When they arrived at the junior academy, Gu Wuchen didn't let Ye Yuan'er follow him inside. Instead, he told her to attend to her own affairs first and come back that evening.
This was also to avoid drawing too much attention.
Ye Yuan'er nodded in agreement and watched Gu Wuchen enter the academy before leaving.
When he reached the classroom, the previously noisy room fell silent in an instant.
They had already known how formidable Gu Wuchen was, and they had made plenty of inquiries. They had learned that he was the Gu Clan's young master, and his presence was imposing as well.
They didn't dare offend him. Besides, the young master didn't bully people by relying on his status.
As far as they were concerned, the nobles who ran rampant across the continent were too many to count on one hand.
Gu Wuchen truly gave them a very different impression.
He had clearly been brought up well. All they could say was that he was indeed a child raised by a Titled Douluo.
The day's classes soon ended, and Ye Yuan'er arrived on time that evening.
"Young master, where are we going now?" Ye Yuan'er asked with a smile.
She really had little to do now.
Gu Wuchen said, "Come on, let's go to the Gu Clan's shop."
Ye Yuan'er nodded and followed Gu Wuchen to the Gu Clan's shop. As soon as he entered, Gu Wuchen saw the newly stocked silk fabrics and some jewelry.
A black garment caught Ye Yuan'er's eye. She went over and curiously touched it; it was silky smooth, and the fabric was excellent too.
"Would you like it, Bishop Ye?"
Gu Wuchen looked at Ye Yuan'er, who couldn't bear to put down the black leather garment.
A little embarrassed, Ye Yuan'er nodded. "I do like it. I wanted to buy one before, but I hardly ever had the chance, and the Gu Clan's silk and fabrics are the best on the continent, so I can't quite put it down this time."
How embarrassing. I'm a Platinum Bishop, yet I'm acting like a child.
"If you like it, Bishop Ye, just say so. Consider it a gift for our first meeting!"
Gu Wuchen looked at Wu Tian. "Wrap it up for Bishop Ye!"
"Yes, young master." Wu Tian immediately went to the storeroom behind the shop, took out a black leather garment, wrapped it up and handed it to Ye Yuan'er.
"Bishop Ye, this is the last one for the month. Next month, we'll be selling something else instead."
Ye Yuan'er accepted it and held it in her hands. "Doesn't that mean I came just in time? I was lucky too!"
"You were lucky to come with the young master, Bishop Ye. Fortune certainly smiles on you," Wu Tian said with a smile.
Wu Tian still had work to do for the rest of the day.
Ye Yuan'er followed Gu Wuchen back to the Elder Hall.
As the two walked toward the Elder Hall, Ye Yuan'er hugged the package in her arms and barely spoke the whole way. Even her steps were more reserved than usual.
Gu Wuchen glanced at her and asked, "Why haven't you said anything the whole way? Don't you like it?"
Ye Yuan'er abruptly came to her senses and hurriedly shook her head. "No, I love the gift you gave me, young master. I just don't know what to say. In any case, thank you very much."
She was a dignified level eighty-nine Soul Douluo and a Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall, yet she had accepted a gift from a six-year-old child. No one would believe it if word got out, so she couldn't help feeling a little awkward.
Gu Wuchen smiled. "There's no need to be so polite. I'll have plenty more things to trouble you with in the future. It's only a piece of clothing; it's nothing."
As they spoke, the two had already reached the outside of Gu Wuchen's palace.
Ye Yuan'er bowed and put the package away. "Then please get some rest early, young master. I'll be in the courtyard next door. If you need anything, you can summon me at any time."
Gu Wuchen nodded, and Ye Yuan'er turned and withdrew. The two went their separate ways.
The next morning happened to be the weekend, so there were no classes at the academy.
Gu Wuchen rose before dawn to practice his swordsmanship. He refined the first form of the Dustless Sword Song over and over, putting his sword away only when he could release and restrain his Sword Intent at will.
He had just wiped his hands when an attendant came in to report, "Young master, Miss Hu Liena has arrived outside the palace. She says you arranged to spar with her."
Gu Wuchen's eyes lit up. "Let her in."
Outside the palace, Hu Liena's heart was blooming with joy.
When she received Gu Wuchen's invitation to spar yesterday, she had nearly jumped for joy on the spot.
She had long wanted a proper match with this arrogant little monster.
For one thing, she wanted to see for herself just how strong his Thousand-Year Soul Ring was. For another, he had left her speechless with his retort last time, and this was the perfect chance to regain her face.
Not to mention, if she beat the Great Enshrined's personal disciple, her teacher Bibi Dong would surely think more highly of her when she returned.
The attendant led Hu Liena inside, where she saw Gu Wuchen standing in the courtyard with the Dustless Sword in hand. Clad in white, he had a lean figure, yet carried a steady, sharp edge.
"Little guy, you're right on time." Hu Liena walked up with a smile, her eyes full of eagerness. "I thought you wouldn't dare fight me. After all, I'm a Soul Grandmaster, a whole major realm above you."
Gu Wuchen raised an eyebrow, his grip on his sword tightening slightly. "A higher realm doesn't guarantee a win. Where's the sparring ground? Let's go now."
"What's the rush?" Hu Liena scoffed. "As it happens, the Great Enshrined said he'd come watch too. Let's wait until he arrives before we start, so he can be our witness. That way, you can't refuse to admit defeat when you lose."
No sooner had she spoken than Qian Daoliu's laughter came from a distance. "You two little ones, I've been here for a while."
Qian Daoliu walked over slowly, his gaze falling on the two of them as he reminded them with a smile:
"Stop before anyone gets hurt. No lethal blows. Hu Liena, use your charm at full strength. This is a good chance for Wuchen to try out his new move."
The two acknowledged him and walked to the open space in the center of the courtyard, putting some distance between them.
Hu Liena was the first to use Martial Soul Possession. A pair of furry fox ears emerged on her head, and a fox tail swept out behind her. Two yellow Hundred-Year Soul Rings rose from beneath her feet, and an alluring, bewitching presence instantly spread around her.
Gu Wuchen tightened his grip on the Dustless Sword. Its gleaming white blade shimmered with a chilling light, and a purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring suddenly lit up beneath his feet.
"Begin!" Qian Daoliu commanded.
Hu Liena's Second Soul Ring instantly lit up, and she cried, "Second Soul Skill, Fox Charm!"
Invisible waves of charm swept across the entire area in an instant.
Gu Wuchen's vision blurred, and the scene around him abruptly changed. The empty courtyard became a hazy, warm-draped chamber. Hu Liena's figure was enchanting, her eyes brimming with allure as she walked toward him step by step.
Gu Wuchen was inwardly startled. No wonder Bibi Dong had taken Hu Liena as her personal disciple; her power of charm was not to be underestimated.
But he steadied his mind in an instant and silently recited the guiding principle of the Dustless Sword Song: when the heart was free of dust, the sword was free of stain.
In a single thought, he fully entered the Dustless Ice Heart state, clearing away every stray thought.
The Dustless Sword in his hand let out a clear, ringing cry, and a pure Sword Intent slashed horizontally outward.
The illusion before him shattered in an instant. Gu Wuchen abruptly came to his senses, still standing where he had been. Across from him, Hu Liena was still holding the pose in which she had cast her Soul Skill.
Hu Liena's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.
Her Fox Charm could make even a level thirty Soul Elder lose himself for several seconds, yet the six-year-old child before her had broken free of her charm in less than a breath?
"Impossible! How could your spiritual power withstand my Soul Skill?"