Chapter 629 - 402: Gu Daoling

Just as the thunderbolt struck, a white dragon suddenly connected the heavens and earth.

In the distant curtain of rain, a speck of dark light, like a falling meteor, flashed swiftly, heading towards the Divine Cloud Prefecture City.

The Observatory, though an independent agency, has its quarters in the southwestern corner of the Prefecture Government Office, instead of having its own building.

On ordinary days, few people come and go, only an old Taoist and three young children.

The worn-out gate and old buildings appear forgotten, but the seven-story Observatory in the center of the courtyard stands solemn and upright, weathering the storms of a century, growing only more profound and ancient.

This Observatory, built of large stones, has seen a hundred years pass, with moss filling the gaps in its stone steps and railings. Yet the large platform on top remains smooth as a mirror, unchanged from when it was first constructed, as though the passage of a century left no mark upon it.

Gu Daoling’s hair has turned gray, but his face shows no wrinkles, and his gaze is calm and gentle. At this moment, he wears a coarse cloth garment and sits in the hall drinking tea.

He occasionally sips his tea, looking towards the Observatory outside, standing immovable in the wind and rain, as though gazing at an old friend.

Suddenly, a dark light, swift as lightning, shot forth, tracing a graceful arc through the rain before settling firmly in front of him.

The figure stood still; it was Zhu He.

Despite his swift movements, Zhu He brought no trace of wind or rain inside, and his clothes remained untouched by a single drop of water.

A strong cultivator of the Dark Grotto Heaven Realm, he acts through the Power of Law, transcending the mundane.

Zhu He cast a joyful glance at Gu Daoling, shook his sleeves, and sat down not far from him.

Gu Daoling seemed unfazed, taking another teacup from the wooden tray, pouring a cup of tea for Zhu He.

Zhu He looked at Gu Daoling and said, "Dao Ling! It seems I haven’t been to this Divine Cloud Prefecture for years?"

Gu Daoling replied, "Hmm. Almost twenty years, I suppose."

Zhu He sighed, "Returning this time, many things have changed. Yet this Observatory remains the same."

For once, Gu Daoling smiled and said, "Brother, not seen in twenty years, yet you are still the same. Still so melodramatic."

Zhu He drank the tea and smiled, "You start undermining me the moment we meet."

Gu Daoling’s smile faded as he looked at Zhu He and asked, "What brings you here this time?"

Zhu He answered, "Zhu Shizhong died mysteriously. I’ve come to find out how he died."

Gu Daoling sneered, "After twenty years apart, I thought, brother, you might have shed some worldly airs. I didn’t expect you to come running here just to watch a junior’s conjuring trick."

Zhu He tolerated Gu Daoling’s repeated sarcasm without losing his temper. This junior apprentice brother had always spoken this way, and for hundreds of years, they had always been like this.

Zhu He’s acceptance of Gu Daoling stemmed not only from their deep brotherly affection but also from his admiration for his junior apprentice brother.

To put it another way, within Taiyi Sect, the one most likely to inherit the mantle and ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm after Lv Yinlin isn’t the current Sect Leader Chu Qiushan; it’s his junior apprentice brother Gu Daoling!

Zhu He said, "How could I have a heart like yours? Staying in this Observatory for over a hundred years. A few years back, when I met the elder, he even asked about you, wondering when you’d visit him."

Gu Daoling replied, "An old monster and a little monster, what is there to see? Even if he asks about me through you, if I actually go, he surely won’t show me a kind face."

Zhu He said, "It’s because you’re too stubborn, insisting on cultivating your way. The elder wants you to continue down the path he explored."

Suddenly, Gu Daoling stood up; unbeknownst to him, the rain in the courtyard had ceased. His eyes carried a deep contemplation. "That path is only suitable for him."

Zhu He shook his head and sighed, "Better not meet. I see the two of you wouldn’t get along anyway if you did."

With those words, Zhu He stood up and said, "Dao Ling, I’m leaving. I brought you a packet of tea, left it on the table."

Gu Daoling’s gaze shifted, "Leaving right after ascertaining the lightning strike?"

Zhu He said, "Since Duan Rong used that artifact to lure down the thunder, it proves Zhu Shizhong was undoubtedly murdered. Knowing this much suffices. It’s not time to tear off the mask just yet. If I stay longer, trouble will arise. I’d best return to the mountains."

Gu Daoling sighed, "At your age, still involved in these struggles, is it worth it?"

Zhu He said, "I’m not just fighting for myself; many people follow me. Brother, unlike you, I no longer see the path to the great way. I live for worldly fame."

Gu Daoling said, "Brother, fame leads to ruin."

Zhu He laughed slightly and said, "It’s nothing but the victor’s crown or the defeated’s ending; there’s no ruin."

As they spoke, they couldn’t help but exchange a smile. Since their youth, they have always argued within a few words, and neither could convince the other. Even now, centuries later, they are no different upon meeting.

Zhu He put away his smile and looked at Gu Daoling for a moment, suddenly saying, "Alright, brother is leaving."

Having said that, Zhu He abruptly transformed into a streak of black light, flying through the house and courtyard, soaring skyward.

Gu Daoling’s figure appeared instantly at the threshold without any warning. He gave a respectful salute in the direction Zhu He departed, his gaze deep and somber.

Only after a long time did Gu Daoling return to the small table, noticing a small packet of tea leaves placed at the table’s edge.