Gu He's Helplessness

The Dou King realm is the watershed for powerhouses on the Dou Qi Continent; only by ascending to this level does one earn the qualification to step onto the stage that belongs exclusively to the strong.

The Dou Emperor realm serves as a benchmark for defining true power; the age at which one reaches this level determines whether they have the potential to establish a sect or become a founding ancestor in the future.

"Fight!"

Yun Shan said this to Yun Zimo.

"As long as you engage in non-stop combat with a dozen top-tier Dou Kings, or 'spar' with a Dou Emperor, the barrier to the Dou Emperor realm can be shattered directly through the heat of battle!"

A chill rose through Yun Zimo's entire body. He had not expected the old Sect Master's advice to be so simple and brutal. Fight? Or rather, be beaten? Against a dozen top-tier Dou Kings, he might be drowned in a sea of Dou Techniques before he could even unleash a single move, let alone a Dou Emperor, who could manipulate the energy of heaven and earth—that would be equivalent to a one-sided thrashing.

"Can't I just go to the Gate of Life and Death and borrow..."

"Absolutely not!"

Yun Shan decisively rejected Yun Zimo's plea. Given this brat's demand for resources and energy, he would likely drain the Gate of Life and Death dry just to break through to the Dou Emperor realm!

Besides, Yun Yin and Yun Yun were both currently in seclusion within the Gate of Life and Death; how could it possibly sustain the consumption of a third person?

"Then I shall descend the mountain to challenge those veteran powerhouses!"

Yun Zimo hardened his heart. If he wanted to break through to the Dou Emperor realm quickly, he either had to grind away with time and resources, or he had to challenge the world and carve out his own path to the Dou Emperor realm through sheer force!

"Hmm."

Yun Shan nodded. Aside from being a bit lovesick in his youth, this boy was a top-tier choice in both temperament and aptitude.

"Then prepare yourself and head down the mountain. I will have the elders discuss and implement these matters. As for the two little ones you brought back, do not worry; I will make the necessary arrangements."

Yun Shan pointed to the pile of scrolls and suggested softly.

"Brother Zimo, the snacks are all gone."

Just as Yun Zimo returned from Yun Shan's place, Zi Yan found him and held up her empty leather pouch, shaking it.

"That fast?!"

Yun Zimo was startled by Zi Yan's speed. After a moment's thought, he took out three more large bags of medicinal pills and urged her to eat them slowly.

"The energy is too little, but the taste is too good!"

Zi Yan retorted with righteous indignation.

"Without high-grade energy food to supplement me, I can only eat more of these low-energy things."

Yun Zimo was filled with regret. He had been so focused on breaking through to the Dou Emperor realm that he had rushed straight to Yun Shan's courtyard upon returning, forgetting to seek help from Master Gu He.

"Master Gu He!"

Yun Zimo stepped lightly into the newly built Alchemy Hall of the Misty Cloud Sect. The surroundings were inexplicably quiet; from time to time, an alchemist or apprentice would whisper, fearing to disturb the progress of others refining pills. The faint sound of wind and swirling flames echoed, and a subtle medicinal fragrance lingered in the hall, making Yun Zimo feel refreshed in body and mind.

"Hall Master."

Gu He had just opened his furnace to collect the pills. Two pills flew out of the medicine cauldron and landed precisely into the jade bottle before him, which he then handed to Xiao Yi Xian, who had been watching quietly at his side.

"These two pills should be able to suppress the poison dou qi within your body. As long as you don't break through too quickly, the Woe Poison Body will not easily erupt."

"Hall Master, I heard a few days ago that you returned from Jia Nan Academy. After arranging for those exchange students, you went straight to the old Sect Master, so I didn't want to disturb you and have been staying here in the Alchemy Hall."

Gu He walked over after finishing his arrangements, his tone gentle and calm.

He had returned to the sect with Yun Shan a few days prior, and the Fire Cloud Water Flame had fallen into his hands. With his long-standing obsession finally dissipated, he now possessed an even greater air of scholarly elegance.

"Master Gu He, you have gone to great lengths."

Yun Zimo bowed solemnly. He had to trouble Gu He far too often regarding the affairs of Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan.

In high spirits due to obtaining the Fire Cloud Water Flame, Gu He hurriedly reached out to support the bowing Yun Zimo.

"Hall Master, you are too polite. This Humble One has only performed a minor service, which cannot compare to the grace of your guidance."

Seeing Yun Zimo's attitude, Gu He had already decided in his heart to join the Misty Cloud Sect.

The favor of being discovered by the old Sect Master Yun Shan and the guidance provided by Hall Master Yun Zimo—Gu He was not a beast incapable of repaying kindness. He had been able to feign ignorance toward the hints from Yun Shan and Yun Zimo in the past, but now, he had finally made up his mind!

"Alchemy Hall Master Gu He, respectfully requests the Hall Master to inspect the Alchemy Hall!"

Gu He stepped back, his body wreathed in soft, cloud-like flames to obscure the view of others. A moment later, Gu He, dressed in silver-white moon robes, bowed deeply.

"Master Gu He!"

Yun Zimo hurried forward to help him up. He had not expected Gu He to take the initiative to join the Misty Cloud Sect this time; he had assumed that even with the Heavenly Flame, Gu He would still hesitate for a few more days.

"With the help of Master Gu He, the revival of the Misty Cloud Sect is just around the corner!"

Yun Zimo laughed heartily. After offering a few compliments, he suddenly became a bit fidgety and hesitant.

"Master Gu He, there is a matter that I wonder if you could... er, that is..."

"Hall Master, please speak your mind. If there is anything I can do to help, I will certainly give it my all!"

Gu He smiled brightly. He had been worried about not being able to help with anything, and this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill a request for Zimo.

"Then, that is for the best!"

Yun Zimo gave an awkward smile.

"It's just that you know the situation with Xiao Yi Xian; you may need to put in a bit more effort regarding her affairs."

Gu He had thought it was some major affair; even if Yun Zimo hadn't mentioned it, he would have had a tremendous interest in studying the Woe Poison Body, a physique rarely seen in a century, with great care.

"Rest assured, Hall Master. Miss Xiao Yi Xian possesses an extremely high talent for medical theory; I will certainly treat her as my own disciple and instruct her with all my heart."

Having spent a few days together, Gu He had grown quite fond of Xiao Yi Xian's intelligence and aptitude for medicine. If not for her poison-attribute, he might have taken her on as a formal apprentice. Though it was a pity, teaching her just as he did Zimo was not impossible—after all, he was already well-versed in that routine.

"There is one more thing, it might be a bit of a bother for you..."

Only then did Yun Zimo seem to find it difficult to speak, pulling over Zi Yan, who was standing behind him crunching on "sugar beans."

"I would like to ask you to refine some high-energy medicinal pills for my foster sister."

"Oh?"

Gu He became interested. This little girl looked to be no more than eleven or twelve years old; why would she need high-energy pills... hmm?

As his fingers lightly touched Zi Yan's arm, Gu He's expression shifted. He gripped her wrist and closed his eyes, sensing carefully.

"Zi Yan, don't move around!"

Yun Zimo held down the resisting Zi Yan, leaning down to whisper in her ear.

"Master Gu He will refine the most suitable pills for you."

A wisp of soul power darted rapidly through Zi Yan's meridians and flesh, returning to Gu He's palm a moment later.

"You..."

Gu He looked at Zi Yan with a face full of astonishment, then cast a strange, unreadable glance at Yun Zimo.

"A juvenile Magical Beast that accidentally consumed an immature Humanoid Transformation Grass..."

Gu He sighed softly. In all his years, this was the first time he had encountered such a bizarre case; no wonder she required high-energy pills.

Wait, given the sheer vigor of this girl's blood and qi, the energy required was terrifying. Roughly speaking, she would need tens of thousands of Tier 5 or Tier 6 pills?!

"Refine some..."

Gu He recalled Yun Zimo's words, then imagined a future where he was frantically refining Tier 6 pills, only for it to still not be enough for this little girl to eat. He couldn't help but feel his body go limp, nearly fainting on the spot.

This brat really knew how to stir up trouble!

"Master Gu He, please take a look at this..."

Yun Zimo knew that this request would essentially turn Gu He into a beast of burden, so he asked in a rather teasing, sheepish voice.

"Hall Master, you had better start thinking about how to apply for an expansion of the Alchemy Hall. Relying on me alone, even if I break through to become a Tier 7 Alchemist, it won't be enough to feed this... this little girl."

Gu He couldn't bring himself to refuse directly, so he had to tactfully express that the task was beyond his capabilities.

"Good!"

Yun Zimo had been worried that Gu He would refuse outright, so under Gu He's stunned gaze, he immediately picked up the Sect Master Token and sent out a message.

Sect resources were to be diverted to the Alchemy Hall, with full support for the expansion project!

Damn it!

He had forgotten that Sect Master Yun Yun was in seclusion and that this rascal was still the Acting Sect Master!

Gu He's face turned purple with frustration, followed by a long sigh. Fine, fine. I'll just treat it as accumulating experience for reaching the Tier 7 Alchemist rank sooner. It seems I'll have to bring that brat Liu Ling up the mountain to properly instruct him...

Oh, and those medicinal herbs my brother has kept in his private collection for so long can finally be put to use...