Chapter 396 - 207: Hiding Sharpness in Simplicity, Elder Gu You Returns

Chapter 396: Chapter 207: Hiding Sharpness in Simplicity, Elder Gu You Returns

Yang Wenqing hurriedly replied with humility, "Master, you overpraise me. My success was a stroke of luck. Without the abundant Five Yang Qi on Jade Chime Island, which made it easier to sense the qi of gold and fire, and without you bestowing the Golden Fire Skill and offering your meticulous guidance, I wouldn’t have even been able to find the path."

Inwardly, however, he was thanking the Golden Core World within his Sea of Consciousness. ’With its help, I can execute any Magic with the utmost precision.’

"Making good use of one’s own strengths is the wisdom a Cultivator should possess."

Qin Huaiming nodded and smiled. "The Sword Control Technique Gao Zhen taught you was just the most basic offensive method of our Xuanyue Lineage. To use that as a foundation, first to comprehend a swift and sharp sword momentum like ’Sliver of Sky,’ and now to integrate the Golden Fire Skill... Wenqing, you truly are a rare talent."

Receiving such high praise from his master, Yang Wenqing felt a warmth in his heart.

After finishing his praise, Qin Huaiming’s expression turned a bit more serious. "Alright, we can save the idle chat for later. I just received a message from your Elder Gu You. He will arrive at Jade Chime Island in half an hour. He is my senior brother, and therefore your elder. Let’s go welcome him."

"Yes, Master."

Yang Wenqing complied, stowed his Azure Peak Sword, and left the stone platform with Lan Ying and Qin Huaiming.

On the way, Qin Huaiming spoke to Yang Wenqing as they walked. "Wenqing, your Elder Gu You has a very unique temperament. One might even call him eccentric and unpredictable. He has been wandering the world for many years. While he may seem carefree, he actually deals with all sorts of people, particularly the likes of heretical cultivators, Alien Races, and Overseas Loose Cultivators..."

"So, his style, speech, and mannerisms might be vastly different from anyone you’ve met before—perhaps even a little strange. When you see him later, no matter how he acts, don’t be too surprised or take offense. Just maintain your courtesy."

Yang Wenqing took careful note, his curiosity about this elder he had yet to meet growing. "Master, what is the world outside like?"

Qin Huaiming glanced at his disciple and said, "The world outside is vast and boundless, a place where order and chaos intertwine. There are immortal mountains and blessed lands, but also demonic lairs and ghostly domains. You’ll find sanctimonious masters of the righteous path, and freewheeling Loose Cultivators who act on their every whim of gratitude and vengeance. There are even many intelligent lifeforms completely different from the Human Race. As for the specifics..."

He patted Yang Wenqing on the shoulder. "Telling you now would just be feeding your imagination. When your Cultivation advances further and you have enough power to protect yourself, you may have the chance to step out of the East Sea and see it with your own eyes. Then, you will form your own judgments and understanding."

Yang Wenqing nodded thoughtfully, taking his master’s words to heart.

Soon, the master and disciple arrived at a landing platform on the edge of Jade Chime Island. It was almost time. Qin Huaiming and Yang Wenqing stood waiting quietly while a bored Lan Ying fluttered about.

A few minutes later, an extremely faint, low hum suddenly sounded from the horizon. If not for their considerable Cultivation and the fact they were actively listening, it would have been almost imperceptible.

It was a military-issue assault Flying Shuttle with hard lines and a matte, dark gray hull. Strangely, faint streams of light seemed to flow across its surface, as if it were covered by a watery film that suppressed its Spiritual Qi fluctuations and most of its sound to a bare minimum. This was clearly a special model with high-tier stealth capabilities.

The Flying Shuttle didn’t land directly on the platform but instead hovered outside the glowing membrane of the platform’s peripheral Array.

Qin Huaiming then took a step forward and released his unique aura. In response, a side hatch on the Flying Shuttle slid open silently, and a figure leaped out, plummeting toward the platform!

Just before hitting the ground, a flicker of Spiritual Light surrounded the figure. Their descent slowed abruptly, and they landed solidly on the hard stone surface of the platform with a dull THUD, kicking up a small ring of dust.

Yang Wenqing focused his gaze and saw that the newcomer was quite tall, even half a head taller than Qin Huaiming, but he wasn’t burly.

He wore a faded, deep blue, old-style martial arts outfit, covered by an equally worn, short leather cloak. A bulging leather parcel and several small leather pouches of indeterminate purpose were slung casually at his waist. His boots were stained with traces of dried mud and sea salt.

He looked to be about forty, but his actual age was certainly far greater. His skin was bronze from years of exposure to wind and sun. His hair was casually tied back, with a few unruly strands falling over his forehead. His eyes, not particularly large, were currently darting between Qin Huaiming and Yang Wenqing, lingering for a moment on Lan Ying on Yang Wenqing’s shoulder with a flash of undisguised surprise.

This was Yang Wenqing’s Elder Gu You.

"Haha, Junior Brother Qin, long time no see! You still have that same look of a stuffy old scholar!"

Gu You was the first to speak. "Yo? Is this that precious new disciple of yours? Not bad! Look at that spirit. And is that a Blue-feathered Night Owl? You’ve got some damn good luck, kiddo!"

As he spoke, he strode forward unceremoniously, his burning gaze sizing up Yang Wenqing, as if it could pierce through flesh and bone, right into his Qi Sea.

A warm smile, one reserved for an old friend unseen for years, appeared on Qin Huaiming’s face. He took two steps forward, also sizing up Gu You, his tone carrying a familiar tease. "Senior Brother, you’re as dashing as ever. Seeing you covered in all this dust, what godforsaken corner did you just crawl out of?"

"Heh, just took a trip around the northern Icy Sea," Gu You said nonchalantly, then stepped forward and casually bumped Qin Huaiming’s shoulder with his own.

Qin Huaiming looked exasperated, but his eyes held concern. "No trouble, I hope?"

"Nothing to worry about."

Gu You waved his hand dismissively, his gaze falling back on Yang Wenqing. "It’s only been a few years. Where did you dig up such a fine gem? This Marrow Cleansing Fourth Transformation Cultivation is the real deal. His aura is so condensed and solid it’s ridiculous! Way better than those arrogant senior brothers from the other two sects back in the day!"

He leaned in closer, his face almost touching Yang Wenqing’s, and even twitched his nose a couple of times as if sniffing something. "There are traces of Five Yang Qi circulating in his body, on par with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Aren’t you afraid of stunting his growth by pushing him too fast?"

Made uncomfortable by this overly close and blatant scrutiny, Lan Ying tucked in its wings slightly and leaned against Yang Wenqing’s neck. A faint murmur echoed in its Spirit Sea. ’Qingqing, this elder... I don’t like his smell. But he doesn’t seem to have any ill intent.’

Yang Wenqing felt a bit awkward under Gu You’s unceremonious ’appraisal,’ but he steadied himself and bowed in salute. "Disciple Yang Wenqing pays his respects to Elder Gu You."

"Mm, not bad. You have manners, but your eyes aren’t timid. You’re not one of those little rule-following stiffs."

Gu You finally straightened up and patted Yang Wenqing’s shoulder. "I heard about you. Director Yang of Lingshan County, right? No wonder you have a different air about you. Much easier on the eyes than those so-called geniuses who were coddled in academies!"

Qin Huaiming laughed. "Alright, Senior Brother, don’t scare the boy. Speaking of which, Wenqing’s steady character reminds me a little of you back in the day. Of course, he’s not as wild."

Hearing this, a reminiscent glint flashed in Gu You’s eyes, and he laughed heartily. "Back when you first joined the sect, you were just a little bookworm who only knew how to bury his head in Daoist scriptures! Later, when we adventured together in the East Sea, you sure caused me a lot of trouble. I always had to be the one to clean up your messes!"

"Clearly, you were the one who caused more trouble. I was always the one who had to plan our escapes."

Qin Huaiming countered without mercy, and then the two of them looked at each other and smiled.

Yang Wenqing listened quietly from the side, discerning from their boisterous, bickering recollections the important role this brother-like elder had played in his master’s Cultivation journey.

Chatting and laughing, the three of them and Lan Ying started on their way back.

This short stretch of the journey was walked very slowly, as Qin Huaiming and Gu You had endless things to talk about. It took them nearly an hour to return to the grand, empty pavilion.

Upon entering the main hall, Gu You plopped down unceremoniously on the polished floor, leaning his back against a thick pillar, and let out a long sigh. "Nothing beats being home."

Qin Huaiming also sat down casually opposite him, while Yang Wenqing stood in attendance to the side. Lan Ying flew up to a roof beam and remained there quietly, its small eyes occasionally glancing toward Gu You.

After catching his breath, a secretive smile crept onto Gu You’s face. He lowered his voice. "Hey, Junior Brother, and Nephew Wenqing... this time, I brought back the corpse of a creature from the Outer Realm. I guarantee it’ll be an eye-opener!"