11: Chapter 11 I can't stand it anymore

Gu Sheng flicked his fingertip, and that faint, almost non-existent red thread of Karma trembled slightly in the void.

"Mo Cangtian, you really couldn't sit still."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Gu Sheng's mouth. Although the Great Karma Technique was only an Incomplete Manual, the viscous sensation of being peered at from across space was as clear as someone blowing cold air on the back of his neck.

[Ding.]

[System has detected that the host is currently in the "being targeted" state.]

[Warm Reminder: Being eyed by a Nascent Soul Great Perfection is not a good thing. It is suggested that the host increase the intensity of the bluffing, or simply blow up Tianxuan Peak and run away.]

"Scram," Gu Sheng said succinctly.

He looked at the two treasures he had just obtained from the System inventory.

Special Building: Enlightenment Tea Tree (Sapling).

Profound Rank Magic Treasure: Thunderclap Wood.

"System, plant the Enlightenment Tea Tree by the spiritual spring on the back mountain. Hang the Thunderclap Wood under the eaves of the main hall."

[Instruction received. Deducting one thousand exchange points as renovation fees.]

[Produced by the System, it must be a masterpiece. Tianxuan Peak's style is being upgraded...]

Rumble—

From the depths of the earth veins of the originally silent Tianxuan Peak, a dull dragon roar suddenly echoed.

In the dry well behind the main hall, a spiritual spring surged out, turning into a thick white mist that enveloped the entire mountaintop. A small sapling, carved like green jade with leaves flickering with profound runes, broke through the soil and took root by the spring.

At the same time, a piece of charred wood with faint thunder light traveling through it was quietly hung behind the plaque of the Tianxuan Peak's main hall.

In an instant, the clouds above Tianxuan Peak began to roll violently. Purple Qi came from the east, and thunder was vaguely brewing in the sea of clouds, yet it remained restrained, exuding a solemn and killing majesty.

Gu Sheng felt the Spiritual Qi around him, which had become several times denser, and nodded with satisfaction.

Now, even if Mo Cangtian were to act personally, he would have to first weigh the thunderous intent filling the mountain.

...

Piaomiao Holy Land, Main Peak.

Mo Cangtian stood up abruptly, his gaze like lightning, staring fixedly in the direction of Tianxuan Peak.

"Purple Qi crowning the top, thunderous sounds restrained... Is this a top-tier Spirit Gathering Array, or has a peerless Magic Treasure been born?"

The white-haired Deduction Elder standing behind him now had a face as pale as paper, and the compass in his hand cracked with a "clack."

"Holy Lord, it cannot be calculated, it cannot be calculated!" The Elder's voice was hoarse, his eyes full of horror. "I tried to force a glimpse just now, and I actually saw a thunder dragon looking down from the clouds. That was... the aura of Heavenly Tribulation!"

A layer of fine sweat seeped from Mo Cangtian's palms.

He had originally wanted to test Gu Sheng's true strength, but Tianxuan Peak changed every day, and its hidden cards were endless.

"It seems the Family behind Gu Sheng is even more terrifying than we imagined." Mo Cangtian took a deep breath to calm his mind. "Pass down the order, have Li Changgeng go to Tianxuan Peak."

"Holy Lord, is it still for the matter of Sun Yan?"

"No." A calculating look flashed in Mo Cangtian's eyes. "Half a month from now is the sect's once-in-a-decade Disciple Recruitment Ceremony. Tell Gu Sheng that since he is the Peak Master of Tianxuan Peak, he should attend. If he wants to take a disciple, the geniuses within the Holy Land are for him to choose."

After a pause, Mo Cangtian added: "If he refuses or finds an excuse to decline, it will prove that he is guilty."

This was an open scheme.

He would either have to show his strength at the ceremony or be exposed in front of everyone.

...

Below Tianxuan Peak.

Li Changgeng was carrying two jars of thousand-year-old spiritual wine, his legs feeling a bit weak.

Ever since the last time they knelt all over the ground outside Tianxuan Peak, his heart trembled whenever he saw this mountain gate.

"Peak Master Gu, Li Changgeng of Lingxu Peak, on the orders of the Holy Lord, has come to visit the mountain," Li Changgeng shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice carrying a hint of fawning.

"Enter."

An indifferent voice came from within the main hall.

Li Changgeng took a deep breath and stepped up the mountain.

As soon as he stepped into the range of the white mist, the hair on his body stood on end.

That was the pressure of thunder!

He looked up and saw a faint purple light flashing at the corner of the hall's eaves, which shook his Golden Core Stage Divine Soul.

"What Rank of Magic Treasure is this?" Li Changgeng cried out in his heart, walking even more carefully, like a country bumpkin entering a grand manor.

By the time he reached the entrance of the main hall and saw Gu Sheng sitting in the main seat, nonchalantly flipping through an ancient book, Li Changgeng didn't even dare to look the other person in the eye.

Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

In Li Changgeng's eyes, how was this cultivation? This was clearly a deliberate display of "returning to simplicity."

"Peak Master Li, is something the matter?" Gu Sheng didn't look up, his finger sliding across the page.

"Cough, Peak Master Gu." Li Changgeng bowed, his attitude humble to the core. "The Holy Lord asked me to deliver a message. For the ceremony in half a month, the Holy Lord hopes to invite you to sit in the main seat and select talents for the Holy Land."

Gu Sheng put down the book and looked at him with a half-smile.

"Sit in the main seat? Is it appropriate for a Qi Refining stage trash like me to sit there?"

Li Changgeng's cold sweat poured down instantly, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "Peak Master Gu must be joking. If you are trash, then we old fellows might as well just bash our heads against the back mountain and die. No one but you can sit in that position steadily."

Gu Sheng's fingertip tapped on the armrest, making a crisp sound.

The main hall fell into a deathly silence.

Li Changgeng felt every second stretched into a century; that invisible pressure made him almost want to turn and flee.

"Report back to the Holy Lord, I will be there on time," Gu Sheng finally spoke.

Li Changgeng felt as if he had been granted a grand amnesty. He put down the spiritual wine and fled from Tianxuan Peak.

Once Li Changgeng had run far away, Gu Sheng dropped his profound expression and let out a long sigh of relief.

"System, how was my acting just now?"

[Acting score: ninety. The remaining ten points weren't given because the frequency of your tapping on the armrest was 0.3 seconds too fast, making you seem a bit anxious.]

"So many requirements," Gu Sheng curled his lip. "Half a month is enough for Su Qianxue to reach Foundation Establishment."

He closed his eyes and switched his consciousness to his Clone, Gu Han.

...

Xueluo City, Su Family.

The wind and snow had stopped, but the chill in the Su Family courtyard had not dissipated.

Su Qianxue sat cross-legged in her simple bedroom, holding the white Jade Slip left by Gu Han in both hands.

She had been sitting for a full hour.

"Little girl, stop dazing. That's good stuff."

An old and somewhat cynical voice abruptly rang out in the room.

Su Qianxue snapped her eyes open and looked at the black ring on her fingertip.

"Teacher, you're finally willing to speak," Su Qianxue's tone was calm, as if she had long expected this.

An illusory figure emerged from the ring. It was an old man with white hair and a white beard, currently looking at the Jade Slip with a conflicted expression.

"Tsk tsk, truly strange. The intent of the Cultivation Technique in this Jade Slip is so high that it's rare in my lifetime. Just what is the background of that white-dressed woman? When did such a Prodigy appear in this Beiming Land?"

"Even Teacher cannot see through her?" Su Qianxue asked.

"I can't see through her." The old man shook his head. "The spiritual energy in her body is incredibly pure, like the legendary... Taiyin. Girl, this might be your great Opportunity. That little brat surnamed Xiao broke the engagement—he broke it well!"

Su Qianxue gripped the Jade Slip, her eyes determined.

"I want to become strong and no longer let the Family be humiliated."

"Then let's begin. With me helping you sort out your Meridians, combined with this 'Cold Moon True Interpretation', three days will be enough for you to return to your Peak."