Over the past few days, life in the sect had returned to tranquility.
Gu Yanqing had finally completed his cultivation of 《Black Iron Body》.
Refined over several months, the spiritual energy and blood force within his body were now significantly stronger than before his breakthrough to the Golden Core realm.
As for Lin Zhixue, after forming her core, she hadn't rushed into another secluded meditation, choosing instead to slowly adjust to her new realm.
After their conversation a few days prior, the relationship between the two had returned to normal.
In fact, it was even more natural than before.
Occasionally, after finishing their cultivation, they would meet and chat for a bit.
Sometimes they discussed issues regarding cultivation, and other times they simply made small talk about minor affairs within the sect.
Most of the time, however, they still cultivated separately.
After all, having reached their current realms, they naturally had their own tasks to attend to and couldn't stay together all day.
A few days ago, the two of them had even visited the market together.
They had originally gone just to buy some necessary cultivation supplies, but unexpectedly, they ran into Lin Yuanfan.
By now, he had already broken through to early Foundation Establishment.
From the looks of it, he wasn't far from entering the inner sect.
At the time, however, Lin Yuanfan seemed to be talking with someone else and didn't notice Gu Yanqing and Lin Zhixue.
Besides that, Xu Muhe had come to visit Lin Zhixue a few times; she seemed much more relaxed recently.
According to her, affairs within the Xu family had gradually stabilized.
At the very least, she no longer had to run back home constantly as she used to.
It was clear that her mood had improved significantly as well.
The days passed in this manner.
...
“Hehehe...”
Beneath the shade of a tree, an artifact spirit gently floated in midair.
Xiaoyu circled around Gu Yanqing several times, up to goodness-knows-what.
It looked at Gu Yanqing, then glanced at the ground, before its gaze landed on a leaf.
“You'll do!”
It flew over excitedly.
Exerting a great deal of effort, it finally lifted the leaf.
Floating lazily above Gu Yanqing's head, it gently lowered the leaf.
The leaf landed right on his hair.
Gu Yanqing remained sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, completely oblivious.
Xiaoyu stared at him from the side for a moment.
Confirming that he truly hadn't noticed, it burst into giggles and tumbled several times in the air.
“Hehehe...”
“Let's see when you notice!”
With that, it quietly slipped away.
...
Elsewhere.
Lin Zhixue had just completed her sect mission for the day.
This time, the task was to handle a few Foundation Establishment demon beasts roaming near the sect.
For her, such a task was no longer difficult—just a matter of a few strikes of her sword.
After dispatching the demon beasts, she put away her jade badge and headed toward the sect.
Since forming her core, her cultivation had undergone some changes.
Aside from continuing to consolidate her Golden Core realm, she had begun trying to comprehend the fourth stance of the 《Autumn Water Sword Technique》.
However, since the fourth stance was a sword move that could only be cultivated at the Golden Core realm, its difficulty was noticeably higher than the first three stances.
She was still unable to perform it properly, but after exploring it during this time, she had gained some understanding of its variations.
With these thoughts in mind, Lin Zhixue didn't slow her pace.
Soon, the sect's mountain gate came into view.
Just as she approached the mountain gate, her footsteps suddenly paused.
Standing not far ahead was an unfamiliar man.
He was tall, dressed in clothing that didn't belong to the Yunxiao Sect, and looked as though he had been waiting there for a long time.
Lin Zhixue glanced at him; noticing her as well, he quickly walked over.
“Excuse me, young lady.”
“Hmm?”
“May I ask if you are a disciple of the Yunxiao Sect?”
Lin Zhixue didn't answer immediately, merely sizing him up.
She didn't recognize him.
But since he had asked, there was no need to hide it.
“I am.”
The man visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
“That's good then.”
“I am Fang Shouyi. I came here to look for someone.”
Lin Zhixue looked at him.
“Who?”
“Gu Yanqing.”
“...”
Lin Zhixue remained silent.
Gu Yanqing? Why is this person looking for him?
A trace of doubt rose in her heart.
“Do you know him?”
“You could say that.”
Fang Shouyi nodded hurriedly. “There are a few matters I would like to find Young Master Gu for.”
Lin Zhixue fell silent for a moment before speaking. “Outsiders cannot enter the sect as they please.”
“If you don't mind, I can call him out for you.”
“Then I must trouble you, young lady.”
Fang Shouyi quickly cupped his hands. “Thank you very much.”
Lin Zhixue turned and walked back into the sect.
But after taking a few steps, the doubt in her mind remained unresolved.
...
Knock, knock. The door was knocked on.
Gu Yanqing slowly opened his eyes. Hearing the sound outside, he was somewhat surprised.
Who would come looking for him at this time?
He stood up and opened the door, finding Lin Zhixue standing outside.
“What is it?”
“Someone outside is looking for you.”
“Looking for me?”
Gu Yanqing was somewhat puzzled.
“Who?”
“I don't know him.”
Lin Zhixue shook her head. “He said his name is Fang Shouyi.”
“...”
Gu Yanqing lowered his head and pondered for a moment. The name sounded somewhat familiar, but he couldn't quite place it at the moment.
Lin Zhixue continued, “He said he came to find you.”
“Mm.”
Gu Yanqing nodded. “I'll go take a look.”
The two soon arrived outside the mountain gate. Right as they stepped out of the sect, Gu Yanqing saw Fang Shouyi standing not far away.
He finally remembered.
The guard who accompanied Shen Wanwan.
However...
Gu Yanqing looked at him, his eyebrows raised slightly.
Mid Foundation Establishment already?
How long had it been since they last met?
He had actually reached mid Foundation Establishment.
It seemed Fang Shouyi's cultivation speed during this time hadn't been slow either.
But in comparison, what puzzled him even more was why Fang Shouyi would suddenly come looking for him.
Truthfully, there wasn't much friendship between them.
Fang Shouyi spotted him as well and quickly stepped forward to greet him.
“Senior Brother Gu.”
“Brother Fang.”
The two exchanged a brief greeting.
Without wasting time on pleasantries, Fang Shouyi asked directly:
“Senior Brother Gu, I want to ask you something.”
“What is it?”
“Has my young lady... come looking for you?”
?
Gu Yanqing had just been about to ask about Shen Wanwan, yet Fang Shouyi brought her up first—and even asked if she had come looking for him?
Beside him, Lin Zhixue tilted her head almost imperceptibly.
Young lady?
She looked at Gu Yanqing.
Who was this person talking about?
Gu Yanqing, however, had already remembered that short-tempered girl.
Shen Wanwan.
Why on earth would she come looking for him out of nowhere?
“No.”
Gu Yanqing shook his head. “She hasn't come looking for me.”
The anticipation on Fang Shouyi's face dimmed significantly.
“As expected...” He let out a quiet sigh.
“I've searched basically everywhere I could think of.”
“I still haven't found the young lady.”
Gu Yanqing frowned. “What happened?”
Fang Shouyi fell silent for a moment.
“Miss...”
“...suddenly disappeared the day before yesterday.”
“She didn't leave any message behind.”
“Nor did she say goodbye to anyone.”
“I've been searching for two days, and up until now, I haven't been able to find her.”
Gu Yanqing didn't speak, and Lin Zhixue stood quietly beside him.
A brief silence suddenly fell among the three of them.
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