"
Hearing that Jia Nan Academy had a Heavenly Flame—and that the Fallen Heart Flame could help people improve their cultivation quickly—gave Xiao Yan an idea.
Gu Shenge nodded, then poured cold water on him. "But with your current strength, don't even think about cultivating in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower. That's a privilege reserved for students of the Inner Academy, and every Inner Academy student is at least a Dou Shi. You aren't even qualified to enter."
Xiao Yan's newly kindled hopes were immediately extinguished.
"Still, there's a way to improve your strength quickly. As far as I know, an Ancient Cave Mansion in the Magic Beast Mountain Range will open before long. According to the information I've received, there are plenty of good things inside, including a Nirvana Heart. They say it's the essence formed from a Dou Zong expert's entire cultivation. If you get it, you might not reach Dou Wang or Dou Huang, but you could at least reach Da Dou Shi in a short time."
Gu Shenge began digging a pit for Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan's eyes lit up at the news, but the next moment, they dimmed.
A treasure like the Nirvana Heart wasn't something a little Dou Zhe like him could obtain. When the Ancient Cave Mansion opened, the top experts of the Jia Ma Empire would surely come. With his small frame, he'd only be going there to get himself killed.
Xiao Yan asked, "Big Brother Juan, are you going to the Ancient Cave Mansion?"
Gu Shenge nodded. "Of course."
The Ancient Cave Mansion was part of his plan, so naturally he would go. He also needed to draw all the experts of the Jia Ma Empire there and stage a Battle Through the Heavens-style tomb-raiding contest.
"Your strength might not be enough to get the Nirvana Heart, but there are plenty of other good things in the cave that might help you. I'll take you with me when the time comes."
Gu Shenge reassured Xiao Yan, and his words gradually restored Xiao Yan's confidence. He looked at Gu Shenge with immense gratitude.
After chatting for a while longer, Xiao Yan remembered that Jia Nan Academy was still recruiting students. He did not stay and hurriedly left the courtyard.
Watching Xiao Yan's back disappear into the distance, Gu Shenge turned and went back to his room to begin studying the Tai Shang Induction Technique.
The next day.
Just as in the original story, the Jia Nan Academy recruitment team took up residence at the Xiao Clan. Xiao Zhan even sent Xiao Yan to invite Gu Shenge to a meal, hoping to lend the Xiao Clan some prestige. After all, a Dou Huang expert wasn't someone just anyone could invite.
But Gu Shenge politely declined. He needed to practice the Tai Shang Induction Technique.
The mysteries of the Tai Shang Induction Technique astonished even Gu Shenge. Though the protection of the Nine Sun Emperor Characters had given him extraordinary comprehension, he still hadn't mastered the basics after a whole night of practice. That showed just how difficult the technique was.
Ling Qingzhu had practiced it since childhood and had only achieved a little. Later, her progress had accelerated through dual cultivation with Lin Dong. Since that was the case, Gu Shenge thought he could follow Ling Qingzhu's example and practice the Tai Shang Induction Technique through dual cultivation.
After all, his mind and body weren't pure enough to meet the technique's first requirement for cultivation.
Gu Shenge instructed Qing Lin, "Qing Lin, I'm going out for a while. Stay home and be good. If you want to go out and have fun, you can ask Xiao Yan to take you."
"Okay, Young Master. Come back soon."
Qing Lin nodded obediently and watched her young master leave.
After leaving the Xiao Clan, Gu Shenge headed straight for the Miteer Auction House.
When Ya Fei heard that Gu Shenge had arrived at the Miteer Auction House, she hurried to the main hall to greet him.
"Young Master Juan, you're here."
Hearing Ya Fei's seductive voice, so alluring it seemed to melt the bones, Gu Shenge looked up at the beauty in her black silk cheongsam. He sensed the rich aura she exuded and saw that the inheritance card had already helped her break through to Dou Wang. A satisfied look crossed his face.
If she were still a Dou Zhe, she probably wouldn't last long under his advances.
Ya Fei invited Gu Shenge to the reception room, but he declined and went straight to her courtyard.
In the auction house's rear courtyard, Ya Fei bowed respectfully and poured Gu Shenge a cup of fragrant tea, displaying her ample curves to the fullest.
The next moment, Gu Shenge grabbed her fair, jade-like hand. It was smooth and soft, almost boneless. He pulled the beauty in the black silk cheongsam into his arms.
Ya Fei did not struggle. Instead, she nestled obediently against his chest. Gu Shenge pinched the alluring beauty's delicate chin and lifted her mature, captivating face before speaking slowly:
"Miss Ya Fei, it's time to fulfill your duties as my concubine. Don't worry. I'll take good care of you."
At his words, a blush spread across Ya Fei's pretty face. She looked as radiant as a rose in full bloom, tempting him to pluck her. Then she answered in a sweet voice:
"Please be gentle with me, Palace Master~"
~
PS: After the protagonist stirs up some trouble in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, he'll head to the Douluo World. But he won't take Xiao Yan this time. He'll bring Xiao Yan to the Douluo World after Xiao Yan completes the Three-Year Agreement, so Xiao Yan can beat Tang San senseless.
Before you continue