Ten Days Later

Having successfully retrieved the treasure, Lin Yi and Gu Tianxue left Cloudtop Tong Pass Prefecture and prepared to head to the Gu Family in Martial Saint City.

To be honest, apart from seeing scattered images of the Gu Family in Qin Jian's memories, Lin Yi really didn't know where the Gu Family was located.

The two rode their Dragon Steed steeds at breakneck speed, and two hours later, they arrived at the outer area of the Gu Family.

Unlike the Li Family, which occupies a remote area within the city, the Gu Family is located in the core area of the Crimson Training Mountains Martial Saint City, surrounded by three mountain ranges arranged in a triangular shape.

The mountain range is home to ancient trees that reach for the sky, and countless rare and Spirit Plant, including common white and green species.

At this moment, the night was as dark as ink.

Standing atop the towering peak, Lin Yi gazed into the distance. The Gu Family's pavilions and buildings seemed to be carefully adorned by the morning stars, scattered in a staggered pattern across the three undulating mountain ranges.

According to Gu Tianxue, each cluster of buildings on the mountain range represents a branch of the Gu Family.

Currently, the Gu Family of Martial Saint City has more than a hundred branches, and each branch has Four-star Martial Artist in charge.

Lin Yi didn't know where the other martial arts families in Martial Saint City lived, but at least the mountain range occupied by the Gu Family was probably a hundred times larger than Tianshui City.

"Once we enter the Gu Family Mountain Range, we can fly. My husband, come with me."

After placing the Dragon Steed in a stable on the outskirts of the mountain range and having it looked after by a special person, Gu Tianxue directly took Lin Yi and transformed into a stream of light, disappearing into a spot in the mountain range.

Under the cover of night, a pavilion built by the water, its main structure made of wood, gleams with a warm luster under the moonlight.

The courtyard of the attic is surrounded by various flowers and trees, and a delicate fragrance permeates the air.

Although the scenery here is beautiful, it is not the Gu Family Lin Yi remember.

Lin Yi couldn't help but ask, "Where is this?"

Gu Tianxue smiled slightly, her eyes gleaming mischievously, revealing her small, white Xiao Hu, and said, "I live alone in this small pavilion. It's getting late, so it's not suitable to take you to the Gu Family Main Residence. You can stay here for the night."

Lin Yi nodded, not taking it to heart.

As Gu Family Son-in-Law, he should have visited the Gu Main Lineage Old Residence on the day he returned to Martial Saint City.

However, Lin Yi was entangled with Zhu Xi and kept delaying.

Now that they have returned from the Endless Fire Domain, they will not delay any longer.

I must go to the Gu Main Lineage Mansion tomorrow, no matter what.

Lin Yi glanced around the lake and pavilions and asked, "Ah, shall we stay here for the night? But where are Qin Hai, Chen Muer, and the others?"

"Don't worry, I've settled them all in residences on the outskirts of the mountains."

Then, led by Gu Tianxue, Lin Yi stepped into the pavilion.

Unexpectedly, inside the building, there were more than a dozen maids from the Gu Family, each with an outstanding figure. They wore light and flowing silk skirts in elegant colors, and every smile and frown exuded a captivating charm.

The maid Xiao He stepped forward and said softly, "Help the master change his clothes and serve him tea."

Upon witnessing such a corrupt scene, Lin Yi immediately frowned and said, "I'm not used to being served. You may all leave."

After dismissing the maids, Lin Yi turned to Gu Tianxue and asked, "What exactly are you planning?"

"I'm not plotting against you, why are you so nervous? The small attic on the first floor is your room, I already had someone clean it up, see you later."

Gu Tianxue seemed satisfied with Lin Yi Yi's performance, smiled sweetly, and then turned and disappeared.

See you later?

Lin Yi shook his head, not thinking much about it, and stepped onto the wooden stairs to the first floor attic.

The interior is elegantly furnished in an antique style, and several candles illuminate the room.

However, the windows of the attic were wide open, without any obstruction, allowing a view of the tranquil lake below and the bright moonlight, as well as the fragrance of flowers from outside the courtyard carried by the Water Vapor.

Lin Yi didn't mind. He didn't plan to rest tonight and intended to use the next few hours to comprehend the Withering Bloom Fundamental Diagram.

His cheap Master Wushi, promised Lin Yi that he would only take Lin Yi to the Kun Family to see the Kun Earth Fundamental Diagram if Lin Yi achieved the perfection of ' Wither and Flourish '. Therefore, within the specified time, Lin Yi must prioritize comprehending ' Wither and Flourish '.

But just as Lin Yi took out the diagram of the cycle of Withering Bloom Fundamental Diagram, he heard the sound of splashing water coming from below the pavilion.

Lin Yi peeked out.

In the shimmering pond, colorful petals drifted by. Gu Tianxue, dressed in a light-colored gauze dress, gently lifted her skirt with her jade-like hand and slowly stepped into the pond.

She tilted her head slightly, closed her eyes, and faced Lin Yi Yi's window. Moonlight shone on her beautiful face, as if she were enjoying tranquility and comfort.

In Lin Yi's field of vision, he could even see the delicate white smear on Gu Tianxue's chest.

Good heavens, tonight you're going to put on a show of a beautiful woman bathing.

Is this an attempt to seduce him?

Lin Yi shook his head, then pointed his finger at the unobstructed window railing. Instantly, tender green branches sprouted from the wooden railing and pavilion window, covering the entire window.

When practicing, one must not be distracted.

By the pond, Xiao He softly reminded her, "Miss, the young master seems to have sealed off the windows..."

Gu Tianxue then raised her head and saw the pavilion window covered with branches, which made her both angry and annoyed.

"This guy, I've already taken such the initiative, and he's such a blockhead, he's not even a man..."

"Xiao He, don't you think my half-concealed, half-revealed appearance is attractive?"

Xiao He thought for a moment and said, "I am attracted to you, Miss. If I were a man, I definitely wouldn't be able to resist."

"Hmph, that guy is definitely not a man!"

The next morning, Lin Yi accompanied Gu Tianxue to the Gu Main Lineage Mansion.

However, it seemed that all the elders of the Gu Family were in seclusion, and Lin Yi only met one of them, Gu Tie Zhang, the deputy Clan Leader of the Gu Family.

Gu Tie Zhang and Gu Tianxue are of the same Direct Lineage Bloodline. Gu Tiezhang had no ill intentions towards Lin Yi, but after hearing that Lin Yi had become the Northern Guard Deputy Prefect of Tong Pass Beiwei, his attitude changed drastically and he became much more friendly.

He even gifted Lin Yi a priceless and precious Spiritual Fruit — the White Thunder Fruit —before Lin Yi left.

The White Thunder Fruit is Gold Grade Spiritual Fruit from the Gu Family's Treasure Vault, and it has the effect of helping to comprehend the ' Shocking Thunder ' Domain.

If it's something useful to me, Lin Yi will accept it without hesitation.

After leaving the Gu Family Main Line, Lin Yi originally wanted to return to Tongguan Prefecture to cultivate in seclusion, but he couldn't resist Gu Tianxue's entanglement.

Left with no other option, Lin Yi returned to Gu Tianxue's private pavilion by the pond and began his cultivation.

After being turned away last time, Gu Tianxue became much more obedient. She no longer tried to seduce Lin Yi, but instead honestly helped Lin Yi understand the situation in the Northern Domain and recruit the Martial Saint's men.

She planned to become the woman behind the Northern Guard Deputy Prefect.

Two days later, Lin Yi emerged from seclusion and took Gu Tianxue to Li Huo Li's Li Family to attend the banquet hosted by Ling Huoli.

This banquet was a private event, and all the attendees were the Garrison Commander and Garrison Commander family.

Of the twelve Garrison Commander, except for Qian Xuan, the other eleven gathered here, drinking and chatting happily.

It must be said that the trip to the Endless Fire Domain brought everyone closer together.

In a square in the Crimson Training Mountains, Lei Buping, Qian Sanliang, and others, who had drunk too much, even started sparring in front of everyone.

The group took turns unleashing their unique external martial arts techniques, their "sniffing hands" striking each other, causing the Earth Veins to hum and vibrate.

Finally, an elder of the seventh realm Martial Saint who lived nearby and Li Family could no longer bear it and stepped forward, roaring, "Is this never going to end? If you keep wasting this, my yard will collapse! If you have this energy, go fight outside!!"

Li Huo Li an awkward laugh, "Haha, Shan Shan Li is angry, please forgive him..."

Lei Buping waved his hand. "I'm not fighting anymore, it's boring..."

The crowd's enthusiasm for the martial arts contest rose quickly, but their enthusiasm also dissipated just as fast.

Although the Crimson Training Mountains have extremely high temperatures, there are many fire-growing plants, resembling red maple leaves, covering the entire mountain range and making it exceptionally beautiful.

Among the group of women and children, Gu Tianxue, who identified herself as the wife of the Northern Guard Deputy Prefect, was young but her manners and temperament were second to none. She led the group of women and children to admire the unique scenery of the Crimson Training Mountains, which drew praise from the ladies of the various families.

The day passed quickly, the banquet ended, and everyone went their separate ways.

Before leaving, Lin Yi felt quite regretful, as he had been thinking of taking advantage of the banquet to visit the Li Family Treasury.

Unfortunately, without special contributions, even Li Huo Li cannot freely enter the Li Family Treasury, and as an outsider, Lin Yi has no chance of entering.

As for Huo Weili and his sister, after they refined a superior Martial Saint Pill, they entered into seclusion to break through their limitations.

However, Lin Yi planned to use Qin Jian's identity to settle scores with them later and see if he could extort the Talent Stone from them...

After finishing all the miscellaneous tasks, the Dragon and Dragon Phoenix Banquet of the Ancient Domain was just around the corner, with only ten days or so remaining.

Lin Yi planned to spend the next ten days comprehending the ' Shocking Thunder ' Domain to perfection, and then replace the four golden thunder-type talents with the next Domain secret technique.

Next, returning to a room in Gu Tianxue's private residence, Lin Yi stepped into the Spirit Vine World and began his first long period of seclusion.

Time passed slowly, and ten days later...

Outside the Spirit Vine World Medicine Garden, the Withering Bloom Fundamental Diagram floated and drifted in front of Lin Yi, surrounded by two colors, withered gray and emerald green, intertwined and scattered.

In front of Lin Yi, a patch of Spirit Herb Spiritual Fruit grew luxuriantly, and within just a few minutes, they blossomed and bore fruit, spanning a growth period of several decades.

Behind Lin Yi, however, lay a desolate Desolate Desert, devoid of life, as if its energy had been drained away.

A moment later, Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes, revealing a puzzled expression.

It turns out that early this morning, Lin Yi finally succeeded in comprehending the ' Wither and Flourish ' Domain to perfection, following the ' Li Fire ' and ' Shocking Thunder ' Domain.

Lin Yi originally intended to use the Perfected Realm of Withering and Wither and Flourish a large area of Spirit Herb Spiritual Fruit. However, he did not expect that the world was originally balanced. Lin Yi used the power of flourishing to stimulate the growth of Spirit Plant, which also caused the Wither Power to erupt, causing the surrounding soil to lose its vitality and making it completely impossible to grow living things.

"It seems that relying solely on the Wither and Bloom Domain to catalyze Spirit Plant is unrealistic..."

Lin Yi shook his head, stood up from the ground, and put away the luminous Withering Bloom Fundamental Diagram.

Now that the cycle of ' Wither and Flourish and flourishing' has reached its peak, the Fundamental Diagram has become much less effective for him.