“Fellow Daoist, are, are, are you done yet?”
Inside the pitch-black dungeon.
Gu Linshu, who had been sitting, was now lying on the ground. This made it easier for the Danfeng Valley disciple, Gong Xu, to crouch down with his back to him, using his bound hands to fumble around for the youth's belt.
“Don’t panic, I’m looking for the button on your belt. Seriously, you’re a grown man, why is your belt tied so intricately? I can’t even tear it open. It’s so sturdy; it’s not like anyone is trying to strip you.”
Gong Xu was the same young man who had previously mentioned he wasn't married and was still a virgin. Sweat beaded on his forehead; this weird, high-difficulty posture was truly exhausting, and he was forced to rely on the flexibility of his fingers since his hands were tied.
He tried for a while and found that he couldn't undo the belt no matter what. His fingers were almost twisted into pretzels from the cramping.
He felt more than a little despair.
Gu Linshu let out a soft sigh and explained, his voice warm and calm.
“This outfit was m-m-made by my father. He f-f-found two Nascent Soul Masters—an artifact cultivator and a pill cultivator—to refine it. They used the s-s-s-silk spun by Golden Core Heavenly Demon Silkworms as material. It c-c-can resist cold, fire, and poison. A Mid-Grade artifact c-c-c-cannot pierce it.”
“It is indeed a b-b-bit difficult to u-u-u-undo. It requires a special technique to open. My apologies for the t-t-trouble, Fellow Daoist.”
“...”
That was a bit of a niche boast. To think he was wearing fabric so precious that even a Mid-Grade artifact couldn't pierce it.
His words silenced everyone who had been eagerly waiting for the result.
Gong Xu, in particular, felt a chill in his heart. It turned out the guy wasn't afraid of being stripped; it was just that the Young Master’s clothes were made of such special material that even a Mid-Grade artifact couldn't poke through them, and they required a special technique to unlock!
Even Luo Yuntian hadn't expected someone to be so extravagant as to hire Nascent Soul artifact and pill cultivators just to make clothes for their son. This was inhumanly wealthy!
Nascent Soul...!
After all these years of risking his life, he had only reached the Early-Stage Golden Core and barely managed to scramble into an Elder position in Danfeng Valley.
It was worth noting that while Wen Li had confiscated many of Gu Linshu’s powerful items, she hadn't touched his clothes or shoes. After all, the Young Master had lived with this quality of life since childhood. She couldn't very well make him suffer a severe downgrade in consumption and wear her patched-up old rags the moment he joined her.
Zongzheng Huangyue was the same; she had a princess title and money from the imperial family, so she could wear whatever she wanted.
On the other hand, Yao Dai and Xie Tinglan—the two disciples Wen Li had picked up—had no money and could only wear the old clothes Wen Li personally mended for them.
“W-w-what’s wrong?”
Gu Linshu noticed the air had gone quiet and the atmosphere felt a bit off. He wondered if they were angry because his belt was truly too difficult to undo?
He kept Wen Li’s advice about not flaunting wealth firmly in mind, so the spirit stones he brought out were only measured in Low-Grade Spirit Stones. He had given her all his high-quality artifacts and pills. However, having been raised with a golden spoon in his mouth, he didn't realize there was anything strange about what he had just said regarding his clothes.
It was just a piece of clothing. His parents used to commission new ones every month; he didn't lack for them.
Gong Xu said, “...I-it’s nothing. I just suddenly miss my parents.”
In the darkness.
The six of them silently shed tears in unison. They also wanted parents who were such big shots.
Luo Yuntian cleared his throat, his eyes darting around as he couldn't resist asking.
“Young friend... no, Fellow Daoist... ah, no, Senior.”
“Does, does your family need any more Elders? Or, uh, do you need a gatekeeper? What do you think of me? I have a hundred and twenty years of experience as an Elder of Danfeng Valley and thirty years of experience guarding Danfeng Valley’s main gate. I can accept a one-year probationary period.”
He had previously seen that Gu Linshu possessed extraordinary talent and guessed he was a member of the Beiqiong Kingdom’s imperial family out for experience. But once those words came out—hiring Nascent Soul cultivators to make clothes! Aside from those few powerhouses in the Beiqiong Kingdom, he really couldn't think of who his parents could be.
This was a massive golden thigh. If he didn't grab onto it now, then when?
“...Master!”
“...Martial Uncle!”
The five disciples of Danfeng Valley widened their eyes, stunned by his shameless attempt to switch sides.
“Brother, I can do it too! I’ll be your servant!”
“Hey, me, me, me! I can refine pills! I’ll refine pills for you to eat as snacks!”
“No, look at me! None of them are any good! Ah, don't step on me!”
In the next second, the five of them also began competing to recommend themselves as willing workhorses.
“...”
Gu Linshu fell silent. He couldn't see their expressions in the dark, but he could hear them starting to scramble and even scuffle with each other just to fight over a servant position for him.
Gong Xu, taking advantage of his proximity, immediately put all his effort into undoing the belt.
“Fellow Daoist, look at me. I’m smarter than them! Don't worry, I can definitely get this belt off. Once we’re out, can I follow you? I eat very little; I’m very easy to take care of.”
But the more he rushed, the less he could undo it. He even tried to use his teeth to bite it.
“No, y-y-you mustn't!” He didn't like being touched like this.
Gu Linshu was startled and hurriedly scooted his buttocks backward while lying on the ground.
The dungeon was in total chaos.
Boom—
Suddenly, it became light.
Rather, the dungeon was illuminated as a massive luminous pearl appeared.
The seven people, whose eyes were adapted to the dark or covered by black cloth, immediately stopped their movements, remaining vigilant as they adjusted to the light.
Who was here?!
“Tsk, it’s quite... lively here. Please, continue. Do carry on.”
A bright, clear voice filled with cold amusement echoed through the empty dungeon.
Gu Linshu’s voice was full of surprise.
“Master!”
At these words, Luo Yuntian’s heart skipped a beat. This junior’s master was here! Based on his parents’ cultivation levels, his master must at least be at the Nascent Soul realm. No wonder they hadn't heard any commotion outside and the master had come straight here; she was indeed an expert!
He had made the right gamble. They were all saved.
“I ask that Senior please take action to save my Danfeng Valley disciples. The kidnapping of your disciple was the work of the Moquan Sect. He is our common enemy. Why not join forces with us, Senior? It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
Luo Yuntian, lying on the ground, understood that while he called it joining forces, they were actually just riding on her coattails.
The other five disciples also breathed a sigh of relief. Being able to find this place meant everyone outside had been dealt with. They were safe.
Little did they know.
Rate on N.U.
